K-6 Newsletter 05.08.26
- kevinhayashi
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read

May 8, 2026
Hello Hill Families,
With the warmer weather here, our students are spending more time outdoors enjoying recess, physical education, and outdoor learning. This is a wonderful part of the school day, and we want to ensure everyone stays safe and informed about ticks.
What are ticks?
Ticks are very small insects that live in grassy, wooded, and bushy areas. While most tick bites are harmless, some ticks can carry bacteria that may lead to illness, including Lyme disease.
How families can help protect children
You can help reduce the risk of tick bites by:
Dressing for the outdoors: Long sleeves, long pants, and light-coloured clothing make ticks easier to spot
Using insect repellent: Products can be effective (please follow product directions)
Staying on clear paths: Avoiding tall grass and dense brush when possible
Wearing closed-toe shoes and tying back long hair
Daily tick checks
After spending time outdoors, we recommend doing a quick tick check at home:
Check hair/scalp, behind ears, under arms, around the waist, and behind knees
Check clothing, backpacks, and sports equipment
Showering after school can help remove ticks before they attach
If you find a tick
Remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers
Pull straight out, close to the skin
Clean the area with soap and water
Monitor for any symptoms and contact a healthcare provider if needed
At school
We continue to:
Supervise students during outdoor play
Encourage staying in maintained play areas
Remind students about awareness without causing concern
More information about Tick Awareness can be found here: https://wdgpublichealth.ca/your-community/ticks-lyme-disease
With a few simple precautions, students can continue to enjoy the outdoors safely. Enjoy the sunshine and fresh air!
Mrs.Casey Kirkpatrick
Director- Early Years & Vice Principal (K-6)
In this week's Newsletter:
Introducing After School Multi-Sport and Cricket!
We are extremely excited to introduce two new after-school programs that are open to Hill students and to the community.
First, a weekly Multi-Sport program for kids aged 5-10 years old offering a fun mix of sports, similar to our Foundations of Sport program.
Secondly, we are thrilled to "test" the waters with Cricket. Under the guidance of our very own Coach Kyle Piper, kids aged 7-12 will be able to experience highly sought after coaching in one of North America's quickest growing sports. All skill and interest levels welcome!
Sessions will run on Tuesdays after school:
May 26th (Multi-Sport: 4:15-5:00/Cricket 5:00-6:00)
June 2nd (Multi-Sport: 4:15-5:00/Cricket 5:00-6:00)
June 9th (Multi-Sport: 4:15-5:00/Cricket 5:00-6:00)
June 16th (Multi-Sport: 4:15-5:00/Cricket 5:00-6:00)
June 23rd (Multi-Sport: 4:15-5:00/Cricket 5:00-6:00)
Follow the link to learn more about Multi-Sport Training or Cricket Training
Tick Awareness
As we have entered the outdoor season, it's important to be mindful of tick encounters. We have had a couple of sightings, which is not uncommon at this time of year. To learn more about ticks and tick bites, please visit the following link: https://wdgpublichealth.ca/your-community/ticks-lyme-disease Stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect yourself/ your child from ticks.
Junior School Athletic Banquet
The Junior School Athletic Banquet will be held on Wednesday, June 10th. Student-athletes in grades 4-8 are at no cost, and tickets for friends/family are available here: https://www.thehillacademy.com/events/junior-school-athletic-banquet-2026
Tickets are first come, first served, and we will be limiting guests to two per student-athlete.
Allergy Safe Microwave
Student-athletes are to be aware that there is a labeled microwave in the cafeteria area away from the other microwaves that is dedicated to those with allergies. Staff and student-athletes who do not have allergy concerns should not use this microwave.
Kindergarten Graduation
The kindergarten graduation ceremony will be held on Friday June 5th at 2PM at the Kindie Cabin.
