Dillo News
An Update from Principal Drummond 3/1/26
Dear Hill Community, We want to thank all of the volunteers and sponsors that made our Hill Hoopla event a success last night. Thank you all for supporting our school and Dillos! We can’t tell you how much it means to us.
AISD Early Learning Virtual Session
A multidepartmental team from Enrollment, Multilingual and the Elementary Schools office will host four virtual Early Learning Information Sessions to support families interested in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten at Austin ISD.
An Update from Principal Drummond 2/22/26
Dear Hill Community, We want to start this week by honoring a very special member of our community. Long-time Hill substitute Jane Newberry passed away at the age of 92. She leaves behind an amazing legacy in Austin ISD, including being a teacher at Highland Park Elementary beginning in 1954. She was dependable and beloved at Hill School for generations of students. She will be truly missed. You can read about her impressive life here.
An Update from Principal Drummond 2/15/26
Dear Hill Community, We want to remind our community that there is no school this Monday (2/16) or Tuesday (2/17). Monday is a staff/student holiday. Tuesday is elementary conference day and a student holiday. At Hill, we do not hold spring conferences for every student. If your teacher feels a conference is necessary, they will reach out to you and work with your family. Thank you all for having a plan for your student for Monday and Tuesday. We appreciate it!
An Update from Principal Drummond 2/8/26
Dear Hill Community, It is Valentines Week, which is always a lot of fun at Hill School. We hope you can support the annual Hill Share the Love Food Drive beginning tomorrow (2/9). Click here for more information, including a QR Code to easily help the cause. We are collecting apple sauce and mac & cheese this year that can be individually distributed (pictures at the link). This drive supports Hope Austin who supports our weekend meals program going to Hill families weekly. We also again want to thank all of our volunteers and staff who made our annual Book Fair a huge success this past week as well!
An Update from Principal Drummond 2/1/26
Dear Hill Community, It is Hill Book Fair Week! Here are some notes from our Book Fair team: Book Fair Family Night is this Thursday, February 5th from 4:30-7:00 pm. Prefer not to send cash with your student? Visit the Hill Scholastic website and set up an E-Wallet. Come be a cashier! Sign up here to volunteer! All volunteers must register through Voly. Click HERE to register. Any questions? Reach out to Melanie Petersen at bookfair@hillelementary.com.
An Update from Principal Drummond 1/25/26
Dear Hill Community, We are one week away from the Hill Book Fair! Our annual book fair is February 2nd-6th. Here are some notes from our Book Fair team: Save the date for Family Night on Thursday, February 5th from 4:30-7:00 pm. Prefer not to send cash with your student? Visit the Hill Scholastic website and set up an E-Wallet. Come help decorate, be a cashier or both! Sign up here to volunteer! All volunteers must register through Voly. Click HERE to register. Any questions? Reach out to Melanie Petersen at bookfair@hillelementary.com.
An Update from Principal Drummond 1/18/26
Dear Hill Community, We hope everyone enjoys their three day weekend. As a reminder, there is no school tomorrow (Monday, January 19th) as we observe and reflect during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. At school we will continue to honor his legacy and message throughout this week and throughout the year.
An Update from Principal Drummond 1/11/26
Dear Hill Community, It was a great week as we kicked off the spring semester with our Dillos! We wanted to let everyone know that our spring lockdown drill will take place toward the end of this week. This is mandated by the state. We will practice what to do in our classrooms if there was an immediate threat on campus. If you would like to prepare your student(s), we use the phrase “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight” to keep it simple.
An Update from Principal Drummond 12/21/25
Happy Winter Break! Enjoy the rest and holiday fun. As a reminder, there is no school through January 5th. We look forward to seeing our students ready for the spring semester again on Tuesday, January 6th. When schools are closed, it can be tough for some Austin ISD students to get healthy meals at home. Families may access community resources to locate food assistance in their area while Austin ISD offices and schools are closed for the winter break. Central Texas Food Bank (www.centraltexasfoodbank.org) United Way for Greater Austin - ConnectATX (www.connectatx.org) Texas Health and Human Services - Call 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905 to speak to a live operator.
An Update from Principal Drummond 12/14/25
Dear Hill Community, It is our last week of school before the Winter Break! Just a heads up that there is no school December 22nd-January 5th. We look forward to all of the celebrations and fun learning for the next five days.
An Update from Principal Drummond 12/7/25
Dear Hill Community, We are in the full holiday spirit as students are learning about many cultures and traditions that are important around the world and to our Hill families. It is always a great time of year. As an aside, we also love to do drawings for staff leading up to the Winter Break to surprise them with gift cards, small gifts, baskets, etc. as prizes. If you have anything to donate, including old gift cards or prize items you may not use, you can give it to Principal Drummond to go to a fun cause. We certainly don’t want to over extend. Anything is appreciated.