HHS Parent Newsletter
July 10, 2023
Highland High School Parent Newsletter, Friday, March 22, 2024
Principal's Message
Happy last Friday of Spring Break Hawks! Hope you had a great two weeks off of school, we look forward to seeing you back at The Nest on Monday, March 25.
On Tuesday, March 26 we have ACT testing for ALL of our HHS juniors. Juniors will have a normal start time for this day while our 9th, 10th and 12th graders will have a late start to their school day. Please see detailed information below for the schedule for Tuesday, March 26.
On Friday, March 29 we do not have school, it is our district's Spring Holiday. School resumes on Monday, April 1.
Enjoy your weekend Hawks, see you on Monday!
Brian Yee
Principal
NHS Applications for 2024-2025
It's the time of year for students who are interested in applying for NHS for next year to pick up their applications. If students have questions, please have them come by and talk to Mrs. Shores in room 1121 or email Riley Ferguson (current president) at rdfergus@gilbertschools.net
Applications for current HHS sophomores and juniors will be available starting tomorrow in 1121 and are due back by April 1st (after spring break). Applications will be reviewed by the officer committee and students will be notified by letter if they are selected to be inducted into NHS by April 19th. Our induction ceremony is scheduled for April 25th.
HHS Student Council Info for 2024-2025
Student Council is a program on campus that promotes leadership, event planning and school spirit. We participate in community service, leadership workshops/trainings and plan most of the big events on campus including the school dances and assemblies! For those interested in being a part of this amazing program on campus for the 2024-2025 school year, there will be a parent informational meeting on April 3rd, 2024 in room 1110 at 5:30PM for current HHS students and a 6:30PM meeting for future 9th graders. This info session will go over positions, qualifications, expectations, and the process for joining. Please join the Google Classroom for more information!
Class Code: 3xhigxi
ACT Testing for our Junior Students - March 26
On the second day back after Spring Break, Tuesday, March 26th all Juniors take the ACT. All Junior Evit students will be required to attend Highland campus on test day. Here is the link to the bell schedule and info for that day:
ACT March 26, 2024 BELL SCHEDULE
March 26, 2024 ACT Testing for our Junior Students
On Tuesday, March 26th, Highland Juniors (along with all GPS juniors) will be taking the mandatory ACT Assessment. Juniors will have a normal start time (buses will run 4 hours later for 9th, 10th and 12th grade students). Any 11th grade student who misses this test date will be required to make up the test on a later date.
*Prior to test day - English teachers will be administering the MyACT non-test information which requires students to log into ACT (or create an account)
*Students who do not have an English class on campus need to come to the administration office to pick up the ACT form with their code prior to test day
To be best prepared for the ACT all juniors will be required to:
Update their fully charged chromebooks prior to the test day.
Bring their GPS Student Photo ID or Driver's License
Bring a sharpened #2 pencil
Bring plug in headphones (wireless/ bluetooth headphones not permitted)
Optional: bring a permitted calculator check ACT Calculator Policy
Calculators will be available for check out on campus
Calculators are also available within the testing application
Note From Our Health Office
You may have seen in the news that there have been two cases of measles in the East Valley recently. While we hope that these are the last of the cases, it is important to acknowledge that Measles is extremely contagious and that there is a possibility that this could impact our schools at some point. Therefore we would like to share some helpful and important information with our families:
Typically the illness starts off with a fever, cough and runny nose. It is soon followed by a rash that typically starts at the head and soon covers the entire body. If measles does spread into our school community we will immediately begin working with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) and you will be notified. Any students who are not vaccinated will be identified and MCDPH will determine when they can safely return to school. Unvaccinated students may need to be out as long as 21 days and if more cases arise, it could be longer.
If you have any questions regarding measles or would like resources on vaccinations please reach out to our Health Office.
HHS Culinary Team Takes First Place!
Our HHS Culinary Team took FIRST PLACE in our districts cooking competition. Congratulations to Luke Ikeda, Erik Bjorkli, Baily Westfall and Drew Payne for representing The Nest!
Congratulations to our FFA Students!
