Announcements from Principal Harness
Announcements from Principal Harness
Embedded Files
Please see below info from VHE:
A Friendly Reminder About Morning Drop-Off
At Virginia-Highland Elementary, the safety of our students and partnership with our community are top priorities. We kindly ask all families to be mindful and respectful of our neighbors by not parking in or blocking residential driveways during morning drop-off. Parking across the street and sending children across where there is no crosswalk creates an unsafe situation for students and drivers.
Please help us keep everyone safe and maintain positive relationships in our neighborhood by using designated drop-off areas only. Thank you for your cooperation and care for our community!
101 Dalmatians - VHE Musical!
We are so excited to hold auditions for our next VHE Musical: 101 Dalmatians, Kids on Monday, December 8 from 2:45-4:00pm in Mrs. Sherwood's Classroom! Our 3-5th grade families can fill out THIS FORM prior to auditions to reserve a spot. Hopefuls needing a Wednesday, Dec. 10 callback will be emailed Dec. 8th after Auditions. The Cast List will be emailed Friday, December 12th. Auditions are closed to grown-ups not involved in the process.
Missed the informational meeting? HERE IS THE POWERPOINT Mr. Freeman created. HERE IS THE VIDEO Shannon recorded. Any questions not answered in the resources can be emailed to Mr. Freeman at thomas.freeman@apsk12.org for a response within 24-48 hours.
Colder Temperatures in our Future
Weather reports indicate we can anticipate a significant drop in temperatures in the weeks to come. Historical attendance data demonstrates we often see a drop in attendance in such cases. We want you to know that we want your kids at school on sunny days, rainy days, sleet or snow. Please prepare your kids for the colder temperatures and make sure they come to school appropriately dressed for the weather. Attendance matters and we love when your kids are with us.
Personal Electronic Devices--Smartwatch
Please remind your student that PEDs will be put away for the day. If a smartwatch or wireless device is used as a phone, for example to communicate via text or call, it will be treated within the APS Board policy the same as a phone. If you need to communicate with your child during the school day, please contact our front office. If students need to communicate with you during the school day, we ask that they do so through their teacher, school nurse or front office staff. More information about the PED policy may be found here (Board Policy) and here (Regulation).
VHAS Winter-Spring 2026 Extracurriculars
Save the Dates and Mark Your Calendars! Course Preview Documents will be posted on November 15 at the bottom of the Extracurricular Programs page on
www.myafterschoolprogram.com. Registration for Winter–Spring 2026 will open in the Parent Portal on Saturday, December 13 at 9:00 AM.
Additionally, answers to frequently asked questions about extras can be found on the Extracurricular Programs page. If families still have questions after reviewing that information, they can contact beth@myafterschoolprogram.com for further assistance.
APS Family Engagement Survey
During National Family Engagement Month we acknowledge the power of parent partnership and the importance of parent voice! We invite all parents and caregivers to share your feedback directly with our school by taking our annual Family Engagement Survey. This feedback tool is a way for families to gauge how our school is educating and caring for students, how we partner with families, and how we can improve. We value your feedback! Click on the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/APSFamilySurvey
Grade Level Movie Nights
Get ready for a fun night out with your VHE friends and family! We’re excited to host Grade Level Movie Nights right here at school in the VHE auditorium. Stay tuned for upcoming dates, start times, and movie selections—each grade will have its own special evening to enjoy. Parents & Guardians must accompany their child to movie night. This is not a drop-off event.
PreK & K - Friday, December 5th
1st Grade - Friday, December 12th
3rd Grade - Friday, February 27th
4th Grade - Friday, March 16th
5th Grade - Friday, January 9th
🍿 Concessions will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting our 5th graders and their class trip. We can’t wait to see you there!
Level Up Atlanta Minecraft Challenge
Does your child love Minecraft? Click on this flyer for more details. If you have any questions or need further information, please reach out to Ms. Krynica Drake (kdrake@apsk12.org).
This year's challenge aligns with the City of Atlanta’s vision for “Opportunity for All.” Students will explore and propose solutions related to:
Connecting Neighborhoods
Climate Resilience
Historic Revitalization
Food Security
Please use the link below to access the Educator Guide, Student Guide, and Lesson Plans with Standards:
http://tinyAPS.com/?2025LevelUpAtlantaResources
WINTER MAP ADMINISTRATION
The Winter NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessment for students in grades K–8 will take place December 1–12, 2025. The Winter administration of NWEA MAP will play a critical role in identifying students for courses in middle school, such as advanced math. The NWEA MAP is a nationally normed, adaptive assessment that measures each student’s academic growth and proficiency in reading and mathematics. The results provide teachers with reliable, real-time data to guide instruction, monitor progress, and adjust support for each learner.
