October 11th, 2020 HILL Message (from Academic Director Rick Kunc): This week and next are short weeks at the Hill Academy because of Canadian Thanksgiving. Normally this would be a time where so many of us would be gathering with family and reflecting on being thankful. It’s hard to be thankful right now. It’s easy to be distracted by the negative. The global pandemic has made it this way. It has impacted every aspect of our lives. The ability to gather with friends and family. Our school day, our sports, our ability to travel, our social opportunities, and on an on. It is easy to go down that rabbit hole, and it is awfully dark down there. OR you can choose to be thankful. You can choose to find the positives. We at the Hill Academy believe that it is those choices that we make that make us successful. We choose to take responsibility. We choose to do our homework. We choose to be a good teammate. We choose to back check when we are at the end of a shift and we are tired. These are all choices that we make, and the help to define us. This is no different. By choosing to show gratitude and be thankful we will be happier. The science does back this up. By showing gratitude, not only does the receiver of the information feel good, but it makes you happier.
We are thankful that our families continue to put their trust in us to create a safe academic and athletic environment despite the pandemic.
We are thankful for our students who have shown resiliency and flexibility in adapting to our new routines and the demands of bringing 250+ people onto a campus each day.
We are thankful for our staff, faculty and coaches who have extended themselves each and every day to support our student athletes in being successful.
We are thankful for our amazing new campus. We are just scratching the surface of how our new campus can support the next generation of Hill students.
This weekend we challenge you to be thankful. You may need to look a little harder to find it. You may need to take a little longer to reflect on it. But we are sure that taking the time to be thankful will make our community better and make you happier.
Quote of the Week: “Don't let the sun go down without saying thank you to someone, and without admitting to yourself that absolutely no one gets this far alone.” Stephen King ________________________________________________________________________
Other Notes and Important Information: Non-Athletic Day: Tuesday October 13th, 2020 A reminder that this Tuesday is a Non-Athletic Day. On Non-Athletic Days, secondary students are tuning into their classes remotely. Reminders about masks, hand-washing, supplies and safe-distances We are happy to be able to be together in our cohorts on campus, but we need everyone's help to create healthy habits for our student-athletes. Our staff is constantly reminding students to sanitize their hands, to keep their masks on their faces properly and to maintain safe-distances in our common areas. Parents and Guardians can help us by reinforcing these principles at home. Students who don't comply will have to be sent home after a warning. Students also need to come prepared for their day with the appropriate supplies. Students cannot share supplies such as chargers, pens, snacks or water bottles. Students found sharing supplies will be deemed as non-compliant and will be sent home. Daily Attendance: If your son or daughter is absent, you are to email: attendance@thehillacademy.com. In your email, please state the reasoning for why the student is not on-campus. If an email has not been received, the absence will be recorded as un-excused and you will receive a notification. Students being picked up throughout the day for appointments, etc must notify attendance@thehillacademy.com the night before. If a student and/ or anyone in their household are experiencing symptoms; students are not to come on campus. Students have been trained on the Hy-Flex model and can tune into their classes remotely or complete their coursework asynchronously. ______________________________________________________________________________
