HHS Parent Newsletter
July 10, 2023
Highland High School Parent Newsletter, Friday, May 3, 2024
Principal's Message
Happy Friday Hawks!
Thank-you for another great week at The Nest, we truly have the best students and community!
Next week we are celebrating ALL of our HHS staff, both Teachers and Support Staff. We appreciate what they do daily to make HHS the best we can be. Thank-you for all of the donations to provide food, snacks and goodies to our staff next week, we appreciate your support!
Class of 2024 Seniors, please make plans to be here on May 8 right after school to have lunch on the lawn with lawn games and BBQ with our HHS staff. We then welcome our elementary and junior high feeder school staff members to campus to honor and celebrate them for assisting you on your path to graduation. You will have the opportunity to see your former teachers along with your current HHS teachers all in one place - we need you to be here to take part in this first ever celebration that will turn into an annual tradition AND you get to be the FIRST Senior Class to participate in it. Please see the following link for additional info: https://secure.smore.com/n/m5vq3
Please consider voting for HHS 2016 alumnus, McKenna Breinholt, to advance to the next round on American Idol this weekend! She is currently in the top 7 and the field is cut down to the top 5 this Sunday. Your votes can help her advance! Let's show McKenna The Nest's support!
Enjoy your first weekend of May Hawks!
Brian Yee
Principal
HHS Seniors! Bring us your Senior Announcements!
Class of 2024, we need your senior announcements to display on our office walls! Please bring it to Katrina Arellano in the front office or drop one off at our attendance/receptionist area. We look forward to seeing you on our office walls!
Vote for 2016 HHS Alum McKenna Breinholt on American Idol this weekend!
McKenna has made it to the FINAL 7 contestants on American Idol, let's help her get to the next round by voting for her this weekend! Go McKenna!!!
Current Juniors and Parents of Juniors - 2024-2025 Senior Personalized Parking Spaces
The time has finally come! Next school year, we are setting aside 100 parking spaces in the student lot for reserved personalized parking spots! You have the opportunity to be selected for a reserved parking spot to paint, decorate, and claim as your own for the entire 2024-25 school year! That's right, that means never having to worry about desperately searching for a place to park when you overslept and still thought you had time to stop, pick up a Polar Pop, and make it to first hour on time.
So what's the catch? Fill out the form below to be entered into a lottery. Names will be drawn, Monday, May 20th, 2024. You will be notified shortly after. You may fill out the form one time only. The total cost of a personalized parking space is $100. The cost is due in July during Bookstore days. You must have a valid driver's license by the first day of school, Tuesday, July 23, 2024. You are also responsible for purchasing paint and additional supplies to create your design. The additional money over the cost of a regular $60 parking pass will go to Student Council to help support other student events and activities. By submitting the form below, you agree to pay $100 by the first day of school, if your name is selected in the lottery.
Click here for the form: *** THE FORM WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY, MAY 17TH, 2024, AT 10 P.M. ***
Check out some ideas for a personalized parking space.
Good luck!
La Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica
Hawks Spirit Store
Need some Hawk clothing for an upcoming event? Or maybe your student needs another PE Uniform? Looking for a birthday gift? Check out the HHS Spirit Store! Purchase online and it will be ready for pickup the next business day at the store. Can't make it during Spirit Store hours? either have your student pick up or ask for it to be left at the front desk in the Main Office. All proceeds go straight back into the school!!! Go Hawks!
https://az-gilbert-lite.intouchreceipting.com/highlandhighschoolspiritstore
Highland Tutoring Club
Meets on Mondays and Tuesdays in room 1216 from 2:30-3:30
We aim to make the jobs of teachers and students easier by opening more hours for tutoring.
Students often find it easier to learn from other students, and would be more likely to come to a peer for help.
We offer tutoring on nearly every level of math, science, and English: even ACT and SAT prep.
We have accomplished tutors (30+ ACTs, and 3.9+ unweighted GPAs) and vet potential tutors to ensure high-quality tutoring.
Tutors have the potential to earn volunteer hours for college or GC105.
We provide some material, but recommend students come prepared with their math book, notes, or a former assignment.
Tutoring is one-on-one or in small groups based on the subject.
In short, the Highland Tutoring Club is a strong option for students who may be struggling in their classes or simply want a leg up in their academics, but cannot or do not wish to meet with their teachers.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month is observed annually in May. Its origin dates back to the 95th Congress proposing that a week in May be designated to commemorate the accomplishments of AAPIs. Over the next ten years, Presidents Carter, Reagan and George H.W. Bush continued to annually issue proclamations. By 1992, May was permanently designated by Congress as
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.
