Spring 2016
Highland Scottie Dogs Newsletter
Highland Elementary School
Phone: 952-423-7595
14001 Pilot Knob Road
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Fax: 952-423–7665
Web address: www.district196.org
News from the Principal
Greetings Highland Families,
As the 2015-2016 school year draws to a close, we have a few things to share with you in our last newsletter of the
year. It has been a wonderful year with many learning opportunities for all of our students. You, as parents, helped
contribute to the total learning experience for our Highland students. We want to thank you for your wonderful parental support and involvement. A big thanks goes to all parents who were able to volunteer in some way to help make
this a special year: from working on the yearbook, helping with Box Tops, volunteering in the classroom and going on
field trips….the list goes on and on. We appreciate all of your time and talents. A special thanks to Stacy Kronberg
and DeeDee Melander for their outstanding leadership as our Volunteer Coordinators and also to our Highland Site
Council members for all of the extra time and effort that they contributed to Highland this past year.
Similar to last year, you will be receiving a letter in late July indicating your child’s teacher and other information
regarding the start of the school year. All students will be invited in for a literacy assessment on August 23rd or
24th. We will use this data to determine instructional and independent reading levels and adjust instruction to address the needs of individual students. When you bring your child in for the assessment, you will receive a school calendar/handbook which will contain curriculum and program information dates for your planning. These dates will also
be posted on our HL website at www.district196.org/hl . More information will be coming home with how to sign up for
these assessment times online this summer.
In August, the Transportation Department will send out specific bus routes and times. If your child will be attending
daycare, please complete a transportation form as soon as possible.
It’s a busy time of year with activities planned for each grade level that parents are invited to attend. We would love
to have you participate in these activities with your children. We look forward to seeing you and your family on
Thursday, May 19 at our annual Highland Family Picnic. We are partnering once again with the Apex Fun Run for our
Spring Fundraiser. Please feel free to visit www.apexfunrun.com to hear about this interactive program that helps
schools raise money while promoting leadership and fitness in classrooms. We wish your family an enjoyable summer
and look forward to a successful 2016-2017 school year.
Respectfully,
Chad Ryburn
Principal
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Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
Site Council Elections
School Tool Box - School
Supply Packs for 2016-17
Congratulations to our new Site
Council member, Elizabeth Wooten &
our returning Site Council member,
Sara-Lynn Nash! There was no need
for an election this year since we
had only the two applications.
Elizabeth & Sara-Lynn will serve
two-year terms starting in the 201617 school year.
We’re looking for any mouse pads that
you may have laying around the house
or office.
Our mouse pads get pretty ragged
looking after testing time in the Spring.
We will be offering 2nd-5th grade students the
opportunity to purchase school supply packs for
2016-17 through a new company this year, School
Tool Box. Look for a flyer to come home soon
with details. We are offering this as an option
for families; participation is not required. We
will be sending home the 2015-2016 student supply lists for grades 1-5 along with your student’s
report card at the end of the year. We will also
have this information posted on our school website. The kindergarten teachers will once again
purchase supplies for kindergarten students at a
small expense to parents. More information will
come to you at a later date for kindergarten students.
Thanks for your help!
Student Forum announces
Appropriate Behavior Counts
(ABC) Assembly—
Assembly—March 18th
Highland Showcase 2016!
It’s time for the annual Highland Showcase which
spotlights the unbelievably talented kids at Highland. All students in grades 1-5 are invited to
perform for their grade level shows. Letters and
applications will be sent home. Several performances from each grade will be selected to perform
at the All-School Highland Showcase during the
last week of school.
Encourage your child to prepare a solo or group
performance with some friends. Performances
should be no longer than 3 minutes. Any music or
clothing used should be appropriate for a school
setting.
Applications are due Tuesday, May 10.
Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
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5th Grade Spelling Bee
The fifth graders all have a chance to shine in the area of spelling. In March, all
fifth grade students were given a pre-test, and the top scorers advanced to our
building spelling bee. The spelling bee champion is Josh Neuenschwander.
Congratulations to all of our spellers!
Coming up in May:
Highland’s Annual Family
Picnic & APEX Fun Run Event
May 19th, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
SAFETY FIRST
With the warmer weather upon us, we’re seeing many students
show up at school wearing flip flops. To date, we’ve had many
toes getting stepped on & numerous flip flops falling apart
causing kids to trip, fall & incur injuries.
