Honoring Highcroft

HONORING HIGHCROFT Art and Memories from Students 2023–24

HONORING HIGHCROFT Art and Memories from Students 2023–24

Special thanks to art teacher Jackie Quinn for guiding all our Highcroft students in their artistic creations and shared memories.

Table of Contents Pre-Kindergarten Mr. Gilsdorf’s Class

Kindergarten Ms. Cluff’s Class Mr. LeGuen-Schmidt’s Class

First Grade Ms. Johnson’s Class Ms. Preble’s Class

Second Grade Ms. Derus’s Classs Ms. Franchot’s Class

4 4 23 23 34 45 45 57 69 69 83

Third Grade Mr. Passi’s Class Ms. Schemel's Class

Fourth Grade Ms. Hale’s Class Mr. Quinn’s Class

Fifth Grade Ms. Daniel’s Class Ms. Rainey’s Class

97 97 113 129 129 148 167 167 189

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

OSCAR BARNETT | I like lunch and playing outside. I like playing in the snow and catching snowflakes. I also like to go to the gym and run around.

4

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

WILLIAM DIEBEL | There are lots of things that I like. I like all the art, that’s my favorite thing.

5

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

HENLEY FERIANCEK | I like playing outside. Friday is my favorite day. I like to play in the art area.

6

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

SAMANTHA FREEDLAND | The art area is my favorite because it has art stuff. I like to make stuff. I really like the bubble paper.

7

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

KENSINGTON GARDNER | I like Blake because I get to see all of my friends.

8

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

HAZEN GROVEN | I like playing with my cousin. I like playing outside in the snow, making stuff for others and others making stuff for me.

My favorite time is choice time.

9

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

LILY GUSTAFSON | I like learning new stuff everyday. I like learning about new toys. We always bring new stuff in.

10

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

ELLIE MADGETT | I like making art, painting, and playing outside. When it’s winter, I like to play in the snow and make snow angels.

I also like playing in the gym.

11

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

WHIT MEYER-SCHALKLE | I like playing outside in the snow and when we read stories.

12

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

NOELLE MOORE | I like playing with my friends. I like playing kitties and I like to color and be best friends.

13

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

MICAH MUTASA | I like Blake because there are toys and because I drink water and there’s gym class.

14

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

HARPER NOLAN | I like playing in the snow, making snowmans, and I also like dessert days.

15

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MS. MR. GILSDORF

VICTORIA OH | I like dinosaurs and animals because they are cute. Thursday is dessert day.

16

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

KAYLEE SEGUIN | I like Blake because there are new things I haven’t seen before. I like seeing new friends, and I like to make things.

17

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

WINIFRED SIERING | I like building with blocks, and that we have friends to play with.

18

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

TEDDY STEINER | I like playing with cars with rocks. I like playing in the snow, like when I get to build a snowman. I like all of the boys and some of the girls.

19

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

LEXI THORPE | I like gym. I like playing with the balloons. I like doing painting, and I like reading books.

20

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MR. GILSDORF’S CLASS

MAKAYLA WILLIAMS | I like playing with blocks, doing art, and seeing Ms. Wahl and Mr. Passi.

21

PRE-KINDERGARTEN MS. MR. GILSDORF

PALMER WRIGHT | I like making art because it’s fun. I like getting sticky. I like playing the pizza game and having pizza for lunch.

22

KINDERGARTEN MS. CLUFF’S CLASS

KEATS COMO | I really liked art because I like doing the projects and I’ve done art for many years, since I was 3.

23

KINDERGARTEN MS. CLUFF’S CLASS

GEORGE DAYTON | I remember making a giant lego box in kindergarten. We made it to go on snow.

24

KINDERGARTEN MS. CLUFF’S CLASS

LIAM EMERY | I like listening and learning with the teacher here. The building is pretty.

25

KINDERGARTEN MS. CLUFF’S CLASS

JOHN ENGLAND | I like the art room. There’s lots of windows and I can create.

26

KINDERGARTEN MS. CLUFF’S CLASS

EVERETT ESS | I like recess because I really like playing outside.

27

KINDERGARTEN MS. CLUFF’S CLASS

EMERY HARDER | I like the playground.

28

KINDERGARTEN MS. CLUFF’S CLASS

DEAN HUDDY | I really like playing with the sticks in kindergarten.

29

KINDERGARTEN MS. CLUFF’S CLASS

LIV LEVIN | I like running around the playground and playing at Sticks and Stones.

