Once Upon a Mattress

The Hill Days
A W EEK LY NEW S LETTER FO R D AY S TU D ENT FAM I LI ES
“Once Upon a Mattress”
The Hill School is excited to present their winter production of “Once Upon a Mattress” an exciting spin on the
classic tale of “The Princess and the Pea” directed by
Burt Merriam, music by Stephen Longenecker, and backstage tech by Michael McKibben. The performances continue tonight, Friday, February 24th, and Saturday, February 25th, at 7:30 PM in the Center For The Arts
(CFTA). Come out for a night of singing, dancing, and
acting that will make you want to jump up and join the
fun on stage.
Saturday, February 25th, is a “C” schedule.
An Evening with Tobias Wolff ‘64
Our Writers in Work series continues with An Evening with Tobias Wolff ‘64 on
Monday, February 27th, at 7:30 PM in the Center For The Arts (CFTA). Mr. Wolff
is reading in honor of Mr. Dougherty from "Old School." Following his reading, he
will talk with Mr. Dougherty and Mr. Reid ’75 on stage about The Hill, his life, and
his career. The event is required for all students and is academic casual dress.
24 February 2012
Volume 4, Issue 5
Upcoming
Events:
“Once Upon
2.23
a Mattress”
2.25
C Schedule
2.25
Tobias Wolff
2.27
CFTA
7:30 PM
C Schedule
2.29
Math Contest
2.29
AC230
7:15 PM
G Schedule
3.1
(classes straight
through)
Term Ends
3.1
Spring
3.1
Vacation
3.20
Classes Resume
3.21
Sixth Form
3.22
Leadership
CFTA
7:30
Career Day
3.23
Service Project
HAM Trip
G Schedule
Please refer to our website www.thehill.org for the latest news and photos.
3.24
Tuesday, February 28th, is a high-table seated dinner at 6:30 PM. Day students who are on campus during dinner are
expected to attend.
Wednesday, February 29th, is a “C” schedule.
Safe Driving Program
During the 10:40 AM break on February 29th, there is a required program on safe driving in the
Center For The Arts (CFTA). Assistant District Attorney Bradford Richman will conduct the Safe Driving
Program focusing on the dangers that teens face every time they get into the car with a
peer. Whether it is the diversion of a vibrating cell phone, or making a decision to drive with someone who is under the influence, teens face difficult distractions every time they get into an automobile.
Parents are welcome to attend.
Pennsylvania Math Contest
On February 14th, thirty-two Hill students participated in the fifth Pennsylvania Math Contest of the year
in the Academic Center. As the year progresses, these contests become more and more challenging. Kyle
Gawel ’14, Gia He ’14, Poom Khunsriraksakul ’12, Jack Liu ’13, and Allen Zhang ’13 scored four points
each. So far, 144 Hill students have participated in one or more of these contests. The final contest of
the year will take place on Wednesday, February 29th at 7:15 PM in AC230.
Thursday, March 1st, is a “G” schedule with classes straight through and spring vacation commences after the last commitment. The winter term also ends on March 1st.
The Advancement Office invites all parents who are on campus next Thursday, March 1st to visit the Memorial Room from
10 AM to noon to enjoy complimentary refreshments as you wait for your child to finish his or her last commitment before
heading home for spring break. WiFi access will be available.
Prescription Drug Abuse
On Tuesday, March 20th, Assistant District Attorney Nick Reifsnyder, son of Jim
Reifsnyder, instructor of history, and Hill alum, will speak to parents about prescription drug abuse from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Memorial Room of the Ryan
Library. A light dinner will be provided. Please RSVP to Dan Katzenmoyer
([email protected]) by Saturday, March 10th.
Classes resume on Wednesday, March 21st, at 8:25 AM with a “C” schedule.
Sixth Form Leadership Award
The Sixth Form Leadership Award is Thursday March 22nd, and is a required event for all
students. Each year, The Hill School presents the Sixth Form Leadership Award to a Hill alumnus proven to be an exemplary leader and true role model for students in his or her vocation.
Award winners represent excellence in fields including government, industry, education and
letters, the arts, and community service. The recipient's selection underscores the value of
leadership-building qualities inherent in a Hill School education. Following presentation of the
award, the honored man or woman speaks to all Hill students and faculty, then meets with
sixth formers during a private reception.
The 2012 recipient is David Paton, M.D. ’48. Dr. Paton is an internationally recognized academic ophthalmologist, now retired. He also is a humanitarian and founder of several nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing much needed preventative eye care and treatment to the citizens of developing countries. During the evening’s ceremony, The Hill School
