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Message from Ms. Vasil
September 2, 2014
What a fabulous turnout for our two Parents’ Nights last week. Special thanks to our families who had to attend both evenings—we so appreciate your support. Parents’ Night is a wonderful opportunity to begin that critical partnership between teachers and parents in order to set up a successful school year for our students. We have received so many compliments and positive feedback about our faculty and the smooth kick off to the school year—thank you for sharing!
Take Note 8th Grade Leadership Retreat September 4 and 5
Camp McDowell Parent Meeting
5th Grade Parents Thursday, September 4 6:00-7:00 p.m. Learning Center
Huge welcome to Nancy Riley, our new Highlands Director of Development, as she officially begins her position this week. Be sure to Save the Date for our first ever Highlands Back to School Bash on Friday, September 12. Further details will be available in the next few days.
Dr. Dale Wisely speaks about adolescence
Tuesday, September 9 6:30 p.m. Spencer Center Auditorium
Please save the date and join us:
Congratulations to:
Family Center Teacher, Mrs. Phyllis Pollnitz, on the birth of her granddaughter, Teryn Kennedy Adams, born on July 27, 2014.
Back to School Bash/Dinner & Movie Night
Friday, September 12 6:30 p.m. See invitation on page 8.
Kindergartener, Sutton Gregg, and his parents, Tim and Allison Gregg, on the birth of little sister, Clara Wellesley Gregg, on June 19, 2014.
Calendar Highlights
Thought for the Week
“A hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer.” Novalis
Look for hot lunch order forms on website this week. Orders due Fri., Sept. 5.
September 3 - 4 September 4 - 5 September 9 September 12 September 16
Child’s Play Assessments 8th Grade Leadership Retreat Dr. Dale Wisely, 6:30 p.m., Spencer Center Auditorium Back to School Bash/Movie Night Dinner and a Movie-6:30 p.m., Soccer Field Parent Auxiliary Meeting, 8:05 a.m., Learning Center
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HIGHNOTES
Highlands School Board of Trustees 2014-2015
President: Vice-President: Treasurer: Secretary:
Jim Dixon John Michael Bodnar Rod Reisner Maria Katz
Members, front row, left to right: Dicki Arn, Ann Hillhouse, Rod E. Reisner, Dottie Pak, Bart Stephens, Sally B. Hawley, Maye Head Frei, and Eileen Markstein Members, back row, left to right: William Morrow, John Michael Bodnar, Al Vance, T. Alan Ritchie, Jr., Derry B. Bunting, Lenus M. Perkins, Jim Dixon, and Maria Katz. Pictured with Board Members in the back row, third from right: Ms. Kavita Vasil, Head of School Not Pictured: Board Members, Billy C. Harbert and Farah T. Sultan Honorary Trustee: Mr. William J. Cabaniss, Jr .
Message from the President of the Board of Trustees Jim Dixon
In my eight 8 years as a Highlands parent I cannot recall a time when I have been more excited about the coming school year and about the future of our school. Highlands’ enrollment has grown over the last few years, despite dual uncertainties arising from the economy and the head of school search. The strength and resiliency of the school is due to the outstanding faculty and administrators and the quality of our student body and parents. What are the future possibilities with those uncertainties behind us? That is the question that excites me and that is what the board will wrestle with this fall. The first step to answering that question is to announce that we are embarking on a strategic planning process which will be led and facilitated by the Clarus Consulting Group, a local Birmingham planning and strategy firm. The planning and strategy process is designed to review and confirm our mission, spark ideas about our future and to put the best of those ideas into action. Last year, Markstein Consulting conducted an in depth survey with the Highlands Community. The data from those interviews have created the initial focus areas we will use in our Strategic Plan process. The focus areas are: The Student Experience Curriculum and Academics Our Facilities Faculty Development and Investment Financial Health and Management I look forward to involving you all in this process and communicating our progress as it is made. Please stay tuned for updates and make plans to participate in the planning process when there is an opportunity for you to do so. Jim Dixon
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HIGHNOTES
Message from the Parent Auxiliary
Hello! I hope you and yours had a terrific Labor Day holiday.