30

KINDERGARTEN MS. CLUFF’S CLASS

OLIVIA RAJCHERT | I liked making things in kindergarten. I made an gingerbread ornament in Kindergarten using paper.

31

KINDERGARTEN MS. CLUFF’S CLASS

LINCOLN RUDOLPH | I really liked recess because you can just run around.

32

KINDERGARTEN MS. CLUFF’S CLASS

ZOE THURK | I liked going outside and I liked coloring.

33

KINDERGARTEN MR. LEGUEN-SCHMIDT’S CLASS

AUBREY BELSAAS | I really liked starting kindergarten, being in art, and playing at recess. I will always remember the first day of school in kindergarten because it was fun and I played and I met friends.

34

KINDERGARTEN MR. LEGUEN-SCHMIDT’S CLASS

GUNNAR BULL | I love to play on the playground because I like the fire pole, the slides and the games that I play.

35

KINDERGARTEN MR. LEGUEN-SCHMIDT’S CLASS

HENRY HARDER | I like playing with legos in kindergarten. I have made a ship.

36

KINDERGARTEN MR. LEGUEN-SCHMIDT’S CLASS

DHEER KAPADIA | I really liked my teachers in kindergarten because we did fun projects.

37

KINDERGARTEN MR. LEGUEN-SCHMIDT’S CLASS

SUMEHR KHAN | My memory is of grandfriends day in Pre-K because my cousin came to it and my cousin is my favorite family person. He is a gamer and I like to play video games with him.

38

KINDERGARTEN MR. LEGUEN-SCHMIDT’S CLASS

KATYA MCCARTHY | I liked science Fridays in Pre-K because I really like science.

39

KINDERGARTEN MR. LEGUEN-SCHMIDT’S CLASS

MAGGIE PARKE | I love art and I really like going to art.

40

KINDERGARTEN MR. LEGUEN-SCHMIDT’S CLASS

SANVI PATEL | I liked doing projects like the Forest of Numbers because projects are fun.

41

KINDERGARTEN MR. LEGUEN-SCHMIDT’S CLASS

DYLAN PERKINS | I really like Ms. Wahl and Mr. Leguen-Schmidt because I see them every day and I like to see them.

42

KINDERGARTEN MR. LEGUEN-SCHMIDT’S CLASS

EVERETT STEELE | Something I will always remember about Highcroft is building three-floored forts.

43

KINDERGARTEN MR. LEGUEN-SCHMIDT’S CLASS

BREXSON WEAVER | I really like library time because I get to take books home, and I like when Ms. Hussain reads stories to us and sometimes she shows the stories on the TV.

44

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

CHARLIE DIEBEL | I really like sticks and stones in Kindergarten. Sticks and stones was an area with big boulders, and sticks and where we would play during recess. I loved to build forts there.

45

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

KATLYN FERIANCEK | I like to make collages and paintings in art.

46

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

DANIEL GUO | I will always remember the tree and railing that is outside of Pre-K. I looked at that railing everyday.

47

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

ROBIN HAWN | I love how our school provides a lot of safety and education.

48

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

MARITA HOFFMAN | I really like Highcroft because it is so fun. We get to play outside at recess and go on field trips. I liked when we went to the Arboretum and learned about pumpkins.

49

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

ZACHARY MARTINEZ | I like playing with my friends.

50

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

HEIDI PORTER | I remember making a very best friend in Kindergarten.

51

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

ATHARV REMELLA | At recess I like to play with my friends. I like to play spiderman. I also like that my teacher is a good friend.

52

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

EMILIA SIMEK | I like playing on the monkey bars at recess, they are so fun.

53

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

ELIN SKALLAND | I like work choice time in first grade because you get to choose what you want to do. I also like playing with my friends.

54

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

EMILY SWANSON | I will remember how fun the swings were at recess.

55

FIRST GRADE MS. JOHNSON’S CLASS

DANNY THORPE | I will remember the playground and everyone playing and getting their wiggles out.

56

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

VIVIAN CHOW | I like how when I need help the teachers are always there to help. I like it when they help me with math.

57

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

VIRGINIA ELENBAAS | My memory is from Pre-K when I first started school at Highcroft. I played with a friend everyday and we liked to play animals.

58

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

ELIADA GARDNER | I like how my teachers are so kind to me. They listen to me when I have good ideas.

