Main Office: (952) 423 - 7595

Dana Bengtson dana.bengtson@district196.org

Christina Schaaf Christina.schaaf@district196.org

We welcome messages and communication with parents/guardians.

Connect is an educational program created for students with significant communication disorders, social skill needs, and sensory processing needs.

Currently Highland has three small group classrooms. These classrooms provide center-based, small group instruction, with classroom sizes of 6 - 7 students. The classrooms are designed to provide academic and functional skill instruction. Classroom staff also help students regulate their sensory systems throughout the school day.

Each classroom has a teacher, as well as several paraprofessionals to help assist with academic instruction, functional skill instruction, mainstreaming activities, etc. Throughout the week, students spend time with a music specialist, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, and an adapted physical education teacher.

As people travel around Highland Elementary, it is easy to notice some of our program's equipment. The carts, vests, swings, trampoline, and wagons are all used to provide vestibular and proprioceptive input to our students who need help moderating their sensory processing systems. These activities help students' sensory systems maintain a level that is optimal for learning.

Monthly Themes

Each month we focus on a different theme. These themes carry across our entire day with math, literacy and art activities. As a part of the theme, we use 2 anchor books, a variety of connected books and key learning activities.

During this time of COVID-19, this free guide has become available to provide you with information, as well as a variety of visual/behavioral supports, suggested apps, activities, social stories, calming strategies, and more! Click the image to access the PDF.

This video from the MN Low Incidence Projects offers five strategies to help you help your child learn at home during distance learning.