For safety’s sake, we’d like to suggest that students not
wear flip flops to school. Even though students don’t have phy ed every day,
everyone goes outside for recess daily—let’s try to keep injuries at bay with
closed toe shoes. Thanks for your help!
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Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
2016 Math Masters Competition
On April 23rd, a team of Highland fifth graders competed in the
Math Masters competition. This math competition included
several timed rounds of math problems for students as individuals and as a team to participate in.
The Highland Scotties team took 8th
place out of 34 teams!
Nathan Elango took 16th place out of 161 competitors for the
“individual" rounds. This math competition was very challenging and
we are very proud of our Highland Scotties team!
MN ZooMS Design Challenge
The ZooMS design challenge offers students a chance to develop a solution to a ‘real’ problem faced by
zoo keepers and staff at the Minnesota Zoo. From designing an enrichment, to engineering a model of a
renovated animal exhibit, the problem will challenge students to use their science and math knowledge,
creativity, problem solving, and research skills during the engineering design process in order to best
solve the problem and present a solution.
Selected students were invited to showcase their design challenge solution in the ZooMS Design Exhibition
on March 8, 2016 at the Minnesota Zoo for a chance to win a backstage pass experience with our animals! The Highland groups created prototypes for a puzzle feeder, as an enrichment, for the six species
of primates at the MN Zoo.
Here are some of the stats from the ZooMS Design Challenge:
The numbers represent elementary and middle school combined
40 teachers from 16 schools in 7 Districts
1,918 students designed a total of 552 solutions
246 students selected to showcase at the Minnesota Zoo
WAY TO GO!
At the elementary exhibition, we had 113 students and a total of 41 projects (13 Exhibit Design projects and 28 Enrichment Projects)
Eliana took third place in the design
challenge for the puzzle feeder enrichment!
Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
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Have Spring cleaning
on the brain? Don't
forget to clear out those
drawers and cabinets
and get your Box Tops in to school before the
end of the school year! Box tops do expire and
I'd hate for that to happen in your kitchen!
Da Capo Choir performed in
March for the residents at
Burnsville Carefree Assisted Living
Facility.
Also please continue to collect all summer
long. We have one of our biggest collections in
the month of September thanks to all of your
summer efforts. Feel free to ask relatives and
neighbors with older children who are in
schools no longer collecting. Many are happy
to help and those Box Tops can add up
quickly! If every student turned in just 10 Box
Tops on the first day of school, we would earn
over $600! That's just one Box Top each week
of summer, you CAN do it!!!
Thanks so much for helping us raise almost
$2000 this year! That money pays for wonderful programs at Highland like Artist in Residence which are so amazing and something
our students look forward to every year.
Have a great summer and keep clipping!!!
Sara-Lynn Nash, Box Tops Coordinator
Early entrance assessments scheduled for June
In June 2016, District 196 will assess children for early entrance to kindergarten for the 2016-17
school year. Children born between Sept. 2 and Oct. 31, 2011 are considered best candidates for this
optional assessment for enrollment in the 2016-17 school year. Children who turn 5 before Sept. 2 do
not have to be assessed in order to attend kindergarten in the fall.
The early entrance assessment is designed to select students who demonstrate superior development. Children need to score at or above the 95th percentile. Typically, a small number of students
are recommended for early entrance as a result of the assessment.
The cost to parents requesting this optional assessment for their child is $200. Payment of the nonrefundable $200 fee must be made prior to the assessment. Scholarships are available for parents
who qualify based on federal standards for free or reduced priced meal guidelines.
For more information or to register for the assessment, call Ruth Pryor, Secretary to the Director of
Elementary Education, at 651-423-7739.
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Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
Miscellaneous End of the Year Information
Cafeteria News
Library Information
All materials are due back to the
Library on Thurs., May 26.
Effective Wednesday, June 1, there will be
no charging of school lunches. Please be certain that your child has sufficient funds in
their account. At year end, any unused lunch
account balances will be carried over for next
year. Students moving to District 196 middle
schools will have their balances transferred to
their new schools.
Track & Field Day
Picnic & Parent Visit
May 25: 2nd Gr.—8:45-10:45 a.m.
1st Gr.—12:30-2:30 p.m.
May 26: 4th Gr.—8:45-10:45 a.m.
3rd Gr.—12:30-2:30 p.m.
