Highland Happenings
Week of January 15, 2024
Principal's Message
Dear Highland Families:
As I stated in last week's newsletter, Superintendent Aramaki has put a hold on middle school consolidation for at least two years. During this time, many of our families and students spoke about what the Highland community means to them. It was very heart warming to hear these stories. We know we always have room for improvement, but we have worked hard to create a safe, inclusive learning environment where all are welcome. Families and students, you are appreciated!
The last day of 1st semester is Friday, January 26. Many teachers allow students to turn in missed assignments and redo tests. Please be sure your student is taking advantage of these supports. Much of the work can be done in Tutorial. If a student stays for Tutorial they will receive a blue pass. This pass will allow them entrance into an after school activity or chill room. They must also have the blue pass to ride the activity bus home. Drivers will not allow students on the bus if they do not have a blue pass. We do this for the safety of our students. They should not be leaving campus to go to the store or fast food restaurant during tutorial/activities and then try to ride the activity bus home. Students must stay on campus or else leave for the day. Thank you for your understanding and help enforcing this.
In Partnership,
Susan Thomas
Principal
Student Handbook
Did you know that Highland has a Student Handbook? Are you looking for a place where our rules and expectations are written down? This information was shared at the beginning of the year, but we know it can be challenging to keep up with everything. Visit the Highland website and click on Resources on the upper right hand corner of the page. Student Handbook is at the bottom of the list. Or go directly to the Student Handbook by following the link: Highland Student Handbook.
HMS Yearbooks for Sale
Yearbooks will be sold January 9, 2024 - January 22, 2024 for those who have not yet purchased one.
They will be sold before 1st period and during student lunches.
Or you can also purchase online here: https://wa-bellevue.intouchreceipting.com/Click Here for Instruction on How to Login in to Pay for Fees/Fines
Reminders About Inclement Weather and Emergency Closures
Winter is here, and it’s time to prepare in case inclement weather impacts the region. Families are encouraged to take the time to revisit the district’s emergency closure schedule protocols and our emergency closure decision-making process. During instances of inclement weather or severe conditions that could result in a delayed or canceled school day, BSD will communicate any schedule changes to families through direct messages, including email, text message, phone call, social media, FlashAlert, local media and posts to bsd405.org. Learn how to update your contact information in ParentVUE and set message preferences in SchoolMessenger to receive inclement weather and emergency communications according to your desired methods. While these decisions are made for the district at large, conditions may vary across the district. We encourage families to make personal decisions based on their specific circumstances.
Families with students who ride buses should be aware that there are also districtwide snow routes, which impact all general routes (1-59) and special needs routes (901-932). The City of Bellevue plows streets and roads accordingly, and for the safety of our students and buses, all bus routes will stay on major streets that follow the city’s plow schedule. Please visit the district’s Snow Routes webpage to learn how and when bus stops may be moved to accommodate for inclement weather.
Enroll in Unique Learning Opportunities at BSD for the 2024-2025 School Year
Bellevue School District’s choice schools, language programs and online school offer a variety of learning environments and opportunities for students. Learn more about these schools and programs and what makes them unique. Those interested in enrolling in choice schools and programs for the 2024-2025 school year may submit an application by January 19, 2024.
Open houses for schools and programs continue through January 22. View the district calendar to learn more.
Choice Schools
- Big Picture School (grades 6-12)
- International School (grades 6-12)
- Jing Mei Elementary - Mandarin Dual Language
- Puesta del Sol – Spanish Immersion (Tillicum Middle School, Newport High School and Sammamish High School for secondary)
Choice Language Programs
- Arabic Bilingual Program (Ardmore Elementary)
- Hindi Bilingual Program (Ardmore Elementary)
- Korean Bilingual Program (Newport Heights Elementary)
- Spanish Dual Language Programs (Lake Hills Elementary, Sherwood Forest Elementary, Stevenson Elementary, Highland Middle School and Sammamish High School)
Online School
- Bellevue Digital Discovery – accepts transfer and out-of-district students throughout the school year
Register for Spring for Schools, Hosted by the Bellevue Schools Foundation
I'm excited to share that Spring for Schools 2024 registration is live! You are invited to attend Bellevue Schools Foundation's annual event on Saturday, March 30 at 5:00 p.m., and I truly hope to see you there! As a reminder, Bellevue Schools Foundation provides critical funding to our school-- you can take a look at the programs supported in our classrooms here. At Highland, we've received support for Mental Health Awareness in the Library, Ties to Life, and transportation to music workshops, to name a few things.The evening will offer attendees a chance to connect with one another and teachers, and explore the initiatives funded by BSF in their signature Education Showcase.
Event registration is free, and childcare will be provided as capacity allows. Additional event details can be found here. The purpose of the evening is to raise funding so that BSF can continue to provide transformational opportunities for our students and teachers — please consider making a donation here.
BSD Nondiscrimination Statement
Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination:
Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or phamn@bsd405.org
Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment:
Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org
Disability Discrimination:
Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Heather Edlund, (425) 456-4156 or edlundh@bsd405.org
Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.
Highland Middle School
Email: thomass@bsd405.org
Website: https://bsd405.org/highland/
Location: 15027 NE Bel-Red Rd
Phone: (425) 456-6400