KNIGHTS’Realm

Hill Country Christian School

Dear Hill Country Friends and Family,

The 2014-2015 school year has come to an end, and what a glorious year it has been! Looking back, we see God’s fingerprints all over our school. He built a hedge of protection around our students and teachers so they could learn and teach in a safe and secure environ-ment. He provided the financial resources we needed not only to effectively deliver our mission but also to enhance and enrich our mission through another successful Annual Fund drive. He helped us secure our future by giving us an opportunity to acquire additional property for future expansion. He was our Comforter in times of grief; He was our Refuge in times of distress; He was our Helper in times of need. Praise be to God for His faithfulness!

Throughout this publication you will see images and read accounts that capture the essence of the Hill Country experience. We began the year by introducing our theme of peacemaking based on Ephe-sians 4:2-3. I personally witnessed a school community that strived to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one

another in love…[making] every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

It has been a remarkable year for the Knights. I am confident that the best is yet to come. Have a safe, restful, and productive summer. See you in August!

Bill McGeeHead Master

SPRING/SUMMER 2015

U P P E R

The office is unusually quiet as sum-mer begins, and I find this an excel-lent time to reflect on the school year. My heart is full of gratitude as I con-sider all that has been accomplished, and once again I see God’s faithful-ness throughout our school commu-nity. Psalms 36:5 says, “Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”

As the years pass, I find myself with an almost unquenchable desire to learn. Books, professional journals, and newsletters stack my desk and nightstand. It’s been exciting to see how much we are doing “right” at Hill Country.

1. Our late start time is right.

The Upper School 8:30 a.m. start time and Monday late start time of 9:00 a.m. are endorsed by researchers who identify an adolescent’s biologi-cal clock and their need for a later school start time.

“…the task before us is to ensure that the conditions in which learning takes place address the very biology of our learners.” Mary A. Carskadon, PhDIn 2014, National Sleep Foundation

(NSF) worked with U.S. Representa-tive Zoe Lofgren to introduce legisla-tion that addresses the relationship between school start times and adolescent health, wellbeing and per-formance.

2. Our 15-min-ute break between classes is right.

In The Smartest Kids in the World, Amanda Ripley identifies how Fin-land’s culture provides margin for students with more breaks of longer duration. The author shares how these breaks provide neurological advantages for students and reduces stressful transitions that we often see in American schools.

3. Our “less testing” is right.

In her blog “Filling My Map,” a Ful-bright researcher observes that “less testing=more learning.” She notes that, “The teachers have time to teach skills that allow students to develop into individuals who know how to start a project and work systemati-cally to accomplish a goal.”

4. Our Friday Funday is right.

A 2014 publication by Scientific Mind opens with an article by Melinda Wenner titled “The Serious Need for Play.” It begins, “Free, imaginative play is crucial for normal, emotional and cognitive development.” Our students expressed not just a desire but also a need for a few moments of

“play,” and we heard them.

5. Our “strategic cOllege cOnsulting” is right. One of the many college publications that cross my desk included a boot camp and consulting service to advise and facilitate the college application process “every step of the way.” Hill Country includes this service from one of the finest college admissions pros I have known in over 30 years in education, Debby Krohmer.

6. Our hOmerOOm is right.

The New York Times presented an article by Motoko Rich about ado-lescents and their reading habits. “Although the Scholastic report found that teenagers were more likely to read frequently for fun if they had dedicated independent reading time in school, only 17 percent of all children surveyed reported having time to read a book of their choice at school daily.” Our homeroom pro-vides the opportunity for independent reading as we seek to nurture the habits of reading and lifelong learn-ing.

Our recent ISM parent survey identi-fied “faculty care and concern for students” as the number one strength in the Upper School. With the leader-ship, influence, and impact of godly teachers and staff, we will continue to seek to do what is “right” as we provide an education of excellence where students can grow as Jesus did, “in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52

Have a great summer, Joy Young

Principal Joy Young SCHOOL

Middle School Dance Our middle school students lit up the night at their spring dance.Destination Imagination Our 6th grade DI team took 3rd place at Regionals. NHS/NJHS Congratulations to the 26 stu-dents inducted into NHS and the 28 students inducted into NJHS. Day of Service Our school community made a significant difference at the Hope House during the Day of Service. Prom Junior/Senior Prom at Twin Creeks Country Club. MS One Act Play Our students performed A Play About a Dragon and won multiple individual awards.Graduation Congratulations to the Class of 2015!Senior Chapel Our seniors were honored at the 1st Annual Senior Chapel. Chinese Guests Our guest from China and their host students developed lasting rela-tionships as they learned from each other. Latin State Our Certamen teams and indi-vidual competitors had a great showing at the TSJCL State Latin Competition.

NASA Trip The 7th graders enjoyed their annual trip to NASA. Yearbook State Congratulations to our yearbook staff for winning the TAPPS 2A State Championship for our 2014 school yearbook.

SPRING/SUMMER 2015

L O W E R

SCHOOL

Dear Parents,

I want to tell you how much I have loved be-ing the Lower School principal these past nine years! Your children have blessed me beyond measure, and I have made friendships with teach-ers and families that will last a lifetime. Thank you for attending my lovely reception and for writing such beautiful heartfelt notes of encouragement. I will treasure them forever!

I am excited about this new chapter in my life, and I’m filled with awe and gratitude at how God has orchestrated everything perfectly as He always does! I have had the opportunity to get to know John Petrey and his lovely wife Michelle, and I can tell you that the Lower School is in wonder-ful hands! I have no doubt that John will continue to love and nurture the students, teachers, and parents as I have done and will propel the school to the next level of excellence.

