Dear Highland Families,

Change seems to be the one constant right now.  As the seasons outside my window are changing, we are looking forward to possible changes inside as well.  Significant work is being done right now in anticipation of getting our 4^th and 5^th grade students back on a hybrid schedule as soon as possible.  You will continue to hear from our superintendent as those details begin to clarify.  There are a few things happening at Highland right now that I would like to alert you to.

Bullying

During the weeks in November leading up to Thanksgiving, our K-3 students will be participating in our annual unit about bullying.  As you well know bullying is a huge concern in making sure that all students feel safe while they are at school.  It is not atypical during this time for your child to mention bullying as all of a sudden it has been something brought to the forefront of their minds.  This is a great opportunity for you to talk to your child as well about what it means both to be a bully as well as what it feels like to be bullied. 

Morning Car Drop-Off

As the weather has started to change, so have our morning drop-off routines.  Our thermometers are ineffective in the cold air so we have stopped taking temperatures outside.  When you arrive at school your child may unload.  We will cue students 6’ apart outside and take their temperature as they are entering the building, you are not required to stay unless you have some concern that your child is running a temperature.  It has been working best when the first 4-5 cars closest to the building unload, and then the next group pulls up and follow suit.  Thanks for your help with this change.

Hybrid Schedule Attendance

As we have gotten into a routine with our Hybrid schedule, a pattern has started to emerge.  Our attendance for the two days at school has been very strong, but we are starting to have some attendance issues with the three at home days.  Please remember that besides holidays, your student has school work every day.  If your student does not log into Canvas on the at home work days they are considered absent for that school day.  I know that this can be very tricky at times with working families, internet issues and all the complications of our current times. Please be assured, every little bit matters! When it comes to doing school work at home, something is always better than nothing.

School Handbook

As you are receiving this newsletter you will also receive a copy of this year’s handbook in an additional email.  It contains important information you might have about our school policy and procedures as well as this year’s annual parent testing notification.

Text Remind

Remind is a communication tool some classes and schools are using to be able to send out quick text messages.  It is free to sign up for and takes less than 30 seconds.  I have set up a remind code for each individual grade level which will help me focus my messaging and keep your text messages a little less cluttered.  Please take a moment to sign up so I can better communicate with you from the Office of the Principal.

If you have multiple students at Highland make sure to sign up for each grade that your students are in, that way you don't miss anything.  See the codes and directions below.  If your student's teacher already uses Remind this is different, so make sure to sign up!

Kindergarten - text @8cg4eb to the number  81010  

1st grade -        text @d884c9h to the number 81010

2nd grade -       text @bd97f3 to the number 81010

3rd grade -        text @ee3hf8 to the number 81010

4th grade -        text @ak32gd6 to the number 81010

5th grade -        text @db62db to the number 81010

And finally…..

Please take the time this month to find reasons to be thankful.  There are days it is hard right now, but we know even finding the smallest opportunities can substantially help our attitudes and mindsets.

I will go first… I am so thankful for the opportunity to come to Highland and serve as your principal.  I am thankful for the students and families that are doing so much to maintain during some difficult times, and I am thankful that one way or another our present circumstances are temporary.

Be Well,

Mr. Van Manen

2020-21 Annual Notice for Statewide Tests
Why does participation matter?
While no single test gives a complete picture of your child’s progress, having your child take the statewide tests provides educators and administrators with systems-level information about what educational approaches are working and where additional resources are needed. Your child’s participation is important to help ensure that schools and districts receive the targeted resources they need to help all students succeed, particularly those from historically underserved backgrounds.

Description of rights
House Bill 2655 permits parents and adult students to annually opt-out of Oregon’s statewide summative tests in English language arts and mathematics by submitting an annual form to the school the student attends. Schools will provide parents with the annual form for 2020-21 at least 30 days prior to the start of testing. Visit this link to learn more about House Bill 2655: http://tinyurl.com/OR-HB2655.

When will my child take the test?
Your child will be tested once. Your child’s school will determine the specific dates your child takes the tests within the statewide testing window.

OREGON’S STATE TESTS
oHelp identify schools and districts that need additional supports to ensure more students are meeting higher standards
oChallenge students to think critically and apply their knowledge to real-world problems
oUse multiple item formats to ensure multiple means of accessing item content
oAct as a snapshot of your child’s progress and may be considered along with other pieces of information to understand your child’s academic strengths and needs

ALL STUDENTS GRADUATE PREPARED
In 2010, Oregon adopted higher K-12 standards in English language arts and mathematics to ensure that all students move from grade to grade with the academic knowledge and skills necessary for success beyond high school. We have adjusted the test blueprint for 2020-21 to allow for reliable estimation of student performance, while decreasing the time that students spend testing.

