February 9, 2009
Take Note It is time for Spring Soccer Registration. Please fill out the form on page 6 and along with a check for $145 (or $135 by February 6th for Early Bird Registration) return to Highlands, Attention: Gabe McCool. The deadline for registration is February 12th. Games will begin the weekend of March 14th. Coaches will contact you regarding practice day and time and when practice will begin. Thank you! Gabe McCool
Congratulations to the Dobelbowers, who were the first ones to turn in their enrollment contracts for the 2009-2010 school year.
CORRECTION The Chinese New Year article in last week’s Highnotes issue incorrectly stated that Ms. Ping and Ms. Huini hosted the Chinese New Year Party. The party was actually hosted by Judy McDonald, Admissions Director, in honor of Ms. Ping and Ms. Huini.
Dr. Rosenthal Speaks to the Fifth Grade Over the past few weeks, Mr. Kizer’s fifth grade science students have been learning to program robots using LEGO NXT base sets. A subject sounding so technical intimidates many adults, but these young Highlands students were eager to take on the challenge. They have not only learned the basics of robotics programming, but have also programmed their robots to go at the sound of a clap and follow a line on the floor using high tech sensors. At least one of these bright young students has robotics in her genes, and Sarah Rosenthal was more than happy to have her dad come speak to the fifth grade about how he uses robots at work. Dr. Eben Rosenthal is not only Sarah and Walker Rosenthal’s dad, but he is also an associate professor of surgery at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Using a Power Point presentation, he explained to the students how robots are used to help surgeons operate on patients who are having health problems. Since the robotic arms are smaller and shaped differently than human hands, surgeons can be more precise with the cuts they have to make. Consequently, patients enjoy faster and more comfortable recoveries. Highlands School is fortunate to have such talented and generous parents. This is just one more reason those who attend Highlands School experience a higher degree of learning.
Calendar Highlights Thurs. Feb. 12 Soccer Registration Form Due 4th - 8th Grade Field Trip to Symphony Fri. 13 Weather Make-Up Day - No School and Offices Closed Mon. 16 Presidents’ Day No School and Offices Closed Wed. 18 3rd - 5th Grade Field Trip to Children’s Theatre Fri. 20 Middle School Dance 6:30 - 9:30 Mon. 23 5th and 6th Grade National French Contest Tues. 24 Preschool to Children’s Theatre Wed. 25 3rd and 4th Grade National French Contest Thurs. 26 Creativity Convention Middle School Exams Fri. 27 Middle School Exams
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School-Wide Reading Results
Short Notes Save the Date! School-wide Grandparents and/or Special Friends Day 2009! Friday, April 3 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Congratulations to the 249 students and nine parents and Faculty/Staff Members who participated in the School-wide Reading Program. The overall school goal of hours to read was 2,700 hours. As you can see from the picture this goal was exceeded with a total of 3,201 hours being read between Friday, January 9 - Monday, January 26! Did you know that it would take one person reading for four months - 24 hours a day, seven days a week - to read the same amount? An extra special congratulations to the 186 students who met the individual goal of reading for 10+ hours during the School-wide Reading Program. Great job everyone!
Additional Information from the Board of Trustees In previous issues of Highnotes, you read a Note from the Board of Trustees with information about the 10 Monthly Payment Plan through Tuition Management Systems (TMS) and an announcement that in 2009-10, parents may enroll with TMS for credit card payments. Please note that TMS may impose a convenience fee on credit card payments if you choose this option with them. A Direct Debit Option (DDO) is available through TMS at no additional charge. If you have additional questions, please visit www.afford.com or contact an Education Payment Advisor at 800-722-4867.
A special thank you to everyone who shops at Publix Supermarkets! To date Highlands School has received $1,633.93 just by having the Publix Partner cards swiped each time a purchase is made. This is a great way to benefit our school that requires very little effort. Keep on swiping the cards! You are making a difference!
Invitations to this annual event will be mailed on Friday, March 13. If you did not provide the Grandparent information on your students’ information form at the beginning of the school year please email it to Peggy Darby at pdarby@highlandsschool.org
before Friday February 27. Also, if your student would like to invite a special friend in place of a grandparent please send their contact information before Friday, February 27. Please be sure to include your students name and teacher when you email Peggy. If you have any questions about this event please feel free to contact Peggy.
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Highlands School Basketball Schedule 1st grade Division (K-1st) Sands Team Feb. 7 @Highlands 10am Feb. 14 @Jefferson Christian Academy 12pm Baker Team Feb. 7 @Highlands 10am Feb. 14 @ Jefferson Christian Academy 11am 3rd grade Division (2nd-3rd graders) Winston Team Feb. 7 @Highlands 11am Feb. 14 @Highlands 10am Boyen Team Feb. 7 @Highlands 1pm Feb. 14 @Highlands 9am 5th grade Division Winston Team Feb. 7 @Highlands 2pm Feb. 13 @Highlands 6pm Feb. 14 @ Highlands 11am Middle school Division O’Neal Team Feb. 7 @Highlands 3pm Feb. 10 @Highlands 6pm Feb. 14 @Highlands 12pm
Congratulations to the following students who have signed up to run the Mercedes Marathon on Saturday, February 14, 2009. Helen Abele Reese Alexander Webb Baker Trey Boyen Jacqueline Bryant
Daniel Kutsch Anna-Julia Kutsch Alexandra Lohrke Pearce Macleod Eli Nafziger Carolyn Calvert-Grimes Amelia Neiman Lilla Carroll Riley Nix Liliana Chambless Reagan Nix Ada Cohen Hampton Pak Sarah Margaret Corley Amelia Pak Catherine Corley Barton Perkins Hunter Crawford Hugh Perkins Anna Crow Harrison Ritchie Linden Cundiff Alexandra Ritchie William Dixon Caroline Ritchie James Dixon Thomas Sims Josh Dobelbower Anne Smith Anna Duong Gordie Stewart Jackson Engel Mackenzie Stewart Sadie Farmer Gracen Vinyard David Hammer Connor Walker Nia Katechis Hampton Walker Hannah Kindervater Trenton Williams
Are you ready to accept the 2009 Spring Break Challenge? Stay tuned for details!
Creativity Convention 2009 Thursday - February 26 th , 2009 Featuring — Roger Reid, Deborah Wiles, Susan Eaddy and Charles Tortorici
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HIGHLANDS SOCCER CLUB REGISTRATION FORM SPRING 2009 DUE FEBRUARY 12TH! NAME: _____________________________
MALE/FEMALE
DATE OF BIRTH:________________
NEW PLAYERS: PLEASE REMEMBER TO INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND A PICTURE FOR YOUR PLAYER CARD! PARENTS: _____________________________ _____________________________
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING? FOR WHAT?______________________________ (COACH, TEAM PARENT, ETC)
PHONE #’S: MOM_______________________
EMAIL:___________________________________
PHONE #’S: DAD________________________
EMAIL:___________________________________
ADDRESS: _____________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP: _________________________
SPECIAL REQUEST: _____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________
DATE: __________
SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN
FEE______________ BEFORE FEBRUARY 6TH - $135 BY FEBRUARY 12TH - $145 AFTER FEB. 12TH - $160
Mail Form (w/ Payment) to: Highlands Soccer Club 4901 Old Leads Road Birmingham, Alabama 35213 or you may bring it by the school and leave it for Gabe McCool. Make checks payable to: HIGHLANDS SOCCER CLUB
See soccer information sheet for uniform information and other important information.