Please know that I will continue to pray for the students at Hill Country as I pray for the students at Laura Welch Bush. Your children and this school will always have a very special place in my heart!

With love and gratitude,

Kristine Kline

Principal Kristine Kline

WELCOME, NEW LOWER SCHOOL

PRINCIPAL

JOHN PETREY

Dear Students, Parents, Teachers, and Staff, I am delighted the Lord has brought us together. I came to Hill Country with reservations and questions about the long move, the school, the community, our children, and many other concerns. In a way only God can, something wonderful happened when I told my wife Michelle about my visit. When I told her about meeting wonderful and talented teachers, staff, and parents, and the love that overflows, it felt like home. When I talked about the commitment to excellence in Christ-centered and rigorous academ-ics, athletics, and fine arts, it felt like home. Finally, when I met with students, it felt like home. I look forward to joining the Hill Country family!

Sincerely, John Petrey

Ties and Twirls The Third Annual Ties and Twirls Daddy Daughter Dance, hosted by our wonderful PTF, was a great success. Speech Meet Every 1st–5th grade student competed in speech meet, with several mov-ing on to District. Medieval Festival The medieval festival brought history to life for our 4th graders. Knights of Praise Choir Our 3rd-5th grade choir traveled to compete in the Blinn College Choir Festival and received a 2nd Division rating.Roman Market Days Third graders stepped into a different time during roman market days.Camp Watermelon Our 1st graders loved their week at camp.Spring Run Club The K-5 run club was again a huge success. Kindergarten Graduation Congratulations to our kindergarten graduates! Living History Museum The living history museum was again a favorite with the 5th graders. Science Fair Our students did an excellent job representing our school at the Regional Science Fair, earning several individual awards. Destination Imagination Our 4th grade DI team took 2nd at regionals.

knights OF Praise chOir

sPeech meet medieval Festival

rOman market days

sPring run club kinder graduatiOn

science Fair destinatiOn imaginatiOn

ties and twirls

SPRING/SUMMER 2015

K n i g h t

athletics

SOCCER The first-year high school boys’ soccer team took TAPPS by storm, marching undefeated to the State Cham-pionship before falling 2-0 to Pharr Oratory Anthenaeum. The Knights gave up only three goals prior to the champi-onship match. Goal keeper Daniel Belloni defended the net with the skill of a veteran, and defensive specialist Chloe Todd — who, by the way, is not a boy — repeatedly thwart-ed opponents’ plans. Striker Noah Monteiro, accompanied by Andrew Harris and David Palacios, led an offense that kept scoring pressure on. Midfielder Jacob Belloni and Ca-den Logsdon kept opportunities alive for the offense. The Knights’ high school success came on the heels of coach Jerry Bennett’s AIPL middle school championship in 2014.

BASEBALL Playing a rugged non-district schedule against tough public schools steeled the varsity baseball team for district and made them a formidable team, as they went 10-0 to capture the school’s first baseball dis-trict championship, despite having qualified for the state playoffs for a school record 13 straight seasons. The Knights were led by the first team all-district foursome of pitcher Seth Jackson, shortstop Nathan Howard, infield-er Ryan Fowler, and catcher Colton Radney. The Knights bowed out in the first round of the state playoffs as a close game with Longview Christian Heritage got out of hand in the sixth inning. The Knights finished 16-10 on the year and are hard at work playing summer ball in preparation for what is anticipated to be a very strong 2016 campaign.

TRACK & FIELD A stronger than expected showing by the varsity track teams culminated at the State Meet at Baylor University with two State Championships. The boys’ 4x200 meter relay team, consisting of Andrew Harris, Noah Mon-teiro, Nate Neumann, and Luke Turner, executed picture-perfect handoffs to capture the 1st State title of the day. That afternoon, Emma Astad, McKenna Dallmeyer, Samantha Houghton, and Kara Wedgeworth, as the girls’ 4x400 meter relay team, lived up to their #1 state ranking by cruising home with the day’s 2nd State Championship by a full 15 yards.

GOLF The high school girls’ golf team took Hill Coun-try’s first ever team State Championship by 53 strokes. The team charged to victory despite driving rain and frigid temperatures. Each team member shaved con-siderable strokes off of their scores this season: Jordan Andrews improved by 20 strokes, Holly Huddleston improved by 11 strokes, Hannah Kelly improved by 34 strokes, and Holly Wedgeworth improved by 31 strokes.

Support our school through Amazon Smile

When you shop on Amazon through our school’s custom link, we receive a per-centage back on what you spend. Use this link when you shop on Amazon.

“Best Private school”

Thanks to your votes, we have once again won the honor of “Best Private School” in the Hill Country News readers’ poll. This is our 3rd consecutive year to earn this award.

Pinterest Summer activities Board

Keep your students active and engaged this summer by connecting with our summer activities Pinterest board. You will find great resources and ideas for encouraging reading, science and math projects, free printables, games, and more. Check out www.pinterest.com/hillcountrychr.

2015 2014 2013

Tell us your Hill Country Story Word of mouth is our most effective marketing tool. Nothing spreads the good news about our school better than your personal experience. Please visit this link to tell us your Hill Country Story. Don’t forget to check out our other social media pages and share them with your friends.

SPRING/SUMMER 2015

Hill Country Christian School

u p c o m i n g

events3 Athletics Parent Meeting11-14 Lower School Back to School Socials17 New Parent Orientation18 Knights Unite Back to School Event 20 First Day of School23-25 High School Retreat 25-27 Lower School Grade Level Meetings2 Back to Upper School Parent Meeting25 Homecoming3 Knight Under the Stars

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SPRING/SUMMER 2015