This yearās theme is Advancing Leaders Through Innovation which pays homage to the visionaries and trailblazers who have shaped our AANHPI history and continue to influence our collective future. Innovation, resilience, and pioneering spirit are cornerstones of American leadership. AANHPI leaders have made lasting contributions to our Nationās economic prosperity, technological advancements, and social/political change through their ingenuity and creativity while navigating significant cultural and systemic barriers.
Consider visiting the Japanese Friendship Garden, The Phoenix Art Museum, The Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, the Asian District in Mesa, The Musical Instrument Museum, or the Aloha Island Market in Mesa to enrich your understanding of AANHPI history and heritage.
Whatās new
It is hard to believe that another school year is coming to an end. Through good times and bad times, our HHS faculty have found ways to show love and support for students. Whether in the classroom, interactions with the office staff, extracurricular activities, or casual conversations, we have found pockets of joy and have overcome challenges with students to cross the finish line together. Your HHS School Counseling Team would like to thank our community for a great school year. We wish everyone an enjoyable summer!
Counseling office hours for the 2023-24 School Year will end on May 23, 2024. Our office hours will resume on July 18, 2024. Counselors will begin to reply to calls and emails on this date.
A Back-to-School email will be sent in July prior to the start of school.
This email will provide information on when your studentās schedule will be available in IC, how to pay fees, how to purchase parking passes, and how to request a schedule correction. Please remember that schedule change corrections will be considered, but there is no guarantee that it will be honored due to capacity or policy. It is for this reason students were encouraged to carefully consider classes and alternates during course advisement meetings in the Spring. Requests for lunch and teacher changes will be denied.
Global Academy/Online Classes
Concurrently Enrolled 9th-11th grade students:
May 21, 2024 is the deadline for 9th-11th grade concurrently-enrolled students to complete their class(es) without interruption. Students who do not finish by this date will be allowed to resume during summer school (for the $200 fee) or next semester (no fee) for the duration of their 18 weeks. Students who wish to resume their class during summer school will need to contact their counselor for a summer recommendation; those who wish to resume next school year will need to re-complete the concurrent enrollment process http://www.gilbertschools.net/joinGGA in July.
GRADUATING SENIORS in distance learning classes through Gilbert Global Academy need to have their grade posted to their transcript by May 10, 2024. This is a deadline set by Global Academy and no extensions will be offered.
Summer School
Summer school will be offered both in-person and online. Recommendations for summer school are completed by your studentās school counselor and you will be notified by email with information on how to complete enrollment and how/when to pay. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch may be eligible for a $100 waiver. Apply securely online for the 2023/24 school year.
In-person summer school will be held during the month of June at Gilbert High School. Transportation will be provided for a small fee. Students may take one semester course each session.
Session 1: June 3 - June 14
Session 2: June 17- June 28
Cost is $200 per semester credit
Online Summer School is being offered through Gilbert Global Academy. There are several sessions with the first starting Thursday, May 30th. Classes are 18-weeks (no extensions) and final exams must be completed onsite at Global Academy. Cost is $200 per semester credit
For additional information about summer school, please visit the GPS website: GPS Summer School
AP Testing
AP testing will begin May 6th and will conclude May 17th. If a student is absent, there is no make-up testing nor are there refunds. Students and families are encouraged to plan accordingly to ensure they are in attendance for their registered AP tests. To view the full AP testing schedule and the list of items to bring with you to testing, click on the following link 2024 AP Testing Schedule
Juniors: Need to register for the ACT or SAT This Summer?
If you have already created an account, do not create a new one. This will prevent problems with accessing your scores. Click on these links to get started with registering:
SAT https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat
Free and Reduced Lunch:
Families will need to fill out a new application each year in order for their student to receive free and reduced meals for the upcoming school year. The secure online application opens July 1, 2024. Students who apply and are eligible for the free and reduced meals also receive additional benefits such as waived summer school fees, reduced internet fees, waived college application and AP testing fees, and much more! The free and reduced meal program also ensures your school continues to receive funding for many school programs.
Mental Health Mattersš
Itās that stressful time of year when students are all struggling to finish projects, prepare presentations and study for final exams. As a parent, it can be difficult to see your child full of dread and anxiety over school work.
Here are a few things you can do to ease their burdens and reduce school-induced stress:
1. Remind them to sleep, eat and exercise. Getting a plenty of sleep every night, eating a
balanced diet, and stepping away from books for some gym time will help refocus and
rejuvenate your student.
