Highland Park Family Bulldog News
March 22, 2024
Dear Highland Park Families,
On Monday, March 25, 2024, students, staff and employees all across Hays CISD will wear the color green in a show of solidarity and support for our Tom Green Elementary family following this week's tragic bus crash. Hays CISD humbly encourage and invite all in our community – as well as those near and far – to wear green for Tom Green. Bulldogs, let's support our neighbors together and Be Hornet Strong!
This week will be a short one, but not less busy. Our campus will host our 3rd 9 weeks Awards Assemblies, and Kinder Egg Drop. Specific dates and times are included in this newsletter.
*Reminder, we do not have classes on Friday 03/29 and Monday 04/01.
As always, Thank you for all you do for our Highland Park Bulldogs. Highland Park Bulldogs Woof
With Thanks,
Lizbeth Ruiz
Principal
Highland Park Elementary
3rd 9 Weeks Awards
Please join us as we celebrate our students hard work and dedication during the 3rd 9 weeks of learning. We look forward to seeing you!
Kinder Egg Drop - Thursday, March 28
Kinder parents please join us during our Kinder Egg Drop! We look forward to seeing our bulldogs excitement as they test out their experiment!
Library News
Seeking Career Day Presenters!
We are proud to host our Career Day this year at Highland Park Elementary! We are currently in need of Career Day participants in various occupations to volunteer 2 hours to speak with students about their careers. Career day will be Friday, May 17, 2024 from 8:30 - 10:30 am. Career Day is for students in grades PK - 5.
The goal of Career Day is to expose and educate students to a variety of careers within the community. Presenters will be assigned a range of grade levels (ex. PK-2 or Grades 3-5). Presenters will present to students in the classroom for 20 minutes each and students will rotate to the next presenter. Presenters could prepare to share the following information:
Education and Training
Typical work day
Job descriptions
Related school subjects
Salary range
Interesting things about your job
It is optional to bring items to give away to students
Allow a few minutes for questions and answers.
We look forward to your participation in this fun event. If you are interested in presenting, please complete the form below and return. We will contact you with further information about this exciting event.
Solar Eclipse April 8th
Highland Park will participate in viewing the eclipse on April 8th at the back of the campus, behind the secured gate. Students will receive safety lessons prior to the event, receive eclipse glasses, and will be monitored by faculty and staff.
Students will exit the building through the 200 and 400 hallways with their class and will be with their teacher. Here they will experience the eclipse as we move from partial darkness, to full darkness, and back to partial. Our campus admin team will create a map and send that out to teachers.
Opt out forms for parents: If you choose for your student to NOT experience the event outdoors, please fill out this form:
What's Happening?
Pflugerville will be in the path of totality on April 8. The eclipse will begin at 12:30pm and conclude by 3:00pm. Between ~1:35-1:40, the Sun will be completely blocked by the Moon. Students will experience nighttime darkness for about 2 minutes. Street lights will turn on, crickets may chirp, and there will be a sudden drop in temperature. All Pflugerville students will have the opportunity to experience this event on their campuses.
Glasses and Viewers
With the combined effort of PTOs, campus and district purchases, and donors, we will be able to provide every Pflugerville ISD student with a pair of eclipse glasses or an eclipse viewer. HPES has also purchased and received glasses for all staff.
Safety During the Eclipse
Pflugerville ISD is committed to ensuring the safety of students during the eclipse. All campuses will show a district-created safety slideshow that is tailored to different age groups and all students will stay within the PFISD fencing when outdoors.
Lots of Learning
A dedicated team of teachers has partnered with the science department to create a menu of lessons that can be used in classrooms leading up to April 8. Lessons span across content areas, from learning about the myths and lore around eclipses to building models of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Special lessons will prepare younger students for what to expect during the eclipse and to practice wearing eclipse glasses properly. Light-sound devices will be used to help visually impaired students experience the eclipse.
Below are copies of the safety lesson all students will watch in class:
- PK- 2nd Grade Eclipse Safety - English
- PK-2nd Grade Eclipse Safety- Spanish
- 3rd- 5th Grade Eclipse Safety
We are EXCITED to share this once in a lifetime event with our students and staff!
Informacion en espanol sobre el Eclipse - 8 de Abril
Highland Park participará en la visualización del eclipse el 8 de abril en la parte detrás de la cerca de seguridad.. Los estudiantes recibirán lecciones de seguridad antes del evento, recibirán anteojos para eclipse y serán monitoreados por sus maestros y personal de HPES.
