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Northview Public Schools
HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL
-Highlands HighlightsMarch 2015
From the Principal’s Desk
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Can you believe it is March already? Yes, March has arrived and brings with it National Reading Month. Try to
find 10-15 minutes each day this month to spend reading with your child. The benefits and results will amaze you. We
will be celebrating March is Reading Month. Please look for information from your child’s homeroom teacher.
Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th and Thursday, March 12th. If you have not
made an appointment yet, contact the office or your child's homeroom teacher to do so. Progress reports will be available at conferences.
Now is the time to double check with your child to make sure there will be no “surprises” on the report card in April.
There is a short window of opportunity to get any missed or late work turned in before the quarter ends. Contact your
child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.
Also, at conferences, please take three minutes to log on to Parent Vue in our IMC if you have not already done so.
Upcoming on March 10th, Mr. Duba, Principal at Crossroads Middle School, and staff will visit with our current 6th
graders. He will talk to them about 7th grade and answer any of their questions. Feel free to contact Mr. Duba or Mrs.
Turner, at 361-3430 or me if you have any questions.
Lastly, March will quickly go by and take us into spring break. Classes will end on April 3rd and will resume again
April 13th. Hope you and your family have a wonderful March, and again, thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Jamey Vermaat
Principal
Northview Public Schools
HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL
-Highlands HighlightsCounselor’s Corner
Parents-
M-Step is the new MEAP Test
The State of Michigan has replaced the MEAP test with the M-STEP tests. These test will be
given to the 5th graders during a testing window of April 13-May 1. The 5th graders will be
taking the Math, English Language Arts, and Social Studies tests online. The 6th graders will
be taking the Math and English Language Arts tests online as well however, their testing window is from May 18-June 5. It will be important for students to get appropriate amounts of
sleep, to eat healthy, and to understand that M-Step will take perseverance and effort. Please
encourage these healthy habits from home as well. If you have any questions about the MStep please contact your classroom teacher or Mr. Van (School Counselor).
COMMUNICATION LINK
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT
INTERRUPTIONS
As an attempt to protect the learning environment for students from
frequent disruptions;
parent
phone messages to students will
be delivered twice during the day.
The message delivery times will
be at lunchtime and at the end of
the day.
We understand that emergency/unforeseen situations occur
that require communication with
your student, however, if the message is not an emergency or
simply reminders, please try to
discuss these with your child before attending school.
Thank you for your help.
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Highlands Highlights will be posted on the school
website: wwww.nvps.net/highlands.
PARENTVUE/STUDENTVUE– Allows for parent
access to gradebook, important updates from classrooms,etc. Contact school office for access code.
Parent-listserv: If you want to receive parent updates regarding school events, email:
[email protected]. Type: subscribe in subject line.
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School Office: 616-361-3440 (Phone)
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616-365-6171 (Fax number)
Northview Public Schools
HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL
-Highlands HighlightsIMPORTANT DATES
March 3
PTC Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.—Cancelled
March 6
1/2 Day—Students Dismissed @ 11:45 a.m.
March 11
Conferences 5:00—8:00 p.m.
March 12
Conferences 12:30—3:30 p.m. / 5:00—8:00 p.m.
1/2 Day for Students, Dismissal @ 11:45 a.m.
March 13
No School for Students & Staff
March 20
Friday Fun Day—3:30—5:30 p.m.
March 27
End of 3rd Quarter
Student Drop Off & Pick Up
For your child’s safety please use the
east parking lot (the side of the building) when dropping your student (s) off
or picking them up. Follow the arrows
on the parking lot to help with the most
efficient traffic flow and to help provide
the most safety for all students. When
exiting from the east parking lot, your
best option is to exit using the same
public road you used to enter our
parking area. This is a two way street,
only the bus/fire lane and the smaller
parking areas in front of the building
are one-way traffic areas.
Student Attendance
If your child will be late or absent from school, please remember to
call the school office by 9:00 a.m. at 361-3440. You may
call and leave a message if you prefer. After 9:00 a.m. the school
will make an effort to contact you to verify that you are aware your
child is not in school. Thank you for your cooperation.
Building Visitors
Visitors to Highland Middle School are asked to please sign-in with the
office. This is for the protection of all staff and students in our building.
If you have not signed in or are not wearing an identification badge you
will be asked to do so. Thank you for your help and understanding in
keeping all students safe.
Building Hours
Highlands is available for student occupation starting at 7:45 a.m.
Students are asked to go directly into the cafeteria until 8:25 a.m.
at which time they can go to their lockers and start their day.
Walkers, and personally (parent) transported students will be dismissed at 3:25 p.m. Bus riders will be dismissed at 3:30 p.m.
Northview Public Schools
HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL
-Highlands HighlightsComputer News
In computer classes we are working on a Power Point Research
projects, complete with sounds, animations and other features.
The fifth graders are researching a state while the sixth graders
are finding out about a Latin American country.
