HMS News

Seeing our own biases can be a difficult and uncomfortable experience. When talkingabout biases we mean beliefs, ideologies, social patterns, and social structures thhave been directly or indirectly institutionalized as part of who “we” are and how webehave in society.The construction of individuals in society has long been determined by institutionswhich have developed laws to...Read More

It is already time for parent teacher conferences! October conferences are for all families, new and returning, from the Toddler Program through Middle School. Conferences will, like most things these days, happen over Zoom. Families will have received sign ups this week, and Zoom invitations will follow next week from your student’s teachers. There will be...Read More

A land acknowledgment is an act of conciliation, a statement that recognizes indigenouspeople as the traditional stewards of the lands. “When approached humbly, in authentic consultation with indigenouspeople as equals, land acknowledgments can help pave the way to honouringthose with whom we share this land” -Selena Mills Hilltop Montessori School, in the work for understanding...Read More

The debates about what we should call or celebrate on October 12th are vast andhappen in different degrees. The request to eliminate “Columbus Day” from thecalendar and replace it with “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” (a more appropriate term, bustill not used everywhere) is not recent. In Vermont, governor Peter Shumlin signed in2016 a proclamation that rebranded...Read More

This is an evening meeting for all new and returning parents to learn about the upcoming year’s curriculum, program, expectations of students, and ways to be involved in your child’s education. This year, as with all of our community events, these meetings will be held over Zoom. With each program meeting taking place on a...Read More

The Hilltop Board of Trustees met for its first Board meeting of the school year this week, via Zoom. Even though we are still meeting remotely, there was an air of community and a genuine celebration knowing children and teachers are back in school. While 2020 has been full of challenges, thanks to the hard...Read More

At Hilltop Montessori School, understanding diversity with all of its social and culturalintersections is necessary to reveal and confront all forms of discrimination. Thecreation of an equitable, just, and inclusive community is only possible with thecommitment and awareness of all. The teachers and staff are working on educatingourselves on our biases and how they show...Read More

At this time each year, Hilltop typically joins together for its Back to School Picnic, providing an opportunity for the Hilltop Board of Trustees to run the grill and introduce new officers and new board members. This year, of course, we are not holding our spatulas, but we will not be waylaid. We take this...Read More

Dear Families, We are so grateful for the thoughtful cooperation with the health and safety procedures we have in place this year. Everyone has been so understanding and cooperative as we worked through the new drop-off procedures with the health checks and travel restrictions. You have also been keeping children home when they have even...Read More

Welcome back to school! We were so happy to see so many of our students during this week of orientation. This week, and over the next few weeks, teachers will be focusing on building community and renewing relationships that have been challenged by the time of separation. Teachers priorities will be: Keeping children safe (health...Read More