HAWK TALK http://www.gilbertschools.net September 2014 Dear Hawk Families, PRINCIPAL S MESSAGE Welcome to the 2014-15 school year. In my short time at Highland I have been so impressed by the very warm welcome I've received, not only by the students and teachers, but also by the families that I have had the opportunity to meet. As many of you know, Highland is again rated as an A school and is one of the top 25 schools in the state of Arizona. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this amazing school and look forward to working with you as our year progresses. If you are looking to stay on top of the daily Highland news follow us on Twitter @Highland_Hawks or like our Highland High School Facebook page. This is going to be a challenging, yet exciting year for many reasons. We have lots of new faces at school this year and I hope that you will take the time to meet some of them as we go throughout the year. Dr. Lauren Levy is a new Assistant Principal who joins us from the Laveen District and will be working with the junior class. Mrs. Mitzi Escobar is our new Dean. She comes to us from Mesquite Junior High and will be overseeing our freshmen. On top of the new administrators, we have a number of new teachers who have also joined us. In my experience, education works best when parents work as partners with their child's teacher. Our teachers welcome the opportunity to answer your questions and work with you to ensure your child's success. They are in the best place to answer questions about what happens in their classrooms, with your children. They have your child's best interest at heart, so please don't hesitate to reach out to them as questions arise. Just like you, I too am a parent in this district and care deeply about the quality of education we offer our students. Thank you so much for the support and encouragement you offer your students. As we work together I believe we can continue to see Highland's success grow. Go Hawks! Melinda Murphy Principal
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR by Lance Smith, Assistant Principal 2 ASVAB Sign-Up Begins Counseling Office 2-5 Senior Class Visits Lecture Hall Counselors 3 One Hour Early Release Day Professional Learning Day 4-5 Underclass Photos in Hawk Hall 7:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 5 Hawk Varsity Football Game Home vs. Mesa High 7:00 p.m. 6 Grading window opens 4.5 Week Progress Report 6 Senior Portraits Due Leasures Designer Portraits 8-12 Junior Class Visits in Lecture Hall Counselors 10 One-Hour Early Release Day Professional Learning Day 10 End of 4.5 week grading period 2:00 p.m. 12 Hawk Varsity Football Game Away @ Mountain View 7:00 p.m. 15 Jostens Classroom Visits in Senior Social Studies Classes 15 PSAT Sign-Up Begins Counseling Office 16 Regional College Fair @ HHS 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 17 One Hour Early Release Day Professional Learning Day 17-18 PSAT/SAT RMASS Workshop Lecture Hall 3:00 5:30 p.m. 18 HHS Blood Drive Mini Gym All Day 18-19 Jostens on campus taking graduation orders 4 th /5 th Hour 18 Jostens Parent Night Hawk Hall 5:00 7:00 p.m. 19 ASVAB Sign-up ends Counseling Office 19 Hawk Varsity Football Game Home vs. Mountain Ridge 7:00 p.m. 22-30 Sophomore Class Visits Career Center 24 ASVAB Testing Auditorium 7:30 a.m. 24 One Hour Early Release Day Professional Learning Day 26 Hawk Varsity Football Game Home vs. Campo Verde 7:00 p.m. 29 Grading window opens 1 st quarter grades 29 Band Concert Auditorium 7:30 p.m. Page 2
STUDENT ACTIVITES by Lance Smith, Assistant Principal The Arizona Association of Student Councils recently presented the Fall Leadership/Spirit Conference at McClintock High School. Student Council students participated in Rock & Talk, listened to motivational speakers, and networked with other Student Council members from schools around Arizona. Our Highland students tackled topics such as Bullying, Character Building, Alcohol and Drug-Free Living, Peer Pressure, Negative Social Networking and Making Your Dreams a Reality. Highland welcomes Chelsea Genet as their new Student Council Advisor! Hawks showing Spirit on Game Day! Our next game is with Mesa High School on Friday, September 5 @ HHS! 7:00 p.m. Highland High School Hotline Number 480.507.1421 Page 3
SENIOR SCOOP by Lance Smith, Assistant Principal JOSTENS SENIOR PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT Seniors will be given graduation information during the week of September 15th in their social studies classes. Jostens will visit classes to provide information for ordering your child s graduation needs (i.e. cap and gown, invitations, etc.). On September 18 and 19, Jostens will be on campus during both lunch hours taking orders. These dates will allow students the convenience of on-campus ordering. Jostens will host an evening, Parent Order Night on Thursday, September 18, from 5-7 p.m. in the entry of Hawk Hall. If you have questions, feel free to call or email Jostens at 408-756-0555 or cindy.serrano@jostens.com. SPIRIT AT HHS! Page 4
LAUREN LEVY NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL My name is Lauren Levy and I am a new assistant principal at Highland High School. I began my career teaching abroad, moved to Arizona in 2003, taught for six years in Mesa Public Schools, and served the Laveen School District for the past four years as an assistant principal. My main role at Highland High is working with the junior class and overseeing scheduling and registration. Before arriving to GPS, I knew Highland High had a reputation for excellence. Within just a few days of stepping foot on this campus, I quickly realized that Highland High School s reputation precedes itself. It truly is a special place. The immense academic, artistic, athletic, service-minded, musical, and creative talent that resides amongst the student body here is astounding. The welcoming and committed parents and community are an additional tribute to the school s success. The hardworking, intelligent, experienced and inspiring staff further substantiates Highland High s reputation for excellence. It is with great honor to be considered a member of Highland High School and to have the opportunity to serve this community. I look forward to working with you! Students and teachers gather in Hawk Hall after the announcements to sing Highland s Alma Mater! Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10