Hawk Highlights

Friday, September 6, 2024

Upcoming Dates

September 10- Beginning Instrumental Music Parent Meeting (OOJH 9310 Kenton Ave, 7:00 p.m.)
September 11- PTA Meeting (6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Highland Library) All are invited to attend.
September 13 - School Picture Day
September 18- Soul Good Coffee (7:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.)
September 19- Board of Education Meeting (9440 Kenton Avenue, 7:00 p.m.- 9:30 p.m) All are invited to attend.
September 27 - Teacher Institute Day, No School
October 1- Erin's Law Parent Night (7:00 p.m- 8:00 p.m.)
October 3- Rosh Hashanah, No School
October 14- Indigenous Peoples' Day, No School

Inclement Weather Reminder

When the weather prevents us from lining up outside before school, all students enter the building from the door on Payne St. beginning at 8:30 am.

Snacks For Students

Please be sure to send a nutritious, nut-free snack to school with your child(ren) each day. We are not able to provide snacks for students.

FIRST PTA MEETING OF THE YEAR

Wednesday 9/11 at 6:30 in the Library **Babysitting Provided for 3+

Please join us for the first PTA meeting of the year next Wednesday September 11th at 6:30 pm. Come hear what the PTA has planned for the year, and find out how you can become involved with the PTA- at any level you are comfortable with, whether than means taking on an organizational role, being a room parent, volunteering at specific events, coming to meetings to stay up to date, or simply by paying membership dues to help support the PTA.

The PTA seeks to foster community at Highland between our students, families, and staff. We do that best with active parent involvement.

We understand many people are not able to attend the meetings, but there are other ways to stay informed. If you are not already on our email list, please email ptahighlandschool@gmail.com to be added to our email list. We will send out periodic emails with information on events, fundraisers, and ways to be involved.

If you have not already paid your membership dues for the year, you can PAY 2024/5 MEMBERSHIP DUES HERE. Membership dues help support PTA activities throughout the year.

For more information on the PTA, CLICK HERE

Mission Moment

Honoring our nation with pride and respect—student flag duty in action!

Highland Cub Scouts

s your child interested in Scouting? Highland has a Cub Scout pack that is offered to ALL children in grades K-5 (boys and girls). Our first meeting is Monday, Sept. 9. We will meet 6:30-7:30 in the Highland cafeteria. Bring your child and yourself and learn more about us! We hope to see you there!

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

At the September 3 Skokie Village Board meeting, a proclamation will be presented to officially recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Month. This important initiative aims to raise awareness about suicide as a significant public health issue and highlight the resources available to support those in crisis.

Need Support?

The Village’s Health and Human Services Department is reminding community members of the various resources and Village programs available to assist individuals and their loved ones.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, the Lifeline provides crisis intervention, prevention resources, and guidance for professionals. You can reach out by dialing 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org/chat to chat online.

The Effects of Screen Time on Children

In today’s digital age, screens are an integral part of children’s lives. From educational apps to entertainment, screens offer a wide range of benefits. However, excessive screen time can have several negative effects on children, impacting their physical, mental, and social well-being.

Physical Health: Prolonged screen time often leads to a sedentary lifestyle, which can contribute to childhood obesity. The lack of physical activity, combined with poor posture during screen use, can also lead to issues such as eye strain, headaches, and musculoskeletal problems.

Cognitive Development: While some screen time can be educational, excessive use, particularly of entertainment media, may negatively affect cognitive development. Children may become less engaged in activities that promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Research also suggests that heavy screen use can interfere with attention span and academic performance.

Social and Emotional Impact: Children who spend excessive time on screens may have reduced opportunities for face-to-face interactions, which are crucial for developing social skills. This can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and even depression. Furthermore, exposure to inappropriate content or cyberbullying online can harm a child’s emotional health.

Sleep Disruption: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Children who use screens before bedtime may have difficulty falling asleep, leading to insufficient rest and its associated problems, such as irritability, poor concentration, and weakened immune systems.