Happenings (January 27, 2026)
Speakers Series: Experience Dyslexia: Insight, Empathy, Action
Click here to RSVP!
2026 Annual Hill Murray – Father + Daughter Dance is February 7, 2026
There will be a NEW VENUE | NEW DJ | PHOTO BOOTHS & UNREAL ENERGY
ST. CROIX EVENT CENTER
5880 Omaha Ave N
Stillwater, MN 55082
Social Hour 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Buffet Dinner 7:00 PM
Dance 8:00 – 10:00 PM
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PRICING
$130 per couple & $40 for each additional daughter or guest
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WHO’S WELCOME
Daughters are welcome to attend with their father, grandfather, uncle, family friend — and to invite a friend to join them.
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PLEASE RSVP HERE BY 1/30
Adoration
One of the spiritual practices we celebrate at Hill-Murray is Adoration, which is held in the Hill-Murray Chapel during the school day, typically on the first Friday of each month. Adoration is part of the rituals and traditions of the Catholic Church and is open to all members of the Christian faith. Adoration refers to the time when the Blessed Sacrament is placed on the altar and the faithful spend time with Jesus in the Chapel in quiet prayer and reflection. Our next day of Adoration is Friday, February 6, 2026 from 9:15am-12:15pm. CLICK HERE to sign up for a time. You are also welcome to attend Mass at 9:15am (finished by 9:45am). Adoration starts immediately following.
Course Selection
Counselors started meeting with students last week to introduce the Course Selection process and timeline. New this year: course selections will be completed through the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus. The course selection window will be open in Infinite Campus on Monday, February 9 and will close on Monday, February 16.
Check out this document for all of the links and resources you’ll need to complete course selection for the 26-27 school year!
As always, the Guidance and Counseling Team is available to support students and families throughout this process. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your student’s assigned counselor directly.
Middle School Counselors (Grades 6-8)
Mrs. Lisa Valentine (Grades 6-7) 651-748-2224 lvalentine@hill-murray.org
Mrs. Katie Francis (Grade 8) 651-748-2235 kfrancis@hill-murray.org
High School Counselors (Grades 9-12)
Mr. Charlie Cicalello (A-C) 651-748-2426 ccicalello@hill-murray.org
Mrs. Amy Cosgrove (D-J) 651-748-2259 acosgrove@hill-murray.org
Mrs. Jenny Vinck (K-Q) 651-748-2441 jvinck@hill-murray.org
Mr. Aaron Goulet (R-Z) 651-748-2493 agoulet@hill-murray.org
College Counselors
Mr. Eric Carlucci (A-Z) 651-748-2238 ecarlucci@hill-murray.org
Mr. Charlie Cicalello Curriculum & Development
AP School Honor Roll
We are proud to share that Hill-Murray School has qualified for the College Board’s AP®
School Honor Roll. This national recognition honors schools whose Advanced Placement
programs are delivering strong results for students while expanding access to rigorous, college-
level coursework.
Click here for more information.
Honors World History Placement Test Information
The Social Studies Department will offer a placement test for students interested in enrolling in Honors World History for their sophomore year. Since students are not required to take a social studies course during freshman year, this test serves as one data point to help determine appropriate placement.
The test will be administered during WIN times the week of February 17. Students should sign up for one of the following sessions:
• February 17, WIN B with Ms. Rodriguez
• February 19, WIN A with Mr. Misenor
• February 19, WIN A with Mr. Schwartz
• February 20, WIN A with Mr. Faust
The test will include 8 multiple-choice comprehension questions and 3 analytical/critical thinking short answer questions. The test will be out of 20 possible points with the student needing a minimum of 16 for admittance into honors. Students may pick up the reading in advance from any social studies teacher beginning the week of January 26 and may use their annotated reading during the test.
The Social Studies Department encourages interested students to review the material carefully and come prepared to demonstrate critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Please note that not all students will qualify for the Honors course, and many students thrive in the standard World History curriculum.
Questions may be directed to Social Studies Department Chair Max Faust at mfaust@hill-murray.org.
Middle School Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club
Our Young Innovators Club focuses on capturing our middle school students’ spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Students will look at real-world problems and develop innovative ideas. Opportunities and resources to develop these ideas will be provided, and students will develop a “pitch” for their idea. These activities will culminate in an entrepreneurial “Shark Tank” showcase in May. The club will meet at WIN time during the school day. Interested students should come to our informational meeting on Thursday, February 5 during WIN A in room 120.
Click here to register!
A Good Time for a Check-In
With the second semester getting underway, it is a good time for you and your child to reflect on what habits and strategies worked well in the first semester and where the most obvious areas for improvement are. This could be academically-speaking, but also overall in your child’s daily life. Sleeping and eating habits. Organization of school materials and home space. Use of free time.
