HPES Parent Newsletter
August 07, 2020
Principal's Update
Dear Highland Park Families,
I hope this communication finds you and your family safe and well. Please be sure you are taking all precautions to keep your family safe during this pandemic.
We are just days away from our 2020-2021 school year kick-off. I know we won’t see you or your child in person the first day, but we are still very excited!
Currently, the office is open 5 days a week so you can contact us by phone at 512.594.6800, or you can e-mail campus administrators at: lizbeth.ruiz@pfisd.net or jesus.olivas@pfisd.net.
To contact the front office please email: miroslava.oiesen@pfisd.net or our registrar at miriam.ruvalcaba@pfisd.net.
There is much about the 2020-2021 school year that is still in question but we want to help as much as possible. If you are in need, please e-mail our counselor, anna.vazquez@pfisd.net.
We miss all of you tremendously. Please do not hesitate to call or email with any questions you may have.
Warm Regards,
Lizbeth Ruiz
BACK TO SCHOOL information
Meet the Teacher Presentation (Pre - recorded and emailed to parents)
Meet the Teacher Presentation: In order to best meet the needs of parents, teachers will be communicating Back to School Information regarding virtual learning expectations, grading, assignments, daily schedule, how to contact them etc. on Tuesday, August 11th, via asynchronous learning. You may watch their presentation or video at your convenience, as this is not a live meeting. This information will be emailed by your child's teacher to all parents by Tuesday, August 11th @ 3 pm for your review. I ask that you please have some grace with our teachers, they have been working tirelessly day in and day out receiving, processing, and putting together a presentation for you. This is a huge task as information changes from day to day. We are all learning and working together and we are here to support you.
Virtual Meet & Greet on August- 11th (Via Zoom Live)
Synchronous (via zoom live) Virtual Meet & Greet: Each classroom teacher will host a Virtual Meet & Greet session for students and parents on Tuesday, August 11th. Please assist your child in joining their teacher via Zoom at one of the sessions for a fun student/teacher meet and greet. If they miss this opportunity, don't worry! They will have the opportunity to interact and learn from their teacher on the first day of school, August 13th, via Zoom, and daily, to meet their academic and social emotional needs. Links for each each classroom teachers Meet & Greet will be shared on our campus Facebook by Tuesday morning.
- PK-2nd grade: 5:00- 5:45 p.m.
- 3rd -5th grade: 5:45- 6:30 p.m.
HPES Student Laptop Distribution
Return to Learn Plans District Information
Stay up to date with all return to learn district information HERE..including health and safety information
District Curbside Meals
PfISD will provide food services to the greatest extent possible and allowable for PFISD ENROLLED students participating in virtual learning. District transportation will not be provided to curbside meal pick up locations.
Curbside meals will be provided at standard prices, reduced prices, or free depending on the student’s eligibility. Parents/guardians interested in applying for free or reduced meals must complete the USDA Income verification form online or access through this QR code .
PfISD will continue to offer curbside meal pick up for ENROLLED PfISD students at the locations listed below. Students can pick up meals at any location regardless of their home campus location.
- Copperfield ES, 12135 Thompkins Drive, Austin, TX 78753
- Northwest ES, 14014 Thermal Drive. Austin, TX 78728
- Pflugerville ES, 701 Immanuel Road, Pflugerville, TX 78660
- Timmerman ES, 412 Swenson Farms BLVD, Pflugerville, TX 78660
- Wieland ES, 900 Tudor House Road, Pflugerville, TX 78660
- Windermere ES, 429 Grand Avenue PKWY, Pflugerville, TX 78660
- Dessau MS, 12900 Dessau Road, Austin, TX 78754
- Kelly Lane MS, 18900 Falcon Pointe BLVD, Pflugerville, TX 78660
- Park Crest MS, 1500 North Railroad, Pflugerville, TX 78660
- Westview MS, 1805 Scofield Lane, Austin, TX 78727
Universal Free Breakfast Meals
All students, regardless of the campus they attend, will receive free breakfast.
Free and Reduced Application Meal:
You can now apply online for free and reduced-price meals for your children for the 2020-21 school year. Students who have been accepted to the program in the past must reapply each school year to keep receiving the benefits. To apply, click here
Meal Pick Up
Regardless of whether the student qualifies for free or reduced meals, each student/parent/guardian must provide the following information during each daily meal pick up:
- Student Name
- Campus Name
- ID Number
- Grade
Students can go by themselves to pick up meals and/or a parent /guardian can come without the student to pick up meals. Students can pick up both breakfast and lunch at the same time. However, we are no longer able to provide weekend meals.
Meal Pick Up Times
- Breakfast- 7:00AM-9:00AM, Monday-Friday
- Lunch- 11:00AM-12:00PM, Monday -Friday
School Supply Lists
Communication
Please let your child's teacher know if you haven't been getting the emails from HPES messenger or PfISD Communications. Our office staff will be happy to check your email and update any new emails for you in Skyward.
Below is a list of ways to reach out and stay informed with up-to-date information:
- HPES Website: https://www.pfisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=37
- HPES Principal Blog: https://www.pfisd.net/Page/7831
HPES Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighlandParkES/
HPES Twitter: @HighlandPark_ES
HPES PTO Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highlandparkelementarypto/
School Messenger: As part of Pflugerville ISD’s effort to enhance its communication capabilities, the district has implemented a parent notification system called SchoolMessenger. This powerful tool will increase the district’s ability to communicate important information to parents in a timely manner, through email, voice messages, and text messages. In addition to providing relevant information about emergencies, school closures, events and activities, the system will also be used to communicate student absences. If you are a parent or guardian of a student in Pflugerville ISD, you do NOT need to subscribe to this list. Your information is already in the system when you initially registered and subscribing to this list could sign you up to receive multiple emails. If you need to update use the “School Messenger” link above to change your contact information.
