Our Huskies in Mrs. Van Buren’s art class have been busier than a bee in a bonnet this spring! 🐝🌸 From Kindergarten through 5th grade, students have been rolling, shaping, and creating their annual clay masterpieces—and WOW, are they amazing!
We’ve seen everything from adorable ladybugs 🐞 and clucky chickens 🐔 to turtles 🐢, snails 🐌, butterflies 🦋, and even magical gnome homes! Each project shows off our students’ creativity, imagination, and hard work.
Our creative Huskies have done a fantastic job using materials thoughtfully while really exercising their “art brains”! 🧠✨
Did you know? Art is SO important for our kiddos! It helps develop important thinking skills, builds confidence, and strengthens fine motor skills. It even supports learning in subjects like math and reading! Plus, art gives students a safe and fun way to express their feelings and ideas while learning to problem-solve and think creatively.
We are so proud of our young artists and the incredible work they’re creating. Keep shining, Huskies! 🌟🐾
Our Huskies are making headlines across Southeast Iowa! 💪🔥 Check out what’s happening around Highland:
⛳ **Highland Golf Splits with the Falcons**
A strong showing on the course as the Huskies battled the Falcons and came away with a split — great competition and grit! 💥👏
https://www.kciiradio.com/2026/04/13/huskies-split-with-falcons-highland-girls-remain-unbeaten/
⚽ **Future Huskies on the field**
It’s “just a start” for our junior high soccer athletes — building skills, teamwork, and the Husky way from the ground up! 🌱⚽
https://www.thenews-ia.com/stories/just-a-start-huskies-play-a-junior-high-soccer-game,188804?
🏃♂️ **Track Success at Steve Roth Relays (Washington)**
The Huskies turned in strong performances at the Steve Roth Relays, showcasing speed, endurance, and determination against tough competition! 🏁🐾💨
https://www.thenews-ia.com/stories/highland-relays-rush-past-the-pack,187789?
From the field to the track to the course — **Huskies are putting in the work and getting noticed!** ❤️🖤
#HuskiesInTheNews #GoHuskies #HuskyPride #SmallSchoolBigHeart
Our Highland Elementary students recently practiced bus safety and evacuation procedures during AMP with Mr. Jeff. While we hope these skills are never needed, practicing helps our students stay prepared and confident in any situation.
Why is this so important?
✔️ Emergency Preparedness – Students learn how to safely exit the bus in under 3–5 minutes in case of an emergency.
✔️ Knowledge of Exits – They practice using rear doors, side doors, and roof hatches if the main exit is blocked.
✔️ Calm & Orderly Behavior – Drills help students stay calm, follow directions, and move efficiently without panic.
✔️ Looking Out for Others – Students learn how to support classmates and respond if the driver is unable to help.
Students also practiced moving at least 100 feet away from the bus and staying together to remain safe from traffic or other hazards.
We’re proud of our students for taking this seriously and showing great responsibility! 👏
Here’s what’s coming up this week at Highland!
A huge round of applause for our amazing first grade teacher, Miah Nelson 👏🍎 for bringing something extra special to our elementary students!
She’s kicking off a fun and engaging ABC Countdown to the End of the School Year 🔤✨—a creative way to celebrate each day as we head into summer break! ☀️🎈
We are excited to kick off our ABC Countdown to the End of the School Year 🔤🎉, beginning April 15th! 📅 Each school day will feature a fun theme 🎈 that matches a letter of the alphabet as we celebrate the final weeks of learning together 📚✨.
Students are invited to participate in the themed activities each day 🙌. Please be on the lookout 👀 for special dress-up days such as Favorite Hat Day 🎩, Glow Day ✨, Husky Spirit Day 🐾💙, Jersey Day 🏈, PJ Day 💤, USA Day 🇺🇸, and Wacky Sock Day 🧦🤪, as these themes may require students to bring or wear items from home 🏡.
Please see the attached schedule 📄 for the list of themed days.
We hope these days bring extra excitement 🎊 and school spirit 🎉 as we head toward the end of the year, and we look forward to celebrating together 🥳 and finishing the school year strong 💪📚.
Thank you for your continued support ❤️.
#Shoutout #ABCCountdown #EndOfYearFun #ElementaryExcitement 🎉📚✨
Starting with a number between 1–9 and doubling it over and over is a powerful way to *see* exponential growth in action 📈. It may begin slowly, but suddenly—BOOM 💥—it skyrockets faster than you’d expect!
