Back to School Page

Check out the important information below

Getting ready for the 2023-2024 academic year!

Check out the following important information regarding the start of school.  If you do not see your question answered here, please do not hesitate to call us at 651-777-1376. New families are always welcome to connect with Jen O’Gary at jogary@hill-murray.org.

Please complete the following three steps by your child’s Orientation or Business Day:

STEP ONE
Complete the following forms for student(s), print them and have your student(s) return them to school on one of the dates listed in step two:

Annual Health and Emergency Contact Form *

Student Immunization Form *

Technology Acceptable Use Policy Acknowledgment Form *

Request to Administer Medication at School Form

Please note that all forms marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory. These forms MUST be completed and submitted on or before your student’s “Business Day” or “Orientation Day.” Failure to complete and submit these forms on time will result in your student being turned away when they arrive on their designated day. They will also not be permitted to take their school photo, receive a locker assignment, or obtain a parking permit.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the forms, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your cooperation.

STEP TWO
Mark your calendar and check to see that your student has these dates. Attendance is required. Returning students in grades 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 attend “Business Days”, all other students will attend an “Orientation Day.”  All 9th Grade students also attend an “Orientation Retreat” on August 14th.

Returning students grades 10-12: Business Day, August 15, 8am-2pm. See Business Days tab below for assigned times based on last name.

New students in grades 10-12: Orientation, August 15, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM. Please see Orientation tab below. 

All 9th grade students: August 14, 7:30am-3:00pm. Retreat at Hidden Pines Ranch. See Retreat information tab below. 

All 9th grade students: Orientation, August 24, 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM with computer pick-up until 1:30 PM. See Orientation tab below.

Returning students grades 7-8: Business Day, August 16, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. See Business Days tab below.

All 6th grade students and NEW 7th and 8th grade students:  August 25, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM. See Orientation tab below. 

STEP THREE
Take a look at the items below.  You will find school supply lists, fall sports information and forms, the academic calendar, parking permit information and details on the used uniform sale. This page is a handy reference for all things related to back to school.  Information will be updated as it becomes available.

STEP FOUR
Enjoy the rest of summer!  We are looking forward to the start of school, it’s going to be a great year!

Academic Calendar 2023-24

The Academic Calendar will provide you and your family with all of the planned days off during the 2023-24 school year.

Click here for the 2023-24 Academic Calendar.

School Start Time: 7:55 AM

Wednesday Late Start: 8:45 AM

**No late start on November 1st, December 20th, February 14th

School End Time: 2:40 PM

Hill-Murray School Student/Parent Handbook

Click here to view the 2023-24 Student/Parent Handbook.

Back to School Night

All parents of students in grades 6-12, please join us Wednesday, September 6th for Back to School Night. This is a PARENT ONLY event, in which you will get a first-hand look at your student’s academic experience at Hill-Murray School. Please dress comfortably as not all areas of our school are air conditioned yet.

Please note the special meeting times below:
Parents of students in grades 6 & 9 have meetings beginning at 5:00 PM
Parents of students in all grades (6-12) will begin Period 1 at 6:00 PM

CLICK HERE FOR ALL BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT INFORMATION

Business Days

Business Days are REQUIRED for returning 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. This is where students will be assigned a locker, and locker combination, get their school picture taken and turn in their required forms.

Please wear a uniform polo shirt and abide by the policy guidelines as it relates to facial hair, hair cut and color, etc. as Lifetouch will be taking your school photo. No spiritwear may be worn. Click here to view the uniform policy.

10th – 12th Grade Business Day is August 15 from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM.  We’re encouraging everyone to follow the assigned times, based on last names below.

7th & 8th Grade Business Day is August 16 from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM.  We’re encouraging everyone to follow the assigned times, based on last names below.

Orientation Days

Orientation Days are REQUIRED for ALL 6th grade students, NEW 7th & 8th grade students, ALL 9th grade students and NEW 10th, 11th and 12th graders.

Please wear a uniform polo shirt and abide by the policy guidelines as it relates to facial hair, hair cut and color, etc. as Lifetouch will be taking your school photo. No spirit wear may be worn. Click here to view the uniform policy.

Orientation Dates:

Click here for Orientation information on ALL 6th grade students and NEW 7th & 8th grade students – August 25

Click here for Orientation information on ALL 9th grade students – August 24

Click here for Orientation information on NEW students grades 10-12 – August 15

9th Grade Retreat - August 14 (Mandatory for all 9th graders)

Click here for information on 9th Grade Orientation Day and Mandatory 9th Grade Orientation Retreat

Enclosed HERE is the Release/Emergency Contact Form that must be printed, filled out, signed and brought on the day of the retreat. This is very important!

Important Health Office Information

Please see the attached Health Office Reminders to help make an easy and successful transition back to school!

Fall Sports Registration & Form for Physicals

Fall Sports Registration opens Monday, July 24 and closes on Friday, August 11. If your child wants to play a fall sport, please register here.

