December 7, 2023

-Carter: Hi, this is Carter W., and this is Brynn B. from your Middle School Student Council. NEXT Friday, December 15th from 6-8 PM is our Middle School Christmas party! Wear your PJ’s, bring a pillow, and come watch a Christmas movie in the staff lounge with your friends. There will be popcorn, a hot cocoa bar, and cookie decorating. We’ll have prizes for the most festive pajamas, best cookies, and more.

See you there! December 15th!

-Tonight, Tomorrow and Saturday!!!  That’s right you have three more chances to see “A Very Hill-Murray Christmas!” Our Christmas variety show! The show is an hour and a half and will get you in the Christmas spirit. There are plenty of tickets for this evening’s show – and students get in free with your ID!  We hope to see you there!! 


-Reminder for students and teachers: Students are not allowed to leave Pio Period or WIN – unless they need to go to math or writing lab. They must have a pass. Students have been leaving Pio Periods and wandering to the athletics wing and TNC. Teachers, no students may leave Pio Period or WIN. This has always been the rule and needs to be followed.


-Attention any boys or girls in grades 6 and 7 that play hockey.  The Junior Pioneers do not currently have enough players to field a team.  We need six more players to field a team.  If you are interested in joining the Junior Pioneers, please register online or reach out to Mr. Pohl with any questions.

-Attention H20 for Lifers! If you ordered an H20 for Life Sweatshirt, your gear has arrived. Go to Mr. Rose’s room, room 121, after school today, or before school tomorrow to pick up your sweatshirt.

Hey Pioneers! It’s Lola N. and Bianca B.. The middle school art club presidents. We’re here to remind you that the winter art fair is tomorrow dec 8th at 5-9pm, and Saturday dec 9th at 6-9pm. It will be held in the lobby outside of the auditorium. We are also selling clothing at the art fair, some of  the clothing is made by a senior named Ryan Wolsfeld. Did you know that the Christmas Variety Show is also on both those nights! You can go to the art fair before and/or after the Christmas Variety show! Hope to see you there!

Attention all seniors, attention all seniors!! Check your email! Mrs. Gist emailed you instructions to order your cap and gown for Graduation. Make sure to place this order by Wednesday, December 20. You want to have a cap and gown for Graduation, so make sure to take care of this today!

Attention Pioneers: The deadline to make schedule changes for second semester is Wednesday, Dec. 20.  Please know that available options to change classes are extremely limited.  All schedule changes will need parent approval (via email) and if you are a senior, be sure to check with your colleges first to make sure that your schedule change will not negatively impact your application.

-Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God as we begin in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Amen). 

Loving God, during these busy weeks before Christmas break when things get tough and we get tired and maybe we feel like things are not going our way, help us to remember that we can turn to you and find hope. Hope that you have not forgotten us, hope that you love us unconditionally, hope that you want the best for us. During this season of Advent we pray for the gift of hope. 

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

St John Baptist de LaSalle (pray for us). 

Saints Benedict and Scholastica (pray for us).

Live Jesus in our Hearts (forever!)

December 6, 2023

-Attention all seniors, attention all seniors!! Check your email! Mrs. Gist emailed you instructions to order your cap and gown for Graduation. Make sure to place this order by Wednesday, December 20. You want to have a cap and gown for Graduation, so make sure to take care of this today!

-Good morning Pioneers! Are you in need of some new decorations? Want to find a fun and creative gift for a friend? Looking for some cool new clothes? Check out the Hill-Murray Winter Art Fair featuring SEVENOVER, a clothing brand by senior Ryan Wolsfeld. It will be held from 5-9pm on Friday and 6-9pm on Saturday! Be sure to check it out in the main Lobby. If you’re heading to A Very Hill-Murray Christmas this weekend, it would be a great way to check off some shopping on your Holiday to-do list before or after the show! See you there, Pioneers!

-Hello, I’m Sophomore,  Preslee S., and I wanted to start a Giving Tree here at Hill-Murray during the Holiday Season. If you look outside of Campus Ministry, there is a Tree with different ornaments. Each ornament has something on it that is needed for two wonderful causes. One is a Non-profit called Firefighters for Healing, which I am involved with. They provide for families or first responders who have survived a fire or are considered a Burn victim. They provide essentials for them and their families during a very difficult time. The other one is for North Metro Flex Academy in North St. Paul, one of our CSL sites. They are in need of Snow gear to help a couple of families that are experiencing homelessness and need winter gear. These families are living in shelters and many students at the school do not have any winter gear. The Snow Gear can be new or gently used, especially if you have outgrown it.  Please bring your item, with the tag back on it to Campus Ministry before December 15th! We are so very grateful for any help!


-This is a reminder that during High School Break today, we have HOLY MOLY 10 MINUTES FOR YOUR SOULY. Today, Peer Ministers Zach F. and Emanuel B. are leading this prayer experience. Head to the Chapel at 10:10! 

