Happenings (December 5, 2023)
Retired Police Officer Bill Beaudette Joins Hill-Murray as Director of Security
We are thrilled to announce that Bill Beaudette, who has been serving in an interim capacity, has agreed to join Hill-Murray School as our Director of Security. Mr. Beaudette is a recently retired police officer with over thirty years of experience. He is a retired SWAT team officer with expertise in emergency response tactics and tactical operations training. Mr. Beaudette also wrote, organized, and instructed Active Shooter Training for the Saint Paul Police Department and statewide. Click here to read a letter of recommendation from Deputy Chief Paul Ford, a current Hill-Murray parent. In the recommendation, Deputy Chief Ford emphasizes Bill’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing the safety of others, a quality that is evident in an article detailing Bill’s heroic actions in saving the lives of four children from a house fire. Click here to view the article.
With Mr. Beaudette now reporting to Mr. Benner and overseeing our safety and security on campus, we are confident Hill-Murray is in good hands. He has quickly immersed himself in our community and is often seen getting to know our students and staff. Please welcome him to our community when you see him around campus. You will often see him early in the morning and after school, ensuring the safe flow of traffic for hundreds of students. Please make sure to let him know that we are glad he is the newest Pioneer!
2024-25 Tuition Assistance Application
The application for Tuition Assistance in TADS is open! CLICK HERE for the link to TADS to access the application. As you work through the application, it is helpful to gather the necessary documents you will need:
- Current pay stubs
- 2022 federal tax return with schedules C/F/K-1
- 2022 W-2’s
- Loan or other debt documents
- Retirement account statements
- Credit card account statements
- Education debt documents for parents/dependents
- Medical debt documents
Please be sure to include all dependents on the application – include even those in college, or any post-high school dependents living at home.
In January, we will need all applicants to upload 2023 W-2’s to complete the application. Once you submit your application, please upload the supporting documents within a day or two to reduce any delay in processing your application. Check your email frequently for any additional requests or questions from TADS.
Applications for financial aid will also be used to apply for Need-Based Scholarships so no additional application is required.
The Tuition Assistance application is due January 12, 2024. We kindly remind returning families that we will not be able to accept applications submitted after this date.
Looking ahead, our Re-Enrollment period kicks off on January 22, 2024. It is crucial to add any awarded financial aid to your tuition agreement before signing. This ensures a seamless and stress-free re-enrollment process.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to Colene Erickson in the Business Office at cerickson@hill-murray.org or (651) 748-2408 if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you!
Please spread the word about the Hill-Murray Winter Open House! Are you aware of someone in your circle who is interested in exploring various opportunities available at Hill-Murray? If so, we would love if you could please extend an invitation to them to attend our Fall Open House on Monday, January 8, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM. Potential families will get the chance to connect with Hill-Murray’s dedicated teachers, coaches, and school leaders. Please share this RSVP link with anyone in your network who might be interested in attending. We appreciate your efforts in helping us spread the word about Hill-Murray School!
NHS Toy Drive
National Honor Society is having their annual toy drive! Please bring new and unwrapped toys, activities, or games to school to place in the sleigh outside the auditorium by December 19. All donations will be given to the local Toys for Tots organization.
High School Students Share Stories with MapleTree Child Care Center
Since October, Mrs. Hejny’s Reading Enrichment class partnered with MapleTree Child Care Center, located right in our own backyard, providing guest readers for the 3-year-old to 5-year-old classes. Every two weeks, three High School Reading Enrichment students choose a favorite children’s book, sharing a read aloud with the MapleTree kids. before the live reading, students submit a video of their read-aloud “run-through.”
The idea was born out of the desire to build a lasting relationship with those who share the same spaces with us, share the love of cherished childhood stories with robust vocabulary, and to boost our students’ confidence and reading proficiency. Research supports repeated oral reading as a potent strategy for enhancing reading fluency in older students.
