Incoming/New Students
- When Will I Get My Class Schedule?
- What Supplies Will I Need For Middle School?
- What Do I Have To Wear For PE?
- Can I Use My Cell Phone at Highlands
- Do We REALLY Get Our Own Chromebook?
- What Happens If I'm Late To Class? - How Long Do We Have To Get To Class?
- What Am I Allowed To Wear To School? - What Is The Dress Code Policy?
When Will I Get My Class Schedule?
Your schedule will be available in PowerSchool early August with the names of your teachers and the order of your classes. Print (or copy by hand) a few copies of your schedule to place in your school bag, binder, pencil case, pants pocket, etc. If you have a few extra copies, you will be less likely to stress out if you lose one.
What Supplies Will I Need For Middle School?
What Do I Have To Wear For PE?
Do I Have To Take A Shower After PE?
We do have showers in the locker room, but if you take regular showers at home, wear clean clothes, and use deodorant after PE there should be no reason to use them.
What Do I Have to Have Wear for PE Class?
KSD PE Shirt
This is a SPECIFIC item of clothing that is required for PE class. Shirts can be ordered from the main office for $5. Orders can be placed online starting in August and those orders will be given out during the first week of school.
KSD PE Shorts
This is a SPECIFIC item of clothing that is required for PE class. Shorts can be ordered from the main office for $10. Solid black leggings may also be worn. Keep in mind that students will be participating in physical activity. Orders can be placed online starting in August and those orders will be given out during the first week of school.
Combination Lock
Combination locks are sold at the ASB window for $6, but you can buy your lock wherever you would like. You can even get one at the dollar store!
*Limited amount of locks available at the ASB window
Athletic Shoes
Many students find it helpful to have a spare pair of athletic shoes in their locker for days when you wear shoes that cannot be worn for PE class (like flip flops, sandals, boots, or slides).
Socks
Like with athletic shoes, many students keep spare socks in their locker for when they are needed.
Deodorant
Small trial-sized deodorants or deodorant wipes can be purchased at most stores and fit easily inside students' PE lockers. PLEASE NO AEROSOLS, as they can activate many students' allergies.
Can I Use My Cell Phone at Highlands
From the Student Handbook...
Electronics | We are not responsible for lost, stolen or misplaced electronic devices including those that are confiscated due to inappropriate use during school hours. School personnel has the authority to determine whether an investigation is warranted if any electronic devices are lost, stolen, or misplaced. Earbuds or headphones are not to be used in the hallways but may be used outside or in the cafeteria.
Students who bring their own devices to school do so at their own risk. Their devices may become lost, stolen or damaged. Neither Highlands Middle School nor the Kennewick School District may be held liable for loss, theft, or damage to personal property.
Do We REALLY Get Our Own Chromebook?
YES! Middle School students are allowed to check out their own Chromebook once a parent permission slip is completed and turned in. The Chromebook can be taken home and used for schoolwork.
Most students find that the biggest challenge with their Chromebook is remembering to bring them back to school charged and ready for use each day. It is expected that you have your charged Chromebook with you each day to be used in class – without it, you may end up having to work on in-class assignments on your own time while at home.
You will check out a Chromebook, a charging cable, and a Chromebook cover.
Students are expected to responsibly use district technology and network resources and to keep their districtâissued devices safe, secure and in good working order. Students and parents are provided with a Chromebook Manual that will assist both in meeting those expectations.
What Happens If I'm Late To Class? - How Long Do We Have To Get To Class?
What Happens If I Am Late To Class?
At the beginning of the school year, your teachers understand that you are getting used to your schedule, your lockers, and finding your way around the school – we do not count tardies for the first few weeks. There will be teachers in the hallway to help you find your way if you get lost or have trouble with your locker. Eventually, if you are late to class - teachers will mark you tardy to class. This only becomes a problem if it happens frequently or you are not making good choices in the hall.
How Long Do We Have Between Classes?
You will get 4 minutes between each class, no matter what schedule we are following. You will also always have 30 minutes for lunch, regardless of the schedule we are using. During breakfast break ONLY, you will have 6 minutes between your second- and third-period class.
Daily Schedule (Mon-Fri)
At Highlands, we have eight class periods and NO early release Wednesdays.
This schedule is followed Monday-Friday. Different bell schedules will be used for 10:40 a.m. early release days and late start days (snow delays). Note the difference between grade levels ending for first period (in order to accommodate three grade-level lunches), and the breakfast break that is provided at Highlands. You can click on the picture of the schedule to get a larger view and to see all bell schedules.
*Breakfast break snack is free and provided for students who did not have morning breakfast at Highlands.
What Am I Allowed To Wear To School? - What Is The Dress Code Policy?
What Am I Allowed To Wear To School?
All clothing should be within the guidelines posted in the Highlands Student Handbook (posted below). It is a good idea to look at those guidelines before you do any shopping for school clothes.
All other policies, procedures and academic expectations can also be found in the HMS Student Handbook. We encourage you to review the handbook before the start of school to answer any questions that may not be answered on this site.
HMS Dress Code
Highlands maintains dress code standards for everyone. Clothing must be modest, must not be revealing, and cannot display vulgar, sexual, or drug/alcohol/tobacco references and/or pictures. The Kennewick school district dress code policy will be enforced. Some guidelines for clothing are listed below.
Clothing should fit each individual keeping in mind:
- Sagging pants or extremely oversized clothing is not to be worn.
- Pants must be worn at the waistline.
- Undergarments must be completely covered.
- Shirt necklines may dip no lower in the front than even with the underarm.
- Shirts must cover students’ midriffs at all times (standing, sitting, bending over, etc.). Tank tops must have straps that are at least as wide as two fingers and armholes no lower than mid bicep.
- Dresses, shorts, ripped pants and skirts must be modest.
- The standard we expect is that no undergarments or body parts normally covered by undergarments should be showing at any time (standing, sitting, bending over, etc.).
- No hats may be worn.
- Bandanas of any kind or color are not allowed.
A good general policy regarding the dress code is: If there is ANY QUESTION about an item being inappropriate, DO NOT WEAR IT.
If the student’s dress or grooming is objectionable under these provisions, the principal/designee shall request the student to make appropriate corrections. If the student refuses, the principal/designee shall notify the parent/guardian and request assistance in guiding the student to make the necessary correction. If both the student and parent/guardian refuse, the principal/designee shall take appropriate corrective action. Students may be suspended if circumstances so warrant, and students who violate provisions of the dress code relating to extracurricular activities may be removed or excluded from the extracurricular activity for such period as the principal/designee may determine. All students shall be accorded due process safeguards before any corrective action may be taken.