Highland Park Family Newsletter
February 23, 2024
Highland Park Families,
Our campus hosted Fine Arts Night on Thursday, and it was phenomenal. It was wonderful to see the beautiful artwork displayed down the main hallway and our talented students performing! 2nd Grade rocked the Jazz performance and in the gym, while Honor Choir and Sign Language performed in the cafeteria. We also had Cheerleading, Ballet Folklorico and African dance performances. We finished off the night with Arts & Crafts activities. What a fun-filled night! We are very proud of all our Bulldogs! Special Thanks to our Specials team; Ms. Ross, Ms. Kalala, Coach Blair, Ms. Smulski, Ms. Reyes and our Instructional Coach Ms. Thompson for organizing this event! Thank you to al volunteers who helped set up, monitor, and clean up after the event.
Tomorrow we will have 16 students representing HPES at Greater Austin Science and Engineering Fair! We are beyond proud of our bulldogs and their hard work with their science projects!
Next week we will kick of our Spring Book Fair on Monday, followed by Kinder Open House for new Kinder students (24-25) then Kinder Rodeo Performance on Thursday, and Talent Show on Friday evening. We are looking forward to another fun filled and busy week.
Please make sure to read through this newsletter as we have many events coming up and let us know if you have any questions.
Have a wonderful week! Highland Park Bulldogs Woof!
With Thanks,
Lizbeth Ruiz
Principal
Highland Park Elementary
Students Food Deliveries Reminder
Due to security adjustments, and to allow our front office staff the ability to focus on the main functions of their role and responsibilities, Highland Park Elementary School will not be accepting food deliveries for students from outside food delivery companies (for example DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub, etc.) or from food vendors (Pizza Hut for example) during the school day.
Spring Book Fair- February 26-March 2nd
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Highland Park Elementary. Open from Monday, February 26th though Friday, March 1st . Volunteer to set up, cashier, or help students shop!
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
Kinder Open House - February 27th
For Incoming Kinder Students for 2024-2025
5th Grade Parent Night- February 27th
Kinder Rodeo- February 29th
HPES Talent Show- March 1st
Please join us in our campus wide dress up days in honor of Black History Month!
HPES Oratorical Showcase Honoring Black History
Kids Heart Challenge
Highland Park is Heart Healthy!
Join us in learning about heart health and raising funds to protect all hearts – especially other kids’! Through fun activities we’ll discover ways to take care of our hearts and brains while practicing kindness, gratitude and learning ways to de-stress. Plus, we have the chance to earn PE equipment for our school!
Donate to fuel our school's $5,000 goal. So far we have raised $2,167.17!
Don't forget about our FUN COACH'S CHALLENGE: Anyone who raises $100 in donations gets to DISCO SLIME COACH!
Congratulations to the following students who have already earned our school’s challenge: Eva H , Lana H , Naya H , Mason B , Summer W , Jazmyn H , Wyatt S , Gentry B , Adam B , Hunter W , Cruz H , Tyler S , Everett B , Sean C.
THANK YOU for supporting our Kids Heart Challenge! 51 Students have already joined!
PFISD Section 504 Parent Night !!!!!
We will be hosting 504 Parent Night on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Pflugerville ISD Central Administration Building in the Boardroom. This is a great opportunity for parents/ guardians and others in our community to come and learn about Section 504 and the protection it provides for general education students.
The following are a few topics that will be covered: How to effectively participate in your child’s 504 meeting, its purpose, and the objective of the Section 504 meeting. Participants can learn what components should be included in a Section 504 accommodation plan and gain more Insight on available 504 Accommodations.
The Goal of the Event:
To deepen and extend the knowledge of participants (parents/guardians and others in our Pflugerville community) understanding by providing information to help them access services for eligible Section 504 students.
Specials Schedule
Library News
- Waves of Pages: If you haven't already, please send to the library or put student log's in my teacher box today. I'll be completing our application and sending to Schlitterbahn this week.
- AR Deadline- March 8th. Reading growth happens when students quiz within their ZPD. Please check in on students before the deadline. The most powerful tool is doing a status of the class. "What are you reading?" "Is this book a good match for you?" I will share that students that score high on their STAR 360 truly miss those books that are out of their ZPD. Blue and purple dot books are challenging and not always on their interest level. Setting goals that are challenging but attainable on just right books is key. Please reach out to your team or me for help on ZPDs, book levels, and goals.
