A Letter from Principal Newton

Thank you for a wonderful first semester of learning at Hill School.  This month in our Social Emotional Learning lessons, we are focused on gratitude, compassion and developing friendships.  Our counselors led our school in the Look for the Good Project, culminating in our campus Gratitude Wall with over 1,000 students/staff/community members sharing their gratitude with others.  We worked with our PTA to place positive signs around the school, encouraging students to “look for the good” and praise and celebrate each others’ strengths. Check out the new banner on our yellow brick wall, which celebrates students being kind and nice to each other!

One way we show compassion during this time of the year is by giving to others.   We are grateful for those in our school community who help those in need through our Hill Families Helping Hill Families Program.  Many thanks to our counselors and parents who organized the donations to support our families during the holidays.  Our fifth graders also led our campus this semester in a food and clothing drive.  Through our PTA, we are continuing our Weekend Backpack Program, to help families in need with food over the weekend. Many thanks to all of our students and families who are caring for others and supporting these wonderful programs.

The Hill Campus Architectural Team met again in December to review the educational specifications for modern learning environments in AISD.  These new Ed Specs will be used by the CAT in the Spring semester as we begin work on the modernization process for Hill School. Starting in January, the CAT will be meeting with the architectural team selected to implement the 2017 Bond Work.

In January, we have a few teaching changes that we would like to share with you. Alli Sanchez, first grade teacher, will be moving to teach special education at Hill as part of the SCORES program.  We are excited that Ms. Sanchez is taking on this important role.  We welcome Katlyn Simon as our new first grade teacher at Hill. Ms. Simon is a recent graduate from Baylor University and comes to Hill with student teaching experience in kindergarten, 1stand 3rdgrades.  Welcome to Hill, Ms. Simon!

In the Spring Semester we will begin the process of looking towards the 2019-2020 school year.  Tuition Pre-K registration will begin on January 2, as well as online registration for new and continuing students.  Contact Teresa Carroll at Teresa.carroll@austinisd.orgor (512) 414-4267 with any questions/concerns.

We hope your family has a restful Winter Holiday Break.  I’ll be staying in the Austin area, but will look for Hill Dillos everywhere I go!  Dillo Cheers for now!!

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