Highview Happenings
February 9, 2024
From the Principal's Desk...
Dear Highview Families,
Happy Friday! We had another successful week of teaching and learning. On Wednesday, our students participated in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) assemblies with Ms. Lipson, School Counselor, and Mrs. Weiss, School Social Worker. This month, the areas of focus for the assembly were empathy and inclusion. At Highview, we work hard to try to understand how others feel while also doing our best to include others. It is remarkable to see our students developing their emotional intelligence on a daily basis!
On Tuesday, we celebrated the birthday of our very own Assistant Principal, Dr. Myrtelle Mehu. We enjoyed showering her with love on her special day. She wore her birthday sash and tiara with pride. We love you, Dr. Mehu!
Next week, the Nanuet Elementary PTA will host the Scholastic Book Fair here at Highview School. I am linking the schedule below so that you can see when your child’s class will shop at the Book Fair. Additionally, the PTA will host an evening sale on Tuesday, February 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. by the Highview Music Room. The PTA will also have the Valentine’s Day fundraiser pickup occurring at the same time as the evening Scholastic Book Fair sale. The fundraiser pick up will take place in the back of the building closest to the Music Room.
HV – Scholastic Book Fair Schedule
On Tuesday, February 13, we will have a kick-off assembly for the PTA-sponsored Harlem Wizards event that will take place on Saturday, March 23. We will gather as a school community next Tuesday so that our students and staff can learn about the Harlem Wizards and the upcoming fundraiser game.
Friday, February 16 is the Rockland Read-In. Guess what we will do all day? Read, of course! We will be reading machines on Friday, and it is sure to be a comfy day! Students can wear their pajamas to school to celebrate the Rockland Read-In - but no slippers, please! For the past two years, Highview Elementary School won "Most Minutes Read" out of all the schools in our county. Let's continue this winning streak and show people what Highview is all about - joyful reading!
I hope you and your loved ones have a relaxing, restful weekend. We look forward to welcoming our Highview Knights back to school on Monday, February 12.
Sincerely,
Matthew Lutz
Principal
Charter Shout-Outs for the Week
On a rotating basis, classroom teachers nominate two students from their classes to receive a Charter Shout-Out. The class charter is a RULER anchor tool used in all classrooms to help students develop expectations for success as learners and members of the community. The Charter Shout-Out gives teachers the opportunity to highlight students who are living up to their classroom charters.
This week, students from the following classes received shout-outs and were recognized over morning announcements: Ms. Kern and Mr. Lawless. Congratulations to Hannah (3AK), Alexander (3AK), Mason (4JL), and Carly (4JL)! See their proud picture below!
Principal's Pride
Being the Principal of Highview Elementary School brings me a tremendous amount of joy and pride. I am beyond lucky to be able to work with such incredible students, staff, and families.
Tuesday was a positive whirlwind of a day - full of surprises! I am humbled to be the 2024 recipient of the Marvin Maurer Award from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. This is an incredible honor, and I attribute this award to the amazing work we have done as a collective school community. I am beyond proud of our students and staff for recognizing the importance of emotions and how they impact the work we do in school each day. Walking into the Auditorium full of people I love - my students, staff, and colleagues - was one of the most incredible moments of my entire adult life. I sincerely appreciate the outpouring of support from students, staff, and the Nanuet community. Highview Elementary School is a very special place, and I am grateful to serve as Principal. Thank you again - I definitely felt the love!
Scholastic Book Fair - Coming Soon!
During the week of February 12, the Nanuet Elementary PTA is hosting the Scholastic Book Fair here at Highview School. Each class will have the opportunity to visit the book fair to purchase books. Additionally, the PTA is going to run an Evening Book Fair Sale on Tuesday, February 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Parents/guardians and caregivers are welcome to bring their Highview student(s) to the book fair that evening to shop for books.
Please click the link below to view when your child's class will visit the Book Fair during the school day.
HV - Scholastic Book Fair Schedule 2024
Our wonderful Elementary PTA is looking for volunteers to assist with the Scholastic Book Fair. Please take a look at the PTA website or send your inquiries/interest via email to nanuetpta@gmail.com.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
During arrival and dismissal, the safety of our students is our top priority. Please review this document, which outlines our arrival and dismissal procedures for the 2023-2024 school year. We thank you in advance for your partnership in following these procedures each day.
