Parent Newsletter
05/20/22
Dear Highland Park Parents,
Next week will be a very busy but fun week celebrating the end of the school year. We will be hosting end-of-the-year award celebrations Monday- Wednesday, end-of-the-year classroom parties, and finishing up with the Senior Walk, and final 5th Grade walk on Thursday.
Parents will be able to join us this year for the end-of-year award ceremonies as well as class parties. Every parent or adult over 18 will need to check in and receive a badge in order to enter the school. If you have never been to the school before please make sure that you bring your driver's license. You will be able to park in the back of the school and check in as well. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!
I hope you enjoy this very busy but fun upcoming week celebrating the end of the school year.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Highland Park Bulldogs Woof!
With Thanks,
Lizbeth Ruiz
Principal
Highland Park Elementary
End of Year Awards and Class Parties
5th Grade Dance, Graduation& Party - May 13 - Help Needed
Our campus has purchased a 5th-grade graduation shirt for each 5th-grade student. These will be passed out to the students on the last day of school so they can wear them during their final 5th-grade walk.
Below is a google form that will allow you to help our 5th-grade team get ready for the 5th-grade Graduation, and Graduation Party. If you are able to help, we truly appreciate it, if you cannot help, that is ok, we still love and appreciate you!
Google form:
2021-2022 Yearbook
We received the yearbooks and noticed a typo, the title "Principals Message" was printed as "Prinipals Message". We inquired about getting it reprinted, however, if we send them to get reprinted we will not receive them back before the last day of school. We decided to continue our theme of flexibility and grace this year and keep the yearbook. This will allow our students to have their friends sign it. Moving forward for next school year, we will make sure to triple-check before sending it to get printed. In the meantime- please know your "Prinipals message" is genuine and from the heart.
If you are interested in buying one but want to pay in cash or check, a small form went home last week. Attach the money and we will get it to PTO. (additional forms are available at our front office)
Library End Of Year Dates
- Million Word Club VIP Celebration (Come and Go-Snacks and Drinks in the Library for Millionaires) Tuesday, May 24th
2021-2022 Breakfast & Lunch Menu
Visit pfisd.nutrislice.com for interactive menus, nutritional information, and more!
Beginning Monday, November 2, 2020, all USDA Reimbursable Breakfast and Lunch meals are free! A la carte and seconds are not included. *This program has been extended during the 21-22 school year.
Assessments
- 05/13-05/26- 4th 9 Weeks DA - Grades 3-5
Free & Reduced Lunch Application 22-23
The free meals program provided by the USDA and Texas Department of Agriculture for all PfISD students during the pandemic will end with the 2021-22 school year. Starting with the 2022-23 school year, students must complete the necessary form to receive free or reduced meals.
PfISD is encouraging families who feel they may qualify for the free/reduced meal program to complete the forms this year as it will give their students coverage for the first 30 days of next school year. Then, they will need to complete an application at the beginning of next school year to receive benefits all year long.
Remember ...
- Awards Celebrations Monday, May 23 - Wednesday, May 26
- End of Year Classroom Parties- Wednesday, May 25 ( times will be shared by classroom teacher)
- Senior Walk - Thursday, May 26 8:30
- 5th Grade Walk - Thursday, May 26, 11:00
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!
Campus Kudos:
- Intervention team-Thank you for organizing, preparing, and running all of the end-of-year intervention meetings! You are rockstars!
- Office Staff- Thank you for preparing to welcome all of our parents next week for the end-of-the-year awards. it takes a lot of hands to keep the front office moving effectively.
- Yolanda Reyes- Thank you for once again hosting a phenomenal end of the year AR party! Our students were so excited!
- Highland Park Elementary fourth grade team (via Veronica Jimenez): “I could not have survived the last three years (which feels like 20 years) without their collaboration and support. Each one of them has unique talents and characteristics that help our team function. Some of us will be moving on to other paths, but we will have many memories of our time together. Thanks for your hard work and dedication to our students!”
If you have any kudos you’d like to share, you can submit them through this avenue:
HPES Bulldog Weekly News Kudos
Remember, one small positive thought or compliment can change a person's entire day. :)
HPES PTO
We are lucky to have such a wonderful PTO at our school who helps us in so many ways! Please consider joining this wonderful group of parents and join HPES Team!
HPES Summer Jump Start Program
PreK and Kindergarten Summer Program
Pre-K and Kindergarten Bilingual and ESL
Dates: June 1, 2022 - June 24, 2022
Time: 7:30 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Ruth Barron Elementary School
TUITION: Free
Transportation and Meals Provided
Principal: Griselda Cervantes
Phone: 512-594-4016
Email: Griselda.Cervantes@pfisd.net
For identified Bilingual and ESL Pre-K and Kindergarten students. Registration forms will be completed with teacher assistance in May 2022.