If your child would like to bring home this project (or other
larger computer files), they will need to bring a USB Flash
Drive to school. I can show them how to save it. If you do not
have power point, we can still package it so it will play on your
computer.
Choir Notes
Ms. Nagy
SPRING CONCERT: Wednesday May 20, 7:30
p.m. Performing Arts Center
Clothing: any combination of black and white, you
may add red/pink accents if you choose!
Dress shoes, no tee shirts or jeans, and no flip-flops
We also continue to increase keyboarding skills through Mavis please.
Beacon Teaches Typing. I am very proud of their growth since
the beginning of the year!
Sixth Grade Choir kids should be thinking ahead
to scheduling at Crossroads Middle School. Mrs.
Art and Computer classes will switch right before spring break Hjelm, our 7-8 Choir Teacher will be visiting the 6th
for the fourth marking period. It’s been a pleasure learning graders to discuss the program at Crossroads. I highly
with your children.
recommend continuing in Choir in 7th grade. Students
who have any interest in Music should continue in 7th
grade, they will have more performances and singing
opportunities. It is difficult to skip choir in 7th and
ACTSOFKINDNESS then return in 8th, Mrs. Hjelm does a lot of important
training in 7th! Please feel free to phone me if you
Fifth graders will be doing a Random Acts of Kindness Post- aren’t sure about the choices.
card Project in March. First, students will do a simple random
act of kindness for someone. It might be shoveling a neighbor's driveway, loading an elderly person's groceries into his
car, tutoring a friend in a subject they are struggling in, or any
other simple act for someone that is done without duty. After
they perform the act, they will jot down what they did on their
postcard along with the city they live in. Next, students will
pass the postcard on to the person who received their kindness
asking that person to do a random act of kindness for another
person. Once they do it, they will jot down what they did and
the city they live in and pass it along again. People will keep
paying the kindness forward to others. Once ten acts of kindness have been done, the postcard is complete. The last recipient will email the stamped postcard to Highlands so students
can track where it traveled and what kinds of kindness were
spread.
Choir activities are centered around learning our new
concert music and learning to read choral music. Students have made excellent progress in reading skills
and in tone and blend. Each student has a warm-up
partner to facilitate developing choral blend and tone.
We are also participating in Reading Month activities
by reviewing Oscar Award nominated songs and decorating the Choir Room door with an Oscar award
theme. Stop by and see the door at conferences.
A huge part of becoming an accomplished singer is
listening to live music. Please take advantage of the
many concerts offered free of charge here in Northview, and attend other performances available. The
NHS musical “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling
Bee” will be running March 27-28, look for information in Northview News and see a great show!
There are lots of concerts presented by the Northview
music department and many concerts in Grand Rapids.
Northview Public Schools
HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL
-Highlands HighlightsCONGRATULATIONS!!!
Student of the Month
February
5th Graders
Lydia Cochrill, Marvin Colbert, Madeline Davis,
Kipp DeLing, Lily Doucette, Lauren Murphy,
Highlands Recycles! Highland’s Green Team is recy- Elijah Ortiz, Kyle Pitchure, Brooke Schneider,
cling more than ever! We’ve added instant oatmeal Elizabeth (Lizzy) Skinner, Deontay Wade
packages to our large list of items that we collect and
recycle that include everything from candy wrappers to 6th Grade
shoes! To see a full list of items, see the link on Highlands’ homepage. We have been able to reduce the Colin Carter, Jessica Decker, Brianna Miamount of waste that goes in the landfill while earning lanowski, Eloy Morales-Ibarra, Landen
some money. We are always looking for parent volunRoggenbaum, Alexus Shiels, Kamara Steverteers. Please contact Mrs. Krueger at dkrueson, Emma Westrate
[email protected]
THE GREEN TEAM
EXPECT RESPECT
At Highlands, we use the positive behavior support to
promote a learning culture that encourages success for
all students. We use encouragement, inspiration, and a
sense of belonging to provide a foundation for learning
the core skills as well as interpersonal skills. The students will be introduced to these themes thru the camp
experience in the fall as well as thru posters, htv announcements, and conversations in the hallways and
classrooms. If you have any questions, please feel free
to contact Mr. Van or Mr. Charity.
March Reading Madness!!!
By: Cara Eastman
Get off those i-phones, ipods, i-pads, computers, and
TV’s No electronics? You must think I’m some crazy
person. But March is Reading Month. What about doing something that’s good for your brain for once? I am
challenging you to not go on any electronics this month,
unless you’re doing homework for class. I bet lots of you
will try really hard to win this challenge. It doesn’t matter what kind of book it is or what characters are in it.
When does the challenge start? Right now. Who will
win? You or the clock?
ARE YOU A NON-RESIDENT FAMILY ATTENDING NORTHVIEW?
Storm Runners Book Review
If “YES,” PLEASE READ THIS.