Some questions to consider and discuss together:
*In what areas (of school and life) is your child feeling most confident? Least confident?
*Where has your child shown the most growth since August, 2024? (Is your answer the same or different from your child’s?)
*Where is your child seeking more independence and a chance to take some healthy risks? How can you help support this?
Much can happen in an adolescent’s development in just a few months. Face-to-face conversations are great windows into your child’s life. If you have concerns or questions you would like to discuss further, contact your child’s counselor: Lisa Valentine (Grades 6 and 7) at 651-748-2224 or lvalentine@hill-murray.org and Katie Francis (Grade 8) at 651-748- 2235 or kfrancis@hill-murray.org.
Supporting Balanced Use of Technology
As of last Wednesday, 1/21, Middle School students have more limits and blocks on their iPads. Most notably, they no longer have access to Google Chat. This is in an effort to help foster screen-free social connections, lower stress and promote emotional balance, and also further focus instructional time.
All Middle School students met together during WIN time and heard from our Director of Technology, Bill Cheney. The key points of his presentation highlight our goal to support the whole student and overall wellness.
Beginning with the question– “Technology: Superpower or Kryptonite?,” here are some key takeaways and good discussion points for you to have at home with your child (Questions are phrased from the student viewpoint).
*Are you using time wisely and effectively when on screens, or losing crucial minutes and hours to choices that really don’t help you learn and grow?
*Are you using screens to build positive connections and relationships with others, balanced with plenty of face-to-face time, or are screens isolating you and limiting your social outlets?
*Are you doing a lot of comparing yourself to others through the images, posts, and videos you may be viewing online? (You are exactly how God made you–precious and unique. The constant comparison and coming up short can erode mental health and confidence.)
*How are you feeling about the new blocks and restrictions that the school has placed on student iPads? What is frustrating you and how can we work through that? What other opportunities does this present to you?
If you have any specific tech-related questions, please contact Mr. Cheney at wcheney@hill-murray.org or 651-748-2427. If your child is struggling with these changes or has increased anxiety, please reach out to your child’s counselor for support and strategies. Contact Lisa Valentine (Grades 6 and 7) at 651-748-2224 or lvalentine@hill-murray.org and Katie Francis (Grade 8) at 651-748- 2235 or kfrancis@hill-murray.org.
Player/Parent Track & Field Information Meeting
There will be a player/parent track and field Info Meeting Sunday, February 22⋅4:00 – 5:00pm in the commons. Reach out to head coach Olivia Rodriguez (orodriguez@hill-murray.org) with any questions.
Baseball 2026 Spring Training Camp
Hill-Murray School is proud to offer a 4-week baseball camp for boys in grades 4+. In our Spring Training Camp, players will receive training in Hitting and both Infield and Outfield Defense. This camp is designed to prepare athletes for the upcoming season through skill-development drills and high repetition. Each participant will receive individual instruction from coaches and players from Hill-Murray’s Baseball Program
WHEN: SUNDAYS – (2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 3/1)
WHERE: HILL-MURRAY FIELDHOUSE
Group 1 (Grades 7+) 9:45AM-11:15AM ($150)
Group 2 (Grades 4-6) 11:30AM-1:00PM ($150)
REGISTRATION LINK – CLICK HERE
The Nicholas Center Summer Programs
2025 Summer Reading Program
The Nicholas Center at Hill-Murray School, in partnership with Youth Advantage of Stillwater,
invites all striving readers entering grades 1st-6th in the fall of 2026 to join us for The
Nicholas Center Summer Reading Program at Hill-Murray. The Summer Reading Program is a
6-week, structured literacy program that focuses on boosting students’ literacy skills, including
phonological and phonemic awareness, vocabulary development, morphology, comprehension,
and fluency.
Click here to learn more about the Summer Reading Program and to register.
Brilliant Strengths Course
Do you have a child with dyslexia who struggles with confidence and anxiety? If so, we’d love to
meet them! We invite your child to explore their own Brilliant Strengths in The Nicholas
Center at Hill-Murray on the afternoons of Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in June and
July for a course that aims to boost self-esteem and help students recognize their many
strengths, all while developing a love of reading! During this six-week course, 3rd – 6th-grade students will meet three fun characters who emphasize a few common strengths of people with dyslexia, including resilience, innovation, and connection.
Click here to learn about the Brilliant Strengths course for students with dyslexia.
Senior All Night Party
Seniors – Follow the Senior All-Night Party Instagram for info and updates and to share your input.
Our next senior all-night party meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 10th at 6:30 at Hill-Murray. We will meet in the staff lounge. All parents & students are welcome to attend. Senior parents are especially encouraged to attend. If unable to attend, but you’d like to receive updates, just send us an email at hmseniorparty@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!
Sip Savor Bloom Event
Click here to register!
