Happenings (November 5, 2024)
Congratulations to our Pioneers on their 49-42 overtime victory! The team is headed to the State Quarterfinals to face Totino-Grace on Thursday, November 7th at 5:30 PM at Blaine High School. Tickets must be purchased in advance. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets. Come out and support our Pioneers!!
Winter School Pick-Up Reminder
With winter weather approaching, we ask families to avoid picking up students on Larpenteur Avenue. Recently, more vehicles have been stopping on the south side, creating a bottleneck and limiting space for turn lanes and emergency maneuvers. We appreciate your understanding and support in helping us maintain a safe and efficient drop-off and pick-up process.
Thank you,
Brent Johnson, Bill Beaudette, Aaron Benner, and Mike Whisler
Winter Sports Registration Closing Soon
There is still time to sign up for winter sports, but registration deadlines are approaching! Each sport has a unique deadline, so make sure to secure your spot soon.
Click here to register and get ready for an exciting season!
World Language Department Star Students
Click here to view the Star Students for October!
Class of 2025 Senior All Night Party Planning Meeting: Junior and Senior Parents – Nov. 11
Junior and Senior Parents,
Planning for the Class of 2025 Senior All Night Party is currently underway! The party will be on Thursday, May 22nd from 10 PM – 5 AM at the Burrow in Oakdale. Dawn Walker, Laura Smith, Jamie Sampson, and Sara Barker are serving as the Chairs. We have some returning committee members and volunteers, but we need more parents to help pull off this event. You do not need to be a senior parent to participate. Joining the committee this year for junior parents (or parents of any age student) will help with planning for your senior when the time comes.
If you are interested in helping, please join us for our first planning meeting.
When: Monday, November 11th
Time: 5:30 PM
Where: Dukes 1285 Geneva Ave. N. Oakdale, MN 55128
Please reach out to the Chairs with any questions at hmseniorparty@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram: hmseniorallnightparty2025
Weekly Confession
Father John will be available to hear Confession (the Sacrament of Reconciliation) on Thursdays (when school is in session) from 7:20 AM – 7:50 AM. No appointment necessary. Students, parents, and staff are welcome. There will be a guide sheet available in the Chapel.
Updates from The Guidance & Counseling Team
For some of our middle school students, tests and quizzes are a new experience and can bring a bit of anxiety. The best way to ease those worries is through preparation—and a reminder that it’s just one test or quiz. Students have many ways to demonstrate their engagement and effort in class, and these assessments are just one of them.
Here are a few test preparation tips students are encouraged to try and parents can support:
- Do daily review of new material. These few minutes a day will pay off with better understanding tomorrow and a better grasp of all material at test time.
- Students should be sure to understand what they are studying. Ask questions in class or WIN times. Studying the wrong information only hinders test results.
- Test preparation should be spread out over several days. 15-20 minutes daily over several days can be far more beneficial than hours the night before.
- Students can pay attention to the messages they’re telling themselves. Negative thoughts like “I’m going to fail” or “This test is too hard” can be replaced with positive affirmations like “I’m prepared for this” or “I’ll do my best to improve my grade.” Positive thinking keeps our minds open and sets us up for success.
If you would like to discuss more strategies or concerns you have about your child’s study habits, please contact Middle School Counselor, Mrs. Lisa Valentine at lvalentine@hill-murray.org.
Middle School Student Council
The Middle School Student Council worked hard to put on the Middle School Halloween party. Their creative and dedicated work planning the party, advertising for it, and decorating the school made for a very fun night with a great middle school turnout. Good job MS Student Council!
All middle school students are welcome to join student council. Students plan events and gain valuable leadership skills. We meet during WINS, so just sign up under Mrs. Deziel’s Middle School Student Council WIN!
ACT Prep Course
We will be offering an ACT Prep Course for students who are looking for additional coaching and support for the ACT. We will be offering two test prep cohorts. The first cohort is for students taking the test on Saturday, February 8th. The second cohort is for students taking the test on Saturday, April 5th.
Click here to register.
Spanish Field Trip
Students in Dr. Obernolte’s Spanish 5/6 class took a field trip to E. 7th Street in St. Paul to appreciate the vibrant murals and Hispanic restaurants right here in our community! They prepared interpretations of various murals and shared their insights with the class.
MN Studies Field Trip
On Thursday, October 10th, the new MN Studies elective class took two field trips. At Fort Snelling, students learned about the fort’s origins during the fur trade and how it evolved over time. They even participated in loading a cannon and marching in drills! Later, the class visited Gibbs Farm to explore pioneer life, including a one-room schoolhouse, a sod house, a farmhouse, and Dakota tipis and barkhouses.
The Hill-Murray Mothers Club invites you to a “make and take” Holiday Porch Pot workshop! Spend a fun-filled seasonal afternoon of creative planting and take home your large 17-inch container with assorted greens and accents!
Two sessions are available on Sunday, November 17th at 2 PM or 4 PM at Gertens Retail Store: 5500 Blaine Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Cost: $70
Space is limited – Click here to register!
Senior Yearbook Photos
Seniors! Please submit your senior pictures, baby photos, senior memories, and parent messages to the yearbook at hillmurrayyearbook.com. Please submit them before the Friday, January 10th deadline. The earlier you submit the better! If you have any questions, please contact Kaylin Gruber at kaylin.gruber@hmstudents.org.
Hill-Murray Scholarship Applications – 2025-26 Academic Year
All scholarship information can be found online this year under the Tuition Assistance tab on the main page of our Hill-Murray website. Scholarships are broken down into Need-Based and Non-Need Based Scholarships. Those families who complete the TADS application for financial assistance will automatically be considered for the Need-Based Scholarships. The TADS application is the only application to fill out for these scholarships. However, If a student is chosen for one of these scholarships, they will need to submit an essay, thank you, and student profile information to accept and receive the award. Regardless of whether or not they fill out the TADS application, any student can apply for the Non-Need Based Scholarships.
The scholarship application can be found and completed online under the Tuition Assistance tab. The completed application deadline has been extended to Wednesday, January 15, 2025. The Future Leader Scholarship Application is still due by Friday, November 15, 2024. Don’t delay, get your application in today!
If you have any questions about this process, please contact Denise Bates at dbates@hill-murray.org.
