1/20/23 Weekly Update

Highland Norms: Linked here is a draft of Highland Norms. If you have any concerns or questions regarding these norms, please make an appointment with me to share your concerns.

Valentine’s Day: Thank you for participating in the exercise on Wednesday. As a reminder of the “why” behind this work, it is my intention to make our school as culturally responsive and inclusive as possible and that does require change. Elevating the voices drowned out by the dominant culture is a part of this work. If you would like to read one of the policies driving this work for yourself, it’s linked here; Equity & Anti-Racism Executive Limitation. I understand this work can be uncomfortable and discomfort often causes less-desirable reactions. My hope is that you will use this experience and any ideas you heard to improve your practices to make them more culturally responsive.

Padlet Link

From Kinsey Martin:

Hey there elementary team,

This idea came from a Black student in our district and is being supported by our Black Student and Family Union.

It is optional, but we’d love your help to make sure your school is represented in this activity focused on Black excellence, inclusion and belonging, and anti-racism!

Plus, this could make a fun and fitting replacement for the door-decorating Dr. Seuss activities we used to do this time of year.

YouthTruth Survey: One more week left……Survey window closes on 1/27. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Use the following link to access; ytsurvey.org/hldstaff23

Report Card Guidance: Workshop with Kaelynn – Thursday 1/26, 2:30 Library. Deadline for grades will be Wednesday, 2/8.

TAG Update: Linked is the updated list for both potentially or already identified students for TAG. Scroll down to see the key for the colors. Reminder: Heidi Thomas is now the TAG coordinator. Please be patient as she learns the ropes!

Winter (March 2023) Culmination: Please use this link to put in details for your Winter culmination requests. Please get your information in ASAP so we can get these on the calendar. I will start posting the information for the culminations to our calendar already entered this week.

February 2nd Work Day/Inservice Day Update: There will be some maintenance work occurring on these days as they attempt to locate the broken pipe under the building. There will be some noise but not the level of our previous construction experience.

7:15-11:30 Teacher Work Time (Classified Staff will be at Summit HS)
11:30-12:15 Staff Lunch – Lunch will be provided, all staff are welcome.
12:15-3:15 Site-Directed PD to include our Culture of Care workshop, Cybersecurity training, and a menu of options of asynchronous learning.

From Heidi Thomas and Highland’s Culture of Care Team: Here is the link to our 22/23 Highland Culture of Care Folder. This is where our school expectations posters and videos will live. I have also made a copy of all of the Classroom 180 SIW slide decks and added them to the file.

Here is our assembly plan and sign up. Thanks, Sadie and class for making this months video!
January:
- Character Trait: Persistence/Mindset
- SEL Focus: Self Awareness
- Discussion Question: I am challenged by…
Next Assebmly: February 10th
- Sprit Day: Decorate your head day (hair or hat fun)

Future Assemblies: We are going to try staggering the arrival of grade levels when coming to the assemblies. The hope is this will help us start closer to 1:30 and be done by 2:00.

4th/5th Grade 1:25

2nd/3rd Grades 1:27

K/1 Grades 1:29

We will make an announcement before the next assembly to help remind everyone when to start making your way down. Thank you!

The policies referenced in an earlier post are hyperlinked below to make them easier to read for those of you interested.

Key Links:

Shout Outs

COVID Reporting Form

Highland Literacy Resources

2022-2023 Staff Meetings – Agendas & Notes

2022-2023 Master Schedule

FYI Ticket