Highland Happenings
Volume 15, Week of November 29, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Highland Families,
On Wednesday, December 1 we will be hosting a Community Day for all Highland students. It will be a day to build relationships between students and staff, review our expectations of the Eagle Way - kind, safe, and responsible, learn about HIB (harassment, intimidation, and bullying), work on team building and collaboration, and continue to create connections with each other based on the things we have in common, while respecting our differences. This will be a school-wide endeavor with each class taking on a specific subject/activity/topic.
Academics are very important, as is the socioemotional well-being of our students. Routine and structure are necessary for our students to feel safe, as well as learning empathy for others. My hope is that this will be a positive day for all involved.
In partnership,
Susan Thomas,
Principal
Every Eagle. Every Day. Every Way.
Cada águila. Cada día. En todos los sentidos
From Nutrition Services: Meal Services Changes
Due to increasing instances of students attempting to access a 2nd meal for free during lunch, beginning Tuesday, November 30, we will return to the use of our Point of Sale computers at the cashier stations. Students will need to enter their student ID # to access their school meal account, same as in previous years. Utilizing the POS will help us in identifying who is attempting to access a 2nd meal for free with hopes that once students know we are tracking this more officially, they won't get in line a second time. We appreciate your understanding and assistance with this.
Vaccines at the Highland Health Center
See attachment for directions for booking your child's spot.
Highland Clubs, Activities, & Athletics
Travel Over Breaks
We realize that some families may travel over upcoming breaks in school. Review the information provided on our website around Instruction During Quarantine and Domestic & International Travel to understand BSD’s current guidance around these topics. Please note that although we offer COVID-19 Testing in Bellevue School District, the diagnostic and screening tests provided in schools cannot be provided for pre or post-travel requirements.
Bellevue Schools Foundation - Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday As Giving Tuesday approaches on November 30, the Bellevue Schools Foundation would like to give their gratitude to the community. While most organizations will be asking something of you on Giving Tuesday, they want to extend themselves in the opposite direction. Thank you for your continued investment in the Foundation, our students, and our educators. Their mission is only possible in full partnership with you, and the community.
BSF is always here and ready to leverage your donations in support of an equitable and transformative educational experience for all students in Bellevue. And if Giving Tuesday happens to be the time in which you enjoy making philanthropic contributions, you can do so here on November 30 — and all days. Please visit their website, or contact info@bsfdn.org to learn more about the initiatives, programming and engagement opportunities.
Signs of Suicide (SOS) Parent Discussion Session
This important community session will take place on Wednesday, December 8, starting at 6:00pm. Due to space capacity, families will be required to pre-register for the event.
Signs of Suicide (SOS) Parent Discussion Session
Due to overwhelming community request, the Family Engagement office in partnership with BSD Counseling, Mental Health Assistance Teams and community mental-health partners will offer families an additional opportunity to support the well-being of their students. This in-person Community Mental Health Forum will center on a discussion about the Signs of Suicide, or SOS.
SOS is an evidence-based youth suicide prevention program that teaches students how to identify signs of depression and suicide in themselves and others. The goal of the program is to decrease suicide and suicide attempts by increasing knowledge and changing attitudes about depression, suicide, and mental health. In addition, SOS provides materials that support families and communities to recognize at-risk students and take appropriate action.
In compliance with COVID-protocols, in-person attendance will be limited, and registration required. We request families to register early. This session will provide families an opportunity to ask detailed questions about depression, suicide, and mental health directly with district counselors. Please follow the links to register and submit questions.
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Session Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Session Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm Session Registration: Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/r/riFA29dmFt (Please use the pull-down selection menu – located on the upper right corner of the form - to view the registration form in Spanish or Simplified Chinese).
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Funding Our Schools: February 8, 2022 Levies
One of these levies is the Educational Programs and Operations Levy. While the state provides some funding for our district, it is not enough to support our students’ needs. One critical position that is funded by the EP&O Levy is school nurses. The state funds just three full-time nurses for our entire district. Funding from the levy helps us employ 23 nurses districtwide to keep students healthy and safe. This levy also funds counselors and mental health supports and important programs like band, orchestra, and athletics. The EP&O Levy provides funding for critical staff and resources to ensure the wellbeing of our students and help them stay healthy and engaged.
More details about renewing the February 8, 2022 EP&O Levy as well as the Technology and Capital Projects levy are on the BSD School Levies page.
Winter 2021 Resources and Updates
Highland Middle School
Email: thomass@bsd405.org
Website: https://bsd405.org/highland/
Location: 15027 NE Bel-Red Rd
Phone: (425) 456-6400