📸 Winter sports photos are scheduled for Thursday, November 20th!
Athletes, don’t forget your uniforms and best smiles! 📣🏀
Athletes, don’t forget your uniforms and best smiles! 📣🏀

🌸🍦 Our third graders celebrated filling their “We Bloom Together” flower with a special ice cream party outside! Even though it was a little chilly, they voted for an outdoor celebration and had the best time enjoying their well-earned treat.
Students earn petals for exceptional work, good citizenship, positive behavior, and academic success. Once the flower is full, they get to enjoy a class activity of their choice—like this fun (and frosty!) ice cream party!
Way to go, third grade! Keep blooming together! 💛💙
Students earn petals for exceptional work, good citizenship, positive behavior, and academic success. Once the flower is full, they get to enjoy a class activity of their choice—like this fun (and frosty!) ice cream party!
Way to go, third grade! Keep blooming together! 💛💙





Our elementary students have been working so hard to prepare for our Veterans Day ceremony! 🇺🇸
If you’re joining us for the Veterans Day breakfast, it will take place from 8:30–9:30 a.m. — please enter through the elementary doors.
If you’re attending only the ceremony, please enter through the high school doors.
The Veterans Day ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m.






🍎 Interested in Becoming a Teacher?
Mary Baldwin University’s School of Education offers flexible, fully online undergraduate, graduate, and provisional teacher education programs designed to fit your schedule.
Whether you’re working toward a Provisional License or beginning your pathway to full licensure, MBU provides accessible options for aspiring educators of all backgrounds. Courses are 100% online and asynchronous, with tuition discounts and deferment opportunities available for Virginia educators and partner school divisions.
📅 Join the Info Session:
November 11 at 4:30 p.m.
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo4RaAkWY4nXjW5UXgjwkmpk9gpZCj11dcrshF46KupFVO_w/viewform
Learn more about taking your next step in education!
Mary Baldwin University’s School of Education offers flexible, fully online undergraduate, graduate, and provisional teacher education programs designed to fit your schedule.
Whether you’re working toward a Provisional License or beginning your pathway to full licensure, MBU provides accessible options for aspiring educators of all backgrounds. Courses are 100% online and asynchronous, with tuition discounts and deferment opportunities available for Virginia educators and partner school divisions.
📅 Join the Info Session:
November 11 at 4:30 p.m.
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo4RaAkWY4nXjW5UXgjwkmpk9gpZCj11dcrshF46KupFVO_w/viewform
Learn more about taking your next step in education!


🔥This month’s Head Start Family Fun event was all about getting cozy and enjoying good books! Our preschoolers snuggled up by the “campfire” to read with their families and took home a brand-new blanket and book to keep the fun going at home. 📚
We love seeing our little learners develop a love for reading—one story (and one snuggle) at a time!
We love seeing our little learners develop a love for reading—one story (and one snuggle) at a time!



🎉 Did you know one of our own is a published author? 📖
Earlier this year, Dr. Pillow, our Speech Pathologist (SLP, Teacher of D/HH & Educational Audiologist), published Wordyspisms, a fun picture book that plays with words—adding or taking away sounds to create new ones! It’s a great way to build phonological awareness in children.
➡️ Check out Wordyspisms on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hjuEJLX
His newest book, Speechyspisms: How is your speech?, helps parents determine if their child is producing age-appropriate speech sounds—or if a referral to a speech-language pathologist might be needed.
➡️ Check out Speechyspisms on Amazon: https://a.co/d/4OnqFOj
Both books are fun, educational, and perfect for families interested in language development and speech awareness! 🗣️
Earlier this year, Dr. Pillow, our Speech Pathologist (SLP, Teacher of D/HH & Educational Audiologist), published Wordyspisms, a fun picture book that plays with words—adding or taking away sounds to create new ones! It’s a great way to build phonological awareness in children.
➡️ Check out Wordyspisms on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hjuEJLX
His newest book, Speechyspisms: How is your speech?, helps parents determine if their child is producing age-appropriate speech sounds—or if a referral to a speech-language pathologist might be needed.
➡️ Check out Speechyspisms on Amazon: https://a.co/d/4OnqFOj
Both books are fun, educational, and perfect for families interested in language development and speech awareness! 🗣️