Fortunately for us, MapleTree Child Care Center is filled with beautiful young minds who love a good book and who can provide a low-stakes, safe environment for our Hill-Murray students to practice a skill that often is laced with high anxiety. This opportunity puts our high school readers in a commanding position, as the preschoolers absolutely hold these students in the highest regard. One 9th-grade reader even faced the question, “Is he the teacher at Hill-Murray?” His giggle and beaming smiler were priceless as he read not only his prepared book but four more from the weekly theme. It’s a win-win situation for all involved!
Christmas Variety Show
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets!
Student Art Prints and Student-Designed Clothing for Sale!
Looking for that perfect hand-made Christmas Gift? Join us before and during the Hill-Murray Christmas Show on Friday, December 8th and Saturday, December 9th to browse new art prints made with a real printing press by Hill-Murray arts students. Also available for sale will be SEVENOVER brand clothing designed by Ryan Wolsfeld, class of 2024!
Do not miss out on joining us for the 16th year of Christmas at the Monastery! Join in the celebration of events NOW through December 9. CLICK HERE to view the Christmas at the Monastery events!
Middle School Christmas Party
Get ready for a festive evening at our Middle School Christmas Party! Join us on December 15th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM for a cozy celebration in your favorite pajamas. We will decorate Christmas cookies and watch a Christmas movie. It’s the perfect way to embrace the joy of the holidays with friends and sweet treats. See you there!
Hill-Murray 7th Grader Stars as Clara in New York City
Savannah Manzel, a seventh-grader, began her journey in dance at two years old and has swiftly gained recognition for her incredible talent. She is currently dancing the principal role of Clara for the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes in New York City! Click here to discover more about Savannah’s dream come true.
Connections at Hill-Murray
At Hill-Murray, our Connections@HM groups foster relationships among students and adult leaders through fun activities such as the Halloween pumpkin carving contest. High school students of the same grade meet weekly to build connections and grow together over the course of their four high school years at Hill-Murray. The winners of the pumpkin carving contest recently celebrated their victory with a delicious breakfast!
Yearbook Photos: Seniors & Middle School Students
SENIOR PHOTOS
Seniors! You can submit your senior photos, baby ads and memories online! Simply go to Hillmurrayyearbook.com. We will accept submissions up until January 8th.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS
Hey middle school students! Do you participate in sports not associated with Hill-Murray but still want some spotlight in the yearbook? Want want to see your Woodbury, Stillwater, East Ridge, etc. athletics! Please email your information to elizabeth.voss@hmstudents.org for a chance to se your sport within the pages.
Please include the information below with your submission:
- First and Last Name
- Grade
- Name of Sports Affiliation (ex. Woodbury Hockey)
- Picture of you playing your sport
NCAA Letter of Intent Signing Day
The NCAA National Letter of Intent Signing ceremony was held on November 8th and five senior student-athletes officially committed to NCAA athletics next year.
Congratulations to the following student-athletes: Andrea Cuenca-Medina (UMNC), Abby Kavanagh (SCSU), and Taylor Petrich (Drake) for soccer, Olivia Godbout (Lindenwood) for lacrosse, and Chloe Boreen (St. Thomas) for hockey. We are so proud of their achievements! Good luck in college and beyond!
2024 Pioneer Premier Auction
Step into the spotlight at the 2024 Pioneer Premier Auction as we “Roll out the Red Carpet for an Award-Worthy Evening!” Join Hill Murray for a glamorous evening of dinner and drinks, live music, and a silent and live auction that promises to contribute to the continued excellence of our school.
Save the date of April 27, 2024! Keep watching pioneer.givesmart.com for updates or email auction@hill-murray.org to get involved!
Costa Rica & Panama Trip
The Spanish department is offering a fabulous opportunity for current 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th grade students to visit both Costa Rica AND Panama! Students will have nine days to put their Spanish to use in real world scenarios while exploring volcanos, rainforests, beaches, historic towns, and of course the Panama Canal! We leave for this nine-day adventure in mid-June of 2025! Interested? CLICK HERE to check out the full itinerary, pricing and registration information! Contact Ms. Luna with any questions at: kluna@hill-murray.org.