November 4th, 2016
Principal's Message
November 4, Be The Humming Bird
Service-learning engages young people in addressing community issues, problems or needs as a part of their academic studies or as part of another kind of intentional learning activity. It challenges students to think of themselves as members of a community, a country and the world and that  his/her contribution matters. Whether we are discussing standing up to bias and racism, brightening a day with a decorated place mat, reading stories and painting nails of children in the hospital or contributing to a massive school-wide effort to pack meals for communities that are hungry, how we connect this work and allow students to BE the impact is the learning.

Highlands will be participating in a service project on December 19th that many are familiar with, Impact Lives. If you are new to Highlands you will learn a lot about this project over the next 6 weeks from your student(s). The most important thing to do right now is to start having discussions at home and asking questions. What does it mean to have enough? To need something? What does it mean to be hungry? What might the word hungry mean for you here in Edina vs other places locally or internationally? And then, MOST importantly what can a 5, 8 or 10 year old do to impact a life? Please ask your child/children these questions. Record their answers. Encourage your child to do. Watch the I will be the humming bird v ideo together. Think of ways to be the humming bird, be the BEST you can every day and do not watch from the side.
*If you are someone who would like to be more involved at HL with Service Learning please let me know.
Highlands Happenings
GHOSTS BY Raina Telgemeier
GHOSTS BY Raina Telgemeier

MAHONEY's  November Book Chat.


Ambassadors helped to put the garden to sleep for winter. 




After last weeks dinner and discussion Mike Kosim (HL parent) approached me about creating some mini discussion groups that would meet monthly share a meal and discuss relevant topics and build community together. We are calling it; Dine with Nine.

If this is something you are interested in please email me ( kathryn.mahoney@edinaschools.org ) or Mike Kosim ( mike.kosim@gmail.com ) or you can fill in the google form and we will send you notification. Our goal is to have at least one group going before the end of the year. This only requires 3-5 families but it would be amazing to have more.

Media Message
By Lisa Dooley, Media Specialist


We had over 160 4 th and 5 th grade students apply for the News Show this year! This is both a service to our community and a leadership opportunity to work with students from both programs. Students found out their roles and teams today so check out this link throughout the year to watch and plan ahead.
Music Class  Substitute
A warm welcome to our long term music sub who will be with us through the year for Katie and then Meriah.   Meet Angela LaJoy.
 
Emergency Form
Have you completed it?
We still need 20% of students parents to fill out the emergency form.
If you have not completed it in the classroom or from a link through your classroom teacher, p lease take a couple minutes and complete it.   Here is the link  FILL OUT FORM
Thank you.

Volunteers Needed on Election Day 
for Kids
Voting Edina.
This November, Edina students of all ages will be invited to accompany their parents to the polls to vote for the political candidates of their choice, thanks to an exciting voting initiative called "Kids Voting Edina."   
For more information visit Kids Voting Edina .   


Health Office Notes: 

We have had a huge increase in illness in the last two weeks.  We have had many cases of strep and pneumonia.  Please keep your child at home if they have temperatures over 99.5 and have a sore throat/stomach ache and/or persistent cough.  The child cannot return to school until they are 24 fever free without the use of fever reducing medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen.  Thank you for your help on this.

Heidi Youngdahl HSA - School Nurse

 

Highlands Elementary Hearing and Vision Testing
We still need 14 volunteers for hearing and vision screening.  Please volunteer.
 
Each year Highlands Elementary administers Hearing and Vision screening to Highlands students. The screenings will be on
Wednesday, November 9 and November 10, 2016.  
Kindergartners, 1st grade, and 2nd Graders are screened for Hearing. Vision tests are for 1st, 3rd, and 5th Graders.  If you have a child that is not in these parameters, but you would like to have your child screened on these days, please contact the nurse
To accomplish this in a timely and organized fashion, we've relied on PTO volunteers the help usher the students through the process and assist with the screenings. We are in great need of volunteers to make it happen!   We need 16 total volunteers to help out throughout those 2 days.  Please consider giving your time.
You can go to the Highlands PTO page and click on volunteer. http://highlandspto.com/volunteer/
Thank you very much!
Heidi Youngdahl, HSA - School Nurse

Clothing Donations and extra's for each student
If you have gently used leggings, track pants, or sweatpants that your child has out grown could you please donate to the Health Office. With colder and wetter weather, we see a high usage in what we loan out to kids who need a change of clothes. If you do end up borrowing, please wash and return.   Also please send an extra pair of pants to school to keep in your students locker in case of wet, mud, accidents etc.
Thank you,
Heidi Youngdahl, HSA - School Nurse


PTO News
Learn what is going on and volunteer.

The 2016 Highlands Great Gathering Is Coming!! 
November 11th *    
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!! 
Are you ready to shop the  2016 Online Auction? Register now to get a preview of the awesome items up for bid.  It is easy - just enter your info at www.charityauction.bid/greatgathering2016. The online auction is LIVE on Monday, Nov 7th at 8pm!
 
Calling All Small Gatherings!!    We want your cool event in our cool event! Remember how much fun you had last year? 
Yes - so get organizing and GET YOUR EVENT REGISTERED HERE!
Want to help?   There is still time to volunteer, or donate wine, gift cards or other items!! Visit http://highlandspto.com to find out how! 

Vision and Hearing Volunteers NEEDED!
Vision & Hearing Testing - 2.5 Hour Shifts - November 9th & 10th Hearing & Vision Testing Volunteers

Announcements
Discover Girl Scouts
Building girls of courage, confidence and character
who make the world a better place.  
A new Girl Scout troop is forming for first grade girls at Highlands!  
If you would like more information  or are interested 
in joining please contact...
Kelly Griffing at  kellykolargriffing@gmail.com or
Angela Gadtke at  angelagadtke@gmail.com
Below is a link to clip art if you like....
 
Edina Dance Team - Fall Kids Clinic  
Sat Nov 5th  8:30 - 12:00
For kids up to age 12 of all dancing abilities.  
Come dance, play games, make a craft and have fun.  
Valley View Middle School  at  6750 Valley View Road
$ 35  per participant    Register: edtkidsclinic.eventbrite.com
Check- in at 8:30 | Clinic at 9:00 | Parents Show 11:45

Edina PCN
Edina PCN and The Blake Schools Present
Stereotypes and Healthy Gender Identity
Dr. Jennifer Bryan, Ph.D.
Monday Nov 14th, 2016
EPAC Edina Performing Arts Center
Edina High School 7:00 - 9:00 PM  Free

Upcoming Events - Bulletin

Week of November 7th  - 11th

Monday 7th 
Lego Mania
3:55 - 4:55 Media Center
Piano Lessons
4:00 - 7:00 Room 5

Tuesday 8th - Election Day
Community Ed Choir
8:25 - 9:10 Rm 10/11
4th & 5th Grade Ambassador
3:00 - 3:30 Conference Rm

Wednesday 9th
Hearing Screening (K,1st,2nd)
9:40 - 2:00 The Lab
PTO Executive Meeting
9:30 - 11:00 Staff Lounge
Drama Kids Fall Play
3:55 - 4:55 Rm 5

Thursday 10th
Vision Screening (1st, 3rd, 5th)
9:40 - 2:00 The Lab
Amazing Drawings
3:55 - 4:55 Rm 28
Chess Club
3:55 - 4:55 Rm 32
Piano Lessons
4:00 - 7:00 Rm 5

Friday 11th
Great Gathering - fundraiser
7:00 - 9:00 Pinstripes
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Highlands Elementary School
5505 Doncaster Way,  Edina, MN 55436
Office: 952-848-4500 | 
Attendance: 952-848-4502

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