Advanced Tool ID (1st place team - STATE CHAMPIONS)
- Katie Friedman
- Maggie Chapman (7th individually)
- Bryson Osuna (2nd)
- Paden Dillard (1st)
Greenhand Tool ID (1st place team - STATE CHAMPIONS)
- Brekin Wilson (8th individually)
- Hayden Menne (4th)
- Emma Jarvis (2nd)
- Preston Pace (1st)
Ag Sales (2nd place team)
- Salem Meyer
- Cassandra Sando
- Ty Kochaji (4th individually)
- Emma Harpster (3rd)
Ag Mechanics (3rd place team)
- Bryson Osuna
- Maggie Chapman
- Nic Stewart
- Paden Dillard (2nd individually)
Meats Evaluation (3rd place team)
- Dyaln Phillips
- Ashlynn Newman
- Rory Gardiner
- Paden Dillard (7th individually)
Entomology (4th place team)
- Abby Subramanian
- Alexis Roges
- Isabelle French (5th place individually)
- Tommy Andersen
Forestry (7th place team)
- Gunnar Bates
- Jackson Shurtz
- Nic Stewart
Wildlife
- Ashlyn Drew
- Gunnar Bates
- Lucy Hansen
- Preston Pace
Floriculture
- Dyaln Phillips
- Danielle Fritz
- Hailey Carlsen (7th individually)
Poultry
- Alexis Roges
- Liam Dudley
- Madison Carder
- Tommy Andersen
Livestock
- Colton McEuen
- Madison Carder
- Mylee Mayne
- Ty Kochaji
State Champion Wrestler, Aaron Callirgos!
Congratulations to Aaron Callirgos, state champion in Wrestling in the 132lb category!
HHS Mock Trial Team
Last Saturday our HHS Mock Trial Team competed from 7am until 8:30pm. The students worked tirelessly and competed in 5 separate 1.5-hour competition rounds. We started as 1 of 49 competing teams in our region (there are 6 regions), and we finished in 2nd place in the region!!!
Highland has never competed before this year. We await the results of the other regional competitions to see if we compete at the state level in March. Please congratulate these amazing Hawks: Rafael Ramirez, Melanie Jamieson, Becca Lunsman, Spencer Jamieson, Mary Olson, Kayda Rosser, & Renata Zubiate
Congrats to McKenna Breinholt, HHS Class of 2016!
Planning for Secondary Summer School?
Planning for Secondary Summer School 2024? In-Person and Global (online) Secondary Summer School is available to current 7th through 12th grade students registration will officially begin immediately following Spring Break. The first step in the registration process is for students to meet with the counselor at their home-school, who will submit a course recommendation into the system. We encourage you to complete this step prior to Spring Break. Families will receive notification of their course request(s) and directions for next steps beginning on Monday, March 25th. See the GPS Summer School website for more information. For questions, please contact SummerSchool@gilbertschools.net.
Student Attendance
School attendance is not only a good habit, state law requires it. Arizona State Law (15-802.E, 15-803.) requires every person who has custody of a child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall make sure the child attends school for the full time school is in session unless unable to attend due to illness or another legitimate reason.
To encourage and improve school attendance, Gilbert Public Schools and Highland High School have implemented a truancy service in partnership with Maricopa County Juvenile Court. This truancy service is called C.U.T.S. (Court Unified Truancy Suppression). We will be tracking attendance very closely. Your student is expected to be at school every day, unless there is an excused reason not to be. A student that is absent more than ten percent (18 days) of the required number of school days per year is considered to have āexcessive absencesā whether the absence is excused or unexcused.
When a student has five or more unexcused absences or 19 excessive absences (excused OR unexcused), the student can be cited and will have to attend a hearing through the Juvenile Court. A parent or legal guardian must be present with the student at the time of the hearing. Additionally, a student who has 10 or more absences (excused OR unexcused) within a single class during a semester may lose credit for the class for that semester.
Your studentās attendance at school is important to us. While the C.U.T.S. service is one that we would rather not have to utilize, it can become necessary in the event of excessive absences. Should you have any questions about this, please contact the Highland High School administration.
Hawks Spirit Store
Need some Hawk clothing for an upcoming event? Or maybe your student needs another PE Uniform? Looking for a birthday gift? Check out the HHS Spirit Store! Purchase online and it will be ready for pickup the next business day at the store. Can't make it during Spirit Store hours? either have your student pick up or ask for it to be left at the front desk in the Main Office. All proceeds go straight back into the school!!! Go Hawks!
https://az-gilbert-lite.intouchreceipting.com/highlandhighschoolspiritstore
Highland Tutoring Club
Meets on Mondays and Tuesdays in room 1216 from 2:30-3:30
We aim to make the jobs of teachers and students easier by opening more hours for tutoring.
