Highland Park Family Newsletter
January 12, 2024
HAPPY MLK DAY! CELEBRATING DIVERSITY & EQUALITY!
Dear Highland Park Families,
We had a wonderful first week back. Students were actively engaged in learning and excited to be back on campus!
Spring semester is always busy, I've included the dates for the rest of this year for your convenience. Please keep in mind that these are tentative dates, and may change depending on the circumstances. As always we will do our best to keep you informed in a timely manner.
I hope everyone has a wonderful three day weekend and you get to spend some quality time with your family.
Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions at all. Highland Park Bulldogs WOOF!
With Thanks,
Lizbeth Ruiz
Principal
Highland Park Elementary
PfISD Future Kinder Two Way Dual Language Parent Information Meetings
January Specials Schedule
Ballin' with Bulldogs
Library News (submitted by Ms. Reyes)
Events/Dates
- Spring Book Fair - Feb. 26- March 1
- Read Across America Week: March 4-March 8
- Texas 2x2 Deadline: May 10
- All Library Books Due: May 15
- Bluebonnet Breakfast & Trivia: May 17
- Million Word Club Celebration: May 17
- AR (Accelerated Reader):
- 1st AR DEADLINE Oct. 20 2nd AR DEADLINE Dec. 20 3rd AR DEADLINE March 8 4th AR DEADLINE May 14
- AR Winter Celebration: Jan. 12
- AR EOY Celebration: May 20
Elementary Report Card Dates
- 1/16/24- Report Cards available to parents
- 1/17/24- Awards Assembly (2nd Grade 9:30 & 3rd at 2:00 )
- 1/19/24- Awards Assembly (4th Grade 8:30 & 5th at 2:00 )
- 02/07/24 Progress Report grades due by noon
- 02/14/24- Progress Reports available to parents
Don't forget....
- Doors open at 7:05 for bus riders, and 7:10 for car drop off and walk up students.
- First bell rings at 7:30
- Tardy bell rings at 7:35
- Dismissal begins at 2:50
- Monday, January 15th is a student and staff holiday, there will be no classes.
PTO
Please join us at our next PTO Meeting on February 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria!
- Website (www.hpespto.org) designed to be an information hub and a quick way to get some Bulldog Swag. There is a list of events we are hosting like Movie Nights, School Dance, and more. We're building ways to support our teachers. There is info about themselves and their "Amazon Wish-lists" so dive in
- Volunteers - Want to help but don't know how? After checking out our website, reach us at volunteers@hpespto.org. We can find a place where you'll fit right in. You can get a head start by applying in the district as an official volunteer. It only takes about 5 minutes.
- Join the PTO Facebook - Where Bulldogs WOOF! https://www.facebook.com/highlandparkelementarypto
Kudos
Have a co-worker who really matters and whom you want to recognize? Let’s recognize our HPES Bulldogs, no kudos is too big or too small! If you have any kudos you’d like to share, you can submit kudos here: HPES Bulldog Weekly News Kudos or the Superintendents Kudos
Campus Kudos:
- Ms. Yolanda Reyes: Thank you for organizing a fun and engaging AR party to celebrate our students! As always, you did an amazing job planning it, and the studnets loved it!
- Ms. Jessenia Janjua ( PTO Hospitality) Thank you for the delicious welcome back treats for our staff on Monday. The lounge looks so welcoming and lovely! We appreciate you!
- Ms. Anita Moreno: Thank you for getting us a new soda and snack machine. We appreciate you getting a replacement!
- Ms. Pamela LeDay: Thank you for leading and modeling Restorative Practices for all staff. We have enjoyed the getting to know you circles adn learning more about each other!
- All HPES Staff: Thank you for your organization, positive attitude and effort in getting everything ready to welcome our students back on Tuesday. We loved seeing our students and you smiling in the hallway!
Remember, one small positive thought or compliment can change a person's entire day. :)
Upcoming Events
2023-2024 School Year Calendar with grading periods, student holidays, etc.
