February 17th, 2017
Principal's Message
 
Be a Changemaker!

As I head to the Changemakers Summit this week and collaborate with over 150 educational leaders from around North America I am reflecting on Highlands as a changemaker school.   The Changemaker movement starts with a mindset and a sense of purpose. It starts with schools and students asking themselves "How can we make a world where there are more solutions than problems? What is our role in contributing to that world?" It starts with educators recognizing that the best thing we can do for our students is to help them step into the world feeling powerful, empathetic and self aware. ( Changemakers: Educating with Purpose , 2016)

I am consistently impressed by the changemaker attitude of the Highlands student. This week I was approached by a group of second grade girls wanting to begin a trash patrol. The trash patrol will happen during their lunch-recess time and when they wait for the bus.( ..."because our bus is always late Mrs. Mahoney" They stated) I responded with YES! How can I help you get this going. They said they only needed to know where to put the trash and if they could have bags or buckets. We met the next day with our lead custodian and got the girls all set up. They have been at the work for a week, encouraged others to join through a school news show clip and are excited to help keep Highlands clean and beautiful. These are the changemaker qualities and solutions we see at Highlands and encourage daily.
 
I am excited to learn from others and share with the Highlands and Edina, what the possibilities are for us in this changemaking community. I know we are all up for the challenge and understand it is all of our responsibility to be solution driven and changemakers.

Be well!
Katie

Wonderful things are happening every day! We want to share. Twitter= @Highlands_ELEM FB= @HLHappenings


Highlands Trash patrol
Highlands Happenings
Mrs. Widen's Informance Schedule

Informances are informal, informative performances where loved ones are invited to come and watch their children in music class.  Mark your calendar to see your child sing, dance, and play instruments and games!

Please don't hesitate to contact Katie Widen with any questions. 952-848-4532. Katherine.Widen@edinaschools.org

Thursday May 4th
Prowell 9:25-10:10
Masica 10:10-10:55

Monday May 8th
Wallace 9:25-10:10
Pekarek 10:10-10:55
Hjelden 10:55-11:40
Johansen 11:40-12:25

Tuesday May 9th
Hopkins 9:25-10:10
Anderson 10:10-10:55
Molitor 10:55-11:40

Wednesday May 10th
Baier 2:00-2:45

Thursday May 11th
Sponheim 10:55-11:40
Racek 2:00-2:45
 


"A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota"
Normandale Auditorium.   
 
"A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota," is a collection edited by local author Sun Yung Shin of 16 essays by diverse Minnesota writers.  It will be the subject of three of the sessions.  Each will feature a panel of essay writers, with an opportunity for facilitated discussion reflecting on their stories and how they impact the Edina community.
 
These sessions will take place from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
·            Thursday, March 16
·          Tuesday, April 18

Media Message
By Lisa Dooley, Media Specialist


As part of I Love to Read month, the primary students had fun this week making origami bookmarks. Check out the video here and the whole family can make one! (video from www.redtedart.com)
Check out the Highlands News Show
  Here is the News Show  link.   
To view, you will need your students login and password.



PTO News
Learn what is going on and volunteer.

JUMP AROUND - SAVE THE DATE
Friday, March 3, 11am - 4pm
Looking for something to do with the kids on Friday, March 3rd? Yes, there is no school that day. Sky Zone will graciously open its doors for a special Highlands fundraising events; a portion of the entry fee will be donated to the Highlands PTO.

 
2017 Tuesday, February 28 - 6:00 - 7:30

Registration Deadline is in seven days.
From floating eggs abd optical illusions to balloon hovercrafts, this fair has it all!  If you are still interested in registering a project the deadline to  register  is February 24 for judged projects and February 25 for non-judged projects.  


WE ARE IN NEED OF MANY VOLUNTEERS, including 30 more judges.  
Sign up to help at the PTO website
Questions contact Nassim at assim.rossi@gmail.com

 

Highlands SING a Musical Carnival
March 17th 5:30 - 8:00
Did you know Carnival is our second biggest fundraiser of the year? We hope to raise $19,000 or more this year.  Your donations and volunteer support is essential! Thank you!
 
