October 20, 2009
Dear Parents, Last Wednesday, I had a ―Dorothy‖ moment and thought, ―I’ve a feeling I’m not in Mountain Brook anymore.‖ I was working on plans for our upcoming trip to China while our guest speaker from Kenya read our Highnotes in the office, and in walked Marina Lysenkova, a young woman from Russia who is volunteering in the Family Center and the library each week. I was filled with appreciation for this community; thank you for your welcoming arms and your commitment to understanding and making a positive difference in this changing world.
Take Note
Attention Parents: Fall Festival Information can be found on page 2 and page 6
Dr. Koti presented information and pictures to the faculty, staff and a few parents and students about the variety of cultures, languages, and ways of life in Africa, a first step as we prepare for AbracadAfrica! A special thank you goes to Mr. Garrett who arranged this special presentation and to the faculty and staff who attended in the midst of writing interim reports. Fourth grader, Kiana Perkins, whose father is from Liberia, stopped by the Spencer Center and met Dr. Koti. Dr. Koti asked her to quiz me the next day to see if I learned anything about Liberia! Indeed, I did – Liberia is the only country in Africa that has never been colonized. On Friday, Kiana wore an outfit from Liberia to show to her classmates and to me. I am so glad she stopped by with her friend Anna Lisa Goodman so that I could snap a picture! Enjoy this beautiful fall weather!
Kathryn Woodson Barr
Please see page 4 and 5 for Basketball Registration Info Parent/Teacher Conferences on Wednesday and Thursday Student Half-Day on Wednesday and No School for Students on Thursday Sally Foster Orders will be available in your child’s classroom for you to pick up following your conference.
Calendar Highlights Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Wed. Thurs. Tues. Wed. - Fri.
Oct. 21 Preschool—8th Grade Admissions Open House 22 Noon Dismissal for All Students Sally Foster Orders in classrooms for pick up Parent/Teacher Conferences begin at Noon 23 Parent Teacher Conferences No School for Students Sally Foster Orders in classrooms for pick up 24 Students return for classes - Day 1 RED Highlands School Fall Festival 4:00 p.m. Highlands-Jiangsu Connection Trip Participants Depart Nov. 5 Fourth - Eighth Grade Spelling Bee 8:05 a.m. Spencer Center 6 Eighth Grade Visits JCIB 11 Veteran’s Day School/Offices Closed 12 - 14 Middle School Exams
HIGHNOTES
Page 2
Fall Festival This Friday October 24 4-6 p.m.! If you purchased advance tickets, they will be sent home in backpack mail on Wednesday, October 22 or you may pick up your tickets at the registration desk on Festival Day! The Highlands bus will be running a shuttle to the old Mountain Brook Swim and Tennis Center to alleviate parking. Don't forget to make arrangements if your child is in EDP for his/her attendance. Don't forget your child's costume! Questions? Call Nicole Williams at 602-2739 or nicolewilliams878@msn.com, or Tracy Engel at 790-6006 or tengel@bh.asdnet.com. Alumni Photographs A few weeks ago we asked for parents who are Highlands Alumni to let us know. Thank you to everyone who responded. We would also like to thank Robin Wade (father of Adair Wade in Preschool) for sharing with us a picture of his Highlands Day School Kindergarten class. Robin is standing in the back right corner behind the blocks with one other boy (he is the one with blonde hair). If you have a picture you would like to share of your time as a Highlands student please email it to Peggy Darby (pdarby@highlandsschool.org) or drop it by the office. We would be glad to scan it for our use. Highlands School was well represented in the October 11th, Susan G. Komer Race for the Cure thanks to Team Captain, Zoe Zahariadis (4th). Zoe led the Pink & Fierce team made up of Anna Crow (4th), Emma Turner (4th), Ada Cohen (3rd), Cecilia Reisner (3rd), their families and Mr. and Mrs. Silko. All the teammates ran in the 5K run downtown by Linn Park. Congratulations to everyone who participated and a special thanks to Zoe for organizing her team!
