The Hill Academy 2020-2021: Start of School FAQs

Dear Hill Academy Students and Families,

The 2020-21 School Year is quickly approaching! We are really excited to kick off the inaugural year on our new campus. Over the course of the summer, our staff and faculty have been working to prepare for a return to in-person academic and athletic programming, as well as, continuing to provide the special HILL experience. A new year on a new campus will bring new moments of significance; however our culture and core values will always remain consistent.

First Week at the Hill:

While we are all excited to get the school year started, we want to ensure that we have addressed the many challenges that we will be facing this year with arriving at a new campus and dealing with COVID-19. To that end we have decided to do a graduated start to this school year. This plan will allow us to identify the needs of each student cohort and ensure that our best laid plans will work. We thank you in advance for your understanding.

The schedule for the first week will be the following:

Tuesday, September 8th, 2020: Grades 5-8 on-campus

Wednesday, September 9th, 2020: Grades 9-PG on-campus

Thursday, September 10th, 2020: All students on-campus

Friday, September 11th, 2020: Flex Day; no students on campus

Please note that there will not be sports practices during the first week of school. Students are not to bring their sports equipment on- campus for the first week.

What to bring/ wear for Day One on- campus at the Hill Academy:

• Hill work out shorts and shirt and running shoes. Be prepared to be active and outside regardless of weather.

• Water Bottle labeled with the student's name.

• A moleskin journal or similar. This is very important. A smartphone/ iPad will not suffice. This is something that will be used frequently throughout the year, so a durable journal is highly recommended (i.e. no rings). Labelling the journal on the front cover with the student's name is recommended prior coming to school). 

School Supply Checklist:

Student- athletes at The Hill Academy need to be prepared, physically as well as mentally for the year ahead. While we work together to engage students in the HILL (Highest Level of Achievement, Independent Thinking, Leadership and Legacy) we need students to have the following before the start of class in September:

• Laptop or Tablet and charger (The type of device is up to you, but it should have enough memory and capability to house several required Apps and Software. A smartphone will not suffice.) It is highly recommended that the charger is labelled. Sharing a charger on campus will not be permitted.

• Scientific calculator, appropriate for use on tests and exams (specifically for students pursuing the math and science courses such as calculus and physics). A calculator on a phone or iPad will not be acceptable on tests and/or exams.

• Head phones, pencils, pens, binders, notebooks and agendas. These items are not provided for the students but are used and/or recommended daily.

• Supplementary materials such as coloured pencils, markers, highlighters, pencil sharpeners and rulers can be required for various subjects.

• All students are required to wear a mask at school.

It is highly recommended that items such as chargers and calculators are labelled with the student's name. The sharing of any school supplies on campus will not be permitted.

Drop-Off and Pick- Up:

Students can be dropped off on-campus no earlier than 7:30am, and can be picked up from campus no later than 5:00pm. Drop- off/ Pick- up areas will be clearly labelled with signs at the Main Building.

Please note that only students are permitted outside of the identified pick up and drop off areas. Unless essential, visitors will not be permitted on campus. If essential, the visitor must have a scheduled appointment and undergo screening prior to arrival on campus.

Daily Health and Safety Protocols:

All students are required to wear a mask at school. Students will be responsible for completing a daily COVID-19 screen. Details about the daily screen will be sent out next week. Part of the screen will be a daily temperature check. We ask the parents/guardians ensure that they have a thermometer to do a temperature check at home. If a student is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 they are to stay home from school and practices. If experiencing symptoms they are to contact their family physician, Telehealth (1-866-797-0000) or their public health unit for direction. Symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose or nasal congestion (unless due to seasonal allergies or post-nasal drip), difficulty swallowing, new loss of sense of smell or taste, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.

The Ministry of Education is recommending that individuals who are ill and have an alternative diagnosis provided by a health care provider may return to school when symptoms are resolved for 24 hours. If the student is directed to go for a COVID-19 test then they must follow public health protocol.   

For further information, please read our full: Daily Health and Safety Plan

COVID-19 Testing:

A reminder to send proof of a negative test result to Kyle Kallay (KKallay@thehillacademy.com) prior to the first day of school.

We are offering on-campus testing on Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 from 3:00pm- 4:00pm if needed. Ontario students must bring an OHIP card. Out of province students must bring a government issued photo I.D.

If interested please reserve a spot by emailing Cindy Bush (cindy@thehillacademy.com).

Course Selections:

A reminder to submit your course selections as soon as possible. Please select the link for your grade level, circle/highlight your choices and then send the form back to guidance@thehillacademy.com. 

Please write STUDENT NAME.COURSE SELECTION as the subject for the email.

*Important* Please note that course selections are not confirmed with your choices. We will work to try to put your selections in place but will prioritize small class sizes in order accommodate physical distancing. 

Student schedules will be available in person or via email on September 8th, 2020.

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12

Post Graduate

School Calendar:

The 2020-2021 School calendar can be found HERE.

Uniforms:

Please complete the uniform order at the Online Uniform Order Store.

Dress Code:

The school uniform is: 

• Collared Hill Academy shirt / sweater

• Male student-athlete shirts must be tucked into their slacks

• Beige / Black dress pants/shorts/capris/belt

• All shorts for male student-athletes must meet the top of the knee

• All shorts for female student-athletes must be of a professional and appropriate length

• Shorts cannot be plaid or have cargo pockets 

Closed- Toe Shoes:

• All shoes must be presentable, clean and professional 

• No sandals

• During winter months: boots can be worn, as long as they are professional, and are not taller than mid-calf

Hill Hoodie

• Only to be worn on Fridays

Hill Track Suit 

• Mandatory for bus trips 

• Can be worn on Fridays

Workout Periods 

• Hill work-out shirt and shorts must be worn during strength and conditioning classes

Hats 

• Hats are not permitted at any time during the school day 

Meal Plan:

For information in regards to the 2020-21 Lunch Plan, please click HERE. Please email this form to lunch@thehillacademy.com to enrol.