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HIGHLAND SCHOOL PARENTS ASSOCIATION

WELCOME PACKET 2016-17

Important Information and Forms

Mission: The Parents’ Association of Highland School was established to build and maintain a partnership between parents and the school by working closely with administration to positively affect all aspects of the Highland Community. The Parents’ Association actively supports the School’s mission and philosophy for the ultimate benefit of all Highland students. The Association encourages and coordinates volunteerism, and fosters a spirit of inclusion, partnership, and cooperation among the entire school community. Thus, a primary focus of the Association is developing a positive and welcoming climate for all parents.

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Table of Contents

Welcome ................................................................................................. 3

2016-17 Parent Association Board Members and Grade Reps . 4

2016-17 Parent Association Committee Chairs……………………….5

Lunch Program…………………………………………………………………………6

Volunteer Coffee .................................................................................... 7

Volunteer Events/Activities Descriptions ............................................. 8

Volunteer Sign-up Sheet ........................................................................ 9

Hawk’s Nest Highlights ..................................................................... 10

Permission to Charge Form .................................................................. 11

Gift Card Program ............................................................................... 12

Order Form ............................................................................................ 13

Amazon Smile………………………………………………………………………….14

Box Tops and Labels & Bonus Program ........................................ 15

Bonus Program Form ............................................................................ 16

Uniform Exchange Program ............................................................ 17

Upper School Textbook Swap .......................................................... 17

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Welcome! As the new Parents Association president, I would like to welcome you to the 2016-2017 school year! The purpose of the Parents Association is to promote and foster the well-being and continued advancement of Highland through parent involvement and education. The Parent Association Board meets monthly and also includes several General Membership meetings. The Board is comprised of an Executive Committee (president, vice president, secretary and treasurer), as well as a Parent Representative for each grade and a School Representative. We are here to connect you with the Highland community and we have a lot of fun along the way! We invite you to get involved! Historically, Highland parents have been involved in the life of the school, exhibiting a deep commitment to Highland’s strong sense of education and community. Volunteering through the Parents Association is a wonderful way to get to know the school and make the most of what Highland has to offer. In addition to outstanding academics, Highland provides an enriching community for its students and families. A few of the events and activities that we sponsor are:

• Community-building events, such as the back-to-school picnic, parent socials, exam bagels, the Mother/Son Picnic, the Father/Daughter Dance and the Faculty Appreciation Lunch

• Education events, such as parent education programs and speakers • Service-oriented events, such as the Head Start Book Drive • Fundraising efforts, such as the lunch program, the Hawk’s Nest, the gift card program

and Amazon Smile The Parents Association makes a difference! Each year, the hard work of all of our parent volunteers allows the Parents Association to contribute financially to the school. Last year, the Parents Association was able to donate $45,000 dollars to Highland’s “Wish List.” Wish List items can include faculty development in the form of workshops and fellowships, teacher salaries for the Enkijape School in Kenya, funding for programs such as International Week, Earth Week, our New Parent program, and US Leadership conferences. Additional Wish List items have included funding for a Jazz musician in residence for the US Jazz Ensemble, Garmin Navigation for the buses, iPads/SmartBoards/laptops for classroom use, science lab equipment and library materials. Please let us hear from you! With its vast array of activities, the Parents Association has a volunteer need that can fit every skill set and schedule. Whether you have a lot of time to give or only a little, we can use your help. Your involvement makes a positive difference for our children, the faculty and staff, and the Highland community as a whole. In addition, volunteering leads to lasting friendships with other parents and an enriching Highland experience. Feel free to contact me! I am happy to hear your questions, suggestions or comments. I look forward to seeing you on campus soon! Kathy Thornhill Highland School Parents Association President, 2016-17 KThornhillPA16@gmail.com

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Highland School Parent Association Class Representatives 2016-2017

Executive Board

President Kathy Thornhill

Vice President Ann Martin

Secretary Michelle Blackburn

Treasurer Bill Treuting

Grade Level Representatives

P2 Kristen Price 5 Karen Zarabi

P3 open position 6 Tracy Christman

PK4 open position 7 Jennifer Hebert

K Christie Wachtmeister 8 Gina Thornburg

1 Crystal Taylor 9 Haifleigh Pritchard

2 Nahid Keck 10 Belinda Justice

3 Jamey Cook 11 Elizabeth Smedley

4 Sarah Lubbe 12 Joy Willey

School Representative Donna Tomlinson

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Highland School Parent Association Committee Chair Positions 2016-2017

