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Highlands Headlines 10.21- SPECIAL 50th DAY OF SCHOOL EDITION!

Posted Date: 10/21/25 (10:00 AM)

Highlands Headlines

October 21, 2025
Mission Lead

Huskies LEAD the way! EVERYDAY!

Hello Husky Families,

Can you believe that TODAY is the 50th Day of School?

We are so excited for our Book Fair & Red Ribbon Week! Book Fair begins and runs through Friday 10/24 (closing at noon).

Monday, 10/20 - Wear Superhero Shirts
Tuesday, 10/21 - Dress 50's Era for 50th Day
Wednesday, 10/22 - Unity Day - Wear Orange
Thursday, 10/23 - Bootin' Scootin' wear Western
Friday, 10/24 - Dress in your Highlands Spirit OR Wear your PJ's for AR Reward

Red Ribbon Week kicks off Monday 10/27 and runs through next Friday, 10/31.

Monday, 10/27 - Wear Red to kick off Red Ribbon Week
Friday, 10/31 - Book Character Dress Up Day

Don't forget to join us for Trunk or Treat & Book Fair Night Wednesday, October 22 from 6-8PM.

Warm regards,
Jodi Gonzalez and Robert Adamowicz
Proud Principal and Assistant Principal of Highlands Elementary
Book Fair Week
 

Upcoming Events - Save the Dates!

  • October 20-24 - Book Fair Week
  • October 22 - PTA Trunk or Treat & BOOk Fair
  • October 27-31 - Red Ribbon Week
  • October 31 - Book Character Dress Up Day
  • November 3 - Fall Picture RETAKES
  • November 5 - SAC Meeting @ 4:15PM
  • November 5 - Jeremiah's Spirit Night
  • November 6 - Math/Science Night @ 6:30PM
  • November 7 - Fall Picture Make-Ups
  • November 11 - Veteran's Day
  • November 13- PTA CiCi's Sanford Spirit Night!
  • November 18 - American Education Week
  • November 18 - Teach In
  • November 19 - Science Night
  • November 21 - PTA Oviedo Bowling Spirit Night
  • November 24 - Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL ALL WEEK)
  • December 3 - Jeremiah's Spirit Night
  • December 4-5 - 5th Grade Mud Walk
  • December 6 - Chorus @ Casselberry Tree Lighting
  • December 11 - 4th Grade Holiday Show
  • December 11 - PTA Holiday Shop
  • December 16 - 1PM Early Release Day
  • December 17 - 1PM Early Release Day
  • December 18 - 1PM Early Release Day
  • December 19 - Teacher Work Day
  • December 22 - January 5 - NO SCHOOL
  • January 6 - TUESDAY Classes Resume
mark your calendars
 
Art 1
Art 2
 

Sock Drive!

Third Grade is collecting new socks of all sizes for a local shelter.
Please bring any donations to the box located in the front office by October 31st.
Sock Drive
 
Report Card Clipart

Report Cards went Home Friday 10/17

If you haven't looked already, please check your child's planner for a printed report card for Quarter 1. You may also access report cards through Skyward Family Access!

If you are unsure how to access the Report Cards or Progress Reports please click HERE for a guide with directions.

For more information on Skyward Family Access click HERE.

 

Family Engagement with Leader in Me!

We have focused on the Habit: Be Proactive in September. We invite you and your family to practice this Habit at home.
To participate in the Be Proactive "Table Talk" topic, you would have your family discuss: How can you be proactive at home or at school?

Did you participate in our Table Talk? Let us know by clicking HERE!
Table Talk Response Form
 
Kids at Star Table
Kids at Star Table
 

Math and Science Night Coming Soon!

Math
 
Teach In

Great American Teach-In on November 18th

Parents, community members, and friends of Highlands Elementary School, make plans now to be a part of Teach-In on Tuesday, November 18. We are looking for community leaders to teach at least one class in this community-wide effort. What does it mean to “Teach for a Day”? SCPS invites you to teach our students through life experiences and opening doors! Share about your job, travel and cultural experiences, or a hobby.

