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 Community,

We are incredibly proud and excited to share some outstanding news—Highland Park Elementary has earned its third All-Star Award recognition, making HPE the most recognized school in Seattle Public Schools for this honor! This is a tremendous accomplishment and a true reflection of the dedication, heart, and excellence that lives within our school community every single day.

The Seattle Public Schools “All-Star Awards” were launched to recognize staff who consistently go above and beyond in service to students, families, and school communities. These awards highlight individuals who embody the SPS core values of Excellence, Teamwork, and Commitment through their daily actions and interactions. From classrooms to hallways, and from behind-the-scenes support to front-facing leadership, these individuals play a vital role in building a positive, inclusive, and thriving school culture.

This time, we are thrilled to celebrate Mr. Woods, our outstanding Youth Services Assistant (YSA), who was selected as an All-Star Award recipient after receiving the highest number of nominations from both HPE staff and community members. This recognition speaks volumes about the impact Mr. Woods has on our students and school environment. His ability to build strong, positive relationships with students, support behavior with care and consistency, and lead engaging schoolwide assemblies has made him an invaluable part of our Mustang community. Mr. Woods represents the very best of HPE, and we are beyond proud of this well-deserved honor.

Earlier this school year, we also celebrated two additional “All-Star Award” recipients from HPE: Mrs. Hardebeck, our incredible Kindergarten teacher, and Principal McDaniel. Mrs. Hardebeck was recognized for her exceptional commitment to early learning, her nurturing classroom environment, and her unwavering belief in every child’s ability to succeed. Principal McDaniel was honored for her leadership, dedication to equity, and strong focus on student outcomes and schoolwide improvement. Together, these recognitions highlight the strength of our entire school team.

To have three staff members recognized in one school year—more than any other school in the district—is truly remarkable. This achievement is not just about individual recognition; it reflects the collective efforts of our entire HPE staff, students, and families. It shows what is possible when we work together with a shared commitment to our students and to one another.

At HPE, we believe in the power of community, the importance of relationships, and the responsibility we all share in creating a safe, welcoming, and academically rich environment for every student. These awards affirm that our work is making a difference and that our students are supported by an exceptional team of educators and staff.

Please join us in celebrating Mr. Woods and this incredible milestone for Highland Park Elementary. We are proud, we are grateful, and we are excited to continue this work together.

Once a Mustang, Always a Mustang!

With pride and appreciation,
Principal McDaniel
Highland Park Elementary School

Seattle Public Schools has shared important immigration resources to support our students and families during this time. Please review the link below for helpful information and guidance available through SPS. We will continue to share additional resources and updates with you in the coming weeks.

https://www.seattleschools.org/resources/immigrant-students-and-families-support/

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. Last year we started student school announcements and students leading our school awards assemblies. This year we will be adding some more programs to increase student voice.

Student council:

Our student council is focusing on ways to enhance our school culture. They helped give feedback to our student climate surveys that went out last month. In March they worked in groups/committees to help build student voice into our tier one practices.

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 March we will be focused on what qualities we see in leaders and helping to enhance/build our leadership skills.

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 April will be on April 30th (8:30-9am Pre-k-2nd grades) (1:55-2:25pm 3rd-5th), and the focus will be on being “fair".

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.

⚽ Get Ready for Middle School Sports!

Hi 5th Grade Families,

Middle school is right around the corner, and with it comes the exciting opportunity for Middle School Sports! Athletic programs are a great option for your student to build a supportive community, develop new skills, and stay active, all of which matter so much for mental and physical well -being during the middle school years.

Not sure if your student wants to play yet? That’s okay! Many 5th graders aren't sure what they’ll be interested come fall. We encourage you to get a sports physical now even if your student is only "just a little bit" curious. It’s better to have the paperwork ready so that if they decide to join , they won't have to deal with a missing form standing in the way!

The Best Part: Sports physicals are valid for two years. Getting it done now means one less thing on your to-do list for both 6th and 7th grade.

Schedule a NO-COST appointment right here at our School-Based Health Center:

· Call: 206-455-9025

· Text: 206-590-2522

· Email: kirsten.sanchez@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/

Roberto M - Jayziel S - Duy N - Halima M - Valeria GR - Lucy F - Jemma W - Isaac P - Sofia K - Ada S - Evo T - Natalia C - Eulalia J - Brooke B - Abigail SH - Elliot M - Cooper B - Axel G - Nijah T - Zuhra S - Lincoln A - Yeseida LM - Asiyah A - Dylan S - Cristofer M - Kennedy N - Rei G - Maggie L - Effie P - Benson L - Faith H - Francis D

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