Camp Invention Offered This Summer
Boost your child’s confidence and creativity this summer at @CampInvention! Coming to Highland Park Elementary the week of July 18th. This one-week program offers unique #STEM challenges that inspire K-6 children to bring their imaginations to life. Register today to SAVE $15 on this awesome experience using SUM15. invent.org/mylocalcamp or for more information click here for a local digital flyer.
Summer Learning
Summer is just around the corner and we want our HPES Bulldogs to continue learning. A great resource is Pebble Go. All students have access through Clever. They recently add new articles.
Upcoming Events
May 23- 1st Grade Awards - 8:15 - 9:15 (cafeteria)
May 23- 4th Grade Awards - 1:30-2:30 (cafeteria)
May 23- PALS Fieldtrip - HHS
May 23- Fieldtrip - 3rd Grade - Meadows Center
May 24- Kinder Graduation - 8:30 - 9:30 (cafeteria)
May 24- 3rd Grade Awards- 1:30-2:30 (cafeteria)
May 24- PK Awards- Mendez- 1:30-2:30 (classroom)
May 25- 5th Grade Graduation - 8:30-9:30 (back patio)
May 25- 2nd Grade Awards- 1:30-2:30 (cafeteria)
May 25- End of the Year Class Parties
May 26- 5th Grade Walk 11:00 (main hallway)
May 26- Last Day - Early Release 12:00
3rd - 5th Grade Morning Tutoring
The staff of Highland Park Elementary is striving to support our students in multiple ways including campus-wide tutoring. To help students who need extra instruction, practice on specific skills, or instruction on advanced level performance we will be providing tutoring/enrichment for your child.
To ensure that students are getting instruction targeted for their specific needs, we have created targeted instructional groups. This means that for this portion of the day your child may be getting their instruction from a staff member other than their classroom teacher.
Tutoring will be on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday beginning at 7:30 and will be incorporated into our instructional day that will last until 8:15. Reading and/or Math tutoring will begin Tuesday, March 22nd. This instruction is extremely important to support student success.
For tutoring to be effective, it is very important that students attend tutoring for the entirety of the tutoring time. We ask for parents to have their child arrive at school before 7:25 so they can begin morning tutoring by 7:30 AM.
3rd- 5th-grade teachers will share class-specific information.
Thank you for your support as we help our students grow.
Visitor Updates
We know you have patiently waited for the opportunity to visit our campus, and we are excited to be able to welcome you back!
Our campus will resume our pre-COVID standard operating procedures for campus visitors, where all parents and visitors must check in at the front office with their government-issued ID. Please take a minute to review the procedures below.
HPES has the following procedures in place for campus visitors:
Morning Arrival: Parents may walk their child down the main hallway. If a parent would like to walk their child to class, they will need to sign in the front office where they will receive a visitors pass. We do not allow any visitors into the hallway wings without a visitors pass. This pass/sticker must be worn on the front of your shirt where it is easily visible by staff. If you do not have the visitor pass, you will not be allowed to walk down to the classroom and only be allowed down the main hallway. Please keep in mind that classes begin at 7:35.
Morning Breakfast: Parents are welcome to eat breakfast with their children. Breakfast is served from 7:15-7:35 in the cafeteria. Parents will need to sign in the front office and receive a visitors pass/sticker. Please wear this sticker on the front of your shirt. Parents will need to sit with their students at the stage tables or the two 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.
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 sign in the front office and receive a visitors pass/sticker. Please wear this sticker on the front of your shirt. 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.
Dismissal: We will continue following the dismissal procedures that we currently have in place. Visitors will not be allowed in the foyer during dismissal time. This is to ensure the safety of all students.
Additional Information: Parents and guardians can resume chaperoning, volunteering, attending performances, lunches, awards banquets, field days, field trips, etc. Parents must complete the volunteer application to chaperone on field trips and any other volunteer opportunities. (www.pfisd.net/volunteers)
We encourage you to exercise proven preventive measures to minimize personal risk if you visit our campuses by wearing a mask, social distancing, and practicing effective hand hygiene.
DISMISSAL REMINDERS
Parents, we have had several questions about what time each hallway is dismissed. If you have a student whose class is in the 300 or 400 hallway- please keep in mind those are the last two hallways we dismiss. We kindly ask that you do not wait in the front of the line as it will hold up the lower grades loading the vehicles.
Students are dismissed in the following order:
2:40: Bus Riders/Daycare
2:42: Pre K /Pegasus
2:44: 100 Hallway
2:46: 200 Hallway
2:48: 300 Hallway
2:50: 400 Hallway
The first group to be dismissed: Bus riders will be called over the intercom. These students will go to the bus area and will line up in their bus line order. Once these students are in order, they will board their bus.
The second group to be dismissed PK & Pegasus, followed by 100, 200, 300, and 400 hallway students in order. Teachers will escort the students to their designated areas. See below:
Bike riders & walkers: Students will walk in line order and be dismissed by the flagpoles. We will have staff on duty that will walk them off school grounds.
