With so much happening in the Highland Central School District, the principals of Highland Elementary, Middle, and High School decided five a mid-year review presentation to the Board of Education. The presentation highlighted the vast array of activities and initiatives happening in the Highland Schools.
Joel Freer, Principal of Highland Elementary, gave an overview of how the integration of technology into the daily lives of his students have helped increase their comprehension. Students are benefiting from the addition of a full time STEM teacher, whom students meet with every six days to work on projects and to practice typing. Even the physical education department is reaping the benefits of technology, with students using pedometers to track their steps and promote healthy activity. Online submission of writing assignments allow students to get feedback from the teachers quicker, while online math programs assist students in math comprehension.

Real life experiences through field trips and assemblies expose students to new ideas and experiences. Field trips to local historical sites, such as the FDR home and Locust Grove, show students the beautiful sites right in their backyard. Participation in music competitions, trips to local nursing homes and radio performances allow students to interact with people they may not meet otherwise. The school also brings in visitors to the school, including a local karate demonstration, educational programs, and special guests.

At Highland Middle School, Principal Dan Wetzel explained some of the initiatives being explored by the middle school students. The integration of cultural ideas and how they affect social justice became the topic of student presentations. The blending of different disciplines gives students a continued learning experience. For example, in technology class, students are using math, computer coding, science, and construction skills to time a car going down a ramp. The students constructed the ramp ramp, used scratch coding to make a program to time how fast the car went down the ramp,, and worked on ways to make the car faster and more efficient. At the end of the lesson, students mapped their results on Microsoft Excel. Another focus at Highland Middle School is addressing the stressful time students have during the middle school years. Principal Wetzel, along with the faculty and staff, will be working on programs to help students deal with stress in their daily lives in the hope of fostering emotional wellness.

Field trips for each grade at Highland Middle School provide unique learning opportunities. Geology and environmental lessons at Minnewaska State Park, science based lessons focused on local streams, and exposure to higher education through local concerts and performances all give students a feel for how their education is used in the outside world. The middle school also provides in school assemblies to address common tween problems like bullying..

Finally, Principal William Zimmer explained the Highland High schools’ focus on making new students from outside the district feel welcomed. Since July, Highland High School welcomed 38 new students. A large number of these students starting 9th grade. A field trip was organized to the Gravity Vault, where these new students learned about Highland, it’s schools and its culture. Zimmer, with the help of faculty and staff, is currently looking into starting a program for incoming freshman from both in and out of district. The program would pair each 9th grader with an upper-classman “buddy”. The program, called the Link Crew, trains upperclassmen to help freshmans integrate into the high school community. Zimmer hopes that these types of programs will help keep students engaged in the school community and their studies through their entire four years.

Unlike elementary and middle school students, high school students attend field trips based on courses and personal availability. So far, Highland High School has organized 17 field trips, including career conferences, an visit to Ulster BOCES, a trip to Quebec, Canada for students taking French. Highland High School continues to provide a wide array of programs and activities that both challenge and enlighten their students.

Student(s) of the Month for February 2020
Lila Monasterio was chosen as Highland Elementary School’s Student of the Month. Lila, a second grade student, is fairly new to the Highland School district, moving to Highland from Brooklyn, NY. Her teacher cites Lila’s love of school, her helpful nature, her ability to make connections during lessons, as well as her use of this knowledge to shape her world. Lila, after studying a unit on motion in her class, took that information home, going on to build a full scale catapulte in her backyard. The catapulte was then used to throw snow for her dog Pumpkin to chase. Board members were able to view the video of her catapulte in action during the meeting. Congratulations Lila.

At Highland Middle School, Aria Spiak was named Student of the Month for February. According to her teachers, Aria is a bright, open minded and eager student. She is known for her friendliness and her positive attitude. Her ability to help her peers with patience is also notable. Congratulations Aria.

Finally, Principal Zimmer named Brooke Harris as the Highland High School Student of the Month. Brooke is a member of the soccer team, and is described as a model student. Her teachers state that Brooke is hard working in the classroom, as well as on the field. Brooke is a mentor to younger students and is always confident and willing to help others. Congratulations Brooke.

The next meeting of the Highland Central School District Board of Education will be held on March 3rd starting at 7 p.m. at the Highland High School.