Highland Newsletter 4/1-4/6/24

                                            HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Trimester 3, 2023-24 School Year

Dear Highland Parent, Student, and Ram Supporter,

CALENDARS                   

These calendars are continually updated and provide all the important academic and athletic/activities dates for the school year. Please look at them regularly for questions about calendar items. 

Highland Academic Calendar:

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=c_i0212raj3h97k5e37qsf2nk15s@group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Denver

Highland Sports/Activities Calendar:

https://highlandrams.org/main/calendar?

=========================================================================

JUNIORS ISAT & SAT TESTING DATES

On April 3rd Juniors will be taking the ISAT Test at Highland and on April 10th Juniors will then be taking the SAT Test. All other students, Freshman, Sophomores' and Seniors will not attend school on those days. They will be assigned school work through google classroom, a virtual day. 

ISAT Information, April 3rd 

Juniors will take their needed ISATs on Wednesday, April 3rd.  Below is some important information for you and your HHS student.

• This is a graduation requirement for Juniors.
• Lists are posted outside the counseling center and in many teacher classrooms with student room assignments.  They can also talk to their counselor if they don't know their assigned room.
• Students are allowed to leave after the required testing is completed.  Buses will be running their regular routes if they need to stay at school until the end of the school day.
• Testing will be done on the student's Chromebook. They will need to bring a CHARGED Chromebook and charging cord.
• Students will need earbuds.  They are allowed to bring their own as long as they are NOT Bluetooth.  If you don't have any, some will be provided.
• Calculators, cell phones, and smart watches are not permitted to be with your student during testing.  They can be kept in a personal bag in a designated location in the room students are testing in.
• It is important students are ON TIME to school that morning!

SAT Information, April 10th

This will be the first digital test version of the SAT administered at HHS. Students MUST bring a charged chromebook that day. Room assignments will be posted in the hallway at the end of the week. 

We will be conducting checks during TA to ensure that all of the Chromebooks have the updated version of the program, Bluebook,  that is needed for the exam  on them next week. 

All juniors have been preemptively registered for this exam. This is because, while it is no longer a graduation requirement to have a college entrance exam, if a student is planning on furthering their education in a collegiate setting it is a good idea to take one as they are still used as placement exams for required courses and for some scholarships. However, that being said, there are some students who have a conflict because of the Construction Combine. Each Junior, with the input of their parents, needs to make a decision on how important taking the SAT may be to their future goals and plans and if they need to take the test or not. Please call the school if you need any guidance or if you have any questions.  

=========================================================================

MAKE-A-WISH

Highland Idol Sign-ups & Competition

Highland Idol is a singing competition with judges, modeled after American Idol where students perform to try and raise money to sponsor our Make-A-Wish person. 

Highland Idol sign-ups are now open through next Thursday, April 4th in room B71. 

Performance auditions April 8 through Friday, April 15, during lunch in gym. 

Highland Idol Semi-Finals are on Monday, April 15 at 6:30pm in the Gym. 

Highland Idol Finals Assembly is Thursday, April 18th in the gym @ 11:10am. 

Make-A-Wish Dress Up Spirit Week

Monday 4/15: Mid 90's Theme

Tuesday 4/16: Purple Out (Whitney's favorite color)

Wednesday 4/17: Album Cover Theme

Thursday 4/18: Wear your Make-A-Wish T-shirt

Purchase a T-Shirt and/or Bracelet

Small-XL $10

XXL-4XL $12

Bracelet-$2

Learn to Swing Dance Night

========================================================================

SPEECH & DEBATE NATIONALS

The Highland Speech and Debate Team is going to compete at the national tournament in Des Moines, IA in June. Come and see their showcase Thursday, April 18th from 7-9 pm. There will be a silent auction as well. This a great opportunity for students and adults to see what it is that the Highland Speech and Debate team actually does at their tournaments and a way for the team to raise money for their upcoming national tournament.  Tickets are free for students and $10 per ticket for all others.

=========================================================================

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2024

Herff Jones will be at Highland handing out caps and gowns on Tuesday, April 9th from 10am-1pm. This is for those who ordered their cap and gown early. Those who ordered later, the caps and gowns will arrive the first week of May. Right now Herff Jones has shut off the ability to order online, but they will turn it back on after Tuesday April 9th. At that time you will be able to order from the website below….

Order your cap and gown from the Herff Jones website at: https://highschool.herffjones.com/secom/school/ID/HIGHLAND%2BHIGH%2BSCHOOL/11000290000/0432/home?gradYear=2024

Important Dates/Information Class of 2024

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1am68biO7NYd22Xk1FxyI81fp1zuy2uw4tHBzVPDJIdA/edit?usp=sharing

=========================================================================

COLLEGE & CAREER ADVISORS

Folks,

This is no joke! The rest of the school year is a hot mess of events, activities, deadlines,

and . . . celebrations! Stay tuned to these words for all the latest.

Higher Ed + Day, ISU Signing Day Were a Hit !

Kudos to the junior class who participated in our Higher Ed + Day last Friday, March 8 th .

