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August 25, 2014
Take Note
Highlands Welcomes New Parents
On Wednesday, August 20, Highlands’ faculty and staff welcomed the newest members of our School family at a Welcome Breakfast in our Learning Center.
Parents’ Night 4K- 3rd Grade
Tuesday, August 26
6:00 - 6:30p.m. Refreshments and “Meet the Encore Teachers” 630 - 8:30 p.m. Program begins in Spencer Center, then continues in classrooms
Parents’ Night 4th - 8th Grades
Save the Date
Thursday, August 28
6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Refreshments and “Meet the Encore Teachers” 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Program begins in Spencer Center, then continues in classrooms
Middle School All School Community Meeting Friday, August 29 8:05a.m. Student Council induction and gifts presented to 8th Graders Spencer Center Auditorium
Thought for the Week “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Gandhi
Parents of 3rd-8th Graders
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for:
An Evening with Dr. Dale Wisely “Mis”understanding the Teenage Brain Tuesday, September 9 6:30 p.m., Spencer Center Auditorium
Dr. Wisely is Director of Student Services and Community Education at Mountain Brook Schools and has been a child and adolescent psychologist for more than 30 years.
Monday, August 25
Calendar Highlights EDP activities begin
Tuesday, August 26
Japanese students to visit Highlands 4K-3rd Grade Parents Night
Thursday, August 28
4th-8th Grade Parents Night
Friday, August 29
Cross Country Team Registration Ends ASCM, Middle School Student Council induction and presentation of gifts to the Class of 2015
Monday, September 1
Labor Day holiday-School and FC closed
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HIGHNOTES
Spotlight on a Highlands Teacher: Ms. Pat Long Ms. Pat Long has been a teacher at Highlands for 34 years. Highnotes spoke to her about her amazing career in education: How long have you been a teacher? My first teaching job was in 1976. What grades have you taught while you have been at Highlands? I have worked in 1st, 2nd, and Kindergarten at Highlands before teaching Preschool. I was fortunate to be in on the planning of the first preschool class. Have you taught some children of your former students? I have taught some parents of students in 4K. I have also taught some students who have now become teachers. One of them came to work at Highlands with me. I like to hear about the things that former students are doing, and I like to hear about the things they remember about preschool. What is it about Highlands that has made you stay here for 34 years? I love the way Highlands is like an extended family, and I love the way students and parents look at learning. If for some reason you were unable to be a teacher, what would have been your 2nd choice? I might like to be a librarian because I love books. Have students changed over the years? One thing that has changed in the last couple of years is I have now had preschoolers lose teeth. (Continued on page 6.)
Spotlight on a Highlands Student: Mary-Candler Schantz This summer, 4th Grader, Mary-Candler participated in 3 violin camps—the first in Birmingham for a weekend, the second at Emory and Henry College in Virginia for 5 days, and the third at Furman University in South Carolina for 3 days. Mary-Candler was eager to share her experiences and her love of music with the Highnotes staff: When did you start playing the violin? I started about 3 to 4 years ago. How did you know you wanted to play the violin at such a young age? I just really wanted to play an instrument. My dad plays the guitar, so I wanted to play a string instrument also. Sometimes you say “fiddle”, and sometimes, “violin”. What is the difference? The only difference is that the bridge is a little bit higher on the fiddle, so it makes a sound that’s a tad bit higher. What about other instruments? I also play the piano. I started piano 5 months ago.. Was it easy or difficult to pick up piano after starting with violin? It was easy because I already knew the notes and how they are formed. But it’s a little more difficult to play the piano because you have to figure out how to use both hands. How often do you attend music lessons, and how often do you practice? I go to private lessons on Tuesdays and group lessons on every other Saturday. And, depending on the day, and I have a lot to do—with homework, gymnastics and piano—I practice at least 20 minutes every other day. (Continued on page 6.)
