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 Parents and Families,

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Parent–Teacher Conferences, an important opportunity for families and teachers to partner together in support of each student’s academic and social–emotional growth. Conferences allow us to share student progress, celebrate strengths, and discuss next steps for learning in reading, writing, math, and other content areas.

Please mark your calendars for the following conference dates and times:

No School November 24 – 28.

• Saturday, November 22 – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monday, November 24 – 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 25 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During your child’s conference, teachers will review classroom data, including reading and math assessments and writing samples that show growth over time. This data helps us understand where your child is excelling and where additional support or enrichment may be needed. Teachers will also share strategies that families can use at home to reinforce skills and confidence.

Conferences are also a time to strengthen our home–school partnership. We encourage families to ask questions, share insights about their child’s learning style, and collaborate with teachers on goals for the remainder of the year. Together, we can ensure that every Mustang continues to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Contact your child’s teacher to sign up for Parent Teacher Conference. Thank you for your continued partnership and for making family engagement a priority at Highland Park Elementary.

Warmly,

Mary McDaniel
Principal, Highland Park Elementary

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.

Hello and welcome back to Highland Park! My name is Deron Woods and I am the YSA (youth services assistant) at Highland Park Elementary. This is my second year at the school and I am looking forward to this school year. 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:

These students will work with school staff to enhance our school expectations, be the voice of the other students in our school, and help out with school events, theme weeks, etc…..

SEL (social emotional Learning) lunch groups:

These groups will be per grade with a focus on leadership, following the Mustang Way, and being resilient.

We are looking forward to helping to increase our student’s voices and building strong future leaders.

For the month of September our focus will be on being kind and we will have our awards assembly on November 20.

Counseling Supports:

• Individual Counseling
• Wellness Check-ins
• Group Counseling
• Restorative Circles / Problem Solving
• Community Circles
• Lunch Bunches
• Personal Safety
• Referral to Mental Health Therapy or community agency supports

Lunch Bunches:

This fall, the counselor will begin holding lunch bunches. Lunch Bunch is an informal but structured space for students to enjoy lunch while learning and practicing conversational social skills through verbal games! I can hold about 6 students for lunch bunch at a time.

Mental Health Therapy:

At Highland Park, we have two mental health therapists (Seneca Agency and Neighborcare Agency) who can see students at school. If you are interested in therapy supports for your student, or would like to learn more about the difference between therapy and counseling, please contact Ms. Rykiel at rbeufeminian@seattleschools.org.

Vision and Hearing Screenings coming soon on Thursday November 13! Good vision and hearing are so important for your student’s learning. We will provide vision and hearing screening using a vision spot screener tool and an audiometer. Nurse Julie will contact you if a follow-up eye exam or hearing check is recommended. We could use your help. If you would like to volunteer, contact Laura Olson at laolson@seattleschools.org.

Please review the information about the vaccinations that are required for school. You can receive vaccinations at our school-based Neighborcare clinic! are required for school

Flu and Covid Vaccines are available in the Neighborcare Clinic here at school.

Sign your child up through the links below, and we will reach out to confirm and schedule. There are no co-pays or out of pocket fees for the school clinic!

• FLU Shot Consent (with option to sign up for Covid) English
• Consentimiento para la vacuna contra la gripe (con opción de la vacuna Covid) Spanish

Carolyn March | School-Based Health Center Coordinator

Pronouns: she/her

Neighborcare Health at Highland Park Elementary | 1012 SW Trenton St, Seattle, WA 98106

Work: 206-548-5995 | Fax: 206-973-8668

carolyn.march@neighborcare.org | neighborcare

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

Emmett A - Jemma J - Owen E - Devon L - Valentino T - Shimba H - Kody L - Tiana N - Tereza SL -

Jason O - Ezequiel M - Max L - Cecelina T - Jesus MA - Natalie B - Soliana K - Lyla M - Amir T - Neya AL -

Lae'aira J - Lena B - Jah'King C - Alijah C - Sonora H - Wilx G - Zachary G - Karlynn T