IXL — Online Math Program
IXL is a web-based online math program that third, fourth and fifth graders use at Highland.
It is a comprehensive math review site with practice questions covering a multitude of skills
that are aligned to the MN state standards.
Third, fourth and fifth grade students have been using IXL in the classroom and at home
throughout the school year. Students will continue to have access to IXL over the summer
using the same credentials that their classroom teacher has given them. IXL allows students
an opportunity to challenge their math skills by practicing in a higher grade level while reinforcing concepts taught in previous grade levels.
Students have enjoyed practicing their skills in a fun way with IXL. We
hope that your child will continue to use IXL over the summer to build &
enhance math skills.
Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
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Attention Parents: End of the School Year Checklist
[ ] Pay lunch accounts
[ ] Check Lost & Found at School (check in the office for any lost eyeglasses)
[ ] All Library Books are due: Thurs., May 26, 2016
[ ] Inform the office if you are moving by filling out the slip below, return to
Highland.
[ ] Daycare Forms for Next Year - Parents of students who will be attending
a daycare, or who will be transported to or from an address other than the
child’s home address during the ‘16-17 school year are reminded that new
daycare forms must be completed on an annual basis. Call the office and we
can send one home with your student. This form ensures that buses are
routed accordingly.
Will you be leaving Highland?
Please complete this form if you are planning to move out of District 196, to attend another
school within our district, or enrolling in a private school at the end of the school year.
Please be advised that my child/children, ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
_____ will be moving outside the district, to ______________________________________________
_____ will be attending another school in our district, at ___________________________________
_____ will be enrolling in a private school, at ______________________________________________
Please return this form to the office as soon as possible.
Thank you!
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Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
Meet Ms. Haley Juricko
Highland Elementary
Kindergarten Teacher
Interviewed and photographed by fourth grade GT students Aavi
Singh and Nora Gruman.
1. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what
three things would you bring with you?
-My dog, Millie, a good book and my favorite food.
2. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
-I would be invisible because I could go wherever I wanted and no one would know.
3. What is your favorite animal?
-Dogs because they are friendly, I love walking with my dog and she is always happy to see
me.
4. What is your favorite holiday?
-I enjoy Christmas the most because I like winter and spending fun time with my family
eating yummy food!
5. When you were a kid, what did you want to do when you grew up?
- I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher even when I was very little. Growing up my
sisters and I would play school at home and I always wanted to be the teacher. I liked going
to school and I liked working with kids, so I thought being a teacher would be perfect for
me.
6. What is your favorite children’s book?
-The Very Hungry Caterpillar because of the brightly colored pictures and the pages with
holes to make it look like the caterpillar ate through them. It was also one of the first
books I remember reading at home, and I read it all of the time.
7. What was your favorite subject in school?
-I really liked reading because it was fun for me to dive into a book and feel like I was in
another world for a little bit.
8. Why did you want to become a teacher?
- I love working with children and I had a great experience in school myself. I liked my
teachers and I loved learning new things. I also have 3 younger siblings and I really liked
helping them with their homework and teaching them new things.
Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
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Meet Ms. Beth Wanzek
Highland Elementary Second Grade Teacher
Interviewed and photographed by fourth grade GT students Keira Burch
and Grayson Osberg.
1. If you could have any pet, what kind of
pet would you want?
-I would want a dolphin. I would put it in a big
pool and swim with it.
2. If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?
-I would share it with my family, friends and donate lots of money to charity. I would also buy a condo in the mountains and by the ocean.
3. Why did you want to be a teacher?
-I really enjoy working with children.. I love being able to help kids think and
learn I enjoy how each day of my job is so different. I love the diversity.
Summers off are a dream come true!
4. What college did you graduate from?
-I graduated from Mankato State University.
5. What do you like to do in your free time?
- I like to hike, bike, and camp. My husband John and I like the theater and
attend often.. We do lots of cooking and entertaining with friends and family.
6. How long have you been teaching?
-I started in 1979 so I have been teaching for 29 years! Wow, that’s a long
time.
7. If you weren’t a teacher, what would you want to do?
-I would want to be an interior designer. I love anything that is artsy and related to color and design.
8. Where is your dream vacation location?
The Galapagos Islands would be my first choice!
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Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
Meet Mrs. Anja Firchow
Highland Elementary Band Teacher
Interviewed and photographed by fourth grade GT students Joe
Callanan and Deepti Vinod Pillai.