Jan. 15- Student & Staff Holiday
Jan. 17- 2nd Grade Awards at 9:30 am
Jan. 17- 3rd Grade Awards at 2:00 pm
Jan. 18- HPES Science Fair
Jan. 19- 4th Grade Awards at 8:30 am
Jan. 19- 5th Grade Awards at 2:00 pm
Jan. 24- Reading Mock STAAR Testing 3rd- 5th
Jan. 25- Math Mock STAAR Testing 3rd- 5th
Jan. 31- Dual Language Testing- 5th Grade
Feb. 1- Student Spring Pictures & Class Pictures
Feb. 7- Reading/Language Arts Field Test, 3rd - 5th Grade DL Field test
Feb. 13- TEA Science STAAR Interim- 5th Grade
Feb. 13- PTO Meeting at 6:00 in cafeteria
Feb. 14- Classroom Valentines/Friendship Parties
Feb. 16- Student Holiday/Staff Planning & Prep Day
Feb. 19- Student Holiday/Staff Planning & Prep Day
Feb. 22- HPES Fine Arts Night - 6:00-7:30 (2nd grade performs)
Feb. 26- Mar.1 Spring Book Fair
Mar. 1- Kinder Rodeo
Mar. 4- Mar. 8- Read Across America Week
Mar. 5- Mar. 7 -Reading/Language Arts Interim 3rd - 5th Grade
Mar. 6- Graduation Pictures PK, Kinder, and 5th Grade
Mar. 7- Oratorical performances during school day
Mar. 8- 3rd 9 Weeks AR deadline
Mar. 8- Field Day
Mar. 11- Mar. 15- Spring Break
Mar. 26- Mar. 28- Math Language Arts Interim 3rd - 5th Grade
Mar. 28- Kinder Egg Drop
Mar. 29- Student/Staff Holiday
Apr. 1- Student/Staff Holiday
Apr. 2- End of the Year Testing begins
Apr. 10- Reading STAAR Grade 5
Apr. 11- Reading STAAR Grades 3 & 4
Apr. 17- Science STAAR- Grade 5
Apr. 26- 1st Grade Music Performance
Apr. 30- Math STAAR Grades 3 & 4
May 1- Math STAAR Grade 5
May 10- Library- Texas 2 x 2 Deadline
May 14- 4th 9 Weeks AR deadline
May 15- All Library books due
May 17- Library- Bluebonnet Breakfast & Trivia:
May 17- Million Word Club Celebration
May 17- 5th Grade Dance
May 19-May 23- End of Year Awards (dates shared soon)
May 20- AR End of Year Celebration
May 24- 5th Grade Graduation
May 27- Student/Staff Holiday
May 28- End of Year Classroom Parties
May 29- Last Day of School, Senior & 5th Grade Walk ,Early Release at 12:00
May 30- Planning/Prep/Check Out
Back to School Procedures
Visitors
Arrival
HPES doors will open at 7:05 a.m. for bus riders and 7:10 a.m. for car riders and walkers.
Bus riders will enter the building through the 100 hallway doors adjacent to the bus loop at 7:05 a.m. Upon entering the building they will make their way to the gym where they will wait to be dismissed to class.
Car riders and walkers will enter the building through the front entrance at 7:10 a.m.
Walkers and car riders that arrive early will wait outside (back up plan for weather)
Upon entering the building car riders, walkers, and bike riders will go to either the cafeteria or the main hallway.
Students eating breakfast will be asked to go to the cafeteria
Parents/Guardians will be allowed to walk students into their classroom on the first day of school without a Raptor sticker. Beginning August 15, ( Day 2) parents wanting to walk their child to class will need to check in the front office by signing into our Raptor security system.
Breakfast/Lunch
Breakfast: Parents are welcome to eat breakfast with their children. Breakfast is served from 7:10-7:35 in the cafeteria. Parents will need to sit with their students at the stage tables or the three round tables in the foyer. Please only invite your child to eat with you. Inviting your child's friends is not allowed. With close to 750 students, we are limited in space and kindly ask that you save this treat for special occasions. Parents will need to sign in the raptor system in the front office.
Lunch: Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their children. Please check with your child's teacher for specific class time lunch. Parents will need to sit with their students at the stage tables or the round tables in the foyer. Please only invite your child to eat with you. Inviting your child's friends is not allowed. With close to 750 students, we are limited in space and kindly ask that you save this treat for special occasions. Parents will need to sign in the raptor system in the front office.
Dismissal
All staff will follow general dismissal procedures. All teachers and EAs will work together until 3:10 to ensure students have safely departed.
- Notify the office no later than 11:00 if you need assistance determining how a student gets home.
- Updated Bus #’s: Gen Ed-210, 287, 202, 223, SPED-425
- Updated Daycare: EDP, Children’s Courtyard, Capital Gymnastics, Emmanuel Lutheran, Little Angel’s, Rise Martial Arts, Best Kids and IQ Viet My Daycare
- Each teacher will be responsible for dismissing their students on time. Teachers will be responsible for walking bus riders, walkers, daycare, parent walk-up, and car riders to their dismissal destination. Please wait to exit until your hallway is called: 100 hallway, 200 hallway, 300 hallway, and 400 hallway. Listen carefully for the announcement of when your hallway is dismissing. Please do not try and get a head start. This will cause congestion and chaos in the hallways.