Parent walk-up: Students whose parents park and walk-up will be dismissed at the grassy area to the right of the flagpoles. We will have marked locations for parents to maintain social distancing.
Car riders: students will sit at the front of the campus at the assigned grade level area. Students will be asked to sit and wait for their parents while maintaining social distance.
- Note: On rainy days, or weather/windchill below 32 degrees, we will follow an alternate dismissal. All students with the exception of bus riders will be dismissed from inside the school. PK-2nd grade will be in the cafeteria, and 3rd - 5th grade will be in the main hallway.
ARRIVAL PROCESS
HPES staff will be on duty to support students during morning arrival.
7:10 a.m Bus students arrive on campus
7:15 a.m Front Doors open for car riders, walkers, and bike riders
7:20 a.m. Teachers will welcome students into their classrooms
7:35 a.m. First Bell- Students dismissed from the cafeteria if eating breakfast
7:40 a.m. Tardy Bell- Students arriving after this time report directly to the office
The building will open at 7:10 a.m. for bus riders and 7:15 a.m. for car riders and walkers.
Parents/Guardians will not be allowed to walk students in.
Bus riders will enter the building through the 100 hallway doors adjacent to the bus loop at 7:10 a.m. If they are eating breakfast they will go directly to the cafeteria, if they are not eating breakfast they will go to the gym and wait. The bus riders in the gym will be sent to class at 7:15.
Car riders and walkers will enter the building through the front entrance at 7:15 a.m.
Walkers and car riders that arrive early will wait outside.
Upon entering the building car riders, walkers, and bike riders will go to either the cafeteria or their classroom.
CAR DROP OFF REMINDERS
With over 720 students learning on campus we have noticed morning traffic is heavier than usual. Please remember the tardy bell rings at 7:35, instruction begins promptly, and every minute counts. We need your help with a few key things that we think will help with morning drop-off.
- When dropping off your child please make sure they have everything ready, backpack, lunch bag, water bottle, and face mask. Students should exit on the right side of the vehicle as the left side has passing vehicles.
- If you are needing to help your child out of the car or get their things ready, please pull into our parking lot and park. You will need to then walk your child across the crosswalk to the front door.
- Please do not park and send your child alone across the parking lot, there are many moving vehicles and this is very unsafe.
- When exiting the campus parking lot, please note that there is a "DO NOT TURN LEFT" sign below the stop sign. As you exit, please turn right towards Heatherwilde and not towards the neighborhood. Turning left holds up the drop-off line, may cause students to be late, upset parents behind you, and unnecessary stress to students getting dropped off.
- Finally please be kind to our staff on duty. These staff members are outside at 7:15 a.m. every day rain or shine to help get our students in the building. We understand at times stress is high, but we need to work together, provide each other grace, and support one another.
- Please know that our number one priority is student safety. We love our students and want to welcome everyone in a happy and safe environment.
We are hoping the key actions above will help everyone get to their destination safely and on time. As always, we thank you for your help and support!
DISMISSAL MAP
Please make sure to review our dismissal updates and map below.
Beginning August 23, the bus loop will be used for BUSSES & DAYCARE ONLY. We are asking parents to please not drive or park in the bus loop area.
- The only exception is if you have a handicap tag and are handicapped parking is available in this area.
- If you are needing to park and pick up your child, you may park at the front of the school parking area, or on Kingston Lacy.
- If you are parked at the bus loop, one of our staff members will be asking you to move your vehicle.
- If you are driving through the bus loop, one of our staff members will be asking you to turn around and exit the bus loop.
- This is to ensure the safety of students as they are dismissed through the 100 & 300 hallways.
Stay Informed
LET'S TALK PLATFORM FOR PARENT QUESTIONS
Our Let's Talk platform is designed for parents to ask questions or submit comments. It has a submission for questions on the following topics: Payroll, Food Services/Meals, Technology, HR/Benefits/Leaves, Online Learning, Google Classroom, and General Coronavirus Questions. Additionally, there is a section for each campus to direct any questions or comments directly to the principal and the senior administrative associate a the campus. Click here to learn more about the system.
COMMUNICATION GUIDE
Every summer, there are staffing changes. Staff members move on to other opportunities, and new staff members join the campus. Before emailing a staff member from last school year, it would be wise to check with our front office staff. It is also a good idea to consider which staff member is your first point of contact for questions before you send your email. You may also call the front office at 512-594-6800 and ask for the person you need to speak with. I hope this information is helpful!
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, and student records.
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: Christina Henderson – christina.henderson@pfisd.net
Shot records, allergy information, distribution of medication, general student health, Section 504, and SpEd as related to health, etc.
Instructional Coach: Gina Lochner – regina.lochner@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: Jesus Olivas –jesus.olivas@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 Mr. Olivas 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