|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5/19/2017
Hello Highlands-
We have had a busy week around here with The Peace Project, PTO, the third grade Biography Tea (or Potluck) and field trip and so much more. The end of the year is busy but fun!
I wanted to address class size here in Edina and at Highlands because I realize this is a topic right now that is making parents feel worried and unsupported. I would like to help. First,I would like to tell the Highlands community, to be in a class size conversations for the upcoming school year in May is not the reality in any other district I have worked. Usually administrators are asked to "count heads" for the first week to ten days before the district will even consider adding another section or a support plan for a classroom. I had kindergartens beginning the year with numbers at 28-30 with no support. I share this so that you can get a picture for the support Edina's school board and district leadership is offering elementary schools, in particular Highlands is pleasantly unique.
About a month ago, I was asked to think of creative solutions to support instruction in our grade levels that are nearing or over the set guidelines. The district leadership heard my recommendations and have offer solutions. Highlands has been approved to add a half time first grade teacher for next year. The team and I, consisting of first grade teachers as well as the reading and math interventionists, will plan the instructional schedule to maximize the learning time for kids with all three teachers. I know this is not a clean third section, which is easier to understand but this is an amazing opportunity to collaborate, team and truly meet kids needs. We feel excited.
Lastly, research around this topic has been inconclusive to the effect of student achievement and small class size. The major contribution to student success is the high quality instructor. The teacher's role is crucial. John Hattie, educational researcher states on the topic
"Certainly reducing class size has a small increase on achievement -- but the problem that has been found is that when class size is reduced teachers rarely change their practice so it is thus not surprising that there are small differences. Imagine if teachers were re trained to optimize all the (obvious) advantages -- but without major re training the effects are likely to remain as they have when reducing class size."
Does Class Size Matter- Ed Wee
k
As I stated above I feel very supported here at Highlands and will continue to partner with district leadership to provide the best learning experience for all kids. I will continue to work hard to attract and retain amazing teachers and we will continue to engage fully in our own continuous professional learning. Please let me know if you have any questions around this topic I am happy to discuss further. The two articles I included are just a start. There is an unbelievable amount of work/research that has been done on this topic for decades.
Katie
|
|
H
ighlands Families it is that time of year when I ask for your direct feedback on my role here as principal of Highlands. I feel very strongly that I am constantly learning and growing so your support in that is critical. Let me know what is working and what need to be reflected on and adjusted moving into next year. Thank YOU!
|
KNOW- DO- SHARE From EPS
FAMILY COMMUNICATIONS
Don't miss any back-to-school information, newsletters or events - update your contact information now!
-
Keeping your family contact information up-to-date will ensure that you receive important communications and information from your students' schools and the school district. A new link makes it easier to update family contact information in the EdinaApps Portal. This new access is live on the portal and will remain open through June. It will again be available in August and September. The MyInfo Update link will let you update household contact information (phone number, email and home address) and update health information. Families can also complete required forms and documents online.
-
Construction Updates -
The
district
will continue to provide construction updates for staff and families throughout the summer. Such updates will generally be provided via email and posted on the district website at
edinaschools.org/ConstructionUpdate
. Be sure to check your mail periodically for updates and progress reports.
-
Fidgets at School
- As has been widely reported in the local and national media of late, the latest craze among young people is the use of spinners, putty and other fidgets. For some children, these objects can be tools for helping kids focus and self-regulate their behavior. For most kids, they are toys. As with other toys, the district encourages students to leave such instruments at home so as to avoid them becoming a distraction in the classroom or getting lost or stolen. It is important to distinguish the difference between whether the object is perceived as a "toy" or a "tool" by the student. If it is a toy, then it should be left at home. If it is a tool, there should be a conversation with the teacher about appropriate use and clear expectations established. If you believe your child has an academic need to utilize these tools for concentration or regulation, you are encouraged to talk with your child's teacher about appropriate use and student expectations.
|
HUSKY DAYS- Thursday May 25th
HUSKY DAY NEEDS YOU!!! All positions are open.
Please consider signing up to volunteer for a
fun day outside with the kids.
K-2nd grades are in the morning (9:00 - 11:30),
3rd-5th grades are in the afternoon (1:15 - 3:45)
HELP is especially needed for the afternoon shift
The even finishes with a school wide viewing of the 5th grade tug of war against the teachers.
You won't want to miss.
Any questions please feel free to contact.
5th Grade Recognition DATE CHANGE - May 31st
PLEASE make note
Since the last day of school is now June 1st our 5th Grade Recognition ceremonies have been moved back to
Wednesday May 31st with
Discovery in the morning at 10:00 and
CP in the afternoon at 1:30.
|
May 2017 We Need Your Help!!
