Tartan Times Community Newsletter
Quarter 1 Edition
Principal's Message
Hello Highland Students and Community-
As the first marking period has come to an end and we start marking period two; please take the time to reflect on your efforts from the start of the school year. Evaluate the challenges you had to overcome or the ones that you may have fallen short from. Be honest with yourself; you will not show growth if you are not willing to own up to any mistakes on your end. Question if you have put forth the best effort within the class academically and behaviorally. Did you ask for help if you needed it? Did you seek extra assistance? Did you respect your teachers and classmates leading to a positive climate for academic success? These are all essential for growth at the high school level.
Highland High School is what you make it with your positive efforts from day to day. Please make good decisions as we progress through the school year. Keep in mind, major discipline offenses will lead to time missed from class and disruptions to instruction for all. Before you react, take a step back and seek guidance from your supporters (support staff, teachers, counselors, case managers, administration). We are all here to assist with any challenges you are having academically, behaviorally, and emotionally.
Keep an eye out, we are going to be encouraging behaviors leading to a positive school culture with Highland HYPE bucks. These bucks will be deposited per grade level in order to earn prizes on a weekly, monthly, and marking period basis.
Morgan Freeman states, "If you fail, never give up, because F.A.I.L means First Attempt In Learning."
Thank you and Go Tartans!
Mr. Varga
What is Highland HYPE?
The Highland HYPE is evident through two views; from the teacher’s methodology and a student perspective of their school. HYPE is an acronym for Helping Young People Excel where teachers provide a learning environment set up for success. Our Highland staff create various ways to instruct and assist students towards learning goals. Through RTI methods, our staff support our students through multi-tiered support services with academic plans. Our students come to school with the positive mindset of how to better themselves each day. It is a collaborative effort with the student body on making Highland a place they wish to be part of and participate academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. The overall goal is to highlight the entire student body; fostering and implementing positive student and faculty growth, relationships, and mindset. The idea of a positive behavior support system within schools is to not overlook the majority of students, allow them to be the example for their peers to look up to, and encourage our “at risk” students proper behaviors through instant recognition.
Athletic News
Fall Sports Highlights
Girls Tennis - had the largest turn out for the season yet. With 27 student-athletes signing up for the tennis team this fall.
Cheerleading: Fall cheer ended their season with a competition in Wildwood - placing 2nd!
Field Hockey - the team improved from last year with several more wins under their belt. Goalie Rozlyn Dismus earned her 500th career save!
Volleyball - Senior, Victoria Lawrence was selected as our school’s 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship winner
Boys and Girls Cross Country - both teams won division titles this fall! Senior, Grace Wassell placed top 10 at the Group III Sectional race while the boys team won the Group III Sectional title
Boys Soccer - The boys team qualified for playoffs this season and had a record 16 seniors on the team.
Girls Soccer - A highlight was when junior, Breelynn Leary scored the golden goal to win in overtime against Triton and give new head coach Mr. Oberg his first win.
Football - the team took off mid-season rolling through opponents every Friday night. The mighty Tartans qualified for the playoffs, easily knocking off the first round opponent - Manasquan. They lost a heartbreaker in the semi-finals against Seneca. This was one of the most successful seasons for the football team in a long time!
Additional Athletic Highlights
TCC First Team Honors
Field Hockey: McKenzie Delaney
Rozlyn Dismus
Girls XC: Grace Wassell
Audrey Musmeci
Boys XC: Aziz Muhammad-Kane
Gavin Gallo
Cole Knoedler
Jakie Smith
Volleyball: Rhianna Balmores
Boys Soccer: Aidan Anderson
Girls Soccer: Alodia Traenkner
Football: Avant Stewart
Dominic Masselli
Byron Williams
Angelo Rodriguez
Connor Leary
Jonathan Graham
Nehemiah Butler-Mayhew
Be sure to visit the Athletics Tab on the Highland Website for upcoming events, dates and up to date information.
