Highland Park Family Newsletter

We've made it through the last few weeks and have August behind us—it felt like it flew by!

On Thursday, we celebrated our TIA designated teachers with a lovely dinner and awards at the Marriot. It was great to recognize everyone's hard work. This distinction is awarded to highly effective, top performing public school teachers. I'm incredibly proud of our HPES teachers!

Friday we celebrated Homecoming day, and hosted our Back to School Dance. it was so fun to see staff and students showing their school spirit.. The dance was a huge success. It was wonderful to see so many current bulldogs and former bulldogs dancing and having fun. Our community is amazing! Thank you to 2nd grade for organizing this dance, and PTO for supporting this event. Thank you parents for joining us and making this event a success.

Next Friday, September 6th we will be celebrating Grandparents Day! We can't wait to see our grandparents spending time with our Bulldogs!

Don't forget Monday is a holiday. Please let me know if you have any questions at all.

Highland Park Bulldogs Woof!

With Thanks,

Lizbeth Ruiz

Principal

Highland Park Elementary

Please review the Progress Report and Report Card Dates below.

• 09/11/24:- Progress Report: due to campus at 12:00 noon, due to district by 4:30
• 09/18/24- Progress Reports available to parents
• 10/18/24- 1st Nine Weeks ends
• 10/23/24- 1st 9 Weeks Grades due to campus at 12:00 noon, due to district by 4:30
• 10/25/24- Report Cards Available to parents

*** 2nd - 5th Grade Award Assembly Dates coming soon!

Parent Orientation is set for Thursday, September 12th. Pk-2nd from 5:30-6:15 and 3rd - 5th will be from 6:15- 7:00. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn our campus, grade level, and classroom goals and expectations.

• Grandparents Lunch and Kinder Bat Night this Friday, Sept. 6th!
• Tardy bell rings at 7:35 AM
  
• Dismissal is at 2:50. We finish car dismissal by about 3:05. If you arrive to pick up your child after 3:05, you will be required to park and go to the office to sign them out.
• Students are encouraged to wear a college shirt on Wednesdays and a Highland Park spirit shirt on Fridays!

• Website (www.hpespto.org) designed to be an information hub and a quick way to get some Bulldog Swag. There is a list of events we are hosting like popsicles at the park, bingo night, trunk or treat and more. We're building ways to support our teachers. There is info about themselves and their "Amazon Wish-lists" so dive in
  
• Volunteers - Want to help but don't know how? After checking out our website, reach us at volunteers@hpespto.org. We can find a place where you'll fit right in. You can get a head start by applying in the district as an official volunteer. It only takes about 5 minutes.
  
• Join the PTO Facebook - Where Bulldogs WOOF! https://www.facebook.com/highlandparkelementarypto

Have a co-worker who really matters and whom you want to recognize? Let’s recognize our HPES Bulldogs, no kudos is too big or too small! If you have any kudos you’d like to share, you can submit kudos here: HPES Bulldog Weekly News Kudos or Click here to submit your Pfamily Kuddos for the google form.

• 2nd Grade Teachers: Thank you for organizing a fantastic Back to School Dance. It was wonderful to see our bulldogs dancing and having so much fun. We had a huge turn out, and great success!
• Back to School Dance Volunteers: Thank you so much for supporting with the Back to School Dance, We had a huge turn out, and couldn't have done it without you! We appreciate your help with set up, chaperoning,, greeting, dancing/interacting with the kids, and clean up! You rock!
• Dismissal Crew: Thank you for working endlessly to smooth out the dismissal system. It's getting better every day and were dismissing on time while keeping kids safe! Thank you!
• Ms. Mojica: Thank you for bringing our students so much joy! at the dance! We love our mascot!

Congratulations to all of our HPES TIA Designated Teachers! Highland Park has the BEST Teachers!!!

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

Sept. 2- Student & Staff Holiday

Sept. 06- Grandparents Luncheon ( during students lunches)

Sept. 06- Kinder Bat Night ( see invitation above)

Sept. 9- 13- PTO Snack & Soda Drive (all week)

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. 21- Parents Night Out (more info coming soon)

Sept. 27- Hispanic Heritage Loteria Night 6:00-8:00

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.