In order to be eligible to play high school sports, your child must have a physical completed every THREE years: Link to physical form here

TRIA is offering FREE sports physicals for high school student athletes. The Woodbury location is offering physicals on August 7th from 5 – 8 PM. CLICK HERE to sign up and download the required form.

Fall Sports Offerings:

  • Girls & Boys Soccer (HS & MS)
  • Girls Tennis
  • Cross Country
  • Football (HS & MS)
  • Girls Volleyball (HS & MS)
  • Girls Swimming

Questions? Contact John Pohl

Fall Sports Information Night and Mandatory Parent Meeting (August 8)

Fall Sports Information Night and Mandatory Parent Meeting: Tuesday, August 8 in Hill-Murray Auditorium

6:00pm – Football, Girls Tennis, Girls Soccer, Girls Swim & Dive

7:00pm – Volleyball, Boys Soccer, Cross Country

Parking Passes

Junior and Senior Parking Passes – SOLD OUT FOR 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR

Parking passes will be available to purchase for 12th and 11th graders, one per family. The cost is $160. Permits can be picked up on Business Days.

10th Graders

At this time, parking passes for 10th graders will be issued when a license is earned and only as long as we have parking space. When your student receives their driver’s license, they can bring their license to the Office of Student to Life to purchase their parking permit. If your 10th grade student gets his or her license by Tuesday, August 15, they can bring their license to Business Day and purchase their permit that day.

Student Class Schedules

Schedules will be available for students to view in Infinite Campus at the beginning of August.

If you’re a new family, you will be getting an email with a code that will allow you to set up an account in Infinite Campus, Hill-Murray’s Student Information System. After setting up your account, you will be able to access your student’s schedule for the upcoming year. If you have more than one student, you are able to toggle from one to another.

If your student has any conflicts and/or inaccuracies in their schedule (missing courses, placement concerns, etc.), please see your assigned Counselor on Monday, August 14 (9:00am-12:00pm) or Tuesday, August 15 (9:00am-12:00pm).  Please know that schedule change requests will only be honored for conflicts – placement changes, teacher requests, and period requests will not be approved.

Student Laptops

All new students will received their laptops or Chromebooks on their assigned Orientation Day.

School Pictures

Students will have their pictures taken during either Business Days or during Orientation. Students must be in full uniform and abide by the policy guidelines as it relates to facial hair, hair cut and color, etc.

Click here for the 2023-2024 Uniform Policy.

Click here to order school photos.

Seniors still need to take a Lifetouch picture for their student ID. Professional Senior photo submissions will be due before Christmas break. A website will be shared with the Senior class mid-September with instructions for photo requirements and how to submit photos. All photos must be waist up, no props and modest.

For more information about Picture Day, please contact Mrs. Trembley at ktrembley@hill-murray.org

Key Contacts

Activities Office – Mr. John Pohl: 651-748-2432

Attendance – Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Business Office – TADS Billing/Financial Aid – Mrs. Colene Erickson: 651-748-2408

New Families Coordinator – Ms. Jen O’Gary: 651-748-2459

FLIK Food Service –  651-748-2434

Health Office – 651-748-2431

Main Office –  651-777-1376

Office of Student Life – 651-748-2423 (Attendance, School Photos, Parking Permits, Business Days)

The Nicholas Center – Mr. Brent Johnson: 651-748-2450

Service Coordinator – Ms. Becky Fandrich: 651-748-2231

Assistant Principal – Mr. Aaron Benner: 651-748-2484

Principal – Mrs. Kelly Harrington: 651-748-2495

Bussing / Carpooling

Bussing

Bussing is provided by local school District 622. If you are interested in bussing or carpooling, please complete the google form below. **The form MUST be completed by July 28, 2023!

District 622 Bussing/Carpooling

Please note: Only those who live within District 622 are eligible for the bussing option.

If you have questions, please contact Jen O’Gary at jogary@hill-murray.org.

In late August, District 622 will send a postcard to each household listing the route number, pick-up and drop-off times, and the district’s contact info.

Carpooling 

A carpool list will be sent out later this summer to those who expressed interest. Carpooling will be arranged with other Hill-Murray families independently.

 

Drop-off & Pick-up Procedure

The entry point for drop-off and pick-up is the east access point from Larpenteur Ave.

Drive west in the front lot to the “Primary Drop-off/Pick-up location.

Students will exit from the passenger side of your vehicle and utilize the sidewalks to enter the school.

Click here for a pickup and drop off map. 

Please use the right lane to drop-off/pick-up, and if needed use the left lane to carefully pass the vehicle in front of you to keep the line moving forward.

You will have a single lane exit option to turn right or left onto Larpenteur Ave.

If the line of vehicles extends down to the east access point, and vehicles are waiting, you will be directed further north where support staff will direct you to a turn-around location. You can then head south to line up for your turn to enter front lot area. This will help keep Larpenteur Ave clear.

By heading north to use the turn-around, you can utilize the Athletic Drop-Off/Pick-up location (Near maintenance garage) or the 2nd Drop-off/Pick-up location, as you head south. You can exit using the east access point.

