Welcome to the 2009-2010 School Year at HVES!
We Need Your Help TODAY!
Advocate for your child and school and make your voice heard!
As you may have seen posted on the door of the school or in last week's Thursday folders, our PTA is asking families to write advocacy letters this week. As budget discussions and planning sessions are underway, we want your help in echoing messages delivered at last week's MCPS Board of Education hearings where both Jennifer Chambers and I testified on behalf of our community.
Our goal is to send 50 letters this week -- we need your help to ensure elected leaders hear our concerns! Please take 15 minutes to send a letter to our County Council, County Executive and Board of Education members asking that they spare the classroom when making budget cuts for FY2011. Additional background, key points and contact information can be found in the attached FY2011_HVESPTA_Action Alert. I encourage you to be inspired by the suggested messages but use your own personal story and experience to convey the value of direct classroom resources including our para educators, academic intervention staff, resource teachers, staff development leader, media assistant and support staff. Remember, the personal stories are the most powerful and persuasive! Please send a copy of your letters to our Northwood Cluster representative Jennifer Chambers at jennifer@hikingalong.com. If you have trouble downloading the file, would like to see a sample letter, or have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me by phone at 301-758-7275 or by email at choprakhan@gmail.com.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to advocate for our students and dedicated staff!
Stop and Think...
HVES' Counselor shares some thoughts!
Our school Counselor, Jennifer Jones, has made some amazing changes since joining HVES this Fall. Her insight has been helping the kids through lunch bunches and other means and we welcome her to our Community. See her presentation on the new "Stop and Think" program and feel free to contact her VIA EMAIL any time with questions or concerns.
Advocacy...
"Using New Media to Tell Our Story"
"Making budget cuts in difficult times requires careful consideration of impact. Evaluating the every day value of teaching and specialist resources should not simply be reduced to spreadsheets. To help educate and inform policymakers about the critical role of specialists and educators in schools like Highland View, parents at Highland View decided to tell their story in their own voice... Watch it now!
Get Involved...
"HVES relies on Parent Volunteers"
Finding ways to get involved can be challenging without help and some guidance. If you have some time to spare, come and lend a hand at your child's school. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Heather Sauter, to learn of all the fantastic opportunities. Some projects take an hour, some take a day - whatever you can do, try to come and see what a difference you can make! Learn more.. Questions? Email Heather Sauter Powers.