ROBERT T. HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Vision (What We Strive to be)

The vision of Robert T. Hill Middle School is for our students to impact their community, and world which they will inherit, while trailblazing the trajectory of their lives.

Mission (Our Daily Work)

The mission of Robert T. Hill Middle School is for students to engage in innovative problem solving through a process of investigating the world, developing empathy, communicating ideas, and taking action.

Highlander Family,

Thank you to everyone who made last week's STAAR testing successful. We had over 75 virtual students take the STAAR Writing STAAR test on our campus last week!

As we get closer to the STAAR test, we here to ensure your child will shine. Please have your child attend our tutorial as we are here to help!

Here are our tutorial dates/times:

Tuesdays: Math 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

Wednesdays: ELAR 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

Thursdays: Science/Social Studies 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

Upcoming Saturday School Dates:

These dates will be for all contents and will be offered virtual and in-person!

April 24: 9:00 a.m.-Noon

May 1: 9:00 a.m.-Noon

May 8: 9:00 a.m.-Noon

Here's to an amazing week! I am so thankful for each of our stakeholders, together, we are #HILLSTRONG!

Candice Ruiz
Principal
Robert T. Hill Middle School

canruiz@dallasisd.org

This week, Mrs. Henderson is in the Spotlight. She is one of our Instructional Lead Teachers. This is her 2nd year at Hill.

Q: Tell us a little about your education journey.

A: My mom is an elementary teacher, and from an early age, I knew that I too wanted to teach. I began my teaching career in 2008 in Gunter, TX; after Gunter, I taught in San Antonio, TX and the Tulsa, OK area. I took a break from the classroom from four years and ran an educational non-profit that focused on literacy development and mentoring from 2015-2019, and now I am happy to be back in the classroom everyday. I love getting to cheer on and champion students by providing encouragement and support on a daily basis. The idea that I get to push kids to be their best and help them figure out their crazy teenage challenges motivates me to stay in this work.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being an educator?

A: I love working with teenagers. Each day is different, and the kids always keep me laughing.

Q: Tell us about a memorable student.

A: One of my most memorable students is now a 5th grade teacher in Tyler, TX. When I left her high school, she made me a scrapbook with pictures and thank you notes from several other students that I had taught. I still keep in touch with her and was extremely proud when she was awarded the honor of Teacher of the Year last year. I am inspired and feel honored that I was part of her educational journey and she is now doing amazing things with her own students! It also makes me feel slightly old! Ha!

Q: What is your favorite place or thing to do in Dallas?

A: I live in the Hill neighborhood, so we love to go to White Rock Lake and eat at local places. I also love to spend a relaxing day hanging out at the Dallas Arboretum or at Arbor Hills in Plano.

4TH 9 WEEKS: WEEK 2

• "B" Day
• Advisory: Goal Setting
• Hill Baseball vs Piedmont GA @ Pleasant Grove Field @ 6:00 p.m.

• "A" Day
• Advisory: Math Interventions: IXL & Mini-Conferences
  
• STAAR 7 Writing, 6/8 Regular Day (In-person Letters N-Z)
  
• All students will have 2 grades in Powerschool
• Math Tutoring 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

• "B" Day
• Report Cards Issued
• Administrative Professional Day (Special shout out to Mrs. Rodriguez, Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Aguirre, Ms. Avila, Mrs. Pasion, Ms. Rivas and Mrs. M. Williams!)
• Advisory: SEL
• ELAR Tutoring 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.
• Hill Soccer vs ARSA @ Pleasant Grove Stadium @ 6:00 p.m. (Ruiz)
  

• "A" Day
• College Bound day (Wear your favorite College/University shirt with uniform bottom!)
• Advisory: Reading Intervention: IXL & Mini-Conferences
• STAAR 7 Writing, 6/8 Regular Day (In-person Letters N-Z) Make-Ups
  
• Science/Social Studies Tutoring 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.
• Hill Volleyball vs Ann Richards @ Skyline HS @ 6:00 p.m.

