Parent Newsletter-1st Day Follow Up

Thank you for a wonderful first day of school. Our Bulldogs had an amazing day, they were engaged in learning routines and procedures. We loved hearing about their great summer and were so happy to see them.

I want to share a few reminders for day 2 of school.

ARRIVAL

Our Hugs & Kisses Zone is located in the foyer area:

- Parents should enter through the student main entrance with their children.

- Quick hugs and kisses are encouraged.

- Students will walk independently to their classroom, with staff available to assist if needed.

- Parents will exit through the main student entrance.

For parents dropping off their children in the morning:

- Enter through the main student entrance doors.

- Only enter the designated hugs and kisses zone locate in our foyer

- Students will proceed independently to their classroom.

- Parents will exit through the main student entrance.

For parents coming to have breakfast or lunch with their child:

- Enter through the main vestibule doors.

- Use the button next to the safety window to alert the front office.

- Let the front office know you are joining your child for breakfast or lunch.

- You will then be directed to sign in and receive a raptor sticker before entering the cafeteria area.

DISMISSAL

We are in the process of launching a new dismissal system and appreciate your patience as we navigate this transition. Several PfISD schools have successfully adopted this dismissal process, resulting in improved safety and efficiency for students. With proper implementation, we anticipate a quicker and safer dismissal experience. We kindly ask for your continued patience and flexibility as we work through this process. Thank you for your understanding.

We would like to clarify the dismissal procedures and kindly ask that parents adhere to the established protocols communicated with teachers. Any late or uncommunicated changes to a student's dismissal will not be permitted. For instance, if a student is designated as a car rider, parents are required to pick them up in the car rider line, with no exceptions.

Dismissal Tags:

Each student (family) has been issued a numbered dismissal tag for parents and one for student backpack. Students will not be released without this tag. The parent tag must match the tag on the students backpack.

Car Rider Pick-up

Car Rider Pick-up is for parents who will stay in their vehicle and follow the car rider line to pick up their student(s). Parents/guardians MUST display their child’s tag on their windshield or front passenger window. If you do not have your tag, you MUST park and go to the office. Unfortunately, we cannot allow exceptions, as we are trying to increase our safety and efficiency. If you need an extra tag for another caretaker’s car, please let your child’s teacher know.

Parent Walk-Up

Parents/guardians will walk up to the designated area to pick up their child. You MUST show your child’s tag when walking up to pick them up. If you do not have your tag, you MUST go to the office. Parent walk ups should arrive at dismissal time. Late parent walk-ups will be moved to car rider pick-up, and parents will be required to use the car rider line. Unfortunately, we cannot allow exceptions, as we are trying to increase our safety and efficiency. If you need an extra tag for another caretaker, please let your child’s teacher know.

Walkers/Bikers

Walkers and bikers will be released from the flagpole/bike rack area.

Rainy Day Dismissal:

If it is raining or we have increment weather, all students will be required to follow car rider procedures. We will have no parent walk - up on these days. For walkers and bike riders we will ask parents to communicate any changes to their students' teacher.

The safety of all students at Highland Park Elementary School is our number one priority. In order to maintain a high degree of awareness and safety we are requiring that all parents and/or guardians adhere to the above procedures. Your cooperation and support are crucial in maintaining the security, success, and positive climate of our school. If you have any questions or concerns about these protocols, please feel free to reach out to us. We are always happy to answer any questions

With thanks,

Lizbeth Ruiz

Principal

HIghland Park Elementary

Every summer, there are staffing changes. Staff members move on to other opportunities, and new staff members join the campus. Before emailing a staff member from last school year, it would be wise to check with our front office staff. It is also a good idea to consider which staff member is your first point of contact for questions before you send your email. You may also call the front office at 512-594-6800 and ask for the person you need to speak with. I hope this information is helpful!

Senior Admin. Associate: Anita Moreno– anita.moreno@pfisd.net

General questions regarding scheduling, procedures, teacher information, leave requests, substitutes, purchase orders (for your classroom/students), monthly and bi-weekly payroll, supplemental pay, staff travel, events, field trips, website updates, FB page, maintenance orders, after-hours events, fundraisers (any collection of money), Picture days, etc.

Registrar: Miriam Ruvalcaba – miriam.ruvalcaba@pfisd.net

Student records, registration, residency questions, attendance, transfers, withdrawal, cumulative records, and folders, grade-book, etc.

Student Support Clerical Support: Yaira Torres- yaira.torres@pfisd.net

Schedule LPAC and 504 meetings, and gather student grades, relevant classroom, and health data.

Nurse: Lauren Hohle- lauren.hohle@pfisd.net

Shot records, allergy information, distribution of medication, general student health, Section 504, and SpEd as related to health, etc.

Counselor: Anna Vazquez – anna.vazquez@pfisd.net

Student care and concerns, parent and student support, Credit by Exam, Gifted and Talented information, assessment, and Section 504

Assistant Principal: Pamela LeDay–pamela.leday@pfisd.net

Primary contact regarding discipline, LPAC, and SpEd. Additionally, virtually everything you would contact Ms. Ruiz for. It is a good idea to copy Ms. LeDay on emails sent to Ms. Ruiz because both of them are able to respond to questions or concerns.

Principal: Lizbeth Ruiz – lizbeth.ruiz@pfisd.net

Any and all topics not covered by the staff members listed above.

Please feel free to email or call us if you are needing support. We look forward to passionately serving the families of Highland Park Elementary!

2024-2025 School Year Calendar with grading periods, student holidays, etc.

Aug. 9- Meet the Teacher Night -4:30-6:30 p.m.

Aug. 13 - Students' First Day of School

Aug. 17- Popsicles at the Park (more info coming soon)

Aug. 30- Homecoming Day (more info coming soon)

Aug. 30- Homecoming/Back to School Dance 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Sept. 2- Student & Staff Holiday

Sept. 06- Grandparents Luncheon ( during students lunches)

Sept. 12 Parent Orientation-Pk- 2nd - 5:30-6:15 & 3rd - 5th- 6:15-7:00

Sept. 17- PTO Meeting at 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Sept. 27- Hispanic Heritage Loteria Night

Oct. 4- Pink Out Day

Oct. 11 - Student Holiday/ Staff/Parent Conference Day

Oct. 14- Student Holiday/Staff Professional Development and Planning Day

Oct. 21-25- Red Ribbon Week & Fall Book Fair

Oct. 24- Pajama Reading Night/ Pop into Reading 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Oct. 26- PTO Trunk or Treat 5:00-7:00

Oct. 31- Early Release at 12:00 p.m.

Website: https://www.pfisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=37
Location: 428 Kingston Lacy Blvd, Pflugerville, TX, USA
Phone: 512.594.6800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HighlandParkES/
Twitter: @HighlandPark_ES

Principal's Newsletter: https://www.pfisd.net/domain/1473