- We will begin dismissal at 2:35 to allow additional time on the first day.. All non-classroom staff will move to the Kinder hallway to assist in getting all of the students out of their hallway. Once they are moving, as you come to your assigned duty area you may drop off to conduct your duty.
- There will be additional car riders the first few days. Please join in to assist when you become available.
- Be sure to communicate verbally with other staff members to ensure proper supervision in all areas.
- If you see any area of need, either assist or notify someone of the need.
- NO ONE SHOULD BE IN THEIR ROOMS OR THE WORKROOM WHILE DISMISSAL IS STILL ONGOING. THIS IS AN ALL-HANDS-ON-DECK SITUATION! (Of course, this does not apply to Pegasus staff, who will still have students.)
Birthday Celebrations/Campus Celebrations
Student birthdays will be announced and celebrated over morning announcements. Students will also sing Happy Birthday in the classroom.
Parents will have an opportunity to purchase a birthday announcement to be displayed on the school marquee through PTO.
Parents may bring cupcakes/treat to celebrate their child's birthday. However, notice must be given 24 hours in advance. Cupcakes/treats may only be passed out the last 30 minutes of class.
Student treats (i.e., store bought cupcakes) cannot be served in the cafeteria during lunch. Treats cannot be a full meal (i.e., pizza) Teachers must receive parent permission prior to students eating store bought cupcakes/treats due to student food allergies.
For classroom food activities such as party days or food-related learning activities, parents will need to complete an allergy permission form stating which foods their student is allowed to eat or handle. If this form is not returned prior to the event, the student will not be able to participate in the activity.
We appreciate the care and time that the teachers and allergy committee members have given to this very important matter. We are dedicated to keeping our kids safe here at HPES and believe that this will help achieve that for all our students.
Stay Informed
Here a few ways to stay informed. Follow us on Facebook @HighlandParkES and on Twitter @HighlandPark_ES. School communications will also be sent out through school messenger via email. On Tuesday’s an HPES folder will be sent home with flyers and information. Please be sure to look out for the folder on Tuesday’s. Additionally, please sign-up for our mailing list at You will receive a monthly campus newsletter through the mailing list. You can also find a copy of a newsletter like this one in our campus webpage under “Principal’s blog”.
Communication Guide
Senior Admin. Associate: Anita Moreno– anita.moreno@pfisd.net
General questions regarding scheduling, procedures, teacher information, leave requests, substitutes, purchase orders (for your classroom/students), monthly and bi-weekly payroll, supplemental pay, staff travel, events, field trips, website updates, FB page, maintenance orders, after-hours events, fundraisers (any collection of money), Picture days, etc.
Registrar: Miriam Ruvalcaba – miriam.ruvalcaba@pfisd.net
Student records, registration, residency questions, attendance, transfers, withdrawal, cumulative records, and folders, grade-book, etc.
Student Support Clerical Support: Yaira Torres- yaira.torres@pfisd.net
Schedule LPAC and 504 meetings, and gather student grades, relevant classroom, and health data.
Nurse: Lauren Hohle- lauren.hohle@pfisd.net
Shot records, allergy information, distribution of medication, general student health, Section 504, and SpEd as related to health, etc.
Instructional Coach: Brianna Thompson- brianna.thompson@pfisd.net
General questions regarding master scheduling, campus procedures, curriculum, resources, SWAT, professional development, mentoring, lesson modeling, and virtually anything teachers need regarding curriculum and instruction.
Counselor: Anna Vazquez – anna.vazquez@pfisd.net
Student care and concerns, parent and student support, Credit by Exam, Gifted and Talented information, assessment, and Section 504
Assistant Principal: Pamela LeDay–pamela.leday@pfisd.net
Primary contact regarding discipline, LPAC, and SpEd. Additionally, virtually everything you would contact Ms. Ruiz for. It is a good idea to copy Ms. LeDay on emails sent to Ms. Ruiz because both of them are able to respond to questions or concerns.
Principal: Lizbeth Ruiz – lizbeth.ruiz@pfisd.net
Any and all topics not covered by the staff members listed above.
Please feel free to email or call us if you are needing support. We look forward to passionately serving the families of Highland Park Elementary!
Highland Park Elementary School
Website: https://www.pfisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=37
Location: 428 Kingston Lacy Blvd, Pflugerville, TX, USA
Phone: 512.594.6800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighlandParkES/
Twitter: @HighlandPark_ES