Highland Elementary Newsletter
October 2021
MESSAGE FROM OUR ADMINISTRATION
Dear Highland families,
We have been pleased to share these past weeks with your students! We couldn't be more excited to be back in person five days a week. Now that school is in full swing, we wanted to reiterate how important it is for staff, families, and students to work together to keep each other safe and ensure that our students receive the best education possible.
Part of this safety protocol is for students to stay home if they show any of the primary symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, loss of taste, or smell. As a reminder please communicate with the school if your child has had any of these symptoms or if they have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. We want to thank you for sending your student with a face mask and also thank the students for being so cooperative and keeping it on.
At Highland Elementary, we are making sure to follow the protocols given to us by the district.
We thank you for being patient and giving us grace as we try to maneuver through yet another different and challenging year. We look forward to working together as a community to ensure success for all. Go Hawks!
- Principal Erin Rodriguez
SCHOOL CALENDAR
KEY DATES:
- October 1 Dental Screening
- October 8: No school - Statewide Inservice Day
- October 11: Parent Meeting 6 PM English 7 PM Spanish
- October 14: Picture Day
- October 20-22: No School - Fall Conferences
- October 31: Halloween 👻
- November 1: Jog-A-Thon (Dress-up as a Book Character)
- November 8: Parent Meeting 6 PM English 7 PM Spanish
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Jog-A-Thon
We are collecting money in the month of October to fix our Running Track.
Theme: Book Character
This year, students can dress-up as their favorite book character on Nov. 1st.
Prizes:
Student
1st Place: Principal for the day, picks prize from the principal.
2nd Place: Picks price from the principal.
Class
1st Place: Pizza and Treat Party (Class will vote on treat)
2nd Place: Treat Party (Class will vote on treat)
SAFE RETURN TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION
Salem-Keizer Public Schools is working to develop plans despite rapidly evolving data and shifting circumstances. We understand these plans will impact all of you, and we are committed to a thoughtful approach that is inclusive of students, parents, staff and the community.
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School board proclaims Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15
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Reminders About Traffic Around Our School
It’s a new school year and a good time to share a few reminders about traffic around the school.
Students, parents, buses, staff and school neighbors all share the same travel routes through the neighborhood to and from the school. Peak travel times can create congestion and increase the need for safe and courteous travel practices.
Here are a few ways parents can help us create a safe, respectful and positive environment when driving near the school:
- Please drive slowly. Remember, the speed limit in a school zone when lights are flashing is 20 miles per hour.
- Please don’t park in neighbors’ driveways at any time, even if the driveway is open.
- Don’t block streets, stop in intersections or crosswalks, and please obey crossing guards’ instructions.
- Remind children to stop and look both ways before crossing streets, and to respect neighbors’ property – for example, don’t make shortcuts through neighbors’ yards.
- Avoid lining up early for pick-up or drop-off to help minimize congestion. We ask that parents don't line up before 2:15 pm, given that dismissal is until 2:20 pm.
- Don’t drive in bus lanes, even if no buses are present.
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GUIDELINES FOR FACE COVERING
As more students and staff return to in-person learning, face coverings are required when in a Salem-Keizer Public Schools building, with situational exceptions. All employees, students and visitors must continue to wear a face covering indoors, this includes sporting events.
All students, staff, volunteers and visitors are not required to wear face coverings outdoors. This includes, but is not limited to: athletic events, outdoor PE, outdoor music, recess and arrival & dismissal. Until additional updates are provided, all physical distancing and other related requirements still apply.
If a student needs a face covering, the school has them available for students.
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2021-22 MEAL PRICES: FREE!
EDGE Student Meals
SAVE MILK!
If a student doesn’t want the milk, that’s okay! A student does not have to take a milk if they do not take an entrée.
PANDEMIC FOOD BENEFITS INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
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SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH - You are not alone
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PARENTSQUARE
We are excited to introduce ParentSquare, a new two-way communication platform that will streamline and improve communication with families and staff. It has the functions of both Remind and SchoolMessenger and will eventually replace both platforms. It also includes appointment scheduling options, which may be very helpful for conference sign ups.
It is very important that parents keep their contact information current.
Be sure to let your school office know if you have a new address, email or phone number.
The parent or guardian marked as the primary contact in the student information system will receive automated communication.
Messages will also be sent to the student’s home phone number contained in the database, if different from the primary contact phone number.
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OREGON HEALTH PLAN FREE FOR YOUTH
Through the Oregon Health Plan, youth 19 years of age and younger have access to free health coverage, regardless of immigration status if they meet the income requirements.
More information, including income requirements and how to apply for coverage, is available online.