Hawks' Highlights

Dear Highland Acres Families,

Welcome back to the 2026-2027 school year at Highland Acres Elementary! I’m excited to welcome all families and staff back for another great year of learning, I extend a special welcome to all our new staff and families joining us for the first time.

As I start my 15th year of elementary school administration, and my second year here at Highland Acres and Roosevelt, I am humbled and honored to be a part of these exceptional schools and neighborhood communities. We begin this year again by focusing on our Bismarck Public Schools Mission: Empower Every Learner to Thrive, along with our core values of Leadership, Innovation, Excellence, and Inclusion.

At Highland Acres Elementary, we strive to instill within all our students a love of learning, an appreciation of community, and a foundation of knowledge and skills that will set the stage for their ongoing development. We look forward to working with you in the months ahead to realize these goals.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out in the coming days if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Tony Fladeland

Principal

Highland Acres Elementary

Roosevelt Elementary

August

17th- Open House - 4:30-5:30 PM

20th- First Day of School

September

7th- No School - Labor Day

15th- School Pictures

21st - No School - Staff Development

We Welcome:

• Mr. Brian Price - 5th Grade
• Mrs. Faith Reyes - 3rd Grade
• Mrs. Chandra Henderson - 2nd Grade
• Mrs. Toni Massey-Wheeler - Instructional Coach
• Miss Mikayla Beck - Speech Language Pathologist - Roosevelt and Highland Acres

• Mrs. Desiree Metzger - Occupational Therapist
• Miss Madison Zander - Building Sub
• Hava Ubl - After School Program
• Rita Renz - After School Program
• Mylee Berndt - After School Program

• Kindergarten - Mrs. Ashley Miller
• First Grade - Mrs. Brittney Nash
• Second Grade - Mrs. Chandra Henderson
• Third Grade - Mrs. Faith Reyes
• Fourth Grade - Miss Brooke Pfaff- Note: soon to be Mrs. Wick
• Fifth Grade- Mr. Brian Price

School Supplies: Please see the website that lists the supply items for each grade level - Here

School Day: School starts at 8:00am and dismisses at 2:30pm. You may drop off students at 7:15am but no earlier! The door does not open until 7:15am, we do not have supervision before that time. Breakfast is served beginning at 7:15 until 7:55am. Please also be cognizant of the 2:30pm dismissal time so that all students are picked up, on the bus, or at ASP so staff can resume their duties. We know situations come up, so please let the office know if you are delayed.

The BPS meal payment platform is a system called LINQ Connect. This system provides parents with more control over school lunch accounts while offering many convenient new features. Activity and library fees will continue to be processed with My Payments Plus. All families with students who eat school lunches must create an account for LINQ Connect.

Registering is simple, just follow these steps:

1. REGISTER at linqconnect.com by clicking on the register button near the upper right-hand corner. Next, input your name, email address, and password. Choose your language and time zone and check the I agree to the Terms of Use box. Finally, click submit.
2. VERIFY YOUR ACCOUNT by opening your email and clicking on the verification link sent to you from LINQ Connect. After doing so, please click the Back to LINQ Connect button in the email.
3. SIGN IN. You should be automatically signed in, but if not please click the login button in the upper right-hand corner.

To add students:

1. After logging into LINQ Connect, click the plus sign in the upper right-hand corner.
2. An “Add” menu will appear. Here, you will choose type, which will be student for student accounts. Next, type in “Bismarck Public Schools” for the district area.
3. Now you will be able to input your child’s first name, last name, and birthdate in order to add a student. Please note that the name must match what is in PowerSchool.

Adding Auto Pay

1. On your account homepage, click the Add Money to Account button.
2. You now have options to transfer balances or add auto pay.
3. Click Add Auto Pay and fill out your payment account information. The frequency option allows you to choose when payments will occur.

Chromebooks: Each student will be assigned their own computer again this year. Teachers will let you know when/if they send them home for at home assignments or projects. Our Library Media Specialist, Mrs. Kendra Clark and our Library Aide work closely with each teacher and class on acceptable use of technology, reviewing how to use the technology safely.

Cell Phone Usage- Cell Phone

Bus info/sign-up- Bus Registration

Open House: Our Open House is from 4:30pm-5:30pm on Thursday, August 17th. Looking forward to seeing you!!

Our online store for school gear is available all year long. Now you can easily browse and purchase a variety of Highland Acres merchandise from the comfort of your home. Whether you’re looking for t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or other school spirit items, our online store has something for everyone. Show your school pride by sporting the latest Hawks gear. Orders can be placed by clicking on the button below.

The Backpack-for Kids program is designed to help children by assisting them with food over the weekend. Bags are filled with nutritional food items and delivered to the school. If your family qualifies for the free or reduced lunch program and you need additional food for the weekend, please contact our school social worker, Marisa Misek at marisa_misek@bismarckschools.org or call the school office.

MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES

Our Mission: "Empower every learner to thrive."

Our Vision: "Together, our strong relationships build inclusive, collaborative, and innovative environments that create agency and inspire a passion for learning, excellence, and discovery."

Our Values: Excellence, Innovation, Inclusion and Leadership.