Faith, Healing, and Safety at Hill-Murray
Dear Hill-Murray Community,
I don’t know how to start this week’s message, because the past week or so has been one of the most heartbreaking and difficult periods in my life. My nephew attends Annunciation and was one of the students injured on that Wednesday morning. The past couple of weeks have been an emotional whirlwind for our family. What began as an ordinary school day quickly became one that tested our faith and our strength.
While the journey has been difficult, I am deeply grateful for each step of my nephew’s recovery and for the countless prayers that continue to sustain him. The relief was palpable when the surgeon came out and told us that the surgery was a success and that my nephew would be ok. The surgeon also shared that right before going into surgery, my nephew asked if they could pray together. I was deeply moved by the simple yet profound faith of a child who turned to prayer in such a frightening moment. It was a reminder to me that perhaps God’s presence is strongest in our most vulnerable times.
I have witnessed Christ’s love through the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who cared for my nephew with such skill and tenderness. The first responders and police officers who rushed to help and continue to visit and encourage him have shown us amazing love and compassion. The Pastor, Principal, and Archbishop Hebda have offered us prayer, presence, and strength, even as they carried the heavy burdens of that day for the wider community. Sister Linda has been nothing short of a Godsend, surrounding my sister with faith and comfort at every turn.
The outpouring of love and support is incredible; it reminds me of the St. Teresa of Avila prayer: 
In a world longing for hope and healing, our Hill-Murray students are uniquely called to be Christ to others. This is what we are about. It’s the only way forward. In times of darkness and uncertainty, witnessing young people embodying Christ’s love, compassion, and courage can bring light where it is most needed. Every act of kindness, every choice to stand with someone who feels alone, and every effort to seek justice and peace are ways our students can reflect Christ to the world.
Part of forming students who can be Christ to the world is ensuring they learn and grow in an environment where they feel safe and protected. Over three years ago, Hill-Murray was among the first Catholic schools to create the Director of Safety and Security position. Our Director of Safety and Security, Bill Beaudette, a former St. Paul Police Officer and SWAT team member for 27 years, has done an outstanding job keeping Hill-Murray at the forefront of best practices in school safety. In fact, he has received calls from other school leaders asking for advice and input. I am deeply grateful for his presence at Hill-Murray, his expertise, and selfless commitment to protecting our students, faculty, staff, and community.
In the 2024–25 school year, Hill-Murray underwent significant security upgrades under his guidance, made possible through the generosity of a donor who contributed significant resources to fund these improvements.
These enhancements included replacing our interior cameras with advanced digital systems and expanding exterior coverage to ensure campus-wide safety. From the baseball fields and athletic buildings to parking lots, walking paths, and the Maple Tree Child Care Center and Monastery, our partnership with security professionals now provides a complete view of our grounds. The new digital system also allows us to set alerts, record movement during off-hours, and immediately notify our team when unusual activity occurs.
In addition to surveillance improvements, we strengthened our building entry points and continued to invest in security. The front doors are now equipped with automated locks and privacy-tinted windows, adding another layer of protection. Our front desk has also been outfitted with an emergency control system that can instantly lock all doors and alert administrators by phone and email. These upgrades reflect our ongoing commitment to ensuring that Hill-Murray remains a safe and welcoming environment for every student, family, and guest.
Please never underestimate the power of your support and commitment to the Hill-Murray family and to our shared mission. I am deeply grateful to everyone of you, and knowing that Hill-Murray is a place of strength and love is truly a gift that inspires me every day. Please join me in continuing to pray for the Annunciation community as they begin the long journey of healing.
Sincerely,
Melissa Dan, Ed.S.
Hill-Murray School President