Highlander Charter School
November 2023
Important Dates:
- November 1st: PVD Picture Day
- November 2nd: Warren Picture Day; No School for PreK
- November 4th: Holiday Vendor & Food Truck event in Warren
- November 13th: No school - Veterans Day
- November 15th: No School - Learning Plan meetings and Student Led Conference
- November 17th: Warren Homecoming Dance 9th-12th grade
- November 22nd-24th: No School - Thanksgiving Break
Dear Highlander Families,
There have been a lot of financial changes that impact the Independent Charter Schools in our state and place the long term financial stability of our schools at risk, including Highlander. It is important to understand that we have enough financial reserves to operate and that this is a long term sustainability issue, NOT an immediate crisis.
The following identifies the challenges Highlander is facing:
Decreased Revenue
March State Aid enacted of $7,411,248 ($124,127 less than anticipated).
June 15th Budget approved by the Board.
June 16th new State Aid announced and enacted of $7,218,745 ($192,503 less than
earlier announced).
$192,503 deficit from Budget approved by the Board, $316,640 from original aid
enacted.
Districts can now withhold 7% or more for unique costs (such as retired teachers’ healthcare and debt service for facilities)
Revenue cannot be increased, it is fixed by student enrollment. Charter Schools have no
tax base.
Student Enrollment (currently down 12 students totaling $180,000 in State Aid plus the
local share which varies depending on the local per pupil rate).
● Reasons for decrease:
1. New Statewide Lottery
2. Length of time on school bus, especially to Warren
Increased Expenses
● Transportation is @ $1,000,000
● Salaries and Benefits
Board Recommended Possible Solutions for Long Term Sustainability
Reduction in expenses
Relocation of the Warren Campus to a PVD location (would significantly cut
transportation costs as PVD High School students would just take RIPTA)
At this point, we are working with the League of Charter Schools to create a plan to try to influence the Legislature in the re-working of the Funding Formula. We will be calling on families to support a campaign at the State House.
We will also be starting a Family and Friends Giving Campaign to begin to close the funding gap. Lastly, we will be planning a family meeting for discussion and transparency.
Thank You,
Mrs. Grant
Middle/High School - Principal
Highlander Health Office
Guidance Department
Department of Teaching and Learning
Literacy Department
Family Events for STEAM Month
November is STEAM Month, which provides a great opportunity for families to connect with local organizations that offer experiential STEAM learning. We invite families to join our community organizations to celebrate STEAM Month with a family outing. Events take place in locations around the state throughout the month of November. You can download the Family Event Calendar to get all the details! Please be sure to share this calendar with your school community, all are welcome to attend.
Holiday Toy Drive
During the holiday season Highlander has helped families in need with food, gift cards and some toys. We have continued with the help of staff and families, but our biggest supporter has been Michael Slade (sort of a celebrity in the PVD community), he will throw himself a BIG birthday party and ask his guests to bring Gift Cards and toys to benefit Highlander.
Michael is now retired and Ms.Jeanne and I (Ms. Tatiana) have been brainstorming ideas to help our families.
This year we are having a curbside drop off Gift Cards and toy drive. The event will be Dec. 9. We are asking all staff, families and community members to please share the following flyer with friends and social media. We want to be able to help as many families as possible.
In the next couple of weeks we will as in the past share with staff and families the form in which they can offer to help families or where they will be able to request help.
In the meantime, please share as much as possible. Any questions or suggestions reach out to me or Jeanne.
Write Rhode Island Short Fiction Course for Teens
Write Rhode Island announces a new creative writing class for teens: Fundamentals of Fiction In this four-week course students will learn the fundamentals of fiction, including character, plot, setting, and theme, as well as workshop your work with classmates and with the instructor. Class activities will include readings, discussions, in-class writing exercises, and workshopping. This course is designed for students with little experience through intermediate students. Additional information can be found at www.school-one.org.
Dates: October 25, November 1, November 8, November 15.
Time: 6:30-8:00
Location: Online
For more information, contact Diana at School One at dianac@school-one.org.
Studio Playground -Winter Classes Are Open!
Studio Playground classes explore the benefits of laughter through movement and physical acting. Our programs teach skills for performance, improvisation, ensemble development, and collaboration.
Each session ends with a performance for friends and family. Sign up through the link below!
Winter Classes in Providence, Rhode Island
Storytelling & Play for Ages 5-7
Creating Characters for Ages 5-7
Playground Company for Ages 8-12
Play Creation for Ages 8-12
Shakespeare & Physical Acting for Ages 13-17
Tutor.com Can Help High Schoolers on Their Paths to College
Are your high schoolers preoccupied with the SAT or ACT? The score is a key component of the college admissions process. Check out Tutor.com’s SAT/ACT Essentials service (includes full-length practice tests, test-taking strategy videos and more), free with AskRI.org’s Tutor.com service. SAT/ACT Essentials, powered by the world leader in test prep, The Princeton Review, will give students the edge they need to reach their target score. Tutor.com is FREE 7 days a week to all Rhode Island students via AskRI.org, Rhode Island’s Online Resource Center.
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.
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.
Teaching Is So Much More Than Time in a Classroom!
Highlander has a wonderful new partnership with the University of Rhode Island for our Education Pathway where Highlander students can gain credits from URI in their Junior and Senior years while at Highlander. Take a minute and listen to URI Asst. Professor Tashal Brown as she talks about the importance of this program to the future of education.
Join Us on Saturday November 4th at Highlander in Warren
Instead of our annual fashion show with the East Bay Chamber of Commerce, we are holding a vendor and food truck fair! Admission to the event is free and is open to all ages.
Please come out to support and share this information with your friends and family!
YES! You Can Help Someone!
1 in 3 people will need blood in their lifetime
Your donations aves up to 3 lives
Although 62% of the population are eligible to donate blood only 3% do
Highlander is hosting a blood Drive with the RI Blood Center on November 30th. We hope you consider donating to help someone in our community whose life depends on it!
Community Building Field Trips
Students from PreK - 6th grade participated on the Community Building Field Trip. Prek - 2nd grade climbed Neutaconkanut Hill in Providence and grades 3rd - 6th hiked Blue Hills in MA.
Shoutouts!
- 134 students successfully completed the Read to Succeed Program for the 2023-2024 school year.
- From Pabst to Jeff for the opportunity to listen and talk with your students about their field trip to the farm. They had a great time. Thank you to you and Jeanne for providing this opportunity.
- To Ms. Solomon for organizing the Wear Read for Dyslexia Awareness.
- To the Guidance team for a great presentation to students and families of Class 2024 about FAFSA and graduation requirements.
- From Dr. Blanco to 3B for having such rich turn and talks about your learning in math!
- To everyone that participated on the Fall Scholastic Book Fair in PVD - We were able to purchase over $3000 in books for the library, and students with Scholastic Dollars.
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