School News

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Join Mr. Harness for a virtual coffee talk at 8:30am on January 22nd.  Come prepared with questions and get your answers straight from our Principal.  For recordings of past coffee talks, please visit the VHE YouTube page.  You can access that page by clicking here. https://www.youtube.com/@VHE2023 

1/13/2026

Dear Parent or Guardian:

After the holidays, many students in grades 2–5 may be using new or additional digital devices. As technology and artificial intelligence (AI) tools continue to change rapidly, and as group chats and online messaging become more common, we want to partner with families to support safe and responsible digital use.

Here are a few ways you can help at home:

• Talk often about online behavior – Remind your child that kindness, respect, and honesty are just as important online as they are in person.
• Monitor digital activity – Know which apps, games, and group chats your child is using, and check their messages regularly.
• Set clear boundaries – Establish rules for screen time, appropriate language, and when devices may be used.
• Discuss AI use and consequences – Talk with your child about using AI tools appropriately, including not using them to cheat, create hurtful content, or misrepresent their own work, and help them understand that misuse can have consequences.

We utilize Common Sense Education's K-12 Digital Citizenship Curriculum to help build a positive school culture that supports the safe and responsible use of technology. This curriculum provides teachers with a very specific Scope and Sequence in which to teach lessons that focus on cyberbullying, privacy, safety, and other digital dilemmas that prove to be a challenge for schools. There is also a focus on showing how important technology is to our students and the world they live in, in that technology provides an amazing opportunity for students to create, collaborate, communicate, and think critically.

Your continued support in reinforcing digital citizenship helps create a safe and positive learning community for all students. Thank you for your partnership.

Sincerely,

Laura Dostie

We’re excited to let our Virginia-Highland Elementary families know that you can now stay connected with all things VHE through our YouTube channel! Parents can easily access recordings of GO Team meetings, Coffee Talks, and our Morning News broadcasts—all in one convenient place.

Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update, important discussion, or a peek into the great things happening at our school!

All school systems in the State of Georgia were required to select a new district operating model. As a result, beginning July 1, 2016, Atlanta Public Schools became a Charter System, which means our district is working to create more freedom and flexibility for our schools to find new ways to boost student achievement. The best part — parents, educators and community members now share in the decision-making process by joining the school’s GO Team.

For meeting dates and times, please click on the link below. 

https://virginiahighland.atlantapublicschools.us/community/go-team/meeting-dates-times 

Get ready for a fun night out with your VHE friends and family! We’re excited to host Grade Level Movie Nights right here at school in the VHE auditorium. Stay tuned for upcoming dates, start times, and movie selections—each grade will have its own special evening to enjoy. Parents & Guardians must accompany their child to movie night.  This is not a drop-off event. 

2nd Grade - Friday, November 14th

PreK & K - Friday, December 5th 

1st Grade - Friday, December 12th 

3rd Grade - Friday, February 27th 

4th Grade - Friday, March 16th

5th Grade - Friday, December 9th

🍿 Concessions will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting our 5th graders and their class trip. We can’t wait to see you there!

The Virginia-Highland Elementary (VHE) School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is on a mission to enrich the environment and culture of VHE to provide equitable access to excellent education for all students. 

The PTO Board of elected parents/guardian volunteers, teachers, and principal will fulfill its mission to stakeholders (staff, students, parents/guardians, and community) through fundraising, transparent communication, and student- and teacher-focused programs.