High Point Academy Updates
February 5th, 2023
Husky Family,
There are so many updates for this week! Please take a few minutes to read below for all the amazing things happening at High Point, as well as some reminders for how we can partner together to keep all our students safe and focused on learning.
Have a great week!
Meredith
Teaching and Learning Highlights
- All K-4 classrooms began the pilot of the new literacy curriculum! In Kindergarten, students are learning about weather, in first they are learning about the sun, moon, and stars, in 2nd-grade students are learning about school and community, in 3rd grade, the unit will be about overcoming learning challenges near and far, and in 4th grade, students will be learning about animal defenses. We encourage you to ask your students what they are learning about in reading to help build the excitement! We are already seeing students performing at a higher level through their reading and written responses.
- We are excited to welcome back our middle school cadets. After a rigorous application process that reflected a job application, students were selected to serve in a variety of leadership capacities across the building from being a teacher's helper to being ambassadors for the school.
- 5th Grade went on a field trip last week to the Colorado History Museum to learn about the people and history of our land. They were humbled to be able to learn from those that have lost so much. Thank you so much to all the amazing family chaperones who made this a success!
- There are so many opportunities for us to learn about Black History this month. We are looking forward to reading more about black excellence, highlighting the impact of African-Americans who have contributed to our society in a variety of ways, and coming together at the end of the month for a Black Excellence assembly.
- Students recently completed the middle of year assessment on iready. You can expect to receive their mid-year reports that will explain how they are progressing with their learning in literacy and math. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher.
Black History Month: Featuring Black Excellence at HPA
Gene has been nominated for Teacher of the Year, he was awarded as 2023 African-American educator who makes a difference by the Urban Spectrum, and he has served on various leadership and innovation committees in the Denver Metro area. This is all in addition to the innovative work he is doing in his 8th-grade math classroom, where you can find him creating opportunities for students to take ownership of their own learning. Gene is working to bring new ideas to his classroom that will support all students to access and. be successful with 8th-grade math. This continual commitment to excellence is a great model of the work never being done and the necessary pursuit for truly breaking down systems of systemic inequity that prevent our students of color from realizing their full potential.
Attendance Reminder
Maintaining a Safe, Supportive School Culture
- Uniform: Students must wear the school-approved uniform. Please make sure your student is wearing school-approved colors for pants (no sweat pants) and a school-approved shirt (without writing or logos).
- Cell Phones: Student cell phones at school are highly discouraged. If your student carries a cell phone, remind them that all electronics (cell phones included) must be turned in to their homeroom teacher each morning (for elementary students) or kept in the student's locker during the school day (middle school students). If a child refuses to comply with the electronic policy, the device could be taken away for a parent to retrieve.
- Carpool: A few reminders to help carpool run smoothly: please pull all the way forward while you wait for your student and please put your laminated name tag on your dash to assist us in getting your student to you as fast as possible.
Deans Corner
A crucial part of this process is our work alongside all of you! Please help us by supporting the following school-wide policies with your children:
- Wearing a school-approved uniform every day.
- No use of cell phones during the school day.
- Eating school-approved lunch and snack foods. (Please do not have food delivered to the school.)
- Taking accountability for their actions and restoring relationships when given the opportunity.
To partner with our team to address any concerns, please consider the following:
- We want your students to be safe at school. If something has happened that has jeopardized their safety, we want to fix it as much as you do-let's work together!
- There are two sides to every story. When students have conflict, it's important to consider all sides of what happened and bring them together to resolve the conflict whenever possible.
- To keep students safe, we all must communicate with students that it is their responsibility to follow school rules, share when there has been a misunderstanding or conflict, and take ownership of their actions.
- When consequences are given, they are meant to teach students how to improve-whenever possible. Restorative consequences do not mean that a student is not being held accountable!
Celebrating HPA Students
Strategic Planning Survey
Equity Corner
The Equity Corner is a space where DEI information and resources will be provided to the HPA community.
As HPA’s Equity and Inclusion Advisor, I’m committed to advocating and providing support to staff, scholars, and families through an equitable lens. Thus, empowering scholars, providing a safe space for growth and understanding, and creating positive change through teachable moments and strategic planning.
As another part of the equity team, my name is Theresa Cardona. I have been at HPA for 3 years, I have been working in the special education department with middle school for the past 2 years. My equity promise this year is that each scholar feels accepted, valued, respected, supported, and safe while challenged in learning and excellence without fear or disregard.
While we still have a lot of work to do this work is happening because of each student, staff member, and family member in the HPA community. Your continued push to hold us accountable, be transparent, and communicate with you, helps us to be better and fulfill our values and demonstrate our character.
As we strive for equity and implement change, I would like to invite families to share your thoughts and needs.
Shaleena Miller(she/her/hers)
Equity and Inclusion Advisor
303-217-5152 ext. 146
Theresa Cardona
Equity Lead
DEI Task Force
The HPA DEI Task Force will be designed of a group of parents/guardians and staff tasked with engaging our community in conversations regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The goal is to support the development of our community's cultural competency by creating social justice awareness and promoting critical thinking about race, gender, and social power. The task force will support student programs, professional development opportunities, and parent forums.
If you are interested in being a part of the Task Force, please fill out the following form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-xGjsW9iLgcglRPTNYLAZ7gPOG97dNspcM952zoSni1wxYA/viewform?usp=sf_link or reach out to me directly smiller@highpointacademy.net
PTO Sponsored Fundraiser
Girls on the Run: Spring Cohort
Girls on the Run at High Point Academy - Registration Opens Monday, February 6th at 9AM.
Girls on the Run is offered to all 3rd-5th grade girls at High Point Academy. Practice takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45-5:00pm on campus. Registration is $95 and includes all program materials, a Girls on the Run race t-shirt, and registration and race medal for the final 5K they will participate in at the end of the season.
To Sign Up:
1. Go to www.girlsontherunrockies.org
2. Click the “Register Now” button
3. Find and select your school in the drop-down menu
4. After completing the form, hit “submit”. **You will receive a confirmation email from Pinwheel. Please make sure to check your spam folder in case the email went there. If you do not receive this email, chances are you did not fully complete the registration form.
Save the Date/Upcoming Events
Feb. 7 PTO 5:00pm Virtual Meeting
Feb. 8 Lifetouch Spring Pictures (students can dress up)
Feb. 10 Student Council Movie Night 5-7pm
Feb. 14 Valentine Pancake Breakfast for Husky PRIDE Winners 8-9am, Student Council delivering Valentine-Grams
Feb. 17 No School- Staff Wellness Day
Feb. 20 No School- Presidents Day
Feb. 21 No School- Staff Professional Development
Feb. 22 “Black Excellence” School Assembly
Feb. 22 Governing Board Mtg 5:00pm
Feb. 23 Heart Challenge Pie Smashing for top sellers
Feb. 24 Trimester 2 Awards 8:30-12:30pm
Feb. 24 Student of the Month celebration 3:00-3:30pm
Feb. 28 Mornings with Meredith 8:00am
About High Point Academy
Email: info@highpointacademy.net
Website: https://www.highpointacademy.net/
Location: 6750 N Dunkirk Street, Aurora 80019