March 3rd, 2017
Principal's Message
 
Hello Highlands, 

Safety and security are a priority of our work here everyday. Part of that is practicing drills for fire, lockdown and severe weather. It is important that students and staff know how and what to do in case of an emergency. Recently we have been focusing on lock down drills. This is when there is a threat in the building and I need all students, staff and visitors to be in a quiet, safe and out of the way place in order to resolve the threat safely for all all involved.

If you come to Highlands and the front door is locked please remain outside until I release the drill and unlock the door. If you are volunteering or in a meeting please follow the direction of the nearest staff member. You will have to wait through the entire drill before you can leave the building. Thank you for your patience and understanding of how important it is that all of us understand these procedures.

Please check in with our blog (link Below) as well as the FB and Twitter accounts to be updated on the happenings. There was a lot of fabulous learning around Highlands this week. 

Be well!
Katie

Read and see March 3- WONDER BLOG POST
Wonderful things are happening every day! We want to share. Twitter= @Highlands_ELEM FB= @HLHappenings



Highlands Happenings

HL OPEN MAKERS LAB- BUILD IT!

This month we will focus on Building with Legos, Kleenex, Magna tiles and wooden blocks. Classes will sign-up for Tuesday-Friday  next week. 

Recess will be open Thursday and Friday. 

These are items the LAB always wants and needs. If you have any and can donate or as you see them at yard sales please help us continue to build and collect.    THANKS!     Let's BUILD.

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



Primary students enjoyed celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday 
with a STEM Design Challenge!  
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 - this Friday No school
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.


 


Imagination Fair and Science Expo 2017 is in the books.
Congratulations to all our inspiring inventors, scientists, engineers, researchers and dreamers, and a big thank you to Lisa Dooley, teacher liaison Lisa Hopkins and Katie Mahoney for their support of IFSE 2017. 
What a fun and informative night! 
 
Fun facts:
106 students participated, representing 80 projects Jamie, Lisa, Michael and Mr. Gabrielson's classes tied for the highest number of student representatives (10), followed by Jackie's class (9)  3rd grade had the highest level of participants (31), followed by 2nd grade (24).
For students who chose to have their projects judged, results will be announced on the PTO website early next week.

Highlands SING a Musical Carnival
March 17th 5:30 - 8:00

Volunteer Opportunities - HELP
The Carnival is only 2 weeks away.  Thank you to the 60 volunteers 
who have already signed up for a shift! Parents - we need you to sign up - most of the volunteers are from the middle and high schools.
  • We still need around 190 volunteers to make Carnival happen. 
  • If we don't get enough volunteers we won't be able to have many of the games and activities that make Carnival the kids favorite night of the year.  
  • Art decoration creation sessions will be next week.  Please check the PTO website for details.
It's easy to sign up for a volunteer shift, just visit the PTO website   and choose the job for you  http://highlandspto.com/volunteer/positions/activity-volunteers/?acty=carnival   We need help with Dinner, Salon, Security, Volunteer Check-In, Candy Store, Clean Up, Games, Prizes, Raffle, Tickets, T-Shirts and Baskets.    Select an area and click on the green CLICK HERE to see all open spots.
 


Class Theme Basket Donations
Thank you to everyone who has already donated to their class theme basket!  We still need LOTS of donations for the classroom theme baskets! We're far from having enough donations to make these terrific baskets.  
  • Please send your donation with your child to school by March 8. 
  • Forgot your classroom theme? Check here: http://highlandspto.com/ 
Raffle Donations
Thank you to everyone who has already donated raffle items! We have some great things to raffle off this year including Disney World tickets; an American Girl Doll; Legos and even an iPad. See many more raffle items at:  Carnival Sneak Peek   (http://highlandspto.com/events/carnival/carnival-info/)
 
While it might seem like the raffle is covered, it's not. We're far from having enough donations.
Popular items are electronics, sports & cultural event tickets, large toys & game, musical items.  Please send your donations to school with your child or email Diane at dianelindquist99@gma il.com to arrange a donation drop off, especially for large or valuable items.  Gift cards are also VERY popular and can be dropped in the colorful Carnival box in the school office.  Want to keep it easy and have us shop?  Donate here: Donate to Carnival. (http://highlandspto.com/store/)

 
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, Membership, Volunteer Coordinator, Treasurer Elect and Treasurer of Deposits. Talk to a current Board member to learn more.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!!!
Please volunteer to help at our next two amazing events. 
You can   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.

                            
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.
 
Announcements
Valley View Middle School Junior Thespians 
present
HONK! JR.

 Based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling."
 
Valley View Middle School students in grades 6-9 will perform "HONK! JR." at EPAC on March 16-17 at 7 p.m. and March 18 at 1 and 7 p.m.
 
NEW! Free face painting for kids available before the Saturday matinee.

Tickets may be purchased online at  www.seatyourself.biz/valleyview. 
Reserved seats are $10 and general  admission seats are $8. Tickets will also be sold through the EPAC box office one hour prior to show time.  
Doors open at 6:30 pm (12:30 pm for matinee).



Please check the Lost and Found
Items will be donated Friday March 3rd.
  Non clothing items will be donated more frequently.  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.
He 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 March 6th - 10th

Monday 6th 
Pekarek/Wallace ELCamp
leave 8:00  Deep Portage
Community Ed - Crazy Chem
3:55 - 4:55 Rm 28
Community Ed - Piano
4:00 - 7:00 Rm 5


Tuesday 7th 
Leadership
3:00 Gym
Community Ed - Spanish
3:55 - 4:55 Media/ Rm 9
Re -Imagine MN Education
6:00 - 8:00 pm
SLP Middle School


Wednesday 8th
Molitor/Sponheim ELCamp
leave 8:00 Deep Portage
Floor Hockey
8:30 - 9:10 Gym
PTO Executive Meeting

9:30 - 11:00 Staff Lounge
Pekarek/Wallace ELCamp
return 3:30 Deep Portage

Thursday 9th
PLC (updates 8- 8:15 Media)
8:15 - 9:00
Community Ed - Amazing Draw
3:55 - 4:55
 Rm 28
Community Ed - Piano Lessons
4:00 - 7:00 Rm 5

Friday 10th 
Friendly Friday PTO
8:30  Media Center
Molitor/Sponheim ELCamp
return 4:00 Deep Portage

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

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