Last week was a busy one for your PA! We hope you enjoyed Parents’ Night and spending time with your teachers. A special thanks to our PA Hospitality Team, Hampton Stephens and Polly Borasino for the terrific refreshments. Our Grade Level Representatives met Thursday for a robust conversation with Ms. Vasil about some exciting opportunities for the PA. More on that soon, but I want to tell you I am so very impressed with our leadership team and the parents who represent each of our grades. It’s not too late to get involved with the PA this year. I’m reminded of those wartime Uncle Sam posters with the caption “WE NEED YOU”—and, we, the PA, do. We really want each of you to get involved this year. We have so many volunteer options, there is certainly one for you. Haven’t found it yet? Email me, I would be thrilled to plug you in! 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 sblisenby@gmail.com
Thank you, Parent Auxiliary! Many thanks to Shannon Lisenby, Polly Borasino, and Hampton Stephens for hosting our two Parents’ Nights and providing delicious refreshments. Your hospitality is much appreciated! Highlands School Faculty and Staff
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Middle School Happenings at Highlands Student Council Induction
Friday, August 29, members of the 2014-2015 Student Council were inducted at an All School Community Meeting led by the Middle Schoolers. Mr. Robert McGehee conducted the ceremony and encouraged the new members to think of their role on the Student Council as if they were joined by rope as one team, using climbing equipment in order to climb the highest, most magnificent mountain. As a team, all members are vital to the Council’s leadership role and to the accomplishment of all goals. All members of the Council pledged their loyalty to the team and to the important tasks that lie ahead during the coming year. Photo 1, (top left): 8th Graders, Ryan Scott, Trenton Williams, and Trey Boyen lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Photo 2, (middle): Mr. Robert McGehee and the Student Council, l to r: James Dixon, President; Amelia Pak, Vice President; Allie Ritchie, Secretary; Walker Rosenthal, Treasurer; Caroline Ritchie and Turner Schwiebert, 8th Grade Reps; Thomas Sims and Hunter Crawford, 7th Grade Reps; and Ben Moose and Emma Lembke, 6th Grade Reps. Congratulations and best wishes to the Highlands School Student Council as you begin your amazing leadership adventure to the peak of the Highlands School 2014-2015 school year mountaintop!
Gifts to the Class of 2015
In keeping with a new Highlands tradition, members of the Class of 2015 received their Senior Class gifts at Friday’s All School Community Meeting. The boys received neckties, and the girls received tote bags—all custom made with Highlands logos from Vineyard Vines. Congratulations, Seniors! This is going to be an amazing year of leadership and accomplishment! Enjoy your gifts, wear and display them with pride, and keep them always as a special memento of your Highlands School years.
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Spotlight on a Highlands Teacher, Ms. Leah Woolfall, First Grade
This is Leah Woolfall’s 7th year at Highlands School. Growing up, she attended private schools throughout her elementary and high school years and has always enjoyed the community environment of a private school. Her passion for independent schools, for her students, and for the entire community shines through every day! Highnotes caught up with busy Leah:
You grew up in independent schools, what else can you tell us about your background in education? I grew up with a mother who was an educator and would watch her plan her lessons and interact with students. This sparked my interest and passion for education, and led me to becoming a swim instructor during my high school years. I enjoyed teaching children of all ages, but found my passion with the younger students. I later attended the University of Alabama where I earned a degree in Elementary Education. I am currently furthering my education, pursuing a masters degree in Special Education at UAB. You met your husband at Highlands…...Can you tell us a little bit about him? I met my husband, Gareth back in 2008 while he was the MLS Soccer Coach for Highlands, and I coached the U10 boys team. Along with the soccer program, Gareth came to talk to my class about the United Kingdom, where he grew up, and we became friends. The rest, as they say, is history! We now live right down the street from Highlands with our playful dog, George. Can you describe your Highlands experience so far and what you feel differentiates this experience from teaching in other schools? My time at Highlands has been filled with so many fun days. Every day is different than the last and brings new challenges. The Highlands campus is beautiful and open, providing a wonderful environment in which to learn. I still enjoy getting a big hug from my old students. It’s like they never left! Can you describe the Highlands community? The Highlands community is a place where everyone feels safe and supported. It is made up of dedicated teachers and staff, hard working students, and supportive parents. It is a place that I am happy to call my second home. (Continued on page 7.)
