Hawks' Highlights

Hello Highland Acres School Community,

My name is Tony Fladeland, and I’m writing to introduce myself as the new principal of Highland Acres Elementary. Throughout the past 24 years of my educational career, I have devoted my professional life serving students and families and supporting my colleagues. A lifelong North Dakota resident, I grew up in Bismarck immersed in music, athletics, and academics. I hold degrees from the University of Mary in Music Education, Math Education and Elementary Administration.

I have been an elementary school principal for the past 14 years, most recently in Bismarck Public Schools, leading Dorothy Moses Elementary since 2019. During these past six years, I have worked tirelessly with my co-workers to build and sustain academic and behavioral systems of support necessary in the modern educational world.

Outside of school, I have enjoyed a career in music as a performer, educator and private instructor. I enjoy reading, cooking, biking, and spending time with my family. My wife, Alicia, and I live in Bismarck with our four children, Samuel (12), Jacob (10), Eden (7), and Isaac (2).

I feel truly blessed to follow in the footsteps of Mrs. Beiswinger, and I look forward to the challenges and successes of leading this great school. Please don’t hesitate to contact me or stop by the school to visit in the days ahead. I look forward to meeting you all and continuing this good work.

Sincerely,

Mr. Fladeland

August

14th- Open House - 4:30-5:30 PM

19th- First Day of School

September

1st- No School - Labor Day

9th- School Pictures

22nd - No School - Staff Development

Welcome to:

• Mr. Tony Fladeland - Principal
• Miss Annie Heil - 3rd Grade
• Lindsay Turnbow - School Nurse
• Molly Anderson - ASP Supervisor
• Logan Schaff - 2nd Custodian

Class Assignments: Since we only have one teacher at each grade level, it won’t be too much of a surprise to you or students who this years teacher will be.

• Kindergarten - Mrs. Ashley Miller (formerly Miss Jones)
• First Grade - Mrs. Brittney Nash
• Second Grade - Mrs. Emily Flach
• Third Grade - Miss Annie Heil
• Fourth Grade - Miss Brooke Pfaff
• Fifth Grade - Mr. Grayson Erling

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

School Day: School starts at 7:50am and dismisses at 2:20pm. You may drop off students at 7:15am but no earlier! The door does not open until 7:15am and we do not have supervision before that time. Breakfast is served beginning at 7:15 until 7:45am. Please also be cognizant of the 2:20pm 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.

We still have ongoing registration for the After School Program. Click Here to register your student(s) if you have not done so. Be sure to carefully read the Parent/Guardian Agreement linked in the registration before you submit. If you completed the registration when we sent it out in May, you do not need to submit again. More information will be coming to families that participate.

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.

Download the new LINQ Connect app or visit LINQConnect.com to manage all your payments in one convenient location. Within the LINQ Connect portal, you can set up one-time or recurring payments for your students’ meals, view previous transactions, set spending limits, transfer funds between students, set low-balance notifications, and more. It’s an easy way to manage meal payments without the hassle of sending cash.

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 assistant Mrs. Coley Ugland, work closely with each teacher and class on acceptable use of technology, reviewing how to use the technology safely.

Open House: Our Open House is from 4:30pm-5:30pm on Thursday, August 14th. Looking forward to seeing you!!

Text Messages: Highland Acres Elementary will send text messages throughout the year with important reminders and information. These texts will be sent from the number 79041. You will be asked after the first message to "opt-in" by replying Yes to continue receiving text messages. You can also opt-in at any time by sending Yes to 79041.

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.