🎨 Looking for a unique gift or a special piece to brighten your home?
Our talented Art Club students are creating handcrafted painted glass art — each piece is one-of-a-kind and available in multiple sizes.
✨ Custom orders welcome!
🖼️ 8x10 – $30
🖼️ 11x14 – $50
Your purchase helps support our young artists and their creative projects.
📧 To place an order, email Mrs. Justine at:
👉 jdeeds@highland.k12.va.us
Our talented Art Club students are creating handcrafted painted glass art — each piece is one-of-a-kind and available in multiple sizes.
✨ Custom orders welcome!
🖼️ 8x10 – $30
🖼️ 11x14 – $50
Your purchase helps support our young artists and their creative projects.
📧 To place an order, email Mrs. Justine at:
👉 jdeeds@highland.k12.va.us

🏐 Congratulations to our Highland Volleyball All-District athletes!
✨ Colleen Adams – 2nd Team
👏 Emma Brower – Honorable Mention
👏 Ali Veasey – Honorable Mention
We’re so proud of your hard work, teamwork, and dedication on and off the court. Way to represent Highland! 💙💛
✨ Colleen Adams – 2nd Team
👏 Emma Brower – Honorable Mention
👏 Ali Veasey – Honorable Mention
We’re so proud of your hard work, teamwork, and dedication on and off the court. Way to represent Highland! 💙💛

Our Culinary Arts students have been busy decorating sugar cookies, and we might have a lookalike in the batch… Oliver, is that you?! 🍪😂 Check out these sweet creations!




🚨 Fire Drill Announcement 🚨
HCPS is conducting a fire drill. This is a routine safety practice to ensure all students and staff know the proper procedures in the event of an emergency.
Thank you for your cooperation as we work to keep our schools safe.
HCPS is conducting a fire drill. This is a routine safety practice to ensure all students and staff know the proper procedures in the event of an emergency.
Thank you for your cooperation as we work to keep our schools safe.
💗 VOLLEYBALL PINK NIGHT 💗
Join us November 7 at 6:00 PM in the HHS Gym for a special night filled with games, prizes, and a baked goods sale (free will donation)!
All proceeds will be donated to the Vaus family in loving memory of Amy. 💕
Let’s come together as a community to show support, share love, and celebrate Amy’s life.
“Forever in our hearts, now in God’s arms.” 🤍
Join us November 7 at 6:00 PM in the HHS Gym for a special night filled with games, prizes, and a baked goods sale (free will donation)!
All proceeds will be donated to the Vaus family in loving memory of Amy. 💕
Let’s come together as a community to show support, share love, and celebrate Amy’s life.
“Forever in our hearts, now in God’s arms.” 🤍

👑 2026 Maple Queen Pageant – Interest Meeting 👑
There will be a 2026 Highland Maple Queen interest meeting at Highland County Public Schools on Friday, November 7th at 9:55 am in the high school library to learn more about the pageant and being a year-round ambassador for our community.
Any young ladies residing in Highland County, Virginia, who is 15 years old by Feb 21, 2026 and not yet graduated from high school are encouraged to attend and pick up an application.
Questions? Please contact Madge Vosteen at events@highlandcounty.org or 540-468-2550.
📅 Friday, November 7
🕘 9:55 a.m.
📍 HHS Library

