Highland Community School District
It's a great day to be a Husky!
🌟 We’re so excited to see all the wonderful staff shoutouts coming in!
Today’s special recognition goes to Mr. Randy Knottnerus ✨
💬 One of our Husky Students shared:
“Randy is always very personable, and he has been a great help to the Highland NHS. His volunteering to collect recycling has saved time for the chapter, and we are very thankful. Randy is also frequent to offer help with other things like offering tools for the seniors to borrow, another thing that I am thankful for.”
💖 Want to recognize one of our incredible staff members?
Submit your shoutout here: 👉 https://forms.gle/gh2UyFFtDngA45ZU6
🐾 We love celebrating the amazing people who make Highland shine!
📢 Husky Families – Lunch Menu Update!
Please note that there has been a change to this week’s school lunch menu.
Please note that there has been a change to this week’s school lunch menu.
🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Conversations with the Superintendent — Featuring Board Vice President Dan Ruth!
We’re excited to share Episode 5 of Conversations with the Superintendent! In this episode, we cover several important district updates — from how Highland makes winter weather decisions, to highlights from our winter sports programs, to the exploration of summer programming and day-care options for elementary students.
This week’s guest is Dan Ruth, Highland alum, parent, and Vice President of the Highland School Board. Dan offers a thoughtful look at what inspires his service, how he approaches leadership, and the pride he carries as both a board member and parent in our district.
👉 Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/53BWF7MLhgEcU8FWZ1qLB7?si=ZYsn1rLbRAKFltxqGIFSQA
🐾 Go Huskies!
We’re excited to share Episode 5 of Conversations with the Superintendent! In this episode, we cover several important district updates — from how Highland makes winter weather decisions, to highlights from our winter sports programs, to the exploration of summer programming and day-care options for elementary students.
This week’s guest is Dan Ruth, Highland alum, parent, and Vice President of the Highland School Board. Dan offers a thoughtful look at what inspires his service, how he approaches leadership, and the pride he carries as both a board member and parent in our district.
👉 Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/53BWF7MLhgEcU8FWZ1qLB7?si=ZYsn1rLbRAKFltxqGIFSQA
🐾 Go Huskies!
We are grateful for our Building Leadership Teams across Highland. 🙌
This is a new step for our district—bringing our BLTs together—and seeing the honest collaboration, thoughtful conversation, and shared commitment for future initiatives. It’s inspiring to watch our educators come together with openness, care, and a genuine desire to support one another and strengthen the experience for our students and staff.
It's a great day to be a Husky!
This is a new step for our district—bringing our BLTs together—and seeing the honest collaboration, thoughtful conversation, and shared commitment for future initiatives. It’s inspiring to watch our educators come together with openness, care, and a genuine desire to support one another and strengthen the experience for our students and staff.
It's a great day to be a Husky!
🎄✨ Festive Welcome
Our High School Student Council has been busy decorating for the upcoming holiday season… and wow, did they deliver! We think they did an awesome job and absolutely love the theme! ❤️❄️
🎟️🚂 Welcome to the Polar Express!
Step aboard for magic, wonder, and a journey filled with holiday cheer. Hold tight to your golden ticket—your adventure begins now! ✨❄️
Our High School Student Council has been busy decorating for the upcoming holiday season… and wow, did they deliver! We think they did an awesome job and absolutely love the theme! ❤️❄️
🎟️🚂 Welcome to the Polar Express!
Step aboard for magic, wonder, and a journey filled with holiday cheer. Hold tight to your golden ticket—your adventure begins now! ✨❄️
🐾❤️ Hey Husky Nation! Come Support Your Finger Tightans! 🤖🏆
The Highland Finger Tightans (Team #4177) are hosting Machu Picchu League Meet #6 right here at Highland High School — and we want YOU in the stands!
The Highland Finger Tightans (Team #4177) are hosting Machu Picchu League Meet #6 right here at Highland High School — and we want YOU in the stands!