Students often find it easier to learn from other students, and would be more likely to come to a peer for help.
We offer tutoring on nearly every level of math, science, and English: even ACT and SAT prep.
We have accomplished tutors (30+ ACTs, and 3.9+ unweighted GPAs) and vet potential tutors to ensure high-quality tutoring.
Tutors have the potential to earn volunteer hours for college or GC105.
We provide some material, but recommend students come prepared with their math book, notes, or a former assignment.
Tutoring is one-on-one or in small groups based on the subject.
In short, the Highland Tutoring Club is a strong option for students who may be struggling in their classes or simply want a leg up in their academics, but cannot or do not wish to meet with their teachers.
Womenās History Month
In 1980, March was designated Womenās History Month by presidential proclamation.
āFrom the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian familiesā¦men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America were as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.ā ~President Jimmy Carterās Message designating March 2-8, 1980 as National Women's History Week
This year's theme is āWomen Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.ā The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our lives and institutions.
Local partners including Herberger Theater, Arizona Science Center and various community colleges are hosting events to celebrate Womenās History Month. Consider attending one of these many events that highlights the contributions of women to history and contemporary society.
WHATāS NEW?
Dropping/Changing a current class
The last day to drop a class without receiving a WF on your transcript was Friday, March 8th. Additionally, no more level changes will be processed during the last 9-weeks of school so you and your student are encouraged to work with teachers to help facilitate second semester success.
2024-2025 Course Advisement and Selection is Completed
Friday, March 1st marked the conclusion of course selection and advisement for the 2024-2025 school year. Changes to courses in the Academic Planner must be completed by Friday, March 8th and can be done so through your studentās school counselor. Please remember that requests for elective changes will not be honored so encourage your student to be mindful when choosing electives.
Some important things to remember for registration:
Classes that are entered into the Academic Planner are requests and are not guaranteed; therefore, choosing alternates is just as important as first choice selections.
Rule of 5: All students must be registered for a minimum of 5 classes. This can be a combination of in person classes, lunch, and Gilbert Global Academy online classes. Seminary does not count as a class.
All 9th and 10th grade students are required to take lunch.
Collaborative credit with a college/university must have prior approval. Forms can be picked up in the counseling office.
If you sign up for an AP class, it is an expectation that you participate in AP testing in the spring.
Any course that is completed by an online provider other than Gilbert Global Academy requires the completion of the GPS final exam with a minimum passing score of 60%.
Information about course selection that was shared with students is very comprehensive. Parents can access course selection information and documents on the HHS Counseling Website
Important Deadlines From Global Academy Regarding Online Classes:
March 4, 2024 was the last date for 7th-11th grade students to concurrently enroll in online classes.
March 25, 2024 is the last date for seniors to enroll in online classes needed for graduation. To enroll as a concurrent student, you will use the following link GGA Concurrent Enrollment
April 25, 2024 is the deadline for seniors to complete their online coursework. Because students are given up to 18-weeks to complete coursework, extensions will not be granted.
May 22, 2024 is the deadline for 9-11 grade students to complete their online classes without interruption. Students who do not finish by this date will be allowed to resume during summer school (for the $200 fee) or next semester (no fee) for the duration of their 18 weeks. Students who wish to resume their class during summer school will need to contact their counselor for a summer recommendation; those who wish to resume next school year will need to re-complete the concurrent enrollment process in July (at http://www.gilbertschools.net/joinGGA).
Summer School
Summer school will be offered both in-person and online. Recommendations for summer school are completed by your studentās school counselor and you will be notified by email after spring break with information on how to complete enrollment and how/when to pay. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch may be eligible for a $100 waiver. Apply securely online for the 2022/23 school year.
In-person summer school will be held during the month of June at Gilbert High School. Transportation will be provided for a small fee. Students may take one semester course each session.