School Lunch Program Laura Tremblay

Monday Lunch US: Libby Robinson MS/LS: Rob Rose

Tuesday Lunch Martha Van Ness

Wednesday Lunch Leslie Church (1st Semester) (Open Position 2nd Semester)

Thursday Lunch Melissa Pennell

Friday Lunch US: Sue Massimiano MS/LS: Jeb/Emily Hannum

Lunch Ordering Support Amy Babcox (staff)

Gift Cards Stacie Gillam

Bonus Program, Box Tops Kelly Karminski

Original Art Anastasia Roberson

Hawk’s Nest Michelle Place

School Supplies Michelle Place

Picture Day Stephanie Batistas

Head Start Books Amudha Mahendiran

Exam Bagels Cindy Ellis

Mother/Son Event Susan McGrath

Father/Daughter Dance Jaimie Oare

Faculty Appreciation Lunch Sarah Lubbe

Garden Club Amudha Mahendiran

Uniform Exchange Amanda Stephens

US Textbook Swap Kathy Thornhill

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PARENTS ASSOCIATION LUNCH PROGRAM

The Parents Association volunteers again will offer a lunch program 5 days per week for students this year. This is a volunteer program, run entirely by Highland parent volunteers, and is a great service to students and parents alike.

Volunteers for the lunch program are always welcome! Helping out with lunches offers parents a unique perspective on their child’s social experience and is a great way to get to know lots of other Highland students.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of the lunch days or would like to be on our back-up list, please contact Laura Tremblay at: LDTremblay71@gmail.com

Please note:

• US clubs serve lunch to the US students on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays • The first day of 1st semester lunches will be Monday, Sept 19th • The last day of 1st semester lunches will be Friday, Jan 13th • Due to exams and the Winter Holiday, the last day of lunches in December will be Friday, Dec 9th;

lunches will resume when classes resume on Tuesday, Jan 3rd Order forms for the lunches can be found online from the Highland website (if you have trouble finding them, search “Lunch Forms”).

LUNCH ORDERS ARE DUE BY THE END OF THE DAY ON FRIDAY, 9/9. Please do not wait until the last minute!

WEEKDAY DIVISION VENDOR Monday LS, MS, US Chick-fil-A Tuesday LS & MS Ledo’s

Wednesday LS & MS Deli-icious Thursday LS & MS Tropical Smoothie

Friday LS, MS, US Panera

**Please note that the lunches above are sponsored by the Parent Association. Other options for US lunches for days not listed above may include other vendors that are sponsored by Key Club, Class Officers & Robotics. Check the school website or US Office for more details and ordering information.

If you would like to help, please contact the Parents Association School Lunch Chairperson, Laura Tremblay, at LDTREMBLAY71@gmail.com.

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VOLUNTEER COFFEE

The Volunteer Coffee is a chance to hear about the many volunteer opportunities at Highland for the coming year

We have a volunteer option for every interest and level of time commitment

Come join us and GET INVOLVED!

• Monday, September 12, 2016 • 8am-9am (just prior to Convocation) • Located in the US Gym • Learn more about:

o Lunch volunteering o Hawk’s Nest o Auction o Parent Buddy Readers o International Student Hosting o …..and much more

We look forward to seeing you there!