2. Urge early studying. Students tend to cram at the very end, especially with so much to finish
at the same time. Yet those last-minute cram study sessions usually donāt pay off.
3. Talk to your student about their deadlines and final exam schedule. Help them be more
productive by encouraging a study plan with to-do lists and digestible tasks.
4. Be supportive. Send encouraging text messages when you know your student is overly
stressed. Be their own personal cheerleader and remind them that you are proud of them and
that they can do hard things.
5. Remind your student that their most valuable resource to success is their teacher. If your
child is struggling to understand course material and final expectations, encourage them to
reach out to their teacher.
Important reminders
Is Your Student Interested In Attending EVIT?
Applications for EVIT opened November 1st. EVIT is still accepting applications for some programs. To apply, use the following link to complete the online application: EVIT High School Enrollment If you need assistance with obtaining the required documents need for the application, please have your student see Mrs. Ward in the College & Career Center located in The Commons (available up until May 22, 2024), or contact the HHS front office.
Google Classroom
Be sure to read the announcements in the Class of 2023/2024/2025 Google Classroom. Our College and Career Center regularly posts updates and information about post-secondary topics including college visits to campus, scholarship availability and deadlines, college/post-secondary workshops, military, EVIT, and tech/trade school opportunities. Information can also be found on the HHS web site under the Counseling tab.
Senior Countdown!
ECAP
Seniors will be working on finalizing their ECAP, Education, and Career Action Plans, through RST for the remainder of the semester. They have participated in annual activities presented by the counseling department each Fall to prepare for a completed ECAP. Students will be utilizing My Future AZ from Pipeline AZ, an Arizona career development and job skills exploration platform, to finalize their ECAP. My Future AZ is available to Highland students through their Rapid Identify platform on their Chromebooks. Please ask your students about the results of their ECAP.
Global Academy Classes
Depending on your start date, April 25 or May 8, 2024 is the deadline for seniors to complete their online coursework. Because Seniors must be cleared for graduation, requests for extensions will not be granted. Your final grade must be posted to your transcript by May 10, 2024.
Online Classes With non-GPS Institution
If you are currently taking online classes with a provider outside of GPS, it is your responsibility to have your transcript sent to HHS. Your final grade must be posted to your transcript by May 10, 2024. Please remember that if you are taking a core class, you must pass the GPS final exam with a 60% or higher. See your counselor to make arrangements to take this exam.
Collaborative Credit
Grades must be posted on the studentās HHS transcript by May 10, 2024. Transcripts will not be automatically sent by the community college and it is the studentās responsibility to submit a final transcript.
Going to College? Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Opened December 31, 2023
Your FAFSA should be completed and you should be applying for colleges, evaluating acceptance letters, and making final decisions about your post-secondary future. If you have not yet completed your FAFSA, it is imperative you take care of this soon. You can do so by going to Free Application for Federal Student Aid The last day your FAFSA application can be submitted is June 30, 2023.
The FAFSA for the 2024-25 school year opened in December 2023 and closes on June 30, 2025. If you still need financial aid for the 2023-2024 school year, you can apply until June 30, 2024.
Looking for a Way to Help Pay for College? Visit our College and Career Center or check our our Scholarship & Resources page HHS Scholarship Resources
"Still Not Sure What You Are Doing After Graduation?" Make an appointment with Ms. Dwyer or Ms. Ward
Create a Parchment Account for All of Your Transcript Needs
For all current and future transcript requests, you will need to create a Parchment account. This will allow you to send transcripts to most institutions effortlessly and without delay. Once you graduate, HHS will no longer submit transcripts on your behalf so it is important that you create a parchment account. There is no fee to set up an account and there is a nominal fee to have a transcript sent. To get started, click here https://www.parchment.com/
Need to order a cap/gown, announcements, or some grad-swag? Visit the Jostenās website to place your order: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1012899/Highland-High-School/
We are here to support your students and help facilitate their success. Let us know what we can do to assist you.
Bridget Anderson A-Arc & Special Education
Matthew Van Holten Are-Cop
Adam Nyswaner Cor-Gri
Rosie Gorton Gro-Le
Sam Weiss Li-Pap
Candice Horrocks Par-Sok
Brandi McMahan Sol-Z
Raina Rios Mental Health Counselor
Barb Dwyer College & Career Liaison
Francia Ward Career Center Coordinator
Christina Jordan Counseling Secretary
GPS Dress Code Expectations for the 2023-2024 School Year
Student Drop Off and Student Pick Up
Per Arizona Statute 13-13-104B10, which states: During loading or unloading of passengers at a designated school bus loading area at a school, the school shall restrict the loading area to school buses, passengers and school employees assisting in the loading or unloading of passengers.