Session 1: June 3 - June 14
Session 2: June 17- June 28
Cost is $200 per semester credit
Online Summer School is being offered through Gilbert Global Academy. There are three sessions with the first starting Thursday, May 30th. Classes are 18-weeks (no extensions) and final exams must be completed onsite at Global Academy. Cost is $200 per semester credit
For additional information about summer school, please visit the GPS website: GPS Summer School
REMINDERS
AP Testing
AP testing will take place during the second two weeks of May. If a student is absent, there is no make-up testing, nor are there refunds. Students and families are encouraged to plan accordingly to ensure they are in attendance for their registered AP tests. To view the full AP testing schedule and the list of items to bring with you to testing, click on the following link 2024 AP Testing Schedule
Mental Health Mattersš
Our next Wellness Wednesday will take place on April 3rd. Our community partners will include notMYkid, Teen Lifeline, Al-Anon, & Community Bridges Inc. Students are encouraged to join the counselors & LINK Crew outside the cafeteria during both lunches with a live DJ from EVIT, craft activities and wellness resources.
Have you heard about the Mindfulnest?
We have a room in the Counseling office that students can come to if they become emotional or overwhelmed during the school day. Students just need to ask for permission from their teacher and come in with a pass. Once they arrive, a counselor will check-in with them and give them up to 20 minutes in our āNestā while they practice a new coping strategy. We also have a Virtual Mindfulnest students can use a resource at home or as needed, to explore this site click here.
Would your student benefit from a Support Group? Our next support groups will be starting up right after Spring Break. We will be offering two different support groups including a Grief Group for students coping with the loss of a loved one and the āConnectā group, appropriate for any student who could use some help navigating the challenges of high school. Groups meet in the Counseling Office Mindfulnest weekly and parent permission is required for on-going student participation. Interested students or parents should subscribe to REMIND here to be āin the knowā about group meetings. For more information, please contact our Mental Health Counselor at raina.rios@gilbertschools.net.
Google Classroom
Be sure to read the announcements in the Class of 2023/2024/2025 Google Classroom. Our College and Career Center regularly posts updates and information about post-secondary topics including college visits to campus, scholarship availability and deadlines, college/post-secondary workshops, military, EVIT, and tech/trade school opportunities. Information can also be found on the HHS web site under the Counseling tab.
Is Your Student Interested In Attending EVIT?
Applications for EVIT opened November 1st. To apply, use the following link to complete the online application: EVIT High School Enrollment If you need assistance with submitting the required documents, please have your student see Mrs. Ward in the College & Career Center located in The Commons or email francia.ward@gilbertschools.net
Seniors
Going to College? Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Opened December 31, 2023
Before each year of college, apply for federal grants, work-study, and loans with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Your college/post-secondary institutions use your FAFSA data to determine your federal aid eligibility. Many states and colleges use FAFSA data to award their own aid. After submission, youāll receive your FAFSA Submission Summary and a Student Aid Index (SAI).
FAFSA opened December 31, 2023. You can create your FSA ID now and complete your application by going to Free Application for Federal Student Aid If you need help or have questions, attend Highlandās FAFSA/Scholarship Night scheduled for April 17th @ 6 PM in the Lecture Hall, room 1123 Register Here This event is open to both Juniors and Seniors.
Looking for a Way to Help Pay for College? Visit our College and Career Center or check our our Scholarship & Resources page HHS Scholarship Resources
Incomplete Grade on Your Transcript?
Be sure to take care of any incomplete grades or grade replacement changes. As you start to submit your transcript to postsecondary institutions, you want to make sure that it is cleaned up and looks its best. Grade change/replacement forms can be picked up in the counseling office.
Need a Transcript?
For all current and future transcript requests, you will need to create a Parchment account. This will allow you to send transcripts to most institutions effortlessly and without delay. Once you graduate, it will not be the responsibility of HHS to submit transcripts when requested so it is important that you create a parchment account. There is no fee to set up an account and there is a nominal fee to have a transcript sent. To get started, click here https://www.parchment.com/
Need to order a cap/gown, announcements, or some grad-swag? Visit the Jostenās website to place your order: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1012899/Highland-High-School/
We are here to support your students and help facilitate their success. Let us know what we can do to assist you.
Bridget Anderson A-Arc & Special Education
Matthew Van Holten Are-Cop
Adam Nyswaner Cor-Gri
Rosie Gorton Gro-Le
Sam Weiss Li-Pap
Candice Horrocks Par-Sok
Brandi McMahan Sol-Z
Raina Rios Mental Health Counselor
Barb Dwyer College & Career Liaison
Francia Ward Career Center Coordinator
Christina Jordan Counseling Secretary
GPS Dress Code Expectations for the 2023-2024 School Year
Student Drop Off and Student Pick Up
Per Arizona Statute 13-13-104B10, which states: During loading or unloading of passengers at a designated school bus loading area at a school, the school shall restrict the loading area to school buses, passengers and school employees assisting in the loading or unloading of passengers.