59

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

IVORY GRABANSKI | I like the teachers at Highcroft because they tell me stuff to keep me safe. Like the welcome, safety and respect rule.

60

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

MADDIE LIEGEL | I will remember playing outside with my friends and I am looking forward to meeting new friends when we move.

61

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

NOAH MARTINEZ | I like how everyday we get to do something new in first grade. I like to learn a lot of math.

62

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

EMILIO MOSQUERA | The first time I had extended day was a special memory. It was really fun because we could play in the gym, play outside, color and so many things we could do.

63

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

OLLIE PETOK | I really like how nice all the teachers are, and how I learn so much from them. I especially like music. I also have a memory of Spanish class and playing all the fun games.

64

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

EMERSON SIMEK | My special memory is going outside. I always, always play different games and with different friends.

65

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

ELYSE STEPHENSON | My favorite memory is of my teachers and how they help me learn.

66

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

JACK STIELOW | I love how Highcroft is the best school I have ever gone to. Everyone is so nice and I like how our strings teacher is so nice to us. She is good teacher.

67

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

ADDY WILL | I like how all my teachers are so nice. It was so nice of my teacher to help me with math in first grade

68

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

BEN BAKMAN | I remember when I drew my first comic. It was about Captain Underpants. I read that book a lot. I drew my comic book using pencil and markers.

69

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

GIGI CHAKHVASHVILI | I have a memory of enjoying going to art because I drew my first cat there. It is a special memory because it looked so cute.

70

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

LEVON COMO | When I was in first grade both classes went to the Arboretum. At the arboretum you get to look at a lot of plants. We planted plants in a cup and we brought them back to school. We went there more than once.

71

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

WILLIAM ENGLAND | I remember in kindergarten that I built a rocketship with my class. We made it out of cardboard and bottle caps.

72

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

NAOMI HOROWITZ | I really love girls club because I get to be with all my friends and play games and earn our badges.

73

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

MILES MADGETT | I remember working with a friend in art making comics. The first one was about The Evil Zombies vs. Captain Boxer Shorts. We made a new superhero because we didn’t want to copy Captain Underpants.

74

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

ALINDA MUTASA | On the first day of school in kindergarten, my teacher greeted me with a smile. It made me feel welcome in a new place.

75

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

MIKAYLA OKEY | My second grade teacher plays fun game with us.

76

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

CHARLETTE OLSON | A special memory from Highcroft is art because we get to draw what we want and we can try out new ideas. I also enjoy going to gym because you get to run a lot, and you get to play tag and I love running.

77

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

MALCOLM RHODES | I enjoyed making comic books with my friends because we worked together and had fun together.

78

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

MAX ROEDEL | I liked art because it is very fun because you get to create your own ideas.

79

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

MAX TALAMANTES | I will remember gym class because the teacher is funny and I like the activities.

80

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

WINNIE WRIGHT | I will remember Bears Club because you get to help others. For example we made cards for the Children’s Hospital.

We also made quilts for people who needed them.

81

SECOND GRADE MS. DERUS’S CLASS

IAN XIAO | I remember going to the other campus with some Highcroft students to do the Empty Bowls activity. I liked it because we helped pack food and paint our own clay bowl.

82

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

MILES BEALE | I enjoy having quiet time at Highcroft because we can draw and rest.

83

FIRST GRADE MS. PREBLE’S CLASS

GERARD BERKEN | I remember my first fieldtrip to the Arboretum because we learned about desert plants. I liked to learn about the plants because they look cool.

84

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

CHARLOTTE FREEDLAND | I like it when we went to Stages theater in second grade because we watched a cool play. I also like recess because I can play with my friends from the other second grade class. Quiet time is something I like because I get time to draw.

85

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

ADELAIDE GARDNER | I remember the first time art came into our room I remember making a clay plate. I called it a mini-plate. It was when art was on a cart.

86

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

CHARLOTTE GOLDSTEIN | One of my memories is art because it is fun and we do tons of projects. E&P is really fun too because you get to build stuff.

87

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

ADAM HUSSAIN | I have memory of being with my mom in the library before school. I had fun one day looking for creepy books in the library.

88

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

ELAM KHAN | When I go out to recess I love to play on the cheese. The cheese is a sculpture on the playground that looks like cheese and I like to climb on it. I also like the pretzel. It is next to the cheese and it is a spiral shape. It’s fun to climb on both of them. The pretzel is easier to sit on.