Follow us on Twitter: @HighlandTartans or on Instagram: @HighlandHSHighlights
Clubs and Activities:
All our 36 (and counting) clubs and activities are up and running for this school year. There is something for everyone from the Gaming club to the Art & Illustration club. All our clubs and activities can be found on our school website.
Recently, Interact/Key Club hosted a very successful Trunk or Treat and are now in the process of planning for the Holiday Parade.
Asian American Culture Club recently held a movie night and are looking forward to hosting more movie nights in the future.
The Fall Production, The Game’s Afoot premieres this Thursday 11/17/22. You can also catch the show this Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit our school’s website.
Student Spotlight
Reliable
Congratulations to our nominees:
Ian Robeson- 9th grade
Kyron Hicks- 10th grade
Dacia Mack- 11th grade
Olivia Alexander- 12th grade
These students are then recognized at the Spotlight Breakfast in front of their parents and the staff member that nominated them.
Meet the Staff
Mr. Alessandroni
Art Alessandroni - DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL COUNSELING
Oversee / ALL testing (State and College Board)
Builds HHS Master Schedule
Point person for all things NCAA clearinghouse
Coordinate Academic / Financial Aid evening events annually
Monitors Home Instruction
Ms. Altman - Mental Health Assistance Counselor
Ms. Altman meets with students whose mental health is keeping them from succeeding in school and outside of school. The topics discussed with students include but are not limited to anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem, anger management and grief/loss. Ms. Altman also presents classroom lessons covering numerous mental health topics in order to provide education and awareness.
Ms. Rodgers- SAC
Student Testimonial about Highland
Through my years here at Highland, I’m happy to say that I have finally seen the school progress towards becoming an established community, especially once we found our new principal. Highland’s line of communication and structure within the school drastically improved, and the school finally started to push in a direction that would promote student growth and success. With the addition of new clubs, new programs, student committees, specialized staff, and renovations in the school (Band room, hallway signs, gym, etc.), the school’s efforts have overall contributed to a heightened morale that permeates the halls. From my freshman year to my senior year, I have now found a place for myself and I, for sure, know that Highland will continue doing this for incoming students who anxiously anticipate high school. In prioritizing inclusivity, a strong community, and most importantly student success, Highland Regional High School has come a long way, fairly quick. With new administration and major improvements, I believe that this school does not intend to slow down anytime soon."
- Gloria Simmons
Senior
HSC
Jenéa S. Davis President
Ronda Bard 1st Vice President
Dawn Huber 2nd Vice President of Fundraising
Kristen Nestor Treasurer
Vacant Secretary
As a Home & School Board are extremely excited to welcome you to Highland Home & School Council!
Did you know? Highland HSC’s largest fundraiser is our Membership Drive. We ask for a $5.00 minimum donation per family to help support our various efforts. Traditionally, HSC's fundraisers support the following:
❖ Senior Scholarships – In 2021-2022, we awarded $5,000 (increased from years prior) to graduating seniors
❖ 2 tickets for Junior Prom
❖ 2 tickets for Senior Prom
❖ Donated toward Senior Celebrations
❖ Donated toward Teacher Appreciation Week
To name a few the HSC sponsors fundraisers such as Chipotle nights, Dine and Donate at Skeeter’s Pub, the annual Clothing Drives & Yard Sales, Senior Graduation Banners & Lawn Sign sale. Some of our activities include: A teacher/staff back-to-school breakfast, handing out soft pretzels in the fall and water ice in the spring to all the student body, and selling spirit wear at the beginning of each school year. Through these various efforts, the HSC committee aims to create a culture of community for Highland students.
HSC has many events that are coming up, mark your calendars:
- Chipotle Fundraiser – November 16th
- November 17th BOE meeting @ Highland High School
- 23 ½ Day for Students and Teachers
- 24-25 School Closed for Thanksgiving
- Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser – December 8th
AFJROTC
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