Welcome

Dear Heather Hills Families,

Welcome to an exciting new school year at Heather Hills Elementary School!

As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, I am thrilled to introduce our theme: The World Cup of Brilliance: Think Deeply. Learn Boldly. Lead Globally.

Much like the world’s greatest athletes prepare for the World Cup, our students will embark on a journey of growth, perseverance, collaboration, and excellence. At Heather Hills, we believe that every child possesses unique talents and limitless potential. This year, we will challenge our students to stretch their thinking, embrace meaningful learning opportunities, and develop the leadership skills necessary to make a positive impact in our school, community, and world.

Our journey toward brilliance will be guided by four goals:

We will encourage students to dream big, establish meaningful goals, and take ownership of their learning. Success begins with a clear vision of what is possible.

Champions are made long before the final match. Through rigorous instruction, purposeful practice, and productive struggle, students will strengthen the skills needed to achieve at high levels.

Students will be empowered to apply their knowledge, think critically, solve complex problems, and demonstrate resilience when faced with challenges.

We want every student to recognize that their actions matter. Through leadership, kindness, service, and academic excellence, our students will leave a lasting positive impact on our school community.

As a nationally recognized EGATE school and one of Maryland’s highest-performing schools, Heather Hills has a proud tradition of excellence. This year, we are especially proud to share that Heather Hills Elementary School has moved from #8 to #4 in the State of Maryland out of 864 elementary schools. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work of our students, staff, and families.

We could not have accomplished this without your partnership, support, and commitment to excellence. Thank you for entrusting us with your children and for working alongside us every step of the way. While we are incredibly proud of this recognition, we remain focused on continuing to do better and get better every single day in service of our students.

Our greatest accomplishment is not found in rankings or awards; it is found in the curiosity, creativity, character, and growth of every child who walks through our doors.

We are grateful for the partnership we share with our families. Together, we will create an environment where students feel challenged, supported, inspired, and valued. Your involvement, encouragement, and collaboration are essential to our success.

As we kick off this new school year, I invite you to join us as teammates in The World Cup of Brilliance. Together, we will think deeply, learn boldly, and lead globally.

Sneak a Peek

We look forward to welcoming students and families to our annual Sneak Peek on Thursday, August 20.

• Grades 2 and 4: 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Grades 3 and 5: 1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

During this time, students will have the opportunity to visit their classrooms, meet their teachers, and bring their school supplies.

Please note that teachers will be actively preparing for the first day of school. To respect their preparation time and ensure a smooth experience for all families, we ask that you attend only during your assigned grade-level time slot.

Please bring all school supplies to Sneak a Peek, as supplies may not be dropped off on the first day of school.

Currently, the PTO is sponsoring a Back-to-School Bash! They will have a moon bounce, food trucks, spiritwear, and more. If you have not done so already, please register. Our goal is to increase membership to 200 families. That is 50% of our school enrollment. We can do it!

Thank you for your continued support of Heather Hills Elementary School. We look forward to an incredible year of learning, growth, and achievement.

With appreciation,
Dr. McDonnaugh Holland
Dr. Holland