Dear Hill Community,

We hope you are enjoying an amazing summer full of adventures and reading! The Drummond family hit the beach in Florida for a babymoon while stopping off for great food in New Orleans. For those that don’t know, we are expecting a baby boy this fall! In a few weeks, it will be time to hear your students share the exciting experiences they had over the break.

We wanted to share some staffing updates with you all as we prepare for the 2019-2020 school year:

Ronda Jones has started a new adventure as assistant principal at Kealing Middle School. We are so proud of her and thank her for her many years of service as an educator at Hill! We have hired a new assistant principal to join our administrative team. Karla Enloe is coming to us most recently from Brooke Elementary where she was an instructional coach. She has also served as a principal for two years in Franklin ISD.

Sheila Wessels has decided to pursue her dream and start practicing privately with the Ensemble Therapy Group. It will be wonderful to still see her around as a Hill parent! We have hired Chelsea Stover to join our phenomenal counseling team. Chelsea comes to us from Doss Elementary where she previously served in the same role.

Jason Schafer has accepted a position with Austin ISD to be a Health Coordinator with the Physical Education Department. We thank him for his years of service to our Hill students! We are excited to welcome back Melissa Monreal to Hill School as our new PE teacher. Coach Monreal previously taught 3rd grade at Hill and has spent the last 2 years in Austin ISD as a PE teacher.

We have two new staff members in first grade. Alexa Rushing has decided to take this year off from teaching and continue in her capacity as a Hill mom. Suzy Wright is now a special education teacher and reading specialist at Davis Elementary. We thank them both for their service to Hill! We are pleased to welcome Wendy Lee and Morgan McClellan to campus. Wendy is coming to us from Barbara Jordan Elementary in Austin where she taught 2nd grade. Morgan is coming to us from Nashville Public Schools where she taught at the primary level last year.

We are excited to have Alli Sanchez joining our 2nd grade team after spending the last year as a 1st grade and SCORES teacher. We have hired Jenny Burke as our new Special Education SCORES teacher. Jenny comes to us from Pickle Elementary in Austin where she was a 3rd grade teacher for the last 3 years.

Allie Massingill has accepted a position closer to home teaching 4th grade in Leander ISD, which will allow her to spend more time with family. We thank her for her years of service to our students! We want to welcome Naomi Haynes to our 4th grade team this year. Naomi comes to us from Norman-Sims Elementary where she was an instructional specialist for the last 5 years.

We will keep you up to date on staffing changes as we move into the beginning of the school year. Stay cool and see you soon!

Jack Drummond

On Tuesday, June 18, AISD announced that Mr. Jack Drummond was officially named the new Hill Principal.  Congratulations, Mr. Drummond!

Meet & Greet Reception with Mr. Drummond:
Tuesday, June 25, 6:00pm, Hill Library
All parents welcome

A LETTER FROM PRINCIPAL DRUMMOND:

Dear Hill Community,

I am honored to be announced as the principal of Hill School! I appreciate all of your support this last year through our transition and look forward to working collaboratively with our entire school community to ensure our tradition of excellence continues for years to come.

I value the relationships we have built over the last three years. Hill is a welcoming place and when you walk through the doors you can feel that culture. This is achieved through our entire school community prioritizing our kids and valuing the whole child. The Hill Agreements are simple but so important: showing mutual respect, appreciations, and doing your Dillo Best. Along with our continued mission of empowering our students to be 21st century learners, these principles will continue to guide our crucial work in preparing our Dillos for a bright future.

The focus on social and emotional learning will continue to be a priority. While we have accomplished great growth, there is still work to do. I look forward to supporting the continued evolution of our student leadership initiatives. Our faculty will take next steps in our work as a Neurosequential Model of Education (NME) pilot school, focusing on brain science and trauma-informed practices that can benefit all students. And as our campus architectural team continues planning for a modernized Hill campus, our academic practices with curriculum and instruction will continue to push forward to meet the needs of all learners.

Hill School is home to me, and I am excited to continue serving in this role. My door is always open, and I value your feedback and continued collaboration. We are looking forward to an amazing 2019-2020 school year. Have an awesome summer and see you in August!

Sincerely,

Jack Drummond
Proud Principal
Hill Elementary School

Dear Hill Dillo Community,

I have enjoyed the past few weeks learning and interacting with students and parents as the interim principal of Hill School. Our campus has been very busy with activities, celebrations, and amazing learning. As winter moves out, the busyness of spring is upon us!

After the fun celebrations on Valentine’s Day, it was a fantastic time for teams to reflect and collaborate on February 15th as our staff participated in professional development from the Creative Learning Initiative which focuses on integrating fine arts, movement, and critical thinking in the classroom. It has been really incredible to see this work transform lessons on our campus as we continue building our practice.

We are so proud of our counselors who were recognized by the school board Monday night for their second CREST Award for counseling excellence. Hill School is so fortunate to have Ms. Wessels and Ms. Winfrey educating and supporting our students each and every day.

