This Week at Highland View: January 20

K4 students wrote their letters in shaving cream snow.

Dear Highland View Parents/Guardians:

We switched things up for Read 20 today in the literal sense. It was a surprise to our students that teachers swapped classrooms this morning to read a book to a different class. It was a great way for teachers to meet students they don’t generally work with. Please look for our new total on the third grade windows.

Congratulations to our band and orchestra students on their first performance in front of an audience. It is amazing how these young musicians have grown this year so far.

Spotlight on Learning
by Amy Bushman
Our 4K classes have been busy learning about winter. We have explored ice, snow and polar animals through a variety of hands-on experiments and play experiences. The children predicted how ice would melt the quickest, played with real snow inside with the sensory table and wrote letters and numbers in shaving cream snow. They also watched polar bears and penguins explore their natural environment by viewing a web cam on the ActivBoard. And, of course, we got our first opportunity to pull on our snowpants and get out into the real snow outside on the playground!

Important News...

January 23
This is a reminder that students do not have school on Monday, January 23 due to teacher in-service.

After School Pick Up
I would like to remind families that there is absolutely no drive through pick-up on any of the lots after school. With the snow this week, some drivers attempted to pick up children in the upper lot by simply pulling up and having children get in the car. This is very unsafe. All drivers are expected to park and walk up to get students in that lot after school. Drivers who fail to follow the transportation plan run the risk of being ticketed.

Families who bring pets to pick up students are reminded that due to allergies and possible fears, these animals need to remain outside the building and on a leash.

Sock Hop
The PTO sponsored Sock Hop is scheduled for Friday, January 27. Thank you to Lori Hanlon for her efforts with this event. The PTO is looking for volunteers to assist with the event. Our theme is green, black and white. We will be collecting non-perishable food items that evening as a way to support our CARE theme and contributing to the larger community. Students bringing in a non-perishable food item will receive a stick-on tattoo.

Box Top Competition
Keep sending in those box tops. We will collect until February 10. Thank you PTO for sponsoring the breakfast for the winning grade level. Thank you for cutting them for us!

Upcoming Events…

Early Dismissal
February 10 is an early dismissal day. Students will be released at 11:30 a.m.

Parents as Partners Conference
The Parents as Partners Conference will be held on Tuesday, February 7 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Greendale Middle School, 6800. The free event will provide learning and discussion opportunities on topics related to raising today’s youth.

The Parents as Partners Conference will be divided up into convenient, 45-minute sessions. Greendale parents and guardians can attend for up to three mini-courses, including Technology Bootcamp for Parents, Parenting with Love and Logic: Birth to Age 6, Leap into Learning, Understanding the Impact of Social Networking, Raising a Healthy Child, Did You Know We Had That Class at GHS?, Using WISCareers for College/Career Readiness, Parenting in the Middle, From Stress to Strength for Parents, Is My Child Gifted?, Conversation with the Superintendent and Understanding Your Child’s EXPLORE Test Results.

There is no cost for the workshop and free childcare will be provided to children who are potty trained. For more information on the Parents as Partners Conference or to register, please click here.

Greendale Winter Market
The Greendale Park and Recreation Department will host the first Greendale Winter Market of 2012 on Saturday, January 21 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Greendale Village Education Center, 5680 Board Street. Vendors will be offering homegrown produce, artesian cheese, flowers, ethnic food and more. For additional information, please click here.

Early Childhood Screening
The Greendale School District will be holding a screening for preschool through kindergarten age children. This developmental screening is intended for parents who have questions about their child’s development and whose children did not attend Greendale Child Development Days in September.

The screening will be held on Thursday, February 9 at Canterbury Elementary School, 7000 Enfield. Screening will be held by appointment only, with times beginning at 8:00 a.m. If you have a question about this screening or to schedule an appointment, please call Renee Jarvey at (414) 423-2713.

Community Cookbook
We need your recipes. As part of the District’s wellness goal and integrated into the Health curriculum, Greendale Schools is compiling a Nourish – Mind, Body, Community cookbook. We are looking for submissions of healthy recipes from students, families and community members. For a recipe template form, please click here. Send your completed recipe form to cookbook@greendale.k12.wi.us. The deadline is February 1. Inclusion is dependent upon the number of entries.

Community Playground Project
Over the years, Greendale community members have assisted in generating the funds to update playground equipment at Jaycee Park, Community Center Park and Lions Park and establish the Daffodil playground. In October 2009, Greendale residents began efforts to raise funds for the replacement of the outdated playground equipment at the 84th & Grange athletic field site.

Anticipated cost is about $15,000. With no taxpayer dollars being used, the project is relying on fundraising. About $8,500 has already been generated. The latest fundraiser is an "I Helped Greendale Play" t-shirts sale. Click here, for flyer. If you’re not interested in purchasing a t-shirt, but would consider a donation toward the project, that would be greatly appreciated. Donations are tax-deductible and may be sent to: Greendale Park and Recreation Department, 5900 S. 51st Street, Greendale WI 53129. Checks should be made payable to “Greendale School District.” Contact the Greendale Park and Recreation Department at 414-423-2790 for more information or if you would be interested in working on this project.