Los estudiantes saldrán del edificio por los pasillos 200 y 400 con su clase y estarán con su maestros. Aquí experimentarán el eclipse a medida que pasamos de la oscuridad parcial a la oscuridad total y de regreso a la oscuridad parcial.
Formularios de exclusión voluntaria para padres: si elige que su estudiante NO experimente el evento al aire libre, complete este formulario:
Carta y formulario de exclusión voluntaria de HPES
Informacion:
Pflugerville estará en la trayectoria de la totalidad el 8 de abril. El eclipse comenzará a las 12:30 p. m. y concluirá a las 3:00 p. m. Entre ~1:35 y 1:40, el Sol quedará completamente bloqueado por la Luna. Los estudiantes experimentarán oscuridad nocturna durante aproximadamente 2 minutos. Las luces de la calle se encenderán, los grillos pueden chirriar y habrá una caída repentina de la temperatura. Todos los estudiantes de Pflugerville tendrán la oportunidad de experimentar este evento en sus campus.
Lentes/Gafas
Con el esfuerzo combinado de los PTO, compras del campus y del distrito y los donantes, podremos proporcionar a cada estudiante de Pflugerville ISD un par de anteojos para eclipses o un visor de eclipses. HPES también compró y recibió anteojos para todo el personal.
Seguridad durante el eclipse
Pflugerville ISD está comprometido a garantizar la seguridad de los estudiantes durante el eclipse. Todos los campus mostrarán una presentación de diapositivas de seguridad creada por el distrito y adaptada a diferentes grupos de edad y todos los estudiantes permanecerán dentro de la cerca de PFISD cuando estén al aire libre.
Informacion de PFISD sobre la seguridad de Eclipse
Informacion de seguridaddel eclipse solar de NASA
Mucho aprendizaje
Un equipo dedicado de maestros se ha asociado con el departamento de ciencias para crear un menú de lecciones que se pueden usar en las clases hasta el 8 de abril. Las lecciones abarcan áreas de contenido, desde aprender sobre los mitos y la tradición en torno a los eclipses hasta la construcción de modelos de la Tierra, Luna y Sol. Lecciones especiales prepararán a los estudiantes para saber qué esperar durante el eclipse y para practicar el uso adecuado de anteojos para eclipse. Se utilizarán dispositivos de luz y sonido para ayudar a los estudiantes con discapacidad visual a experimentar el eclipse.
A continuación se encuentran copias de la lección de seguridad que todos los estudiantes verán en clase:
PK- Seguridad en Eclipse de 2.º grado - Inglés
Seguridad en eclipses de PK-2.º grado: español
Seguridad en eclipses de 3.º a 5.º grado
¡Estamos EMOCIONADOS de compartir este evento único en la vida con nuestros estudiantes y personal!
Open Assessments
We are beginning our EOY ( End of the Year) Assessments in April. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher.
Elementary Report Card Dates
- 3/25: 3rd 9 Weeks Report Card Available to Parents
Don't forget....
Mar. 27- 4th Grade Awards at 9:15 & 3rd Grade Awards at 2:00
- Mar. 28- 2nd Grade Awards at 9:15 & 5th Grade Awards at 2:00
- Mar. 28- Kinder Egg Drop at 8:00
- Mar. 29- No classes
- April 1- No classes
PTO
- Website (www.hpespto.org) designed to be an information hub and a quick way to get some Bulldog Swag. There is a list of events we are hosting like Movie Nights, School Dance, and more. We're building ways to support our teachers. There is info about themselves and their "Amazon Wish-lists" so dive in
- Volunteers - Want to help but don't know how? After checking out our website, reach us at volunteers@hpespto.org. We can find a place where you'll fit right in. You can get a head start by applying in the district as an official volunteer. It only takes about 5 minutes.
- Join the PTO Facebook - Where Bulldogs WOOF! https://www.facebook.com/highlandparkelementarypto
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! If you have any kudos you’d like to share, you can submit kudos here: HPES Bulldog Weekly News Kudos or the Superintendents Kudos
We had some wonderful and heartwarming nominations submitted for Teacher of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year and want to share those with you. It is a wonderful feeling to be recognized by your peers. We will share 5 of each at a time in each newsletter.
