Success at NEU Highgrove
We exist to serve the whole child, with a focus on building 21st century skills in order for ALL scholars to be productive and world ready citizens.
Dear Highgrove Families,
April has gone by quickly and now we are into May and only three and a half weeks from ending this amazing and challenging school year.
Thank you for joining us at our Open House, it was an amazing event. Seeing you enjoy your children's experience was a pleasure to witness.
Our amazing teachers have made a tremendous impact on our scholars' academic and social-emotional well-being this year. I am proud to work alongside these educators. Please help our students celebrate all of our teachers on May 11, 2022. Your students may write a thank you card, draw a thank you picture or share a small gift of gratitude.
Traffic Safety and Southern California Gas Co construction work
Southern California Gas Co. has informed us that they will be conducting construction down Center St. Construction on Center St, between Iowa Ave and Oriole Ave, is estimated to start on March 21, 2022 and to conclude in June 2022. The School Zone work hours are 9:00am – 2:30pm.
The company has shared the following, "You may notice an odor of natural gas." To perform this work safely, the operation may require a controlled release of natural gas. We encourage anyone who has concerns to call us at 1-800-427-2200. We are available 24. hours a day, seven days a week."
Please do not hesitate to call the company for any questions or concerns you have regarding their project.
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress CAASPP
We want our students to feel prepared to take these exams, so we ask that you ensure your child goes to bed early and has breakfast. We have breakfast for all of our students starting at 7:15 a.m., so you may of course drop off your student at that time to enjoy breakfast at school.
Attendance Matters for Scholars' Success
We are setting our May goal to reach 93%. With your support, our scholars' daily attendance will be 93% or higher. Please make every effort for your scholar to be at school every day.
Our doors open at 7:15 am for students to arrive and have breakfast. The first bell rings at 7:40 am for students to line up and at 7:45 the instructional bell rings to begin learning. When our students arrive after 7:45, they miss critical minutes of social and emotional and academic learning.
Just imagine arriving to class at 7:48 everyday, that is three missed minutes of learning for 180 days; this ends up being 9 hours of engaged learning lost. Please ensure your student(s) arrives to school between 7:15 am and 7:40 am so they engage in learning 100% of the day.
If your scholar is absent, please call our office at (951) 788-7296 to report his/her absence. For your convenience, we have also added an online form for you to report absences, please go to
Link: https://bit.ly/NEUHighgrove. This form is also available on our website.
In addition, reach out to his/her teacher to learn about what was missed in class and how the student can make up the learning. Many times, the student can find all of the assignments in their Google Classroom.
TERRIFIC Character Counts Every Day
For the month of May, we will focus on WONDER.
Wonder is to stop and say: “Wow!
Wonder is to marvel at mystery, to stand in awe before the unexplained.
Wonder is to delight in beauty and mystery.
Wonder is the first step on the path to knowledge
We ask that you teach and demonstrate this trait to your student at home as we will do the same at Highgrove.
We will recognize scholars for this trait on May 20, 1st - 5th grade; May 23 for kindergarten, and May 24 for 6th grade. Teachers will send out invitations for the virtual assemblies.
6th grade Promotion and Kinder Celebration
May 23 Kinder Celebration In-Person starting promptly at 8:30 a.m. A letter will go home this week.
May 24 6th grade Promotion In-Person starting promptly at 8:30 am. A letter went home with students on Monday, April 4, detailing our event.
2022-2023 School Year Hours
Starting next school year, 2022-2023, Highgrove's hours will change to the following:
- Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays: First Bell will ring at 8:05 am and instruction will begin promptly at 8:10 am. Dismissal will be at 2:30 pm.
- Wednesdays: First bell will ring at 8:05 am and instruction will begin promptly at 8:10 am. Dismissal will be at 1:15 pm.
These changes are occurring due to the start times for our middle schools and high schools changing to be in compliance with Senate Bill 328.
NEU Highgrove Counseling Corner
At Highgrove Elementary, we are fortunate to have two counselors who work together to help students in all areas of their life such as, academic, social and emotional, as well as to prepare them for college because they are all COLLEGE BOUND!
Our names are Vanessa Hurtado and Nidia Parra. Parents and Guardians please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns or would like your student to receive counseling. Our contact information will be below. Thank you!
Highgrove Phone number: (951)788-7296
Vanessa Hurtado, MSW LCSW, Student Assistance Program Counselor
Extension: 42249 Email: vhurtado@riversideunified.org
Nidia Parra, M.A. Ed, Multi-Tier System of Support Counselor
Email: nparra@riversideunified.org
Health and Safety
For all Health and Safety updates, please visit Riverside Unified School District's website at https://riversideunified.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=580805&pageId=16477897
2022-2023 Tk/Kindergarten Registration
We are excited to open registration for our future TK and Kinder HERO Huskies, 2022-2023. This coming year, children who will have their fifth birthday between September 2, 2022 and February 2, 2023 will qualify for Transitional Kindergarten.
Registration will begin the week of March 28, 2022. We have available registration packets in our office and the documents are also available on our website for you to download. Please visit our website at https://highgrove.riversideunified.org/. You will also find directions for how to make a registration appointment.
Community Construction starting in July 2022