Happenings (May 12, 2026)
Pioneer Day of Service
Pioneers will be out serving on Saturday, May 16th to provide helping hands and to bring the spirit of service to our community.
Give back to the community and earn service hours that count toward next year’s requirement.
How to participate:
- Choose a service project to do anytime on May 16 (you can work with friends). If you would like to help at Hill-Murray from 9:00 AM – Noon that day, you may also indicate this in the project description on the RSVP form.
- CLICK HERE to register your group and choose your t-shirt sizes.
- Send someone to H-M to pick up your group’s t-shirts the week before the event, May 11-15, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, or May 16, 9:00 AM – Noon.
- Go have some fun on May 16, giving back to our community! Share your photos on social media using #PioneerDayofService
Questions?
Contact Judy Hajlo Schwartz ’79
jschwartz@hill-murray.org or (651) 748-2445
Uniform Order and Discounts
Ordering Uniforms
Spring is here! It’s a great time to think about fresh, new uniforms for next fall. The uniform order portal is open from the 1st to the 10th and the 15th to the 25th each month. You can find the online uniform catalog and link to the Game One order portal online on our school website in the Hill-Murray parent portal. Orders can take up to 6 weeks. Be sure to order by June 25th so that your order is here before school starts!
Discount Sale
Are you looking for uniform bottoms? We’ve got you covered! Hill-Murray is discounting all bottoms, while supplies last. Skirts, Shorts & Joggers have been discounted 10% – 50%. Hurry! Sizes are limited. Just email uniforms@hill-murray.org with what you’re looking for, and our uniform coordinator will get back to you. If we have it in stock, you’ll be able to pick it up right away. This is a great deal! Don’t wait! Please note – This sale applies only to inventory on hand at Hill-Murray. This sale does not apply to Game One uniform items. Game One will continue to stock all brands & sizes of bottoms at the regular price.
2026 Pioneer Golf Classic
Alumni, current and past parents, grandparents, and friends of Hill-Murray are invited to join us for the 2026 Pioneer Golf Classic at Indian Hills Golf Club on Monday, June 15, 2026.
11:00 AM Check-in & boxed lunch
12:00 PM Shotgun start time
Dinner to follow the tournament
Includes lunch, golf, carts, and dinner.
Engineering or Technology Internship
Do you work in engineering, technology, or other STEM related fields? We are seeking partners for internship or job shadow opportunities for high school students. Our students have hands-on experience in coding, engineering, and 3D fabrication. They are excited to learn more from professionals like you and are eager to see how their skills apply in real-world settings.
We are interested in exploring a variety of potential partnerships. Students can be available for one to two hours per day, two to three times per week for internships. Other possibilities include job-shadow programs or even one-time site visits or facilities tours. We would also welcome professionals who would be willing to speak to our students here on campus. These experiences are invaluable in helping our students explore career paths and gain practical skills. If interested, please reach out to Aran Glancy at aglancy@hill-murray.org. Thank you for supporting our students’ journeys!
Bussing for Families in District 622 for the 2026-2027 School Year
If you live in District 622 and are interested in having your student receive bussing services, please click here to fill out the form below. Please keep in mind that you must live within District 622, and that when District 622 is not in session, bussing is not provided.
FYI – Bussing to and from Hill-Murray involves a transfer of buses. In the morning, students start at their home bus stop. They then proceed to either John Glenn or Skyview Middle Schools. From there, they board a bus that brings them to Hill-Murray. In the afternoon, students start on a bus at Hill-Murray that goes to Transfiguration School. From there, they board a bus that will bring them to their home bus stop.
Hill-Murray will provide your information to the district, and we will then be in contact with you during the summer with route information. The FINAL deadline to complete this form is June 1st. Please reach out to JenO’Gary with any questions at jogary@hill-murray.org.
Carpool List for the 2026-2027 School Year
If your family is interested in being included on a carpool list for the 2026-2027 school year, please click here to fill out the form. All the interested families’ contact information and home addresses will be gathered into a spreadsheet. In July, that spreadsheet will be shared with all the families that are on it. At that point, you can reach out to those in your area to setup carpools. The final deadline for completing the form is June 1, 2026. Please reach out to Jen O’Gary jogary@hill-murray.org with any questions.