🌟 Be an Angel—Provide an Angel Box! 🌟
Many families in Highland County are facing food insecurity due to uncertainty in SNAP benefits. You can help by signing up to be a provider of an Angel Box — a pre-packed box filled with essential food items that will be given to community members in need, free of charge.
🕊️ How it works:
Call or email Tammy Minnigh at (540) 396-3418 or recordertammy1@gmail.com to receive a family profile. This will help you know what types and amounts of food to include in your box so it meets that family’s needs.
📦 Donations accepted until November 19th!
Let’s come together to help our neighbors and make sure no one goes hungry this season. ❤️
📍 Provided in partnership by: McDowell Presbyterian Church, Highland County Food Pantry, DSS, HMC, Monterey Presbyterian Church, Hiner Church of the Brethren, Highland Baptist Church, Stone Christian Fellowship, Blue Grass Ruritans, Stonewall Ruritans, Mill Gap Ruritans, and Highland Fraternal Order of Eagles.
#AngelBox #HighlandCounty #CommunitySupport #GiveBack #FoodDrive
Many families in Highland County are facing food insecurity due to uncertainty in SNAP benefits. You can help by signing up to be a provider of an Angel Box — a pre-packed box filled with essential food items that will be given to community members in need, free of charge.
🕊️ How it works:
Call or email Tammy Minnigh at (540) 396-3418 or recordertammy1@gmail.com to receive a family profile. This will help you know what types and amounts of food to include in your box so it meets that family’s needs.
📦 Donations accepted until November 19th!
Let’s come together to help our neighbors and make sure no one goes hungry this season. ❤️
📍 Provided in partnership by: McDowell Presbyterian Church, Highland County Food Pantry, DSS, HMC, Monterey Presbyterian Church, Hiner Church of the Brethren, Highland Baptist Church, Stone Christian Fellowship, Blue Grass Ruritans, Stonewall Ruritans, Mill Gap Ruritans, and Highland Fraternal Order of Eagles.
#AngelBox #HighlandCounty #CommunitySupport #GiveBack #FoodDrive

You know it’s peak fall when the teachers start syncing wardrobes. 👯♀️🎃
Hello, Pumpkin!
Hello, Pumpkin!

Our Small Animal Care class had a special guest this week — Mr. Johnson, and his Maine Coon cat, “Saint”! 🐱
Students learned all about grooming, breeding, and general care for cats, along with some fascinating facts about the Maine Coon breed, known for its gentle personality and impressive size.
Thank you, Mr. Johnson, for sharing your expertise (and Saint’s charm!) with our students! 🐾💛
Students learned all about grooming, breeding, and general care for cats, along with some fascinating facts about the Maine Coon breed, known for its gentle personality and impressive size.
Thank you, Mr. Johnson, for sharing your expertise (and Saint’s charm!) with our students! 🐾💛



Mrs. Hupman's Spanish 2 students explored real social media posts about Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a traditional Mexican holiday that honors and celebrates loved ones who have passed away. They analyzed comments, looked for patterns, and created colorful graphs to show what people think and how they celebrate this meaningful tradition! 💀🌼📊
🎨 🪟 Our high school art students recently explored the process and craft of stained glass art! After learning about traditional techniques, they had the chance to create their own modified versions.
Students designed their own patterns, outlined them with “leading,” and selected vibrant colors to bring their unique stained glass creations to life. 🌈✨
We love seeing their creativity shine—literally! 💡
Students designed their own patterns, outlined them with “leading,” and selected vibrant colors to bring their unique stained glass creations to life. 🌈✨
We love seeing their creativity shine—literally! 💡










🇺🇸 Veterans Day Celebration 🇺🇸
Please join us as we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. ❤️💙
📅 Tuesday, November 11, 2025
🕙 Program begins at 10:00 AM
📍 Highland High School Gym
🥞 Breakfast will be served in the Cafeteria from 8:30–9:30 AM.
We invite all veterans, families, and community members to attend as we come together to celebrate and express our gratitude for their service. 🇺🇸✨
Please join us as we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. ❤️💙
📅 Tuesday, November 11, 2025
🕙 Program begins at 10:00 AM
📍 Highland High School Gym
🥞 Breakfast will be served in the Cafeteria from 8:30–9:30 AM.
We invite all veterans, families, and community members to attend as we come together to celebrate and express our gratitude for their service. 🇺🇸✨

Our students were hard at work last week, putting their creativity to the test with Halloween posters and treat boxes! 🎃🖌️🍬 Their spooky and fun designs really brought the Halloween spirit to life!
🚌💎 Our 2nd graders had an amazing adventure exploring Seneca Caverns! They learned all about the underground rock formations, discovered how caverns are formed, and got to see some incredible natural wonders up close.
It was an exciting day of hands-on learning and exploration! 🪨👏
It was an exciting day of hands-on learning and exploration! 🪨👏