Hugs & Kisses Zone for Student 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.

For parents dropping off items for their child:

- Notify classroom teacher that you are dropping off an item via class dojo or email.

- Enter through the main vestibule doors.

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

- Inform the front office that you are dropping off an item for your child.

- There will be a table in the vestibule for drop-offs and post its to include your child’s and teacher name.

For parents attending conferences or meetings:

- Enter through the main vestibule doors.

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

- Inform the front office of your scheduled meeting.

- After verification, you will be allowed to sign in and receive a raptor sticker before entering the building.

Breakfast: Parents are welcome to eat breakfast with their children. Breakfast is served from 7:10-7:35 in the cafeteria. Parents will need to sit with their students at the stage tables or the three round tables in the foyer. Please only invite your child to eat with you. Inviting your child's friends is not allowed. With close to 750 students, we are limited in space and kindly ask that you save this treat for special occasions. Parents will need to sign in the raptor system in the front office.

Lunch: Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their children. Please check with your child's teacher for specific class time lunch. Parents will need to sit with their students at the stage tables or the round tables in the foyer. Please only invite your child to eat with you. Inviting your child's friends is not allowed. With close to 750 students, we are limited in space and kindly ask that you save this treat for special occasions. Parents will need to sign in the raptor system in the front office.

• HPES doors will open at 7:05 a.m. for bus riders and 7:10 a.m. for car riders and walkers.

• Bus riders will enter the building through the 100 hallway doors adjacent to the bus loop at 7:05 a.m. Upon entering the building they will make their way to the gym where they will wait to be dismissed to class.

• Car riders and walkers will enter the building through the front entrance at 7:10 a.m.

• Walkers and car riders that arrive early will wait outside (back up plan for weather)

• Upon entering the building car riders, walkers, and bike riders will go to either the cafeteria or the gym.

• Students eating breakfast will be asked to go to the cafeteria

• Parents/Guardians will be allowed to walk students into their classroom on the first day of school. Beginning August 14, (Day 2) parents will be asked to drop their child off at the hugs and kisses zone in the foyer. Parents will not be allowed to walk down the main hallway.

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 during our afternoon dismissal process, we are requiring that all parents and/or guardians adhere to the following 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.

Dismissal Tags:

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

Car Rider Pick-up

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. If you arrive after 3:05 ,you will be required to sign your child out from the front office.

Parent Walk-Up

Parents/guardians will walk up to the flagpole to pick up their child. You MUST display your child’s tag when walking up to pick them up. If you do not have your tag, you MUST 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, please let your child’s teacher know. If you are not at the flagpole by 3:00, your child will be sent to the carline dismissal.

Walkers/Bikers

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

• Student birthdays will be announced and celebrated over morning announcements. Students will also sing Happy Birthday in the classroom.

• Parents may bring cupcakes/treat to celebrate their child's birthday. However, notice must be given 24 hours in advance. Cupcakes/treats may only be passed out the last 30 minutes of class.

• Student treats (i.e., store bought cupcakes) cannot be served in the cafeteria during lunch. Treats cannot be a full meal (i.e., pizza) Teachers must receive parent permission prior to students eating store bought cupcakes/treats due to student food allergies.

• For classroom food activities such as party days or food-related learning activities, parents will need to complete an allergy permission form stating which foods their student is allowed to eat or handle. If this form is not returned prior to the event, the student will not be able to participate in the activity.

• We appreciate the care and time that the teachers and allergy committee members have given to this very important matter. We are dedicated to keeping our kids safe here at HPES and believe that this will help achieve that for all our students.

Here a few ways to stay informed. Follow us on Facebook @HighlandParkES and on Twitter @HighlandPark_ES. School communications will also be sent out through school messenger via email. On Tuesday’s an HPES folder will be sent home with flyers and information. Please be sure to look out for the folder on Tuesday’s. Additionally, please sign-up for our mailing list at You will receive a monthly campus newsletter through the mailing list. You can also find a copy of a newsletter like this one in our campus webpage under “Principal’s blog”.

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!

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