Hilltop Elementary Principal

Hello From Hilltop!

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL DONA LUMSDEN

How do you sum up a year like this one? I choose, like any other year, to look back and rejoice about what has been accomplished. It’s easy to think first about all the things that made the year really challenging. It was hard. There’s no denying it. But so much good came out of it, and we’ll use that good to start from next year.

Children were really able to show their resiliency this year. I’m so proud of the students at Hilltop who had to have their routine disrupted many times and still showed significant growth. I think the brightside was - it was hard to get burned out on school this year. We had a lot of periods of missing each other. I think that caused the children to be very tuned in and eager to work when they were here. I feel like many students and teachers had the feeling of the first day of school many times this year, so that excitement about coming to school kept getting refreshed.

Our parents were tremendous partners this year. We may not have been able to be together physically, but the circumstances of this year had you virtually in our classrooms many times. We appreciate the support, help, and work we know you were doing at home to help your children with school. Even though you couldn’t volunteer here on campus, we know and appreciate the time you put into school this year with us.

We faced some issues this year with our school building and flooding caused from the winter storm. But the repairs have been made, and we are grateful to have things close to normal. We have new heating units and a new gym floor. A large portion of the building, including the library had carpeting replaced due to the damage caused by the flooding.

I want to also thank the PTA for all their help and contributions this year. They have helped us with PE equipment, phonics supplies, a projector, and virtual field trips just to name a few ways they have helped us. For a year where the needs weren’t normal, the PTA found a way to help us in innovative ways. Also, big thanks to them for all the work that goes into the yearbook. That doesn’t just happen easily. Creating a yearbook is a big undertaking, and the time put into that is very appreciated. The PTA and our parents were eager and flexible in helping us during this year like no other. Thanks to you all for that support this year!

Some changes for next year: we have more building renovations coming up this summer. A newly designed entry is in the works. We are making some outdoor improvements as well. We are working on classroom furniture and arrangements to be prepared to welcome 4th-grade teachers back on the campus in the fall. To end the year, we don’t have to be sad about any of our students leaving because we will get to keep our 3rd-graders as they rise into fourth. That is definitely something that is making me look forward to next year.

And speaking of next year, this year was my first year, but I feel like next year will be my second first year here at Hilltop. I am very hopeful in a new beginning where things are as they should be. I want parents in the building. I want events. I want open houses. I know I’m not alone in that. I’m very hopeful that next year gives us all those things. I can’t wait to build real face-to-face relationships with the wonderful parents that go with these students that I have fallen in love with this year.

What a year. We made it. Our children accomplished a lot. We took care of each other. We dug in to help our Eagles get where they needed to be, and will continue to do that.

And now….onto new beginnings.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this year!

Dona Lumsden Hilltop Elementary Principal