September 21, 2025

Dear Hill Families,

A Friendship Prayer

Loving God, I pray for the grace to be a good friend. 

May I be a gentle presence in the life of my friends, 

always willing to listen and to forgive.

Remind me of the importance of friendship. 

You have blessed us with the gift of friendship. 

We thank you for the blessing of friends who love us, 

who share our joys and sorrows, 

who laugh with us in celebration, 

and who need us as we need them. 

We thank you for the friends who give us the freedom to be ourselves. 

Help us to always be a friend to others, 

no matter who they are. 

Help us to always reach out in friendship to all those we meet. 

Amen. 

Upcoming Week

MAP Testing Continues for Grades 1-5

Tuesday, September 23rd:

• SJHA Boosterthon Fun Run Day!

Wednesday, September 24th:

• School Picture Day with Class Act Photographers (Fall/Spring Uniforms)

Friday, September 26th:

• SJHA 2025 Field Day - a day for bonding with classmates at the start of the school year! No cafeteria service today. Bring in packed lunch and extra water bottles. Wear gym shorts and field day t-shirt.

News from the Hill

Our 6th to 8th Grade students have completed their MAP testing, and the results show remarkable growth in Math, ELA, and Science. Their progress reflects not only their hard work and love of learning, but also the exceptional teaching and support they receive each day in our classrooms.

This week, our 1st through 5th Grade students will complete their MAP assessments, and we are confident they will shine just as brightly. We’re excited to see the continued reflection of the vibrant, thoughtful learning happening at every level.

Our students’ enthusiasm for learning is truly inspiring, and it is matched by the dedication of their teachers and support staff, who challenge, nurture, and guide them every step of the way. Thank you for being partners in this journey—we are so proud of all that our students are achieving together.

A huge thank you to all the families who have generously donated to our Boosterthon so far — because of you, we’re getting closer and closer to our $45,000 goal! We’re thrilled to share that we've hit 75% registration, and to celebrate, students can enjoy a Hill Wear Dress Down Day on Thursday, November 6th!

If you haven’t had a chance to donate yet, there’s still time — every contribution counts and makes a big impact! Your donations directly support STEM and Science materials for our PreK–8 classrooms, helping our students explore, discover, and grow.

Don’t forget: our Fun Run is happening Tuesday morning, followed by a Booster-thon Celebration Event just before dismissal. Let’s keep the momentum going and make it across the finish line together! Link: MyBooster.com

Parents as Partners

We warmly invite all parents of students in Grades 4 through 8 to attend a special Parent Meeting on Tuesday, September 23rd at 7:00 PM at CYO MIV. This important event will be hosted by our Regional Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Ms. Jann Amato, and Mr. Tim Gannon, who will be joined by Ms. Agnes McBeth from the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office.

While attendance is not mandatory, we strongly encourage you to join us. This presentation will offer valuable, eye-opening information that supports our shared goal of keeping all students safe, informed, and supported both in and out of school.

By attending, you’ll be helping to build a stronger, more connected school community—one where families and schools work hand-in-hand to protect and empower our children. We truly hope to see you there.

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to register to attend. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.

Aftercare Procedures for Students Participating in Sports and Clubs

If your child will be participating in a school sports team or Clubs and using Aftercare on practice and Club days, please note the following procedures:

• Remember to email your child’s teacher and let them know that your child will be participating on the Sports team or in a Club.
• Coach Sign-Out: Your child’s coach will sign them out of Aftercare at the start of practice. 
• Return After Practice: If your child will be returning to Aftercare after practice, they must be signed back in no later than 5:30 p.m.
• Return at end of club: Club Moderators will drop off students to Aftercare.
• Registration Required: All students must be registered for Aftercare in order to use the service. Please register using this link.
• Billing: You will be charged for Aftercare as you use the service.

If you have any questions please email Mrs Diane Kelly at: Diane.Kelly@stjhill.org.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep all students safe and accounted for.

Field Day Reminders (Sept 26)

Get ready—Friday is our Annual Field Day, and we can’t wait for a day filled with laughter, friendship, and unforgettable fun! Our students will spend the day right here on campus enjoying exciting games, outdoor activities, and plenty of time to make joyful memories with their classmates.

A big thank you to Mrs. Bouroudis, Mrs. Circosta, and Mr. Smith for organizing what promises to be an amazing day!

A few reminders to help make the day smooth and enjoyable for everyone:

• No cafeteria service for Elementary students—please send in a packed lunch.
• Students may wear gym shorts and their Field Day t-shirts.
• Don’t forget to pack extra water in a bottle labeled with your child’s name to help them stay cool and hydrated.

Let’s make it a day full of sunshine, smiles, and school spirit!

Mandatory Parent Meeting Reminder (Sept 29)

We invite all parents of students in Grades 4 through 8 to a mandatory meeting on Monday, September 29th at 6:30 PM in our Upper Gym here at Hill. This important evening will focus on the safety and well-being of our students—topics that matter deeply to all of us.

We’re grateful to welcome Ms. Agnes McBeth from the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, who will be joining us to share valuable insights and guidance relevant to our school community.