Our brains are wired to think in straight lines ➡️ (1, 2, 3, 4…), but exponential growth curves 📊 (1, 2, 4, 8…) can be tricky to wrap our heads around. That’s why this “Double It” challenge is so valuable—it helps us understand that the biggest leaps often come at the very end of a long, steady climb 💡
Keep growing, keep doubling, and keep being amazed! 🙌🚀
#ExponentialGrowth #MathInAction #FutureThinkers
⛳️🏌️♂️🏌️♀️ Highland Golf Update! 🏌️♀️🏌️♂️⛳️
The Huskies hit the course yesterday at L-M for a great day of competition!
💥 Girls Results:
🔥 Big WIN 197–245
🥇 Emersyn Schultz – 1st Place
🥈 Adisyn Prottsman – 2nd Place
💪 Boys:
Fought hard in a tough battle on the course 💪 but fell short 183–177
🚨 Record Alert! 🚨
The boys set a new 9-hole team record last night with a 183, breaking the previous record of 189 (set in 2022)—what an incredible accomplishment! 🎉
👏 Highlight:
🥈 Isaac Giesmann placed runner-up with an impressive 45!
Awesome effort all around—way to compete and represent, Huskies! 🐾❤️
#HuskyPride #OnTheGreen
Happy Assistant Principal Week, Mr. Zywiec! 🎉
We are so grateful for the leadership, dedication, and heart that Mr. Zywiec, our assistant principal, brings to our school every single day. We ended the week in an extra special way with a memorable senior prank turned unforgettable experience!
Our seniors “snuck” into Assistant Principal Mr. Zywiec’s house for a night of fun, and the best part—he had no idea they were there until 5:00 a.m. this morning! 😂 The morning wrapped up with an amazing breakfast prepared by Mr. and Mrs. Zywiec. 🥞🍳 What a perfect way to build community, create lasting memories, and showcase the positive spirit of our students.
Thank you for everything you do to support, guide, and inspire both students and staff. And cheers to our seniors for making this week one to remember!
#AssistantPrincipalWeek #StudentLife #SeniorMemories #SchoolCommunity
Get ready to dress up, hang out with friends, and dance the night away! 💃🕺✨
📅 Thursday, April 16, 2026
⏰ 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
📍 Highland Middle School Gym
🎟️ $3.00 per person
🎧 Music • 🎉 Fun • 📸 Memories
Don’t miss the most exciting night of the season—let’s make it a night to remember! 🌷💫
#SpringDance #HuskiePride #MiddleSchoolFun 🎉
🏌️♀️🌟 BIG shoutout to this week’s KCII Area Athlete of the Week — Highland girls golf standout Emersyn Schultz! 🌟🏌️♀️
The Senior led the Huskies to an incredible TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆 at the 18-hole Burlington Notre Dame Invitational at Flint Hills Golf Course! ⛳️ The Huskies dominated with a team score of 370 — winning by an impressive 21 strokes! 💪🔥
Emersyn finished as tournament runner-up with an outstanding 78, highlighted by an EAGLE 🦅 to close out her round! Even more impressive — that 78 is the SECOND BEST 18-hole score in the entire state for the first week of the season! 📈👏
🎧 Click the link below to hear Emersyn’s interview!
https://www.kciiradio.com/2026/04/09/kcii-area-athlete-of-the-week-highland-emersyn-schultz/
Congratulations, Emersyn! We’re proud of you! ❤️🖤 #HuskyPride #AthleteOfTheWeek #GoHuskies
🚨 WORK WITH US WEDNESDAY 🚨
Looking for more than just a job? At Highland CSD, you’ll find a small district with a BIG heart ❤️
✔️ 4-day school week
✔️ Supportive, student-centered culture
✔️ Opportunities to grow, lead, and connect
We’re hiring for multiple teaching, coaching, and sponsor positions—including:
🏈 Head Coach
🏋️ Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
📚 Secondary P.E. Teacher
…and more!
📍 Just short drive from Iowa City
👉 Apply today: https://iowa.schoolspring.com/
📢 Help us spread the word—please like, share, and tag someone who would be a great fit!
The Highland Huskies battled hard against Sigourney Keota in a 2-1 match and showed some great soccer throughout the game.
