The Weekly Highlander 2025-2026

Dear Highlander Families:

We have a busy few weeks until spring break. Next week is International Week; all activities are sponsored by the Hewes PTA and our awesome parent volunteers. On Monday, please join us at Chipotle on Newport from 4 PM - 8 PM to support the fundraiser for 8th-grade activities. Consider supporting the Hewes ASB snack drive; all items collected will go to our local Ronald McDonald House. After-school basketball starts on Tuesday; students can still sign up on Monday. Registration materials are found in this newsletter.

Please stay connected to Hewes by checking our website and following us on Instagram @heweshighlanders for the latest information and news.

Sahra Tanikawa, Principal

Highlander for a Day is a recognition program at Hewes Middle School that celebrates students for incredible moments of Winning the Day the Highlander Way. Students are recognized for working hard, including others, never giving up, controlling their responses, choosing to act above the line, and taking extreme ownership of their 20 square feet. These are the habits and mindsets that shape our Highlander culture, and we are so proud to share them with our entire school community.

Ms.Andaya, Ms.Gullion, Ms.Herring, Ms.Montalvo, Ms.Muniz, and Ms.Ruiz - To our exceptional front office team, thank you for being the steady force that keeps Hewes running. Your remarkable ability to handle a constant stream of demands with grace and kindness sets the standard. You maintain calmness while navigating complex tasks and ensuring every detail is managed. Thank you for your tireless dedication and for getting it done! You are WINNING the Day!

Students interested in playing basketball can turn in permission slips to Mr. Foley or Mr. Visser up until Monday, March 16th. Students who want to play in the staff vs student game must participate in the after-school program. Players will be selected from the basketball practices. The schedule and permission slips are linked below. Practices begin on Tuesday, March 17th.

Hewes PTA is on the hunt for more volunteers to support our school next year! If you are interested in a PTA Board or committee position, please fill out this google form ASAP. Link for vacant positions is in the form and they are also listed below.

Positions vacant for next year (2026-27)

President

First Vice President - Programs Chair

Second Vice President - Ways and Means

Third Vice President - Community Chair

Treasurer

Historian

Financial Secretary

Registration (work with school, recruit volunteers, and assist with registration fundraising) 8/4-8/6

8th grade Parent Representative (heads 8th grade event committees)

6th grade Parent Representative (assists school with 6th grade events)

PTA Membership (keeps lists of members, emails as needed, conducts drive and generates memberships cards)

Hospitality (teacher events)

Walk to School Day

Restaurant Fundraisers

Corporate Sponsorships

Art Reflections

Auditor

International Week

Parents, families, and community members play a vital role in sustaining arts education across the Tustin Unified School District (TUSD). Through your generosity, the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts (TACFA) provides essential funding, programs, and opportunities that enrich the lives of thousands of students each year. Please see the TACFA Newsletter for more information about this amazing community organization.

Dear Red Hill Elementary Community,

In 2026, we are incredibly proud to celebrate a major milestone: 25 years of learning, laughter, and community at Red Hill Elementary. To honor our silver anniversary, we are creating a special commemorative slideshow to be featured during our upcoming Open House—and we need you to help us bring it to life. Whether you were a student in our first-ever kindergarten class, a teacher who decorated the very first hallways, or a parent who cheered at a decade of field days, your memories are what make Red Hill special. See the attached flyer for more informaiton.

• Monday, March 16 - Friday, March 20 - PTA International Week
• Monday, March 16 - Chipotle Fundraiser - 4-8 PM
• Tuesday, March 17 - CTE Field Trip to Foothill - 8th grade
• Tuesday, March 17 - After school basketball practices begin
• Wednesday, March 18 - Breakfast Club in the MPR 8:15 am
• Wednesday, March 18 - PTA Sponsored International Assembly for Students
• Wednesday, March 18 - Foothill Cheer Information Meeting for incoming 9th graders
• Friday, March 20 - International Week Food Fair at Lunch
• Monday, March 23 - Foothill Counseling Presentation to 8th graders in Core classes
• Friday, March 27 - Foothill Elective Fair for students at lunch
• Tuesday, March 24 - PTA General Meeting at 9 am in Room I-8 and on Zoom
• Wednesday, March 25 - Student Achievement Assembly 9:15 am
• Wednesday, March 25 - Student vs. Staff Basketball Game 5 pm
• Friday, March 27 - Knights on Tour - Foothill Elective Fair at Lunch
• Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3 - Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
• Tuesday, April 7 - High school counselors visit core classes to complete registration
• Thursday, April 9 - Celebration of Learning - 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Nondiscrimination/Harrassment

The Board of Education desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the District’s academic, extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any District school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, targeted at any student by anyone, based on the student's actual race or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, immigration status, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics

Website: https://hewes.tustin.k12.ca.us/

Location: 13232 Hewes Avenue, Santa Ana, CA, USA

Instagram: @heweshighlanders

FaceBook: Hewes Middle School

Phone: (714) 730-7348