Heights Happenings

Heights Mission: Heights Elementary IB World School is dedicated to developing balanced, lifelong learners through educational excellence, a global perspective, reflection and action.

Heights Vision: To Be A World Class School.

Heights PBIS Statement: We strive to be a school that models positive behaviors which develop the whole child and social skills. We have a common culture and language which supports student growth and high expectations to empower our students to become well-rounded global citizens through teaching and recognizing positive behavior.

Confidence is the foundation of learning. When students feel comfortable and self-assured in the classroom, they are more engaged and willing to take on challenges. At Heights, our teachers foster this confidence by building strong relationships with students and using a variety of strategies to create a supportive learning environment.

How can you help at home? One way is by having regular conversations about what your student is learning. Take math, for example. Showing enthusiasm and interest in their studies can make a big difference.

Try asking your student about their math lessons at dinner or during homework time. Encourage them to explain the concepts they’re working on and ask follow-up questions. If they’re learning about decimals, you might ask how decimal points are used in money.

When they finish their homework, have them walk you through how they solved their problems. As they explain their thinking, they’ll reinforce their skills and build confidence in their learning.

Together, we can help our students feel empowered and excited to grow!

School Hours: 7:55 am—2:10 pm

Doors open: 7:30 am

Breakfast: 7:30-7:45 am

Heights Contact Information:

Address: 15200 Alexandria Ct. Ft. Myers, FL 33908

Telephone: 239.481.1761 Fax:239.481.3154

Website: het.leeschools.net

Twitter: @HeightsIB

Facebook: Heights Elementary

After School Program: Lisa McElyea

504 Accommodations: Bryanna Van Helden

Contact information Changes: Jennifer Kurowski

Transportation: Suzi Loughren

Gifted testing: Lisa Alexander

Clinic: Zuri Galvan or Nurse Carey

School Counselor: Kathy Morrow

IB PYP Coordinator: Lacey Davis

Reading Coach Kg-2nd grade: Katie Bocchino

Reading Coach 3rd-5th grade: Dodie Lytle

Math Coach: Natasha Edinger

March 3rd-4th: Heights Book Fair continues

March 3rd-7th: Read Across America Week

March 6th & 7th: 4th grade Student Led Conferences

• March 6th Elrubaie/McDole 10:30-11:00 & Licata/Sleeper 1:00-1:30

• March 7th Williams and Peak 12:30-1:00

March 7th: Heights PTA Auction

March 9th: Time Change

March 14th: End of 3rd quarter

March 17th-21st: Spring Break (schools closed)

March 28th: 3rd grade Student Led Conferences

• 9: 15-9:45: Pittard, Potter, & Peterson
• 11:00-11:30: Leach, Roberts, Mele, Chesnut, Kebhart, & Gutierrez

Why Attendance Matters: When students attend school consistently and arrive on time, they have more opportunities to learn, connect with peers, and participate in classroom activities. Studies show that regular attendance leads to better academic outcomes, greater social connections, and an increased sense of responsibility.

Did You Know?

• Missing even just two days per month can significantly impact a student's ability to stay on track in reading and math.
• Being 10 minutes late every day adds up to nearly a week of lost learning time over the course of the school year!

How You Can Help:

• Set a routine: Establish a consistent bedtime and morning routine to make getting to school on time easier.
• Plan ahead: Lay out clothes, pack backpacks, and prepare lunches the night before.
• Communicate: If there are challenges impacting attendance, please reach out to our office. We’re here to support your family!

We appreciate your partnership in helping every student arrive at school on time and ready to learn. Together, we can make sure each student has the best chance to succeed every day!

Month of February

PK- 91%

K- 93%

1st: 94%

2nd: 95%

3rd: 93%

4th: 93%

5th: 94%

School Avg: 94%

Year to Date:

PK: 89%

K: 93%

1st: 94%

2nd: 95%

3rd: 94%

4th: 95%

5th: 94%

School Avg: 94%

All campus visitors will need to show their ID at the door and also to receive a visitor pass. Based on the School District of Lee County safety procedures, we are ONLY allowed to accept physical forms of ID when you show up on campus. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept picture IDs on a cell phone or from the Florida Real ID website. Thank you for your understanding and helping to keep our campus safe.

It's time to order your Heights yearbook for $25. Go to BuyTheYearbook.com and enter the school code 384204.

As IB learners we strive to be risk-takers. We approach uncertainty with courage and forethought. We have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. We are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

This IB learner profile is one of 10 attributes recognized and valued by IB World Schools. We believe these attributes, and others like them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities.

You've probably been hearing about growth mindset. Growth mindset is a valuable attitude that encourages children to have perseverance, to approach difficult tasks with confidence, and to focus on what is achievable with hard work. Below are some fun activities to encourage growth mindset and risk-taking.

• Turn a negative into a positive- "I can't do that!" vs."I can't do that...YET!"
• Famous Fails- Research famous people in history that failed, but came back even stronger!
• Character Counts- Read stories about characters that have faced obstacles and overcame them.
• Grow-ya- Growth set yoga that's linked with positive affirmations https://www.kidsyogastories.com/growth-mindset/

• Our Kindergarten students are finishing their unit on Adventures. Students were excited to receive Valentine's postcards from all over the world.
• In the month of March, our second grade students are hosting a Career Day to learn more about goods and services in our community. Students will hear from various professions in our community and how they help us.
• Our fourth grade students will be hosting a guest speaker from Ding Darling to connect with their Social Studies unit. The guest speaker will speak about the life of Teddy Roosevelt through an interactive presentation.
• Lastly, our fifth grade students are wrapping up their Exhibition Presentations and preparing for Exhibition Night on April 24th. We ae excited to see this demonstration of their learning.

Each year at our Annual Auction we 'Raise the Paddle' for a specific need at Heights Elementary. This year we have decided to work towards the construction of an outside classroom. We hope each Heights family will make a contribution to this cause, in whatever way they can.

Donate Today: https://app.givebacks.gives/heightsauction2025/Crowdfunding

Heights Elementary extends a heartfelt THANK YOU to our school community! We're incredibly proud of our readers and grateful for your support, which made our fundraiser a success. Our students had a wonderful time reading. We can't wait to host another Read-A-Thon next year!

During the school year when storms are upon us, we will not release any students if there is lightning in the area. All bus riders, walkers and bike riders will wait out the storm in the school. Any parent pick-up students will wait in the cafeteria or in the front office. Please remain in your vehicles as we will release students as soon as the threat has passed. Administration will update all parents and guardians using the District APP (School Messenger) on any severe weather in the area that might delay pick up or buses leaving the campus.

Florida State Statute 1012.42 recognizes that teachers at times must be assigned duties in a class outside the field in which the teacher is certified. The following teachers at Heights Elementary are certified, but may be assigned one or more classes outside their areas of certification and are required to take appropriate steps to comply with the statutory regulation: Madison Barker (ESE)

In addition, the following teachers are engaged in training to add the endorsement, English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), to their certificates: Nicole Berry, Nicole Driscoll, Courtney Sleeper, Jennifer Kee, Gina Celej, Melinda Melendez, Stephanie Bovinett, Reagan Potter, Jamie Leach, & Libby Davis.

District 1 - Samuel Fisher, Board Chair

District 2 - Melisa W. Giovannelli

District 3 - William F. Ribble Jr.

District 4 - Debbie Jordan

District 5 - Armor Persons

District 6 - Jada Langford-Fleming, Board Vice Chair

District 7 - Vanessa M. Chaviano

Superintendent -Denise M. Carlin, Ed.D