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School Lunch Program Deliver lunches to PK - 4 classrooms and serve lunches to middle and upper school students. Approximately 11:30 am to 1pm Monday through Friday

Hawk’s Nest Work in the school store located the Middle School. Cashiers needed Monday - Thursday, 7:45 - 8:15 am & Wednesday, 2:45 - 3:45 pm

Parent Buddy Readers Help K-2 students become lifelong readers. Approximately 30-45 minutes per week. Robotics Robotics helps students in grades 1 – 12 discover and develop a passion for science, technology,

engineering, and math. Looking for “Build” and business team mentors, as well as volunteers to help with fundraising

Blue/Gold Club (formerly Athletic Boosters)

Help raise funds and volunteer during upper school sports events. Meetings are held once a month in the Rice Center Lobby

Admissions Help with light office duties, including projects that may be completed at home. Assist at Open Houses and other Admission Events

International Student Hosting Families are needed to host international students for the school year. International students expand the culture of the student body at Highland and also greatly enrich the homes of those families, with whom they stay

Annual Fund Volunteer to be a class captain on the Annual Fund Cabinet or help with administrative tasks. The annual fund is the cornerstone of giving for Highland School

Auction Volunteer to help with the school’s biggest fundraiser of the year. There are big and small ways to help on the various committees: acquisitions, raffle, decorations, database, special projects, back room, class gifts and promotions. This year’s event date is Saturday, April 8, 2017

Bonus Card and Box Tops Count labels, bundle and mail packages to participating programs. ~2-3 hours per month Original Art With the help of the art department, students in grades PK-8 submit artwork to be turned into

gift items. Volunteers needed during the first and last weeks of Oct and early Dec to help process orders and distribute the finished products. Commitment is ~1 hour

Picture Day Notify classes of picture times and help with student order forms. Tuesday, Sept 20, 8 am -12 pm Friends of the Center for the Arts

Volunteer opportunities include ushering evening events and concessions. Generally two productions per year: Fall – November 10-13, 2016 and Spring - March 3-5 and 10-11, 2017

Library Advocates Various volunteer opportunities that support the library include shelving books and helping with library fundraisers, such as the Fall and Spring Book Fairs

Head Start Gift Exchange Highland students donate books each year to children in this important Fauquier County early childhood education program. The books are presented when the children visit Highland and watch a rehearsal of the Lower School Holiday Program in December. Help collect & wrap the books to give each child

Exam Bagels Help serve bagels and juice to Middle and Upper School students. Approximately 1-2 hours per morning during exam week. Winter: December 12-16, 2016 & Spring: May 22-26, 2017

International Week Help with International Week activities and festivities. January 23-27, 2017 Office Help Help with mailings, phone calls & data entry Homecoming All School Picnic Volunteer as needed to set up, work the buffet table, and clean up. Saturday, October 15, 2016 Mother /Son Event Help coordinate the Picnic Dinner & Games at Marriot Ranch. Friday, November 4 from 5-9pm Holiday Bazaar (Highland for the Holidays)

Help organize this holiday event. May also participate as a merchant. November 19-20, 2016

Father Daughter Dance Help coordinate this fun-filled evening for fathers and their daughters. Saturday, April 1, 2017 Grandparents Day Greet grandparents, special friends & other family members for this annual spring event. Friday,

April 20, 2017 Faculty Appreciation Luncheon Help celebrate our wonderful faculty & staff. Help is needed with cooking, serving, clean up.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017 11:45am Golf Tournament Help plan this annual Fall event or be one of the volunteers on the day of the tournament. The

tournament will be held Friday, October 21, 2016 Gift Cards Help as needed with orders and fulfillment of the fundraiser gift cards Garden Club Help with monthly weeding, planting and maintenance of the Lower School garden and grounds.

Help also will be needed with an annual Plant Sale. US Textbook Swap Help collect and sort donated textbooks in May/June 2017 and help distribute in August 2017 Other Suggest an area with which you would like to help!

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Highland School 2016-2017 Volunteer Sign-up

Thank you for contributing your time to continue our tradition of fantastic volunteer efforts at Highland School! Please select the areas in which you are interested in volunteering. As each event gets closer, you may be contacted regarding your volunteer interests and where help is needed for all events. If you have any questions, please speak to any of the Parents Association Board Members of Highland School.

