Mustang Newsletter

Highland Park Elementary receives additional funding through the state Learning Assistance Program and Federal Title 1. These programs are designed to provide supplemental support to eligible students who are identified as in need of additional assistance to meet the state's academic reading and math standards. Funds provide extended day classes and opportunities to include parents in the education of their children.

Dear Highland Park Elementary Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. As many of you know, we have had a school-based cell phone policy in place at Highland Park Elementary. At this time, we are aligning our practices with a new districtwide expectation that brings consistency across all schools. We are pleased to share that beginning Monday, May 4, Seattle Public Schools will implement the “Off and Away All Day” cell phone policy for all K–8 students.

This means that during the entire school day, students are not allowed to use cell phones. Phones must be turned off and kept in backpacks or another secure location from the start of the school day until dismissal. This updated guidance builds on practices already used successfully at HPE and helps create a consistent, clear expectation for all students. It supports our shared goal of keeping students focused, engaged, and fully present in their learning throughout the day.

At HPE, our priority is ensuring that every student remains fully engaged in learning. When cell phones are visible or in use during the school day, they can interrupt instruction, reduce focus, and take away from valuable opportunities to practice academic skills, collaborate with peers, and build strong classroom communities. Our goal is to protect instructional time so students can fully access learning targets, participate in lessons, and stay connected to their classroom environment without unnecessary distractions.

To support this transition, we will follow a clear and consistent process:

• If a student has their cell phone out during the school day, they will receive a warning.
• If the behavior continues, the cell phone will be confiscated and securely stored in the office.
• The phone will be available for pickup after school.

We understand that communication between home and school is important. If your student needs to contact you during the school day due to an emergency, the student may come to the office, and we will assist them. Likewise, if you need to get an urgent message to your child, we ask that you contact the main office, and we will ensure the message is delivered.

We kindly ask families to be mindful that requesting students to leave class to take phone calls can be disruptive. When students are pulled from instruction, even briefly, they may miss critical teaching moments, including new concepts, guided practice, or key parts of a lesson aligned to learning targets. These interruptions can make it more challenging for students to stay on track academically and fully engage with their peers. By using the office as the point of communication, we can help protect uninterrupted learning time for all students.

Thank you for your partnership and understanding as we implement this important update. We ask that you take a few moments to review and discuss the “Off and Away All Day” expectation with your student(s) so they are prepared for this change.

With appreciation,

Principal McDaniel

Highland Park Elementary School

If a child is absent, please call our attendance office at 206-252-8242 or email HighlandPark.Attendance@seattleschools.org

Please try and make appointments and/or family vacations during days when school is not in session. All minutes missed add up over time.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

• 7:55 a.m.-2:25 p.m.

Wednesday

• 7:55 a.m.-1:10 p.m.

Please drop your student off on the back playground no earlier than 7:30 a.m. They may go to the cafeteria for breakfast - Highland Park is a free breakfast and lunch school.

Pick up at the end of the day is on the back playground. You may park on one of the streets around the school and go to the playground, or pull into the bus lane and we will bring your student to you.

YSA Corner write-up

My name is Deron Woods and I am the YSA (youth services assistant) at Highland Park Elementary and here are some of the things I have been working with students on.

Student council:

In April they worked in groups/committees to help build student voice into our tier one practices. Our committees are as follows:

Assembly committee:

Works with Mr. Woods to come up with an agenda for our Mustang Assemblies and help with the organization of the Assemblies.

Announcement committee:

Works with Mr. Woods to write the morning announcements for the week

Cleaning and organizing committee:

Help teachers with room cleaning and organizing

Problem solving committee:

Students that help out with peer mediation for small student disagreements

These committees were voted on by the students. In May these students will be doing a handoff to our 4th grade students that will be on the student council next year.

SEL (social emotional Learning) lunch groups:

These groups will be per grade with a focus on leadership, following the Mustang Way, and being resilient. The month of April we will be focused on what qualities we see in leaders and helping to enhance/build our leadership skills. In the Month of May we will be starting our new groups

Monthly Mustang Awards Assemblies:

I would like to thank all the families that have come to celebrate with us in recognizing students this year. It helps our students see that this is not just a school but a community. Our assemblies for May will be on May 29th 1:30pm- 2:25pm and the focus will be on being “Problem solvers".

