Welcoming the New Year Together
Dear Hill-Murray Community,
This month, I am particularly thinking of our students, past and present. As a former English and Religion teacher at Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul, I always shared quotes with my students each day. One of my favorite quotes is by twentieth-century German poet Rainer Maria Rilke:
And now let us welcome the New Year
Full of things that have never been.
January is a month of new beginnings. It has always been a time when I reflect, reassess, pray, and try to offer to God what I can. As we savor our recent Christmas memories, we head back into work, school, and long winter evenings. To me, January is a month to make space for quiet, for peace, to dream, and to look forward to the year ahead.
In our Catholic tradition, this season reminds us that growth often happens quietly, through steady effort, reflection, and trust. Our students return to their classrooms not just to learn content, but to continue becoming the people God calls them to be. Each day, they are invited to think critically, act compassionately, and grow in faith. I am continually inspired by their resilience, curiosity, courage, and willingness to engage fully in the life of our school.
As part of their learning this semester, students in the 6th Grade Pioneer Pathways class just completed a creative “One-Pager” collage project that highlights a leader they admire. Each student highlights the leader and designs a colorful, full-page collage that includes key biographical information, images, meaningful quotes, and a brief look at what the leader is best known for. Students also connect their leader to their class discussions on the traits of a compassionate leader, such as active listening, humility, acceptance, emotional empathy, kindness, and altruism, showing how these values are reflected in the leader’s life and legacy. These projects challenged our students to blend research, reflection, and creativity while developing a deeper understanding of leadership, character, and the impact one person can make. What a beautiful connection to our portrait of a Hill-Murray graduate. I am so proud of our 6th grade students.
This time of year also brings important milestones for our oldest students. As our seniors continue discerning their next steps and underclassmen prepare for the second half of the academic year, we remain focused on supporting each student’s journey. Eric Carlucci, our new Director of College Counseling 
has brought a wealth of experience and expertise. He has been hard at work providing guidance and making meaningful connections with our students and families. January is likewise an important season for admissions, as we welcome prospective families who are discerning Hill-Murray as a place where their children can learn, grow, and thrive. We are grateful to our current families who share their stories and help extend our mission to new members of our community. Please extend an invitation to families to attend our upcoming open house on January 12, 2026.
As we look ahead to the remainder of the school year, may we approach it with hope and intention. January invites us not to rush, but to listen, to God, to one another, and to the quiet promptings that guide us forward. May this new year be filled with moments of learning, service, joy, and grace for all members of the Hill-Murray community.
As always, I am so grateful for your continued support of the Hill-Murray school community.
Sincerely,
Melissa Dan, Ed.S.
Hill-Murray School President