Volume 1, Issue 1 August 2017

Hillcrest School Council

Message from Principal, Geordie Walker

"Encouraging Participation, Supporting Achievement, Promoting Community”

Welcome (Back) to Hillcrest—Home of the Hawks On behalf of the Hillcrest School Council , welcome back to returning students and parents. For those new to the school, we offer an especially warm welcome. Hillcrest has a long tradition for excellence in academics, the arts, sports, and for instilling in students a strong sense of citizenship. Our student body represents a very diverse range of cultures and backgrounds, a diversity which expands our experiences and facilitates an appreciation for the values of cooperation and understanding. This year promises to be an exciting year for the school. Council welcomes the opportunity to bring to the fore Hillcrest’s many continuing achievements and the value the school delivers to students, community and city alike. It is for this reason we are launching a monthly newsletter, of which this is the first edition. Throughout the year the newsletter will cover the varied activities and accomplishments of both students and teachers, as well as highlighting upcoming events. We hope you find the newsletter informative and useful. Suggestions for improvement and topics for coverage are always welcome. They may be submitted at any time to [email protected]. School Council typically meets the 4th Wednesday of each month in the school library, with this year's first meeting being 27 September. All parents are not only sincerely welcome but strongly encouraged to attend. This is your child’s school. We would like you to make it your school . Hillcrest will always be part of your children. It belongs to them. Please help us make Hillcrest a better school for all our families.

_____________ _______________ I am looking forward to my second year of being the Principal of Hillcrest High School. I am really looking forward to another great start to the school year here at Hillcrest. At the forefront of our work together and of our foundation here at Hillcrest is a belief that students want to succeed, they will if they can, and that everyone should always have a sense of belonging. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that barriers are removed to create equitable level playing fields for all to be successful. Thanks in advance to all the staff who contribute many hours to help students be successful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call myself or our Vice-Principal, Ms. Dori-Anne Leafloor. I look forward to meeting you over the course of the school year. Until then have a great start to our school year. Please call or text anytime (613-9783504). Mr. Walker

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Hints for Incoming Students & Parents Entering a new school will be an adventure, for both student and parent. While surprises often add variety to one’s life, many of us prefer an element of predictability. For those of you who fall into the latter category the following points may be of interest: 

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Semester System - Hillcrest operates on a semester system. Students typically receive instruction in one set of courses from September through January followed by a second set of courses from January through June. Near the end of each semester summative projects will be assigned. Each semester concludes with full course load examinations. Odd/Even Days - While students take the same set of classes each day of each semester, the order of instruction during the day varies depending upon whether the date is odd or even. Absences & Tardiness - As with elementary school, absences & tardiness must be reported to school administration. Also, should your child arrive late at any class you may receive an email and/or voicemail from administration informing you of the event and seeking a parental explanation. What's Going on this Week? - High school students have been known to forget to keep parents informed of events and deadlines. If your child is among this group, don't worry, school administration will periodically send out voice or email reminders of key upcoming events. Additionally it is a good idea to regularly check the school website, particularly the school calendar and daily announcement sections found on the home page. Dress Code: While the school dress code is under review, what has not changed and what will be enforced is that students are not permitted to wear or have clothing/bags which advertise or promote alcohol/drugs or names of supporting companies; no gang colours or clothing; no violent messaging or pictures which are threatening, that depict violence or are derogatory to race, religion, culture, gender, are homophobic in nature etc.

September Events to Note  

Presto Passes: Students eligible for OC Transpo Presto passes may collect these at the school office as of Wednesday 30 August from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Lockers: Students may also choose a locker as of Wednesday 30 August from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

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First Day of School: The 2017/18 school year commences Tuesday, 05 September. Students will collect their timetable (and select a locker if not already done) at the foyer of the school from 8:00 a.m. A full day of classes commences at 9:05. Grade 9 students will proceed to the lower gym where their day will commence.

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Clubs - During September students will be introduced to, and invited to join, school clubs and fall athletic teams. Information will be conveyed through daily announcements and/or the school website.

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School Photos - School photo day is Tuesday, 12 September. Meet the Teachers Night - Quite apart from semi-annual parent/teacher conferences, you will be invited to attend Meet the Teacher night on Wednesday, 20 September. This is not to discuss the progress of an individual student, but rather is an opportunity to meet your child's teachers, hear about the curriculum and discuss expectations. This night is only offered once per year. You may therefore wish to try to meet up with both semester 1 and 2 teachers.

