Happenings (September 10, 2024)
Do you know someone in your circle who might be interested in the wide range of opportunities at Hill-Murray? If so, we would love for you to invite them to our Fall Open House on Monday, October 14th, 2024, at 6:00 PM. This event is a wonderful opportunity for prospective families to meet our passionate teachers, coaches, and school leaders. Please feel free to share this RSVP link with anyone who may want to attend. Thank you for helping us spread the word about Hill-Murray School!
Senior Spotlight: Celebrating our 2025 Hill-Murray Seniors
We are thrilled to introduce Tashvi Johnson, John Pietruszewski, and Santi Keefer, featured in the 2024 Senior Spotlight by White Bear Lake and Woodbury Magazines! These remarkable students have been recognized for their excellence in academics, athletics, service, and leadership. Congratulations to these inspiring individuals who continue to make a lasting impact!
Click here to view the article about Santi in Woodbury Magazine.
Click here to view the articles of Tashvi and John in White Bear Lake Magazine.
Homecoming Volunteers
Volunteer with the Hill Murray Fathers Club and Mothers Club at Homecoming! The Hill-Murray Fathers and Mothers Clubs are looking for parent volunteers to help staff the “Burgers and Brews” Beer Garden and Grill at the Homecoming Festivities on Friday, October 4th. Sign up for a shift HERE.
Senior Panoramic
The senior all class panoramic picture is scheduled to be taken on Tuesday, October 29th during WIN B. Mrs. Trembley will ping all of the seniors. Please help remind your student! Students may wear Hill-Murray spirit wear for the photo.
School Photo Retakes
Any student or staff member that would like to have their picture retaken or who did not have a picture taken yet for the 2024/25 school year, we will have picture retake day on Tuesday, October 29th. Students, please come in your school uniform polo shirt.
Auditions for Pioneer Performers: Extra-curricular Singing Ensemble
Matilda the Musical Auditions
SAVE THE DATE: HM Give Day is Tuesday, October 1st
Save the date for HM Give Day! For one day, the entire Hill-Murray community will come together to raise dollars for the Hill-Murray Annual Fund. Join alumni, faculty, staff, parents/grandparents (past and present), and friends to donate on HM Give Day! Follow Hill-Murray social media channels and keep an eye on your email inbox for HM Give Day updates. Thank you for supporting Hill-Murray!
Costa Rica & Panama Trip
The Spanish department is offering a fabulous opportunity for current students in grades 8-11 to visit both Costa Rica AND Panama! Students will have 9 days to put their Spanish to use in real life scenarios while exploring volcanos, rainforests, beaches, historic towns, and of course, the Panama Canal! We will leave for this nine-day adventure mid-June of 2025!
Interested? Check out the full itinerary HERE! Contact Ms. Luna with any questions at kluna@hill-murray.org.
7th Grade Trip to Deep Portage
Families of 7th grade students should mark their calendar for the annual class trip to Deep Portage Learning and Conservation Center in Hackensack, MN, which will take place Wed.-Fri., October 9-11! Students will visit Deep Portage for 3 days of learning outside the classroom. An informational Zoom meeting will be held Monday, September 9th at 7:00 PM. The Zoom link will be sent to 7th grade families and the meeting will be recorded for those unable to join.
Balance in Our Busy Days
“ . . . and to always seek balance in our work, prayer, and rest. Amen.”
This is the last line in the Benedictine Prayer we pray as a community on Wednesday mornings. Balance is an important part of our Benedictine tradition, and a key to healthy and lower-stress lives for both adults and students.
Your child’s job as a student is only one of his or her responsibilities. They are siblings, teammates, friends, co-workers, peers in clubs and activities, and more. Striking a balance can be a challenge.
How can you help your child move toward more balance in her or his busy days?
1. During family meals or game night, or using drive time in the car, talk about how things are going and where your child may be experiencing too much stress or a sense of overwhelm. (Sometimes it is good to even model this by talking about an example of a stressful situation… ie: When watching the Olympics you might say “Wow, I am imagining that that athlete is feeling some anxiety leading up to today. That seems so stressful. How do you think they feel or how do you think they handle that? Have you ever felt that way? Or I remember feeling some stress when I started school every year. That felt tricky for me, what about you?)
