Just as bighorn sheep often congregate on hilltops, Regal Elementary Rams gather in Hilltop Groups to build a sense of belonging.
Each group includes students from multiple grade levels, who learn from one another alongside staff to foster connection as a school community. Hilltop Groups come together for reading buddies, field trips, recess modeling, special activities, and Hilltop Weeks, which are designed to support students in the lead-up to winter and spring breaks.
Regal Principal Sean Flaherty explains that, for many students, changes in routine can bring added stress or uncertainty.
“School is often their steady routine and a place where they know their basic needs are met,” he said. “Hilltop Weeks provide structured, engaging experiences with trusted adults and peers, creating consistency and replacing anxiety with excitement.”
During Hilltop Week, Music, PE, Art, Science, and Library specialists combine their time and creativity to offer hands-on learning and enrichment experiences that are engaging, inclusive, and fun.
In the lead up to Spring Break, many activities centered on learning with the Spokane Tribe of Indians, giving students a chance to engage with culture, history and tradition in hands-on ways.
Past Hilltop Week activities have included:
Creative art and sensory projects focused on empathy and understanding physical disabilities, such as navigating with wheelchairs or experiencing blindness and deafness
Inspiring presentations and games from the Wheelchair Basketball Team
STEAM challenges building and launching rocket ships
High-energy cardio drumming set to music videos recorded by Regal staff
The results speak volumes, Flaherty said, pointing to improved attendance, fewer behavior challenges, increased engagement, and reduced stress, especially for students who’ve experienced trauma.
“At its heart, Hilltop Week is about helping students head into a school break feeling connected, grounded and part of something bigger than themselves,” Flaherty said.