1. Why did you choose to teach band?
-I have been playing an instrument (piano)
since second grade and always knew I would
love to have a future with music/instruments.
In 5th grade, I started the French horn and
then my dad would buy me instruments at garage sales and I would teach myself
how to play them…trumpet in 7th grade, clarinet and guitar in 10th grade and my
cousin’s trombone in 12th grade.
2. How many instruments can you play?
-I can play every instrument in the band. That way I can teach each kid how to
play each instrument.
3. What was your favorite subject?
-I liked the subject if I liked the teacher.
4. What is your favorite book?
-I Ferdinand by Munro Leaf Ferdinand because Ferdinand is a lover, not a
fighter.
5. What were you good at in school?
- I was really good at following the school rules. I never got into trouble!
6. What is your favorite sport?
-I love running! I really like watching marathons like the Boston Marathon.
7. What is your favorite food?
-Anything with avocados, chocolate, prime rib and MOCHAS!
8. What other job would you want to do?
- I would want to have a job where I could be creative and have time to eat
lunch!
Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
Page 10
Dakota County 2016 Anti-Drug and Violence
Poster Contest Results
Winning posters appearing in the 2017 calendar:
Dejah Dedeaux—Stop Using Drugs
Tanner Kronberg—Don’t Drink & Drive
The following Highland students had Honorable Mention Posters:
Ian Young
Tatyana Soukchareun
Hayley Wees
Jessica Wilhelm
If you have a gently used musical instrument that is no longer being
used, please consider donating it to the district’s Band For All program. This year, more than 230 students are participating in band
with a donated instrument from Band For All. Some students who
started band with a BFA instrument are now playing in college!
More than 60 additional instruments are needed to meet the needs of next year’s fifth-grade
students who would like to participate in band but do not have an instrument to use. All gently used band and orchestra instruments are accepted and used.
Instruments can be dropped off at Oak Ridge Elementary (4350 Johnny Cake Ridge Road,
Eagan) during school hours. If unable to drop off the instrument, email bandforall@district196.org to make arrangements for pick-up. Include name, address and phone
number on a piece of paper inside the instrument case if you would like to receive a donation
letter for tax purposes.
Band For All also accepts monetary donations to repair donated instruments. Monetary donations can be sent to Valley Middle School of STEM, c/o Cindy Hanson, 900 Gardenview Dr,
Apple Valley, MN 55124. (checks should be made payable to Valley Middle School of STEM.)
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Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
Dear Highland Families,
HAPPY SPRING!! Can you believe we are in our final weeks of school??!! Here's a list of upcoming events:
15th Annual Highland Family Picnic & APEX Fun Run Event
Just a reminder to return your reservation form for Highland’s 15th Annual Family Picnic by Wed., May 11th.
The celebration will be held on Thursday, May 19th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. We hope you can join us for an
evening of good food, marvelous music, and great company! This year’s celebration will include a picnic dinner,
DJ, games, bottle blast and a FUN RUN!!!
Culver’s
Our April Culver’s Day brought in $190.00. Thank you to all of the Highland families who came out to support
this event!
We have two Culver's Nights left for this school year; Tuesday, May 3rd and Tuesday, June 7th. Please make
sure to mark it on your calendar! Many thanks to the families and staff who support this great fundraising opportunity!!!
Pahl’s Market
Highland will be having our Pahl’s Market Spring Flower Fundraiser from May 16th – June 3rd. Buy your plants
and garden supplies at Pahl’s Market to help raise money for Highland. Pahl’s will be donating 10% of all regularly priced merchandise purchases to our school! You must use a coupon (will be sent home soon with students)
in order for Highland to receive 10% of your sale. Last year, Highland received $277.61 from this fundraiser!!
Last Day of School Picnic for Students
More information will be coming as we determine our volunteer needs for the School Picnic on the last day of
school.
Our events are successful because we have
2015-16 Funds raised at Highland to date:
a wonderful group of parents who volunteer!
Box Tops for Education
$1,631.90
Thanks again for your support of Highland
Culvers Nights
$1,304.42
Elementary School.
Milk Moola (Kwik Trip)
Target Take Charge of Education
We hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer!
