Hello Highlands Community! 

We're excited to bring you the latest news, updates and upcoming events from our PTA. Whether you're a returning parent or new to our school community, this newsletter will help keep you connected and informed. Thank you for your continued support! We're looking forward to a fun and successful school year together!

PTA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Did you know that each year, our goal is 100% participation in the PTA? We are on the way to 100% teacher/staff participation. Can you help us get closer to our goal of 100% for families?

 

We want each teacher and each family to be a member of this wonderful partnership at Highlands. It's a big goal and we'd love to meet it this year. Please click on this link below, or scan the QR Code at the bottom of this newsletter, to join us in supporting our school.

 

* Remember, joining the PTA only means paying your membership dues each year. You are not obligated to anything more! 

 

Join the PTA here!

MAKE THE MONEY TALK
What does your PTA membership do for our school and your kids?

The PTA funds anything and everything that is outside of the scope of the district's financial obligation, but is also deemed necessary or beneficial by our teachers and administration. That includes an annual stipend for each teacher for classroom supplies and enrichment, a sensory pathway for our first-floor hallway, coding robots, reading curriculum enrichment, behavior intervention training for staff and a 3D printer. The PTA also funds efforts to retain teachers because we have a wealth of talent at Highlands, and we want to keep these teachers! For teacher appreciation, the PTA funds a treat trolley for our staff, a holiday luncheon, conference evening meals and teacher appreciation week food and efforts. The PTA also pays to stock our wonderful library with the materials Mrs. Emmott needs to provide a world-class library experience for our kids. We provide additional resources for Nurse Ginnie, including snacks, clothing and hygiene items for kids needing some support that day.

The PTA also pays for enrichment efforts, including funding all field trips for every child each year. We fund yearbooks for each child as well. We sponsor and organize the 6th grade graduation activities. The PTA sponsors student groups that meet on-site, such as Girls on the Run. We organize Walk/Bike to school day, the Ruby Bridges Walk, Cultural Night, the Carnival, Steam Night and the Variety Show, all of which are free events for our families. We organize fundraisers like the Color Run, the Drive-In movie and our largest fundraiser of the year, the Auction. The events that make Highlands such a special place to be.

The PTA also pitches in to help maintain the SMSD Clothing Exchange, a free resource for our community that ensures every family has the clothing they need. And lastly, we pay dues to our national and state PTA so that they can focus on legislative efforts to preserve funds for public schools.

This is not even a complete list of all that the PTA does, but it paints a picture of how important it is that we gather funds and time from our community.

We need your money, and we'd love your time!

Please consider renewing your membership. If you'd like to get more involved, help with events or lead one of your own, complete this form to express your interest and join us! We are a fun bunch!

LOOKING BACK
It's already September and we are gearing up for the busy season. Here are some PTA events that have already come and gone. 

Aug. 7: Sneak a Peek was a success! We saw so many familiar and new faces, all smiles, meeting their new teachers for the year. The power outage didn't dampen our good time!
Aug. 10: Kindergarten Party in the Park was a big success. We met many returning and new families, and enjoyed a sweet treat.
Aug. 19: Dine to Donate @ Culver's, a returning crowd favorite. Thank you for supporting our school while enjoying a night off from cooking! 

LOOKING AHEAD

Fall is our PTA's busy season. We have some fun events coming up, and some opportunities to support our staff while they support our kids. 

Sept. 9: The skate party will start at 6 p.m. at Skate City in Merriam.
Sept. 11: The Color Run is 5:30-7 p.m. at the Highlands playground. Thank you for your support in helping us reach our fundraising goal. Although fundraising has officially closed, we would still love to have you participate! 
Sept. 16: Chipotle Dine to Donate (6920 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS) See flyer for details. PLEASE NOTE THE CORRECTED DATE.
Oct. 8: Walk/Bike to School Day
Oct. 9: Cultural Night @ Crestview Elementary

Oct 15: PTA Reflections Contest Deadline. This year's theme is 'I Belong'
Oct. 16: Teacher Conferences start
Oct. 24: The Carnival will be from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Highlands playground. The event is free to all, and food and drinks will be available for purchase on-site.

 

The PTA is only successful because of amazing parent volunteers. Please join us in thanking our amazing PTA members for their support so far this year. 

First, a huge shout-out to our 2024–2025 PTA Presidents — Julie Gabriele, Katie Leever and Keri Wells — for leading an incredible year and setting us up for success this year. We’re so grateful for your leadership and lasting impact at Highlands!

 

Lauren Smith – Highlands Key Dates Magnets
Thanks for helping us keep our calendars straight with such a handy reminder!

Morgan Georgie – Spirit Wear Design & Ordering
How cute are these designs?! Thank you, Morgan, for bringing the school spirit in style!

Abbie Terp – Dine to Donate Coordinator
Thanks to Abbie for organizing all our Dine to Donate nights — making meal planning easier and supporting the PTA!

Kristen Price & Aaron Waggie – Color Run Planning & Fundraising
Huge thanks to Kristen and Aaron for powering one of our biggest events of the year, from planning to fundraising, we couldn’t do it without you!

 

Christen Feiler - PTA Treasurer
Thank you, Christen, for doing an amazing job of managing our funds. You are so organized and thorough! We appreciate you!

Yuuka Kozai - Reflections Contest
Thank you, Yuuka, for managing this wonderful opportunity for student expression. Can't wait to see the submissions!

Courtney Palmer – Kindergarten Party Planning
Thank you, Courtney, for creating such a fun and welcoming celebration for our newest Highlands Hawks!

Julie Gabriele – Skate Party Coordination
Thanks to Julie for rolling out the fun and planning all the skate parties for the year!

Krissie Spitcaufsky – Room Parent Coordinator
Big thanks to Krissie for organizing and supporting our amazing room parents. Your behind-the-scenes leadership makes every classroom celebration possible!

Nicole McCarney – Yearbook Coordinator
Nicole is already working hard to collect photos and design this year’s yearbook! Want to help? Submit your event photos here.

 

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