What an amazing start to a great year we're going to have at HHS! On the first day we'll have a great kickoff to our new school year. This school year will be filled with new and exciting opportunities for our students and staff. New to Highland High this year is the class of 2013, we also welcome some new staff members and some staff members that are not new to Highland, but in new positions at the high school. Even though this is not my first year at Highland, it will be my first year as the Highland Junior and Senior High Principal. Additionally, Mindy Schultz will be the assistant principal for the high school and junior high. New to the staff this year is Chuck Burger. Mr. Burger student taught here in the spring and will be teaching math and science for us this year. Ryan Scott is a new teacher, but is not new to the district. Mr. Scott has coached for Highland in the past. He is coming back to teach PE/Health for us this year. The three periods of PE that he is teaching came available when Mr. Borland accepted the job as Dean of Students.  Mr. Borland will be helping with student management, including supervision and handling of student discipline.  The Highland High Staff is dedicated to preparing your child to be a lifelong learner. To that end, we will need your help.  Last year we had some issues with students not completing homework. Please make sure to take time everyday to discuss with your student what they did at school, and inquire about homework.  If you have access to the internet and would like more information on how to view your student's progress online, please come by the office and we will assist you. The more interest you show in their education the more value they will give to their education.  As a new administrator in this end of the building, I am excited to have a positive impact on your student's education and preparation for the future. For me to have a successful year, though, I will need your help. I am planning to continue the Parent Advisory Group meetings this year that I started last year at the junior high.  We will meet once a month for about an hour to discuss school related issues, such as school improvement plan, positive reinforcement, grade reporting, communication with parents and community, conference concerns, and student expectations. The date and time for each monthly meeting has yet to be determined. This is an opportunity for parents to serve on an advisory group that will have input for decisions made at the high school. If this is something you are interested in, look for a parent survey on parent involvement that has been sent home. If you have any questions or just want to come by and introduce yourself, please come by. I would love to talk to you.