Teach-In is a perfect opportunity for parents, business leaders and community members to let students know we care about them. It is simple – join us on Tuesday, November 18 and teach a class or two – whatever your schedule permits. 

Teach-In highlights the importance of bringing together teachers, school staff, parents, students, and communities in a unified effort to build great public schools. We will do our part by giving you some suggestions to prepare you for this experience with an informative Teach-In Speaker Guide. Simply register for Teach-In 2025 (LINK HERE). You will not regret your decision to be a volunteer teacher during Teach-In 2025. We cannot wait to hear from you!
TEACH IN VOLUNTEER HERE
 

Order your Yearbook Today!

We’re excited to announce that yearbooks for the 2025 school year are now on sale — and it’s the perfect time to buy! Take advantage of our early bird discount and purchase your child’s yearbook for just $20. This special price is available until December 21. After that date, prices will increase, so don’t miss out! Yearbooks are a wonderful way for students to remember their school year, friendships, and special moments. Secure your copy early and save!

Early Bird Deadline: December 21
Discounted Price: $20
Order Now: https://www.buytheyearbook.com/en/ use school code: 387488

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to helping your child make lasting memories this school year!
Yearbook
 
Kids with Art
Kids at Art
 

PTA Corner - Updates from Highlands PTA!

 

Updated Calendar QR Codes Sent Out

Please be on the look out in your students planner for an updated calendar QR code. We appreciate everyone that has already turned in their calendars over the past couple of weeks.

Trunk or Treat Sign up and Candy Donations!

We love our Highlands community and we are excited to host another Trunk or Treat. In order to make this program a success we are in need of candy donations!!! Thank you for your continued support!

If you are intersted in signing up to host a Trunk at our Trunk or Treat please fill out the form to secure your space by scanning the QR below or CLICK HERE!
Trunk or Treat flyer Trunk Sign Up
Sign up for a TRUNK
Trunk or Treat
Teddy Gram Direct

WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF CANDY!!!

Feed the Candy Monster!
Feed the Monster
 

The Counselor's Corner

Mrs. Nelson

Hello Highlands' Families,

 Life is a Puzzle, Solve it Drug Free is our Red Ribbon Theme this year.

In 1985, Enrique (Kiki) Camarena, was a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent who was killed because of his battle against illegal drugs. He was only 37. In honor of his memory, friends and neighbors wore red badges of satin. Coalitions of parents sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs adopted the red ribbon as a symbol of Camarena’s memory and the fight against drugs.
In 1988, the National Family Partnership sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. The message of hope to millions continues today.

Highlands will celebrate Red Ribbon Week October 27-31st, 2025.

Visit the redribbon.org website for more information and activities you can do at home.

Thank you for all you do to support our Highlands community by being an active participant in your children’s lives.

Melissa Nelson, Certified School Counselor, 407-718-6390, melissa_nelson@scps.k12.fl.us

Please contact me if you need resources or support. Peace!  

Mrs. Melissa Nelson, Certified School Counselor 
Life is a Puzzle Solve it Drug Free
 

AR Goal Met = Popcorn for All!

Thank you to our awesome PTA volunteers for popping popcorn for ALL students on Friday for meeting our AR point goal of 2000 points earned!

We have also earned the 2500 point reward of PJ day this Friday, Oct 24th.

Next up----
3000 pts - Space Tattoos
3500 pts - Bring a Stuffy to school
4000 pts - Sno Cones
4500 pts - Crazy Hair Day
5000 pts - WIG Watch Party

*In order for students to participate in the WIG Watch Party they must contribute by Reading and taking AR tests. Students who do not participate will not be able to attend.

Keep Reading and taking AR tests to continue earning rewards!!!!

PTA POPCORN
KIDS POPCORN
AR Tracking Board
 
Red Apple Dining

Check out Red Apple Dining Menus

Click HERE to see the menu!