If someone else in your household wants to start
attending Northview next year, be sure to contact
Kathy Maas at the Administration Building (3636861 or [email protected]) as soon as possible. She will explain the paperwork/process that
needs to be completed this spring. Thank you!
You should read Storm Runners. It is about a kid named
Chase Masters and his Dad John. In the beginning John
gets struck by a lightning bolt and goes into a coma for
awhile. When he gets out of the coma he somehow
knows that a tornado is coming. His school bus gets into
an accident and he tries to help an unconscious bus driver. Read this to find out what happens.
By: Ravyn
On January 31, 2015 the Highlands Cast of the Snow
Queen put on an outstanding performance for family, friends, and community at the Max Colley Jr.
Performing Arts Center. The stage was transformed
into a magical, wintry wonderland. The Flurries, the
icy imps of the Snow Queen, conjured up a cruel
spell to make a magical mirror that reflects the ugly
side of humanity. Hardly impressed, the Snow
Queen smashes the mirror to set her more dastardly
plan into motion. While cousins Gerda and Kay
play tag, Kay gets a shard of the shattered mirror
stuck in her eye, and it turns her into a rotten
brat. The Snow Queen kidnaps the girl and takes
her to the Ice Castle. Timid Gerda is determined to
rescue her best friend, armed only with a Gypsy’s jar
of warm wishes and giggle-inducing snickerdoodles. On her journey, she encounters a cursed
gardener, talking flowers, a mischievous fox, a know
-it-all crow, a generous princess and rowdy robbers. Once at the castle, Gerda uses the jar of warm
wishes to melt the Flurries and the magical cookies
to warm Kay’s heart again. Thanks to Gerda’s own
warm heart and her loving, forgiving nature, the
Snow Queen transformed into the Sun Queen and
the Flurries returned as Sunbeams.
Please congratulate the cast and crew for
making the story come to life for all to enjoy. Everyone worked extremely hard to put forth a remarkable performance!
Cast
FLURRIES………………………………Snow Queen’s Minions
Goosebump…………………………………Brady Musser
Shiver…………………………………………Jocelyn Hendricks
Whirlwind……………………………………Daviona Cross
Bluster………………………………………..Brianna Scherbinski
Blizzard………………………………………Allison Garcia
Slush…………………………………………Molly O’Connor
Snow Queen……………………………….Vivian Schmidt
Frostbite……………………………………Samantha Norcutt
Puppy……………………………………….Cheyenne Compton
Birthday Kid……………………………….Lily Besemer
New Mother…………………………….....Maddie Davis
Kay………………………………… ………...Cali Duckers
Gerda………………………………………...Tori Scovel
Flora…………………………………………..Belma Hodzic
FLOWERS
Petunia………………………….Quinton Baranowski
Daffodil…………………......Catherine Schneider
Directed by Mrs. Doherty
Tulip…………………………....Layla Sella
Assistant Student Director………………………….Hannah
Cooke
Daisy………………………… ...Aniyah Martinez
Tiger Lily……………………..Juliette Kaltenberg
Pansy…………………………...Laila McFriend
Forget-Me-Not…………......Elaina Shafer
Rose……………………...……..Kendra Street
Arctic Fox……………...……..Lily Doucette
Crow……………………….....Justin Schutz
Princess Dawndrell…………………………..Hannah Cooke
Caleb– Royal Gardener……………………..Gibson Mears
PTC NEWS
Due to a scheduling conflict, the March 3rd PTC meeting
has been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Hagiba……………………………………………..Marieanne Perez However, comments/suggestions/ideas are always welcomed...meeting or not! Either via our Facebook page or
Broody Brody…………………………………Benjamin Woodard
email to [email protected].
Freckle…………………………………………......Kairi Cole
Mumbles McCoy……………………………… Jakob Kohsel
Reindeer…………………………………………..Julie Lauer
STAGE CREW…………………………………..Jordan Farrell
……...………………………………………………..Keira Jones
WHITECAPS
To go along with our March Reading Madness, students have the opportunity to earn
two (2) free tickets to the Whitecaps baseball
game.
The game will be held on Thursday, April
30th, 2015. We will go as a school that day.
Please look for more information to come
home with your student!
On Monday, March 9, DTE Energy will visit Highlands to give their presentation on energy conservation. This is the second year that the 6th grade students will have the opportunity to learn different
ways to conserve energy in their homes. In addition
to the presentation, the students are given a home
survey to complete, and a kit that includes LED light
bulbs, a water conserving shower head, an aerator
for sinks, and an LED night light. We are very excited to have them visit again this year. Thank you DTE
Energy.
Northview Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, height,
weight, marital status, handicap, disability or limited English proficiency in any of its programs or activities. Any
questions or inquiries related to nondiscrimination policies, Title II, the Age Discrimination Act, Title VI or IX of
the Eudcation Amendments of 1972 or Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, should be directed to: Coordinator of Employee Services, Northview Public Schools,
4365 Hunsberger NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (616)3636861.