HILL Athletics One of the primary objectives at The Hill is to challenge and support our student athletes to get to the next level. This is a gradual process and “the next level” comes in many forms and is different for every student-athlete. This past week, “the next level” happens to be the NHL for some of our former Hill student athletes. Cole Perfetti was drafted 10th overall in the NHL Entry Draft to the Winnipeg Jets. Cole was a standout hockey player at The Hill and in his local hockey community. In his four years at The Hill, Cole is remembered for his determination, creativity, and his overall commitment to his academics. He was awarded the Junior School Valedictorian, as well as many other academic recognitions at The Hill. He went on to win the CHL Scholar of the Year award this past year while competing in the OHL. The game is unpredictable, and will always present ebbs and flows. It may not always go the way that you hoped or expected. Cole’s NHL career may last 15 days or 15 years! Irregardless, he has a great foundation and will have options and opportunities whatever direction life takes him. He is a great example for our student-athletes, reminding us that your education and character growth should always be your priority. The cool thing is; the habits and discipline that you develop in the classroom will translate to your sport! Cole is one of many examples of this. Thanks to Cole for continuing to help set the standard for our program on and off the ice. For most, playing in the NHL is not our version of the next level and that’s ok! The journey is different for everyone and can have many twists and turns. I had a recent discussion with one of our teacher/coaches Graeme Hossack. If you didn’t know, Mr. Hossack is a top 5 player in the world currently in lacrosse. Hearing about his background reinforced the importance of maintaining perspective and playing the long game. A self described “late bloomer”, Mr. Hossack grew up playing on “II” teams and once getting cut by his Junior B team to play Junior C lacrosse at 16-17 yrs old. Patience, persistence, and continuing to play for a genuine love for the game (combined with a growth spurt) led Mr. Hossack to eventually break through. We must remind ourselves that it is a marathon, not a sprint. When some would think that Mr. Hossack’s career was over or going nowhere, it was actually just the beginning. Often times we think we are faced with make or break moments in sport. If I don’t win this game, or commit to a school by this date, or get drafted by this round, then my career is over! We must avoid playing the game as a means to an end. “Be where your feet are,” be present in the moment, tap into your love and connection to school and sport. Continue chase daily improvement and you may surprise yourself with where you end up. Sport can help you live life to its fullest, providing a platform for hard work, challenge, being fully engaged with the people and places around you, and having a clear purpose and pursuit. *We would also like to acknowledge former Hill students Tyler Tullio and Colby Ambrosio, who were also recently drafted to the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche respectively. We will be cheering you on from a far and look forward to following your journey at the next level. This Week's Lacrosse Schedule: Monday: Thanksgiving Holiday- School is Closed Tuesday: Remote Non-Athletic Day (no practices) Wednesday: Grade 9,10, 10 Boys Lacrosse: 8:15- 9:15am Practice @ Teen Ranch Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:45am- 10:45am Practice @ Teen Ranch Girls Lacrosse: 12:15pm- 1:15pm practice @ Teen Ranch Thursday: Grade 9,10, 10 Boys Lacrosse: 8:15- 9:15am Practice @ Teen Ranch Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:45am- 10:45am Practice @ Teen Ranch Girls Lacrosse: 12:15pm- 1:15pm practice @ Teen Ranch Friday: Grade 9,10, 10 Boys Lacrosse: 8:15- 9:15am Intrasquad Red/White @ Teen Ranch Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:45am- 10:45am Intrasquad Red/White @ Teen Ranch Girls Lacrosse: 12:15pm- 1:15pm Intrasquad Red/White @ Teen Ranch This Week's Hockey Schedule: Monday: Thanksgiving Holiday- School is Closed Tuesday: Remote Non-Athletic Day (no practices) Prep Hockey Zoom meeting 4:30pm with Bowling Green University Hockey Coach Curtis Carr (Zoom Link) Meeting ID: 651 377 2631 Passcode: hill1845 Wednesday: All Junior & Senior Varsity Goalie Session @ Teen Ranch Arena 8:15 - 9:15am Senior Varsity Skaters: 8:30am- 9:30am Practice @ Alder Street Arena Prep Hockey: 8:30am- 9:30am Goalie Session and Player Skill Practice @ Alder Arena Thursday: Varsity Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am Practice @ Teen Ranch Prep Hockey: 8:30am- 9:30am Goalie, Defence, and Forward Specific Practice @ Alder Arena Friday: Prep Hockey: 8:30am- 9:30am Small Area Game and Competition Practice Varsity Hockey: 8:30am- 9:30am Team Session @ The Hill Academy **Please note that parents are NOT permitted inside the arenas during practice time.**