Highlander Charter School
Back to School 2023-2024 Edition
Important Dates:
- August 22nd: PVD New Families Orientation at 5:00pm PVD Campus
- August 23rd: Warren New Families Orientation at 5:00pm Warren Campus
- August 25th: Student Orientation for 7th, 9th Grade and new students for Warren Campus
- August 28th: 1st day of School
- August 28th: Last day to complete Read to Succeed
- September 9th: Family Back to School Bash
Welcome Back Highlander Families!
I always look forward to a new school year, as it is one of the only professions that allows for a fresh start every year. The summer allows us to reflect and to plan for what we can improve for the new school year. This year we will be focusing on:
increasing family engagement from Pre-K through grade 12: Research is clear that strong family/school connections increase student engagement and learning.
increasing our daily attendance rate for Pre-K through Grade 12: Research is also clear that attendance leads to increased academic success.
Increasing our graduation rate to our pre-pandemic level
Increasing our student success on state assessment to above pre-pandemic levels
Increasing language proficiency for our English Language Learners
These are some of the initiatives we will be working on throughout the school year and we will keep you informed of the specific steps we are taking and how you can help support your child’s learning.
We also have exciting news about our new Career Tech Program that many of you attended focus groups for as we were building it. We are ready to launch our program that prepares students to enter careers in education. We were fortunate enough to receive a Grant from RI Foundation in conjunction with URI to support this program. Students interested will take URI classes taught by Highlander teachers during the school day. Students will also visit URI and intern at the lower school. I attached a short video that gives more information. Students can sign up now for the first course that runs in Semester 1.
Looking forward to an exciting and productive school year!
Ms. Grant
Middle/High School - Principal
Highlander Health Office
Welcome back!!!
For those of you that. don't know me (the person behind this column and newsletter) my name is Tatiana Iezzi (Romero). I have been with Highlander since 2007 in many different roles from AmeriCorps, to Afterschool Director... and most recently Assistant to Lower School Principal and Family Engagement Coordinator for the District.
If you need any assistance please reach out on Class dojo or email tromero@hc.school.
Uniforms
We know that school will be starting soon and that some families are still waiting for their orders. Please note that orders can take up to 2 weeks to come in, and in some cases a bit more. If you selected for the uniforms to be delivered to the PVD Campus, I'll be contacting you as soon as they are received.
Handle with Care
If your child is coming to school after a difficult night, morning, or weekend, please know that we want school to be safe and comfortable place for them.
We don't need to know the details, please send a message to Ms.Tatiana or your child principal and just say "Handle with Care", you don't need to share details. Your child will not be told anything unless you want us to say something. This alert us to make sure your child has space, time and extra love and support throughout the day.
Read to Succeed for Incoming 3rd -8th grade
For the summer reading homework, students received their Read to Succeed books. Read to Succeed was founded to encourage students to improve their reading reading skills over the summer and develop a lifelong enjoyment of reading. After reading each book, the students will take an online comprehension test through the Accelerated Reader Program (many are familiarized with the website as they have used it at school). Students who pass all six quizzes or complete a book report for each book will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship in a Read to Succeed - sponsored RI College-Bound Saver account.
We want all eligible students to take advantage of this great opportunity. If your child is having trouble completing a book and/or quiz please let me know and we can talk about other options.
Last day to complete the program is August 28th - our first day of school. So far 81 students have completed the program, I know we can do better 😉. If you need assistance please let me know.
Family Events
August 22nd: PVD New Family Orientation
August 23rd: Warren New Family Orientation
September 9th: Back to School Bash @ Warren Campus 11:00am -1:00pm
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR
FAMILIES OF KIDS UNDER 18
Kids’ Link RI™ is a behavioral health triage service and referral network. A program offered in collaboration with Gateway Healthcare, Lifespan, Hasbro Children's Hospital and Bradley Hospital, Kids’ Link RI is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help triage children and youth in need of mental health services and refer them to treatment providers.The free, confidential phone line, 1-855-543-5465, connects parents and caregivers to an experienced clinician that can help them access children’s services in Rhode Island, and determine the best place to go for treatment and counseling.
Contact Kids’ Link RI™ if your child is:
Feeling excessive anger or sadness.
Lashing out at siblings, friends, and adults.
Having behavior problems at school.
Having severe worries.
Hurting himself/herself or others.
Adult Education: Are you or someone you know in need of adult education? https://enrollri.org/adulted
What is Development all About Anyway?
Thanks to the generosity of our community, Highlander is able to provide many programs and opportunities that would not otherwise be possible. Individual donors like you, corporations and other businesses provide funds every year to help our students have access to high quality experiences and a great learning environment.
Development is about building relationships with our community so that we are able to help our donors achieve their dreams. What does that mean? If the donor believes that education, or music, or theater is important, they might want to donate to Highlander to help build these programs for our students. It’s sort of a matching game if you will. It is matching what the donor wants and loves with the needs of our school. It sometimes happens quickly, but most often it is a process as it is in any relationship.
How can you help?
We are always happy to meet new friends who would like to learn more about Highlander or who already have heard about us and want to get involved. This could be a business, a corporation or an individual. If you want to learn more, just email Jeanne our Director of Development and Community Relations at jdagostino@hc.school
Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, join our Facebook Family Engagement page and subscribe to our Youtube Channel!
Did you know that when you are shopping for everyday items you can help our students? The link Amazon Smile will take you directly to Amazon Smile for Highlander! AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support Highlander every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop at AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to Highlander Charter School if you designate us!
Summer Programming
-Ramp Up for grades 1st-9th were students not only received academic support they also participated in many cool enrichment activities. See pictures below
-Credit Recovery for grades 7th -12th providing students the opportunity to earn credit for classes that they couldn't finished during the Academic Year.
-Transition Academy was offered to all new students to Highlander going into the 9th grade.
Shoutouts!
- To all Summer Programming Staff - thank you for giving your all this summer.
- To all students that have successfully completed the Read to Succeed Program
- Highlander Tech and Maintenance department for all the hard work during the summer to make sure we have a successful start to the School Year.
Connect with us
Providence: 401-277-2600
Warren: 401-247-3585
Class Dojo : https://www.classdojo.com/
Mrs. Grant: rgrant@hc.school
Mrs. Roseberry (ES): jpicciotti@hc.school
Mr. Pabst (Warren): wpabst@hc.school
Mrs. Goulart (Warren): agoulart@hc.school
Email: info@hc.school
Website: highlandercharter.org
Phone: 401-277-2600
Twitter: @highlanderChart