OUR SCHOOL NEEDS YOU! Parent/Family Volunteer Information (please fill out one per volunteer)

First Name Last Name

Address

Phone - Home Phone – Cell

Best Time to Call? Email

Student Information

Student’s Name Grade Teacher

Student’s Name Grade Teacher

Student’s Name Grade Teacher

Student’s Name Grade Teacher

Student’s Name Grade Teacher

Availability Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun How often would you be available? Morning Weekly

Afternoon Monthly Evening Special Projects

Preference (if any) Lower School Middle School Upper School

Interests – Please indicate all areas in which you are interested in volunteering School Lunch Bonus/Box Top Programs Homecoming Hawk’s Nest Original Art Mother/Son Event Parent Buddy Readers Picture Day Holiday Bazaar Robotics Friends/Center for the Arts Father/Daughter Dance Athletic Boosters Library Advocates Grandparents Day Admissions Head Start Books Faculty Appreciation Lunch Annual Fund Exam Bagels Golf Tournament Auction International Week Gift Cards Parent Coffees Office Help International Student Hosting Other Textbook Swap

Would you be willing to Chair an Event?

Yes No

Special Skills, Ideas or Qualifications?

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Hawk's Nest Overview

The Hawk's Nest is Highland's campus store operated by the Parents Association, in support of the school. We carry a variety of school supplies, fun novelty and school spirit items, along with gym clothes, athletic gear, and a limited supply of Highland School Lands' End apparel (*see note below). We have TWO locations!

• Middle School – across from the MS front office • Upper School – next to the US gym

MS Hours of Operation for 2016-2017: Mon: 7:45 - 8:15 am

Tues: 7:45 - 8:15 am

Wed: 7:45 - 8:15 am & 2:45 - 3:45 pm

Thurs: 7:45 - 8:15 am

US Hours of Operation for 2016-16: Dependent on student volunteer availability

We will be open during orientations (US, Aug. 31; MS, Sept 1; LS, Sept 2) During the year, students may come in to purchase items on their own. Items may be purchased with cash or check, while items totaling $5 and above can be charged to your school account with written permission. We have provided a “Permission to Charge” form that can be filled out and used by the student on a one time basis or as an option for the entire school year (forms giving permission for the entire year will be kept on file). The Hawk's Nest cannot run without a pool of volunteers! Please consider helping out this year. It's a great place to interact with students, faculty, and staff and to meet other parents. Remember, even once a month can make a big difference, with a minimal time commitment. We also need help on special occasion days that include Orientations, Back to School Nights, Grandparents Day. If you are interested in helping out, please fill out the Volunteer Form (check all that apply) or contact Michelle Place, (703)346-8895 or dkedout@aol.com. Please note: This year, we will only be carrying a limited supply of the Lands' End dress code approved clothing. We encourage you to order them online directly from the school uniform section of their website, which you can also enter from the Highland School website. When ordering, please use the Highland code #9000-3332-5. By doing so, Highland receives a percentage of all uniform sales.

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HAWK'S NEST - Permission to Charge

(Please return to Hawk’s Nest)

The following student(s) has/have my permission to make charges (minimum of $5) to my Highland account:

Name/Grade of Student(s):

______________________________________________Grade___________

______________________________________________Grade___________

______________________________________________Grade___________

______________________________________________Grade___________

______________________________________________Grade___________

Please check one:

______ Permission is granted on a one time basis.

Date: _____________ (must be used within one week of date)

______ Permission is granted for the entire 2016-2017 school year.

Parent/Guardian Name: ___________________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________________

Date: ___________________________________________

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GIFT CARDS PURCHASED THROUGH HIGHLAND PROVIDE FREE MONEY FOR OUR SCHOOL

ABSOLUTELY NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU!

Dear Highland Parent: Please consider purchasing gift cards through Highland. This simply works by Highland purchasing gift cards at a discount and selling them at full face value to you. They’re the same gift cards that you buy at the store and can be used just like any other gift card (online or in the store). You get the FULL VALUE of what you pay and Highland gets a profit! PROFITS CAN BE AS HIGH AS 16%! With Highland’s historical average at 8% - JUST THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES! Yes, it sounds too good to be true – but it’s not! It’s simply that easy. Gift card sales to Highland families provided over $4500 dollars in profit for Highland for the 2015-16 school year. Many retailers participate in the gift card (“scrip”) program including Lands’ End, The Gap, Shell, Giant Grocery, Outback Steakhouse, Starbucks, Panera Bread, and many, many others. The beauty of scrip is that you put your regular shopping dollars to work. You earn money for our school without spending a single additional penny.