Sincerely,
Stacy Kronberg and DeeDee Melander
TOTAL
$91.85
$7,379.61
$10,407.78
Yet to Come: APEX Fun Run, Culvers (May &
June), & Pahl’s Market
Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
Page 12
Summer Garden Club
Do your family and friends like to… be outside, play in the dirt and discover insects. If so do
we have an idea for you! Join our “Summer Garden Club”.
What is the “Summer Garden Club”? It’s a group of people who volunteer one
week over the summer to help keep our Highland gardens growing and looking
beautiful.
Your group could be:
be
*Your family
*A couple of families working together
*Girl or Boy Scout Troop
*A couple of parents with neighborhood kids
Basically your group would come sometime during that week to weed, clean up and possibly
water. We have the tools if you have some time.
If you’re willing to be part of our “Summer Garden Club”, please sign up on the Highland web
page under volunteer opportunities using Sign-up Genius.
Thanks!
The Highland Green Team
Help Feed Our Birds!
Would your family like to help Highland keep their bird feeders filled? A fifty-pound bag of birdseed fills our four
feeders and lasts about a month. A donation of any amount helps to keep the feeders filled. Checks can be written to
ISD 196 with birdseed written in the memo line.
Please contact Michelle Ehlers michelle.ehlers@district196.org if you would like
to donate money or seed.
The birds sing their thanks!
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Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
Summer’s Coming, Summer’s Coming
Summer is a great time for children and their parents to relax and have fun! Without the help of their
parents, children often have difficulty structuring their time during the summer months. They often become bored quite
quickly and can easily turn into “couch potatoes”. Following are a few suggestions to make your summer a healthy, fun and
rewarding season.
Branch out! Help your child cultivate new friendships. This can be accomplished by having your child invite new friends over
to play. Remember to reach out to those children who might be new to the neighborhood or to those who your child might
not have invited over during the school year. Get to know the neighborhood parents, as well - adult supervision and guidance
is important to your children and their friends.
Summer camps offer a rewarding and enriching experience for children. Camps offer children a wonderful opportunity to
learn about themselves, others and a whole new world to which they might not have otherwise been exposed. Camps can be
purely recreational, or can provide an educational setting in which children can learn new skills. Some camps are set up to
offer special and/or therapeutic experiences for children, helping them mature and learn to be more responsible. Your family budget will guide the choice of camp you may choose. Some wonderful camp experiences are available through community
education, the YMCA, Scouts and church groups. Some offer financial assistance and scholarships. A key indicator of readiness for a camp experience is the amount of excitement and enthusiasm that is expressed by the child. Trying a day camp is
a good first experience for a child.
Keep your children reading during the summer. Don’t forget an occasional trip to the county library, which is a wonderful
outing for children (and parents) who love books! Also, encourage your child to keep a summer log or journal. This is a good
way to keep up writing skills as well as providing a memorable keepsake of their special summer activities.
During the summer months, whatever your activity, remember to drink plenty of water, as it is easy to become dehydrated.
Wear sunscreen, wear a helmet when biking or skating, protect your eyes with good sunglasses and wear insect repellant.
Plenty of restful sleep continues to be important. Staying up late can be a fun part of summer. Some children sleep in , while
others awaken at the same time regardless of the bedtime. Know your child and what works best - but ensure that they get
enough sleep to handle the extra physical activities that come with summer.
If I can provide further information about summer camp resources or availability, please give me a call. I wish you a fun and
safe summer.
Mary Jo Kacvinsky
Highland Social Worker
NURSE’S CORNER
The lifetime risk of getting skin cancer is linked to sun exposure in childhood. A child’s skin, particularly before the age
of ten, is especially vulnerable to the harmful effect of ultraviolet rays. This does not mean that young people should
limit their physical activity outside. They should exercise regularly and rigorously throughout their lives. What it does
mean is that they should practice “sun safety”. Today, skin cancer is considered an epidemic. It is the most common form
of cancer in the U.S. and is increasing at an alarming rate. It is preventable. Protective clothing provides the first line of
defense against skin damage. Tightly woven clothes and dark colors protect the best. Hats are important and provide
more or less shade for the face and neck. Sunglasses that block 100 % UVA and UVB are great for eye protection. Sunscreen is the second line of protection for the skin. It should be SPF 15 or higher and waterproof, if swimming. Remember---a tan is a sign of skin damage. Have a great and safe summer!
Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
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Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners and contributing members of our society”
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Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
Highland Mission Statement:
“Parents, community and staff working together to develop lifelong learners ad contributing members of our society”
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