• "B" Day
• Happy Birthday, Ms. Franklin!
• Highlander Spirit Day (Wear your Hill Shirt with your uniform bottom!)
• Advisory: House Town Hall

• Saturday School 9:00 a.m. - Noon (All Contents)
• VEX IQ Robotics State Championship
• Greiner Invitational Track & Field Meet @ Sprague Athletic Complex @ 9:00 a.m.

WE ARE STATE CHAMPIONS! Congratulations to all three of our STEM Robotics Teams for their AMAZING performance during State Championship today. 7th Grade Boys Team 505 C RoboChamps won the Innovate Award (2nd place in Robot Design). 8th Grade Team 505 H RoboKnights won the Design Award (1st Place in Robot Design) and 3rd Place Robot Skills. 7th Grade Girls Team 505 B RoboBeasts won 2nd Place in Robot Skills and the Excellence Award, which is the TOP All Around Award possible in VEX IQ Robotics. All three STEM Robotics teams are going to VEX World Championship in May! GREAT JOB, STEM Robotics!!!

Each student that attends Saturday School will review 3 points for their house!

Our next house challenge is to assist Miss Piney Woods. Mackenzie Patterson is a Hexter, Hill and Bryan Adams alumni. She has spoken to our 8th graders already and this week, she is speaking to our 7th/8th graders during Advisory!

Here are the 7th grade Writing STAAR Test Dates:

• Tuesday, April 20 (In-person/Remote Learners Last Name N-Z)
• Thursday, April 22 (STAAR Writing Make-Up Day)

You may be wondering why I should allow my student to participate in STAAR testing?

All students will be required to take STAAR via ONLINE administration by 2022-2023 school year

From the TEA Website: “The Texas Legislature requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to investigate and develop a transition plan to administer all State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) tests electronically by the 2022–2023 school year. A fully electronic administration will level the playing field for students who need accommodations, expedite test results, reduce cost, and promote future innovations in assessments.”

Students who participate in STAAR testing this year, will have a

• Low-stakes attempt

• Additional opportunity for practice and familiarity

• Maintain cohesion & stamina

Please fill out the STAAR Participation Form ASAP to inform us if your child will be participating in STAAR testing.

The schedule for 7th grade remote learners who are planning on taking the Writing STAAR in April are as followed:

• Remote learners will arrive at Hill at 8:45 a.m.

• Students will have their temperature checked and be directed to a secure location where they will test with other remote learners ONLY.

• Students will be socially distanced in a secure location with desk shields.

• Students will need to bring their district laptop.

• The test will begin at approximately 8:45am. Students will have 4 hours to complete the test.

• If a student has extra time as an accommodation, students will be able to continue to test in the library until the end of the day (if needed).

• Once students complete the test, they will be permitted to call a parent to be picked up.

• Students will be walked to the front doors. Parents are to remain inside their vehicles.

• Students may bring a water bottle if needed.

If you have any questions, please contact Marquie Williams, Hill’s Testing Coordinator, at msatra@dallasisd.org

https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/ROBERTTHILLMIDDLE

COMPLETE YOUR STUDENT REGISTRATION BY JUNE 15, 2021

Dallas Independent School District (DallasISD) has implemented a new system for you to officially enroll your child.

Please visit https://www.dallasisd.org/enroll using a computer, laptop, or smartphone. Have all necessary documents available to upload to the online registration system.

On this website you will find a YouTube video with instructions on how to start this process. If you still have questions or need help, please contact Ms. Avila at 972-502-5712 or email her at savila@dallasisd.org to schedule an appointment.

Unfortunately, due to COVID rules limiting pictures at school and events, there will be no yearbook this school year. After meeting several times, it was determined there was not enough material to produce a yearbook worth the cost. We hope that next year we can resume producing our Hill Highlander Yearbook.

