Highland Happenings
December 8th, 2023
The Return of the Gingerbread Man!
In addition to the 12 Days of Highland starting this week, we also had a visit from the Gingerbread Man! Our kindergarteners did a great job finding that pesky good and there lots of smiles all around! We are excited for the 12 Days of Highland to continue on Monday, don't forget to wear orange! Trimester 1 report cards were sent home with students today, please make sure to check your student's backpack for their report card envelope. There is no need to return the envelope back to school. If you have any questions about your student's report card, please reach out to their teacher. Please feel free to reach out to me at zcraft@dg58.org, or our main office at 630-719-5835 if you have any questions or need any assistance. Take care and have a great weekend.
My Best,
Zac Craft
Principal, Highland School
The 2023-2024 Highland Playbook
Click below to read the 2023-2024 Highland Playbook! You can also find the Highland Playbook on our website: https://www.dg58.org/hg/the-2022-2023-highland-playbook
Grade Reports Are Coming Home Today!
First trimester concluded on Nov. 17. Each trimester, student achievement information is shared with students and families. Report cards for students in grades K-6 were sent home with students today!
Please know that just as our instructional practices recognize the need to meet students where they are and ensure that foundational skills are solidified to address current grade level standards, a child’s report card is a reflection of their learning at a moment in time.
Please Make Sure Your Student is Dressed for the Weather!
Science Fair registration is Now Open!
Students in grades 1-6 are invited to participate in the Science Fair this winter! Registration is open now until Dec. 22. To register for this year’s Science Fair, use this Registration Form. The Science Fair will take place Saturday, Jan. 20 from 8-11 a.m. at O’Neill Middle School. The fair is open to all District 58 students in grades 1-6. Participating in the Science Fair is voluntary, but District 58 encourages every student to consider participating!
Students may register as an individual or with one partner. More details can be found here.
For the holidays, honor teachers and staff with a Green Apple
For the holidays, consider honoring a teacher or staff member with a Green Apple Award.
The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 invites families to thank a special teacher or staff member with a donation to its Green Apple Teacher/Staff Recognition Program.
With each Green Apple donation received, the Education Foundation will send a specially designed Green Apple Award card to the teacher or staff member the donation is honoring, with a custom message from the donor.
All donations will support the Education Foundation’s programs, which include the Teacher Grants Program, Distinguished Service Awards, Select 58, Sneak Preview, New Teacher Luncheon, The Reading Games and more.
Green Apple donations and messages may be submitted online at https://bit.ly/3NIT3CW. All donations are tax-deductible. While the Green Apple Program is open year-round, if you would like your Green Apple Award to be delivered before winter break, please submit your donation by Friday, Dec. 15.
New service on mental health resources
District 58 strives to create a culture of well-being for students, parents, staff and community. To further support this endeavor, the District has invested in an additional support service through ReferralGPS.
ReferralGPS is a service providing assistance to our community in finding local mental health and substance use-related treatment resources. The service compliments the District’s existing systems of support as a tool for student service teams and families to connect with treatment. Along with a searchable database of treatment options, ReferralGPS assists families in triage and appointment setting.
School district staff and families may access ReferralGPS in two ways:
Contact Student Services (social workers, psychologists, counselors) to seek out treatment options
Visit this link at https://referralgps.com/find-help/DG58 to search for treatment resources or connect with a Care Navigator anonymously
The platform has the ability to filter by mental health concern, clinician gender/specialty, location, and insurance acceptance. The service is available for all types of private and public insurance options including PPO, HMO, Medicaid, and families that are uninsured or underinsured.
ReferralGPS is available for use by district students, staff, and families at no cost. All information entered on the ReferralGPS tool is completely confidential and securely stored.
The 12 Days of Highland Are Back!
This year we are excited to bring back The 12 Days of Highland to help us celebrate the final days of school before Winter Break! Each of the 12 Days of Highland are listed below. As with all of our spirit days, participation is optional. You can click each box below to expand the picture to see more!
Next Week is the Last Week of our One Book, One School!
The Highland Scoop!
PTA All Day
Staff Wishlists
Here is a link to the Staff Holiday Wishlist!
This list is meant for you to have ideas for gifts if you and your children wish to give something to some Highland staff. It is not expected that you give any gifts!
Trivia Night
Save the date - Trivia Night 2024!!
When: Friday, March 1st
Where: Alter Brewing
What: A fun night of trivia, eating, drinking and dancing! As well as some fun raffle baskets and a wine pull!
Theme: Woodstock
We can’t wait to see you there! More information to come.
Holiday Husky Huddle
Highland is awesome! We have 100% completion on the Husky Huddle list! Way to go Team Highland!
Just a reminder… please drop off donations by DECEMBER 15th. Drop off at 3746 Saratoga. ***For any donations needing refrigeration/freezing, please contact Nicole Bernard at 312-961-4388 to arrange drop off AFTER December 15th.***
Dining for Dollars Reminder
Planning for the holidays? Whether you're cooking or visiting family, you can support Highland by purchasing gift cards for Honey Baked Ham. Highland will receive 20% of purchases through this link: https://bit.ly/HighlandHam - and you will receive the full value of the purchase on an electronic or physical gift card to be used on meats, snacks or sides from HBH (see the full menu here). It's a win/win!
This deal will last until the end of the school year. Please feel free to share it with friends and family so we can take full advantage of it!
Yearbook Update
***You can still order yearbooks through Monday, April 8, 2024: https://web.treering.com/create-account/1016950792033554?PassCode=1016950792033554
6th Grade Shout Outs
Parents and relatives of 6th Grade Students have the opportunity to purchase 1/8 page or 1/4 page “Shout Outs” in the 2023-24 yearbook to celebrate their student’s promotion to Middle School!
All “Shout Outs” are full color and are $5.00 for 1/8 page, $10.00 for 1/4 page.
To order, please visit https://web.treering.com/create-account/1016950792033554?PassCode=1016950792033554
Multiple “Shout Outs” can be purchased, but we kindly ask that you limit your student’s total space to 1/2 page due to page constraints.
The deadline to design and purchase “Shout Outs” is Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
Shout Outs are completely optional, but no late purchases will be accepted.
Let's Be Social
Keep In Touch
Email: zcraft@dg58.org
Website: DG58.org/HG
Location: 3935 Highland Avenue, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: (630)-719-5835
Facebook: facebook.com/HGHuskies
Twitter: @HGHuskies