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Highlands Elementary students, principal spotlighted at La Mesa‑Spring Valley board meeting
Summary
Students and staff from Highlands Elementary presented a video and described the school's RISE values; Principal Melinda Pison highlighted the school’s designation as a community school and on‑site supports including mental‑health, medical, dental and vision services.
Highlands Elementary was the evening’s spotlight at the La Mesa‑Spring Valley School District Board meeting on Sept. 2, when students and staff presented a short video and described the school’s RISE values — Respect, Inspire, Succeed, Empathize.
"When we live by RISE, it makes school a better place," a student said during the presentation. Principal Melinda Pison, who introduced teachers and families in attendance, said the site has recently become a community school and will expand on‑campus supports this year, including mental‑health services, medical and dental assistance and an on‑site optometrist to help students who need vision care.
Pison thanked teachers, families and the board for support and recognized students featured in the video. Certificates were presented to the students on stage and photos were taken with the board president.
Why it matters: the community‑school model brings wraparound services to campus to address health and social needs that can affect learning. Principal Pison said these services aim to keep students in class and supported so they can meet academic and social‑emotional goals.
Next steps: no board action was required; the spotlight was informational and part of routine school recognition.