89

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

ELIN LALL | Last year when I was ice skating on the rink at Highcroft it was really fun. I was helping a friend skate and we had so much fun.

90

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

ELLIOT LOWIN | I really, really like art because I can do freestyle. Freestyle means I create what I want to create. I especially like drawing Kawaii animals and other stuff. I also like drawing spiderman.

91

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

BODEN MADGETT | I have a memory of having lots of open studio time in art and I also really liked E&P. I liked keva blocks.

92

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

CHLOE MOORE | I remember doing art in the art room and I felt good to be in a happy place with lots of materials.

93

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

BENNETT PAUP | I remember the first day of school and the first time I walked through the doors at Highcroft and it was amazing.

94

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

ENZO ROEDEL | The playground was fun because you can play on the monkey bars and play tag. It is fun to be outside and with my friends.

95

SECOND GRADE MS. FRANCHOT’S CLASS

EMMA THURK | I remember all of the specialists that taught us how to do different things. Making things with legos and keva blocks was especially fun.

96

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

KENNEDY ALBRECHT | I really like playing outside, especially in the winter when we play in the snow and making snowmen.

97

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

NOAH BOROFSKY | I really enjoy doing math in third grade because it is hard and makes it more of a challenge for me. I like challenges because I learn new things.

98

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

HUGO DAYTON | I enjoyed being in kindergarten because I had time to know two great teachers.

99

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

HENRY DIEBEL | I really like that my brothers go to school here because I sometimes get to see them. I feel good when I see them.

100

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

CAROLINE DUFFEY | I remember how welcoming everyone was when I was new in first grade. I remember when a friend asked me if I wanted to play.

101

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

CALEB GRABANSKI | I remember how nice and welcoming everyone was when I was Pre-K. I remember making all the yummy food my favorite was vanilla ice cream. I liked making the ice cream with my mom because she came into help that day.

102

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

EVY GRAY | At Highcroft I think the kids are nice and I like getting to know the first graders at lunch. We also get to sing in front of an audience in music.

103

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

JOHN GUSTAFSON | I can still smell the snickerdoodle cookies that were in the oven in Pre-K.

104

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

KAI HA’ERI | I remember when we made rock soup in kindergarten. I found a rock in my bowl of soup. I was surprised!

105

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

DAPHNE HUDDY | I remember in library when my Grandma was the Librarian. I liked it because she was a good teacher and I liked to see her.

106

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

AUTUMN JACOBSON | At book club I had popsicles with my friends because my teacher last year wanted to give us a special treat to celebrate our hard work and her retirement.

107

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

AMELIA LAHR | I will never forget driving by Highcroft before I came to school here. When we were looking at schools for me I loved how it looked from the outside. Then when I toured the inside, I loved the Kindergarten and what it looked like inside.

108

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

COURT PARKE | I will enjoy all the activities in school. They are really fun like doing the mile run in P.E. It was fun to exercise and see if you can finish the mile.

109

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

GRACE PARKER | My memory is pizza day at Highcroft. On the first day of school the pizza tasted so good and it was so warm and fresh.

110

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

CASSINI PARTINGTON | I special thing I’ve been feeling about Highcroft is it’s a good school for me. Teachers explain things well and they are really kind.

111

THIRD GRADE MR. PASSI’S CLASS

JEWEL WILLIAMS | I will never forget the art room at Highcroft because I liked the options of all the different materials.

112

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

ELLA BAKMAN | My memory is in the morning when the adults are outside and they always say hi ti me. It made me feel very happy in the beginning of the day.

113

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

ASPEN BASS | My favorite memory is being with all the teachers at Highcroft. Everyone is kind to me.

114

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

DANIEL DERUS | I like morning extended day at Highcroft because I get to play in the gym with my friends. I like to play three bounce a game played with a ball.

115

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

BECKETT ESS | My favorite memory is in kindergarten. I was building a car out of cardboard and other stuff. I used foam balls as the wheels.

I drew stuff on it too.

116

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

SELBY FIELDS | I like how the teachers support you and they are so nice at Highcroft. I never feel behind and they let me decide how I want to work on figuring out my assignments. Instead of telling me exactly how to do something I like that I get to figure it out.

117

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

STEVEN GOLDSTEIN | I really like doing the Pinewood Derby. Each year I looked forward to designing my car and watching the races. I like seeing all the different car designs and how each car came down the track.

118

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

DANIEL GOODMAN | My favorite memory is in first grade when we made it to the end of the week we were able to watch the cartoon, Arthur. I looked forward to that each week.

