August 1, 2009

Can you believe how quickly the summer has passed? At my house the air conditioning just quit, so I'm doing my best to stay cool... a new system is being installed today, and the good news is it will be much more energy friendly.

School starts in just 23 days, so it is time to ease back into normal routines to help us all prepare for the first day! If you are like me you have been staying up later at night and sleeping later in the morning, but now we need to get our bodies back on "school time." School starts on Monday, August 24 and the hours are the same--be at school no later than 8:55 so you are not late. Every day and every minute counts at Highland, so be respectful of your teacher, and yourself, by being at school on time.

The state budget is still creating uncertainties for us, so while we did have plans in place for classes and teachers when the last school year ended, it is still to be seen what changes the new budget agreement will mean to us. A few things remain the same, though...we still have students, teachers and classrooms, and school will go on as usual. However, our resources may be reduced, so let's all stay flexible and be open to changes.

Highland School was one of the first schools in Riverside to participate in the International Walk to School Day, so as you prepare for coming back to school now is the time to start thinking about safe walking and riding routes. Riding bikes or walking to school is good exercise, saves energy resources, and reduces the traffic at school, but it is important that students learn to do these activities safely.

Bicycle Safety Tips

• Don't dart out from driveways or from between parked cars.
  
• Stop at all stop signs
  
• Be careful when checking traffic, and do not swerve when looking over your shoulder.
  
• Always go with the traffic flow, and keep to the far side of the road.
  
• Always wear your helmet!

Parents: Before school starts be sure to teach your children safe walking/riding habits and remember that it is the law for children wear helmets when riding bikes, skateboards or scooters.

Students: Always walk or ride with a friend or adult, and don't talk to strangers.

For more information on safe routes to school go to: http://www.rivcoips.org/_programs_safeRoutes/index.htm

Speaking of safe routes to school, we have been notified by the City of Riverside (who is in charge of hiring crossing guards) that we will no longer have a crossing guard at Blaine and Rustin. The City is also responding to budget cuts, so this is one service that will be different next year.

The school office will reopen on August 17. Our custodial staff is hard at work this summer deep cleaning and getting the school ready for a new year. Class lists will not be posted until August 20. All class placements are tentative, as the student population changes during the summer months and we at times have to readjust class configurations to accomodate.

Enjoy your last few weeks of vacation and stay cool!! --Ms. Boucher

Summer Update

July 2009

Welcome to my new blog in which I will communicate the current happenings here at Highland School. I am a newbie to blogging, and only just began to understand the power and purpose of this means of communication while reading "Julie & Julia" this summer. Since reading and writing create the foundation for all we do in schools, what better way to model the power of both than by creating this blog.

Is everyone in the Highland community enjoying their summer vacation? I have taken some short trips around California to the beach and San Francisco, which were relaxing and filled with new experiences. Unfortunately, I have also dealt with the sadness of the death of one of my little dogs. Both the ups and downs are part of life, but it is in the way we deal with each that defines our character. That is why at Highland we strive to ensure that children learn not only the academics, but also how to react to all events in life with honor and purpose.

The staff at Highland takes the job of educating every child seriously and promises to do whatever it takes to help each succeed. With that in mind, twenty of our teachers (over 2/3 of them) attended a training for three days in June after school was out for the summer. The training was called, "Capturing Kids Hearts," and many of the teachers communicated to me how excited they were to bring their new perspective on building relationships with students and families back to Highland next year. They learned about creating social contracts with their students during the first week of school, greeting students daily with handshakes and personal recognition, and providing positive feedback. Schools that follow the "Capturing Kids Hearts" philosophy have seen dramatic decreases in discipline problems and increases in achievement, so we know this will help us move one more step toward helping ALL children reach their potential.

Students--I bet you didn't know that your teachers do work during the summer! Grade level teams of teachers are meeting at different times over the summer to do just that. They are creating long-range plans for next year and gearing up to provide you the best learning opportunities possible.

So...be sure to do your part this summer by getting ready for the learning to begin on Monday, August 24. Here's what you can do:

1. Read, read, read...and take those Accelerated Reader quizzes.

2. Write in a journal. You can even write to me by commenting on this blog! Make sure you remember what we taught you about writing effectively so the people you communicate with can understand you--that means remember to use good punctuation and spelling.

3. Have fun and explore new things. Learning is all about experiences, so visit museums, take fun classes in the community, or participate in sports. Try to do one new thing each day.

Parents--You are your child's first and most important teacher, so use the summer vacation to add to the great work you have already started! Be a role model for your child by declaring a "Reading Hour" at home where everyone stops what they are doing and finds something to read. Or, find a class you and your children can take together. I remember one summer my mother and I took a sculpting class together and had a great time comparing the techniques we used to change lumps of clay into something resembling our subjects! Be creative, but most importantly, have fun with your children.

My goal is to update this blog at least once a week, so tune in next week to see what's new at Highland!