Spotlight on a Highlands Alumnus: Hannah Kindervater, Class of 2013 Photo: Hannah on Right, shown with Emma Turner, also “Class of 2013”
Hannah Kindervater, spent her growing up years at Highlands School. She began in 4K and graduated from the 8th grade in 2013—10 years! It went by in the blink of an eye! Hannah was eager to share her thoughts with us: What school do you presently attend? Currently, I am a sophomore at the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School. Do you feel that Highlands prepared you well for high school? I feel like Highlands definitely prepared me well for high school. IB is a very difficult school; however, last year I had no problem getting work done, and Highlands prepared me for the amount of work and the different varieties of teaching styles I experienced last year at IB. What do you miss most about Highlands? I miss the small community atmosphere the most. I really enjoyed having a tight group of people that I knew I could always trust and count on. What advice do you have for Highlands’ Middle Schoolers as they approach their high school years? I would say to remember all of the wonderful things you are being taught now because they will come in handy in high school. I would also say to keep in contact with your Highlands’ friends. What is your favorite subject? My favorite subject right now is AP Modern European History, What is your “passion”—something that inspires you—and when did this passion begin? I love helping others. Be it in the community, or even just my friends, when I help others it makes me feel like I’m making a difference, and it is a wonderful feeling. I think I have always loved helping others, and I just started to (Continued on page 6.)
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HIGHNOTES
Parent Auxiliary News Happy second week of school! Hope the first week went well for you and yours! It’s a busy week for your Parents’ Auxiliary. Tuesday and Thursday, our Hospitality team will be hosting light refreshments before Parents’ Night. Thursday, the PA Council, which is comprised of PA Officers and the Grade Level Representatives, will meet. We have a lot going on as we kick off our activities for this new school year. We appreciate our faculty and staff—and our faculty/staff appreciation team! Thanks to Angela Hutton, Purvi Shah, Janet Standaert, and all the volunteers who made Friday’s Faculty/Staff Breakfast a great success!
Thank You! PA FAMILY PACKS Buy your PA Family Pack at Parents’ Night! Save time, save stress. Write one check and you are covered for: Fall Festival Spring Fling Faculty/Staff Appreciation One Hightlands t-shirt per child Pricing based on number of children. Event passes include two adults. 1 child $120.00 2 children $175.00 3+ children $235/00 Checks preferred, but cards are accepted.
The PA works hard to represent parents as we fulfill our mission. That work starts with you. Please join us and volunteer this year. Parents’ Night is a great time to join the team and volunteer on a fundraiser, in your child’s class, in the library or at an event. There are as many opportunities to serve our school as you have interests. We promise it will be a fun experience and you’ll feel more connected to Highlands! Until next week, see you at school! Shannon Lisenby 2014-2015 PA Chair
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HIGHNOTES
Highnotes visits Ms. Michelle Perkins, Family Center Director
Highlands Family Center has been a part of Highlands School since 1999. The original idea for the Family Center was for the teachers to have a place to bring their children while they worked on campus. While the Family Center still serves this purpose, because of the demand for high quality childcare, more than 70% of the students enrolled are from the community at large. The goal of the Family Center is to create an environment that consistently promotes learning and development. The teachers use the Pinnacle Curriculum to help achieve this goal. The Pinnacle Curriculum is a developmentally age-appropriate curriculum designed to aide in the teaching of infants, toddlers, two and three year olds. The curriculum, along with the teachers’ in-depth knowledge of the children, helps them design appropriate learning experiences that meet each child’s needs. The Family Center provides a high degree of personalized care and offers individualized attention to each child. A unique aspect of the Family Center is that the children are able to attend age-appropriate school-related activities, such as school plays, community meetings, and family events. Other features of the Family Center are music and singing, Mandarin Chinese class, daily indoor and outdoor play time, art, story time in the library, class circle time, and year-round care. The children in the Family Center are encouraged to explore, discover, and develop in all areas: cognitive, physical, self-help, emotional, and social. By providing the opportunity for success, the child experiences a growing sense of self-worth and a personal joy in learning.
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HIGHNOTES
Middle School News
On Friday, August 22, the Middles Schoolers led our All School Community Meeting (ASCM). During the meeting the eight 8th grade students running for positions on the Student Council made their election speeches. That afternoon, the election winners were announced:
President: Vice-President: Treasurer: Secretary:
James Dixon Amelia Pak Walker Rosenthal Allie Ritchie
Congratulations to the new 2014-2015 Highlands Student Council, and congratulations to all of the candidates who did an outstanding job running for office. Photo from Left: Allie Ritchie, Liv Komisar; Walker Rosenthal, Amelia Pak, George Holman, Trey Boyen, Gordon Brookshaw, and James Dixon.
