We are happy to welcome parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family members of Hill School students to campus for our 2012 Fall Parents' Weekend! The weekend kicked off with the Junior Prize Day ceremony on Thursday, October 11, where students were honored for their achievements in academics, arts, and athletics for the 2011-12 school year. View a list of prize winners and more photos here.

 

On Friday, October 12, parents attended 20-minute class periods with their son or daughter. Fifth and sixth form students and their parents attended Chapel, while parents of third and fourth formers learned about college advising during a discussion titled "Academics, College Advising & Applications: The Relationship Between Academics and College Advising." Parents also had an opportunity to meet with their child's adviser. View photos from Friday's events here.

While on campus, younger siblings who were interested in applying to The Hill had the opportunity to interview with a representative from Hill's Admission Office during scheduled times on both Friday and Saturday. 

Interested parents also enjoyed "The Hill School Early History Tour", which was led by faculty emeriti Henry V. Bender, Ph.D. and Willis Pierre. Visitors experienced the early days of Hill through an archives display followed by a short campus stroll.

Later in the afternoon, all families and students enjoyed a buffet meal in the Dining Hall. While students were at their afternoon athletics or arts commitments, parents heard an address by Headmaster Zack Lehman, who spoke about life at Hill today and the future. Watch a video of the presentation by Mr. Lehman.

 

A panel of students, alumni, and faculty members fielded questions posed by parents on topics ranging from the use of new technologies in the classroom, to the importance of inspirational student-teacher relationships, to the way that Hill’s demanding and structured academic schedule prepares students well for college and the workforce. This event and Headmaster Lehman’s presentation were live streamed via Ustream to parents who could not make the trip to Pottstown for the weekend.

 

The late afternoon and evening brought a variety of fun events for all visitors. A" Dorm and Day Student Open House" was held during which parents visited their child’s dorm and met hall mates and dorm faculty. Parents of day students attended a "Day Student Reception" held in our Student Center, which is a popular gathering place for day students.

 

Parents then enjoyed form-specific cocktail hours hosted by Hill faculty in their homes. Parents and students came together for dinner at our special "Celebrity Dinner Buffet,” where faculty - including Headmaster Lehman and his wife, Amy - prepared and served dinner at different buffet stations set up throughout the Dining Hall. The evening commenced with the Fall Music Festival featuring performances by The Hill School’s Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and the Hilltones and Hilltrebles. View photos from the concert here.

The weekend's events continued on Saturday with class visitations and adviser meetings. Headmaster Lehman and Mrs. Lehman hosted a coffee and light refreshments in the Science Library; all parents were invited to stop by and say hello. View photos from Saturday morning's events here.

Third and fourth form students and their parents attended Chapel, while fifth and sixth form students and parents attended form specific college advising information sessions. A special presentation - "Innovations in Hill Classrooms" – was held in the afternoon. Stephen Longenecker, Oaklawn-Tuttle Director of Vocal Music and instructor of the arts, spoke about the work he is doing with the iPad in his class.

 

Following a picnic-style luncheon under the Old Hockey Rink, the weekend concluded with interscholatic athletics contests with most teams competing against The Hun School.