will posthumously honor Philip Moen Stimson, M.D., a member of the class of 1905, Honorary
Trustee of The Hill School, and respected physician and pediatrician.
Fifth and Sixth Form Career Summit
The following programs are required for fifth and sixth formers on Friday, March 23rd.
Career Day 9:00 AM – Noon
The purpose of Career Day is to give 5th and 6th Form students opportunities to talk with Hill School alumni, parents, and
friends, about the steps they took as their careers developed. This year we will highlight thirty-one different individuals
who represent a wide variety of careers. All 5th and 6th Form Students will attend four sessions of their choosing. Parent
participation in this event is by invitation only. Parents who would like to participate in the future are to contact Bill Robertson. ([email protected])
Internship Fair 1:15 PM – 3:15 PM
The Internship Fair is a chance for Hill alumni whose firms/businesses/enterprises offer internships to present these opportunities to fifth and sixth formers, as well as young alumni.
Fourth Form Community Service Project
On Friday, March 23rd, the fourth form will have a community service project to Longview Center for Agriculture in Collegeville. Transportation will leave from the Center For the Arts parking lot at 8:30 AM and return at 3:00 PM. Students
are to wear close-toed shoes and athletic clothing or jeans that may get dirty. Sunscreen and hats are also encouraged.
The farm will supply gloves and tools.
The market sells locally and humanly sourced farm items from Longview and from other local farms. It includes everything
from fruits and cheeses to ice cream and cookies. The pies there are particularly good and also the apple cider and the
smoothies. Students who are interested in purchasing treats from the market should bring spending money.
Third Form HAM Trip
The third form will depart The Hill School at 8:30 AM for a day long immersion in Philadelphia’s arts, music, and culture
on Friday, March 23rd. The day will begin with a guided trolley tour of what is known as the “world’s largest outdoor art
gallery.” Students will learn about and see the spectacular center-city murals. (www.muralarts.org) Lunch will be at the
Reading Terminal Market (www.readingterminalmarket.org). To culminate the trip, students will see the “Memories of Prague” concert at the Kimmel Center (www.kimmelcenter.org). Students are expected to return to campus by 6:00 PM.
Saturday, March 24th, is a “G” schedule.
Prom Dress Gala
Looking to clean out your closet over spring break?
Have a semi-formal, Sixth Form Dance, or even a bridesmaid dress you won’t be wearing again?
Donate it to the
The Pottstown Cluster Prom Dress Gala is a fundraiser for The Pottstown Cluster. Anyone can donate in-style Sixth Form
Dance, semi-formal, or bridesmaid dresses and gowns. Gently used dresses, all sizes and colors, are accepted. Additionally, matching shoes, jewelry, shawls, and bags may also be donated. Proceeds will benefit the work of the Pottstown
Cluster to support families in need in Pottstown. The Hill community is invited to attend the gala. Prom dresses will start at
$25.
Labeled plastic bins will be placed in the faculty room, girls’ dormitories, Student Center, Ryan Library, and the Sustainability Office. Dress donations will be collected at Hill between Tuesday, February 28th and Thursday, March 22nd. The
Donated dresses and accessories will be sold at the Pottstown Cluster Prom Dress Gala on Saturday, March 31st.
Please carefully place clean and in-style dresses in the provided bins. If you would like to include matching shawls, jewelry, tiaras, handbags, clutches, or shoes, place the items in a plastic bag. Especially delicate dresses may be dropped off
in the Sustainability Office, where a rack is available to hang dresses. If you have a designer dress that you wish to consign rather than donate, please email Ms. Fechik-Kirk ([email protected]). Please note that the consignment fee is
$25 and The Cluster is not responsible for any lost or stolen articles.
Green Cup Challenge
Compared to last year’s Green Cup Challenge we…

saved 15,000 kilowatt hours of electricity – that’s enough electricity to power 1.3 single family homes for an entire
year

reduced our carbon dioxide emissions by 10 metric tons

saved over $1000 in electricity costs

OUR Green Cup Challenge film was viewed over 600 times and received a total of 534 votes.
As a result, The Hill School won 2nd Place for the most popular video!