The Hill Academy Newsletter- October 18th, 2020

October 18th, 2020 HILL Message (from Academic Director Rick Kunc): This week was a short week but that did not make it any less busy at The Hill. One of the amazing things that happened in our classrooms was The Hill – TEDx. Our grade 12 English students had this assignment as the culminating task for the rhetoric unit. The students had to write and present their own unique TED talk on a topic of interest and personal experience, being sure to use language as persuasively as possible to entertain, persuade, educate, and inspire their audience to make a change in their lives. Most importantly they had to speak publicly. In chatting with some students after, they were telling me how great they felt in their room saying it aloud, but that once they got in front of their peers it became difficult. They said it was really hard. In the classroom we must take risks to learn. Our best lessons come from failure. We learn many lessons from making mistakes, falling down, and getting back up. Taking risks in the classroom and sometimes getting things wrong, is a critical part to learning. And we also find this in athletics. Greatness is not achieved by being comfortable. Every so often, you must go for it. And to go for it, you have to take a risk. You have to try to hit the green in 2, you need to try that spin move on the attack, or you have to try that behind the back pass you have never done in a game before. Yes, taking risks during practice first is really important, but at some point it has to translate to the game. And when you do, and when you are successful, there is no greater feeling of accomplishment. Each of these English students was challenged to take a risk. Risk taking is part of a successful life. Sure, life is safe and comfortable without risk, but that life is also without reward. You cannot reach your Highest Level of Achievement without taking risks. This is what we must challenge each of our students to do each day in order for them to be their best self. It is aligned to our HILL core values. I was proud of how loud the students cheered for their peers once each finished their talk during that English class. But I was most proud of how they took a risk, because each will be better for it.

Quote of the Week: “I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.” Simone Biles (American artistic gymnast with a combined total of 30 Olympic and World Championship medals) ________________________________________________________________________

Other Notes and Important Information: Monday Morning Assembly: There is a Monday morning assembly tomorrow. Secondary students will tune in by clicking the Zoom link below at 8:30am: Monday Morning Assembly Inclement Weather Procedure 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. School Picture Day- Thursday, October 22nd School Picture day for all grades is scheduled for this Thursday. These are individual student photos only. Photos will start at 9:00am and students are to wear their Hill polos. ______________________________________________________________________________

HILL Athletics Over a month into school and there is a feeling the staff and students are settling into a routine. It has been quite the challenge moving into a new campus amidst a global pandemic and it doesn’t happen without the diligence of staff and students. Stay the course! The change of seasons on our campus is fun to experience and you can feel a connection with the nature that surrounds us. I’ve already had so many cool images ingrained in my mind of student athletes playing, do the things they love to do with our scenic backdrop. I can remember my dad telling me, “you can find a lot of answers in nature.” Since being on campus and being more intimately exposed to nature everyday, that message is starting to resonate. We know the uncertainty surrounding athletics can weigh heavily on our student athletes. When you step onto campus at The Hill, we want you to try and put any negative thoughts aside and focus on: -Having Positive, optimistic mindset. Yes things are different and there are a lot of reasons to feel bitter. Resist the urge to feel sorry for yourself, know that things are going to work out, and the best is yet to come. Have your eyes looking up and out! The adversity you are facing will help you become more well equipped for challenges that arise in the future. -Do your part. Do not be above following all the safety protocols in place, they matter! We talk a lot about being a great teammate at The Hill. This is your way and opportunity to be great teammate to those around you. That commitment will be reciprocated. -Be present in the moment. Appreciating all the stretches of normalcy in our day, not taking it for granted, and always search for gratitude in any situation. A simple reminder I like to use before starting practice, or workout, “it’s a great day to play." -Find your voice. If you are struggling, you have a strong support system of staff and fellow students willing to help. Reach out and seek the help around you in you need it. -Double down on your work and development: We are fortunate to be in an amazing and unique development environment. This is your opportunity to separate yourself!  The turf field will be open this week! We are super excited to add this element to our campus for our students to enjoy for many years to come. It represents another platform for our student athletes to have fun, grow, develop, and find themselves as student athletes. This Week's Lacrosse Schedule: Monday: Remote Non-Athletic Day (no practices) Tuesday: Grade 9,10, 10 Boys Lacrosse: 8:15- 9:15am Practice @ The Hill Academy Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:30am- 10:30am Practice @ The Hill Academy Girls Lacrosse: 12:15pm- 1:15pm practice @ The Hill Academy Wednesday: Grade 9,10, 10 Boys Lacrosse: 8:15- 9:15am Practice @ The Hill Academy Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:30am- 10:30am Practice @ The Hill Academy Girls Lacrosse: 12:15pm- 1:15pm practice @ The Hill Academy Thursday: Grade 9,10, 10 Boys Lacrosse: 8:15- 9:15am Practice @ The Hill Academy Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:30am- 10:30am Practice @ The Hill Academy Girls Lacrosse: 12:15pm- 1:15pm practice @ The Hill Academy Friday: Grade 9,10, 10 Boys Lacrosse: 8:15- 9:15am Practice @ The Hill Academy Grade 12, PG Boys Lacrosse: 9:30am- 10:30am Practice @ The Hill Academy Girls Lacrosse: 12:15pm- 1:15pm practice @ The Hill Academy This Week's Hockey Schedule: Monday: Remote Non-Athletic Day (no practices) Prep Hockey: Individual player meetings. Please check google classroom for your time and zoom link.  Tuesday: Senior Varsity @ Teen Ranch Arena 8:15- 9:15am Prep Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am U17 and U18 Team Practice @ Alder Arena 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: 8:15am- 9:15am Goalie Session and Player Skill Practice @ Alder Arena Thursday: Varsity Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am Practice @ Teen Ranch Prep Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am On- Ice Testing/ Individual Skill Development @ Alder Arena Friday: Varsity Hockey: 8:30am- 9:30am Team Session @ The Hill Academy Prep Hockey: 8:15am- 9:15am Small Area Game and Competition Practice @ Alder Arena **Please note that parents are NOT permitted inside the arenas during practice time.**