🎒🚌 It’s National School Bus Safety Week! 🚌🎒
This week we’re focusing on safe rides, safe stops, and safe students. Let’s all do our part to keep everyone protected when the bus arrives and departs.
Key tips:
👉Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early and wait at least ten feet (five big steps!) from the curb.
👉Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, its door opens, and the driver says it’s ok before getting on or off.
👉When crossing in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side to a spot at least ten feet in front of the bus. 👉Make eye contact with the driver so they see you.
👉If something drops near or under the bus, don’t go retrieve it yourself—tell the driver.
👉Drivers: when you see the bus’s red lights and stop-arm extended, stop your car and wait until the lights go off and the arm retracts.
Let’s make this a safe week for everyone catching a ride to school or heading home. Share this and spread the word! 🚦
This week we’re focusing on safe rides, safe stops, and safe students. Let’s all do our part to keep everyone protected when the bus arrives and departs.
Key tips:
👉Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early and wait at least ten feet (five big steps!) from the curb.
👉Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, its door opens, and the driver says it’s ok before getting on or off.
👉When crossing in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side to a spot at least ten feet in front of the bus. 👉Make eye contact with the driver so they see you.
👉If something drops near or under the bus, don’t go retrieve it yourself—tell the driver.
👉Drivers: when you see the bus’s red lights and stop-arm extended, stop your car and wait until the lights go off and the arm retracts.
Let’s make this a safe week for everyone catching a ride to school or heading home. Share this and spread the word! 🚦
Algebra 2 students turned math into an adventure! 🚀✨ They simplified radical expressions while racing against the clock in an escape room challenge! 🔓🧠
🎄✨ Spread Some Holiday Cheer! ✨🎄
The Highland High School Junior Class is hosting a Poinsettia Fundraiser! 🌺
These beautiful holiday plants make the perfect seasonal decoration or gift.
🌿 Available Sizes & Prices:
6.5” – $12
7.5” – $18
8.5” – $24
🌸 Colors: Red • Pink • White • Marble
🗓️ Orders & Payment Due: November 10th
To order, reach out to any Junior or email:
📧 Ms. Megan Botkin – mbotkin@highland.k12.va.us
📧 Ms. Pitsenbarger – wpitsenbarger@highland.k12.va.us
Support our Juniors and brighten your home for the holidays! ❤️💚
The Highland High School Junior Class is hosting a Poinsettia Fundraiser! 🌺
These beautiful holiday plants make the perfect seasonal decoration or gift.
🌿 Available Sizes & Prices:
6.5” – $12
7.5” – $18
8.5” – $24
🌸 Colors: Red • Pink • White • Marble
🗓️ Orders & Payment Due: November 10th
To order, reach out to any Junior or email:
📧 Ms. Megan Botkin – mbotkin@highland.k12.va.us
📧 Ms. Pitsenbarger – wpitsenbarger@highland.k12.va.us
Support our Juniors and brighten your home for the holidays! ❤️💚
🚨 What Is Cyberbullying — And How You Can Fight Back
Cyberbullying is when someone uses digital tools (texts, social media, chat apps) to harass, embarrass, or threaten others online. It’s not just rude — it can cause real emotional harm and stress.
Here’s how you can protect yourself and others:
Don’t respond to hurtful messages.
Use block or mute features on social media or messaging apps.
Report the behavior to site/platform moderators or school officials.
Save or screenshot evidence — don’t erase it.
Talk with someone you trust — a friend, teacher, or parent.
Strengthen your online security: use strong, unique passwords and privacy settings.
We all have a role to play in making online spaces safer. Cyberbullying isn’t okay — speak up, help someone, and don’t let it slide.
More tips here: https://www.cisa.gov/tips/st06-005
Cyberbullying is when someone uses digital tools (texts, social media, chat apps) to harass, embarrass, or threaten others online. It’s not just rude — it can cause real emotional harm and stress.
Here’s how you can protect yourself and others:
Don’t respond to hurtful messages.
Use block or mute features on social media or messaging apps.
Report the behavior to site/platform moderators or school officials.
Save or screenshot evidence — don’t erase it.
Talk with someone you trust — a friend, teacher, or parent.
Strengthen your online security: use strong, unique passwords and privacy settings.
We all have a role to play in making online spaces safer. Cyberbullying isn’t okay — speak up, help someone, and don’t let it slide.
More tips here: https://www.cisa.gov/tips/st06-005
📚✨ The Scholastic Book Fair starts tomorrow at Highland Elementary! ✨📚
We can’t wait to welcome students and families to explore an amazing selection of books and support our school library!
🗓 Book Fair: October 20–24, 2025
👨👩👧👦 Family Nights: October 21 & 23 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Come find the perfect story and help us celebrate the joy of reading! ❤️📖
We can’t wait to welcome students and families to explore an amazing selection of books and support our school library!
