November 29th, 2020 HILL Message (from Academic Director Rick Kunc): At Canadian Thanksgiving I wrote: “It’s hard to be thankful right now. It’s easy to be distracted by the negative.” And I wrote about our choices, and how we can choose to show gratitude, and to find the positive in each of our situations. I believe that when we make this choice, to see the positive and be grateful, that ultimately, we are better. It allows us to be our best selves. So as we were entering the American Thanksgiving weekend I went for a walk around the school and asked some of our teachers what they were grateful for here at The Hill. This is what I got in just 15 minutes: “I am grateful for the resiliency of our students” “I am grateful for the trails and this beautiful campus that we can make use of each day” “I think that it is great that all of our students have very similar goals, and that gives them the drive to be successful” “I am grateful that our students have the access to the technology we need to deliver our program right now” “I am grateful that we can be in classrooms with our students and are not fully online” “I am grateful to work with student athletes, many of whom share the same dreams and aspirations that I had when I was their age” “I am really just grateful that we are all safe and given the opportunities to work with some amazing students” What was amazing about this is no one really hesitated. They all easily found something to be grateful for. And this speaks to our culture at The Hill. But what was also great is when I came back to my office, I felt great. When others are positive it impacts us. By hearing all those positive messages, I felt more positive myself. So maybe part of the lesson in this is that when we strive to be our best, it makes those people around us better. And when I was almost back at my office, I held a door open for a couple of students. I said, “let me ask you something, before you go through the door you have to tell me something you are grateful for.” Student 1 said “I’m grateful you are holding the door”, and student 2 said “that my parents sent me to The Hill”. To our American families, Happy Thanksgiving. And to the rest of our community, enjoy the long weekend.
Quote of the Week: “A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. – author unknown ______________________________________________________________________________
Other Notes and Important Information: Monday Morning Assembly: There is no Monday morning assembly tomorrow. Diversity Alliance If you are a Grade 12/PG student and are interested in helping to create and grow a Diversity Alliance at the Hill, please come talk to Mr. Collins some time this week. The broad goal of the Diversity Alliance is to continue to make the Hill a welcoming place for all regardless of gender, background, beliefs, culture, or sexual identity. Mr. Collins needs help to identify more specific goals, and start creating an action plan to reach those goals. If this sounds like something that you would be interested in, please see Mr. Collins this week. He can be found in the Jr. School classrooms (rooms 1-3) during lunch. This week he would like to collect contact info and to establish a meeting time for this group. Phys Ed/Workout- Mask Hygiene To ensure proper mask hygiene and student/safety we ask that all student-athletes bring a separate mask for workout. Phys Ed/ Workout- Cold Weather Clothing With the cold weather and snow coming, we will still try to go outside as often as possible. Please make sure student-athletes bring appropriate attire (snow wear, extra socks/shoes, etc.) every day. Parent Survey The past two weeks we have sent out the link to our Parent Survey. We have been overwhelmed with the response, but we aspire to be even better. If you haven't already, please take the time to provide us with the feedback that will allow us to grow and continue to improve. Thanks in advance. Parent Survey Upcoming Changes to the Calendar: Please note that we have updated the calendar on our website to reflect the following changes: November 30th - this was a scheduled PD day and now this is listed as a non-athletic remote day for the whole school January 4th-January 15th - these are now remote non-athletic days (secondary only). January 25th-January 28th - these were scheduled exam days and now these days are scheduled as in-person non-athletic days. View the calendar updates HERE. Inclement Weather: In the event of a school closure due to inclement weather or unsafe driving conditions, you will be notified through email. Additionally, it will be posted on The Hill Academy Twitter account (@thehillacademy). The information will be posted by 5:50 am at the latest and all attempts will be made to notify earlier. If nothing has been posted, then the school day will resume as scheduled. If it is a remote learning day, students are expected to log onto their classes to get instruction for the day.
HILL Athletics (From Athletic Director Brodie Merrill) This past week’s theme was “head first.” Our guest speaker was Ms. Campagna, who described her various travel experiences. She has had an inner pull to explore China and knew she needed to act on it or she would regret it. She discovered a teaching opportunity in China and after initial hesitation and second guessing, she eventually went “head first.” There was no turning back as she booked the plane ticket, made the plans, and committed to the opportunity. Being on the hook and making firm commitments was a big step in the process. The first few months were dicey; sickness, a sketchy living situation, travel hiccups, etc. She stuck it out and once she got over the hump, she was able to immerse herself in a new culture, have some amazing, unique experiences, form lifelong friendships, and grow a broader perspective and inner strength. The students at The Hill have displayed the same willingness to step outside their comfort zone, just by attending The Hill. They are going for it, putting themselves out there. I’m sure there have been some uncomfortable moments, and times of doubt and uncertainty. If approached the right way, you’ll find a similar progression as Ms. Campagna. You can eventually get to the point where your confidence grows and you look back and say, "that was challenging, uncomfortable, there were times I wanted to quit…but I’m glad I did it!” This Week's Lacrosse Schedule: Monday: Remote Non-Athletic Day (no practices) Tuesday: Grade 9,10, 11 Boys Lacrosse: 8:10- 9:10am Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:30am- 10:30am Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy Girls Lacrosse: 12:25pm- 1:25pm Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy Wednesday: Grade 9,10, 11 Boys Lacrosse: 8:10- 9:10am Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:30am- 10:30am Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy Girls Lacrosse: 12:25pm- 1:25pm Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy Thursday: Grade 9,10, 11 Boys Lacrosse: 8:10- 9:10am Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:30am- 10:30am Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy Girls Lacrosse: 12:25pm- 1:25pm Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy Friday: Grade 9,10, 11 Boys Lacrosse: 8:10- 9:10am Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:30am- 10:30am Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy Girls Lacrosse: 12:25pm- 1:25pm Lacrosse Practice @ The Hill Academy This Week's Hockey Schedule: Monday: Remote Non-Athletic Day (no practices) Tuesday: Senior Varsity @ Alder Arena 8:15- 9:15am Prep Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am Team Practice @ Alder Arena Wednesday: All Junior & Senior Varsity Goalie Session @ Alder Arena 8:15 - 9:15am Senior Varsity Skaters: 8:30am- 9:30am Practice @ Alder Arena Prep Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am Individual Skill Practice @ Alder Arena Thursday: Senior Varsity @ Alder Arena 8:15- 9:15am Prep Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am Goalie, Defence, and Forward Specific Practice @ Alder Arena Friday: Senior Varsity @ Team Session 8:15- 9:15am @ The Hill Academy Prep Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am Feather Cup @ Alder Arena **Please note that parents are NOT permitted inside the arenas during practice time.**