Happenings (September 16, 2025)
Volunteer at the Homecoming Game!
The Hill-Murray Mothers Club and Fathers Club are looking for volunteers to help at the beer garden and grill during Homecoming. Please use the link HERE or QR code to sign up – thank you!
Homecoming Spirit Week (9/22 – 9/26)
Join in the fun and participate in dressing in theme each day! Remember to keep outfits neat, clean, and modest! If you choose not to participate in dress themes, you must be in uniform. Roll Pios!!
Homecoming Dance
Saturday, September 27
7pm-9:30pm
HM Fieldhouse
$20
All Hill-Murray 9th-12th graders are invited! Outside guests are welcome for SENIORS ONLY! Permission forms for outside guests are available in the Office of Student Life
Tickets will be available for purchase on the Hill-Murray website through GoFan the week of September 15
Parent-Teacher Conferences – November 7
Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled for Friday, November 7.
This is an opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers and get an update on their progress in each class. You will receive information via email at a later date regarding how to sign up for conferences. We are scheduling conferences both virtually via Google Meet, and in-person. Here is the schedule:
8:00 AM -12:00 PM: All conferences will be virtual through Google Meet
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM: All conferences will be In-person at Hill-Murray
Please note that students do not have school on Monday, November 10.
Practice ACT Test
Dear Parents/Guardians of the Class of 2027,
On Wednesday, November 19, the Guidance and Counseling Team will partner with *Flying Colors to offer any interested 11th grade students the opportunity to take a Free Practice ACT Test.
Practice ACT Test Day Information:
Date / Time: Wednesday, November 19 (7:00AM-10:00AM)
Location: Hill-Murray Fieldhouse
Required Materials: Two (2) #2 Pencils (non-mechanical) and Calculator
Registration Form = Click HERE
Registration Deadline = Monday, October 13.
*Flying Colors is a Minnesota-based company that offers a wide range of test-prep services to students and families. To learn more about their offerings, click HERE or visit their website HERE.
7th Grade Class Retreat and Team Building Trip
Families of 7th grade students should mark their calendar for the class trip to Camp St. Croix, which will take place October 7-8! Students will participate in team building activities such as rock climbing! Camp St. Croix overlooks the beautiful St. Croix River Nation Science Riverway. It is the perfect place for our students to connect with each other and nature. Watch your inbox tomorrow for more, including details on a virtual informational meeting.
Italy Trip Information
We have some exciting news, we are planning an amazing HM student trip to ITALY, this summer!!
This trip is open to current 9th-12th grade students.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Italian history, art, and theology! This trip starts in Venice, then off to Florence, and we’ll end in Rome! We will be able to see things like the famous Canals and Bridges of Venice, The Duomo and the David in Florence, and the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Vatican with the beautiful Sistine Chapel, while in Rome! We will enjoy Italian food such as authentic pizza and gelato! See a glass blowing demonstration, and explore these beautiful cities! Please click HERE for more information.
We encourage you to come to the student/ Parent information meeting on Monday, Sept 29 at 7 PM. Many students have already signed up, no need to attend this meeting, this is for NEW interested students in learning more about this amazing trip! See Ms. Fandrich or Mr. Misenor with any questions!
Blackfeet Immersion Program
Oki-Ni-Soo-Ka-Wa: Blackfeet Immersion Program
WHEN: November 1-8, 2025
WHO: 10 Hill-Murray Students & 2 chaperones (Fandrich and Goulet)
WHAT: Students will travel from MSP airport to Great Falls, Montana, where we will then travel to the Blackfeet Reservation by Car. Once we have arrived, students will spend a week helping at De La Salle Blackfeet, an elementary school owned by the Christian Brothers located on the Blackfeet Reservation. Students will also hear from various cultural speakers, as well as spend time at Glacier National Park. Students will engage in daily prayer, nightly reflections, activities, and more.
Click HERE for additional parent information.
Spain Trip Information
The Spanish department is offering a fabulous opportunity for current 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th grade students to visit Spain! Students will have 11 days to put their Spanish to use in real life scenarios while exploring the southern cities of Granada, Sevilla and Córdoba, the capital city of Madrid, and the Catalonian capital of Barcelona! We will leave for this eleven-day adventure mid-June of 2027! Interested? Click HERE for the full itinerary!
Contact Ms. Runyon with any questions at krunyon@hill-murray.org
Introducing the Rooted Philanthropic Leadership Institute
Hill-Murray is proud to introduce the Rooted Philanthropic Leadership Institute (RPLI) made possible by a generous gift of $3.75 million from Rooted Philanthropic. RPLI will focus on empowering students and accelerating their potential by expanding access to comprehensive leadership education while being firmly rooted in our Catholic identity and Pioneer spirit. Click HERE for more information!
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 this Friday, October 3 from 9:15am-12:00pm. Click HERE to sign up for a time. We will start with Mass at 9:15am (finished by 9:45am). Adoration starts immediately following.
Blessing of the Animals
Speakers Series – Growing Up With Nerodiversity
Wednesday October 8th, 2025 7:00PM
During this discussion, Brent Johnson, Vice President for The Nicholas Center and Operations, will share his personal journey of growing up as a neurodivergent child, student, and adult. He will be joined by his mother, Carol Johnson, a lifelong educator, and Dr. Julie Robinson to explore the process of identification and diagnosis.
The conversation will also feature Sara Johnson, Hill-Murray’s Director of Literacy, and Molly Schauff, Educational Support Specialist, who will discuss literacy support and the accommodations that helped Brent succeed throughout his middle and high school years.
Brent will conclude by reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of post-secondary education, the impact of neurodivergence in the workplace, and the lasting emotions connected to his early experiences.
Click HERE to sign up for this discussion.
Click HERE to view the full Speaker Series list.
Founders Speaker
We’re excited to announce that the Pioneer Premier Auction now has its very own Facebook page — the official hub for Hill-Murray’s largest community fundraising event of the year! Each April, current, past, and incoming parents, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and community members come together to celebrate and support our Pioneer community. This page will be your go-to source for event details, auction item previews, and ways to get involved.
Save the date! The 2026 Pioneer Premier Auction will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook at Pioneer Premier Auction and on Instagram @hm_auction so you don’t miss a single update — including the exciting 2026 theme announcement coming this October!
🔗 www.instagram.com/hm_auction
🔗 www.facebook.com/PioneerPremierAuction