Uniform Policy for 2026-2027
Uniform Policy Link – https://www.hill-murray.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Uniform-Expectations-2026-2027-1.pdf
PSAT Testing for Juniors in the Fall of 2026
Hill-Murray will be offering the computer based PSAT/NMSQT to junior students next school year on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. This day is planned to be a late start, but students taking this test will need to arrive at school at 7:30 am on this day.
This PSAT test is a predictor of how a student will do on the SAT and is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. This is not a college entrance exam. Over 1.6 million high school students take the PSAT exam each year, and less than 1% advance in this competition.
If you are interested in your student taking the PSAT, please fill out this 2026 PSAT Registration Form here by Friday, September 11, 2026 so that exams can be ordered. If we do not hear from you, we will assume your student will not take the PSAT. If your student has an Academic Achievement Plan and will be requesting testing accommodations, the deadline to register is Friday, August 28, 2026. Counselors will submit all accommodation requests and the College Board will determine accommodation eligibility and approval. Please indicate a request for testing accommodations in your form response.
If you have any questions about the PSAT, please call or email your student’s counselor.
Mr. Charlie Cicalello (A-C) ccicalello@hill-murray.org
Ms. Amy Cosgrove (D-J) acosgrove@hill-murray.org
Mrs. Jenny Vinck (K-Q) jvinck@hill-murray.org
Mr. Aaron Goulet (R-Z) agoulet@hill-murray.org
Mr. Eric Carlucci College Counseling ecarlucci@hill-murray.org
SAVE THE DATE: Freshmen Retreat
Monday, August 17: Freshmen Retreat Day
7:45-8:30am Parent and Student Prayer Service
8:30-9:00am Parent meeting with Principal Marin
8:30am-3:00pm Freshmen at Hidden Pines Ranch for Retreat Day
3:00pm-4:00pm Freshmen Computer Pick-Up in Student Union
Senior All-Night Party Class of 2026
We are almost there! The Senior All-Night party is so close! There are just a few areas in need of support.
A few more volunteer parents are needed for set up at the Burrow in Oakdale. Please check out the Senior All-Night Party Sign-Up to see if you can help fill a spot. Thank you for considering.
It would be so great if every senior could go home with something special! If you would like to take one last look at the Amazon Wishlist and contribute a gift or two, it would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you to the entire Hil-Murray Community for supporting the Senior All-Night Party! We are so blessed to be amongst a community we can call family! Please continue to pray for our senior students as they transition into their next chapter.
2027 Choir/Theatre Trip to NYC Parent Informational Meeting
Ordering Uniforms
Spring is here! It’s a great time to think about fresh, new uniforms for next fall. The uniform order portal is open from the 1st-10th and the 15th-25th each month. You can find the online uniform catalog and link to the Game One order portal online on our school website in the Hill-Murray parent portal. Orders can take up to 6 weeks. Be sure to order by June 25 so that your order is here before school starts!
Discount Sale
If you need bottoms, we’ve got you covered. Skorts, Shorts & Joggers are on sale. Inventory is limited and while supplies last. Email uniforms@hill-murray.org for more information and questions.
Skorts & Shorts 50% off
Classroom Supply Skorts $15
Classroom Supply Shorts $12.50
Cutter & Buck Skorts $35
UNRL Joggers & Pants 25% off
UNRL Performance Joggers $48.50
UNRL Concourse Pants $52.50
UNRL Youth Performance Joggers $45
Sport-Tek Joggers 15% off
Mens & Womens Joggers $38
Highlights and Insights from Screen-Free Week
The energy in MS classrooms, WIN times, and lunch was up a notch last week, in good ways. Students leaned into less screen time and more connecting with one another face-to-face, getting outside, and being creative in new ways.