Short Notes EDP Fall Festival Reminders There will be no EDP activities on Oct 26th due to Fall Festival. If you would like your child to check out with another parent/adult, please send a note or email by Thursday, October 25th. EDP will not be escorting children to the Festival unless we have only a few students (5:1 ratio of students to counselors) and they have money for admission.
Congratulations ! Gracen Vinyard has been selected to dance in the Birmingham Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. She will dance the part of a Chinese Lantern Carrier. The production will be December 5—7.
Did you know... ...that the Class of 2008 had a 100% acceptance rate for secondary school applications?
HIGHNOTES
Page 3
Fourth Grade Entertains with Performance
The fourth grade presented a musical version of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, The Emperor’s New Clothes. In this presentation three clever brothers succeed in convincing a very fashion conscious king that they can weave fabric that only the wise can see and that he should have a suit made immediately. Unfortunately he falls for their trick and ends up parading before his astonished subjects wearing only a grin and his red long john underwear! Congratulations fourth grade on an outstanding performance! Thank you also to Mrs. Cahoon and the Fourth Grade parents for their help with this years play. The First Grade Takes Tea On Wednesday, October 15, the First Graders had an English Tea Party to celebrate their unit of study on England. We thought you would like to see some pictures of the event. The First Graders enjoyed sampling their tea and eating their crumpets, scones and ―biscuits‖ (or cookies to us Americans)! A special thank you to Deborah Hallmark and Mandy Vinyard for their help in organizing the afternoon tea and for providing the china teacups and saucers for the students to use.
Children’s Author Visits Highlands School Diane Z. Shore, a children’s book author and friend of fellow author and Highlands parent, Deanna Calvert-Grimes, visited with the second and third grade students Friday, October 17th. Ms. Shore entertained the students with a humorous retelling of the many transformations that her popular book, Bus-a-Saurus Bop underwent on its ten year journey from bed time story to nationally published children’s book. Students were encouraged to learn that ―real‖ authors also write sloppy copies and not just one or two but lots and lots of them. Students who purchased copies of Ms. Shore’s books had the opportunity to visit with her one on one as she personalized and autographed each book. A special thank you to Deanna Calvert-Grimes for her help in making this visit possible.
HIGHNOTES
Page 4
Dear Parents, Highlands School is proud to offer basketball through Independent School Basketball League. This league provides a great learning experience for the players, as the referees in this league have been helping young players learn rules and strategies during games for many years. Games will be held on Saturdays in January and February, followed by a one-week tournament in early March. Games will be held at all participating schools. Divisions in this league are: 6 and under 8 and under 10 and under 14 and under Registration begins October 16, 2008, and ends October 31, 2008. Registration fees are $120.00. Registration forms received by the 24th will receive an early-bird special of $105.00. For your convenience our business office will bill you. Your child’s registration fee covers league fees, referee fees, trophies for 1st and 2nd place, team pictures, and floor maintenance for Highlands’ gym. Reversible jerseys and matching shorts (royal blue) are required; matching t-shirts are optional. We will place the order for uniforms with Homewood Sporting Goods and will notify you when they have arrived. Matching t-shirts are also available at Homewood Sporting Goods for $5.95, but are not included in the uniform order. As in previous years, uniform fees are not included in registration and must be paid at pick-up. Uniform jerseys are approximately $25.00 and uniform shorts are $12.00 youth, and $15.00 adult. A new uniform does not need to be purchased if the one from last year still fits; however, the jersey number must be included on the registration form. We will need to have a copy of your child’s birth certificate turned in with the registration form. If your child played for us last year, you do not need to send a copy of the birth certificate as we have it on file. Parent volunteers and coaches will be needed to make this program a success for your children. NO previous experience is required or anticipated. The league will have a coaches meeting with the referees before the season begins. We are planning for a concession stand again this year and will need volunteers to work this area. Please consider volunteering for one of the positions listed on the registration form. Many of your children have already asked if their Mom or Dad can help. This is your opportunity! Please remember, this is a commitment to coaches, teammates and your school. Please plan for your child to attend at least one practice per week and the majority of the Saturday games. Sincerely, T’Ola Winston and Kage Cavanah Highlands School Physical Education Department
