Highland Community School District

🌸✨ Let’s take a moment to celebrate our incredible staff! ✨🌸

One of our fellow team members had this to share about a colleague who goes above and beyond every day ❤️👏

School Counselor Peg Schwab — these kind words were shared by a fellow staff member:

"She always understanding and is easy to talk to! She is a great councilor and person in general! Keep up your positivity!!"

We are so lucky to have such a dedicated, caring, and passionate group of people supporting our students and each other!

💬 Want to give a shoutout to someone who makes a difference? We’d love to hear from you!
👇 Click the link below to recognize one of our amazing staff members 👇

https://forms.gle/iHwm3drTDq3DRNE56

#StaffAppreciation #HuskyPride #StrongerTogether 🐾❤️

🌸✨ While we’re all enjoying Spring Break, let’s take a moment to celebrate our incredible staff! ✨🌸

One of our fellow team members had this to share about a colleague who goes above and beyond every day ❤️👏

Secondary Associate Mark Vazquez — these kind words were shared by a fellow staff member:

"Mark is an invaluable asset to our school. He brings with him knowledge and a caring attitude. I am especially thankful for his bilingualism. Thank you, Mark!"

We are so lucky to have such a dedicated, caring, and passionate group of people supporting our students and each other!

💬 Want to give a shoutout to someone who makes a difference? We’d love to hear from you!
👇 Click the link below to recognize one of our amazing staff members 👇

https://forms.gle/iHwm3drTDq3DRNE56

#StaffAppreciation #HuskyPride #StrongerTogether 🐾❤️

🌸✨ It’s a great day to be a Husky and celebrate our incredible staff! ✨🌸

One of our fellow team members had this to share about a colleague who goes above and beyond every day ❤️👏

Social Science teacher Barb Duder — these kind words were shared by a fellow staff member:

"Barb is always finding ways to connect with students and makes sure her content is accessible to all learners. I appreciate you and all that you do for our kids!!"

We are so lucky to have such a dedicated, caring, and passionate group of people supporting our students and each other!

💬 Want to give a shoutout to someone who makes a difference? We’d love to hear from you!
👇 Click the link below to recognize one of our amazing staff members 👇

https://forms.gle/iHwm3drTDq3DRNE56

#StaffAppreciation #HuskyPride #StrongerTogether 🐾❤️

Highland Families,

After consulting with the county transportation this evening, we’ve learned that many of our secondary roads remain impacted. With winds continuing and the potential for another clipper system that could affect tomorrow evening’s commute, we believe the safest decision for our students and staff is to cancel school. As a result, Highland CSD will cancel school on Tuesday, March 17.

We hope this early communication provides families with enough time to plan for the change in schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate the challenges this winter weather has brought.

Take care and have a wonderful Spring Break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on March 23rd.

📅 Information regarding a potential make-up date will be shared soon.

Here’s to warmer days ahead!

Highland Families,

Did someone say Blizzard? While we love the sweet kind, this storm is not the kind we want students and staff traveling in.

Due to the Blizzard Warning and forecasted weather conditions, Highland Community School District will be closed and all activities will be canceled for Monday, March 16th.

The safety of our students, staff, and families is always our top priority.

📅 Information regarding a potential make-up date will be shared soon.

Please stay safe, stay warm, and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.

Spencer Lueders
Superintendent
Highland Community School District

Excitement was in the air in Mr. Fink’s Healthy Living Class this week! ❤️🤍🖤 Our Highland Huskies were busy learning lifesaving skills as they practiced CPR and “Stop the Bleed” techniques with Nurse Cindy. Students gained hands-on experience and confidence in how to respond during an emergency — skills that can truly save lives! We love seeing our Highland Huskies stepping up, learning, and leading with knowledge that can make a difference. 🐾👏 Thank you, Nurse Cindy, for sharing your expertise with our students! #HighlandHuskies #FutureLifesavers #CPRTraining #StopTheBleed ❤️🖤🤍

Highland Community School District is excited to announce a new partnership with the Highland Athletic Booster Club to support the creation of a formal Strength and Conditioning Coordinator position for our district 🤝.

Beginning this summer, this annual position will provide structured strength and conditioning programming for both middle school and high school student-athletes. The program will focus on improving athleticism, increasing speed and explosiveness, building strength, and reducing the risk of injury as athletes prepare for their upcoming seasons.

This opportunity would not be possible without the support of the Highland Athletic Booster Club. Their continued commitment to our students and athletic programs plays a vital role in helping our athletes grow both on and off the field.