Introducing: Mealviewer
Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, Red Apple Dining is improving our guests’ dining experiences with MealViewer, a brand new menu-viewing application available on both Mobile & Desktop. 
Other Mealviewer Perks include:
  • View Breakfast, Lunch, and A La Carte Menus All-in-One
  • New Tools like the Nutrition Calculator and Interactive Menu Items
  • Create a Profile to Set your School and / or Track Allergies
Mealviewer - Highlands Menus
Apply for Meal Benefits Here
 

PBIS Expectations

Highlands is a Positive Behavior Interventions and Support School (PBIS)!

We expect all students to follow our LEAD expectations so we can keep our school a happy and safe place for all students.

We appreciate family support as we utilize the 7 Habits in connection with our PBIS initiatives!

ASK YOUR CHILD ABOUT OUR STAR STUDENT TABLES IN THE CAFETERIA!!

ASK YOUR CHILD ABOUT LEADERSHIP CARDS AND OUR HUSKY HUB!
LEAD expectations
Husky Hub photo
 

Husky Gear Now Available!

Excited for the new school year and ready for an out-of-this-world new addition to your school wardrobe! Our Atticus School Store is now OPEN. Don't worry parents it isn't just for students we have t-shirts, short sleeve, long sleeve, hoodies and athletic dry-fit all available! Act now and order before 7/28 to pick up on Meet the Teacher. All other others will be delivered to students homeroom teacher when they are delivered. Click below to get directly to the store!
school store
Atticus School Store
 
Lake Mary High Haunted House
 
Trunk or Treat at Winter Springs High Flyer
 

Every Minute Counts!

You miss school, you miss out
Did you know that children can suffer academically if they miss 10% of the school year? If a student misses 2 days a month, that is equivalent to 20 days a year (30 hours of math a year and 60 hours of reading/writing a year). Those days can add up before you know it. We know there will be days when your child will miss school, especially when they are sick. Let’s work together to make sure that students are at school on time every day!

Parents and families are essential partners in promoting good attendance because they have the bottom-line responsibility for making sure their children get to school every day. Just as parents should focus on how their children are performing academically, they have a responsibility to set expectations for good attendance and to monitor their children’s absences, so that missed days don’t add up to academic trouble.

Remember students may arrive on campus at 8:05 AM for breakfast and the bell rings at 8:35AM.

Attendance Numbers by Month:
August – 287 absences / 187 tardies
September - 523 absences / 312 tardies
October (as of 17th)- 292 absences / 192 tardies

#YouMissSchoolYouMissOut
 
Dividend Icon

CALLING ALL DIVIDENDS!!

Are you interested in being a Volunteer for our school? Interested in chaperoning your child's field trip? Want to participate in Teach-in? How about helping out in the classroom? Now is the time to sign-up to be a Dividend!

Click HERE to apply.
 

Highland's Elementary Amazon Wishlist

Amazon Wishlist
We appreciate any support as we begin the new school year. We can use extra goodies for our PBIS incentives. We also like to surprise our teachers and stock the fridge/teacher's lounge with sodas and coffees here and there.

We appreciate any and all support!

 
A really big thank you image

Thank You Community Sponsors!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

THANK YOU to the following business partners for donating to Highlands Elementary!

  • Voyage Retirement Solutions - Welcome back Breakfast for our teachers & staff and PBIS prize donations
  • Core Financial Services - Prizes to support our new AR program!
  • Action Church - Donated a LOT of food for our Food pantry & Volunteering
  • Papa Johns Pizza Longwood- Donating Pizza monthly for our Pizza with the Principal event!
  • Jeremiah's Italian Ice Casselberry- Hosting Monthly Spirit Night the first Wednesday of every month to help support both our school and PTA.
 
Principal:
Jodi Gonzalez (Farbstein)

Assistant Principal:
Robert Adamowicz

Highlands Elementary
1600 Shepard Road
Winter Springs, FL 32708
407-746-6650
Highlands Elementary with Husky LOGO