STAY INFORMED
Talk to your child’s teacher or school principal if you have questions or want to learn more about how you can support your child in English language arts and mathematics. Here are some additional resources:
http://tinyurl.com/ELARoadmap & http://tinyurl.com/MathRoadmap
To view sample test questions: https://tinyurl.com/ORPracticeTest
To read more about your child’s test results: http://tinyurl.com/ORTestResults

STATEWIDE TESTING WINDOWS
High School English language arts & mathematics summative tests
January 5 – June 4, 2021
Grades 3-8 English language arts & mathematics summative tests
March 4 – June 4, 2021

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School Board Meetings

2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month;  5:00pm,

Boardroom at 725 NE Dean Dr.  Via Zoom

Free Breakfast & Lunch!

We are pleased to inform you that GRANTS PASS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7

has implemented an option available to schools participating in  the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the Year 2020.

What does this mean for you and your children attending the school(s) identified above?

Great news for you and your students! All enrolled students of GRANTS PASS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7 are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge to your household each day of the 2020  year. No further action is required of you. Your child(ren) will be able to participate in these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit an application.

If we can be of any further assistance, please contact us at
The Food and Nutrition Services.

Michael Morris - Supervisor 541-474-5716  mmorris@grantspass.k12.or.us

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MEDICATION at School

When your child must take prescription and/or non-prescription medicine at school, please follow these steps:

· The parent/guardian must bring the medicine, in person, to the office.  It may not be sent with the child.  

· Additionally, the parent/guardian must pick up the container when the child has completed the course of medication.

· The medicine must be in its original container.

· The parent/guardian must fill out the appropriate form with instructions/permission for the school to administer the medication.

· The parent/guardian must inform the school, in writing, of any  changes in medication  instructions.

At no time may a student be in possession of either prescription or non-prescription medications while at school.  All medications must be administered through the office, following the procedure explained above.  The office must be notified if your child is in this category.  The District and State discourage parents from asking the schools to dispense  non-prescription medication.

SCHOOL PICTURES

Picture day for Highland Elementary School will be on Monday, October 5th and Tuesday, Octobeer 6th. There are many picture packages available to purchase. Check out Newcomb's link for purchases

 inter-state.com/flyerentry/49537P

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office at Highland at 541 474 5765

Just a reminder that our drinking fountains are closed, so be sure to send your student with a water bottle every day they attend.  A Schedule- Monday & Thursday B Schedule- Tuesday & Friday. We do have bottle filling stations available so you can send reusable water bottles with your student(s).

We also have given your student(s) ID cards that help us check your child in each morning and can easily be accessed on your child's backpack or on a lanyard. 

Finally masks are required, if your child's mask malfunctions at school we do have replacements available but please everyday send your child with a face mask that covers nose and mouth.

Thank you

Nurse’s Notes - September 2020 - Resources

This has definitely been a challenging, unusual time we have all been through over the past 7 months.  As the school year starts with grades K-3 In-Person and 4-12 in Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) we are hoping for continued opening of schools.  I know we would all like to see things go back to normal…and it will…eventually…to a “new normal”.  It will take some time to determine what that looks like, but one thing for sure, we will need to keep working on staying safe.  I am just including a few links to some resources that you may find helpful. 

Oregon Health Authority/COVID-19 Up-dates - Resources are available at: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-oha-covid-resources  and for people with disabilities at: https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19 under “Community Resources for Specific Groups.”

Resources for Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs:

https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2309b.pdf

Take Steps to Protect Children and Others from Getting Sick

Help stop the spread of COVID-19 by doing some things everyone should do to stay healthy as well as some extra things that are part of life with COVID-19. Teach your children to do them too...

• Clean hands often using soap and water or at least 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
• Avoid close contact: Use the 6 foot physical distancing around people that are sick, or that don’t live in your household.
• Monitor your health daily and avoid people who are sick (Cover coughs and sneezes, use tissues and wash hands). 
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (like tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, and sinks).
• Launder items including washable plush toys as needed. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items. 
• And remember to wash fabric face coverings-wear a clean one daily.

Please let me know if you and/or your children have a need that I may be able to help with.  When it comes to health needs or resources for your child (ren), know that I may be able to direct you to a resource I know about to meet a specific need.  

Shared with you by Martha Covrig, RN, District Nurse, Grants Pass School District #7, 541-218-1762

Spirit Days October 27th for our B group and October 29th for our A group

No school on October 30th so we won't be doing Halloween Costumes this year but looking forward to our first Spirit Days 2020/2021

More details to come

Fourth and Fifth Grade Curbside Pickup for Library Books

Our CDL students do have access to library checkout, via a Book Request Form posted in their Canvas course. Please plan to pick up your books on the Wednesday following the day you filled out the form, at your scheduled time. (The form has now been updated to include the date for pickup.) Books will be held for one additional week if not picked up that first Wednesday. A reminder will be sent out if books are not picked up. Any books not picked up within that two week window will be returned to the library to be available to other students. Please contact Mrs. Kriz with any questions or concerns. jkriz@grantspass.k12.or.us or by phone, 541-474-5765, ext 120.