Spotlight on a Highlands Student—Davis Reese, 5th Grader
Davis Reese attended Highlands School from Kindergarten through the 3rd Grade. Then, he left to attend another school for 4th grade, only to return to Highlands this year for 5th grade. We spoke to Davis about his educational experience:
Why do you think you left Highlands School after the 3rd grade? My mom and dad wanted me to see what other schools were like. And, most of my friends go to our neighborhood school. What was your experience like at the other school in 4th grade? It was a large school with 5 classes of 4th grade with about 25 students in each class…..and one teacher. It was just so big, and I like smaller classes. Also, it was like a repeat of 3rd grade at Highlands. And, it was different. Like in Science in 3rd grade at Highlands, we got to study live animals and how they work, and we got to put electricity lights into a box and make a house. During 4th grade at the other school we studied electricity in Science, but we didn’t get to do the fun projects. Did the fun projects help you learn? Yes, it makes you want to learn because it’s fun, and it’s education too. Instead of just looking at a textbook and answering questions, we got to create things. Projects make you remember the lesson more. (Continued on page 7.)
Spotlight on a Highlands Alumnus—Kiana Perkins, Class of 2013
Kiana Perkins, Highlands School Class of 2013, shown here second from left, as the Secretary of the Student Council for the 2012-2013 school year, was eager to share memories of her Highlands School years with us: What was it like to be a Highlands Student for 7 years? Being at Highlands were the best seven years of my life! While here, I gained not only the knowledge that I needed to succeed, but also the confidence and the leadership skills that have made me the person I am today. Many people would say that the Highlands School community is like a family, would you agree? Why? I definitely agree that Highlands is a very close community. Everyone knows who you are and they all care for you as if you are their own child. The Highlands Community was and always be my second family! Your class became quite emotional on graduation day, can you explain what you were feeling on that day? My grade has always been close. The days leading up to graduation were really hard because we all knew that we were going to have to leave each other soon. (Continued on page 7.)
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Japanese Students Visit Highlands School
On Tuesday, August 26, 6 students from Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan visited Highlands School as part of the Birmingham Sister City Student Exchange Program. The students stayed with host families in Birmingham for three days while visiting schools and famous sites in town. Mary Candler Schantz and her parents served as hosts for two of the students. The students arrived for lunch and enjoyed a typical American lunch of hamburgers with their National Junior Honor Society host students: Gordon Brookshaw, Daniel Elston, Turner Schwiebert, James Dixon, Sadie Farmer, and Amelia Pak, who worked hard to serve as host students throughout the afternoon— welcoming our visitors and giving them tours of our campus and our classrooms. The students from Hitachi
spent time in our classrooms, catching a glimpse of what school is like in the United States. Then, they gave presentations in several of our classrooms, in English, explaining to us and showing us what it was like to survive the tsunami and earthquake that hit Hitachi. They expressed gratitude to the people of Birmingham for sending money and cards of hope to help the citizens of Hitachi during these times of crisis. At the end of the visit, our host students gave their new Japanese friends a Highlands gift bag full of Highlands and Birmingham goodies, like “Wickles” pickles, which were graciously provided by our Parents Auxiliary. Then, we all said, “Sayonara”— in the hopes of meeting again soon—next time in Hitachi! Many thanks to 6th grader, Katsuki Chan and his mom, Kazuyo Sakurai, for their help in welcoming our guests and serving as our translators! Many thanks to Ms. Baker and Ms. O’Brien for arranging this wonderful day for our Highlands students!
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Spotlight on a Highlands Teacher (con’t)
You teach 1st Grade, and you specialize in science. Can you tell us about the science curriculum? The Carolina Biological curriculum is a perfect fit for the learners at our school. It is a program which is based on the inquiry process. The students at Highlands always ask wonderful questions and this program encourages just that. I love teaching a science lesson that starts off with many questions. Throughout our investigations, we connect the dots and finally there is the “ah ha” moment. This is why I love teaching! What are you working on in Science right now? We are working on making predictions. Students are learning how to formulate a prediction, conduct an experiment, and record their observations. A classroom favorite among the experiments that we conducted was the Milk Test. With a bowl of milk, a few drops of food coloring, and a drop of dishwashing liquid, the students first predicted what would happen. Then, after conducting the experiment, they learned about the fat molecules in the milk and how the dishwashing liquid causes these fats molecules to bend, roll, twist, and contort in all directions making a beautiful burst of colors! This was a wonderful example of the learning activities we do every day in Science that excite and motivate our students towards a lifetime love of learning!