Carnival Volunteers
Thanks to everyone who has already signed up for a volunteer shift! We still need more volunteers for all sorts of fun jobs, it takes over 250 volunteers to make Carnival happen every year.  Sign up today!
 
Carnival Donations
Raffling off theme baskets and individual items are a huge part of the fun of Carnival as well as essential fundraisers. Each class has a theme basket, we need donations of all sizes and value to make the baskets irresistible. Find your class theme in the table below. 
 
We also need donations of larger items to be raffled off on their own. Donations for the raffle are due by Wednesday, March 8. For this part of the raffle we are hoping to get donations like American Girl Dolls, Lego sets, an IPad or IPod or other more extravagant items. Pool your ideas and resources with another family and come up with something unique and fun. Do you have event tickets you won't use? A vacation home that will be empty for a weekend? Gift cards for local businesses? Every year families come up with great ideas and the raffle items are always a hit. If you'd like to donate something like this but don't want to send it to school with your child,  please contact Diane Lindquist at dianelindquist99@gmail.com to arrange a pick up or drop off. 

  
1. Class theme baskets 
We need new items at all levels of value to add to the theme baskets. 
                
Teacher
Theme Basket
N. Baker
All Things Crayola
Paulsen
Lego Friends
Stageberg
Stuffed Animals
Gilmore
Arts & Crafts Ages 5-8
Schroepfer
Gift Cards Galore
  Waage 
All Things Star Wars
Baier
All Things Disney
Racek
Gift Cards Galore
Mack
Rainy Day Fun 
J. Baker 
Pet Lovers 
Frier
All  Things Ninja Warrior 
Gabrielson
All Things Nerf 
Sponheim
Sports Fans! 
Molitor
Relax & Indulge 
Masica
Sports
Hjelden
Arts & Crafts Ages 9-12
Johansen
Stuffed Animals
Prowell
Summer Road Trip
Pekarek
Family Movie Night
Wallace
Minneapolis Summer
Anderson
Legos
Hopkins
Sports
 
2. Individual raffles of more extravagant items
This can be anything - iPod's, iPad's, American Girl Dolls, Lego sets, Viking's tickets, hotel stays, gift cards. Pool your ideas and resources with another family and come up with something good!
Send your donations to school with your child by Wednesday, March 8.
Or email Diane Lindquist at  dianelindquist99@gmail.com  if you'd like to donate something that you don't want to send to school with your child. 

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!!!
Please volunteer to help at our next two amazing events. You can sign up to help at the IFSE and at the Carnival . Positions are now posted on the PTO Website . We can't do these events without you!!

YEARBOOKS... GET Y'ER YEARBOOKS
The yearbook team is busy putting the final touches on the 2016 - 2017 Yearbook. It is something your kids will look at over and over again. The deadline for ordering yearbooks is fast approaching. Only 50% of the students have ordered. Get yours today at the PTO Website.
                            
THINKING ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED NEXT YEAR? 
JOIN THE PTO EXECUTIVE BOARD
There are several open positions for next year's PTO Executive Board including Communications, Volunteer Coordinator, Treasurer Elect and Treasurer of Deposits. Talk to a current Board member to learn more.
    

Box Tops - Please k eep them coming.
Box Tops is a great fundraiser and so easy to do. You'll find BoxTops on so many of the products that you use on a daily basis. Just clip the BoxTops and send them in to the collection box in the office or to your teacher.   Thank you.
Help us win 50,000 = $5,000.00
Thanks to General Mills and Walmart, every Walmart-exclusive Box Tops Certificate that we clip and collect until 3/1/17 earns our school a chance to one of the 20 winners of 50,000 bonus Box Tops - that's $5,000 for our school.  Please go to the website for more details and prizes.
 
Announcements



Please check the Lost and Found
Items will be donated soon.  Non clothing items will be donated weekly.  Thank you.
 