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Remembering some highlights of 2016/2017 Music September, 2016: Hillcrest Music hosted the Ha!Man, Francois Le Roux, a cellist from South Africa for a performance and improvisation workshop. October, 2016: Students invited to the Canadian Brass concert at the National Arts Centre. November, 2016: Senior Band and Flute Choir performed for Remembrance Day, with Grace Zakhour and Emilia Fruhauf performing the Last Post both at Hillcrest and Vincent Massey. We submitted our newest entry to CBC for ‘Canada’s Music Class Challenge.' January, 2017: Bistro 142, the Senior Class Summative Performance was a huge success, followed by our annual VM Kinderconcert. February, 2017: Capital Region Music Festival at Hillcrest. We hosted over 5,000 musicians, parents, educators and guests over a four day period. Gold medals for both Junior and Senior Band!! Jazzworks musicians work with our Jazz Band. March, 2017: CRMF Jazz weekend at Longfields. Ignite 150! at Lansdowne, with Alexander Shelley conducting a massed band of 1300 students. Hillcrest students played at the train station to welcome Juno Nominees as part of Juno Week. University of Toronto Jazz Band performed at Hillcrest, then workshops with our Jazz band. Sax Ensemble participated in the Carleton University Sax Quartet concert.

April, 2017: Amazing 8-day band tour to Havana, Cuba with workshops, concerts, performances. 7 Hillcrest students rehearsed with OCDSB Secondary All-Star Band.

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May, 2017 Music Monday, Monday May 1. We delivered a full day of music programming at Vincent Massey PS. Flute choir participated in Flute Extravaganza concert. All Star Band Concert was a huge success. Spring Music Night. Hillcrest represented Cuba at ‘Canada Welcomes the World’ at Aberdeen Pavilion, and played host to Cuban music educator Daya

Science Forensic Science - Gr. 9 students were invited by the "Let's Talk Science" program to the U. of Ottawa to learn how forensic science works. They gathered evidence at a simulated crime scene, used forensic science tools to analyze data, collaboratively sifted through the evidence, and formulated a hypothesis as to "who" committed the crime.

Community Cancer Drive - marked the 23rd annual Cancer Drive, raising over $15,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. Every Child Matters - The school participated (including with T-shirts) in an initiative to show that every child matters, especially indigenous youth. German Exchange - In October 30 German girls visited Ottawa, staying with the same students (from Hillcrest and Canterbury) who travelled to Germany over March break. This program runs every two years, with participating students taking the opportunity of the interval to earn money so as to self-fund the travel. Global Village - A new initiative reaching out to appreciate and understand new cultures. Impact Club - Part of "We Schools" and the charity "We". Has adopted (and cleans) Lynda Lane Park. Supports Ottawa Food Bank. Ottawa Christmas Project, Operation Come Home and Education Foundation of Ottawa. To help break the cycle of poverty, the club supports the community in Llullin, Ecuador - having raised $16,500 towards a new school and water tank and are now raising funds to support health care in that community. Participated in "Walk for Water Campaign" and the "We Schools: An Evening of Inspiration". NCM Race Weekend / Army Run - Hillcrest student volunteers helped at both events.

Clubs Black History - Guest speakers included Prufrock Shadowrunner (poet, rapper, DJ, actor), Adrian Harewood (CBC), Nichelle Smith (USA Today). Delivered a school-wide assembly based on the theme "Taking a Stand". Participated in the "Walk with Excellence".

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Global Citizen's Club - secured a visit from the travelling Aga Khan exhibit on global development, organized tours, and arranged for a workshop with Aga Khan Foundation staff. Applied for and received a "Speak Up" grant from the Ministry of Education. Created a digital connection with high schools in Korea, France, and Germany so as to share perspectives on issues and events. GSA Club (Gay-Straight Alliance) - Met weekly to discusses equality, diversity, and LBGQT issues. In May, the club organized a free BBQ for all students of the school.

Athletics - Participation and Opportunities included.... Varsity Girls Basketball - WINNER of the Ottawa City Championship! Cross Country

Golf

Jr. Boys Soccer

Sr. Boys Volleyball

Field Hockey

Tennis

Jr. Boys Basketball

Sr. Boys Basketball

Jr. Badminton

Nordic Skiing

Jr. Boys Volleyball

Jr. Girls Volleyball

Swimming

Track & Field

Jr. Girls Soccer

Varsity Girls Touch Football

Community 5/10 KM run.....and this year there is always the prospect of Boys & Girls Rugby and Wrestling

Useful Links Hillcrest School - https://hillcresths.ocdsb.ca/Pages/home.aspx OCDSB - http://www.ocdsb.ca/ School Board Trustee Chris Ellis - http://schoolzone6.org/

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