September 14, 2025

Dear Hill Families,

Heavenly Father, You are the source of all peace and understanding. In this moment, I open my heart to Your calming presence. 

Grant me the grace of inner peace, a deep sense of calm that surpasses all the anxieties and worries of this world. Help me to trust in Your unfailing love and sovereignty, even when I don't understand the path ahead. 

Give me the wisdom to see things from Your perspective, to listen before I speak, and to act with compassion rather than judgment. May I be an instrument of Your peace, sowing love where there is hatred, and bringing light into darkness. 

As I face the challenges of life, I ask for the strength to accept what I cannot change and the courage to make the changes that are needed. I surrender my worries into Your capable hands, trusting that Your plan is good. 

Fill my heart with empathy for others and my mind with clarity and stillness. May my interactions be guided by Your love and may I find true understanding in Your presence. 

In Your name, I pray, 

Amen. 

Upcoming Week

Monday, September 15th:

• MAP Testing Begins (K-8)
• Cross Country Team registration closes on 9/15. Sign up here.
• Hill Wear Dress Down for students who attended the Soccer Pep Rally on Friday night.

Tuesday, September 16th:

• After School Club registration opens at 10:00 am. More on clubs here and below.

Friday, September 19th:

• Paul Effman Music registration deadline. Sign up here.

News from the Hill

What an amazing first week of school we’ve had! I’m sure our students came home tired, but it’s the very best kind of tired—after a week filled with fun, learning, and meaningful experiences.

On Tuesday, we came together for our first school Mass of the year, joyfully celebrated with Fr. Willy Dodo from Holy Child Parish. His homily was lively and inspiring, reminding our students of the many blessings they have because of the love and support of their parents, grandparents, and teachers. He encouraged them to show gratitude for all those who walk beside them on their journey and reminded us all that God’s love has no limits. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Benson and Mrs. Innocente for preparing such a beautiful liturgy that set the perfect tone for our year.

As I reflect on this week, I am struck by the extraordinary role our teachers play in the lives of our students. Their work extends far beyond academics—our faculty and staff are woven into the very fabric of your children’s school experience. Whether it’s planning Masses, coaching teams, organizing events, leading clubs, or simply being present to cheer on our students, our teachers are there every step of the way. They are mentors, role models, and joyful participants in the daily life of our school, and I am so proud of their commitment to nurturing the whole child.

It was also truly heartwarming to see so many of you at Meet the Teacher Night. Your presence and partnership mean so much, and together we continue to build a school community that is strong, supportive, and full of joy. On behalf of the entire faculty and staff, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your trust and your ongoing support. You are valued partners in your child’s education, and it is through this shared commitment that we are able to create such a vibrant and faith-filled environment for our students.

We are so excited to welcome Ms. Jacqueline Brennan to our Hill Elementary School family! Ms. Brennan will be joining us as one of our three Early Childhood floater aides, and we know she will be a wonderful addition to our team. At Hill, we are truly blessed with an incredible group of teacher aides who provide such valuable support to our students and teachers every single day. While we may not be the largest Catholic elementary school on Staten Island, we are proud to have the highest faculty-to-student ratio—something that makes our community special and ensures our children are surrounded by care, attention, and encouragement. Our faculty-to-student ratio provides us the opportunity to ensure that every student has the benefit of caring, attentive educators in the classroom each day. With more teachers available, students get the kind of one-on-one support that helps meet their individual needs and builds on their unique strengths and learning styles. This also gives teachers the chance to provide quicker, more meaningful feedback, so students feel confident and encouraged as they grow. Just as importantly, having more teacher support makes it easier to build strong connections and create a warm, welcoming classroom community where everyone feels included. Our teacher-to-student ratio keeps students engaged, helps them work together, and provides wonderful opportunities for mentorship and hands-on learning. Most of all, it ensures that every child is truly seen, supported, and set up to thrive. 

We're off to a great start—and it’s only the beginning.  Here’s to an incredible school year ahead, filled with growth, faith, and countless reasons to celebrate our wonderful Hill community!

Looking ahead, MAP testing begins this week, and we’re excited to see the great results our students will achieve. To keep motivation high, we’ve added some fun incentives: the class with the most overall growth will enjoy a pizza party, and the two grades that show the most progress will earn a Hillwear dress-down day! We can’t wait to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our amazing students.

SJHA 2025 Boosterthon Campaign: Climbing to New Heights

Our 2025 Boosterthon campaign will bring STEM to life through professional-grade microscopes, digital cameras, electronic balances, and state-aligned investigation kits that enable our young scientists to explore and discover. Early childhood STEM kits will nurture scientific curiosity from the beginning of students' educational journey at SJHA.

