Dear Highland Ranch Elementary Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! Whether you're new to the Stallion family or returning, we're delighted to have you with us. As I begin my second year at Highland Ranch, I'm continually reminded of the unique and wonderful community we have here. From our dedicated staff to our supportive families, Highland Ranch truly feels like a home away from home.

I'm sure our Stallions kept you busy over the summer, and they're undoubtedly eager to return to school. Our custodial staff has been working diligently to prepare the classrooms, and our teaching staff is already planning lessons for the new school year. We're thrilled to welcome three new teachers to our Stallion family: Ms. Caeg, our newest Kindergarten teacher; Mr. Carlin, our new 3rd-grade teacher; and Ms. Donnelly, our new resource teacher. They bring years of experience and are excited to join our vibrant Stallion community.

We know your students are excited to meet their teachers and prepare for another fantastic year. Please read through this entire newsletter to find answers to many of your and your students' questions. You can start by watching this welcome video!

Ms. Geiger

Principal

Drop-Off:

• For your convenience, students can be dropped off from your vehicles at the loop near ESS.
• The front loop is reserved exclusively for independent TK/K/1st graders who can exit the vehicle on their own from the driver's side.
• We kindly request parents not to park in the traffic circle and allow their children to disembark from the car.
• If your child requires assistance getting in and out of the car, we recommend parking and escorting them onto campus.

Pick-Up:

• For TK, K, and first-grade students, we encourage parents/guardians to park on the street, walk onto campus, and collect your children at the end of the day.
• TK, Kinder and 1st graders will be picked up at the front of the school.
• Other grade levels will dismiss from the same gates through which they entered.

Here are some Important ways you can help:

Drivers:

• TK/Kindergarten and 1st grade: please pull forward and remember to stay in your car. We have our staff who can help open/close the door for your students; just think of this as your “HRES valet services.”

• Have backpacks on laps and quick goodbye kisses.

• Always pull forward as far down the driveway as you can.

• Unless you are planning to volunteer or be on campus for a period of time, please do not park in the ESS reserved spots, staff parking lot, and in the reserved school spots in front of our school.

Walkers:

• If you choose to walk your student to school, please park in the neighborhood.

• Always cross at the designated crosswalk in front of the MPR.

Early Playground Access:

Starting at 7:30, our playground gates will be open, welcoming all students onto campus. Kinder students will go to the MPR. We kindly ask parents to refrain from entering during this time, except for the first day when parents are welcome to accompany their children to class. Subsequently, our campus will be secured, with exceptions for special events such as Friday Flags. Access to the playground is via the gates between the two parking lots. Students will enjoy this time of social interaction until the warning bell rings at 7:40, at which point teachers will guide them to their designated assembly points - grades K-2 on the playground, and grades 3-5 in front of the two-story building. Detailed instructions will be provided to students on the first day. For TK and Kindergarten students, special arrangements will be in place until 7:40.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we focus on keeping our Stallions and families safe, and making the drop-off/pick-up process as streamlined as possible.

Breakfast and Lunch will be served free of charge this year. Breakfast will be served from 7:15 to 7:30. Breakfast service will end at 7:30 to ensure students complete eating breakfast by the start of school and have time to be at their classrooms by 7:45. Breakfast will be supervised by a staff member, and students will have the opportunity to eat, remaining seated in the lunch area. It is not an early recess before school and students will be required to stay at their table until 7:35 when they will be dismissed to go to class.

Lunch is free of charge as well. Please do not pack your child a lunch if you would like them to receive a lunch. Menus are online and can be found on this link.

Cell phones are ONLY permissible for students in the classroom when used for an assignment given by the teacher. Cell phones are NOT to be out on campus during the school day. A student’s cell phone will be kept in the office until the end of the day and parents/caregivers will be notified if a student is accessing a phone or other electronic device (iPad, Apple Watch, tablet) on campus during school hours, without teacher approval. Your student may have a smartwatch but the watch must be on school mode. The front office is a cell phone free zone for all staff and parents/caregivers. If you are waiting for your child, we ask that you receive or make any phone calls outside the office.

Highland Ranch is a school with motivated students, enthusiastic teachers, and engaged parents who come together to prepare Stallions for their future.

Website: https://highlandranch.powayusd.com/
Location: 14840 Waverly Downs Way, San Diego, CA 92128, USA
Phone: 858-674-4707