Chromebook Care
Please read this document about Caring for Your Chromebook. Nanuet School District provides a Chromebook, charger, and sleeve (case) for each student. Currently, the district fixes and/or replaces devices when necessary but unfortunately, the district does not provide replacement chargers or sleeves to anyone that damages or loses a charger or sleeve. Any student that requires a charger or sleeve after the initial provision will need to purchase a replacement.
Code of Conduct
The Board of Education is committed to providing a safe and orderly school environment where students may receive and district personnel may deliver quality educational experiences without disruption or interference. We ask that you read and review the Code of Conduct for Grades K-4 with your child. Our goal is to ensure students are engaged in learning while making positive contributions to our school community.
Digital Backpack
Each week, documents will be loaded to our Digital Backpack, which is linked to the bottom of the Highview homepage. We encourage you to check the Digital Backpack, which is updated every Friday, to ensure you have updated information on important dates, events, and opportunities being offered to students and families.
Eat-and-Play Challenge
In early September, our School Counselor, Ms. Lipson, and School Social Worker, Mrs. Weiss launched a monthly Eat-and-Play Challenge for our students. The goal is for classes to work together to follow the Eat-and-Play rules during the lunch/recess periods. They have the opportunity to color in a "square" on an incentive chart. The class with the most "squares" colored at the end of the month gets to shop on our FABULOUS prize cart! There will be at least one winner each month in both grade levels.
For the month of January, Mrs. Amann, Ms. Kern, and Mrs. Merz's classes won the third-grade challenge. Mrs. McGuire and Mr. Nye's classes won the fourth-grade challenge. Congratulations, 3KA, 3AK, 3JM, 4KM, and 4TN! We look forward to seeing which classes will win for the month of February.
Erin's Law
Over the past several years, many states, including New York, have passed laws with the intent of increasing personal safety awareness and the roles of schools to include certain topics in the curriculum. You may have heard of this legislation under its more common name, Erin's Law. The law came to fruition in honor of Erin Merryn, a brave young woman who has crossed the country advocating for laws that will increase awareness of this crime against children. New York State approved Erin’s Law Curriculum Benchmarks in December 2020, with implementation starting during 2021-2022 school year. For more information about the NYS Erin’s Law Curriculum Benchmarks, please visit the NYSED website here.
One of the requirements of this law is that schools provide an age-appropriate curriculum to all students grades K-8. The purpose of the lessons are to provide students with the tools needed for personal safety. Lessons will be age-appropriate and may include a variety of discussions, activities, and videos. During the 2023-2024 school year, Highview Elementary School students will engage with lessons to meet the requirements of Erin’s Law through the combined efforts of our social workers, psychologists, and counselors. If you have questions about this law, please call our Main Office at (845) 627-3460.
Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)
We are fortunate to have a wonderful Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). We encourage our parents to get involved with the PTA. If you have questions, you can always reach out to our PTA via email at nanuetpta@gmail.com. Additionally, please check out the PTA's Facebook Page and NEW website for more information on how to join this amazing group! Thank you to our fabulous PTA for all you do to support the students, staff, and families in the Nanuet School District!
Nanuet Elementary PTA Facebook Page
Safety and Security Protcols
As you know, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority in the Nanuet Union Free School District. In an effort to ensure our building is safe and secure, we have made some revisions to our visitor policies and procedures at Highview School during the 2022-2023 school year. The protocols are outlined in the document below.
Dates to Remember
Monday, February 12 - Friday, February 16
Scholastic Book Fair
Friday, February 16
Rockland Read-In
Come dressed comfy and cozy in your pajamas! No slippers!
Monday, February 19 - Friday, February 23
Mid-Winter Recess
All Nanuet Schools Closed
Tuesday, February 27
Board of Education Meeting
7:30 p.m. at Nanuet Senior High School
Friday, March 1
Spirit Day
Wear black and gold - Go Nanuet Knights!
Highview Elementary School
Email: mlutz@nanuetsd.org
Website: highview.nanuetsd.org
Location: 24 Highview Avenue, Nanuet, NY 10954
Phone: (845) 627-3460
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NanuetPublicSchools
Instagram: @nanuetschools
X (Formerly Twitter): @nanuetschools