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👋🏻 Hello, Highlands Families!
January 14, 2026
6th Graders Leading Monthly All-School Mindful Moment
Highlands Reflections Contest Winners: Congratulations to Shay Hageman for receiving 1st place in the district for her category!
Student Mentors Teaching Kinders
25-26 Theme: Better Together
SMSD Portrait of a Graduate
⏰ Daily Arrival & Dismissal:
Drop-off starts at 7:50 (stay on playground until 8:00 - inside MPR if inclement weather)
Enter classrooms at 8:00
Starting bell at 8:10
Breakfast starts at 7:50
Dismissal starts at 3:10
We are rolling through the first couple of weeks of Quarter 3! It's great to be a Highlands Hawk ❤️🖤.
📸 Submit Your Yearbook Photos!
The PTA is collecting photos from field trips, school events, and activities featuring Highlands students and staff only. Special thanks to Nicole McCarney who is leading this effort! Submit your event photos HERE!
Go Hawks!
Laura LaHue, Principal
🗓️ Upcoming Dates:
January 19th: 🚫 No School - MLK, Jr. Day
January 20th: 🚫 No School - Teacher Professional Learning
January 26-30th: 🤝 Kindness Week (details to come)
February 11th: ❤️ Valentine's Day Class Parties @ 2:30
March 4th: PTA General Meeting @ 6:00
March 13th: 🚫 No School - Teacher Work Day
March 16-20th: 🚫 No School - Spring Break
Highlands Auction: March 6th
Get ready to relive your glory days at Highlands 2026 College Daze! Break out your college gear, Animal House–inspired outfits, or favorite throwback looks and join us for an unforgettable evening of fun — and “fun”-draising — you won’t want to miss. Get your tickets HERE!
Funds raised from this year’s auction will support a new outdoor learning space that will provide hands-on learning opportunities and serve Highlands students for years to come. We hope you’ll join us in making this exciting vision a reality.
🌟 pTA News 🌟
🌟 pTA News 🌟
PTA SUPPORT MAKES AN IMPACT
PTA Membership dues and funds raised through our events make a huge difference at Highlands. These dollars allow us to:
Host free community events like the Carnival and Cultural Night
Provide classroom supplies that support engaging, hands-on learning
Invest in staff appreciation efforts that help retain and support our amazing teachers.
Every dollar is spent intentionally and directly benefits our students, families and staff.
JOIN THE PTA
It's never too late to join the PTA. Our goal is 100% membership, for all families and teachers. Help us meet our goal!
You can join by scanning the QR Code at the bottom of this email or follow this link: Highlands PTA
Joining does not obligate you to volunteer – it simply helps us fund the programs and events that help in making Highlands a special place.
Upcoming Dates:
January 15 - Skate Party
February 11 - Rainy Day Books Fundraiser
February 11 - Valentines Class Parties
March 4 - General PTA Meeting @ 6:00
March 6 - Highlands Auction
March 26 - Dine to Donate @ Culver's
March 26 - Skate Party
April 2 - STEAM Night & Open House
April 8 - Spring Book Fair
April 8 - VIP Guest Picnic on the Playground
April 15 - PreK Round-Up
April 16 - Kindergarten Round-Up
April 16 - Dine to Donate @ Spin
April 16 - Highlands Variety Show
May 4 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 21 - 6th Grade Graduation
🚌 Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrollment is NOW OPEN!
Shawnee Mission offers Pre-Kindergarten in 21 of our 34 elementary schools across the district. Fee and no-fee options are available for half-day sessions. Shawnee Mission also offers full-day Kindergarten at all 34 elementary school buildings. Across the district, families will find qualified, compassionate educators who engage these students in active learning experiences that prepare them for their next steps in education! Enrollment links will be live on www.smsd.org on December 1, 2025. Click here for more information to share on Pre-K and Kindergarten enrollment in English and Spanish.
🏆 Character Champs of the Week
Perseverance: I can push myself to work through challenges and obstacles.
Week #1
🎙️ Shawnee Mission Mic'd Up Podcast
🎙️Season 3 Episode 9 “Sports are for everyone!”
“Did you know that SMSD has some of the best unified sports teams in the state?! We're chatting with coaches and athletes from SM Northwest's unified bowling team about their run in the state tournament and the importance of unified sports for all students!"
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