Highland Happenings

Dear Highland Families,

You are invited to attend Highland's Annual Curriculum Night, this Thursday, September 19, from 6:00-8:30PM. We will begin with a presentation from Administration in the Cafeteria to conclude at 6:45PM. Then families will follow their students' schedules visiting each class for 10 minutes followed by 5-minute passing periods.

This is an excellent time to learn about our schoolwide expectations in addition to meeting teachers and learning about students' classes. Unfortunately, this is not a time for individual conversations with teachers about specific issues/concerns. Teachers can always be reached via email or voice message and will be happy to connect with you that way, as needed. (https://highland.bsd405.org/our-school/staff)

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

In Partnership

Susan Thomas

Principal

Our goal at Highland this year is to create a focused learning environment for all students. By doing this we hope to see improvements in student behavior, academic performance, social connection, mental health, student engagement, narrowing the opportunity gap, and college-workplace readiness.

The current BSD Policy on Cell Phones has been in place since 2012 and we follow that to the best of our ability. We will continue to follow this policy while providing an extra level of support for students in the form of Yondr pouches. As the current policy indicates, phones will be turned on and operated ONLY before and after the regular school day and during the student's lunch break.

The goal is for phones to be off and away during class time and in the hallways, as stipulated in policy. Phones should not be seen during these times. If phones are in pouches and in backpacks, it alleviates the temptation for students to be check them.

Pouches will be assigned to all students and are able to be locked simply by closing them (see middle picture below). They may be unlocked at a station in the cafeteria during lunch or at one of the exits right after school. Should your student choose not to utilize the pouch, they are still expected to follow our rule of being kept in backpacks (not pockets) and turned off.

We know there are a number of concerns regarding parents being able to reach students during the day, particularly in cases of emergency. We hear your concerns and understand. All classroom spaces have phones that call out. The school will always send communication to our parent community about school-wide safety incidents after safety issues are addressed and stabilized by school personnel.

Why are we doing this? We are doing this because we care about our students. Students are increasingly distracted from learning, and their mental health is often negatively impacted by the use of texting, chat groups, and social media. Early adolescents are still developing self-awareness and self-regulation skills which means that the use of their phones at school too often end up negatively impacting themselves, others, and the school environment.

This will be discussed at Curriculum Night as well as other community meetings set up in the near future. We thank you for your feedback and look forward to your partnership.

👂 Join Us for School Hearing Screenings in September and October 2024! 👂

Bellevue School District prioritizes the health and success of every student. That's why we're reaching out to our dedicated parent volunteers to assist with our upcoming hearing screenings. These screenings are vital in ensuring that all students have equal access to learning by identifying any potential hearing issues early on.

How You Can Help:

🤝 Volunteer Your Time: We're seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist with conducting hearing screenings under the guidance of our trained professionals. Training would be provided ahead of the screenings in person, virtually or via video tutorial. Volunteers must complete a volunteer application using this link: https://bsd405.org/get-involved/volunteer/ (please note there is a 2nd link below to indicate interest in participating).

📋 Sign Up Today: If you're available during September (likely mid-late September) and October 2024, we would be thrilled to have you join our team! Simply fill out the volunteer form linked below or contact the school office for more information.

Volunteer Interest Form

📅 Flexible Scheduling: We understand that your time is valuable, which is why we offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate your availability. We are asking volunteers to commit to helping at a minimum of two schools. Typically, the commitment involves only morning shifts and we are able to complete an entire school in one shift.

Please contact Kristen Oulton, our district audiologist with any questions: oultonk@bsd405.org or 425-456-4667

Thank you for your support and dedication to Bellevue School District

Last year's yearbook was amazing even though it was delivered late. This year's yearbook will be even better because we have changed to a different company! Buy your 24-25 yearbook before school, during lunch, or on our school website until September 19th for just $20. See Mr. Jeff or Mrs. Quarry in person or call 425.456.6400 if you have questions.

Although the Highland Health Center is physically located at Highland Middle School, all BSD students are eligible to access care through this facility. In order to make an appointment, students need to register and consent to services.

The goal at the Highland Health Center is not to replace your student's existing provider; rather to supplement care in a place that is accessible and convenient. We offer excellent care coordination and can easily share important documents/information with your primary care provider upon request.

Does my student need insurance or have to pay for services at the Highland Health Center?

The Highland Health Center provides no-cost services to students. We are funded through the Best Starts for Kids levy which ensures all of our patients are able to access care, regardless of income status. When applicable, we bill our services to your insurance with absolutely no deductible, copayment responsibilities or out-of-pocket expenses.

Is my student's patient health information shared with teachers or staff members?

Patient health confidentiality and privacy is a top priority at the Highland Health Center. We do not share nor disclose personal health information with the school unless granted permission from patients and parents.

Can family members also schedule appointments at the Highland Health Center?

The Highland Health Center is only available to students enrolled in the Bellevue School District. However, the Highland Health Center is operated by International Community Health Services (ICHS), which welcomes families at our main clinic sites.

Register to Visit the Highland Health Center (English)

Register to Visit the Highland Health Center (Spanish)

For the safety of your child and everyone else, please follow these rules in our parking lot when dropping off and picking up.

• The drop off/pick up zone is the lane (green on the map) closest to the sidewalk beginning as you enter the parking lot. Please do not cut in front of others who have been waiting their turn.
• Do NOT drop off or pick up students in the drive thru (red) lane.
• Pay attention when you are in the drop off/pick up zone and pull all the way FORWARD before you drop off.
• Use your turn signal as you enter the drive thru lane.
• The speed limit is 10 mph and should never be any faster than that in the parking lot.
• Watch out for pedestrians in ALL areas of the parking lot.
• Finally, please be patient and kind. We want to keep everyone safe!

There is NO student drop off or pick up in the east/bus parking lots.

BSD provides school bus transportation for grades K-8 if a student resides within the school attendance area but outside the walk boundary. All middle schools have a one mild radius boundary.

School Bus Map

Middle School Bus Routes

Edulog Parent Bus Tracking Program

BSD provides the Edulog Parent Portal smartphone app to help you receive information about your student's school bus ride. It allows you to access designated bus stop times and locations, see real time information about the location of your student's school bus, and receive notifications when the bus is getting close.

Please be sure to go over the Bus Expectations with your students. 4R's On The Bus

Coach Gwen and Coach Mike are looking for additional coaches to widen the team capacity for the upcoming girls basketball and boys soccer season. If you are interested, volunteering will guarantee your student a spot on the team. For more information, please email raderg@bsd.405.org for girls basketball and netherntonm@bsd405.org for boys soccer.

We love our volunteers! Interested? Follow this link: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4581231/Athletics-and-Activities-Volunteer-Form??jsfallback=true

The 2024-2025 Official Notices are now available on the district website, in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese.

Families are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the district's 2024-25 Official Notices, which include:

· Student Education Records (FERPA & Directory Information)

· Notice of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment

· Notice of Students and Staff Rights and Responsibilities

· Non-Discrimination

· Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

· Notice of Child Find

· Notice of Complaint Resolution

· Notice of Pesticide, Asbestos and Lead

· Weapons

· Truancy

· Career and Technical Education

· Office of the Education Ombuds services

Email: thomass@bsd405.org
Website: https://highland.bsd405.org/
Location: 15027 NE Bel-Red Rd
Phone: (425) 456-6400