🔥 Goal by Jose Ramirez
🎯 Assist from Corbin Plank
And a big shoutout to Dawson Bell for controlling the midfield and putting in a strong performance!
Keep building, Huskies—we’re heading in the right direction! 🐾
Don’t forget — Friday School is coming up on April 10th! 📚✏️
Let’s finish the week strong! 💪
See you there, Huskies! ❤️🖤 #HuskyNation #FinishStrong #FridaySchool
🌟 Meet Our Summer Adventures Daycare Coordinator! 🌟
We’re excited to introduce Courtney Dietze, current fifth grade teacher, as our Summer Adventures Daycare Coordinator! ☀️
Summer Adventures is a new Highland CSD summer daycare program for elementary-aged students designed to provide a safe, structured, and fun environment.
Q: What inspired you to work with kids and lead our Summer Adventures program?
A: Honestly, a big part of it was seeing the need in our community. Families were looking for something safe, structured, and fun for their kids in the summer—and it just felt like something we should be able to provide. I’ve always loved working with kids, so being able to help turn that need into an actual program has been really exciting. It’s been fun to take an idea and bring it to life in a way that supports both kids and families.
Q: What do you love most about working at Highland?
A: It really comes down to the people. Highland just has that small, supportive feel where everyone looks out for each other and genuinely cares about kids. It makes it easy to collaborate, try new things, and know you have a team behind you.
Q: What’s one thing you’re especially excited to bring to this summer’s program?
A: I’m excited to bring a lot of energy and creativity to the program. I want it to feel like a place kids are excited to come to—not just somewhere they have to be. Fun themes, hands-on activities, and just making sure there’s something for every kid to enjoy is something I’m really looking forward to.
Q: How would you describe your approach to creating a fun and safe environment for kids?
A: For me, it starts with relationships. When kids feel comfortable and know the adults care about them, everything else falls into place. I like to keep expectations clear and consistent, while still making things fun and flexible. Safety is always the priority, but I also want kids to feel relaxed, included, and able to just be kids.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this summer?
A: I’m really looking forward to seeing it all come together. Starting something new always has its challenges, but it’s also really rewarding. I’m excited to see kids making friends, trying new things, and families feeling good about where their kids are each day—that’s what it’s all about.
The response to this new summer programming has been tremendous! Courtney has sent out official registration to families who have previously signed up. If you are interested in joining the waitlist or have further questions regarding the program, simply email her at cdeitze@highlandhuskies.org.
We are also currently looking to staff our program with Daycare Site Supervisors and Daycare Lead Teachers. If you know someone who loves working with kids and is looking for a summer job, please have them reach out directly to Mrs. Dietze!
Your hard work, dedication, and leadership have truly set you apart — and we couldn’t be more excited to see you step into these roles! 💪✨
You’re ready to lead, inspire, and make a difference… and we’re cheering you on every step of the way! 🐺🔥
Let’s go, Leaders of the Pack! 🚀👏
#LeadersOfThePack #ProudMoment #FutureLeaders
Your hard work, talent, and dedication have brought you this far—now go shine and show them what Husky pride is all about! 🎷🔥🥁
We’re cheering you on every note of the way! #HighlandHuskies #StateBound #JazzBand 🎶
Great news for Highland!
Following the state’s official release of graduation and drop out rates, we are proud to share that our 4-year cohort graduation rate has climbed to 100% for the Class of 2025 — continuing a strong upward trend from 90.2% in 2023 and 95.6% in 2024.
This achievement places Highland well above the state average of 88.8%, highlighting the continued success of our students and school community.
Reaching 100% is a milestone worth celebrating!
Here’s what’s coming up this week at Highland!
Get ready for warmer days with fresh Highland gear perfect for spring and summer! ☀️
👕 Something for everyone — toddler, youth, students, parents, and fans
🌴 Season-ready styles — tanks, tees, lightweight apparel & everyday spirit wear
🧢 NEW HATS featuring Liquid 3D Printing for a bold, raised design that stands out!
💥 Plus, every purchase is a great way to support our Athetlic Booster Club!
❤️🤍 Don’t wait — your favorite items won’t last long!
⏰ Store closes Sunday, April 12
👉 Shop now: https://southpawprintco.chipply.com/HighlandSpringStore/