 

Edina PCN Presents
Mindfulness: Self-care For Kids
Dr. Tim Culbert
Monday March 6th, 2017      7:00- 9:00 PM
South View Auditorium
 
Dr. Tim Culbert is a board certified developmental/behavioral pediatrician in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Dr. Culbert has always been on the forefront of integrating mindfulness into the practice of medicine and co-created one of the first full service Integrative Pediatrics Programs at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.
Dr. Culbert will help parents understand the importance of mindfulness for kids in this over-stressed and over-scheduled world and explore self-care skills that kids can use to manage stress and anxiety.
Dr. Culbert is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of
Minnesota, and an Adjunct Professor at the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. He currently serves as Medical Director for Integrative Medicine at PrairieCare Medical Group. He is the author of a series of books for kids titled, "Be the Boss of Your Body," that focus on holistic self-care. His new book for kids is "Be Fit, Be Strong, Be You."

CEU credits available for $20        Donations always welcome

Edina PCN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing recognized parenting resources to the Edina community. All forums are free.


Summer 2017 schedule for KIDS Club/WISE Guys
This summer Highlands kids in grades 1st -5th will be here at Highlands!
 
Summer Registration Online                              Will start March 1st!
Last Day of School & KC for 2016-2017            June 1st (Thursday, NEW DATE)
KIDS Club Closed-Site Prep/Staff Training        June 2nd-7th 
First Day of Summer 2017 KC & WG                  June 8th (Thursday)
KIDS Club Closed-Holiday                                  July 3rd & 4th
Last Day of Summer KC/WG                              August 22nd (Tuesday)
KIDS Club Closed                                                 August 23rd-September 4th
First Day of School 2017-2018                            September 5th (Tuesday)
First Day of Kindergarten 2017-2018                  September 5th (Wednesday)
 
If you have any questions, please let me know.  I'm here to help!
Thanks,
Angie
 
Angie L. Misgen  
CES Program Manager-Highlands
952-848-4568


Summer School Options
Intermediate District 287 offers opportunities for students seeking a challenging summer school experience.  Intermediate District 287 hosts summer school programs for advanced learners.  Enrollment is open to advanced learners in the west metro districts including Edina students.

If you would like to participate in the West Suburban Summer School (WSSS) program and you haven't in the past, you must complete a nomination form in advance. Once you have completed the form, then you need to mail it into ISD287, and then they will send you a postcard with your registration number. These camps will fill up quickly, so you will want to get the paperwork done as soon as possible.  You can download a nomination form at http://www.edinaschools.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=4630#WSSS

West Suburban Summer School (WSSS) Registration Information: https://www.district287.org/page.cfm?p=910

Course Catalog: available to download beginning February 15th, 2017

Registration will Open:
* Member Districts: Feb 22, 2017 at 6:00 am
* Non-member Districts: Feb 23, 2017 at 12:00am

Parents should contact ISD 273 directly with questions about the criteria dn Nomination Form.

Leslie Hanson
Gifted & Talented Program Coordinator
phone: 762-550-7167

Kim Kallroos
Program Secretary
phone: 762-550-7245 

Upcoming Events - Bulletin
Week of February 20th - February 24th

Monday 20th - NO SCHOOL Presidents Day

Tuesday 21st - NO SCHOOL In-Service Day

Wednesday 22nd
SPED Meeting
12:00- 1:00 Conference Rm
HL Check - in TECH Think Tank
4:00 - 5:00  Media Center

Thursday 23th
Floor Hockey
8:30 - 9:10 Gym
Community Ed - Amazing Draw

3:55 - 4:55
Rm 28
Community Ed - Chess

3:55 - 4:55
Rm 32
Community Ed - Piano Lessons

4:00 - 7:00
Rm 5

Friday 24th
 
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
Highlands Elementary School
5505 Doncaster Way,  Edina, MN 55436
Office: 952-848-4500 | 
Attendance: 952-848-4502

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