UIL was a huge success with amazing participation. Congratulations, Dillos! We had a beautiful day for our first Hill Health Fair which broadened our focus on keeping students healthy and active. A big Dillo Cheer for Coach Schafer and his team, including Hill staff and Nurse Pierson who chased all those germs away! Ms. Newton even stopped by to check in on our students.

Hill dinosaurs young and old enjoyed the annual Book Fair led by Ms. Pustka and Ms. Banda, along with our wonderful PTA. It was good to see everyone out having fun, adding to home libraries, and supporting classroom libraries here at Hill. Thanks to all who attended!

Spring break is just around the corner, and we are all looking forward to spending time with family while also planning for a fabulous finish to our spring semester.

Jack Drummond

Dear Hill Dillo Community,

I am so excited to begin this new journey as the proud Interim Principal at Hill School. Your kind words and support meant so much during the transition this week. Hill staff, parents, and students are a special team, and that was on full display this week.

We are happy that Ms. Newton will continue her wonderful leadership in our Anderson Vertical Team at Murchison Middle School. She has been and will continue to be an amazing friend and mentor. Her impact on Hill School over the past decade is seen in the smiles and actions you see each and every day throughout our halls as students strive to do their Dillo Best!

I have been fortunate enough to form strong relationships with your families over the last few years and look forward to continuing the important work we do together to grow our students to be kind, successful learners. Together with Hill staff we will continue this important work.

Along with our amazing assistant principal, Ronda Jones, I look forward to ensuring we maintain and grow the culture we feel and see at Hill School every day. I am here to listen and learn from you.

Jack Drummond

Dear Hill Community,

It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of Carson Smith, past Hill student and current Anderson Senior.  Our thoughts remain with the Smith family during this time of loss.  Donations can be made in Carson’s name to the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance.

We have not discussed this tragic event as a campus with Hill students, but have made our counselors and support staff available to students, staff and families in need.  Our counselors, Sheila Wessels and Stephanie Winfrey continue to be available should anyone need support during this time.

Carson was able to “give the gift of life” to others by donating his organs.  The Smith family would like you to consider registering as an organ donor in Carson’s honor.  In lieu of flowers or meals may we suggest a donation to the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance, Young Life, Texas Rowing Center or a charity of your choice.  Doug and Robin would love for you to share your memories of Carson.  When you have a moment please send a memory to them at:  iknewcarson@gmail.com.

Parents may also find the attached flyers regarding trauma and children a valuable resource.  Please reach out to the Hill administrative or counseling team should your family need further support.

Talking to children about violence

Beth Newton

Welcome Back to School! We hope that your family had a relaxing, fun-filled time over the Winter Break.  We have really enjoyed getting to hear our students’ stories about their fun holiday adventures!  Students at Hill are working on setting goals for the new semester, as well as New Years’ Resolutions!  We are looking forward to a great semester of learning!

On January 3, all of the Anderson Vertical Team campuses joined together for professional development sessions led by teachers and staff in areas such as technology integration, content differentiation, project-based learning, student behavior support, and gifted and talented.  This was a great day for conversations about instruction across the campuses!  Then, on January 4, Hill staff participated in a team building exercise at the Central Texas Food Bank, creating over 12,000 meals for families in need.  That afternoon, campus grade level teams collaborated in planning for the 2019 Spring Semester.  We appreciate this time for planning and collaborating with teachers and staff.

Our Campus Architectural Team met this week with the Architectural Firm of Parkhill, Smith and Cooper.  This is the firm that has been selected to lead our campus in the Hill Modernization Project.  We are excited to begin the planning work for the Hill expansion project with this team.

Also, at our Campus Advisory Council meeting this week, personnel from the City of Austin, the Safe Routes to School Program, and Council Woman Allison Alter’s office came to share future planning for safety recommendations around Hill School.  We look forward to working with the SRTS department on future traffic and safety supports at arrival and dismissal.

Finally, the Hill UIL campus representatives have been selected in grades 2^nd– 5^th.  We are so proud of all of our Hill Dillos who tried out for these events.  Students should be receiving practice material to practice with at home.  The UIL Event will be held at Pillow Elementary School on February 9, 2019.

Science Night is just around the corner!  We hope to see everyone then!

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, 1^stand 3^rdgrades.  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!!

Dear Hill Community,

Thank you for a wonderful first few weeks of school!  We are very pleased to be back in school with your children.  This year, our theme with staff is recognizing our special gifts and talents, in line with the philosophies of Mr. Rogers.  Around the school, you will see quotes and phrases of kind and encouraging words.  We are so happy to have your family back in the Hill neighborhood!

Recently, we have completed campus safety trainings with our staff and parents.  We have begun practicing our regular safety drills with students and staff.  This year, the drills are called Lockdown, Lockout, Hold, Evacuate, and Shelter. Earlier this week we had our first evacuation (fire) drill.  We practice these drills either monthly, or by semester.

During playground time, we continue to implement our zone monitoring system with students and staff. Teachers will monitor students within a zone, and they will actively teach their students where the zone is that they should be playing.  We are reminding our students to report to their teacher if a child ever shares that they would hide from the teacher or leave the playground for any reason.

