Highlander Charter School
District Newsletter - January 2023
Important Dates:
- January 3rd: Classes resume
- January 6th: PVD SOTM Celebration
- January 6th: 7th & 8th grade vision screening
- January 9th-13th: MAPS testing PVD Campus
- January 9th-20th - Access testing grades K-12
- January 9th: Vision Screening grades Prek-5th and new students in 6th grade
- January 10th: RICAS info and student achievement night grades 3rd-8th 5:30pm at PVD Campus
- January 16th: No school MLK Day
- January 19th: SIT Meeting - Zoom 5:00pm
- January 24th: Vaccinate Before you graduate
- January 24th: Second quarter/1st Semester ends
- January 25th: PVD Students early dismissal 11:30am
Basketball Schedule
- January 3rd: Boys Basketball game at Highlander (4:45pm JV; 6:30pm Varsity)
- January 6th: Girls Basketball Game at Highlander
- January 6th: Boys Basketball Game at Davies (4:30pm JV; 6:00pm Varsity)
- January 9th: Boys Varsity Basketball Game at Highlander (6:30pm)
- January 11th: Boys Basketball Game at BVP (5:30pm JV; 7:00pm Varsity)
- January 13th: Boys Basketball Game at Highlander (4:45pm JV; 6:30pm Varsity)
- January 17th: Boys Basketball Game at Highlander (4:45pm JV; 6:30pm Varsity)
- January 19th: Boys Basketball Game at Juanita Sanchez (5:30pm JV; 7:00pm Varsity)
- January 23rd: Boys Basketball Game at West Warwick (5:00pm JV; 6: who 45pm Varsity)
- January 25th: Boys Basketball Game at Highlander (4:45pm JV; 6:30pm Varsity)
- January 27th: Boys Basketball Game at Moses Brown
To All of the Highlander Community:
Renewal Update
On Tuesday, December 20th, RI Department of Education presented renewal recommendations to the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. Renewal is based on our performance and Star Rating. The Elementary School received a 2 Star Rating and the Secondary School received a 1 Star Rating. Although the Star Ratings went down, it is important to understand that multiple categories are rated and the school’s overall rating is the lowest rating rather than an average. The Elementary School had all 3 Star and 4 Star ratings except for one 2 Star rating. The Secondary School had all 2 Star and 3 Star ratings except for one 1 Star. Based on these ratings, the school received a 3 year renewal recommendation and the Council will vote on that recommendation on January 24, 2023.
When Covid interrupted teaching and learning, our students struggled as did most in the state. Although we understood why students were struggling, we felt that it would be a disservice to lower our standards or pass students on to the next grade if they weren’t prepared. This included graduating seniors who did not earn the credits, complete portfolios or complete the community service hours required. Prior to the pandemic, Highlander’s four year graduation rate percentages were in the high 80’s and five year rate percentages were in the low 90’s. The 1 Star rating for the Secondary School is based on the 4 year graduation rate for school year 2020-202; the height of the pandemic. The majority of students who did not graduate in four years returned and graduated in 5 years.
As the Commissioner has stated, we are still dealing with the impact of the pandemic and it will take 3-5 years for students to recover from the impact on learning. Highlander has laid the foundation for that recovery by taking multiple steps. We have hired reading and math coaches, an instructional coach, purchased new HQ Curriculum material, added 2 weeks to our summer program, and have opportunities for after school tutoring and a Saturday Academy. Highlander is committed to ensuring our students' success and I am sure our Star Rating will go back up.
Wishing you all a safe and healthy break,
Ms. Grant
Middle/High School - Principal
Middle/High School Assistant Principal
School Life and Admissions
Highlander Health Department
Literacy Department
Department of Teaching and Learning
PVD Lunch with a Loved One
Thank you to all the families that joined us. Be in the lookout for the next one.
Holiday Cheer
Thank you to all the families and staff that helped us Spread the Holiday cheer. Your generosity helped us reached over 30 families. Gifts card for Target and Walmart are always welcome to help families during the year.