-Good morning pioneers, this is Lauren L. and today I am here to tell you all about an exciting upcoming event taking place at Hill-Murray. I am currently a volunteer working with an organization called Pass Down The Gown. Pass Down The Gown is a non-profit organization dedicated to making formal events more accessible and sustainable by providing free formal gown rentals. With the Silverbelle dance coming up for grades 10-12, we know that many of you may be on the lookout for the perfect dress! Because of this, we have decided to host a pop-up during the school day on Friday, December 8th. The pop up will feature a rack of 15-20 beautiful dresses that you can rent for silverbelle free of cost (excluding a $15 deposit that is fully refundable upon the return of the dress). The pop-up will take place in the commons before and after school as well as during 6th hour lunches. We are so excited to bring this opportunity to Hill-Murray. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me via email. Hope to see you there!

-The French Club is hosting a fun game called WEREWOLF this Thursday during WIN A! Sign up with Ms. Marin.  All are welcome, and you don’t need to know French to play the game! 

-Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God as we begin in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Amen). 

Loving God, today we celebrate the Feast of St Nicholas, patron saint of children. We pray for the same hope that filled the hearts of the children that St Nicholas defended and protected, we pray for the same hope that fills our hearts as we prepare for the birth of Jesus. Help us to be a sign of hope to others as we strive to show compassion and love to all we meet today. 

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

St John Baptist de LaSalle (pray for us). 

Saints Benedict and Scholastica (pray for us).

Live Jesus in our Hearts (forever!)

December 5, 2023

-Auditions for the MSHSL One Act Theatre competition are today after school. All 9-12th graders are invited to audition. Information was sent to your student email Sunday evening. Please reach out to Ms. Walth if you have any questions!

-Hi Pioneers, this is Abby H. with the Environmental Health Club. Today, after school, we will build wood duck boxes for the ExCEL Outdoor Classroom. We will meet in the woodshop after school, so feel free to come and participate in this service credit opportunity. Please feel free to email me with any questions. Thank you!


-All 7th grade students will be dismissed from period 1 at 9:00 today and will drop backpacks off in their lockers and then report directly to the Chapel for a presentation on depression awareness and suicide prevention. Thank you! 

-Good Morning Pioneers! This is one of your Junior Peer Ministers Kaylin G., and this is your Ministry Minute! The organization I want to shout out today is Open Cupboard in Oakdale. Open Cupboard is a Food Shelf that has been feeding the community for 40 years. It is always looking for new volunteers to help restock the market and sort through produce. If you’re interested in volunteering you can go to their website and sign up for a shift! Another opportunity to do some good this Holiday Season is to stop by Campus Ministry’s Giving Tree. It will be up through the month of December. If you are interested, stop by Campus Ministry and pick up an ornament with many different items for an organization called Firefighters for Healing or winter clothes for North Metro Flex, one of our CSL sites! Pick up an ornament, go shopping, and then bring the items back to Campus by December 15th~Thanks, Pioneers, Have a great day!

-The French Club is hosting a fun game called WEREWOLF this Thursday during WIN A! Sign up with Ms. Marin.  All are welcome, and you don’t need to know French to play the game! 

-Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God as we begin in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Amen). 

This week we are focusing on the theme of Hope, the first candle in the Advent wreath. This morning let us take a moment of silence to think about the promise of hope we might find as we prepare for  the birth of Jesus.  (moment of silence).   As we go about our day we remember what hope there may be in silence. 

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

St John Baptist de LaSalle (pray for us). 

Saints Benedict and Scholastica (pray for us).

Live Jesus in our Hearts (forever!)

December 4, 2023

-Tomorrow, Tuesday,  all 7th grade students will be dismissed from period 1 at 9:00 and will drop backpacks off in their lockers and then report directly to the Chapel. This is for a presentation on depression awareness and suicide prevention. All that you need to bring to the Chapel is your quiet self. 


-Tomorrow we will have auditions for the MSHSL One Act Theatre competition.All 9-12th graders are invited to audition. Information was sent to your student email Sunday evening. Please reach out to Ms. Walth if you have any questions!


-French Club is hosting a fun game called WEREWOLF this Thursday during WIN A! Sign up with Ms. Marin.  All are welcome, and you don’t need to know French to play the game!


-We want to give a special shout-out to Audrey N., Cormac M., Dane P., David R., Ella B, Elly R., Grace W., Harry S., Isabella A., Julia M., Kaden W., and Rachel C. for sacrificing their Saturday evening to volunteer at The President’s Dinner. We could not have run the event without you. Thank you for representing the Pioneer Way!  

-Today is the first Monday of Advent. During the season of Advent we will not be praying our regular morning prayers, but rather we will be marking this special liturgical season of Advent by praying the four themes of the Advent Wreath Candles – Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. This week our prayers will focus on hope. 

Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God as we begin in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Amen). 

God of Hope, we seek you.
During this holy season of Advent,
help us to see you in all whom we encounter.