- Grades & Attendance: access to your child(ren)’s grades and attendance through the Skyward district software student information system. Parents - Family Access Instructions (download PDF) If you do not have acess to it please send a email to: parentportal@pfisd.net , Subject Line = Skyward Family Access Account
Let's Talk Platform for Parent Questions
Our Let's Talk platform is designed for parents to ask questions or submit comments. It is up running and the district has received more than 100 questions and comments from our staff, parents, and students. It has buttons on the following topics: Payroll, Food Services/Meals, Technology, HR/Benefits/Leaves, Online Learning, Google Classroom and General Coronavirus Questions. Additionally, there is buttons for each campus to direct any questions or comments directly to the principal and the senior administrative associate a the campus. Click here to learn more about the system.
Upcoming Events
Aug. 11- Virtual Meet & Greet: PK-2nd: 5:00- 5:45 & 3rd- 5th: 5:45- 6:30
Aug. 13 – Students First Day of School
PREVIOUSLY SHARED NEWS
Return to School Campus Task Force
Our Return to Learn in person will look significantly different this school year. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our students, staff, and families. This means that many of our campus systems such as arrival of students, after-school dismissal, and campus visiting guidelines are being updated to ensure the highest level of safety and that we adhere to physical distancing protocols. We kindly ask that you be patient and flexible with these changes. We are working closely with our campus task force to ensure the safest return to in person instruction. We have been tasked with creating a Highland Park campus plan that adheres to our district safety guidelines as well as the guidelines provided by the CDC.
Campus Task Force Timeline:
Week of July 20: Task Force Meets to create initial draft of campus plan.
Week of July 27: Task Force Meets to continue working on initial draft of campus plan.
Week of August 3: Campus Administrators Meet with District Area Executive Directors and District Health and Safety department to review and finalize draft.
Week of August 10: Community opportunity to view campus draft and provide feedback on plan.
Week of August 17: Campus will hold a virtual community meeting to present final plan with changes from feedback-
Week of August 24: Deadline to post/submit final plan to District for final approval.
I would like to take a moment to introduce and thank our Highland Park Task Force members. Thank-you for supporting our campus as we plan for a safe return to campus.
Return to School Task Force Members
Lizbeth Ruiz - Principal
Jesus Olivas - Assistant Principal
Anna Vazquez - Counselor
Janie Rodriguez - Teacher- Lower Grade
Veronica Jimenez - Teacher- Upper Grade
Lindsey Hartford - SPED Teacher
Claire Harvey - PE Teacher
Yolanda Reyes - Librarian
Christina Henderson - Nurse
Christy Fox - Parent - Lower Grade
Eliza Lee - Parent - Upper Grade
Virtual vs. On-campus Choice
PfISD recently sent out a communication about registering for either online virtual instruction or on-campus when the option to return to campus becomes available.
It is essential to complete this registration online via Skyward Family Access so the district can plan accordingly for the fall as there are questions related to available technology in the home to our students and transportation plans/needs of our students. These additional questions will help the district distribute technology to parents and students for virtual learning and more.
If you need a Skyward Family Access account or have additional questions, please contact Skyward support at parentportal@pfisd.net. Please include your name, your student’s name, and your student’s school on the email to the parent portal. Please ensure that you log in using the Parent Portal and not the Student Portal.
The deadline to complete this choice form/registration is August 6. Families will have the option to change their mind regarding their selection until July 30. If you choose to change your student's learning method on or before August 6, please contact your campus registrar to change your selection. This choice will remain in effect for the first 9-week grading period; families will have the opportunity to change their student's learning method at the change of grading periods.
School Registration
Our campus will be offering curbside pick up of registration packet on July 29th and July 30th. Parents are also welcome to set up appointments to pick up or drop off a registration packet. In addition we will have technology set up in the cafeteria on July 29th, and 30th for parents to use if needed. Laptops will be available for parents to complete the following forms:
- Returning Families: Verification Form, Health Form, Registration Selection/Option Choice SY 20-21 and Lunch Program Application.
- New Families: Lunch Program Application.
Student Verification form & Student Health form
Our online verification process for the upcoming school year is available online for all campuses. We are requesting that you complete the two online forms for school year 20-21 using the Skyward Parent Portal. The online Student Verification form and the Student Health form will replace our traditional first day of school packets. If you will please login to your Skyward Family Access account and complete the forms, we would appreciate it. We are requesting that you complete the forms before school starts.
If you need a Skyward Family Access account or have additional questions, please contact Skyward support at parentportal@pfisd.net. Please include your name, your student’s name, and your student’s school on the email to the parent portal. Please ensure that you login using the Parent Portal and not the Student Portal. Families may translate the forms using Google Translate. (Google Translate instructions here)
Highland Park Elementary School
Website: https://www.pfisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=37
Location: 428 Kingston Lacy Boulevard, Pflugerville, TX, USA
Phone: 512.594.6800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighlandParkES/
Twitter: @HighlandPark_ES