The Wildcat

• PTO information
• Parent book club
• ILEARN Checkpoint Information
• Girls B-Ball Info
• K-Kids Blessing Bag Drive
• Highland Highlights Newsletter
• Absenteeism Information
• Extracurricular
• Cafeteria Information
• Arrival and Dismissal

Monday, September 29th-Girls basketball practice 2:30-4pm

Tuesday, September 30th-Girls basketball game @ Southridge 3pm

Wednesday, October 1st-Bricks For Kids 2:30-3:30pm

Thursday, October 2nd-Girls basketball game @ Johnston 3pm

Friday, October 3rd-Ms. Pate-Thompson's class field trip

-Girls basketball practice 2:30-4pm

PTO Dates

10/1 Meet Us At The Park 2:30pm-3:30pm at Johnston Park

10/9 Candy Contest

It’s that time again… Johnston Elementary’s Annual Monster Bash!
We’re kicking things off with a CANDY CONTEST!

The TOP 2 classes that bring in the most candy by weight will win a Donut Party!
ONE DAY ONLY – October 9th
Bring in your candy donations and help your class win big!
If you have any questions please contact Sonya Castillo at scastillo1118@gmail.com

10/16 PTO Meeting 6PM

10/24 Monster Bash 6PM-8PM

10/28 $1 Pajama Day

10/30 Four Little Lemon’s Coffee at Drop Off

10/31 Class Halloween Party

This week we will be conducting an "Lockdown” drill as required by Indiana law. The drill will consist of an announcement being made over the intercom that we are having a “lockdown drill”, immediately followed by students and teachers practicing lockdown procedures within their classrooms.

• • 📖 Chapter 3: The Great Rewiring of Childhood

    Haidt presents evidence that the adolescent brain is being “rewired” by excessive screen use, especially during key developmental windows. He explains how digital distractions affect attention spans, sleep cycles, and emotional regulation. The constant dopamine hits from likes, notifications, and endless scrolling may make it harder for kids to tolerate boredom or stay engaged in offline activities. Most concerning, Haidt argues, is how the shift to digital experiences may be interfering with the development of identity and social skills. The brain is still plastic during adolescence, and overexposure to screens may alter its long-term wiring.

    Reflection Questions:

    • Have you noticed any changes in your child’s ability to focus, regulate emotions, or sleep well?

    • How does your family model and manage healthy screen use?

Anyone can access it here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk2iNrwl0pdy-TG4SObKStZgXvXlmC91b

Or download a digital copy or audiobook through the library app, Libby.

Mark your calendar for a book club meeting on December 11th to discuss the book about halfway through the "virtual" book club.

Did you received the first edition of the Highland Highlights Newsletter? Check out all the exciting things that are happening at all of our School Town of Highland schools!

https://www.highland.k12.in.us/page/highland-highlights-newsletter

Through the above link, people can subscribe to the Highland Highlights if they did not automatically receive it in their inbox, as well as view previous editions.

3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Families,

This year, your child will participate in ILEARN checkpoints as part of Indiana’s statewide assessment program. These checkpoints help provide valuable information about student progress and growth throughout the school year.

Please see the attached document from the Indiana Department of Education for more details about the purpose of these checkpoints and what you can expect. We encourage you to read through the information carefully.

If you have any questions after reviewing the attachment, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your continued support.

3rd grade ILEARN Checkpoint Guidance for Families.pdf

4th grade ILEARN Checkpoint Guidance for Families.pdf

5th grade ILEARN Checkpoint Guidance for Families.pdf

Pack 297 Meets at American Legion Post 180 in Highland two Monday's a month at 6:30 - 7:30 pm. They are a family pack who welcomes both boys and girls.

Breakfast is $1.75

Lunch is $2.25

You can find both menus here: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=2809100435083594&page=menus

Birthday treats can be purchased through the cafe ONLY: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/schools/sth_2809100435083594/catering/Updated_BDay_Treat_form_3.21.24.pdf

Go here for free/reduced lunch (this needs to be renewed yearly): https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=2809100435083594&page=lunchapps

• Doors open for students at 7:35 a.m. daily. Students who eat breakfast at school will be allowed entry beginning at 7:20 a.m. Anyone arriving after 7:50 a.m. will need to buzz and come into the main office to sign in.

• Cars will enter the parking lot off Duluth Street (right turn only) and follow the curve to drop off students. Please pull up as far as you can and drop all your students off at one time. Have your children ready with their backpacks, lunch money, hugs, and kisses, so that when you stop they may exit the car quickly, and we can keep the drop-off line moving. The line can become backed up onto Duluth Street very quickly which causes safety issues for our parents, as well as other drivers.

• Please drop off curbside only. Avoid dropping children off where they have to cross the street, this is extremely dangerous. It will be your responsibility to cross them if you choose to do this.

• Please be mindful of other drivers and walkers. We know many of you have to get to work, and we want all children to be able to enter the building safely and on time.

• Doors C and B will be utilized for entrance as usual. Drop-off is-K, 3, 4 at Door B, and 1 and 2 at Door C.

• 5th graders and Lifeskills class will use Door G.

At the end of the school day, the following doors will be used for dismissal:

• Grade K will exit through door J (FIVE minutes before the rest of the grade levels)

• Grade 1 will exit through door C (main doors)

• Grade 2 will exit through door B

• Grade 3 will exit through door J

• Grade 4 will exit through door I

• Grade 5 and Lifeskills class will exit through door G

• Bus riders will exit through door J (a few minutes prior to the remainder of the school being dismissed where the buses will be waiting).

Cars may enter the parking lot off Duluth Street and follow the curve to pick up or park in the parking lot to walk up to get students.

We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation as we strive to keep our Johnston families safe.

Please don't hesitate to contact us in the office for any ideas, thoughts, concerns, or words of encouragement! We are all part of this large extended mix of wonderful people we affectionately refer to as our Johnston Family.

Email: aharring@highland.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.highland.k12.in.us/o/jes
Location: 8220 5th Street, Highland, IN, United States
Phone: 219.923.2428
Facebook: facebook.com/johnstonpto
Twitter: @harrington_jn