There are no drop-off/pick-up options on the west side of our campus during AM & PM peak times.

AM PEAK TIMES = 7:15am–8:00am. PM PEAK TIMES = 2:15pm-3:00pm.

Before and after “peak times”, drop-off/pick-up can occur on the west side as long as traffic flow patterns are followed.

No cars are allowed in athletic area parking for drop-off or pick- up. The two options for that are by the corner of sidewalk by the Chapel or the sidewalk in front of the Stadium Plaza.

Uniform Policy

Click here for the H-M Uniform Policy 2023-24

Required school uniforms are a long-standing tradition at Hill-Murray. Each student agrees to wear a uniform when accepted as a Pioneer. It helps our students and faculty focus on teaching and learning and reminds us that we are part of something larger than ourselves. Students are required to dress in the required uniform every day with the exception of special occasions like Homecoming Week.

While the changes to the uniform requirements for 2023-2024 are minor, we want students and families to know how important it is to honor our uniform policy expectations daily.

Please Note: We are phasing out the current skirts. Students may wear them for the 23-24 school year.

Cell Phone Use Policy

Cell phones have always been prohibited during classes at Hill-Murray, and we will continue to uphold this policy.

Middle School students are required to leave their phones in their lockers for the entirety of the school day.

High School students may check phones between classes, but can not have them during classes.

High School Supply List

Click here for the High School Supply List

Middle School Supply List

Click here for the supply lists for 6th, 7th and 8th Grades

Mass / Retreat Schedule 2023-24

Click here to view the Fall Mass & Retreat Schedule

Gym Uniforms

There are no school gym uniforms. Students must wear a t-shirt, athletic shorts or sweatpants, and tennis shoes. Physical Education teachers will go over expectations. 

Attendance Policy

Research has shown, and we know from experience, that daily in-person schooling  is the most effective way to learn. Consistent and constant interactions between teachers and students create a partnership in the learning process, resulting in greater success for students who regularly attend school.

Post-secondary and peer schools consider Hill-Murray an excellent academic institution because of our commitment to in-person learning and robust curriculum.  

Hill-Murray’s long-standing attendance policy remains in effect. The policy states that a student can have a maximum of nine (9) absences per semester. If that number is exceeded, a student will not earn class credit. 

Note: Families must schedule trips, appointments, and other commitments outside the school day as much as possible.

**There will be changes coming to attendance this upcoming school year. Please stay tuned and we will inform you of the new attendance procedure as soon as possible.

Attendance Line

**There will be changes coming to attendance this upcoming school year. Please stay tuned and we will inform you of the new attendance procedure as soon as possible.

 

Technology Acceptable Use Policy

Click here to complete the required Technology Acceptable Use Policy form.

Click here to view a printable version of the Technology Acceptable Use Policy.

Happenings Newsletter

Happenings is our bi-weekly e-newsletter filled with important information and key days. If you are not receiving Happenings, contact Noah Hackman at nhackman@hill-murray.org

You can also view Happenings in the News section on our website here.

Service Hours

As a graduation requirement, all students in grades 9-12 must complete two service experiences each year with one serving the poor or vulnerable.  Service experiences are not required for students in grades 6-8.

Click here for details on how to find service experiences and turn them in for credit.

Students will also meet with the Service Coordinator at the start of school to go over the procedures.

The Nicholas Center (TNC) Information

The Nicholas Center is where students will find individualized support for their intellectual, personal, and social needs. Learn more by clicking the link below.

The Nicholas Center

Lunch Information

Lunch Program

Our lunch program will remain the same this upcoming year. Each meal in the meal deal will continue to be priced at $6.50.

It’s important to note that Hill-Murray has chosen not to take part in the state’s free lunch initiative. This decision was made to safeguard the variety of our meal choices from the limitations imposed by the program. Families in need of assistance have qualified for the Free & Reduced Lunch program through our TADS Tuition Assistance Program.

We kindly request that families ensure their lunch account balances are kept up to date. If a balance exceeds $50 in arrears, it could be subject to collections.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Business Office. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.

Lunch Account Set-up

Lunch account set-up is a part of Business Days and Orientation Days. New students will set-up their account and returning students will be able to add money to their account.

You can also add money to your account at anytime by clicking the link below.

Add money to your lunch account 

Guidance and Counseling Staff

High School:

Ms. Amy Cosgrove – (Grades 9-12 A-G) – acosgrove@hill-murray.org (651-748-2259)

Mrs. Jennifer Vinck – (Grades 9-12 H-N) – jvinck@hill-murray.org (651-748-2441)

Mr. Aaron Goulet – (Grades 9-12 O-Z) – agoulet@hill-murray.org (651-748-2493)

Middle School:

Mrs. Lisa Valentine – (Middle School) – lvalentine@hill-murray.org (651-748-2224)

College Counselors

Mr. Charlie Cicalello (A-L) ccicalello@hill-murray.org (651-748-2426)

Ms. Carrie Egan (M-Z) – cegan@hill-murray.org (651-748-2238)

Used Uniform Sale (Aug. 8 and 9)