School Improvement Team
We are inviting families to join us at this meetings. We need families to help guide us in our improvement efforts. Our next meeting will be a zoom meeting on January 19 at 5:00. Please consider sharing your voice. Mark your calendar for the next meetings 1/19/23 & 3/16/23.
RICAS info and student achievement Night
We are inviting families with students in grades 3rd-8th grade to join us on Tuesday, January 10th from 5:30-7:00pm at the PVD Campus for a RICAs info session. We will also acknowledge students growth.
NEWS FROM THE RI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: REMINDER: The 2023 applications are now open for the PrepareRI High School Summer Internship Program. If you are or have a rising senior this summer this PAID opportunity is an excellent one for college or career resumes. Students attend a one week paid ($15/hr.) boot camp which prepares them for interviews and work-related skills as well as helps them to determine things like their strengths and weaknesses, and then are matched to a full-time, paid ($15/hr.), five-week summer internship that gives them hands-on, real world work experience in a possible career interest. Hundreds of students across RI participate in these internships and the application process is a multi-phased process including submitting essays, a resume, participating in an orientation and interviews. It is an amazing opportunity for all students. If you are in need of appropriate work clothes, technology or transportation, PrepareRI will work with you.
Application deadline: January 22, 2023.
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
Affordable Internet: Is your family in need of affordable internet? "The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps to ensure that families can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month towards internet and eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 towards the purchase price." Learn more here.
One initiative we are piloting this year is the Handle with Care. If your child is coming to school after a difficult night, morning, or weekend, please know that we want school yo be a safe and comfortable place for them. We don't need to know the details, please send me a message and let me know to "handle with care". This will alert us to make sure your child has space, time, and love throughout the day.
All families have been invited to Class Dojo, if you need assistance or haven't received an invitation please email me at tromero@hc.school
HELP WANTED!
Highlander has a great opportunity to raise some funds to create outside learning spaces at both campuses!
April 1st is 401 Gives days and we need a big team to share our fundraising page. The more we share, the more we raise! So, we need all hands on deck! Our goal is to raise $20,000 and with a big group of staff and family members we can do it!
If you can give us a few minutes of your time we will teach you how this works and provide all of the tools you need. Then all you have to do is share it far and wide. 3 years ago we raised nearly $10,000 with a very small group. Imagine what we can do if all of our families help out?!
A HUGE THANK YOU!
Thanks to Michael Slade, pictured here, hundreds of children will have toys under their tree this Christmas. Every year he uses his birthday to host a toy and gift card drive to support our families.
If you benefited from this amazing event, please send a short note of thanks that we can share with Michael and the venue that hosted us. You can send jdagostino@ hc.school, or tromero@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!
Mr. B's Book Day
Every year Mr. Baldassi host a Book Day. Student in grades PreK -6th will visit his book fair and take home a few free books. Students always look forward to this day.
Thank you Mr. B
Winter Wonderland 6th Grade
Winter Wonderland - Book team
Winter Wonderland PreK (with 6th grade helpers)
Spirit Week - Twin Day
Spirit Week - Twin Day
Spirit Week - Twin Day 5A ft. Ms. Claribel
SOTM for November
The 6th grade raising a ruckus for the URI Rams!
Winter Exhibition
Shoutouts!
From Goulart and Pabst to all Warren staff - for all of your hard work, passion, and dedication that you bring everyday. It is through your efforts and actions that inspire our students and push them closer to great success!!!
From Jeanne and Tatiana to all staff and families who gave to the gift drive. Because of your generosity we were able to provide toys and gift cards to 30 of our families!
To Mr. Trochez staff of the Month for the Warren Campus
From Goulart and Pabst to Helena and Barbara for your help getting the honor roll assembly together. It was great to have so many families there to celebrate with us and their students!
To 1st grade for an amazing exhibition.
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