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👋🏻 Hello, Highlands Families!
March 9, 2026
PTA Auction Success!! 🫶🏻
Vision for Outdoor Learning Space (Location Space is West of the Gym)
25-26 Theme: Better Together
SMSD Portrait of a Graduate
🏆 Thank you to our PTA and to all of YOU for such a successful auction on Friday! Our PTA raised a whopping $66,000! Outdoor learning space here we come!
🫶🏻This has been a remarkable 3rd quarter and we are ready to finish the school year strong for 4th quarter after Spring Break! Grades 3-6 will begin state testing following this schedule:
3rd Grade
ELA - 3/31 @ 8:30; 4/1 @ 8:30
Math - 4/7 @ 8:30; 4/8 @ 8:30
4th Grade
ELA - 3/31 @ 8:30; 4/1 @ 8:30
Math - 4/7 @ 8:30; 4/8 @ 8:30
5th Grade
ELA- 3/31 @ 9:30; 4/1 @ 9:30
Math - 4/6 @ 9:30; 5/7 @ 9:30
Science - 3/26 @ 9:30
6th Grade
ELA - 3/30 @ 8:30; 3/31 @ 8:30
Math - 4/8 @ 8:30; 4/9 @ 8:30
Go Hawks!
Laura LaHue, Principal
🗓️ Upcoming Dates:
March 13th: 🚫 No School - Teacher Work Day
March 16-20th: 🚫 No School - Spring Break
April 2nd: 🚌 Open House/STEAM Night @ 5:00
April 8-10th: 📚 Scholastic Book Fair
April 10th: 🧺 Picnic on the Playground with VIP Guest (during lunch)
April 15th: ✏️ Pre-K Round-Up @ 5:30-6:30
April 16th: ✏️ Kindergarten Round-Up @ 5:30-6:30
April 17th: 🚫 No School - Teacher Professional Learning
April 24th: 🎭 Highlands Variety Show
🎭 Highlands Variety Show
Calling all Musicians, Dancers, Singers, Jugglers, Gymnasts, Comedians, Actors and Poets!
The Variety Show is just around the corner, and this is always a memorable, fun night for our school community.
REGISTER YOUR PERFORMERS
If your child would like to participate, please complete the 2026 Variety Show Permission Slip by March 30th. This form provides all the necessary information and serves as the permission slip.
‼️ PARENTS: WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We need more fun adults to make this show happen. If you're interested in helping produce the show (backstage, organization, rehearsal support, etc.), please reach out to Katy Hageman at katyhageman@gmail.com.
FOR PARTICIPATING FAMILIES
Review the Variety Show expectations in the permission slip with your child.
A parent for each act must attend every rehearsal and the show.
Incorporating music? Send the digital file to Katy by March 31.
Variety Show IMPORTANT DATES
March 30 – Permission form is due (via Google Doc)
March 31 – Digital music file due, if applicable
April 3 – First Looks, 3:15 p.m. (Music Room)
April 14 – Second Looks, 3:15 p.m. (Highlands MPR)
April 23 – Final Dress Rehearsal, 3:15 p.m. @ MPR
April 24 – VARIETY SHOW, 6:30 p.m. showtime, 5:45 p.m. arrival for performers (Highlands MPR)
🌟 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 PTA Dates:
March 26 - Dine to Donate @ Culver's
March 26 - Skate Party
April 2 - STEAM Night & Open House
April 8 - Spring Book Fair
April 10 - VIP Guest Picnic on the Playground
April 15 - PreK Round-Up
April 16 - Kindergarten Round-Up
April 16 - Dine to Donate @ Spin
April 24 - Highlands Variety Show
May 4 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 21 - 6th Grade Graduation
🍎 26-27 Highlands Staffing
Pre-K: Lori Galloway
Kindergarten: Elizabeth Crowder & Tracie Nolte
1st Grade: Betsy Brouillette & Bridgette Fullington
2nd Grade: Whitney Chang, Annika Ko, & Julie Skahan
3rd Grade: Erin Lutz & Des Scheideman
4th Grade: Jamie Diefendorf & Mimi Stopperan
5th Grade: Jennnifer Orzel & Allison Sernett
6th Grade: Rebecca Durnell (ELA/SS) & Erin Parrett (Math/Science)
PE: Conner Gadwood
Art: Nichole Gates
Music: Angie Lunetta
Library: Micaela Emmott
SPED Resource: Karolien Morrison
SPED SAIL: Carey Dahlstrom
SEEK: Megan Kerr, Sarah Jaynes, Karen Bonness, Open Position
Interventionist: Sarah Weishaar
Social Worker: Robin Sutton
Speech: Gabby Harrison
OT: Natalie Kaiser
School Psychologist: Molly Rottgers
Instructional Coach: Molly Rogers
Nurse: Ginny Donohue
Head Custodian: Darrell Kronk
Secretary: Sloane Junge
Office Aide: Monique LaBrasca
Educational Aide: Casey McCauley
SPED Resource Paras: Ronda Stone, Kathy Riley, Caryn Woods, Open Position
SPED SAIL Paras: Malory Hill, Karissa Logan, Open Position
Pre-K Aide: Maria Green
Pre-K Para: Lois Buchanan (.5), Open Position (.5)
Building Substitute: Chelsea Johnston
Band: Eric Starnes
Strings: Maddie Smith
Kitchen Manager: Jennifer Sindt
Kitchen Assistant: Brenda Smith
🏆 Character Champs of the Week
Cooperation: I can work together to reach a shared goal.
Week One
🎙️ Shawnee Mission Mic'd Up Podcast
🎙️Season 3 Episode 14 “Pre-K Can!”
“This week we’re highlighting our littlest learners and the outstanding district programs available for families with three- and four-year-olds. Find out how our Pre-K programs set kids up for success!”
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