🗓 Book Fair: October 20–24, 2025
👨👩👧👦 Family Nights: October 21 & 23 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Come find the perfect story and help us celebrate the joy of reading! ❤️📖
💳✨ Make shopping at the Book Fair easy!
Set up your child’s Scholastic eWallet—the safe, cash-free way for students to shop the Book Fair. No need to send money to school—just add funds online and let your reader pick out their favorite books! 📚💫
Create your eWallet here 👉 https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/highlandelementaryschool75
Set up your child’s Scholastic eWallet—the safe, cash-free way for students to shop the Book Fair. No need to send money to school—just add funds online and let your reader pick out their favorite books! 📚💫
Create your eWallet here 👉 https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/highlandelementaryschool75
Check out these pictures from a recent Chemistry Lab! 🧪 Students demonstrated an exciting oscillating chemical reaction in action. 🔬✨
🇺🇸🌎 Our 2nd graders have been busy creating salt dough maps of the United States of America! 🗺️ They had so much fun shaping and painting while learning about our country’s geography. What a creative way to bring social studies to life! 💙❤️🤍
📸 Say Cheese, Seniors!
🗓️ October 16 – Seniors & Makeup Picture Day
🗓️ October 16 – Seniors & Makeup Picture Day
📵✨ Tech-Free Tuesdays! ✨📵
Each Tuesday, our students and staff set aside devices to focus on hands-on learning, creativity, and face-to-face connections. 💡📚✏️
We’re excited to keep building this tradition and seeing the great things that happen when we go screen-free—together!
📣 We’re Hiring at Highland County Public Schools! 🌟
Join our dedicated team of educators and staff who make a difference every day! We’re currently accepting applications for the following positions:
👩🏫 Special Education Instructional Aide – Starting January 2026
🏅 Athletic Director – Starting January 2026
🍎 Elementary Principal – Starting July 2026
🔧 Skilled Trades Teacher – Starting August 2026
If you’re passionate about education and supporting student success, we’d love to hear from you!
📍 Apply today at https://www.highland.k12.va.us/page/employment
💙 Come be part of our Highland family—where every role makes an impact!
Join our dedicated team of educators and staff who make a difference every day! We’re currently accepting applications for the following positions:
👩🏫 Special Education Instructional Aide – Starting January 2026
🏅 Athletic Director – Starting January 2026
🍎 Elementary Principal – Starting July 2026
🔧 Skilled Trades Teacher – Starting August 2026
If you’re passionate about education and supporting student success, we’d love to hear from you!
📍 Apply today at https://www.highland.k12.va.us/page/employment
💙 Come be part of our Highland family—where every role makes an impact!
📚 The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Highland Elementary School! 🎉
🗓 Dates: October 20–24, 2025
👨👩👧👦 Family Nights: October 21 & 23 from 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Join us to explore a great selection of books for all ages and help support our school library. It’s a wonderful opportunity to encourage a love of reading—see you there! 📖✨
🗓 Dates: October 20–24, 2025
👨👩👧👦 Family Nights: October 21 & 23 from 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Join us to explore a great selection of books for all ages and help support our school library. It’s a wonderful opportunity to encourage a love of reading—see you there! 📖✨
🚌 School Bus Bullying Prevention
Everyone plays a part in keeping our school buses safe and positive places for students! 💛
Check out this helpful resource: “Bullies on the Bus” — a webpage with practical tips for parents, kids, bus drivers, and schools on how to work together to make the school bus bully-proof.
🔗 Learn more here: https://www.transfinder.com/resources/school-bus-bullying-prevention
Let’s continue working together to ensure every student feels safe and supported on the ride to and from school! 🚍✨
Everyone plays a part in keeping our school buses safe and positive places for students! 💛
Check out this helpful resource: “Bullies on the Bus” — a webpage with practical tips for parents, kids, bus drivers, and schools on how to work together to make the school bus bully-proof.
🔗 Learn more here: https://www.transfinder.com/resources/school-bus-bullying-prevention
Let’s continue working together to ensure every student feels safe and supported on the ride to and from school! 🚍✨
📣 Our FFA students are headed to the National FFA Convention this October! Eight students will be traveling for an unforgettable experience—and you can help make it even better.
The FFA Alumni is putting together care packages for the trip, and we’d love your support! Items from our Amazon list will go directly to the students to make their adventure easier and more fun. 🐮
📅 Deadline to order: October 17th
Thank you for helping our FFA members have the best experience possible! 💛💙
https://a.co/1lIh7PL
The FFA Alumni is putting together care packages for the trip, and we’d love your support! Items from our Amazon list will go directly to the students to make their adventure easier and more fun. 🐮
📅 Deadline to order: October 17th
Thank you for helping our FFA members have the best experience possible! 💛💙
https://a.co/1lIh7PL
🎨 First Grade Explores Optical Illusions!