The Hill Summer Camps

Although the weather doesn't think so, summer is right around the corner. We're thrilled to host a selection of camps again this summer at The Hill. As a bonus, Hill student-athletes can use the code: COACHMATT to save 10% on their registration. Stay tuned as we look to announce more even more camps!
June 29 - July 3 - Multi-Sport Camp
July 6 - July 10 - Golf/Multi-Sport Camp
July 13 - July 17 - Lacrosse Camp (boys and girls)
July 20 - July 24 - Multi-Sport Camp
July 27 - July 31 - Multi-Sport Camp
* Aug 10 - Aug 14 - Hockey Camp * JUST ADDED *
The Nest
At The Nest, we've been delighted by the excitement, conversations, decision-making, and laughter that continue to fill our space. It’s been a joy to interact with the students each day as they seek to fuel their growing bodies and find comfort in a place they can call their hub.
A reminder that cellphones cannot be used as payment at The Nest Canteen as it is against our school cellphone policy.
Students may pay using a debit/credit card, or, purchase a canteen card online.
TPC Toronto Special Offer
Our partners at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley would like to extend our relationship by offering the following discounts to the Hill Family:
20% off indoor simulators and lessons
20% off rooms
20% off dining (food only)
To take advantage of these discounts, simply follow the link, using the password: hillacademy to access.
TPC Toronto at Osprey requirement for proof of enrolment is a student card. To request your student card, please see Mrs. Bush.
The Hill Eats
Discover this week's menu, bon appétit!
Daily Lunch
Monday: Teriyaki Chicken Poke Bowl
Tuesday: Spaghetti & Meatballs Ceaser Salad Garlic Bread
Wednesday: Fresh-Baked Salmon Lemon-Garlic Beans Mediterranean Salad Bizmati Rice
Thursday: Ground Beef Mac and cheese & Roasted Beets
Friday: Philly Cheesesteak Wrap French Fries Coleslaw
Please be advised any feedback or special requests can be sent to lunch@thehillacademy.com
Blueprint Nutrition
This school year, the Hill Academy has partnered with Blueprint Nutrition to provide sport nutrition education and support. Blueprint is co-owned by Registered Dietitians, Cara Kasdorf and Rosanne Robinson, and along with their team of Sport Dietitians, they work with athletes across Canada. Their team of Registered Dietitians have worked with all levels and ages of athletes - from local and rep leagues to Olympic athletes, NHL and OHL players, and professional triathletes and endurance athletes. They have expertise in working with both student-athletes and adult athletes to fuel for performance, growth and development, and long-term health. They have expertise to support your athlete, whether the goal is to hit a personal best, navigate busy tournament weekends, or just eat enough to keep up with their sport and academics.
Cara and Rosanne will be providing 4 sport nutrition specific sessions to grades 4-12 throughout the school year. If you would like to seek out additional and more individualized support, Blueprint offers different options to work together.
Two of their most popular packages for student-athletes include:
Eat to Compete Program – $710 for 4 sessions
A high-impact coaching package designed to build strong fuelling habits across training, game day, recovery, and more. Ideal for athletes who want to level up their performance with a comprehensive strategy.
Performance Meal Planning Strategy Session – $295 for a 90-minute session
A focused, one-time consult to help you map out exactly what, when, and how much your athlete should be eating - with a personalized meal plan and timeline tailored to their sport, schedule, and needs.
*Note: all sessions are held virtually via video sessions
*They offer additional packages and sessions based on the athlete’s individual needs
To get started, schedule a free 20-minute clarity call by emailing: sport@blueprintnutrition.ca or booking directly at: www.blueprintnutrition.ca. They have also put together an online Sport Nutrition resource for students. Information about how to access the resource library can be found in their Physical Education and Health Google Classroom
Sports Schedule
For team based sports (ie. Junior Hockey Development), check your individual team's TeamSnap for the most up to date schedule.