There were 15 different sessions to meet the interests of just about every student. Fully

one-half of the junior class attended all three sessions of their choice, and three-

quarters of the class attended at least one session. Looking ahead, thinking, asking,

planning, researching: a recipe for success. Many thanks to the faculty and staff at

Highland who were patient while 300 students circulated through the halls at odd times.

Our senior students who earned grid scholarships upon acceptance to ISU were feted

last Monday, March 25. Recognized for their stellar academic achievement, students

signed their scholarships, got a hearty round of applause, accepted some ISU swag, got

hugged by friends and family, and ate donuts. It was swell. Thanks to ISU – it was a

cast of thousands – for throwing our students such a lovely party.

Student & Community Job Fair, Thursday, April 4 th

This Thursday, April 4th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Century High School the CCAs of SD

25 are holding a Job Fair to help students find summer jobs and to meet potential

employers and local businesses.  Dress for success and bring your resume. 

National Guard Job Fair, Friday, April 19

Senior and junior students who are considering the military may attend the National

Guard Job Fair, Friday, April 19th, from 9 am to 1 pm, at the Armory. Transportation to

and from Highland will be provided as well as lunch. Students need to be in good

standing with their grades and attendance. Fifteen to 20 different careers will be

highlighted. Students may sign up with the CCAs or fill out the form in the Class of 2024

or 2025 Google ASAP!  

Scholarships, Scholarships, Scholarships

Seniors, apply, apply, apply to scholarships, scholarships, scholarships. February,

March, and the first half of April are prime times to be making and submitting

scholarship applications. The CCAs are emphatic in their plea that seniors apply to all

the scholarships that might marginally apply to you. If you have been accepted to a 2- or

4-year college, apply to scholarships on those school websites, and then look farther

afield. Some scholarship research tips:

• Use an incognito window.
• Who do your parents / guardian work for? See if they offer scholarships to the children of employees.
• Do you have a special talent or activity – music, art, hiking, yoga, childcare?
• Google those skills and talents and see if there is scholarship money.

If you have a specific career goal – the health professions, teaching, history –

look up the professional organizations for each and query “college scholarships.”

For example, I just typed in “Occupational Therapy College Scholarships,” and I

found the Wise Scholarship, scholarships aligned to specific colleges, and a link

to AMBUCS (not sure what that stands for, but they have scholarships, so hey,

we’re looking into it).

No doubt the groundhog saw his shadow back in February. Fingers crossed that spring

will show herself to us soon. In the meantime, keep returning to the blog for all the best,

the brightest, the most important news.

Your friendly neighborhood CCAs,

Alice Rowe

Sarah May Clarkson

=========================================================================

ISU CONSTRUCTION COMBINE: 

April 10-11. For students that are 17 and older and are interested in a job or career in construction.

7:30am-4pm both days at the Home Depot Parking Lot in Chubbuck. 

Inspired by the NFL draft, the Construction Combine allows trainees to demonstrate their skills and learn new ones. They meet with local contractors and could possibly get hired for a job. 

• Day 1: Training sessions cover framing, concrete, electrical, plumbing, drywall, flooring, siding, and welding
• Day 2: New skills will be demonstrated by building sheds with area contractors. The sheds will be donated to local disabled veterans.

================================================================================ 

TUTORING

General (All Subjects) Tutoring is available after school by appointment in room B4. 

Please contact Ms. Fleischmann with questions (fleiscpa@sd25.us). 

Math Tutoring is also available Monday-Friday at lunch in Room B70 with Ms. Johnston (johnstma@sd25.us).

Transportation home is not provided from tutoring.

=========================================================================

Highland High School Administration (208)237-1300

-Dr. Brad Wallace-Principal (wallacbr@sd25.us) phone ext.103

-Travis Bell-Assistant Principal/Athletic and Activities Director (belltr@sd25.us) phone ext.105

-Ed.S. Jena Wilcox-Assistant Principal (wilcoxje@sd25.us) phone ext.104

-Dr. Steve Morton-Assistant Principal (mortonst@sd25.us) phone ext.107

Bursar

-Shelley Huelsman (huelsms1@sd25.us) phone ext.106

Registrar

-Elaine Whitehead (whitehel@sd25.us) phone ext.114

-Katie Schwartz (schwarka@sd25.us) phone ext.111

Attendance

-Mindy Murphy (murphymi@sd25.us) phone ext.115

Counseling Center (208)237-1300

-Tami Romriell=students with last name A-D (romrieta@sd25.us) phone ext.131

-Christa Santos-Smith=students with last name E-K (santosch@sd25.us) phone ext.109

-Cali-Ann Hilliard=students with last name L-R (hilliaca@sd25.us) phone ext.110

-Tricia Harvala=students with last name S-Z (harvaltr@sd25.us) phone ext.116

-Sarah May Clarkson=College & Career Advisor (clarksa@sd25.us) phone ext.123

-Alice Rowe=College & Career Advisor (roweal@sd25.us) phone ext.236

School Psychologist

-Amy Holloway (hollowam@sd25.us)