The Highland scrip program promises to be a simple and effective year-round fundraising program. Four ways to order:

1. Fill out the order form and send it to the office along with your check payable to Highland School. 2. Or order online at www.ShopWithScrip.com (Enrollment Code: LBF5E76335391); then send in your check to the

school. 3. Email your order to giftcards@highlandschool.org; then send in your check to the school. 4. Order online with Presto Pay (bank account transfer set-up required).

All orders received by Monday are delivered to the school Friday the same week! Sincerely, Stacie Gillam Highland Parents Association (703) 743-9260 giftcards@highlandschool.org

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Please support Highland by shopping at smile.amazon.com!

• To shop at AmazonSmile, simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device

• On your first visit to AmazonSmile, before you begin shopping, you will need to select Highland as your charitable organization of choice by going to the tab, “Your Account” and selecting “Change Your Charity” Highland is listed under “Highland School Inc.”

• Amazon then automatically donates 0.5% of the price of all eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Highland

• “AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.” You simply start your shopping experience at smile.amazon.com, rather than starting at amazon.com

For more information, please visit the AmazonSmile FAQ sheet: Amazon Smile

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Box Tops 4 Education and Grocery Store Programs

Highland will be collecting Box Tops again this year! Please start cutting now to participate super-easy fundraising opportunity for Highland! Each Box Top collected earns Highland 10₵. Since Box Tops are on so many popular products, they add up quickly. Just cut out the Box Top along the dotted lines and send them in with your child to give to their teacher.

Get those competitive juices flowing! Several times a year, the class who has collected the most Box Tops will receive a dress down day and special treat. Collection dates for the 2016-17 school year are Friday, October 14th; Thursday, December 15th; Thursday, February 23rd and Friday, May 19th.

Some of the most popular products with BoxTops are:

Pillsbury, Cheerios, Kleenex, General Mills Cereals, Hamburger Helper, Juicy Juice, Betty Crocker, Hefty, Ziploc, Yoplait, Green Giant, Old el Paso Tacos, Progresso Soups, Land O Lakes, Chex Mix, Fiber One, Nature Valley, Brita, Avery, Boise Paper.

*A full list of products with Box Tops can be found on their website www.boxtops4education.com.

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PARENTS ASSOCIATION

BONUS PROGRAM

STUDENT NAME ______________________________ GRADE __________________________

PARENT NAME _______________________________ PHONE__________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________

Highland earns bonus points each time you use your Bonus Card(s) from Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter and Target. The stores require Highland to re-enroll their Bonus Card numbers each year so please complete this form and return to the office in September. You only need to complete one form per family. Help Highland earn extra money, so the Parents Association can use it towards something wonderful for the school. Be sure to show your card each time you shop!

GIANT Must have 12 digits

Bonus Card No. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ No Phone

Bonus Card No. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Numbers Please!

HARRIS TEETER Must have first 11 digits

Bonus Card No. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Bonus Card No. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

TARGET

Please register your Target Red Card by one of the following methods:

Online at target.com/tcoe; calling 1-800-778-7008; or a kiosk at any Target store

The Highland School ID is 16721

If you have any questions contact Kelly Karminski at kelly.karminski@comcast.net

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Uniform Exchange Program Donate gently worn kids clothes – take items you need for $1 donation!

The Uniform Exchange closets will be open for gently used Highland Dress Code apparel purchase and donation. This program is so useful we are now in two locations:

• Lower School – lower level by the art room stairway • Middle School – lower level across from elevator; behind teacher’s restroom

Drop off bins are clearly marked. Each item is $1.00 and your purchase is based on the Honor Code.

Need more help? Ask Chairperson, Amanda Stephens (ajstephens5@gmail.com), your PA Grade Level Rep or Divisional Secretary for further assistance.

Upper School Textbook Swap

This emerging program was started by a resourceful and willing Mom for the benefit of all US families. As the school year winds down in the Spring students drop off (after discussing with their parents!) textbooks they are no longer using. Over the summer the books are sorted. Around the second week of August textbook donors get first “dibs” on selecting books for the upcoming school year. The swap then opens to all students.

As a growing program your feedback is appreciated. Contact Kathy Thornhill (kthornhillpa16@gmail.com).