Deron Woods

Youth Services Assistant

Highland Park Elementary

Counselor Corner

Kindergarten and 1st Grade: Personal Safety Lessons

Starting the week of February 2nd, Ms. Rykiel will be coming into the Kindergarten and 1st Grade classrooms to teach from the Talking About Touching: A Personal Safety Curriculum for 12 weeks. This curriculum focuses on personal safety in a child’s every life, such as wearing seat belts, crossing the street, gun safety, safe and unsafe touches, and saying “no” to unwanted/unsafe touches,.

Family letters and curriculum guides will be going home in the next few weeks, or through Seesaw, available in English or Spanish. Reach out to me or your student’s classroom teacher if you have any questions!

Lunch Bunch Update:

Lunch Bunch began in January. Permission forms for students chosen to join lunch bunch have been sent out! It is optional—please let me/your child know if you prefer that they opt. out.

School-based Therapy – Seneca Agency (spots available)

If you are interested in your student receiving school-based therapy through Seneca Agency of Families, please contact Ms. Rykiel for additional information.

Do You Have an 11-Year-Old?

Age 11 is a major milestone in the Washington State immunization schedule. It marks when students are due for an important booster and new protections to keep them healthy as they grow. At Neighborcare Health at Highland Park, we make staying on track with vaccines easy.

The "Big Three" for 11-Year-Olds

Seattle Public Schools and the WA State Department of Health, recommend three key vaccines at this age to ensure long-term health:

· Tdap: This is the essential booster for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough).

· Meningococcal (MCV4): This protects against severe bacterial meningitis.

· HPV: This vaccine provides long-lasting protection against several types of cancers.

Convenient Care Right in the Heart of Our School

No need to miss work and school, our Nurse Practitioner, Shelley Stockfish, ARNP, provides these vaccines here during the school day at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Because Highland Park’s School-Based Health Center (SBHC) is located right on campus, your student can receive their vaccines without leaving the building!

Ready to check this off your to-do list?

· Call the Neighborcare at Highland Park: 206-455-9025

· Text our secure line: 209-590-2522

Let’s work together to keep our Highland Park students healthy, protected, and ready to learn! Remember our school clinic can also help with Well Child Checks, Sports Physicals, Camp Med authorization forms, comprehensive dental Care, mental health care, and much more. Always no cost, and for ALL Seattle Public School students; give us a call or text today!

Kirsten Sanchez | Health Center Coordinator

Pronouns: She/Her/Ella

Highland Park Elementary School| 1012 SW Treton St, 98106

Phone: 206-455-9025 | Fax: 206-973-8668

kirsten.sanchez@neighborcare.org | www.neighborcare.org

Looking for a fun, low-cost, and low-stress way to kick off the weekend? Want to meet more families in the Highland Park neighborhood? Then you'll love "First Fridays" at the Highland Park Improvement Club! (HPIC).

Whether you’re a long-time neighbor or have never been, First Friday is the perfect "all-ages" neighborhood hang. The fun takes place on the first Friday of every month, beginning April 3rd and running through September 4th.

• When: Friday, April 3 (Rain or Shine!)
• What: Live music, games, kids arts/crafts table, local artists, and a cozy fire pit.
• Food: Affordable food and beverages available for purchase.

Grab the kids, dress for the weather, and come say hi to your HPE community.

https://hpic1919.org/

notes

Hello,

I am Priscilla Kang-Rubesh (LSWAIC), a mental health therapist here at Highland Park through Seneca Family of Agencies. I meet with students during the school day to provide a safe, supportive space to build confidence, strengthen social-emotional skills, and work through challenges that may be affecting their learning and/or relationships. Because services happen right at school, students can easily access support without needing to leave campus. If you are interested in learning more or exploring services for your child, please contact me directly via phone or email.

Thank you!

Email: priscilla_kang@senecacenter.org

Phone: 253-993-6216