February 23, 2009

Take

Note

Calendar Highlights

Mon. Feb. 23 5th and 6th Grade National French Contest Tues. 24 Preschool to Children’s Theatre Wed. 25 3rd and 4th Grade National French Contest Middle School Exams (See Schedule on Page 2) Thurs. 26 Creativity Convention Middle School Exams (See Schedule on Page 2) Fri. 27 All-School Community Meeting 10:00 a.m. UAB presents The Amazing Traveling AESOP Middle School Exams (See Schedule on Page 2) Highlands School Parents’ Auxiliary Spring Merchandise Sale Orders are due Mon. March 2 Noon Dismissal for Students Wed. 4 7th and 8th Grade National French Contest Fri. 6 Kindergarten Play for Parents 8:05 a.m. Spencer Center Kindergarten Play for Students 10:00 a.m. Spencer Center

Information about the Southside Baseball Association registration can be found on pages 4 and 5.

Creativity Convention 2009 Thursday, February 26, 2009

C l i ck here to mee t our Guests R oge r Re id , Deborah W i l e s , Susan Eaddy and Char le s T ort or i c i

All School Community Meeting Spencer Center 8:05 a.m. – 8:25 a.m.

Preschool – 1st Grade Susan Eaddy - Illustrator - Spencer Center 9:40 a.m. - 10:25 a.m.

Charles Tortorici - Musician - Learning Center 10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

2nd Grade - 5th Grade Charles Tortorici - Musician - Learning Center 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Susan Eaddy - Illustrator - Spencer Center 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Roger Reid - Author - Spencer Center 12:35 p.m. - 1:35 p.m. (Roger Reid’s presentation is optional for 2nd grade)

Deborah Wiles - Author - Spencer Center 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

6th Grade – 8th Grade Roger Reid - Author - Learning Center 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Charles Tortorici - Musician - Learning Center 1:00 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. Deborah Wiles - Author - Spencer Center 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

All pre-ordered materials will be delivered to the students classrooms on Wednesday afternoon.

The Faculty and Staff would

like to offer our sincere thanks to the

4th Grade Parents who provided the Teacher

Appreciation Lunch in January, and to the

3rd Grade Parents who provided the Teacher Appreciation Lunch in

February. Both meals were wonderful and a great treat

for everyone!

Are you ready to take the Spring

Break Challenge? Look for details in your student’s backpack mail!

Page 2

HIGHNOTES

Short

Notes

Save the Date!

School-wide Grandparents

and/or Special Friends Day

2009! Friday, April 3

9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Invitations to this annual event will be mailed on Friday, March 13.

If you did not provide the Grandparent information

on your students’ information form at the beginning of the

school year please email it to Peggy Darby at

pdarby@highlandsschool.org before Friday February 27.

Also, if your student would like to invite a special friend

in place of a grandparent please send their contact

information before Friday, February 27.

Please be sure to include

your students name and teacher. If you have any questions about this

event please feel free to contact Peggy.

Highlands School Code of Conduct Review

At Highlands School, we are committed to lifelong learning. Part of the learning process includes reflection, and each year we examine certain aspects of school life to determine how we can improve them. This year, our review includes school discipline policies. Amy Mendel and Shelby Hammer are working with a committee of teachers with input from a parent focus group to review and possibly to revise the Highlands School Code of Conduct and other related policies. Watch for news in future issues of Highnotes and other communication from the school.

Middle School Exam Schedule

Wednesday, February 25 6th Grade: Math and Science

7th Grade: Science and English 8

th Grade: Social Studies and Science

Thursday, February 26 (Creativity Convention) 6

th Grade: English

7th Grade: Social Studies 8

th Grade: English

Friday, February 27 6

th Grade: Social Studies and Foreign Language

7th Grade: Math and Foreign Language

8th Grade: Math and Foreign Language

Middle School Drama Elective presents Jungle Book

The jungle was jumping with jazz when Jungle Book came to High-lands School compliments of the middle school drama elec-tive. Mowgli, Baloo, King Louie and the whole jungle gang sang and danced their way through adventures with the ferocious tiger, Shere Khan. The play was an adaptation of the Disney film and included many of the best loved tunes from that production. Congratulations and thanks to the students for their hard work on this outstanding performance. We also say a special thank you to the seven fifth graders who sang with the cast and the parents who helped with the costumes.

Don’t forget to buy your Spring School

Spiritwear by this Fri-day. This is the last

sale of the school year!

Highlands Students Sweeps Annual UAB Egg Drop Congratulations to the Highlands Egg Drop team that took all three middle school places with best and lightest designs that protected an egg from a 30 ft fall.

First Place: Patrick Scalise Second Place: Morgan Bend Third Place: Patrick O’Neal

Page 3 HIGHNOTES

Middle School Students Participate in All-State Orchestra Emily Polhill (violin), Sarah Polhill (violin), and Patrick Scalise (cello) participated in the All-State Orchestra Festival in the String Sinfonietta in Tuscaloosa over the weekend of February 12-15. More than 1500 students auditioned for this opportunity, and only 200 students were selected. The students spend long hours practicing on the four days before their final performance on the last day. Congratulations to them on their achievement! (Picture courtesy of Kiki and Pierre Scalise.)