119

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

COLTON HARDER | My favorite memory is playing outside at recess. Tag is my favorite because I like to play with all my friends.

120

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

JULIA HOUSTON | I will never forget dessert days at Highcroft. Dessert day was something I looked forward each week. My favorite dessert is the candy cane brownies especially with cream cheese frosting.

121

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

VAIDA JAUNZEMIS | My favorite memory of Highcroft is when me and my friends were in kindergarten, first and second grade. At recess we played on the hill. We would go sit and talk and it was a fun part of my day.

122

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

GABRIEL MOSQUERA | My memory of Highcroft is all my friends and the fun times we have had together here. Things like playing on the monkey bars, going to library because I like to check out books to read at home.

123

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

CHIMDI NWOKOCHA | I will never forget playing tag in gym class. I like how it got my heart rate up while I was having fun.

124

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

SIMONE SHEN | I thought it was fun that everyday in Pre-K and kindergarten when we went outside, our class would walk until we got past the outside stairs and concrete and then we would run to the playground. It was fun to be able to run and race to the playground together.

125

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

HEIDI STEPHENSON | My favorite memory is pizza day. The pizza is good and I also like dessert day every Thursday.

126

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

ANDREW WERT | Every Friday I remember in Pre-K we would have community day. On community day we all came together and had fun together

127

THIRD GRADE MS. SCHEMEL’S CLASS

ELIANA ZACKS | I like that all the teachers are really nice at our school. When we talk about safety, welcome and respect. I really like those values because that means everyone is welcome at our school.

128

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

ZOEY BURNS | When I was in first grade I remember that me and my friend made a big painting of a car. We added whatever we wanted to decorate it.

129

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

ELLA BYHRE | I really liked having pizza and dessert day on the same day. I will always remember that I became friends with someone really fast when I was new to Blake in fourth grade. I like how my friends help me to become familiar with Blake.

130

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

ROSE CHESTER | I really liked doing the Enviroscrapes in fourth grade because it was a fun way to learn. We learned about the watershed of the Mississippi River and Minnehaha Creek. It was fun to create the buildings, my group created Gray’s Bay.

131

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

LYLA CUIRLE | I remember back in Kindergarten when we did activities with our fifth grade buddies. I still have somethings we made together like keychains made out of beads. I liked being with my buddy because he told me funny jokes and I just liked hanging out with him.

132

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

HAROLD GINSBURG | I remember doing the Enviroscape project in fourth grade. It was fun because we made a model of some places on the Minnehaha Creek.

133

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

LILLIAN GOLDNER | First of all, I will always remember the kind, welcoming community as well as the staff at Highcroft. All the adults at HC are so helpful and good at their jobs. I will always remember meeting my first friend because it made me feel like there was someone who understood and knew me as a person.

134

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

EVA GRABANSKI | My memory is from Kindergarten. I had two fifth grade buddies and we did lots of fun activities together. They also made me different art pieces like a gum ball machine and a mermaid made out of beads. My buddies made me feel happy and I had a strong relationship with them.

135

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

SAM GRUTSCH | I will always remember sitting outside and making this drawing of Highcroft.

136

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

WESLEY HAWN | I loved scoring goals during hockey in gym class.

137

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

WYATT HEANEY | I will always remember the smell of the delicious food that the chefs make. Especially the cheese pizza. It makes me so happy when they make cheese pizza for lunch. Another memory is taking a field trip this year to a classmates farm land with the entire fourth grade. I especially liked it when we picked flowers. I was fun to pick the coneflowers.

138

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

BRYNNA LARSON | When I was in Pre-K I made a gold truck out of legos and I thought it was real gold.

139

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

MARY ELLEN MEEK | I remember when we made with paper based on things we like to do in our fourth grade classroom. We followed a code for decorations and my pumpkin was made with dots and stripes. The stripes meant I liked playing with friends. The dots meant I liked walking around on the playground with my friends.

140

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

DENNIS QURESHI | My memory is being outside and playing four square with my friends. Because I got to be outside, it was fun, and I liked playing with my friends.

141

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

JADA RECHELBACHER | My memory of Highcroft is my fourth grade teacher reading the read aloud, Out of my Mind. The way she reads the words makes me imagine the book so well.

142

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

JANE RODDIS | My memory is working on a group project of constructing an amusement park out of sculpture supplies such as straws, pipe cleaners, foam and other materials. I liked it because I learned how to build things and how to rebuild if they didn’t work. I also liked working with my friends.