In addition to its traditional use for measuring academic progress, NWEA MAP Math results will serve as one of the qualifying indicators for placement in the Advanced Math Pathways for middle school. Please note that NWEA has recently updated their RIT score norms NWEA MAP Technical Manual
For purposes of Advanced Math identification, students must meet the following criteria. Please review the Math Pathways website for more information.
Please note that students can only be eligible for a pathway if the courses listed above are offered at the school in which they are enrolled.
Students are encouraged to always do their best and take the assessment seriously, as their performance helps teachers understand what they’ve mastered, identify areas for growth, and ensure they are placed in the courses that best support their academic success. Please help your child prepare by eating a healthy breakfast and being on time to school!
Schedule
Thursday, Dec 4: MAP Reading
Tuesday, Dec. 9: MAP Mathematics
Wednesday, Dec 10: MAP Science
Please reach out to me if you have any questions at Lmdostie@apsk12.org. Sincerely,
Laura Dostie
Assistant Principal
Virginia-Highland Elementary School
Ms. Rowe & Ms. Canaras : Humanities Central
Ms. Rowe & Ms. Canaras : Humanities Central
Humanities:
CANARAS READING: Wrapping up nonfiction text related to voting rights. Next week we will begin analyzing an authors perspective.
ROWE READING: Analyzing nonfiction texts about voting rights
CANARAS WRITING: Fictional Narratives
ROWE WRITING: Expository Pieces
SOCIAL STUDIES: We are working on our World War I and 1920s unit. Next week, we’ll begin building Dazzle Ships.
Ms. Marshall & Dr. Doblar STEM Updates
Ms. Marshall & Dr. Doblar STEM Updates
Current Math Standards:
5.NR.2: Multiply and divide multi-digit whole numbers to solve relevant, mathematical problems.
DOE Video Link: NR.2
2.1 Fluently multiply multi-digit (up to 3- digit by 2-digit) whole numbers to solve authentic problems.
2.2 Fluently divide multi-digit whole numbers (up to 4-digit dividends and 2-digit divisors no greater than 25) to solve practical problems
5.NR.5: Write, interpret, and evaluate numerical expressions within authentic problems.
DOE Video Link: NR.5
5.1 Write, interpret, and evaluate simple numerical expressions involving whole numbers with or without grouping symbols to represent actual situations.
5.MDR.7: Solve problems involving customary measurements, metric measurements, and time and analyze graphical displays of data to answer relevant questions.
DOE Video Link: MDR. 7
7.1 Explore realistic problems involving different units of measurement, including distance, mass, weight, volume, and time.
7.3 Convert among units within the metric system and then apply these conversions to solve multistep, practical problems.
7.4 Convert among units within relative sizes of measurement units within the customary measurement system.
5.NR.3: Describe fractions and perform operations with fractions to solve relevant, mathematical problems using part-whole strategies and visual models.
DOE Video Link: NR.3
3.1 Explain the meaning of a fraction as division of the numerator by the denominator (𝑎 𝑏 = a ÷ b). Solve problems involving division of whole numbers leading to answers in the form of fractions or mixed numbers.
3.2 Compare and order up to three fractions with different numerators and/or different denominators by flexibly using a variety of tools and strategies.
3.3 Model and solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators.
3.4 Model and solve problems involving multiplication of a fraction and a whole number.
3.5 Explain why multiplying a whole number by a fraction greater than one results in a product greater than the whole number, and why multiplying a whole number by a fraction less than one results in a product less than the whole number and multiplying a whole number by a fraction equal to one results in a product equal to the whole number.
3.6 Model and solve problems involving division of a unit fraction by a whole number and a whole number by a unit fraction.
5.1Write, interpret, and evaluate simple numerical expressions involving whole numbers with or without grouping symbols to represent actual situations.
Current Science Standards:
Life Science
S5L2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information showing that some characteristics of organisms are inherited and other characteristics are acquired.
a. Ask questions to compare and contrast instincts and learned behaviors.
b. Ask questions to compare and contrast inherited and acquired physical traits. (Clarification statement: Punnett squares and genetics are taught in future grades.)
S5L3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare and contrast the parts of plant and animal cells.
a. Gather evidence by utilizing technology tools to support a claim that plants and animals are comprised of cells too small to be seen without magnification.
b. Develop a model to identify and label parts of a plant cell (membrane, wall, cytoplasm, nucleus, chloroplasts) and of an animal cell (membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus).
c. Construct an explanation that differentiates between the structure of plant and animal cells.
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