English 9 students brought Lord of the Flies to life with a hands-on survival challenge! After reading about the boys’ struggle to work together and build shelters on the island, students teamed up to design and construct their own versions. This creative project encouraged collaboration, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of the novel’s themes of survival, leadership, and community. Great job to all our students for putting their ideas — and building skills — to the test!
A few snapshots from the Fall Fantasy Dance last weekend! Big shoutout to the SCA for hosting such a fun night for our students! 💃🕺
📣 Attention Cheerleaders, Dance Team Members, and Rocky the Ram Prospects! 🐏
There is a sign-up sheet in the High School office for all interested participants.
Mandatory Meeting:
🗓️ Tomorrow! Thursday, October 30
🕞 3:30–4:30 PM
📍 Mrs. Ann’s Classroom – Room #7, Elementary School
Don’t miss this important meeting! 💙💛
There is a sign-up sheet in the High School office for all interested participants.
Mandatory Meeting:
🗓️ Tomorrow! Thursday, October 30
🕞 3:30–4:30 PM
📍 Mrs. Ann’s Classroom – Room #7, Elementary School
Don’t miss this important meeting! 💙💛
Our staff spent their recent workday diving into some very important training sessions to help keep our students and schools safe and informed.
We started the day with Anna Nalle, Prevention + Awareness Coordinator with New Creation VA, who shared valuable insight on recognizing the warning signs of human trafficking.
Next, VCJS provided updates on the signs and recognition of school threats, with a presentation from Mrs. Obaugh and input from our local Sheriff's Office & Department of EMS.
To finish out the morning, Mr. Good shared key school security reminders—lockdown drills, keeping doors secured, “see something, say something,” and other important safety procedures while Mrs. Ulmer led a fun activity on finding things in common with co-workers to strengthen connection and collaboration.
We’re so thankful for the ongoing commitment of our teachers and staff to make our schools a safe and supportive place for every student! 💙🍎
The lockdown drill at HCPS is now complete. Thank you for your patience and cooperation! If you have any feedback, please share it with us at hcps@highland.k12.va.us.
HCPS has begun its lockdown drill at this time.
🦋 Our first grade students have been hard at work learning about Living Systems and Processes in Science — and they’ve become true Monarch butterfly experts! 🧠🌿
Students brought in real Monarch caterpillars and watched in awe as they transformed into chrysalises. They were even lucky enough to catch one in mid-transformation — half chrysalis, half striped caterpillar! 😍
After patiently waiting, the butterflies emerged and were released back into the wild. To wrap up their life cycle unit, students created clay sculptures of each stage — eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, and butterflies — complete with milkweed leaves and beautifully symmetrical wings ready for flight. 🎨🦋
What an incredible hands-on learning experience exploring the wonders of nature! 🌎💛
Students brought in real Monarch caterpillars and watched in awe as they transformed into chrysalises. They were even lucky enough to catch one in mid-transformation — half chrysalis, half striped caterpillar! 😍
After patiently waiting, the butterflies emerged and were released back into the wild. To wrap up their life cycle unit, students created clay sculptures of each stage — eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises, and butterflies — complete with milkweed leaves and beautifully symmetrical wings ready for flight. 🎨🦋
What an incredible hands-on learning experience exploring the wonders of nature! 🌎💛
¡Vamos a jugar! 🎉 Spanish students practiced conjugating -AR verbs with a game of Jenga — where every move came with a verb challenge! 🧱💬 A fun way to build both towers and language skills! 🇪🇸
📣 Highland Parent Teacher Partnership
Join us for our monthly meetings on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Elementary Library.
🗓 Upcoming Dates:
Oct. 28
Nov. 25
Dec. 23
Jan. 27
Your voice matters! Come connect, share ideas, and support our students and schools. 💙💛
Join us for our monthly meetings on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Elementary Library.
