Hilltop Schools First Annual Report: One Year & Climbing!
Happy birthday to Hilltop Schools! Certainly, this has been a year not only filled with excitement, accomplishments, growth, but also many challenges on our quest to deliver the best education, healthcare, and protection to over 3,000 students. Thank you for taking this journey with us! We have prepared our First Annual Report, to share with you all of the highs, lows, and incredible student stories this year.
One year ago, on July 1, 2019, Hilltop was established by a group of dynamic leaders, uniquely qualified to undertake the critical task of establishing a new organization to ensure the continued and improved support for the children formerly supported by More Than Me Foundation. Starting an organization is formidable in itself; however, doing this with a tarnished past makes the tasks even more arduous and vital.
In light of all of this, one common thread remained the unifying factor: our resolve to provide quality services in areas of education, health and protection to our 3,200 students. It is my belief that each team member unofficially practices the profound expression of Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Throughout the year, the newly formed Board of Directors provided the necessary leadership role in ensuring good governance structure and providing support to Hilltop’s students, teams, and programs. True community support and insights come from the PTA leadership group, of whom 2 members form part of the Board of Directors.
Over the course of this year we have faced challenges to acquiring government accreditation and clearances, attracting donors and securing funding, renegotiating the partnership school program, sensitizing the general public perceptions about the former More Than Me Organization. The most recent event of COVID-19 has brought about perhaps the most impactful quagmire affecting the organization's approach to achieving our mission. Yet through this all, we have managed to overcome and remain focused on finding solutions in the best interest of the children that we serve.
For students, Hilltop Schools has brought an increased emphasis on safeguarding, the rights of children, and supporting our students with social work and counseling. Teachers, staff, students, and parents receive child protection training that establish the proper care, reporting, and treatment of children. Students have had expanded access to extracurricular activities including press club, dance, soccer, health clubs, and home economics.
The story of Hilltop Schools is likened to the Phoenix, the ancient Greek folklore, which is a long-lived bird that dies, decomposes and is born again. With this regeneration, the Phoenix lives with a vengeance in strength and determination. Hilltop has established itself and is becoming stronger as an organization. We will continue to climb the HILL, and as we ascend, the incline becomes easier and less challenging. I have 100 percent surety that we will get there; so, come on Hilltop, let us reach the TOP!
Climb to the top with us,
Margretta Smith-General
& the team at Hilltop Schools
Read our First Annual Report!