Highlands Elementary

SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS

Dear Students, Parents/Guardians,

As Principal of Highlands Elementary School, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 2022- 2023 school year. For many of you, it is a warm welcome back to HES; for other families, it is a brand-new educational journey for your children, and we welcome you to the HES family. I hope your summer has gone well and that you are all excited for the beginning of the new school year. I look forward to an exciting year as we collectively strive to foster a culture of academic excellence and 21^st century learning environment that is sure to yield positive student achievement. I feel extremely fortunate to be working with such an exceptional group of students, families, and staff members.

This past year we met our School Grade Goals. We are now a ‘C” school. This 2022-2023 school year we are seeking to be an “A” School, and this requires A+ actions. As we embark on new academic benchmarks with new curriculum, we will hold true to Eagle values: Excellence, Effort, and Engagement. This year as we venture into new standards and new curriculum our goal is to develop our students in literacy, mathematics, and science.

First 2 days of School: School begins on Monday, August 15, 2022, and drop-off begins at 8:00 a.m. all parents will have the opportunity to walk their children to class the First 2 days of school. Classroom assignments will be posted around the campus that morning and support personnel will be strategically located throughout the school with class lists to assist students locate assigned classrooms. All students are expected to be in their classrooms by 8:30 a.m. ready to begin the day. We do ask that all your pictures, hugs, and salutations are complete before 8:30 am as parents will be asked to exit at this time.

Breakfast/Lunch: All students receive free breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is served from 8:00 am – 8:30 am.

Dismissal: Dismissal will be at 2:30 pm for PK and 3:00 pm for grades 2^nd -5^th Grade.

Car Riders: All car riders must register for a car tag. All car riders will be provided a hanging car tag that must be displayed. We ask that parents stay in their vehicles during car dismissal.

Walkers: All walkers will exit at the corner of DePaul/Mayan Dr. For safety purposes, parents are asked to wait for their children at this gate. Teachers will meet you at the gate with your child.

Boys and Girls Club: Start date August 22, 2022. You will get communication if you have been accepted.

Book Bag Policy: Currently our school’s policy is clear book bags. I am confirming with the district if we can change our policy to clear and mesh bags. If change is allowed, I will communicate with all families.

Attendance: We need students in school daily. Our average daily attendance goal is 92% or higher.

Reading: 28% of our students are reading on grade level. Parents, we need your help. For students to learn to read they must read and read often. Our reading goal is 43%and we need the entire community to assist us meeting our school goals.  Our main goal is to ensure that every student is provided the highest quality education possible in a safe and nurturing learning environment. I am confident, that together, we can make Highlands Elementary an even better place for our students to learn and grow. I am honored to serve as the principal of HES. It is truly a privilege to be part of a community where parents, teachers and students care for each other and strive to build positive relationships that support academic and social growth. Together we can and will “Soar to New Heights” to achieve academic excellence. Our school staff looks forward to working with you and your children to make this the most successful year ever!