2011-2012 School Theme

Pursuing Excellence

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is

lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.“

Philippians 4:8

The mission of Hill Country Christian School of Austin is to provide a Christ-centered, classical, college-preparatory

education that inspires students to become life-long learners and effective communicators who impact the world

with the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ

School Mission

Hill Country’s Lower School provides a joyful, interactive environment that inspires students to love God and see

biblical truth as they develop a Christ-like character and a solid foundation in the core subjects

Lower School Mission

We love Jesus, books and friends, we’re the Little Knight Lights, that shine for Him.

Preschool Motto

Executive Staff

Kristine KruseLower School Principal

Bill McGeeHead Master / Upper School Principal

Debby KrohmerDir. of Student Services

Pete CraycroftAthletic Director /Dean of Students

Carmen HamiltonExecutive Dir. Of Operations & Development

Administrative Staff

Shannon FicklinDir. of Admissions

Sondra JanssenController

Suzanne FarrellDir. of Comm./Marketing

Holley LovedayTechnology IntegrationSpecialist

Eric LeonardIT Network Administrator

Philip HudgensDir. of Operations

Support Staff

Alice Storke Executive Asst./Bookkeeper

Jennifer NeumannLower School Admin. Asst.

Rebecca GlaceUpper School Admin. Asst.

Sheryl BelloniAdmissions Asst./Sub Coord.

Libby BarberReceptionist

Catherine SchomakerReceptionist

Support Staff

Janet HolderNurse

Kelly InnisLunch Coordinator

Annette VickersAfter School Care

Charlotte JohnstonAthletics Admin. Asst.

Josie StevensAfter School Care

The Learning Center (TLC)

Jana McGeeGATE Coord. / Lower School Specialist

Joy HudgensTLC Specialist

Wendi TrevinoTLC Admin. Assistant

Suzanne PokorneyTLC Specialist/K & 1st GATE

Georgette CorlissTLC Specialist

Irma PlazaDir. of The Learning Center

Preschool Faculty

Josie StevensPK Spanish

Margaret JacksonDir. of Preschool/ PreK 5 day

Kristi FeltyKinder Readiness

Cheri ToddTeacher Aid

Angie HortonEnrichment Program

Elaine BurlesonPreK 3-day

Lisa MaherMusic & Movement

Lower School Faculty

Leslie BlasigKindergarten

Linda MayberryKindergarten

Michelle DozierKindergarten

Brigitta Baker1st Grade

Lori Gates1st Grade

Karen Jasek2nd Grade

Cyndy Fisher2nd Grade

Angi HortonKindergarten Aide

Lower School Faculty

Kim VonLehmden3rd Grade

Cindy Bartold4th Grade

Kourtney Shepard4th Grade

Shelly Mobley3rd Grade

Kendra Antonevich5th Grade

Kerry Smelser5th Grade

Lower School Faculty

Donna Harrison6th Grade

Victoria Policke6th Grade

Jill Bayer6th Grade

Enrichment Faculty

Lynna PetersonPK-6th Art

Gina OdendahlP.E. Coach

Janean GreerP.E. Coach

Ed BaptisteChaplain / Teacher

Jane ReedSpanish and LatinUpper School GATE

Nancy LoveK- 6th Music

Marcelle SimmsDir. of Library Services

Getting the Year Started

• Meet the Teacher from 1:00–3:00 p.m. (come & go)

• 1st – 6th students meet their buddy in classroom

• Ice Cream Social: 1st floor auditorium 1:00 –3:00 p.m. (come & go)

• Kindergarten ½ day the first week – 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. (will eat lunch at school – send a lunch)

Visit Today

1st Floor Auditorium:

•American Heritage Girls •Brown’s Gymnastics•Booster Club•Band/Drum Line/Music Conservatory•Boy Scouts of America•Parent Teacher Fellowship/Parent Advocacy Team•Parker Uniforms•Pep Squad / Knight Guard•Staff Appreciation•TLC/GATE•Volunteer Hub

BooHoo / WooHoo Breakfast

 Preschool and Kindergarten parents are invited to The Hill Country Christian School of Austin BooHoo -WooHoo Breakfast!

Time: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.Where: 4th Floor Lobby areaWhat to Bring: Just Yourself!

Sponsored by 1st grade parents

Morning Carpool

• PK – 6th grade students must be dropped off at the main school entrance

• Want to walk your child in? • Park in the parking lot by the portables

• PK – 1st grade students will sit in school lobby

• 2nd – 6th grade students will meet in the 3rd floor auditorium

• Per the Fire Marshall – Do Not park your car under the awning or handicap spot

• Exit car as quick as possible, on the right side only

• Parents, pls. do not exit your vehicle

• Pull up as far as possible to the car in front of you

• Leave the crosswalk open for students to cross safely

• If you are late, park by the portables and walk your child in

• Do not pass cars in the carpool lane

In order to keep your child safe, your cooperation is essential!