Stay tuned for more information soon!

It's a great day to be a Husky! 🐾

📅 The Highland School Board approved the 2026–2027 school calendar on March 9!

Highlights:
🎄 Winter Break: Over two full weeks
👩‍🏫 Professional Development Day: Staff collaboration day after winter break
🌷 Spring Break: March 17–19
✝️ Easter Break: Four-day weekend
☀️ Last Day for Students: May 26 — school wraps up before Memorial Day
📚 First Day of School: August 24

The calendar reflects feedback prioritizing a strong winter break, time for staff preparation, meaningful breaks for wellness and family time, and meeting Iowa instructional hour requirements.

Dear Highland Families,

The Highland Nutrition Department is pleased to introduce our “Fuel Our Classrooms” program. This initiative provides an easy and meaningful way for families and community supporters to help ensure Highland Elementary students have access to healthy, nutritious snacks throughout the school day.

All snacks offered through Fuel Our Classrooms meet the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Smart Snack standards and comply with the Healthy Kids Act. A nutritious afternoon snack helps students stay energized for after-school activities, maintain focus in the classroom, and bridge the gap between lunch and dinner—supporting both learning and healthy growth. These snacks feature whole grains or fruit as the first ingredient (excluding water) and are generally lower in sodium, fat, and sugar than many snacks sold in grocery or warehouse stores.

Those interested in purchasing snacks for a specific classroom may complete the Fuel Our Classrooms Order Form linked below. The Nutrition Department will order the snacks on your behalf and deliver them to the teacher workroom for teacher pickup. Please note that all snack orders must be prepaid prior to delivery. Additional details are available within the Fuel Our Classrooms Google Form.

For those who do not have a specific elementary classroom in mind and would like to support students more broadly, you can specify the building you would like your snacks donated to and we will distribute as needed or you can specify the Husky H.E.L.P. Den to help support students in need of food assistance.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at rcerny@highlandhuskies.org or 319-648-1410.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and school community.

Sincerely,
Rachel Cerny
Food & Nutrition Director
Highland Community School District

Estimadas familias de Highland:

El Departamento de Nutrición de Highland se complace en presentar nuestro programa “Fuel Our Classrooms” (Energía para Nuestras Aulas). Esta iniciativa ofrece una manera fácil y significativa para que las familias y miembros de la comunidad ayuden a asegurar que los estudiantes de Highland Elementary tengan acceso a refrigerios saludables y nutritivos durante el día escolar.

Todos los refrigerios ofrecidos a través de Fuel Our Classrooms cumplen con los estándares Smart Snack de la Alliance for a Healthier Generation y con la Ley de Niños Saludables (Healthy Kids Act). Un refrigerio nutritivo por la tarde ayuda a los estudiantes a mantenerse con energía para las actividades después de la escuela, mantener la concentración en el aula y cubrir el tiempo entre el almuerzo y la cena, apoyando tanto el aprendizaje como el crecimiento saludable. Estos refrigerios incluyen granos integrales o fruta como primer ingrediente (excluyendo el agua) y generalmente contienen menos sodio, grasa y azúcar que muchos refrigerios vendidos en supermercados o tiendas mayoristas.

Quienes estén interesados en comprar refrigerios para un salón de clases específico pueden completar el Formulario de Pedido de Fuel Our Classrooms que se encuentra en el enlace a continuación. El Departamento de Nutrición ordenará los refrigerios en su nombre y los entregará en la sala de trabajo de los maestros para que el maestro los recoja. Tenga en cuenta que todos los pedidos de refrigerios deben pagarse por adelantado antes de la entrega. Información adicional está disponible dentro del Formulario de Google de Fuel Our Classrooms.

Para quienes no tengan en mente un salón de clases específico de la escuela primaria y deseen apoyar a los estudiantes de manera más amplia, pueden indicar el edificio escolar al que desean donar los refrigerios y nosotros los distribuiremos según sea necesario. También pueden indicar Husky H.E.L.P. Den para ayudar a apoyar a estudiantes que necesitan asistencia alimentaria.

Si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en comunicarse conmigo a rcerny@highlandhuskies.org o al 319-648-1410.
Gracias por su continuo apoyo a nuestros estudiantes y a nuestra comunidad escolar.

Atentamente,

Rachel Cerny
Directora de Alimentos y Nutrición
Distrito Escolar Comunitario de Highland