143

FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

GRACE SIDDIQUI | My memory of Highcroft is when on pajama day everyone in our fourth grade class gets to wear pajamas and have fun. I like it because it brings everyone together.

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FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

GRANT STEELE | I remember in second grade when someone brought in a bee hive for use to see. There were living bees inside of it and it was cool!

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FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

GREY STEINBERG | I remember in Pre-K when I would count to 60 every day. Eventually I learned to count to 100. I was proud of myself.

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FOURTH GRADE MS. HALE’S CLASS

HENRY VENABLE | I’ve always liked the spot behind the big tree on the lower playground. Another favorite memory is the third grade play.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

MIA BELSAAS | I remember when I was playing on the playground in fourth grade and someone came to take photos of us playing. I like that they are taking photo’s of us at our happiest moments. I love when we have peaceful times during recess.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

MATTY CHOW | I remember when I played the math game, prodigy in fourth grade. I like that this game is in my classroom it is fun to play.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

ROSE COSENTINO | My favorite memory was in Pre-K when someone asked me to play. It made me happy to have a new friend and we are still friends in fourth grade.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

DANIELLE EMERY | I remember when we were able to see everyone’s face after we didn’t have to wear our masks because of Covid. I really like seeing the smiles again and we could finally take our masks off.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

MATTHEW FOUDY | I remember when it was my birthday in first grade and I was able to decide what we would do for part of the day.

I chose extra recess. I wanted to play more soccer. I love that Highcroft has four soccer fields in total. They are all big and fun to play at.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

BING HE | I remember skittle day in First grade. For skittle day my teacher gave us a math sheet and skittles. We used the skittles to work on math problems such as, “How many skittles do you have in total?” After I finished the math sheet you could eat your skittles at the end of the day or take them home. I ate some of them at school and then spent the rest of the drive eating my skittles, they were delicious.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

SOPHIA KAROS | I will never forget in Kindergarten when we made the Mouse Mansion after we read a story about how a family of mice created a home. We used tissue boxes to make our room in the Mansion. I made a pool with a diving board, an umbrella, floaty and a lounge chair for the Mama mouse. We then put all or our creations together to make a huge mansion. I still have my mouse room in my house.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

ADELAIDE KLEINHUIZEN | My memory of Highcroft is from kindergarten when I was presenting the mobile with pictures of my family.

My Mom and Dad help me do the presentation. That’s when the tornado warning started. It was right when we began our presentation so we had to leave the classroom to practice the tornado drill. It felt like we practiced for 10 minutes but it was probably shorter. Then we finished our presentation. It was such a strange day but fun to have my parents at school.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

ANNALIESE LAHR | I remember walking into Bears Club for the first time and felt really accepted as we worked together on the scavenger hunt. I liked going to Bears Club at Highcroft and earning badges with my friends.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

LEIGHTON LORENZ | I came to Highcroft in third grade and I sat down next to another student and they helped me when I had questions.

That made me feel welcome on the very first day of school.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

ANDREW MUYSSON | It was fun when we made the butterfly cookies in second grade. We learned about monarchs and then everyone had a sugar cookie shaped like a butterfly. We frosted them and I added gummi worms and life savers to decorate it. My cookie tasted amazing.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

WILLIAM PAUP | On the very first day of first grade I played a game with my new friends. It was my first experience with a tag game. That game allowed me to get to know more students who became my friends.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

LUCY PETOK | A really nice memory of Highcroft was when I was in the gym as a new kid to Blake. Another student asked me if I wanted to be her friend. I felt so appreciated and happy that someone wanted to be my friend.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

TIMOTHY RAINEY | My memory of Highcroft was from second grade when we watched a movie together and ate cookies. The teacher wanted to give us a special treat for doing such a good job at school. I liked it because it was fun.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

JOSHUA RAJCHERT | I remember playing soccer with all my friends and I love how big the soccer fields are at Highcroft. We can actually play real games and we have fun and love playing together so much. I have been playing on the nets for over two year here at Highcroft. I shoot goals every recess.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

OSCAR SHAY | I like how all the kids at Highcroft are super welcoming and how everyone on my first day of fourth grade were so friendly.

