As a student told us today, our brains get busy! 🧘♀️ Highland Elementary third grade teacher Sasha Denham is bringing mindfulness to her classroom with daily yoga sessions. Ms. Denham leads students through calming poses like "tree tops," "bird breaths," and "doing the laundry" to help them start their day focused and ready to learn.
This innovative approach will be featured on FOX8 "What's Right With Our Schools" segment with Cindy Farmer, airing next Monday morning and again on Thursday. You can look forward to interviews with Ms. Denham and student Candace, as well as footage of the class applying their yoga-induced focus to finding details in a passage about Mercury.
Back to School Updates & Information
Back to School Food Drive: We are hosting a Food Drive to stock our food pantry for the start of the school year. Please consider donating non-perishable food items. These can be dropped off at the Highland Car Circle in the green box!
Don't miss the chance to win this great prize. Looking forward to seeing parents at our 1st PTA meeting Monday at 4:30pm!
Highland Elementary School's 2nd grade classes had an exciting and educational Career Day today! The students had the opportunity to learn about a diverse range of careers from visiting parents and family members who graciously volunteered their time.
The students discovered what it's like to be a banker, an occupational therapist, a dentist, a dietician, a software engineer, a sales account manager, a teacher, an exercise physiologist, and even a college football coach! The presenters shared valuable insights about their professions, the skills required, and what a typical day looks like in their job.
Career Day is an important event that helps broaden students' horizons and get them thinking about their future aspirations. A big thank you to all the parents and family members who made this day possible!
Highland 2nd Graders participated in Career Day yesterday. They learned about many careers from parents and family members. Some of the careers they learned about were: banker, occupational therapist, dentist, dietician, software engineer, sales account manager, teacher, exercise physiologist, and college football coach.
Nuclear energy sparked excitement at Highland Elementary today! 🔥 The 4th graders had a special guest - Zach Veselich, a Penn State student majoring in nuclear engineering. This former Williams High School grad shared his passion, teaching the kids about nuclear fission, different nuclear careers, and how nuclear energy can power our world. The highlight: Glowing uranium glass! ⚛️
✨ 38 Days, 38 Schools - Highland Elementary 💚
At Highland Elementary, academic excellence and cultural diversity go hand in hand. The dedicated staff work provides a rich learning experience for all students, while actively involving families in the educational journey. Highland prides itself on celebrating the various cultures represented within the student body!
Through initiatives like the monthly cultural celebrations organized by the Diversity Committee, and events such as the Holiday Lights Around the World night and the Parade of Diverse Cultures, Highland fosters an environment of understanding, appreciation, and inclusivity. These events not only showcase the cultural richness but also provide opportunities for families to engage with their children's learning.
The Hawk's Nest is a great place to learn and grow!
There are cultures from 38 countries represented at Highland Elementary. 🌍 What better way to celebrate this diversity than with a parade on a beautiful sunny day! ☀️
During today's Parade of Diverse Cultures, students proudly represented their cultural heritage by dressing in traditional clothing, waving flags, and walking around the school track. They were supported by a sea of cheers and waves from other students, staff, and many #ABSSCommunity members who came together for this special event. 🤝
A huge shoutout goes to the Highland Elementary Diversity Committee for their hard work in organizing this fantastic parade. Thanks to their efforts, today was a truly memorable celebration.
📣 Spread the word: the ABSS Job Fair is this Saturday, April 13th, at Highland Elementary! it will open at 9 AM and go until 12PM. We are excited to welcome anyone looking to start a new career in ABSS. Many positions are available. Schools will have tables set up and our talented staff is available to greet you and answer your questions. See you there!
📚✨Our Media Specialists totally deserve a shoutout on National Library Workers Day! Sure, they'll help you find the perfect book, but they also collaborate with teachers, model tech skills, and think outside the box to engage inquiring minds. From cozy story nooks to cutting-edge resources, they maintain an incredible space just brimming with opportunities to learn and grow. Thanks for all you do! 🙌 #StudentCenteredFutureFocused
🌟Teacher of the Year Finalist Feature: Linda Gruener, First Grade Teacher at Highland Elementary
An effective elementary teacher possesses patience, strong communication abilities, and creativity to engage young learners. They have excellent classroom management skills and the flexibility to adapt to diverse student needs. Above all, a commitment to professional growth and a genuine passion for teaching are essential qualities - all of which Ms. Gruener at Highland Elementary exemplifies.
Today, she led an engaging lesson comparing schools Then and Now, using visuals, examples, and continual assessment to solidify her students' understanding. With an engaging scavenger hunt mid-lesson and an independent activity, Ms. Gruener's creativity and expertise were on full display! We're lucky to have such a dedicated teacher helping shape young minds at Highland.
#StudentCenteredFutureFocused
The staff at Highland are having a delicious (pizza) Pi Day thanks to our wonderful PTA! Thank you for all of the ways you support and treat our staff!
🌟Job seekers, mark your calendars - our 2024 Job Fair is one month away! We are hiring for many positions, both certified and classified. Come find your next opportunity with us! Please share with anyone you know who may be interested.
📍 Highland Elementary
⏰ 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
🗓️ April 13th, 2024
#StudentCenteredFutureFocused
🏆 Congratulations to our exceptional 2024 Teacher of the Year Finalists - Grayson Coleman from Hillcrest Elementary, Cassie Dodson from Altamahaw-Ossipee Elementary, Chanel Jones from Broadview Middle, Linda Gruener from Highland Elementary, and Kristin Adams from Eastern Alamance High School!
🌟These dedicated educators have demonstrated outstanding commitment to their students and a passion for teaching that goes above and beyond.
🍎 We will announce our district winner in April. Until then, join us in celebrating these remarkable teachers!
We are thrilled to congratulate our 2024 Classified Employees of the Year! 🌟These dedicated staff members take on diverse and critical roles that provide vital support for the education of our students. We deeply appreciate their hard work. Congratulations!
✨ Kindergarten Enrollment links in English and Spanish are now on our website! We have instructions, videos, a checklist, and other resources. If your child will turn 5 before August 31, 2024, they are eligible to enroll in ABSS Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 academic year.
https://www.abss.k12.nc.us/o/abss/page/kindergarten-program
✅ Want to register in person? Come out to our Registration Fair on March 9th at Holly Hill Mall, 9 AM to Noon. Staff will be available to answer all your questions!
We are proud to announce the 2024 ABSS Teachers of the Year! 🌟
These exceptional teachers are making a real difference in their students' lives. They care deeply about their students’ growth and success every day. Whether helping a struggling learner find their confidence, making lessons fun through imaginative activities, or supporting students through life's challenges, their student-first commitment is worthy of praise.
Please join us in celebrating them! 👏
Yesterday morning, students from the Williams High School Dream Team came to Highland to greet students as they arrived in the morning and even stayed to assist with PE classes. Highland students loved starting their day with excited greetings and high-fives!
Highland staff started the month of February off right with a sweet treat from Harper Belle's Coffee Truck! Thank you to Cox Toyota and Highland PTA for sponsoring this delicious way to start the day!
