OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

SCHOOL WILL RESUME ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 14TH.

School IDs Required!

Please remind your child to have their ID on when returning to school on Monday.

• When students arrive at school they will enter through a secured door or gate and will be required to have their ID badge for entrance.

• Bus riders will use the barcode on their ID badge for getting on and off the bus. As a parent you will be able to view the whereabouts of the bus using the Here Comes the Bus app, more details below.

• Students will continue to use the barcode on their ID badges to access nutrition services (cafeteria), library, and the bus.

• Students are required to wear their ID badges at all times. This is part of our campus dress code and security policy.
• Lunch detention is issued when forgetting their school IDs.
• If a student forgets their badge they will be issued a temporary sticker badge for a $1 cost. Cost for replacement badges (lost ID’s) will remain at $5.00 (cash only)
• Be proactive, and always have your child carry their student ID in their backpack! Please read the letter below as a friendly reminder.

Second Quarter Sports

We are excited to kick off our Second Quarter Sports! (October - December)

The sports include:

7th & 8th grade Wrestling - (non-cut)

7th & 8th grade Girls Soccer

7th & 8th grade Boys Basketball

7th & 8th grade Cheer

7th & 8th grade Dance Line

If your child is interested in any of these sports you must first register online at

https://www.registermyathlete.com/login/ and a sports physical is needed to complete the registration BEFORE trying out.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Barbara Escamilla

480-632-4739 X 2001 or barbara.escamilla@gilbertschools.net

HJHS Student Council will be be having a Fun Fest Haunted House Fundraiser (only for HJHS students) on Friday, October 25th from 3:30PM -5:00PM. All sales will be donated to Phoenix Children's Hospital. (more information will be shared with students during our morning announcements. )

The HJHS National Junior Honor Society will sponsor the annual tradition called “Costumes for a Cause” on October 31st. Here is what happens: our teachers come to school dressed in their costumes - some of which have been months in the planning. Students get to vote for their favorite costume by dropping a cash donation into their treat bucket. The teacher who collects the most funds at the end of the day will be announced as our “winner”. The real winner of this event is Phoenix Children’s Hospital because all of the change that is collected is donated to PCH to help in their work with very sick children.

Highland Junior High expectation is that students do not dress up for Halloween during the school day. We do not allow masks, costumes, or accessories.

Dear Amazing HJHS Parents,

Do you find yourself hiding when the school fundraiser forms come home? Does the thought of selling candy, candles, or...wrapping paper (again!) make you want to run fo the hills? Do you simply not have time to attend one more meeting? We get it, and we have great news!

There's a way to support our incredible PTRO without ever having to peddle $100 ice cream coupons again! By donating directly, you can help us fund amazing events, celebrations, and provide the much-needed support that our teachers and students deserve. No more awkwardly asking neighbors if they want to buy overpriced cookie dough, or trying to convince Grandma that she really needs another scented candle. Just pure hassle-free, feel-good giving! So, if you're ready to wave goodbye to fundraising chaos and say hello to simplicity, click that donate button and pat yourself on the back. You've just saved yourself from becoming the Candy Bar Sales Champion of 2024.

The PTRO has several amazing events and support opportunities planned through this year. In order to make those things happen we need your help. However, if we are not able to reach our fundraising goals you may be seeing a few more sign ups throughout the school year. Thanks for being awesome!

Paypal Link: paypal.me/hjhsptro

The PTRO Team

Be sure to mention Highland Jr. High when buying any food items from Backyard Taco on

October 23rd between 11:30am-9:00pm, and 20% of the proceeds will come back to HJHS PTRO! Remember to mention our school when you order. Online, drive-through, in-person, and take-out orders all count! Add HJHS to the notes if ordering online. Also, please pick up online orders from inside the restaurant to ensure your order was counted towards the fundraiser. It will not say anything on the online receipt stapled to the bag. That is why they ask that we reconfirm online orders at pickup. Doordash or other delivery services do not count towards our total. We hope to see you there!

From now until December 31st, 20% of all orders made from www.honeybaked.com/undraising/HJHS_PTRO will come back to Highland Jr. High. If you purchase a gift card for any amount from their dashboard, the gift card will be delivered to the email you provide. You can then use your gift card to purchase anything available at Honey Baked Ham. What a great way to make your holidays easier while supporting our school!

Annual Update

Annual Update It is very important that all families complete the online ‘Annual Update’ to prepare for the new school year. The ‘Annual Update’ in Infinite Campus allows you to tell us of any updates to your contact information, address changes, and updates to emergency contacts. In order to ensure we can communicate with you regarding your student, or in case of emergency, it is essential that we have your up-to-date contact details. Please log in to your Infinite Campus parent portal and complete your student’s ‘Annual Update’ today. To access the IC portal visit www.gilbertschools.net/IC

Upcoming events:

Veterans Day - Nov. 11 - NO SCHOOL

Spelling Bee- Nov. 13 - 8:30AM

Athletic Pictures (quarter 2 sports) Nov. 15 - 3:45PM

Performing Arts/Clubs Yearbook Pictures - Nov. 19 - 8:45AM

English Language/Math Benchmark Assessments Test #2 - Nov. 21

Gilberts Day Parade - Nov. 23 - (time) TBA

PTRO Mtg. - Nov. 25 - 4:00PM

School Council Mtg. Nov. 25 - 5:00PM

Thanksgiving Holiday - Nov. 27-29 - NO SCHOOL