🗓 Upcoming Dates:
Oct. 28
Nov. 25
Dec. 23
Jan. 27
Your voice matters! Come connect, share ideas, and support our students and schools. 💙💛
🎃👻 Spirit Week Fun Is Here! 👻🎃
Both of our schools are celebrating the Halloween season with a week full of themed dress-up days! Check out the flyers below to see what’s planned.
🤍 Highland Elementary (white flyer)
💜 Highland High School (purple flyer)
✨ All costumes and outfits must follow the school dress code.
Let’s make this week full of school spirit, creativity, and Halloween fun! 🎃
📢 Lockdown Drill Notice
Our school will conduct a lockdown drill tomorrow, October 28, 2025, as part of our ongoing commitment to student and staff safety.
This practice drill helps ensure that everyone knows what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency. Please note that no actual threat or danger is involved — this is only a safety exercise.
We appreciate your support as we work to keep our school community safe and prepared.
🎄✨ 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! ❤️💚
As we wrap up this week’s Book Fair at Highland Elementary, we want to thank all of our students, families, and staff for making it such a success! Your support helps us grow our school library and continue to inspire a love of reading in our students.
A special thank-you to Mrs. Sweeney for organizing another wonderful event and to everyone who helped make it possible! 🌟📖
A special thank-you to Mrs. Sweeney for organizing another wonderful event and to everyone who helped make it possible! 🌟📖
🚸 Committed to School Bus Safety 🚌
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is dedicated to promoting safe behaviors on our nation’s roads and reducing injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle crashes.
To keep children safe, NHTSA sets rigorous Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards — including special safety requirements for school buses that go above and beyond those for regular buses. Because every child deserves the safest ride possible. 💛
NHTSA also provides families with helpful safety information about bus stop rules, school zone safety, and driver awareness — along with a Pupil Transportation Toolkit that includes an interactive tool for planning safer school bus stops and routes.
Together, we can help ensure every student gets to school and home safely. 🚌✨
Learn more: nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is dedicated to promoting safe behaviors on our nation’s roads and reducing injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle crashes.
To keep children safe, NHTSA sets rigorous Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards — including special safety requirements for school buses that go above and beyond those for regular buses. Because every child deserves the safest ride possible. 💛
NHTSA also provides families with helpful safety information about bus stop rules, school zone safety, and driver awareness — along with a Pupil Transportation Toolkit that includes an interactive tool for planning safer school bus stops and routes.
Together, we can help ensure every student gets to school and home safely. 🚌✨
Learn more: nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety
🚗💬 Learning the Dangers of Distracted Driving — the Fun Way! 📱🙈
The Virginia State Police visited Highland’s Driver’s Education class to share their Distracted Driving Course, giving students a hands-on look at just how dangerous distractions can be behind the wheel.
There were plenty of laughs 😄 — and some eye-opening moments — as students realized the importance of staying focused and safe on the road. 🚘💡
A huge thank-you to the Virginia State Police for bringing this valuable learning experience to our students! 💙
#VirginiaStatePolice
The Virginia State Police visited Highland’s Driver’s Education class to share their Distracted Driving Course, giving students a hands-on look at just how dangerous distractions can be behind the wheel.
There were plenty of laughs 😄 — and some eye-opening moments — as students realized the importance of staying focused and safe on the road. 🚘💡
A huge thank-you to the Virginia State Police for bringing this valuable learning experience to our students! 💙
#VirginiaStatePolice
During Virginia Farm to School Week, our Highland County preschoolers learned all about apples and joined in on the “Crunch Heard ’Round the Commonwealth!” 🐝🍏
On Thursday, October 9th, our preschoolers joined students across Virginia in taking a big, juicy bite of fresh, Virginia-grown apples to celebrate local farmers and healthy eating! 🌾💪
A special thank-you to Sheriff Bob Kelly for stopping by to read an apple harvest story and spend time with our little learners! 📚🍎
#FarmToSchool #CrunchHeardRoundTheCommonwealth #HealthyEating #SupportLocalFarmers
On Thursday, October 9th, our preschoolers joined students across Virginia in taking a big, juicy bite of fresh, Virginia-grown apples to celebrate local farmers and healthy eating! 🌾💪
A special thank-you to Sheriff Bob Kelly for stopping by to read an apple harvest story and spend time with our little learners! 📚🍎
#FarmToSchool #CrunchHeardRoundTheCommonwealth #HealthyEating #SupportLocalFarmers
🚌 Bus Safety: Different by Design 🚌
Did you know that school buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road? They’re built to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries — and stop-arm laws in every state help protect children from other motorists.