This meeting is an opportunity for us to come together—parents, staff, and community partners—to ensure we are united in our efforts and working toward the shared goal of supporting and protecting every Hill student.

We truly appreciate your time, partnership, and commitment. Together, we can make a lasting difference.

Athletics

Bowling

Join SJHA’s Bowling team during the 2025-2026 school year.  

• Bowling will take place every Monday, 4:00 PM at Rab’s Country Lanes
• The Fall season starts on September 29, 2025
• Teams of 4 bowlers will be formed representing SJHA.
• Competition will take place in 3 divisions: K/1/2 – 3/4/5 – 6/7/8.
• All student athletes will receive a Jersey and Recognition.
• Registration Fee: $200 includes all of the above, plus use of bowling shoes and bowling balls during weekly play. Pizza party at the end of the season.

Register online here. Online registration will close on September 27, 2025.Withdrawal from FACTS will be on September 29, 2025.

Calendar Update

School is closed for both the Elementary and High School on Wednesday, November 5th.

After School Clubs

SJHA Elementary School offers a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities for students to participate in five days a week after the school day ends for additional fees. SJHA After School Clubs are led by Mrs. Eileen Gregor and run in two sessions each school year from early October- mid January and late January- end of May. 

FALL SESSION

• Clubs run from the week of October 20, 2025 to January 16, 2026.
• There is registration fee of $60.00 per club you register for.
• Payments will be deducted in FULL from FACTS on October 29, 2025.
• Registration will close on October 13, 2025. 
• Spots are limited so we encourage registering early.
• Clubs will require a minimum of 15 people in order to run.

Please register online here.

Monday Clubs

1. Basketball 3-on-3 Tournament Club (Grades 6-8)
2. Debate / Mock Trial Club (Grades 6-8) 
3. Early Childhood Yoga Club (Grades Pre-K 4 to 2)
4. Piece It Together Club (Grades 1-8) NEW CLUB!

Tuesday Clubs

1. Artificial Intelligence Club (Grades 4-8) 
2. Koala Kasters (Grades 5-8)
3. Lil Chefs Club (Grades 4-6) 
4. Twirl and Tumble Club (Grades Pre-K 4 to 3) NEW CLUB!
5. Wacky Science (Grades 2-5) 

Wednesday Clubs

1. CM Kustom Woodworking (Grades 2-6) 
2. Flag Football (Grades 5-8)
3. Itty Bitty Chefs (Grades Pre-K 4 & Kindergarten) 
4. Media Mavericks Club (Grade 3-4) 
5. Spotlight Theatre Company (Grades 5-8) CLOSED!
6. Story and Craft (Grades Pre-K 3 to 3) CLOSED!

Thursday Clubs

1. Archery (Grades 6-8)
2. Art (Grades K-8) 
3. Chess Club (Grades 3-8)
4. STEM for Koala Cubs (Pre-K 4 & Kindergarten) NEW NAME AND GRADE LEVEL! CLOSED!
5. Pickleball After School Club (Grades 5-8) 
6. Tiny Chefs Club (Grades 1-3) 

Friday Clubs

1. Blade Runner Fencing (Grades 2-6)
2. CM Kustom Woodworking (Grades Pre-K 4 to 1) 
3. Junior Jetsetters (Grades Pre-K 4 to 1) NEW CLUB!
4. Paul Effman Orchestra (Grades 1-8)
5. Volleyball Club (Grades 5-8)

St. Joseph Hill Academy High School Upcoming Admissions Events

• Hill High School Fall Open House will have a special session for SJHA 6th-8th Grade girls and their families on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 11:15 am. Sign up here.
• 8th Grade Girls Shadowing begins September 16th and runs through November 6th. Sign up here
• 6th-8th Grade Girls are invited to attend Hill's Athletics Open House on Tuesday, October 7th at 7:00 pm in the Lower Gym. Sign up here

New Hill Wear Is Here! 

We’re excited to share that our Campus Store is stocked with brand-new merchandise—perfect for Hill Wear Dress Down Days and Cold Weather Hill Wear Days all year long! These items are not only a great way to show your school spirit, but they’re also comfortable, durable, and perfect for everyday wear.

From cozy sweatshirts to stylish gear, there’s something for everyone! And the best part? Ordering is quick and easy—just click the link in blue on or visit our school website to shop your favorites. Even better, items can be delivered right to your child’s classroom, making it super convenient for busy families.

Don’t miss out—grab your new Hill Wear today and be ready to cheer on our school in style.

Stay Connected with Us on Social Media!

We are grateful to Mrs. Minkoff, our Director of Marketing and Communications, who keeps our school community connected and informed with her fantastic work on social media. From promoting events and fundraisers to celebrating our students and faculty and sharing important updates, her posts help bring the joy and spirit of Hill right to your screen.

It’s important that our families see these updates in a timely way—so don’t miss out. Be sure to follow us, like, and share our posts to help spread the word about all the wonderful things happening at our school.

Together, let’s keep our Hill community connected, celebrated, and strong!

Have a Blessed Sunday Evening,

Mr. Hansen

What I try to tell young people is that if you come together with a mission, and its grounded with love and a sense of community, you can make the impossible possible.  ~ John Lewis

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