Thank You to Our Veterans!

As you know, the flooding in the Dove Springs/Onion Creek community was quite devastating to the many families living in that area.  Including many children enrolled in our school district.  Please check Sunday's Scottie Informer for ways you can individually help those affected by the flood.  Additionally, Highland Park is collecting blankets and towels through next week, with donation boxes located in our main hallway - thanks Lizanne and Cari.  Our thoughts are certainly with those who are still in need of support. 

Two other items I want to highlight here, though they will also be featured in the upcoming Scottie Informer blasts.  There will be a Math Parent Presentation Night at the November 13th PTA General Meeting.  It begins at 6:30 pm and it promises to be a very informative look at our K-5 math processes (think all things problem solving).  A rep from each grade level will be on hand to present or answer questions, so you will want to be here to learn all about math at Highland Park.

Additionally, there will be an Advanced Academics Night for any interested K-5 HP parent on Wednesday, November 20, 6:30 pm in our cafeteria.  Our GT Parent/Teacher Advisory is hosting this interactive presentation, featuring topics such as Habits of the Scholarly Mind, GT nomination processes, and more.  Hope to see you there!

Wrapping up, it truly was one of those weeks of variety, including a feel good Friday assembly.

Here are some additional images from the week. 

In Mrs. Finkle's 4th grade class, students reviewing matter/mass and very ably demonstrating the concept of "weight" from Earth to Jupiter and points in between.  Great in the moment use of DBI.

First graders in Ms. Davis' classroom showing what they know at the beginning of the day, doing a bit of reader's theatre around The Little Red Hen (I hear Mrs. Davis was in costume the day before...sure sorry I missed that!).  At this short performance, her students read their scripts with much fluency.  Especially loved that she had parents in attendance.  When I left, students were very happily talking about their connected work with their special guests, including written stories, graphic organizers tied to the teacher use of DAR, and some very cute story illustrations.

On another day and over in first grade teacher Ms. Ferguson's room, those students also were also showing their parents the recent work they had completed for their Author's Celebration.  I received a hand delivered  invitation from two very special students, and again, it was great to see parents in attendance, moving from student to student so these young learners could explain their learning.  Talking about the books they chose and the personal narratives they wrote connected to this memoir writing unit of study.

And if you haven't been to our upper playground lately, you have to check out our brand new Ga-ga Pit.   Though I don't have a picture of it with kids actually in it, trust me when I tell you that this is one high energy kid magnet.  The day I visited 4th grade recess, many students were cheering and chanting those playing the game in the pit (rules posted on the side!) and I loved the energy level even on that drizzly day.  HP parent and Girl Scout leader Destina Olivares tells me, "It was a combined effort by Catherine Salazar's previous 5th grade GS Troop #1529 and our Troop #1090. Catherine passed the project to us when her girls graduated HP. We raised funds by selling cookies and saving our money. It was a Girl Scout Bronze Award project".  From what I have seen so far, this new game is a big hit with the students.   Way cool addition.

Finally, on Friday, Highland Park once again recognized Veterans Day at our school.  November typically brings us this well planned and well implemented fourth grade assembly and I must say this year was no exception - another moving experience for those of us in attendance, as students sang patriotic songs for the audience.  Most of all, it was an afternoon of recognition for those who have served our country through military service.  Some were parents, some were grandparents (including former Marine Ted Whatley, pictured left with his step-daughter Hellen), and some honored family guests.  We were glad to have each of them join us.

Below, I highlight two of the afternoon's special visitors who proudly wore their uniforms to our assembly.  I think you'll agree with me that the short bios of each of these men certainly speak for the enormous contributions (and sacrifices) they have individually made and are still making today.  And most certainly serve as a representative sample of the many men and women whose contributions cannot all be detailed here...though I wish I could do so. Highland Park salutes all of you.

Naval Reserves Officer, Todd Bisang, Commander, Surface Warfare, USN.  Has served 23 years, 8 being active duty.   Recipient of several military honors, including the Joint Services Commendation Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals, and many more. Duty assignments have included USS Racine, USS Princeton, Defense Language Institute, Italian Amphibious Forces, and Afghanistan.

LCDR Gerald Delk.  Reserves:
4th Med Battalion, Shock Trauma Platoon Leader.  Emergency Medicine Physician.  Recent deployment was to Kandahar Afghanistan.  Just completed 3rd deployment.  Trauma Team Leader for Role 3 Combat Hospital.