Why School Buses Are So Safe:
💛 Designed for visibility with flashing red lights, cross-view mirrors, and stop-sign arms
💛 Built with high-strength seating, rollover protection, and crush-resistant structures
💛 Equipped with a unique safety system called “compartmentalization,” which protects students with strong, closely spaced, energy-absorbing seats — even without seat belts on large buses
Seat Belts on Buses:
Large school buses rely on compartmentalization for safety.
Small school buses (10,000 lbs. or less) are required to have lap or shoulder belts for every seat, since their size and weight are more like passenger vehicles.
School buses are engineered for safety from the ground up — making them the safest ride to and from school. 🚌✨
Learn more from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
👉 NHTSA School Bus Safety: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Did you know that school buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road? They’re built to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries — and stop-arm laws in every state help protect children from other motorists.
Why School Buses Are So Safe:
💛 Designed for visibility with flashing red lights, cross-view mirrors, and stop-sign arms
💛 Built with high-strength seating, rollover protection, and crush-resistant structures
💛 Equipped with a unique safety system called “compartmentalization,” which protects students with strong, closely spaced, energy-absorbing seats — even without seat belts on large buses
Seat Belts on Buses:
Large school buses rely on compartmentalization for safety.
Small school buses (10,000 lbs. or less) are required to have lap or shoulder belts for every seat, since their size and weight are more like passenger vehicles.
School buses are engineered for safety from the ground up — making them the safest ride to and from school. 🚌✨
Learn more from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
👉 NHTSA School Bus Safety: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety?utm_source=chatgpt.com
🌯🎃 Our Introduction to Culinary Arts students have been busy in the kitchen! Last week, they learned how to make delicious burritos while focusing on the healthy components that go into a balanced meal. To finish things off, they whipped up a sweet fall treat — pumpkin rolls! 👩🍳🍁
🇺🇸 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. 🇺🇸✨
🚸 Bus Stop Safety: Tips for Parents 🚸
Parents, take time to talk with your child about staying safe at the bus stop! A few simple reminders can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe around school buses. 🚌
Before the Bus Arrives:
✅ Arrive at the stop at least 5 minutes early.
✅ Wait at least 10 feet (five big steps) from the curb.
✅ Remember—the bus stop is not a place to run or play.
Getting On and Off Safely:
✅ Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before boarding or exiting.
✅ Always use the handrails to prevent falls.
Always Use Caution Around the Bus:
✅ Never walk behind the school bus.
✅ If crossing in front, walk 10 feet ahead of the bus and make eye contact with the driver before crossing.
✅ If something drops near the bus, don’t pick it up—tell the driver instead.
Let’s work together to keep our students safe every day, from home to school and back again! 💛
Parents, take time to talk with your child about staying safe at the bus stop! A few simple reminders can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe around school buses. 🚌
Before the Bus Arrives:
✅ Arrive at the stop at least 5 minutes early.
✅ Wait at least 10 feet (five big steps) from the curb.
✅ Remember—the bus stop is not a place to run or play.
Getting On and Off Safely:
✅ Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before boarding or exiting.
✅ Always use the handrails to prevent falls.
Always Use Caution Around the Bus:
✅ Never walk behind the school bus.
✅ If crossing in front, walk 10 feet ahead of the bus and make eye contact with the driver before crossing.
✅ If something drops near the bus, don’t pick it up—tell the driver instead.
Let’s work together to keep our students safe every day, from home to school and back again! 💛