Foundations of Sport (1-3):
Monday: Track and Field
Tuesday: Golf/Baseball
Wednesday: Track and Field
Thursday: Golf/Baseball
Friday: PD Day
Foundations of Sport (4-6)
Monday: Baseball
Tuesday: Volleyball
Wednesday: Golf
Thursday: Baseball
Friday: PD Day
Hockey (5-6)
Monday: Hockey
Tuesday: Lacrosse
Wednesday: Hockey
Thursday: Lacrosse
Friday: PD Day

View a comprehensive calendar of events by visiting www.thehillacademy.com/calendar
Friday, May 8 - Varsity/JV - CPLL Playoffs - Legacy Field
Saturday, May 9 - Varsity/JV - CPLL Playoffs - St. Andrew's College - Aurora, ON
Saturday, May 9 - 1PM - Girls Junior School Lacrosse Game - Legacy Field
Wednesday, May 13 - Girls Lacrosse vs. Medina HS - Medina, OH
Thursday, May 14 - Girls Lacrosse vs. Jackson - Massillon, OH
Thursday, May 14 - Sunday, May 17 - Prep Lacrosse TBD
Friday, May 15 - PD Day for Junior School
Friday, May 15 - Girls Lacrosse vs. Western Reserve Academy - Hudson, OH
Monday, May 18 - Victoria Day
Thursday, May 21 - Girls Junior School Lacrosse Game - Legacy Field
Tuesday, May 26 - Senior Athletic Gala
Saturday, May 30 - The Hill Volleyball Open House
Friday, June 5 - Last day of class for High School
Monday, June 8 - First Day of Exams
Wednesday, June 10 - Last Day of Exams
Wednesday, June 10 - Junior Athletic Banquet
Thursday, June 11 - Last day of class for K-8
Thursday, June 11 - Grade 8 Grad
Friday, June 12 - Grade 12 Grad
Uniforms
Please ensure your student-athlete is wearing the appropriate uniform for their division. Please note there are NO TIGHTS or BIKE SHORTS PERMITTED. If you have questions regarding apparel please refer to the K-3 uniform guide or the Gr. 4-12 uniform guide. Any questions, concerns or questions apparel@thehillacademy.com.
Safety and Security
We want to remind everyone about the safety and security considerations of arriving and leaving the campus.
For all:
Please follow the posted speed limits
Please come to a complete stop at all stop signs (there are new ones on campus)
Please note and follow the one-way driveway and the stop signs
Please follow the directions of the staff who are supervising pick-up and drop-off times.
Parking lots are to be used for anyone waiting to pick up students.
Fire routes are allocated to help Fire and Emergency Services access buildings quickly in the event of an emergency. Blocking these routes, even to drop off or pick up students, can be dangerous for everyone.
Accessible parking spaces are for the exclusive use for individuals holding valid accessible parking permits. Please do not use or block any accessible spaces without a valid permit.
Annual School Calendar 2025-26
Annual school calendars are available on the website:
Teachers
Kindergarten: Ms. Hill (katelyn.hill@thehillacademy.com)
Mrs.Kieswetter: (megan.kieswetter@thehillacademy.com )
Grade 1/2: Mrs. Goverde (jodi.goverde@thehillacademy.com)
Grade 2/3: Mr. Debenham (george.debenham@thehillacademy.com )
Grade 4/5 : Ms. Kennedy (haley.kennedy@thehillacademy.com)
Grade 6: Ms. Barbe (julie.barbe@thehillacademy.com )
Director of Early Years & Vice Principal: Casey Kirkpatrick (casey.kirkpatrick@thehillacademy.com)
Attendance Protocol K-PG
ALL STUDENTS:
If your child is absent from school, please remember to email attendance@thehillacademy.com to report the absence.
If your student athlete is going to miss their Phys. Ed or sport period for any reason, please remember to email DGlisic@thehillacademy.com.
Late Arrivals
If your child arrives late to school, please park in the designated parking areas and walk them into the main office to receive a late slip (K-8). The students will need to provide their educator with the slip upon arrival to class. High School students must sign-in at the main office.


