Parent Newsletter!
August 12, 2024
Hello and Welcome Back!
Dear Highland Park Families,
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year!
This year marks my 21st year in the field of education, and I am truly honored to be part of public education, the Pflugerville Independent School District, and especially Highland Park Elementary. It is a privilege to continue serving as the campus principal, and I am eager to see what the upcoming school year has in store.
Highland Park is a truly special place for learning and growth. I am proud of our students, staff, and community! As we prepare for the 2024-2025 school year, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the last school year and express my gratitude for your commitment and support to Highland Park.
This year, we will reflect on last year's successes, address the challenges we faced, foster connections, and center our efforts around our school-wide theme of "Grow, Learn, and Bloom." As a collaborative team, we will anchor our work in our mission, vision, and value statements.
Mission: The mission of Highland Park Elementary is to educate and empower students of all abilities and to develop high moral character and engage at their full potential as citizens in a diverse global community.
Vision: Highland Park students are... Effective and productive community members. Exploring, inquiring, and curious learners. Safe, respectful and responsible students. Empowered learners. Problem solvers.
Values: Highland Park Elementary believes a dedicated, collaborative, and committed staff fosters perseverance in the pursuit of excellence where... All students and staff have a right to quality education in a safe and nurturing environment. All children have the ability to try their best. All students can learn and be successful. All students are individually talented in their own way. Building relationships is crucial to student success. Diversity is our strength.
I am proud to announce that we have been recognized as the best Public Elementary School in Pflugerville by the Chamber of Commerce. This honor serves as a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion demonstrated by our staff and the Highland Park community. I invite you to celebrate this achievement with us as we reaffirm our commitment to maintaining the high standards that have earned us this recognition.
I am always interested in listening to you and our students regarding their celebrations, concerns, and feedback. As the campus principal, I will strive to ensure that all students, staff, and families feel welcome and connected to our Bulldog family. My heart is dedicated to serving you, our students, and the families of Highland Park.
Highland Park Bulldogs WOOF!
Warm Regards,
Lizbeth Ruiz
Principal
Highland Park Elementary
Back to School Procedures
In preparation for the new school year, we have provided some important “need to know” information in this newsletter. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
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.
Campus Visitors
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/Lunch
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.
Arrival
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 need to drop off their child at the Hugs & Kisses zone located in the foyer. Parents will not be allowed to walk down the main hallways.
Stress Free Drop Off Reminders
With over 730 students morning traffic is heavy. Please remember the tardy bell rings at 7:35, instruction begins promptly, and every minute counts. We need your help with a few key things that we think will help with morning drop-off.
- When dropping off your child please make sure they have everything ready, backpack, lunch bag, and water bottle. Students should exit on the right side of the vehicle as the left side has passing vehicles.
- If you are needing to help your child out of the car or getting their things ready, please pull into our parking lot and park. You will need to then walk your child across the crosswalk to the front door.
- Please do not park and send your child alone across the parking lot, there are many moving vehicles and this is very unsafe.
- When exiting the campus parking lot, please note that there is a "DO NOT TURN LEFT" sign below the stop sign. As you exit, please turn right towards Heatherwilde and not towards the neighborhood. Turning left holds up the drop-off line, may cause students to be late, upset parents behind you, and unnecessary stress to students getting dropped off.
- Finally please be kind to our staff on duty. These staff members are outside at 7:05 a.m. every day to help get our students in the building. We understand at times stress is high, but we need to work together, provide each other grace, and support one another.
- Please know that our number one priority is student safety. We love our students and want to welcome everyone in a happy and safe environment.
We are hoping the key actions above will help everyone get to their destination safely and on time. As always, we thank you for your help and support!
Dismissal
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.
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.
Walkers/Bikers
Walkers and bikers will be released from the flagpole/bike rack area.
Birthday Celebrations/Campus Celebrations
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.
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Please join us for our first PTO meeting of the school year on September 17 at 5:30 p.m.
- 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
Communication Guide
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!
Upcoming Events
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.
Highland Park Elementary School
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