🎄✨ Candy Grams Are Back! ✨🎄
Middle School Student Council is spreading holiday cheer once again with our annual Candy Gram Sale! Any secondary student can purchase a candy gram.
Middle School Student Council is spreading holiday cheer once again with our annual Candy Gram Sale! Any secondary student can purchase a candy gram.
Husky News
Season 8, Episode 6
A Must Watch!!!
https://youtu.be/iaz-BWi8zsc
🎄✨ Happy National Day of Giving! ✨🎄
The holiday spirit is shining bright at Highland today!
Our amazing FFA students are launching two special projects to support Highland students and families this holiday season:
🌟 Wish Tree – Choose an ornament and help make a Highland student’s Christmas a little brighter!
🎁 Holiday Food Drive – Gathering non-perishable items to help fill our Highland HELP Den for students in need.
If you’d like to support the HELP Den directly, you can also donate through our Amazon Wishlist:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1YJRO8M1X1BS8?ref_=wl_share
Every donation stays right here in our Highland community.
For more details, please see the flyers below. ❤️🎅✨
The holiday spirit is shining bright at Highland today!
Our amazing FFA students are launching two special projects to support Highland students and families this holiday season:
🌟 Wish Tree – Choose an ornament and help make a Highland student’s Christmas a little brighter!
🎁 Holiday Food Drive – Gathering non-perishable items to help fill our Highland HELP Den for students in need.
If you’d like to support the HELP Den directly, you can also donate through our Amazon Wishlist:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1YJRO8M1X1BS8?ref_=wl_share
Every donation stays right here in our Highland community.
For more details, please see the flyers below. ❤️🎅✨
MS/HS - 2 Hour Delay Bell Schedule
Highland Families,
Due to weather conditions and to allow extra travel time for our staff and students, Highland CSD will be operating on a 2-hour delay today, Tuesday, December 2nd.
Due to weather conditions and to allow extra travel time for our staff and students, Highland CSD will be operating on a 2-hour delay today, Tuesday, December 2nd.
Due to weather conditions 🌨️, tonight’s JH Boys Wrestling meet at Pekin 🤼♂️ has been cancelled.
The JH Girls Basketball game 🏀 at home is also cancelled, and there will be no practice for the junior high girls.
High School practices will proceed. 💪.
The JH Girls Basketball game 🏀 at home is also cancelled, and there will be no practice for the junior high girls.
High School practices will proceed. 💪.
❄️ With the snow we received over the weekend, this is a good time to revisit our winter weather procedures. As we move into December, we want to be sure everyone is prepared for the possibility of late starts, early dismissals, or school cancellations. Our top priority is the safety of our students and staff, and we will continue to communicate any weather-related decisions as clearly and promptly as possible.
☃️ As we prepare for the winter season, here are some helpful resources for families:
• Dressing for Cold Weather: https://www.weather.gov/.../Winter-Dress-Infographic.jpg
Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to a safe and smooth winter season ahead!
🌟 We’re so excited to see all the wonderful staff shoutouts coming in!
Today’s special recognition goes to Ms. Julie Colbert!
💬 One of our staff members shared:
“Julie is the human version of sunshine and is willing to do truly whatever anyone needs her to do. She is so dedicated to not only our students by helping in her role of associate and running the before and after school program (among other things she does here!!), but she is the warmest hug, the happiest face to see, and the most kind person you'll ever meet. She is so helpful for a multitude of reasons and she truly is one of Highland's greatest assets!! We are so lucky to have someone who is so dedicated, kind, and selfless to be a part of our Highland family. Thank you for all you do, Julie!”
💖 Want to recognize one of our incredible staff members?
Submit your shoutout here: 👉 https://forms.gle/gh2UyFFtDngA45ZU6
#StaffAppreciation #ThankYou #HighlandPride
🌟 We’re loving all the amazing staff shoutouts that have been coming in!
Today’s special recognition goes to Ms. Maria Marin!