God of Hope, we seek you.
We seek you in the lowly manger,
a child born to save the world.
May your hope be a comfort
to all who long for justice.

God of Hope, we seek you.
May your hope fill our hearts
and grace our lips so that we might
reflect your hope for all the world.

We pray this in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

St John Baptist de LaSalle (pray for us). 

Saints Benedict and Scholastica (pray for us).

Live Jesus in our Hearts (forever!)

December 1, 2023

-God, in everything that’s happened this year, both good and bad, we know that you were with us, always loving and present. we’re spending time looking backwards, assessing our own progress and growth; what worked, what didn’t, what helped, what hindered. And we’re spending time looking forwards, toward the new year, setting intentions and voicing our hopes what we’d like to accomplish and improve, what we’d like to experience and enjoy. But we are also learning to be in this moment, to breathe deeply into our bodies right here, right now. And so we celebrate the year – its beginnings and its endings, its triumphs and its failures, by turning our attention to you, and leaning into your eternal flow of love. We offer gratitude for each experience for each person, and we put our hope in the continued revealing of the peace, joy, and love of God. Amen

-Tonight is the opening night for our Cast and crew of  A Very Hill-Murray Christmas! Tickets are  available at the door and students get in free with your ID. Hope to see you there!


-Today is our Advent Prayer Service –  Students in 9th and 10th grade will be going to the prayer service during WIN A, 11th and 12th grade students during WIN B.  High School students will be sitting with your Period One class in the auditorium. Middle School students you will be going to the prayer service during Middle School WIN B after lunch.  High School period one teachers, please let your students know where to meet you in the auditorium, the seating chart was re-sent to you this morning you can find it at the top of your inbox.  We are looking forward to our Advent prayer service this morning as we anticipate the official start of Advent this weekend. 


-Student #1: Hey Pioneers, are you looking for that perfect gift to give for Christmas? Well, you are in luck, the Winter Art Fair is happening next Friday and Saturday.  I’ll bet there are some art prints that would make a great gift for someone in your family or for a friend!

Student #2: Did you know we’re also selling clothing at the art fair this year?

Student #1: No!  I didn’t!

Student #2: Yeah, we will also have for sale some SEVENOVER brand clothing made by Ryan W., a senior here at Hill!

Student #1: That’s so awesome!  You know the Christmas Production of A Very Hill-Murray Christmas is also playing this Friday and Saturday.  You can go to the Art Fair before or after the performance or during intermission and look at and buy clothing and artwork!

Student #2: Where and when is the Art Fair?

Student #1: I am glad you asked!  The art fair will be in the main lobby outside the theater, and it runs from 5-9pm on Friday and 6-9pm on Saturday!
BOTH: See you there Pioneers!

-Hailey – Hey everyone it’s your girl’s basketball captains Hailey W.

Rhiannon- Rhiannon O.

Elise- And Elise G.

Hailey- We’re here to tell you that our first home game is tonight at 7 

Rhiannon- We play Park Cottage Grove in the main gym! 

Elise- We’d love to see you there! 

-On Wednesday December 6th we will once again celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas and The Nicholas Center.  We will be holding a prayer service in the morning for past and current parents of Nicholas Center students and a social afterwards in the Nicholas Center so you may see some parents floating around the building before school. 
In addition, during the day we will hold an ugly sweater contest for students and staff. We will have voting during lunch but wanted to get the categories in front of you early. 
We will have four categories!

GRAND PRIZE: Most Ugly Holiday Sweater
HONORABLE MENTION:

  • Most Festive
  • Most Funny
  • Best Interactive (Lights, ring-able bells, etc.)

November 30, 2023

-To all of the 11th grade students who completed the Practice ACT exam in October – your test results will be available for pickup in the Guidance and Counseling Office on Thursday during WIN Time.  Students with the last name A-L should stop by at the beginning of WIN A and students with the last name M-Z should stop by at the beginning of WIN B.  Please know that you are still responsible for signing up for a WIN Time.

-1) This is a reminder for DECA members. Our annual DECA the Halls breakfast will be in the cafeteria this Friday, December 1 at 7am. This fun event is mandatory for those competing in January’s district competition. Please arrive on time.

2) This message is for all Pioneers. The cafeteria will be closed this Friday, December 1 before school. 

-H2O for Life Club:

a reminder to have your team captain sign up your dodgeball team by December 8 to be able to participate in the dodgeball tournament!

The sign up board is in the cafeteria commons on the table!

December 15, 6pm. Everyone is welcome to come support and watch!

November 29, 2023

-This is a reminder for all high school students that there will be holy moly 10 minutes for your Souly in the chapel during high school break today. Come support the peer ministers Sawyer and Uriel, as they lead us in a prayer experience!

-National Honors Society is having a toy drive! The toys are being donated to Toys for Tots for children in need this winter. You can donate unwrapped toys, games, and activities and put your donations at the Sleigh near the auditorium by the front entrance. Thanks!