As a campus we are responsible to have a designated area for our bus loading zone. That area is located on the East side of our campus. We can not have students dropped off or picked up on Roadrunner Dr, which is located on the East side of our campus. Please do not pick-up or drop-off students in this area.
Parents have 2 options for student drop off and pick up:
Option 1 will be in front of the school. Please do not make a left turn onto Guadalupe as this is an illegal turn and presents dangers on the road.
Option 2 will be to use the back lot for drop off and pick up. This option should provide for faster drop off and pick up due to the traffic light timing and the ability to go all directions out of the lot.
PLEASE DO NOT pick up or drop off on Roadrunner Drive on the east side of school. We are required by A.R.S to have a separate drop off area for buses in which there is no parent drop off intermingled.
Thank you for helping us to keep traffic flowing smoothly here at HHS and our students safe!
Click link below to download the map of our drop-off areas:
Option #2 Morning Student Drop-Off - Student Lot
Option #2 Afternoon Student Drop-Off - Student Lot
Our HHS School Resource Officer
Gilbert Public Schools has School Resource Officers (SROs) assigned to all of our High Schools and Jr High Schools. The United States Department of Justice defines School Resource Officers (SROs) as "sworn law enforcement officers responsible for safety and crime prevention in schools". SROs are typically employed by a local police or sheriff's agency and work closely with administrators in an effort to create a safer environment for both students and staff.
The responsibilities of SROs are similar to regular police officers in that they have the ability to make arrests, respond to calls for service, and document incidents. SROs typically have additional duties, including mentoring and conducting presentations on youth-related issues.
Here at Highland we are grateful to have Officer Churchman as our SRO. If students or parents have any questions or concerns you are encouraged to reach out directly to Officer Churchman.
I have been a Police Officer with Gilbert for 18 years. During that time, I have worked patrol, night traffic focusing on DUI enforcement, and as a bike officer in downtown Gilbert. I am an FTO, HGN Certified, ARIDE Certified, IPMBA Certified, CIT Certified, TLO, and a phlebotomist. Prior to law enforcement I obtained my Commercial Pilots License along with a Certified Flight Instructor Certification including instruments. I am grateful for the opportunity to be the SRO at Highland High School and be there for the students and staff. Go Hawks!
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Instagram for updates, information and pictures.
Find us on Instagram: highland.hawks
2023-2024 School Year Calendar
Link to the 2023-2024 Calendar:
Gilbert Publics Schools Website
Gilbert Public Schools Website: https://www.gilbertschools.net/Page/1
GPS Nutrition Services
Please complete the free and reduced meal application each year for your student!
Link to our GPS Nutritional Services Website: https://www.gilbertschools.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=769
Annual Update on Infinite Campus
It is crucial that all GPS families complete the online 'Annual Update' in Infinite Campus. The information provided will be used by the district or your school to directly communicate with you regarding your student, or in the event of an emergency on campus. Please log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal and complete the 'Annual Update' today! | Update Here
See Something? Say Something!
The confidential GPS Tip Line was designed to promote school and student safety and wellbeing. Students and parents can report a threat or potential threat about a student or school. The Tip Line also provides information on other topics, which may affect our students, staff, or schools. | Submit Tip
Families Hub
The Families Hub offers a wide range of resources to help you and your student(s) throughout the school year, including back to school updates, menus, nutritional information, enrollment details and more. | Read More
Stay Connected with GPS
Our GPS Mobile App is free and easy to download! From a smart device, go to the App StoreĀ® or Google Play StoreĀ® and search for "Gilbert Public Schools." Don't forget to customize your app by selecting to follow your student's school calendar and notifications!
Here Comes the Bus App
We are excited to announce the introduction of 'Here Comes the Bus,' a new service for our families whose students ride the school bus. The app allows GPS parents and families to track the real-time location of their student's school bus, to know when and where their student boards or exits the bus, and helps ensure GPS students get to the bus stop on time. Read more by clicking on the following link: https://www.gilbertschools.net/Page/2597
GPS District Community Calendar
Check out our district calendar for the latest details on GPS events, holidays, breaks and more. | View Here
Contact Us
Phone: 480-813-0051
Fax: 480-813-0258
4301 East Guadalupe Road
Gilbert, AZ 85234