- Book Fair is from Feb. 26th-March 1st. Click on BOOK FAIR SIGN UP to reserve a spot for your class to come shop. Remember that letting your families know when your shopping day is helps more kiddos bring their money in on the right day.
- Our schedule keeps it manageable so we can monitor and help students. Students may visit the book fair at other times if accompanied by staff.
- I encourage you to invite parents (especially of our younger kiddos) to come shop with their child if they can. We can always use the extra help when our tiniest shoppers come in.
- Pegasus/PreK classes do not need to sign up for a time. These students can come at any time if accompanied by a staff member.
Look here for more answers to your: Book Fair Frequently Asked Questions
Read Across America Week March 4- March 8th!
HPES Field Day - March 8th
We are so excited, Field Day is less than a month away!
Attention parents! We're calling on you to join us in making Highland Park Field Day an unforgettable event for our children! We need your help to ensure everything runs smoothly and that our kids have a blast. Whether it's supervising games, organizing activities, or simply lending a hand wherever needed, your participation is invaluable. Let's come together as a community to create cherished memories for our little ones. Sign up to volunteer today and let's make Highland Park Field Day a day to remember!
Elementary Report Card Dates
- 3/8-: 9 Weeks Ends
- 3/18: Grades Due
- 3/25: Report Card Available to Parents
Don't forget....
- Monday: Spring Book Fair Kickoff!
- Tuesday: Kinder Open House 4:30-6:30
- Wednesday: Celebrate Black History by Honoring the African Diaspora and wearing red, green, black or African print.
- Thursday: Kinder Rodeo at 9:10
- Friday: Talent Show at 6:00
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
Campus Kudos:
- 4th-grade Team (from SpEd team) Thank you for coming into our classroom, setting up treats, and supporting our team. You guys made our day!
- Daniela Geng- Ms. Geng radiates with positivity! She has an open mindset and is always looking for ways to improve her (already amazing) teaching. Ms. Geng communicates well with parents and is respectful, kind, and nurturing with her students. She works hard to build stamina and confidence in her students and encourages them to put forth their personal best in all they do! Ms. Geng, you’re simply fabulous!
- 3rd through 5th and other tutoring teachers - Thank you for your flexibility as we have been working out the kinks to get tutoring started!
- PK-2 and other non-tutoring teachers - Thank you for your flexibility and taking on another duty day so help out with campus-wide tutoring!
- Ms. Ross, Ms. Kalala, Coach Blair, Coach Smulski, Mrs. Reyes, Ms. Thompson and all who helped with Fine Arts Night. Thank you for organizing and planning a fantastic Fine Arts Event!
District Kudos:
- HPES 5th grade Students & Staff (from Ms. Laura Brown- Park Crest Principal) Please tell your students how much we enjoyed meeting them yesterday! Their behavior was remarkable and they listened to learn!
Remember, one small positive thought or compliment can change a person's entire day. :)
HPES Celebrates Black History Month
Celebrate HBCU Colleges and Universities
Happy Bus Driver Appreciation Week!
Huge thank you to our Highland Park Elementary School Bus Drivers!
Mr. Rafael Reyes, Mr. Graylin Anderson, Mr. Wilford Holley, Mr. Marnie Staley, Ms. Jane Galbreath, and Mr. Jason Mojica we appreciate you so much!
HPES Fine Arts Night
Upcoming Events
2023-2024 School Year Calendar with grading periods, student holidays, etc.
Feb. 26- Mar.1 Spring Book Fair
Feb. 27- Kinder Open House ( for incoming Kinder 24-25)
Feb. 29- Kinder Rodeo
Mar. 1- Talent Show
Mar. 4- Mar. 8- Read Across America Week
Mar. 5- Mar. 7 -Reading/Language Arts Interim 3rd - 5th Grade
Mar. 6- Graduation Pictures PK, Kinder, and 5th Grade
Mar. 7- Oratorical performances during school day
Mar. 8- 3rd 9 Weeks AR deadline
Mar. 8- Field Day
Mar. 11- Mar. 15- Spring Break
Mar. 22- 2nd Grade Fieldtrip to Rodeo Austin
Mar. 26- Mar. 28- Math Language Arts Interim 3rd - 5th Grade
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- Library- Texas 2 x 2 Deadline
May 14- 4th 9 Weeks AR deadline
May 15- All Library books due
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