Student Medication Pickup End of Year and Following 2017-18 School Year
Dear Parents,
The end of the school year is rapidly approaching and the health office is preparing for the summer. If your child has medications at school, the health office needs to return all unused medication at the end of the school year. We will send the medications home in a brown sealed paper bag in your child's backpack on May 31st or June 1st depending on field trip schedules. If you do not want us to put in their backpacks, you can stop by the office and pick up yourself. Please contact the school health office if you would alternative arrangements for medication pickup. Thank you for your help on this important matter.
The health office is not allowed to dispose of student medications, and no medications may be left in the health office during the summer. All medications must be picked up no later than the last day of school, June 1st, 2017.
For School year 2017-2018:
When sending any prescription or non-prescription medication to school, parents must send each year:
- Written parent permission (see Administration form above) authorizing school personnel to administer medication.
- A written order from the physician (see Administration form above) indicating the necessity of any (prescription or over-the counter) medication, including dose and how often it can be given. The physician may fax the order to the school.
- The original labeled container of the medication. For prescription medication, the pharmacist will supply a duplicate labeled container so one can be kept at home and one can be kept at school. Each container should have the phone number of the pharmacy, student's name, physician's name, medication's name, dosage, time to be given, and route (oral, inhaled, etc.).
- If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me at 952-848-4547.
Have a happy healthy summer!
Heidi Youngdahl, HSA, RN
Highlands Health Office 952-848-4547
Fax 952-848-4501
|
Media Message
By Lisa Dooley, Media Specialist
|
If you can find Waldo in this picture, then you can find your books.
It's that time of year when we need all of the Media Center books back so next year's readers have a full selection of amazing books to choose from! Here is a video to help you check your child's library account and look for any overdue books. We appreciate your help!
|
Check out the Highlands News Show
|
Here is the News Show
link.
To view, you will need your student's
login and password.
|
PTO News
Learn what is going on and volunteer.
|
THANKS FOR ATTENDING THE PTO GENERAL MEETING - Special thanks to Sarah Patzolff
Thank you to those of you who attended the PTO General Meeting. The group voted in the new Executive Board and the 2017 - 2018 budget. Sarah Patzolff discussed the upcoming Operating Levy that will be voted on this November.
Thanks to all the Executive Board members who served this for the 2016 - 2017 year!
|
President CP
|
Sarah Franssen
|
|
President Discovery
|
Koren Nelson
|
|
Treasurer
|
Heather Teskey
|
|
Communications
|
Ahroon Yoch
|
|
Secretary
|
Annika Joy
|
|
Treasurer of Deposits
|
Kerri Cayo
|
|
Volunteer Coordinator
|
Sheetal Backilwal
|
|
President Elect CP
|
Kelli Holm
|
|
President Elect Discovery
|
Eyleen Braaten
|
|
Treasurer Elect
|
Heather Tesky
|
Modeled after the traditional beloved school "field day", Husky Day uses a wide variety of structured fun outdoor physical games and activities to celebrate activity and build community.
Students are carefully and intentionally grouped to create a mix of classrooms and CP/Discovery programs. Grades K-2 participate in the morning and Grades 3-5 in the afternoon. We need volunteers to man the games.
Sign up to volunteer today.
Service Small Gatherings (May - July)
|
NEW! All-Day Pre-Kindergarten at the
Edina Family Center
We are excited to offer our first all-day pre-Kindergarten option for the 2017- 2018 school year! Students arrive any time between 6:45am - 9:00am and leave any time between 3:00 - 6:00pm. The instructional day will be from 9:00am - 3:00pm. Please click here for more information.
|
Upcoming Events - Bulletin
|
|
Week of May 22 - 26
Monday 22nd
| Hjelden/Johansen Potluck |
|
6:15 - 8:00
|
Cafe |
Tuesday 23rd
| Schroepfer/Waage camp |
|
leave 10:00 |
Voyageur |
| Masica/Prowell -Variety Show |
|
6:15 - 9:00
|
Gym |
Wednesday 24th
| Stageberg Poetry & Punch |
|
9:15 -10:00 |
Rm 29 |
| Schroepfer/Waage |
|
return 1:30 |
School |
| Baker/Mack - Regions Fair |
|
2:15 - 3:00 |
Rm 1,2,3 Lab, Media
|
| Orchestra Concert |
|
3:00 - 3:30 |
Gym |
| Baker/Mack - Potluck |
|
6:15 - 8:00 |
Cafeteria |
Thursday 25th
| Husky Day |
|
all day |
Highlands |
| Yearbook signing |
|
|
Highlands |
Friday 26th
| CP Day |
|
9:30 - 3:30 |
Lake Rebecca |
| Discovery Day 1-5 grades |
|
12:00 - 3:00 |
Highland Park |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highlands Elementary School
5505 Doncaster Way,
Edina, MN 55436
Office: 952-848-4500 |
Attendance: 952-848-4502
Stay Connected
|
|
|
|