Spotlight on a Highlands Student (con’t)
How did you come to reconsider returning to Highlands School? Near the end of the school year, like in January or February, I told my parents that I worked better at Highlands, and I just liked Highlands better. My parents were very excited that I wanted to go back to Highlands. My mom called Mrs. McDonald and was very excited that I could come back for the 5th grade. I know more people at Highlands. What’s it like now being back at Highlands? It’s fun because I’m back with my friends. They were so happy to see me back. The teachers were too. The teachers at Highlands are much better and they’re nicer! My teachers at Highlands really care about me and want me to be a good student. This helps me want to be a good student. What are you most looking forward to this year in 5th grade? Everything! What are your favorite subjects? I like art, math and science. Have you thought about what you want to do when you grow up? I want to be an architect because I like houses and how they’re built. Wiring the house with electricity in Highlands in 3rd grade Science kind of helped me think about being an architect. Also, at Highlands in 2nd and 3rd grade art, we drew cool houses.
Spotlight on a Highlands Alumnus (con’t)
By the time graduation day came around, we were all overwhelmed with emotions. Everyone knew that I started crying first, and ultimately cried the most. I didn’t want to leave my best friends. Today, I found out that we never even left each other! We still talk and hang out all the time and they are all my best friends whom I will never let go of. What is your fondest memory of your Highlands years? My fondest memory of Highlands would have to be my first day of school in second grade. When I walked into my classroom, I absolutely loved everyone and the atmosphere was perfect! By the second day, I had made so many new friends, I didn’t even feel like the new kid anymore. Can you tell us about the Capstone Project you did during your 8th grade year? My Capstone Project was trying to understand how much music played a role in education. In order to find my answer, I interviewed the band director at Wenonah High School and three band members at different schools. I learned that those children who have been playing those instruments for most of their life, had better grades than those who had not played an instrument. This project really pushed me to have to work hard to find an answer. Even when I thought I was done, I learned that I could always go one step further. Do you feel you were prepared for the 9th Grade at Altamont? In what ways? I felt very prepared going into my freshman year at Altamont. I was prepared not only in an academic way, but also in a social way. Going to a new school is always hard and at Highlands I learned how to be confident and meet new people without being frightened. Do you wish you had started there in the 5th grade? I have never regretted my decision to graduate from Highlands. When I compare the opportunities for middle school at Highlands versus the ones at Altamont, there are many more opportunities available for the Highlands middle school students. For example, middle school students at Altamont are not allowed to go on an international trip. I am so glad I stayed because middle school was probably my favorite three years at Highlands! By that time, we were the leaders of the school. People came to us for help. What have you accomplished during your short time at Altamont? During my first year at Altamont, I helped to start two teams that will attend the Junior United Nations Assembly (JUNA) every January. This past year, Altamont did very well at JUNA. I am currently working on bringing a Heritage Panel to Altamont. I have to get a group of 25-30 students and two to five teachers. We will discuss and discourage bullying and harassment in schools while empowering others around us. Also sometime in the near future, I will be hosting a food-packaging event to package around 10,000 meals to send to people in developing countries. What kinds of achievements have Highlands students made at Altamont? The Class of 2014 had five national merit scholars. Out of those five, three of them attended Highlands. Highlands students are held to very high standards. We are known for making good grades and being phenomenal leaders. On my first day of ninth grade, my teacher told me that I was expected to have an “A” in her class because I went to Highlands. Highlands students and graduates are respected tremendously at Altamont and always will be. The seven years that I spent at Highlands have made me who I am today.
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Highlands School Back to School Bash Dinner & Movie Under the Stars
Friday, September 12 Claim your spot at 6:30 p.m. Movie starts at 7:00
Buy a box dinner (details to follow) or bring a picnic! No alcoholic beverages please.
Buy your PA Family Pack at the Back to School Bash! Save time, save stress. Write one check and you are covered for: Fall Festival Spring Fling Faculty/Staff Appreciation, and One Highlands t-shirt per child!