Also, if your child tells you that they are planning on leaving the playground, or doing anything to compromise their safety, please notify your child’s teacher and the counselor or administration as necessary.  We want to provide a safe place of learning for all students, and want to be a partner with you in your child’s education.

Back To School Night is just around the corner.  This is a “parents only” evening where you will learn about the curriculum your child will participate in this school year.  We invite you to join us for the PTA meeting and volunteer training from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.  Then, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 1^stand 2^ndgrade teachers will present, and from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. 3^rd, 4^thand 5^thgrade teachers will present.

Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

BN

Dear Hill Families,

We were so happy to see our Hill students and families at the Meet the Teacher Event last Friday!  Our teachers have been busy preparing their classrooms, getting ready for the first day of school!  Our focus this year is on finding our special talents and using kindness to encourage each other to be successful.

We have a fantastic staff this school year!  Included below are all teaching staff, as well as teacher pairings:

PK – Michele Meadows, Erin Webb, Caty Winslow

PPCD – Marci Adkinson, Hayden Higginbotham

Kindergarten – Caroline Braun, Christine Combs, Laura Davis, Joanna Fairbrother, Stacy Maine, Brandi Watson, Lindsey Zigal

1^st Grade – Jill Clark, Michele Dare, Alexa Rushing, Alli Sanchez-Perry, Maitri Shah, Rebecca Stanley, Suzy Wright

2^nd Grade – Lori Huang and Tho Nguyen;  Katherine Laxton and Sheryl Southwell; Tara McBrearty and Jordan Silverman; Sherrie Shaver; Mary Elizabeth Young

3^rd Grade – Sally Armstrong and Analisa Guevara,  Madison Mischnik and Hannah Westbrook, Abby Bolin and Anna Peterson,  Robin Olson and Clayton Oden

4^th Grade – Krista Davis and Kelly Manzano; Lindsey Cole, Alexa Denny and Allie Massingill, Melanie Brown and Jeanine DiVincenzo-Smith

5^th Grade – Rachel Briles,Jacob Mayer and Bess Wirht; Hannah Cotton, Lorrie Salome and Thomas Wilder

Special Education – Melissa Butler (Resource K – 3^rd), Charlotte Williams (Resource 4^th, 5^th), Laura Jones (Scores K – 5^th)

Essential Areas –  Primary Grades – Jason Schafer (PE), Steve Williams (Music), Stephen Williams (Art)

Upper Grades – Roger Taveirne (PE), Michelle Herb (Music), Stephanie Perry (Art)

The Anderson Vertical Team will continue our focus on Social Emotional Learning and the Creative Learning Initiative this school year.  Also, our FLEX Language Program is beginning it’s sixth year within the Anderson Vertical Team. Students at Hill are learning how to excel in the academic subjects, as well as the arts!  We will have a wonderful year of learning at Hill School!

Looking forward to the first day of school!!

BN

Dear Hill Community,

We hope that you are having a fantastic summer break! I just returned from a family vacation in Port Aransas.  It was Blue’s first trip to the beach and he loved playing in the sand and the ocean! Soon it will be time for us to share more stories of our summer adventures.

For now, we are busy preparing for the 2018-2019 School Year and wanted to share some staffing updates with you.

Second grade teacher, Natalie Perez, has taken a position as a Counselor in Marble Falls ISD.  We appreciate Ms. Perez’s service to the students of Hill School! We have hired Jordan Silverman as our new second grade teacher.  Jordan is a recent graduate from UT Austin, and did her student teaching in 5th grade at Brentwood Elementary School.  We are happy to have Ms. Silverman join our second grade team!

Third grade teacher, Jason Eddleton, has moved to San Antonio where he will be teaching fifth grade.  We appreciate Mr. Eddleton’s service to our students at Hill School and wish him luck in his new position!  We have hired Hannah Westbrook as our new third grade teacher.  Hannah comes to Hill from Kingwood ISD, where she taught 3rd grade.  Ms. Westbrook also was a substitute teacher in some of our classrooms last year.  We are pleased that Hannah is joining our third grade team!

Fourth grade teacher, Katelyn Houchin has taken a position as an Instructional Specialist in Hays ISD.  We appreciate Ms. Houchin’s service to our Hill students! We have hired Lindsay Cole as our new fourth grade teacher.  Lindsay is moving to Austin from Virginia, where she was a fourth grade teacher.  We are thrilled to have Ms. Cole teaching fourth grade at Hill!

This year, we will have three Pre-kindergarten classes.  Hill PPCD teacher, Erin Ganakas, will be moving to teach Pre-kindergarten this school year.  We are excited to have Ms. Ganakas join our Pre-k team. We have hired Hayden Higginbotham as our new PPCD teacher.  Hayden comes to Hill from Zilker Elementary, where she was a special education teacher. We are pleased to welcome Ms. Higginbotham to Hill School!

We will continue to keep you updated on any other staffing changes before the start to the school year!  Enjoy the heat!