At recess a few students told me not to worry about being new because I have already been here for five minutes so I was not new anymore! That made me feel like I already fit in at Highcroft.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

POORNIMA SURYADEVAR | One of my memories was going into this building for the first time in kindergarten when I was really young and realizing how much I love it here at Highcroft. I love how the architect created the building it makes me feel warm and welcome when I am here.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

EMMY TALAMANTES | I will never forget in Pre-K when we were making soup and I was the only one that didn’t hurt myself when we were cutting vegetables. I remember my dad volunteered to help out.

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FOURTH GRADE MR. QUINN’S CLASS

MORRISON WRIGHT | I will never forget the Friday’s in Pre-K with all the baking we did and hearing Mr. Gilsdorf’s story. I chose to have a princess added to the story Mr. Gilsdorf created all year long. The strawberry shortcake was so good and my Mom and Grandma came and helped out. I remember my Grandma helped chop the strawberries and was in charge of the strawberry cutting station. My mom was at the batter station.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

ELIA ALCAZAR-AGUILU | I love making art in the art room because I get lost in my art and I love it.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

WILLA BEALE | I enjoyed extended day because we went outside and got amazing snacks and we played in the gym.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

AYAN CHANDRA | I will remember playing at recess because I was able to use my energy and have lots of fun. I remember programming because when I grow up I want to be a programmer/engineer.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

FAYE COSENTINO | My favorite place at Highcroft was stick and stones in kindergarten. I enjoyed going to Camp Widji in fourth grade by spending time in the cabin with friends.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

MILES DOUTY | My favorite memory of Highcroft is when we did the pumpkin party. Every year we would decorate pumpkins and we called it the pumpkin party. It’s my favorite because everyone was together and we had a lot of fun.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

VAUGHN FLAHERTY | I have not been at Highcroft for long, but I have been welcomed as a part of their community and I feel like I’ve been here forever. I liked legacy day and all the friends I made. My favorite memory was playing with my friends at recess for the first time.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

AVERY FULTON | I enjoyed extended day because I always felt so welcomed. I loved all the activities we did. I also loved Camp Widji, it is one of the highlights of my life.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

ZAN GNANAPRAGASAM | I loved Widgi in fourth grade because of my study group leader. He was so nice and funny.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

JOSHUA HAUSMAN | I remember going on a field trip to an ice rink then eating every single marshmallow with my friend in our hot cocoa.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

HENRY HOROWITZ | What I remember about Highcroft is lights out in the library every year. It was really quiet and I liked all the forts.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

LILLA HOUSTON | I have the most amazing memory of the big, brown chair in Pre-K, it is a treasure.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

EVAN JORDAN | I had so much fun when we went to Camp Widji in fourth grade because going out in the snow was fun.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

LANDON KIDD | I like how welcoming the teachers and kids were to me in fifth grade.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

ROWAN LORENZ | Oh my gosh, I love this place, the people will always be in my memories. Thinking about a specific memory is almost impossible. Everything I did in the past five years! I have to say all the times I’ve made people laugh, the feeling is like sleeping with my cat next to me purring. I will never forget going on a field trip to the waterfalls, streams, and overall, waking up excited to go to school!

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

FREYA LUNDHOLM | I remember in second grade, we raised monarch butterflies and made cookies after we released them. It was really fun and special because we got to hold them before we let them go. Another good memory was in fourth grade we went to Camp Widji. I had a good time because I enjoyed nature and made a lot of friends I wouldn’t have made otherwise.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

JOHN PETERSON | In fourth grade, Camp Widji was amazing and super fun and so was when everyone went into the creek on a field trip.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

ADITHI REMELLA | I remember when I first joined Blake I felt really welcomed when I went to my first Legacy Day and I also felt really welcomed when I first met my fifth grade buddy.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

CARSON RUDOLPH | My favorite Highcroft memory was in fourth grade. We were on a field trip and swam in the creek with my friends.

I liked learning about the creek.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

SAVVY SINCHEFF | I remember Camp Widji and playing in the snow and making a fire and playing the “find the stick” game. I also remember climbing hills and trying not to waste food and hanging out with my friends over in the cabin.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

CATHERINE SMITH | I remember when I first came to Blake, everyone was so kind.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

KATRINA STRAUSS | I remember when I went to Camp Widji in fourth grade. I loved the night walk and when we saw a shooting star!

