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There are many fun and exciting events planned at Highland for October! Find out about Highland Student Achievement, the Fall Student Open House/Book Fair, Halloween costume information, Parade time, BoxTop Label Contest & much more!
Highland
Happenings
The Home/School
Connection
October 2009
THANK YOU Parents, Faculty & Staff who attended our first PTG Meeting of the year. Your support is so important to our students! We hope to see everyone again at the next meeting. All are welcome at the next meeting on Wednesday, November 18th at 7p.m.!
NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME!
Fall Fundraiser
Our fall fundraiser will begin on Friday, October 2nd and will run through Friday, October 16th. Please keep in mind that this is our most important fundraiser of the year! The reward this year will be a professional BMX Biker who will come to our school with a presentation & bike show! Orders can be taken online, instructions are in the fundraiser packets! We will also be looking for several parents to help out for delivery in November!
Box Top Contest
Start saving to win!! Our first Box Top context of the year has begun & will continue through Friday, Oct. 9th. The top classes will win great prizes!
Fall Open House/Book Fair -
Thursday October 15th 6:30 – 8:30 -
(This is a date change.)
- Classrooms Open For Self Guided Tours from 7:00 - 8:00
- Reading Activity In Library
- Book Fair in the All Purpose Room/Gym
- Art/Craft Activity in the Art Room or Cafeteria
- Ice Cream in the Cafeteria
October
2nd – ½ day – 12:00 Dismissal
2nd – FUNDRAISER KICK OFF ASSEMBLY 11:00 IN APR
2nd – 8th – Chinese Delegation – 16 students, Assistant Principal & English Teacher - Visits Lake Shore
5th – Bus Safety Assembly *Grade K at 9:30-10:15 *Grade 2 at 10:35 - 11: 20 *Grade 5 at 11:50-12:30
6th – Bus Safety Assembly in Room 111 *Grade 4 at 9:30 - 10:15 *Grade 1 at 10:15-10:55 *Grade 3 at 11:30-12:15 6th – Picture Day – SMILE
7th – Fire Prevention Assembly
9th - Box Top Contest Ends
12th – No School – Columbus Day
15th – Building Based Staff Development Meets 3:35-5: 05
15th – Student Open House/Book Fair/Ice Cream Social – 6:30-8:30
22nd – Faculty Meeting – 7:50 Library
26th – 30th – Red Ribbon Week – See below.
26th- "WEAR RED AND MAKE THE PLEDGE" DAY
27th - "TEAM UP AGAINST DRUGS" DAY (wear professional sports team t-shirts and jerseys)
28th "PLANT THE PROMISE/WEAR GREEN & WHITE TO BE PART OF THE DRUG FREE TEAM" DAY
29th - "RECOGNIZE ROLE MODELS" DAY and join the fight by wearing PATRIOTIC RED, WHITE, & BLUE
30th- "DRUGS ARE SCARY" DAY
30th – Halloween Parade – 2:30 - SEND IN A NOTE ABOUT DISMISSAL PLANS!
**Principal’s Message**
Dear Parents,
Great News! Students are achieving at Highland! The faculty, staff and I carefully and continually review the progress and achievement of all of our students. Achievement is assessed in a number of different ways - informally and formally – through tests, quizzes, class participation, homework, projects, labs, written expression, creativity – to name just a few examples. In addition, we pay careful attention to the social and emotional needs of our students, which in many cases must be attended to before learning can occur.
The NYS Assessment Test Scores are readily reported in newspapers. However, this is just one of the many ways that students are assessed at Highland, and analysis is indeed conducted with these results. The information that is reported each year only compares achievement at a specific grade level yearly. For example, 2008 Grade 3 results are compared to 2009 Grade 3 results. We take it a step farther at Highland and follow the “cohort” or class group each year to track the group’s yearly achievement – for example scores of the group in Grade 3 are then compared to that same group’s achievement in Grade 4 then in Grade 5. Our tracking data demonstrates that Highland students are achieving and making progress each year. Instruction and academic support are then assessed & adjusted where needed. What is not evident in this data though, is the student who struggles when taking tests, but shines in the classroom when figuring out how to make the electromagnetic motor work in class and then goes on to proudly assist classmates. Also, consider the student who may be struggling with writing skills, but is able to create an impressive digital movie narrating the book just read in class. There are many more individual student success stories to be told & multiple ways for students to achieve at Highland!!
As educators, the faculty, staff and I continually work to improve instructional methods that best meet our students’ needs, and we consider ourselves life long learners as well!! A number of building initiatives have been implemented over the past three years that have improved our learning community and enhanced student learning. Some examples include: common team/grade level planning time, uninterrupted instructional time-literacy blocks, “Daily 5” - independent literacy skill building, differentiated instruction, on-going staff development – district wide & building based, technology integration, faculty/student mentoring, GRAD Team, science kit additions, enhanced math program materials, support services provided in classrooms, data analysis team meetings, and the list could go on!The teachers and I are available to provide any additional information regarding your child’s achievement or achievement at Highland. Feel free to contact us!
HALLOWEEN
Halloween is quickly approaching and your help in making this event an enjoyable experience for all Highland students is needed. Your assistance in following the costume guidelines below is appreciated. It is important for you choose a costume that allows your child to be seated comfortably at a classroom desk.
The following ARE NOT permitted in school:
-weapons
-blood and guts
-severed body parts
-masks that cover the entire face and/or features dripping bodily fluids
-extremely loose fitting or over size clothing, as this type poses a safety concern
-excessive make-up covering the entire face
The Highland Halloween Parade will begin at 2:30 around the traffic circle in front of the school, weather permitting. Parents, friends and siblings are welcome to join us! The parade is planned for the outdoors only and will be CANCELED due to inclement weather.
If the weather cooperates and parents are able to attend the parade, students may be signed out for dismissal at the conclusion of the parade in the classroom with the classroom teacher.
Classroom festivities will take place regardless of the weather. Parents are requested to limit treats to individually wrapped healthy treats that have nutritional & ingredient lists attached. Your child's classroom teacher will provide more information about the festivities in the classrooms.
With your help I am certain we will have a fun filled and safe Halloween at Highland. Once again, you are encouraged to choose an appropriate costume for your child.
I’ll leave you with this quote by former first lady, Barbara Bush, “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.”
Dawn Mirand
549-4397
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