HIGHNOTES
Page 5
Highlands’ Basketball Registration Form PLEASE RETURN THE REGISTRATION FORM AND A BIRTH CERTIFICATE PHOTOCOPY TO THE BASKET AT THE RECEPTIONIST’S DESK IN THE OFFICE. Student Last Name: ____________________________________ First Name: ________________________________ Gender: ___________ Grade: _________ D.O.B.: ____________________ Age as of 8/31/08__________________ Emergency Contact Name: ________________________________________ Phone number: ___________________ Parent Information: Home Phone: ____________________ Work Phone: ______________________ Cell Phone: ___________________ E-mail Address: __________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________ City/State: ______________________ Zip: _____________ ____ Player will use last year’s jersey _____ Jersey number
______ Player will use last year’s shorts
**We must have the jersey number to prevent duplication. ** ____ Player will need new jersey ____ Player will need new shorts
Jersey size: YS YM YL AS AM AL AXL Shorts size: YS YM YL AS A M AL AXL
Please list any significant medical conditions which may affect your child’s ability to participate. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ I am willing to help: __ coach __ assist. coach __ team parent __concession stand __ scoreboard Parent volunteer e-mail address: ____________________________________________________________________ Please do not send a check with your registration form as the school financial office will bill you. Please include birth certificates for new players with this registration form. RELEASE As a parent or guardian of the Child named above (the ―Child‖) who is a candidate for a position on a basketball team offered through Highlands School (the ―School‖) and in consideration of the school permitting the Child to participate in its sports program, I hereby agree to assume all risks and hazards incidental to the Child’s participation in the sports program. Further, I hereby release, indemnify and agree to hold Highlands School, its officials, managers, and coaches harmless from and against all liability for any personal injury to the Child arising directly or indirectly from the Child’s participation in the sports program. I understand that this release, indemnity and hold harmless agreement applies even though the personal injuries of the Child may result in whole or in part from the negligence of the School, its officials, managers or coaches. In the event this registration is not signed by both parents and all guardians of the Child, I hereby represent that my consent to its terms and conditions binds such other parent or guardian and I understand that the consent of all parents or guardians is an express condition to the School’s acceptance of the Child in the program. I understand the School does not carry medical and accident insurance coverage for participants in its sports program and I assume full responsibility for all medical and hospital expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Child for injuries directly or indirectly caused by the Child’s participation in this sports program. _______________ Date
_____________________________________________________________________ Signature of Parent(s) or Guardian(s)
HIGHNOTES
Page 6
Highlands Fall Festival
Sign-up Form Friday, October 24, 4:00 - 6:00 pm Beginning Monday, October 13th, boxes will be placed at both car pool locations. We are requesting that each family donate at least one large bag of candy, silly string or hair paint to be used at the festival. In addition, we need volunteers to make treats for the pumpkin walk. Please let Nicole know as soon as possible what your contribution will be. Please return this form no later than Monday, October 20th with your check made out to Highlands. Tickets will be sent home with students on Wednesday, October 22. Don’t forget to wear your costume! There will be a costume contest!
Student’s Name: Homeroom/Advisory Teacher: Games for Children/ Students:
x $7.00 =
Games for Adults
x Free
Hot Dog, Chips Cookie
x $5.00 =
Chicken Salad, Chips, Cookie
x $5.00 =
Pimento Cheese, Chips, Cookie
x $5.00 = Total
=
Parent’s Name: Parent’s Signature: Questions? Contact Tracy or Nicole. Tracy Engel 591-2386 Nicole Williams 444-9448
tengel@bh.asdnet.com nicolewilliams878@msn.com