Our first graders learned all about optical illusions and even created their own! 👀✨
Students discovered how shading can make shapes appear to “float,” then used charcoal to add shadows and make their artwork pop right off the page! What a fun way to combine art and science! 🖤✏️
Our first graders learned all about optical illusions and even created their own! 👀✨
Students discovered how shading can make shapes appear to “float,” then used charcoal to add shadows and make their artwork pop right off the page! What a fun way to combine art and science! 🖤✏️
At last night’s School Board meeting, Mr. Good shared highlights about the Highland National Honor Society and its incredible students who go above and beyond—not only in academics, but also through leadership, service, and character. He commended members for setting a positive example every day, whether volunteering in the community, helping at school events, or supporting their classmates.
This year, four new members joined six returning ones, forming a strong and dedicated group. The recent induction ceremony was a meaningful celebration with family and friends in attendance, followed by light refreshments.
Throughout the year, NHS students will continue giving back through projects such as supporting local library events, collaborating with DSS on food drives, fundraising within the school, sponsoring Angel Tree recipients, hosting holiday activities, and helping clean up after the Maple Festival. They’ll also create something special for Teacher Appreciation Week and complete their own service projects.
A new initiative this year is the Attendance Raffle, which NHS hopes will become a lasting tradition. Mr. Good expressed his pride in all the members and their positive impact on the school and community.
👏 Dr. Nycum and Chairman Wilfong presented certificates of honor to Luke Baxter, Jack Herold, Peyton Neil, and Emma Brower—our newest inductees. (Emma not pictured due to playing in last evening’s volleyball game.)
Congratulations to all our NHS members for your leadership and dedication! 💙💛
This year, four new members joined six returning ones, forming a strong and dedicated group. The recent induction ceremony was a meaningful celebration with family and friends in attendance, followed by light refreshments.
Throughout the year, NHS students will continue giving back through projects such as supporting local library events, collaborating with DSS on food drives, fundraising within the school, sponsoring Angel Tree recipients, hosting holiday activities, and helping clean up after the Maple Festival. They’ll also create something special for Teacher Appreciation Week and complete their own service projects.
A new initiative this year is the Attendance Raffle, which NHS hopes will become a lasting tradition. Mr. Good expressed his pride in all the members and their positive impact on the school and community.
👏 Dr. Nycum and Chairman Wilfong presented certificates of honor to Luke Baxter, Jack Herold, Peyton Neil, and Emma Brower—our newest inductees. (Emma not pictured due to playing in last evening’s volleyball game.)
Congratulations to all our NHS members for your leadership and dedication! 💙💛
📣 Our FFA students are headed to the National FFA Convention this October! Eight students will be traveling for an unforgettable experience—and you can help make it even better.
The FFA Alumni is putting together care packages for the trip, and we’d love your support! Items from our Amazon list will go directly to the students to make their adventure easier and more fun. 🐮
📅 Deadline to order: October 17th
Thank you for helping our FFA members have the best experience possible! 💛💙
https://a.co/1lIh7PL
The FFA Alumni is putting together care packages for the trip, and we’d love your support! Items from our Amazon list will go directly to the students to make their adventure easier and more fun. 🐮
📅 Deadline to order: October 17th
Thank you for helping our FFA members have the best experience possible! 💛💙
https://a.co/1lIh7PL
🩵 October is VSBA Bullying Prevention Month!
Join us in taking a stand against bullying. Visit the Virginia School Boards Association website for more information and resources: https://www.vsba.org/resources/initiatives/bullying-prevention-month/
Together, we can help create a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all students. Bullying isn’t cool—kindness always wins!
Join us in taking a stand against bullying. Visit the Virginia School Boards Association website for more information and resources: https://www.vsba.org/resources/initiatives/bullying-prevention-month/
Together, we can help create a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all students. Bullying isn’t cool—kindness always wins!
🌟 Congratulations to Our New National Honor Society Inductees! 🌟
We’re proud to recognize our newest members of the Highland High School National Honor Society for their outstanding achievements in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
These students will be formally recognized at tonight's School Board meeting — a well-deserved honor for their hard work and dedication!
Please join us in congratulating them on this incredible accomplishment! 👏💙💛
We’re proud to recognize our newest members of the Highland High School National Honor Society for their outstanding achievements in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
These students will be formally recognized at tonight's School Board meeting — a well-deserved honor for their hard work and dedication!
Please join us in congratulating them on this incredible accomplishment! 👏💙💛
🎨 Spanish II Explores Guna Art and Culture
Mrs. Hupman's Spanish II students took inspiration from the molas created by the Guna people of the San Blas Islands in Panama and crafted their own colorful paper versions today! 🇵🇦✨
Molas are beautifully layered and embroidered textiles traditionally worn as part of blouses by Guna women. They represent an important part of the Guna people’s cultural identity and artistic expression.
Mrs. Hupman's Spanish II students took inspiration from the molas created by the Guna people of the San Blas Islands in Panama and crafted their own colorful paper versions today! 🇵🇦✨
Molas are beautifully layered and embroidered textiles traditionally worn as part of blouses by Guna women. They represent an important part of the Guna people’s cultural identity and artistic expression.
