Renton students walked the brand new Hilltop Heritage Elementary School’s halls for the first time on Wednesday, Aug. 30. The first day went smoothly, according to staff and principal Jamie Maxie.
This is Maxie’s 25th year in education and 23rd in the Renton School District. She has a mix of teaching and administrative experience from working at Bryn Mawr Elementary, Dimmitt Middle School and Lindbergh High School.
She had always wondered what it would be like to open a brand new school, so when Hilltop Heritage’s construction was announced, she applied for the job.
“It was just a great opportunity,” she said. “A good time in my career.”
Maxie’s highest priority during summer preparations was building community.
“Connection and community, with students, families, and us,” she said, referring to staff and administration. “A new school is for everybody, including the community.”
She knows teachers prepare for their classrooms over the summer, so she’s worked to provide as much information about the new school as possible. Orientations and meetings over the summer were well-attended by the new staff, she said.
“Some are nervous being in a place that’s so new,” Maxie said of the K-5th graders. “Kids are resilient, they’ll fold into their new environments.” New students at Hilltop Heritage are coming from Kennydale, Maplewood Heights, Sierra Heights and Honeydew Elementary.
The school day began at 8:55 a.m. as the new students, some arriving with their families, wrapped around the school in order to enter the building through the cafeteria, where they were able to meet their teachers and their new classmates.
“We want to welcome them so they feel like it’s home,” Maxie said. “It’s not our school, it’s their school. We want this to be their second home.”
Hilltop Heritage is located at 1075 Duvall Avenue and is near Hazen High School.
Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing First day of school Aug. 30 at Hilltop Heritage Elementary School.
Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Photo by Annika Hauer/Renton Reporter First day of school Aug. 30 at Hilltop Heritage Elementary School.
Kindergarten teacher Alexander Mkandawire directs students to the cafeteria on the first day of school. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
First day of school Aug. 30 at Hilltop Heritage Elementary School. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Hilltop Heritage Elementary had its first first day of school Aug. 30. Photo by Annika Hauer/Renton Reporter
Photo by Annika Hauer/Renton Reporter First day of school Aug. 30 at Hilltop Heritage Elementary School.
Photo by Annika Hauer/Renton Reporter First day of school Aug. 30 at Hilltop Heritage Elementary School.
Photo by Annika Hauer/Renton Reporter First day of school Aug. 30 at Hilltop Heritage Elementary School.
Photo by Annika Hauer/Renton Reporter First day of school Aug. 30 at Hilltop Heritage Elementary School.
Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