💬 One of our staff members shared:
“A big shoutout to Ms. Maria for going above and beyond at Highland! She generously uses her bilingual skills to support our Spanish-speaking families, often before and after the work day. Recently, on several occasions, she helped me communicate important information home to parents—I would have had a difficult time communicating this important information without her. Ms. Maria shows love and compassion in all she does. Thank you for all you do Maria but especially for being my go-to translator!!”
💖 Want to recognize one of our incredible staff members?
Submit your shoutout here: 👉 https://forms.gle/gh2UyFFtDngA45ZU6
#StaffAppreciation #ThankYou #HighlandPride
Yesterday, Mrs. Keen invited Superintendent Mr. Lueders into her third grade classroom as students kicked off their informative writing unit. Prior to his visit, students completed their first-draft, step-by-step directions on how to make the “perfect” peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
During the activity, Mr. Lueders had to follow their instructions exactly as written—a fun and memorable way to show why clear, detailed writing is so important when informing others!
We love seeing our students engaged, thinking critically, and growing as writers. Great work, 3rd graders! 🍎✏️
During the activity, Mr. Lueders had to follow their instructions exactly as written—a fun and memorable way to show why clear, detailed writing is so important when informing others!
We love seeing our students engaged, thinking critically, and growing as writers. Great work, 3rd graders! 🍎✏️
At last night’s Highland CSD Board of Education meeting, we welcomed two new board members — Cody Thompson and Jarrod Longbine. ❤️🖤🤍
New members Cody Thompson and Jarrod Longbine, along with reelected board members Nate Robinson and Aaron Friederich, were all sworn in by Board Secretary Autumn Moyer, committing themselves to serving and supporting our students, staff, and community.
Thank you to all of our board members, both new and returning, for your dedication to Highland! 🐾✨
New members Cody Thompson and Jarrod Longbine, along with reelected board members Nate Robinson and Aaron Friederich, were all sworn in by Board Secretary Autumn Moyer, committing themselves to serving and supporting our students, staff, and community.
Thank you to all of our board members, both new and returning, for your dedication to Highland! 🐾✨
Last night at our Highland CSD Board of Education meeting, we said farewell to two dedicated board members as they concluded their service. ❤️🖤🤍
Rachel Longbine devoted an incredible 12 years to the Highland community. Dennis Wendt, who contributed one year of thoughtful service, was unable to attend, but we extend our appreciation to him as well.
We are deeply thankful for their leadership, time, and unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and families. Their contributions have helped shape the direction of our district, and their impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
Please join us in thanking Rachel and Dennis for their service and wishing them all the best in their next chapters! 🙌✨
Rachel Longbine devoted an incredible 12 years to the Highland community. Dennis Wendt, who contributed one year of thoughtful service, was unable to attend, but we extend our appreciation to him as well.
We are deeply thankful for their leadership, time, and unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and families. Their contributions have helped shape the direction of our district, and their impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
Please join us in thanking Rachel and Dennis for their service and wishing them all the best in their next chapters! 🙌✨
✨ Free & Reduced Meal Program Information
🍂 NHS Fall Cleanup Success! 🍁
A huge shout out to our Highland NHS students for their hard work during Saturday’s Fall Cleanup service activity! Our students showed up, worked together, and made a real difference in our community. 💪🐾
We also want to extend a special thanks to Strabala Grounds Management for lending us rakes and leaf blowers, and to Quinton Smith of Premier Outdoor Services for showing up to help. Your support means so much to our students and our school!
❤️🤍🖤 Husky Pride in Action!
A huge shout out to our Highland NHS students for their hard work during Saturday’s Fall Cleanup service activity! Our students showed up, worked together, and made a real difference in our community. 💪🐾
We also want to extend a special thanks to Strabala Grounds Management for lending us rakes and leaf blowers, and to Quinton Smith of Premier Outdoor Services for showing up to help. Your support means so much to our students and our school!
❤️🤍🖤 Husky Pride in Action!