We would also like to invest further in essential safety equipment, storage solutions, and outdoor learning enhancements that will allow students to conduct environmental studies and nature-based investigations safely.

By supporting these improvements, you're helping cultivate the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. Every donation is an investment in scientific discovery, student safety, and the bright futures of our students.

Sign up Challenge: If 75% of Saint Joseph Hill Academy students sign up on mybooster.com, the WHOLE school will have a Dress Down Day!

To make things even more exciting, if we raise $45,000, we will have a school-wide slime vote where students get to choose which one of our six brave volunteer teachers gets slimed!

Thank you for being a part of our Saint Joseph Hill Academy community and helping us make a difference for our students. We are grateful for your support!

Athletics

Soccer

Our Soccer Pep Rally on Friday was an incredible success—the energy and school spirit in the room were absolutely contagious! The students had a fantastic time celebrating together, and it was the perfect way to kick off the season. A huge thank you goes out to our amazing athletic directors, Mr. Smith and Mrs. Circosta, for organizing this special event, as well as to Mr. Liantonio and all of our dedicated coaches and trainers who work tirelessly to help our elementary school athletes shine both on and off the field. We are also so grateful to the teachers, parents, classmates, friends, and family members who came out to cheer on our players—your support truly makes all the difference!

Cross Country

The SJHA Cross Country Team's registration is open for Grades 1-8 until 9/15. Practices are on Thursdays on campus 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. All athletic levels are welcome. Meets are on Sundays at Clove Lakes Park from late September-early November. Cross Country Distances: Grade 7-8 (1.5 miles); Grades 5-6 (1 mile); Grades 3-4 (1/2 mile); Grades 1-2 (1/4 mile). Registration fee - $200. Track Coaches: Lisa Giordanella and Linda Fung.

Cheer

We’re excited to launch our Itty Biddy Cheer Team for girls in Pre-K 4, Kindergarten, and 1st grade. This is the perfect chance to learn the basics of cheerleading, build confidence, make lasting friendships, and most of all—have fun while cheering! Spots are limited—sign up today! Practices are Fridays 2:30 - 4:00 pm at Hill with Ms. Amanda McPolin.

Hill Koalas Team for the NYC Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk

When: Sunday, September 28, 2025

What: NYC Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk 5K NYC

Team Name: Hill Koalas

Open to: All SJHA students, families, and staff

IMPORTANT: You MUST use our special team registration link to be included on the Hill Koalas team:

www.stjosephhillacademy.com/t2tteam/ 

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. 

AFTER SCHOOL CLUB REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON SEPTEMBER 16TH AT 10:00 AM. 

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.

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)

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!
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

Thank You to our Generous Donors

As we begin the 2025-2026 school year at St. Joseph Hill Academy, we are filled with excitement and gratitude. On behalf of faculty, staff, and students, I extend heartfelt thanks to the generous benefactors and families listed below who have contributed over the past two weeks. Your support continues to fuel our mission and enrich the lives of every Hilltopper. A SPECIAL THANK YOU to all who have begun supporting the Elementary School Boosterthon! 

With a new year comes new opportunities to make a lasting impact. We invite you to deepen your commitment by joining or renewing our membership in The 1919 Society with a gift of $500 or more. Your generosity helps us advance our academic programs, enhance student life, and preserve the legacy of excellence that defines St. Joseph Hill Academy.

Technology Fund

Ms. Mingwai Chan and Mr. Di Zhu

Alumni Fund- Reunions

2005 Reunion

Ms. Ashley Grater

Ms. Heather Kim

Ms. Michele Bauman

Ms. Pia Gaeta

Ms. Stephanie Vanchieri

Ms. Dorin LiConti

Ms. Nicole Lynch

Ms. Meagan Zinke

Ms. Gino Corio

1980 Reunion

Ms. Ann Garlisi

Ms. Patti Bossert

Ms. Jeanne Marie Vahdat

Ms. Joan Illuzzi

Ms. Elaine Urciuoli

Ms. Maria Mihailos

Ms. Glenda Alvarez

We are proud to share that 5 benefactors have joined The 1919 Society for 2025-2026 (July 1.2025 - June 30, 2026). For more information, please visit The 1919 Society or contact Dr. Elizabeth Basile at ebasile@stjhill.org or (718) 447-1374 Ext. 9163.

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 amazing 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.

Follow us today:

Instagram: @sjhaes

Facebook: St. Joseph Hill Academy

We also have our Athletics Instagram @sjhaes_athletics for all sports-related news and acomplishments!

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

Have a Blessed Sunday Evening,

Mr. Hansen

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media! If you have photos or video that you would like to be shared on our school account, please email them with background information to Lindsey Minkoff.