Morning Carpool Reminders

Afternoon Carpool• Preschool - 12:00 p.m. pick-up under the awning at the main school entrance

• 3:00 p.m. “drive-up” – School Lobby

• 3:00 p.m. “walk-up” – Northwest Lobby

• Let your child know which carpool (drive-up/walk-up)

• Please try to stay consistent

• Students must be picked up by 3:20 p.m. or late fee will occur

• Four one-way lanes of cars down the carpool lane at the main school entrance

•Each set of carpool lines (divided by the wall) will go separately when whistle is blown

•Right lanes (on each side) will exit to Little Elm

•Left lanes (on each side) will exit to Hatch Road • Each family will be given a number – display on the front dashboard

• Students will sit in the lobby and walk out when their number is called

• Please turn off your engine and stand outside your car when students come out

Drive-Up Instructions

• Students will be sitting in grade level lines in the lobby

• Parents park in the Northwest Lobby parking lot

• Please escort your child to the bathroom in the café if they need to go after you pick them up

• Please exit quickly through the Northwest Lobby doors

•Students may not be unattended in the Café or gym – parents must always supervise children, even when waiting for Upper School siblings to be dismissed

Walk-Up Instructions

Carpool Q&A

• What if my child is in a carpool with another family? Please make sure your child knows the carpool number of the family picking them up. Remind your child in the morning to stay alert and watch for the other members of their carpool.

• Where do I get my carpool number sign? At the front desk after orientation.

•If I want to coordinate a carpool, is there a list of families sorted by subdivision/zip code?Yes, the Admission office and/or front desk will have a list.

Tardies• Classroom teacher will record student as tardy

• PK - 4th parents must walk child to class

• Preschool will walk to class at 7:50 a.m.

• 5th - 6th students may walk to class

• Important to be on time

Chapel• K – 4th grade every Tuesday at 8:05 – 8:50 a.m. in 3rd floor auditorium (parents welcome)

• Preschool will have chapel together every week

• 5th – 6th grade chapel every other Wednesday immediately after lunch

Security

• We require all visitors to enter through the main school entrance (park by the portables)

• Sign-in at the school lobby reception area

• Raptor system – need driver’s license (only the first time) to sign-in & get a badge

• Kinder Cove doors remain locked all day

Dress Code• P.E. uniforms required (5th – 6th grade) – for sale TODAY in the 1st floor auditorium

• A travel shirt required for every student (K-6th) to wear on field studies – for sale TODAY in the 1st floor auditorium

• Skirts/shorts/long shirts w/ leggings - no shorter than mid thigh when seated

• No sleeveless shirts (except for pep squad uniform)

• Flip flops: 5th – 12th grade only

• All students should wear tennis shoes on P.E. days

Lunch Program

• Hot lunch served Mon. – Fri.

• Monthly menus posted on Cornerstone and website

• Load lunch money in account through check only – turn in at reception desk

• Students access lunch account through a pin code

• Information and pin code will be emailed soon

• For questions contact Kelli Innis, Lunchroom Coordinator, at lunch@hccsa.org or visit her today in the 1st floor auditorium

School Forms Forms can be found on our website under the Academic tab

• Lower School Parent/Student Handbook

• Upper School Parent/Student Handbook

• Academic Calendar for Current School Year

• After School Care Registration Form

• After School Care Handbook

• Background Check Form

• Conservatory Registration Form

• TLC Registration Form

CommunicationVital for our success in partnering with parents

• Email: • What Knights Need to Know (every Tuesday)• The Knights Realm (school wide Newsletter)• Occasional Announcements• Alerts for school closures

• Cornerstone:• Update personal information – training sessions will be scheduled soon

•Teacher’s email (first initial of first name/lastname@hccsa.org)• Resolving conflict - Matthew 18 rule

• Visions & Values from Mr. McGee and school board• Website – for forms and calendar• Weekly Newsletter from teachers (K – 6th) – Preschool will use a monthly calendar

Parent Meetings• What are they?

August 30 K – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Room 4.1101st – 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Room 4.114

August 31 2nd – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Room 4.1103rd – 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Room 4.114

September 1 4th – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Room 4.1105th – 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Room 4.1106th – 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Room 4.114

• Sodalitas History Club – Info. meeting – August 30 at 3:20 p.m.

Parent Teacher Fellowship (PTF)• The PTF is all of us…partnering together with faculty and staff to support the mission of the school

• We do this through ……. Volunteering Community-building events - ice cream social / family dinner nights / service projects / tailgates Financial support PAT – Parent Advocacy Team Dads only - meeting and get together Sign-ups in 1st floor auditorium TODAY

• End-of-Year event• Door Dads – morning carpool from 7:30 – 8:00 a.m.

Athletics• Sport schedules on website

• Sports promote school community

We encourage families to attend:

• Football

• Volleyball

• Basketball

• Baseball

• Pep Rallies

• Tailgate Parties

• Friday, September 2nd– First Spirit Day (wear your Hill Country attire) and attend the Varsity Football game at Cedar Park High School at 7:30 p.m.

Questions?