As a campus we are responsible to have a designated area for our bus loading zone. That area is located on the East side of our campus. We can not have students dropped off or picked up on Roadrunner Dr, which is located on the East side of our campus. Please do not pick-up or drop-off students in this area.
Parents have 2 options for student drop off and pick up:
Option 1 will be in front of the school. Please do not make a left turn onto Guadalupe as this is an illegal turn and presents dangers on the road.
Option 2 will be to use the back lot for drop off and pick up. This option should provide for faster drop off and pick up due to the traffic light timing and the ability to go all directions out of the lot.
PLEASE DO NOT pick up or drop off on Roadrunner Drive on the east side of school. We are required by A.R.S to have a separate drop off area for buses in which there is no parent drop off intermingled.
Thank you for helping us to keep traffic flowing smoothly here at HHS and our students safe!
Click link below to download the map of our drop-off areas:
Option #2 Morning Student Drop-Off - Student Lot
Option #2 Afternoon Student Drop-Off - Student Lot
Our HHS School Resource Officer
Gilbert Public Schools has School Resource Officers (SROs) assigned to all of our High Schools and Jr High Schools. The United States Department of Justice defines School Resource Officers (SROs) as "sworn law enforcement officers responsible for safety and crime prevention in schools". SROs are typically employed by a local police or sheriff's agency and work closely with administrators in an effort to create a safer environment for both students and staff.
The responsibilities of SROs are similar to regular police officers in that they have the ability to make arrests, respond to calls for service, and document incidents. SROs typically have additional duties, including mentoring and conducting presentations on youth-related issues.
Here at Highland we are grateful to have Officer Churchman as our SRO. If students or parents have any questions or concerns you are encouraged to reach out directly to Officer Churchman.
I have been a Police Officer with Gilbert for 18 years. During that time, I have worked patrol, night traffic focusing on DUI enforcement, and as a bike officer in downtown Gilbert. I am an FTO, HGN Certified, ARIDE Certified, IPMBA Certified, CIT Certified, TLO, and a phlebotomist. Prior to law enforcement I obtained my Commercial Pilots License along with a Certified Flight Instructor Certification including instruments. I am grateful for the opportunity to be the SRO at Highland High School and be there for the students and staff. Go Hawks!
Follow us on Instagram
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Find us on Instagram: highland.hawks
2023-2024 School Year Calendar
Link to the 2023-2024 Calendar:
Gilbert Publics Schools Website
Gilbert Public Schools Website: https://www.gilbertschools.net/Page/1
GPS Nutrition Services
Please complete the free and reduced meal application each year for your student!
Link to our GPS Nutritional Services Website: https://www.gilbertschools.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=769
Annual Update on Infinite Campus
It is crucial that all GPS families complete the online 'Annual Update' in Infinite Campus. The information provided will be used by the district or your school to directly communicate with you regarding your student, or in the event of an emergency on campus. Please log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal and complete the 'Annual Update' today! | Update Here
See Something? Say Something!
The confidential GPS Tip Line was designed to promote school and student safety and wellbeing. Students and parents can report a threat or potential threat about a student or school. The Tip Line also provides information on other topics, which may affect our students, staff, or schools. | Submit Tip
Families Hub
The Families Hub offers a wide range of resources to help you and your student(s) throughout the school year, including back to school updates, menus, nutritional information, enrollment details and more. | Read More
Stay Connected with GPS
Our GPS Mobile App is free and easy to download! From a smart device, go to the App StoreĀ® or Google Play StoreĀ® and search for "Gilbert Public Schools." Don't forget to customize your app by selecting to follow your student's school calendar and notifications!
Here Comes the Bus App
We are excited to announce the introduction of 'Here Comes the Bus,' a new service for our families whose students ride the school bus. The app allows GPS parents and families to track the real-time location of their student's school bus, to know when and where their student boards or exits the bus, and helps ensure GPS students get to the bus stop on time. Read more by clicking on the following link: https://www.gilbertschools.net/Page/2597
GPS District Community Calendar
Check out our district calendar for the latest details on GPS events, holidays, breaks and more. | View Here
Contact Us
Phone: 480-813-0051
Fax: 480-813-0258
4301 East Guadalupe Road
Gilbert, AZ 85234