Teacher of the Year Nominations:
- Lucero Ceballos: An amazing teacher that is behind-the-scenes, making sure her students are successful and she is caring and understanding and she's also another person that goes beyond her position
- Mary Horta: She is so good with her class and she is kid in heart... does awesome work with her kids.
- Crystal Perez: It is my pleasure to nominate Ms. Perez for teacher of the year for her outstanding work and dedication she is amazing on what she does. She is also nurturing to her students and finding ways to help her students succeed .
- Shannon Robertson: Shannon truly differentiates her teaching for all of her students in her classroom. Not only is she truly concerned about her student's academic growth, she is fully concerned about their emotional/social well being.
- Cathy Duong: Cathy is a phenomenal teacher, and her students love her so much. She has been the biggest blessing for my personal child this year, and he thinks she’s the best teacher in the world. What makes her so special is her ability to connect with her students and empower them to be their best. She is also a one of kind coworker and friend.
Humanitarian of the Year Nominations:
- Ebony Clark: She goes beyond and far for staff and students she's passionate and what she does and she's always ready to help and she does an amazing job with the cheer team
- Shannon Robertson: She has done so much for the PTO and always trying to get everyone (parents/teachers) involved with stuff going on around the school. Great representative and does great work.
- Shannon Robertson: She goes above and beyond to involve herself in all PTO activities. And all the extras she does for campus staff.
- Yolanda Reyes: Mrs. Reyes is always looking for ways to support staff and students and has a positive attitude every day. She engages with the students in her library lessons.
- Brianna Thompson: Brianna is simply the best. She is always willing to help out in any way she can. We are so blessed to have her as our instructional coach. She cares deeply for all teachers and students.
Remember, one small positive thought or compliment can change a person's entire day. :)
Upcoming Events
2023-2024 School Year Calendar with grading periods, student holidays, etc.
Mar. 26- Mar. 28- Math Language Arts Interim 3rd - 5th Grade
Mar. 27- 4th Grade Awards at 9:15 & 3rd Grade Awards at 2:00
Mar. 28- 2nd Grade Awards at 9:15 & 5th Grade Awards at 2:00
Mar. 28- Kinder Egg Drop
Mar. 29- Student/Staff Holiday
Apr. 1- Student/Staff Holiday
Apr. 2- End of the Year Testing begins
Apr. 5- Pegasus Fieldtrip to Dinosaur Park
Apr. 10- Reading STAAR Grade 5
Apr. 11- Reading STAAR Grades 3 & 4
Apr. 11- Kinder Fieldtrip to Austin and Nature Science Center
Apr. 11- First Grade Fieldtrip to Texas State Capitol
Apr. 17- Science STAAR- Grade 5
Apr. 25- 2nd Grade Idiom Parade at 8:00
Apr. 26- 1st Grade Music Performance at 8:30
Apr. 26- Noah Rodriguez Slime your Teacher Fundraiser at 1:30
Apr. 30- Math STAAR Grades 3 & 4
May 1- Math STAAR Grade 5
May 10- Field Day
May 10- Library- Texas 2 x 2 Deadline
May 14- 4th 9 Weeks AR deadline
May 15- All Library books due
May 17- Career Day
May 17- Library- Bluebonnet Breakfast & Trivia:
May 17- Million Word Club Celebration
May 17- 5th Grade Dance
May 20- AR End of Year Celebration
May 21- 2nd Grade Awards: 1:30 Cafeteria
May 22-4th Grade Awards: 8:30 a.m. Cafeteria
May 22- 3rd Grade Awards: 1:30 Cafeteria
May 23- KG Graduation: 8:30 Back Patio
May 23- 1st Grade Awards: 1:30 Cafeteria
May 24- 5th Grade Graduation: 8:30 Back Patio
May 27- Student/Staff Holiday
May 28- End of Year Classroom Parties
May 29- Last Day of School, Senior & 5th Grade Walk ,Early Release at 12:00
May 30- Planning/Prep/Check Out
Back to School Procedures
Visitors
Arrival
HPES doors will open at 7:05 a.m. for bus riders and 7:10 a.m. for car riders and walkers.
Bus riders will enter the building through the 100 hallway doors adjacent to the bus loop at 7:05 a.m. Upon entering the building they will make their way to the gym where they will wait to be dismissed to class.
