Highland Elementary School

Meridian Families,
Highland Elementary School is preparing to host their annual Scholastic Book Fair! This is a perfect time to start or grow your family's home library.

For more details and to create your eWallet, visit our school's Book Fair homepage: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/highlandelementaryschool3

📣 Parents & Caregivers — You’re Invited!

Join us for the next Parent & Family University Workshop: Attendance Matters!
📅 Wednesday, September 18
🕖 7:00–8:00 PM (Virtual via Zoom)

Why it matters:
✅ Consistent school attendance helps children succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
✅ Families will learn simple, practical tips to:

Build healthy morning routines

Reduce stress at home

Overcome barriers to daily attendance

Support their child’s school readiness

📌 Register today: https://forms.fillout.com/t/5sMCD8nDv9us

(Or scan the QR code on the flyer below!)

Your support in spreading the word makes a difference in helping families access valuable resources and strengthen their child’s success in school.

Welcome back from the Health Services Team!

Contact information and important forms may be found here on the district webpage: https://www.meridian223.org/page/health-services

Dear Families,

Our Transportation Department has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming school year by running routes and gathering necessary information. If you have registered your student and submitted a transportation request form, you should have received a call from your assigned bus driver.

If you have not received a call, please reach out to the Transportation Department at 815-645-2230 ext. 7011 or 7013, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to ensure a smooth start to the school year.

Meridian CUSD 223 is hosting a preschool screening for children ages 3-5 years old who live within the Meridian district. Children must be 3 years old by the screening date. Please call Highland Elementary at 815-645-2230 to schedule.

Parents and Guardians, as you are preparing for the upcoming school year, please take note of the health requirements for these grade levels! You can contact Kayla Richolson, Director of Health Services, at kricholson@mail.meridian223.org with any questions. Forms may be accessed here: https://www.meridian223.org/documents/departments/health-services/health-forms/285024

Office Public Summer Hours: 🏫 District Office Public Summer Hours 📅 May 30–August 8 | Monday–Thursday | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM ❌ Closed June 19 & July 4 🔁 Normal hours resume August 13 📍 Building Summer Office Hours Highland Elementary School May 27–June 2: Mon–Thurs | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM June 3–July 29: By appointment only Monroe Center Elementary School May 27–June 5: Mon–Thurs | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM June 9–July 31: By appointment only Meridian Jr. High School June: Mon–Thurs | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM July: By appointment only Stillman Valley High School May 30–August 8: Mon–Thurs | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📅 View the 2025–2026 District Calendar: 🔗 www.meridian223.org/page/district-calendars 💬 For our Spanish-speaking families needing help with registration: Para nuestras familias de habla hispana que necesitan ayuda con el proceso de inscripción para el año escolar 2025-2026, por favor comuníquense con: Margarita Alvarez 📧 malvarez@mail.meridian223.org 📞 815-645-2230 ext. 4304 | 📱 779-537-4294 📌 Please call to schedule an appointment. 📌 Por favor llamar para hacer una cita. 🚌 Reminder: All students must be registered by June 13 to ensure transportation can be properly coordinated. 📆 Es importante que los estudiantes estén registrados antes del 13 de junio para poder coordinar adecuadamente las rutas de transporte.

Rounding out our Staff Appreciation Week, we would like to thank our principals and administration! Your support, guidance, and vision allows our students and staff to thrive - Thank you!

Continuing our Staff Appreciation Week . . . it's time to thank our School Counselors and Health Services Department! The extra support that these caring professionals provide to our students is crucial to their success and well-being. Thank you, today and always!

🚴‍♀️ Pedaling Toward Safety at Highland Elementary! 🚴‍♂️ Thanks to an IDOT Safe Routes to School grant, Highland Elementary has a full classroom set of bikes and helmets! Mr. Vos rolled out a bike safety curriculum + bike rodeo with amazing results: ✅ 95% of 1st & 2nd graders riding two wheels ✅ 75% of kindergarteners riding independently While we didn’t receive the infrastructure grant for a Pine Street sidewalk, Meridian CUSD #223 continues to work closely with the Village of Stillman Valley to explore future funding opportunities for safer walking routes. 💪👟

Meridian CUSD #223 is seeking the following positions for the FY26 school year. Please view posting and apply online at meridian223.org.

Join the fun for our annual Meridian Wellness 5K! Open to the entire Meridian 223 community. #MeridianWellness Sign up link: https://forms.gle/m9fgK4G5QbUB8unB6

Please see the attachment for Highland's Leadership Day shirt sales

Meridian CUSD 223 is hosting a preschool screening for children ages 3-5 years old who live within the Meridian district. Children must be 3 years old by the screening date. Please call Highland Elementary at 815-645-2230 to schedule. There are a few appointments left!

Spring Picture Day is coming up at Highland Elementary on March 19th!! Order online at inter-state.com/order using Order Code 93763SF. Only students who pre-order will be photographed.

Highland is excited to meet our next year's kindergarteners! We are hosting a Kinder Kick-Off on March 18 and March 20th! Please see the attachment for more information.

Meridian CUSD 223 is hosting a preschool screening for children ages 3-5 years old who live within the Meridian district. Children must be 3 years old by the screening date. Please call Highland Elementary at 815-645-2230 to schedule. There are a few appointments left!

📢 Exciting News! 🎉 Join us in congratulating Ms. Cali Carl, recipient of the Early Career Educator Award of Special Recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education! 🏆 Ms. Carl’s dedication to her students and passion for education make her truly deserving of this honor. We are proud to have such an outstanding educator in Meridian CUSD 223!

Meridian CUSD 223 hosts an upcoming preschool screening for any child age 3-5 years old living within the district. Please call Highland Elementary 815-645-2230 to schedule an appointment.