I really liked the activities we did too. I also remember my first day at Blake when I was nervous because I didn’t know anyone.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. DANIEL’S CLASS

ALEXANDRA WERT | My favorite memory of Highcroft was in fourth grade when we went to Camp Widji. I felt super welcomed by the students from the other campus.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

LILY BOROFSKY | I remember when I had just turned dairy free, and my teacher was also dairy free. She helped me by going through the lunch line with me, showing me what I could eat, and what I couldn’t. She was really reassuring, and made me feel a lot more calm.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

RAFA BRANCO ROSA | I remember when me and my friend made a village at recess and we named it Woodland Acres. Soon, some of my friends joined. It was fun. We played pretend all during recess.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

WALTER COURTNEY | A memory that I cherish from the Blake Highcroft Campus is all the friends that helped me feel welcome when I felt nervous because I was new to the school.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

DAVID DERUS | I remember when we went to Camp Widji in fourth grade. It was so great to meet new people in my grade. I liked meeting and playing with new people.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

DORAN FIELDS | I felt excited when we went on our tadpole adventure in fourth grade because we finally were able to release the tadpoles into the water.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

MAX HA’ERI | I will remember the Cuckoo Clock at Highcroft because it was a cool thing. I liked the art of it, I think that was really cool.

I liked the sounds it made.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

ANNIE HOUSTON | My favorite memory was the brown chair in the Pre-K. I always looked forward to listening to my teacher tell a story including everyone in the grade, oh the brown chair. I was an elephant in a cave that helped us find the way back to Highcroft before it was carpool. I also remember one day at nap time I was so deep in my sleep that I slept past naptime and into recess. I remember waking up in the brown chair and wondering where everyone was and then looking out the window to see the class on the playground I was so tired that I just stayed on the brown chair, cherishing the moment.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

ROWAN KLUMPP | The day I found out we were weaving, I was so excited. I will not be the one to say that weaving is better than art with paper, but the way weaving just can look like it is a real picture, it earned a special place in my heart.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

AIDAN LALL | My favorite memory is going to Camp Widji. I know it doesn’t have much to do with Highcroft but still, I had so much fun playing poker in my cabin, going on walks, and all the memories. Everything that happened was great. And finally, bye Highcroft.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

THOMAS LATTIN | One of my best memories at Highcroft was how supportive, nice, and helpful all the Highcroft staff are. Some proof of this is the no balloon club. Someone from the Admissions Office came all the way to Highcroft to listen to our ideas and help our no balloon club.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

SAGE LEAVENWORTH | I loved passing previous teachers and staff in the school and remembering all of the fun times we had. When I was able to have a short talk with them I felt so welcome.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

MILA LOWIN | I loved that in the second grade we released butterflies. One of them flew on top of the roof, and that was the most magical moment of my life.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

GABRIELLA MAGGITT-SIMS | I remember when I was in Pre-K my teacher used to tell us to grab everything then we would walk downstairs into the activity room and have nap time. Another memory is of Camp Widji. I remember the day before we left that everybody was hyped up and it was one of the best days in fourth grade. I also remember what’s cool in school. In Monday Morning Meeting we watched the last What’s Cool in School for the year. The very last bit made everyone laugh, the bloopers were so funny!

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

THAD MAJDECKI | I really loved the loving and caring teachers at this school that made everyday super fun.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

CAYDEN MASON | My favorite memory is when I first started school everybody made me feel welcome by including me in everything.

I also loved fourth grade because my teacher was the best and listened to all my ideas.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

HENRY PARKER | I remember how my friends made me feel welcome on the first day of school by being nice to me and including me in games.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

SUDIKSHA SHARATH | I remember having the best times with my friends hiding in the trees.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

GABRIEL SHEN | I remember that every recess in fourth and fifth grade, I went to a pretend village called the Woodland Acres. We built buildings with sticks and had magic. We also had a flag. People in many different grades joined.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

MAIR SIMMONS | I remember having so much fun with my friends on the top of the monkey bars in kindergarten.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

VIVI STEELE | If someone asked me what my favorite memory was at Highcroft I would say all of them. It is so fun here. I remember my first day even though no one knew me I still felt included and safe. If I had to pick one memory, I would say my first day when I met everyone and made new friends.

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FIFTH GRADE MS. RAINEY’S CLASS

ELLIE STRAUSS | I remember how on the first day of school when I was a little nervous, but everybody was so kind and welcoming. That made me feel very safe and comfortable. I also love how the art room is up high in the school. I think it is really cool that there are so many amazing decorations like the dragon on the stairs.

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HONORING HIGHCROFT | Art and Memories from Students 2023–24