Student Council members did a great job with daily announcements, reminding students that more creativity and curiosity, better sleep, and stronger bonds with others are just some of the benefits of a more balanced approach to screen use. Also, how even just 10 minutes a day outside can be good for us physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Ms. Brennan’s high school Yoga for Stress Management class created some wonderful posters as well.
Students noted more real conversations, smiles, fresh air, trying something new, realizing they don’t need to check their devices, feeling less inattentive and hyper and more calm and focused as some of the many positives they experienced during the week.
Activities during the week included: rock painting, walking the labyrinth, hacky sack, jump rope, board games, sidewalk chalk, nature walks and an extra fun run, origami, bags/cornhole, dancing, a sing-along, puzzles, coloring, and more.
These pictures highlight the week, and we plan to continue the “disconnect to connect” theme the remainder of the year. Thank you to students and teachers for making the week a success!
Pioneer Day of Service – Volunteer at St. Paul’s Monastery!
Poetic Medicine with Lisa Mer
Pioneer Way for Parents
The Class of 2026 is close to wrapping up their time here at Hill-Murray and the rest of the student body is almost done with another school year.
These final days and weeks can bring about a mix of excitement, nervousness and, even at times, a bit of sadness. These big feelings are all typical and make sense as students get ready for new adventures (leaving home and friends, college, jobs) and new routines (different schedules, more unstructured time, etc.). Transitions are a great opportunity to have conversations and check in on how your students are navigating what is coming up and create a space where they can ask for help if needed.
Here are a few ideas to help support times of transition in your family/home:
- Talk about a flexible routine and structure
- What things still help manage some of the day to day routines/activities. Creating a routine can help ease some of the big feelings that come with change. These are skills that can support your son/daughter in many areas of their lives.
- Get creative! Maybe it is listing things on a whiteboard, a sharer calendar, etc. so everyone is in the know of what is coming up. A summer bucket list is a great way to help plan and organize summer activities!
- Making a plan for how often you will check in when they are away (Sunday night FaceTime) can help with expectations for both you and your child.
- Embracing Change
- As hard as it is to see our kids navigate big feelings/discomfort when it comes to changes, we can remind them that they’ve got this and we are here to support them!
- Remind them that God is with them and He will support them in what comes their way. Relying on their faith in those moments can bring a sense of calm in times of uncertainty.
- Create Time for Connection
- Maybe you designate one night a week for family night and have dinner together.
- Car rides and walks can also be a great way to create a space of connection and conversation. The movement and ability to talk without looking directly at one another can support more vulnerable conversations.
Whatever season of transition you are in at your home, continuing to check in with your child reminds them that they have people in their corner to support them through all of their changes.
Parents of the Class of 2026, congratulations to you and your students, we are so excited to see what this next chapter holds for them! Go Pioneers!
6th Grade STEM Students Visit Scherber’s Morningstar Dairy
Our 6th grade STEM Lab students had an incredible hands-on learning experience during our field trip in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and their Agriculture in the Classroom program. During our visit to Scherber’s Morningstar Dairy, students saw firsthand how modern farming is powered by innovation. From automatic milking systems to robotic manure cleaners and automated feeding machines, they explored how robotics help farmers improve efficiency while ensuring excellent care for their happy cows.
A highlight for many students was meeting the baby calves and seeing the automatic calf feeder in action. They learned how this system ensures each calf gets the right amount of nutrition at the right time, supporting healthy growth from the very beginning. Students also discovered that advances like these have dramatically increased food production to support our growing population. The experience continued at MN Equipment, where students explored how large-scale equipment supports agriculture and even built their own mini hydraulic projects. It was an engaging, eye-opening day that brought STEM concepts to life and showed students the powerful connection between technology and agriculture!
April World Language Department Star Students
HMDT Spring Dance Clinic
Calling all Dancers in current grades 6th through 12th! Come and dance on Sunday, May 31 with Julia Harris, current St. Thomas Dance Team Head Coach, Charliz Balicao, founder of CBDC, and Chloe Shaw, U of M Dance team alum! You will be challenged in Pom, Jazz, & Technique! Registration is open now and due by Friday, May 22.