Theatre LJCC Presents SEUSSICAL, JR. (Children's Musical)

February 19, 21, 26, 28 at 7:30 p.m. and February 22 & March 1 at 2 p.m.

Adults $12; Students $10 Click here for more information

This performance will feature Highlands' students,

Carolyn Calvert-Grimes as a bird girl, Cecilia Reisner as the Mayor of Whoville and Ada Cohen as his wife.

The Birmingham Ballet will be performing Hansel and Gretel on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28. Both performances will feature High-lands School Kindergarten student, Lilla Carroll in the role of a cherub who helps to protect Hansel and Gretel from the Witch. Click here for more informa-tion and tickets. Also, there are coupons available at the front desk on a first-come, first to get basis.

Fourth Grade Students Host Annual Publishing Party

On Friday, February 20, the 4th Grade Students held a Publishing Party where they read short stories they had written as a part of class. Parents, Faculty and fellow students enjoyed hearing the creative stories and asking ques-tions about each story. Great job 4th Grade!

HIGHNOTES Page 4

Dear Parents and Guardians, Its baseball season again and we are excited to announce open registration for Southside Ball 2009 season. For the second year, Highlands School is partnering with Southside Ball to offer baseball and T-ball. If you are not familiar with Southside Ball, we are responsible for organizing baseball and t-ball in Avondale Park in the spring. We are excited to announce that the city has approved $3 million for park renovations and we expect to break ground within 12 months. Therefore, we are expecting a record year in player participation and sponsorships. Our motto is “where baseball is fun” and that will continue to be our driving tenent for the next year. We seek to create a relaxed atmosphere that fosters open communication and participation at all skill levels.

We are accepting registrations online now for our baseball and softball leagues. Open registration will be available at Avondale Library on February 21

st from 1 to 4 PM, and

at the park on February 28th as well as March 7th. Open registration ends on March 7

th.

T-ball for girls and boys 4-6 years old. Baseball for boys and girls 7-10 years old. Baseball for boys 11-14 years old.

Join us for Opening Day festivities on March 28

th as we swing in the start of the

season with a true community event celebrating the importance of youth sports to our children, family, neighborhood, and city. Please also join us by answering the call to volunteer your time as a coach or team parent. More information can be found online at www.southsideball.com or by calling 205-661-4586. Best regards, Kevin Hodgkins President, 2009 Southside Ball Association

P.S. You can also register by turning in the form on page 4 to Kage Cavanah.

Southside Ball Association

PO Box 321414

Birmingham, AL 35232

HIGHNOTES Page 5

PLAYER REGISTRATION FORM 2009

(Online registration available at www.southsideball.com)

Child’s Name: ______________________________________ Gender: _________ Grade: _________

School: _____________________________________ Date of Birth (MM/DD/YY): ______________

(If you wish your child to be with particular teammates, please indicate their name(s) here. We will do our best to honor these requests.)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Uniform Size (Please circle one): Child S Child M Child L Adult S Adult M Adult L Adult XL Name of Parent(s) or Guardian: ________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________ City: _______________________ ZIP:_______

Home Phone: ____________________ Work Phone: __________________ Cell Phone: ___________

E-mail Address: _______________________________________

Other Guardian Name: _______________________ Other Guardian Name: ____________________

Home Phone: ______________________ Home Phone: _____________________

Work Phone: ______________________ Work Phone: _____________________

Cell Phone: _______________________ Cell Phone: ______________________

E-mail: ___________________________ E-mail: __________________________

Parents/Guardians would be willing to volunteer as:

Assistant Coach Team Parent Coach Directory Coordinator Opening Day Committee

Trophy Coordinator Commissioner Field Maintenance Picture Day Committee

Other: _____________________________________________________________________

FEES: Boys and Girls T-Ball (ages 4-6): ($65 participation fee + $20 uniform fee) = $85 per child

Baseball (ages 7+) / Fast-pitch Softball (ages 7+): $90 participation fee + $20 uniform fee) = $110 per child

A 25% discount for 2nd child and 50% discount is in effect.

Payment plans and scholarships are available. Please talk to a league official for more information.

Enclosed is $ ___________ for registering _____ child(ren).

Enclosed is $ ___________ contribution to the Dick Crittendon Memorial Endowment Fund.

Enclosed is $ ___________ contribution to the Richard Albany Memorial Endowment Fund. (We have two endowment funds that provide financial aid for players in need and for capital improvements. Please consider a donation.)

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: SOUTHSIDE BALL ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 321414

Birmingham, AL 35232

I hereby agree to release and hold harmless the Southside Ball Association (the “League”), its coaches, commissioners, officers, officials, agents,

and employees from any and all claims arising out of injury to my child except to the extent covered by the League’s accident and liability insur-

ance. I authorize emergency treatment for my child if injured. I further agree to be responsible for the return of all equipment issued to my child or

to pay for its replacement. I also agree to abide by the Sportsmanship and Safety Policies of Southside Ball (provided on request or by first game).

Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian

__________________________________________________________

Southside Ball Association

PO Box 321414

Birmingham, AL 35232