2. Brainstorm strategies that could help in the current circumstances and have your child pick 1 or 2 that they can apply starting now.
3. Support them in trying these new approaches and offer productive feedback.
4. Model balance in your own life and responsibilities.
5. Prayer and rest take many different forms. Help your child explore helpful options in these areas that can contribute to their sense of calm.
With the rollout of Yondr pouches for phones at school this week, there will be a variety of emotions, concerns, shifts in screen time, and more. It presents a good time for family discussion of a healthy balance.
We also welcome wellness and balance conversations in Guidance & Counseling. Counselors serve as support systems for students and families. High school students are encouraged to access our office during their Pioneer Period, and middle school students can utilize WIN times. However, if students need immediate assistance they can stop in during passing time, let their teacher know they need to see a counselor, or email us to send them a pass. Feel free to contact your student’s counselor if you have any questions.
THE GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING TEAM
Middle School Counselor (Grades 6-8)
Mrs. Valentine: lvalentine@hill-murray.org, 651-748-2224
Upper School Counselors (Grade 9-12)
Mr. Charlie Cicalello (A-C) ccicalello@hill-murray.org, 651-748-2426
Ms. Amy Cosgrove (D-J) acosgrove@hill-murray.org, 651-748-2259
Mrs. Jenny Vinck (K-Q) jvinck@hill-murray.org, 651-748-2441
Mr. Aaron Goulet (R-Z) agoulet@hill-murray.org, 651-748-2493
College Counseling
Mrs. Carrie Egan (A-Z) cegan@hill-murray.org, 651-748-2238
Mr. Charlie Cicalello, Curriculum Development
Open Position for Hill-Murray High School Student – Childcare Aide
- The hours are approximately 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Monday through Friday.
- One rotating day off per week is possible if extra study time is needed.
- Job sharing between friends can be arranged.
- The pay for high school students is $16.00 per hour.
- We will provide training if you have not previously worked with children.
- We are seeking candidates that enjoy interacting with children 6 weeks – 5 years of age.
- Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.
- Work in a setting where you are doing something meaningful and rewarding.
Contact Jennie or Sara at mapletreeccc@gmail.com.
Maple Tree Childcare Center – 2625 Benet Road, Maplewood, MN 55109
Uniform Exchanges & Returns
Uniform Exchanges
Open Monday-Thursday one hour after school: Located by the Office of Student Life.
Uniform Returns
Returns can be made at any time at the front desk.
Hispanic Heritage Night
Join Spanish Club for Hispanic Heritage Night! Thursday, September 26th from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on the patio outside of The Nicholas Center. There will be a food truck, music & fun! Please email Ben Obernolte at bobernolte@hill-murray.org if you are interested in helping out.
Hill-Murray Sports Pioneer Pass
Hill-Murray Athletics is excited to announce the new All-Seasons Sports Pioneer Pass! The All-Seasons Sports Pioneer Pass is $80 and includes admission to all on-campus HOME games for Football, Volleyball, Boy & Girls Soccer, Boys & Girls Basketball, and Boys & Girls Lacrosse. Does not include hockey or playoff games. Come support your Pioneers!
Click here to purchase a pass. Once purchased, the pass can be added to your Apple wallet for easy access at the gate.
Tickets to individual games will still be available online or at the gate. Adult admission is $8/game and seniors/students are $5/game.
*Hill-Murray students are admitted free to home games with a valid student ID!
Please reach out to Sarah Turner at sturner@hill-murray.org with any questions.
Lunch Program – New Meal Pricing
At Hill-Murray, we strive to offer nutritious and satisfying meals for our students and staff. This year, we are excited to continue our partnership with FLIK Independent School Dining. FLIK creates made-from-scratch meals while supporting local and sustainable agricultural practices.
This year our meal deal will be $6.80 per meal.
To ensure smooth operations, we ask that families keep their lunch account balances current. Balances that go in arrears more than $50 will be suspended.
While Hill-Murray does not participate in the state’s free lunch program, families in need of assistance have qualified for the Free & Reduced Lunch program through our TADS Tuition Assistance Program.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Business Office at cerickson@hill-murray.org.