Car riders and walkers will enter the building through the front entrance at 7:10 a.m.
Walkers and car riders that arrive early will wait outside (back up plan for weather)
Upon entering the building car riders, walkers, and bike riders will go to either the cafeteria or the main hallway.
Students eating breakfast will be asked to go to the cafeteria
Parents/Guardians will be allowed to walk students into their classroom on the first day of school without a Raptor sticker. Beginning August 15, ( Day 2) parents wanting to walk their child to class will need to check in the front office by signing into our Raptor security system.
Breakfast/Lunch
Breakfast: Parents are welcome to eat breakfast with their children. Breakfast is served from 7:10-7:35 in the cafeteria. Parents will need to sit with their students at the stage tables or the three 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. Parents will need to sign in the raptor system in the front office.
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 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. Parents will need to sign in the raptor system in the front office.
Dismissal
All staff will follow general dismissal procedures. All teachers and EAs will work together until 3:10 to ensure students have safely departed.
- Notify the office no later than 11:00 if you need assistance determining how a student gets home.
- Updated Bus #’s: Gen Ed-210, 287, 202, 223, SPED-425
- Updated Daycare: EDP, Children’s Courtyard, Capital Gymnastics, Emmanuel Lutheran, Little Angel’s, Rise Martial Arts, Best Kids and IQ Viet My Daycare
- Each teacher will be responsible for dismissing their students on time. Teachers will be responsible for walking bus riders, walkers, daycare, parent walk-up, and car riders to their dismissal destination. Please wait to exit until your hallway is called: 100 hallway, 200 hallway, 300 hallway, and 400 hallway. Listen carefully for the announcement of when your hallway is dismissing. Please do not try and get a head start. This will cause congestion and chaos in the hallways.
- We will begin dismissal at 2:35 to allow additional time on the first day.. All non-classroom staff will move to the Kinder hallway to assist in getting all of the students out of their hallway. Once they are moving, as you come to your assigned duty area you may drop off to conduct your duty.
- There will be additional car riders the first few days. Please join in to assist when you become available.
- Be sure to communicate verbally with other staff members to ensure proper supervision in all areas.
- If you see any area of need, either assist or notify someone of the need.
- NO ONE SHOULD BE IN THEIR ROOMS OR THE WORKROOM WHILE DISMISSAL IS STILL ONGOING. THIS IS AN ALL-HANDS-ON-DECK SITUATION! (Of course, this does not apply to Pegasus staff, who will still have students.)
Birthday Celebrations/Campus Celebrations
Student birthdays will be announced and celebrated over morning announcements. Students will also sing Happy Birthday in the classroom.
Parents will have an opportunity to purchase a birthday announcement to be displayed on the school marquee through PTO.
Parents may bring cupcakes/treat to celebrate their child's birthday. However, notice must be given 24 hours in advance. Cupcakes/treats may only be passed out the last 30 minutes of class.
Student treats (i.e., store bought cupcakes) cannot be served in the cafeteria during lunch. Treats cannot be a full meal (i.e., pizza) Teachers must receive parent permission prior to students eating store bought cupcakes/treats due to student food allergies.
For classroom food activities such as party days or food-related learning activities, parents will need to complete an allergy permission form stating which foods their student is allowed to eat or handle. If this form is not returned prior to the event, the student will not be able to participate in the activity.
We appreciate the care and time that the teachers and allergy committee members have given to this very important matter. We are dedicated to keeping our kids safe here at HPES and believe that this will help achieve that for all our students.
Stay Informed
Here a few ways to stay informed. Follow us on Facebook @HighlandParkES and on Twitter @HighlandPark_ES. School communications will also be sent out through school messenger via email. On Tuesday’s an HPES folder will be sent home with flyers and information. Please be sure to look out for the folder on Tuesday’s. Additionally, please sign-up for our mailing list at You will receive a monthly campus newsletter through the mailing list. You can also find a copy of a newsletter like this one in our campus webpage under “Principal’s blog”.
Communication Guide
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, cumulative records, and folders, grade-book, etc.
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: Lauren Hohle- lauren.hohle@pfisd.net
Shot records, allergy information, distribution of medication, general student health, Section 504, and SpEd as related to health, etc.
Instructional Coach: Brianna Thompson- brianna.thompson@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: Pamela LeDay–pamela.leday@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 Ms. LeDay 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