MONDAY, APRIL 26

• "A" Day
  

• Advisory: Goal Setting

• Hill Baseball vs Lang @ Hill MS @ 6:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, APRIL 27

• "B" Day

• Advisory: Math Intervention (IXL) & Mini Conferences

• All students should have 4 grades in the gradebook.

• Math Tutoring 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28

• "A" Day

• Advisory: SEL
  

• ELAR Tutoring 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29

• "B" Day

• College Bound Day (Wear your favorite College/University Shirt with uniform bottom!)

• Advisory: Reading Intervention (IXL) & Mini-Conferences

• Social Studies/Science Tutoring 4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

• Hill Volleyball vs Piedmont @ Forester Fieldhouse @ 6:00 p.m.
  

FRIDAY, APRIL 30

• "A" Day

• Highlander Spirit Day (Wear your Hill Shirt with uniform bottom!)
• 3rd Week Grade Check

SATURDAY, MAY 1

• Saturday School 9:00 a.m. - Noon (All Contents)

• VEX IQ Robotics State Championship (Remote)
  

Because your safety is important to us, let's be consistent with our mask usage. Everyone approved to enter a district facility is required to wear a mask in accordance with district and county mandates. The following guidelines apply to personal face masks:

• Must fit snugly over the nose bridge, mouth and chin.
• Must be secured to minimize the need to adjust frequently.
• Do not need to be medical grade.
• Masks or respirators with exhalation valves are not recommended since they are not effective and decrease protection of others.
• Face mask graphics must be appropriate, not offensive to others
• Masks should not be loose material that could get caught or injure.
• Gaiter type neck fleece are not advised due to little protection and may increase transmission and dispersion of small droplets.
• Mask should be worn prior to entering district buildings.
• After removal, personal face masks should be discarded or placed in a bag or bin until they can be washed (recommended daily).

The safety of our students, staff, parents, and community members is a priority for the Dallas ISD. The Dallas ISD Department of Athletics has implemented comprehensive safety measures at all athletic events this school year. Anyone attending a Dallas ISD athletics event will be required to follow protocols for mask wearing, social distancing and dress code, and the clear bag policy is still being enforced. Please make note that tickets are only being sold online–there are no tickets being sold on site or at the gate–and no food or drinks are allowed in any athletics facility. We ask for our students, staff, parents, and community members to please follow the District's safety protocols and we look forward to seeing you at our athletic events this year!

For the safety of our parents, fans, and event staff, all ticket sales for athletics events will be cashless. The Dallas ISD Department of Athletics will utilize the GoFan online ticketing platform and parents and fans will be able to purchase tickets ahead of time to avoid lines at the gate.

Tickets can be accessed at www.GoFan.co.

Links to each of our events can also be found on our Department website. Quick Response (QR) Codes will be available onsite only if the event has available seating.

We are limited to 50% capacity at all athletics events, so purchase your tickets early.

Once a positive case is confirmed, a notification letter/school messenger is sent to all those identified as having close contact, protecting privacy. This letter will advise parents of students of possible exposure and the requirement to quarantine.

In the event, a staff member or student is displaying COVID symptoms, as a precaution classrooms will be relocated and disinfected.

Let’s continue to keep each other safe by staying home when ill, practicing social distance and consistently wearing a mask.

Sheryl Edwards, School Nurse

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our COVID-19 Response Plan, please contact our school nurse at sheredwards@dallasisd.org.

Stay in the know this school year! Take out your phone and follow the directions below:

Together we are better; together we are stronger! Join PTA to support Robert T. Hill Middle School. Membership is only $20 and it includes a Highlander shirt! Click below for more information!

As always, if you would like to change your student's learning preference whether to be on campus or to change to be virtual, please contact our registrar, Ms. Avila, savila@dallasisd.org or 972-502-5712.

Robert T. Hill Middle School

"Home of the Highlanders"

Email: canruiz@dallasisd.org
Website: dallasisd.org/hill
Location: 505 Easton Road, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972-502-5702
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/120795651305927
Twitter: @RTHPride