Dear Hill Community,

The last day of school is this Thursday! If you have not yet done so, please ensure you turn in your device and/or library books tomorrow to your teacher as the deadline is passed. We will have periodic emails over the summer, but this will be our last scheduled weekly communication for now. It has been an honor serving the Hill Community again this year as the principal. Please ensure your students do Dillo Best reading and outdoor play this summer as we encourage those healthy choices.

5th Grade Parents/Guardians: Look for the special emails to you from the 5th grade team that give details on the events for the last few days of school early this week. The week will end with our annual graduation walk that will take place around 2:15 on Thursday. Families can begin lining the front sidewalk in the carline drive at 2:00 if you are interested in seeing our 5th graders come by. Parents/guardians will not be able to view inside the building. Once the graduation walk is over, you can walk around to our 5th grade annex area to meet your student for pictures, etc. They can leave after the walk.

Tomorrow we will have former Dillo graduating seniors return to Hill for a graduation walk of their own at 7:45 am. If you have or know an interested senior, they can wear their cap/gown or a college shirt and begin gathering in our Hill library at 7:30 am. We will also be announcing winners of the Suzanne and Vincent Torres Hill Elementary Alumni Scholarship following the walk. We look forward to celebrating the graduating class of 2023! Then, on Tuesday, our former Dillos now in 8th grade will return for their graduation walk that never happened due to COVID at 7:45 am. Dillo Cheer!

We want to recognize the 2022-2023 Volunteer of the Year at Hill: Kristen Trout! We want to thank her and all of our amazing volunteers who have supported us this year and do so much to make this the best possible community for our students and staff.

We wanted to share another staffing update with everyone prior to summer:

• We want to welcome our new 5th grade math/science teacher Christine Nguyen to Hill! Christine previously taught at Summitt Elementary for many years, mostly in 4th grade.
• We want to welcome our new art teacher Anna Kotecki to Hill! Anna is coming to us from Rawson Saunders where she was a 6th grade teacher. Previously, she taught art abroad.

Each year AISD participates in the 5 Book Dive. Information and resources can be found at https://tinyurl.com/5BookDive , including:

• Lists of recommended summer reads by level (K-2 English, K-2 Spanish, 3-5 English, 3-5 Spanish, Middle School, and High School). The 5 Book Dive program encourages students to read any five books they choose, but provides these librarian-curated lists for inspiration.
• Printable bookmarks which can serve as reading logs. Many campuses choose to recognize students who bring their summer reading logs to school in the fall; some suggestions for doing this are available on the website. Students can also receive a $5 gift certificate from BookPeople for completing the reading log.
• Additional materials including information and resources for students, parents, and educators. This information, along with the website should be shared with families through your campus newsletter.

Click here for more information on Summer Basketball programming from Austin Parks and Recreation Northwest.

Below this letter, we have also included some information on securing summer meals if your family experiences any food insecurity. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or need support. Have an amazing summer, Hill Community! We will see you August.

Principal Drummond

Who qualifies for free summer meals:

• Students participating in on-site summer programs at eligible schools.
• Any child in the community younger than 19.
• Enrolled students with disabilities up to 21 years old.

How to find free meals this summer:

• Families may use the following tools to find a meal site anywhere in Texas:
• Call 2-1-1 to speak to a live operator.
• Visit  www.SummerFood.org  for an interactive site locator map.
• Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304.
• All AISD meal sites will be listed on the district website at: www.austinisd.org/nutrition-food-services/meal-programs/summer

How it works:

Children in the community enjoy free summer meals regardless of household income and without any registration or identification. Children do not have to be enrolled in Austin ISD to receive free summer meals.  Summer meals are served in the cafeteria and must be enjoyed on campus during the designated service times.

Please join us in giving a BIG DILLO CHEER for our 2022-2023 Hill Volunteer of the Year, Kristen Trout! She has served the entire Hill community this year with cheerfulness and kindness. We are so grateful for your time, talents, and heart Kristen!

From Kelley Valdez, 2022-2023 PTA President: I want to say THANK YOU to our Hospitality Committee once more. These three moms spent countless hours at Hill this year, sharing their yummy hospitality with our teachers and staff.  Ashley Brooks, Ashley Stafford, and Erica Butler, thank you!

Calling all volunteers! We are looking to fill several chair positions for the 2023-2024 school year. Reach out to President-Elect Melanie Petersen at presidentelect@hillelementary.com for more information or to volunteer!

CARNIVAL Co-Chairs: Are YOU and your favorite friend next year’s Carnival Co-Chairs? Hill Carnival is one of the most fun events we put on all year! It’s a well-oiled machine and an easy committee to step into. 

NEW PARENT COORDINATOR Co-Chair: Come welcome new families to Hill with tours, playdates and Kinder Round-Up. We have an amazing Co-Chair and are looking for one more. If you love talking about Hill, you will love this committee!

DILLO DASH Chair: Dillo Dash is part of our Annual Hill Health Fair in the Spring. Come plan this super fun Color Run!

Last Chance! Lost and Found items are now up for grabs! All Hill families are welcome to come to the front of the building during school hours to “shop” the racks. All remaining items will be donated if not claimed by May 25. Happy shopping Dillos!

If your child has medications in the health office, please come and pick them up on the last day of school, Thursday May 25th, 2023. All medications, with the exception of asthma inhalers must be picked up by an adult. Inhalers will be sent home with the child on the last day of school, unless arranged otherwise between parent and Student Health Services. Any Medication left after May 26th will be disposed of.

AISD and Hill Elementary are making staffing decisions for next year. Please make sure your student is registered for 2023-2024! CLICK HERE for the registration link! Thank you to everyone who has completed this quick task. If you haven’t registered yet, please do this today! Linda Glass, at linda.glass@austinisd.org, is happy to answer any questions. Remember, EVERY STUDENT MUST REGISTER EVERY YEAR.