Community Meeting Announcements
October 11, 2024
Today’s After School Activities
Cross Country- Pick up at 4:45 pm
An additional Holiday has been added to the Hill Top Calendar
School will be closed for a Head of School Holiday on Tuesday, November 5th.
Picture Day- Thursday, 10/17
Details will be emailed home soon.
Soccer Game News
Hill Top Prep soccer travelled to The Woodlynde School yesterday for the first of two matches this season. After falling behind 4-0, our Hawks got on the board with a brilliant goal from George H. to end the first half. While the first 40 minutes didn't go our way, Hill Top owned the second half with some fantastic team play and four impressive goals from Charlton K. While the final result was a 6-5 loss, the Hawks outscored Woodlynde 4-2 in the second half and showed a tremendous amount of perseverance as a team. Henry D. made several key saves in goal, giving Hill Top a chance to complete the comeback. Other standout players included Josh O. on defense and Carly C. and Aaron D on offense. The team as a whole gained confidence throughout the game and have a lot to be proud of as we look forward to the rematch at home on Monday, October 28th. Our next game is also at home next Thursday, October 17 when we host Delaware Valley Friends at 3:45pm. GO HAWKS!!!
Unity Day-Wednesday, October 16th
Unity Day is on Wednesday, October 16th this year and everyone is encouraged to wear orange to promote joining together to create a healthier community through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Pretzel Sale to Benefit World Central Kitchen
As you may have seen on the news or online, areas in the southeast, United States, and particularly western North Carolina, were hit particularly hard by Hurricane Helene. And it looks like other communities will be hurt by Hurricane Milton, which is approaching the gulf coast of Florida. In response to this, Upper School Student Council will be holding pretzel sales through October to help raise money for relief organizations. Money from the pretzel sales will go to the World Central Kitchen, which provides water and fresh food to areas in need, and Beloved Asheville, a community organization in Asheville, North Carolina, providing not only food and water, but also healthcare and shelter for those most affected by Helene. The first sale will be tomorrow during morning break. Pretzels will be $1 each.
Happy National Coming Out Day!
Today, SAGA and the DEI Committee would like to recognize National Coming Out Day, a day that celebrates the courage of individuals within the LGBTQ+ community who embrace their true selves. Coming out is at times a difficult thing to do, depending on lots of different factors, so today, we celebrate the bravery of all of the folks who have come before us and paved the way to make this pivotal part of life a celebration.
Since 1988, this day marks the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. It's a reminder of the power of living authentically and the importance of creating a world where everyone feels safe and supported to be who they are. Let's continue to foster a community of acceptance, respect, and love for all.
Library Announcement
In honor of National Coming Out Day today, a new book was highlighted that was added to the library at the suggestion of 7th grader, Josie K. It’s a graphic novel called The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen. In this story, Tien helps his mom, an immigrant from Vietnam, learn English by reading fairy tales with her after school. As he reads the stories, you also learn about his mom’s journey to America, her family in Vietnam, and his own struggle to come out to his family. The book uses color to help you follow whether it’s telling Tien’s story, his mom’s, or one of the fairy tales.
I recommended this book to Mrs. Gillespie because I really liked how it combines fantasy and history to tell a story about something happening to the main character now.
If it sounds like something you would like, go to the library and check it out!
Annual Middle School Halloween Spooktacular!
This event for 6th-8th grade students will be held on Friday, October 25 from 6pm-9:00 pm at Hill Top.
It will feature a dinner of chicken tenders and french fries, the annual "Ghoul Games" competition, pumpkin decorating, snacks, and some spooky (but not too spooky) stories.
If your student is interested in attending, please complete the permission slip here: Spooktacular Permission Slip!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me or Mike Cohen ([email protected]).
Summer Trek 2025
Next summer's Adventure Trek will take Hill Top Upper School students to Belize. Belize was the destination of the first Adventure Trek in 2006 and offers a huge array of experiences and activities for our students including investigating Mayan ruins, world class paddling and snorkeling on the world's second largest coral reef, hiking and ziplining through a pristine jungle, interacting with diverse cultures including Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo and Maya, a night tour of the Belize Zoo (renowned for its protection of jaguars and other species) and more. The dates of the trip are June 14-21, 2025. Please contact Mr. VanDyke- [email protected], if you would like to attend the meeting.
Mr. Van Dyke thanked the community for their participation in making last Saturday a huge success. A shout out to the following top 3 student finishers- RJ Polillo, C Kane, and N Korty!
Fun Friday- Valley of Fear-10/18
On Friday, October 18, we will be visiting the Valley of Fear in Feasterville. Valley of Fear boasts that it is home to the "original haunted hayride" plus "Miles Manor Haunted House" and "Escape Shipwreck Cove".
Cost of the trip is $75 and includes a Halloween pizza party after school, bus transportation, tickets to all three haunted attractions, and supervision. Register your student with the sign-up link below. Look for an email from Ms. Gargiulo with more Fun Friday details.
Sign up here: October Fun Friday: Valley of Fear
Mitzvah Circle Donation Drive
Please consider sending in items for the Mitzvah Circle Donation Drive. The NHS and E/T classes are collecting the following from now until October 25th:
New and Gently Used - clothing, books, toys, shoes, essential household items.
New ONLY - socks and underwear, school supplies, personal hygiene items, hats, gloves and scarves.
Simply send your generous donations in with your student to be placed in the bins by the front desk. They will be delivered to the Mitzvah Circle when the E/T students visit in November. You can learn more about Mitzvah Circle and what they do, by clicking here.