Principal Hansen's weekly message is below and will be archived on our website.

November 16, 2025


A Prayer of Gratitude


Loving God,


We come before You with grateful hearts for the many blessings You place in our lives each day. Thank You for the gift of our families, our friends, the food that nourishes us, and the shelter that keeps us safe. We especially thank You for the gift of our Catholic education, where we learn to grow in wisdom, faith, and service.


Lord, help us never take these blessings for granted. Open our hearts to be more compassionate, more generous, and more aware of the needs of others.

We lift up in prayer all those who are less fortunate—those who struggle with loneliness, hunger, or hardship—and especially those who have no one to pray for them. May they feel Your loving presence and find comfort, strength, and hope.


Guide us to be instruments of Your peace and kindness in our school, in our homes, and in our world.


We ask this through Christ our Lord.


Upcoming Week


Friday, November 21st:

  • Report Card Distribution - Portal Opens at 5:00 pm


Support our Military Families this Thanksgiving Season!

SJHA Elementary School is partnering with the Tri-State Blue Star Families to collect food donations for the Fort Wadsworth food pantry during the Thanksgiving holiday season. They specifically need pancake mix, shelf-stable milk, cereal, peanut butter, pasta, pasta sauce, jams, jellies, boxed stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, yams, corn, green beans, and cornbread mix. Send donations in with your children by Tuesday, November 25th. Your support will truly make a difference for our military and veteran communities this holiday season!


New from Hill


Dear Families,


I hope you are doing well and enjoying the start of this blessed holiday season. I can’t believe that our first quarter is ending, Thanksgiving pies are getting picked up and in just two weeks we will be celebrating Thanksgiving.


I wanted to follow up with you regarding Dr. Agnes McBeth’s visit from the RCDA Office back in September. Her time with us sparked several important conversations about the ever-changing digital world our children are growing up in, and the vital role we play—both at school and at home—in helping them navigate it safely.


After the holidays, we are planning to welcome Dr. McBeth back to our school for a student presentation focused on internet safety and the potential risks young people may encounter online. Her expertise and experience will offer our students valuable guidance and reinforce the importance of making thoughtful, responsible choices in their digital lives.


Since her visit, I have taken time to read further on this topic, and I came across several articles and resources that I found both insightful and eye-opening. I would love to share these with you, and I will include them below for anyone who may be interested in learning more.


Thank you, as always, for your partnership in supporting the well-being of our students. Together, we can continue to help them form good habits, make safe choices, and use technology in healthy and meaningful ways.


Articles Linked Here:

Common Sense Media — “Media Use by Kids Zero to Eight” (Feb 2025)

Common Sense Media


MMGuardian — “Social Media for Kids: A Complete Guide for Parents” (July 2025)

MMGuardian

Classroom Highlights: A Joyful Week of Learning, Faith & Discovery!


Pre-K 4-2

We were honored to welcome Mrs. Giovanna Durand, Danielle’s mom, who visited our class to share her incredible service in the U.S. Coast Guard. Our students were amazed to learn how the Coast Guard protects our waterways, responds to emergencies, and keeps our communities safe. Mrs. Durand—soon to be promoted to Chief—shared stories of search-and-rescue missions, lighthouse maintenance, and even ice-breaking!


Thank you, Mrs. Durand, for your service to our nation and for inspiring our young learners!


1st Grade

Our first graders dove into the exciting world of related subtraction facts, discovering how addition and subtraction work together like best friends. Their confidence is growing each day, and their problem-solving skills are shining!


In Social Studies, we’re beginning our look at The First Thanksgiving. Students will explore the partnership between the Pilgrims and Native Americans and reflect on gratitude, cooperation, and the importance of community—values we cherish in our Catholic school.


3rd Grade – Class 3-1

Time flies when you're having fun—and now our students are learning why! Third graders began their new module on time, practicing with stopwatches, clocks, and number lines to understand minutes and intervals. They’re already seeing how math helps us make sense of our everyday world.


4th Grade

Fourth graders proudly wrapped up their first novel of the year, The Cricket in Times Square, exploring themes of friendship, courage, and hope. Their next big adventure? Writing their very own sequel!


In Science, students are learning all about earthquakes. They’ll be building and testing earthquake-resistant structures—an exciting hands-on investigation that sparks curiosity and creativity.


Writer’s Workshop – Grades 4–8

This week, our students took on a new role: editor! They peer-edited each other’s writing, practicing how to give kind, thoughtful, and effective feedback. By reading like writers and writing like editors, they are discovering the joy of collaboration and the power of strong communication skills.


6th Grade Math

Our sixth graders are diving into their Algebra unit, exploring exponents and the famous PEMDAS order of operations. They’re sharpening the skills that will soon carry them confidently into algebraic expressions and accelerated math pathways.


7th Grade – Medical Detectives (PLTW)

Our Medical Detectives have had an amazing week! In this incredible Project-Based Learning (PBL) unit from the PLTW curriculum, students conducted patient/doctor interviews—their “patients” being our very own teachers and 8th graders! Using vital signs, exam notes, and plenty of investigative questioning, they worked together to diagnose and treat their cases.


This program continues to shine as a powerful example of real-world, hands-on learning rooted in critical thinking and teamwork.


7th Grade Religion

Seventh graders are exploring the Good News of Jesus Christ, learning about God’s love for all people and the salvation offered through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Through Scripture and small-group conversations, they’re discovering meaningful, everyday ways to live out the Gospel message—through kindness, mercy, and service to others.


7th Grade ELA

Creativity is in full swing! Students are collaborating on skits, songs, and storyboards inspired by The Outsiders. Their projects reflect deep understanding, teamwork, and plenty of imagination.


8th Grade Religion

Our eighth graders have begun studying the Middle Ages, learning how this remarkable period shaped Church history and the world. They explored global Church structures and will soon examine the Bubonic Plague to understand how faith and society responded to challenges of the time.


8th Grade Algebra – Accelerated Program

Our Algebra I students are mastering Inequalities, learning to express them using Interval and Set Builder notation. They’re also exploring real-life applications—like speed limits and amusement-park height requirements! This accelerated course lays a strong foundation for high school math success.


8th Grade Math – Accelerated Program

Eighth graders are concluding their Geometry unit by examining both the Pythagorean Theorem and the Triangle Inequality Theorem. Next, they’ll use the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate distances on the coordinate plane—another important step in their accelerated pathway toward high school–level mathematics.


Dance – Grades 1–3

It’s Wicked Week in Dance class! In celebration of the new movie release, students are stepping into the world of Broadway with choreography inspired by Wicked. What a magical way to blend storytelling, expression, and movement!


Music – Pre-K to Grade 8

Our school is filled with joyful noise as students prepare music for upcoming celebrations:

  • Thanksgiving Mass, the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Advent, the Christmas Tree Lighting, and our Christmas Assembly.


Their voices remind us of the beauty of the season and the gift of faith.

Hill Christmas Wear is Here!!


Our famous comfy and cozy Hill Flannel Christmas Pants are now in stock at our campus store! Click the link here!


Christmas Pants can be worn with the SJHA Christmas Carnival Shirts during the month of December.


We also have amazing Hill Wear in stock as always!

  • Cozy sweatshirts
  • Stylish tees
  • Spirit-filled gear for students and families alike!


Orders are delivered straight to your child’s classroom.


Don’t miss your chance to stock up on Hill Wear and show off your school pride in the most festive way possible! They also make great gifts!

Have a Blessed Sunday Evening,


Mr. Lawrence Hansen

Principal, St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School

lhansen@stjhill.org

T (+1) 718.981.1187 

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