Japanese Middle School Students Visit Highlands On Tuesday, August 26, middle school students from Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan will visit Highlands as part of the Birmingham Sister City Student Exchange Program. The students will stay with Birmingham host families for three days. The primary reason for the visit is to share presentations they have prepared in English about the Great Earthquake of Eastern Japan and thank students for the assistance Birmingham provided following the disaster. While on our campus, the students will each be paired with an 8th grade National Junior Honor Society host student. Students from Hitachi prepare to fly to the USA. The afternoon program includes a luncheon in the Learning Highlands welcomes students Tuesday, August Center, campus tours lead by host students, stopping to meet a few classes, presentations by our visitors and a Q & A with the middle school students. Highlands student, Katsuki Chan, 6th grade, and his mother Kazuyo, will serve as two of our translators.
Country of Study: Ms. Baker visits Birmingham’s Sister City Before leaving for her visit to Japan in May, Ms. Baker was able to arrange to visit Birmingham’s sister city Hitachi for three days. She counts this visit as one of the best parts of her trip to Japan citing her home stay with a wonderful host family, meeting officials from the Hitachi School Board and City Hall, and visiting two elementary and two middle schools. Hitachi, an east coast city, is an hour train ride north of Tokyo. Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington presented a scaled version of our Vulcan statue to the people of Hitachi in peace and friendship. Ms. Baker with the mayor and vice-mayor of Hitachi. Ms. Baker formally exchanging business cards Hitachi Mayor Akira Yoshinari. Ms. Baker and members of the Hitachi School Board, including Superintendent Toshi Nakayama, standing behind her. A view of the Hitachi coast from a hill top park. Mayor Yoshinari shared stories and pictures from his recent visit to Birmingham with Ms Baker.
News from Highlands School Cub Scout Pack 88
Saturday the Cub Scouts of Highlands Pack 88 took a trip to Turkey Creek. The Scouts participated in a nature hike and scavenger hunt, learned about the two species of Darter fish that live only in the area, and played for hours in the cold, refreshing waters of the creek. The favorite spot was a natural water slide. Our first pack meeting will be September 15th for School Night for Scouting. Cub Scouts is open to boys 1st - 5th grades.
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Spotlight on Ms. Pat Long (con’t)
Have parents changed over the years? Parents are the same in that they want their children to learn as much as they can so they can be successful adults. How has Highlands changed over the years? Highlands has made changes to the campus by adding buildings, playgrounds, and a soccer field. Highlands continues to research and make changes to the curriculum so we can prepare students for future success. Can you describe a most memorable moment in your teaching career? There are too many special moments to list. I think any tie I see a child getting excited about learning, it is a memorable moment.
Spotlight on Mary-Candler Schantz (con’t)
Do you have plans to continue with your music when you get older? Yes, I want to be a mathematician and also a famous musician—because I can also play a little cello too. Do you think there is a connection between mathematics and music? Yes, math helps me be more logical, so when I think about the minor and major chords, and the fifths and the sevenths, my math helps me think logically about what I do. Has your Highlands experience played a part in your love of math and music? Ms. Leffel refreshes my mind after my music lessons. At Highlands, we get to listen to music, learn about music, and sing. I don’t think they do music or Encore classes at other schools, so I’m glad I go to Highlands. What is your favorite kind of music/composer? I love classical music, and my favorite composers are Bach and Seitz. My favorite concerto is Concerto #2 in D Major by Seitz. It’s very lively and high-pitched! Would you encourage others to pursue a career in music, like yourself? Yes, it’s really fun and it helps your mind think about a different way of doing things. It makes you feel happy and want to do more!
Spotlight on Hannah Kindervater (con’t)
realize how much it means to me. Do you have an idea what you would like to do when you grow up? I am still figuring it out, but I know I want to help underprivileged women and children. When you think back to your younger years, is there a person, or perhaps more than one person, who inspired you….someone who served as an important role model for you? All of my teachers at Highlands inspired me in different ways, but I would have to say the two who really stand out are Mrs. Darden (English), and Mr. Garrett (History/Humanities). Starting IB last year, I felt like I had a big advantage in History and English because a lot of the material in last year’s classes were in a way like review from Highlands. Being in their classes was always exciting and I definitely look up to them and how awesome they are!! Anything else that you would like to share? Highlands always felt like a safe place for me, and even coming back to visit it still feels like yesterday that I was a student at Highlands. I definitely miss Highlands and all of the amazing people there! ~Hannah is the daughter of Mr. Sam Kindervater, Middle School Science teacher.
The first few days of school.