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Highlander Charter School

December 2024

HighlanderCharter SchoolDecember 2024
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Important Dates:

  • December 4th: PVD Student of the Month
  • December 17th: PVD Vision Screening
  • December 19th: Board Meeting 5:00pm
  • December 20th: PVD Winter Wonderland
  • Dec 23rd- Jan 3rd: Holiday Break (No School)

Access full calendar of events here

From the Desk of the Superintendent

Dear Highlander Community,


As we approach the holiday season and wrap up 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve undertaken since I joined the Highlander community as your Superintendent. This year has been one of learning, growth, and perseverance for our organization. During this season of reflection and gratitude, I’d like to share some key highlights from our year. Together, let us look forward to new opportunities and continued progress in the year ahead.


Enhancing Our Learning Environment
We continue to take a closer look at our students’ learning progress as we work to strengthen instructional practices across both of our campuses. We are actively supporting our school leaders in becoming exceptional instructional leaders. Our team has been hard at work developing tools and strategies to set clear goals that will help elevate our academic success.


Welcoming New Leadership

We’re excited to announce the addition of Jen Roy as our new Director of Special Services. This newly created position will help us better support our diverse students' needs. Jen brings a wealth of expertise as both a school administrator and special education teacher, with nearly thirty years of experience in the field. Over the last few weeks, she has been collaborating with Rose Mary Grant to learn all about the unique needs of our students. We are happy to have her join our team!


Innovation and Community Involvement

At Warren, a dedicated task force is working on addressing staffing needs and expanding opportunities for our students. Comprising teachers, staff, and administrators, this group is brainstorming creative solutions that focus on what best serves our students. We're eager to pilot some new ideas in the coming New Year and will be seeking family input as we work to enrich our students’ high school experience!


We’re also thrilled to continue growing our Educator Pathway program in partnership with URI and the Rhode Island Foundation. Students who aspire to be teachers can access dual enrollment courses and real-world learning experiences. We appreciate our teachers at both campuses for their ongoing support as we develop this important program.


Warren Building Updates

Warren is currently on the market as we explore options for our students to return to Providence. There has been some misunderstanding in the community about the school’s status, as some think it is closing. Rest assured, that is not the case! We are considering a leasing option as we search for the perfect new home for our students.


Working Together
In August, teachers and staff at our lower school campus sought representation by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2323 Union for collective bargaining. This marks a new learning process for all of us as we navigate these changes in our operations. We are currently in the early stages of contract negotiations, focusing on prioritizing our students’ needs while also addressing the concerns of our teachers.


Looking Ahead
The new year marks the beginning of the important charter renewal process for Highlander. We appreciate the ongoing support from RIDE throughout our transition in leadership, which has been invaluable during this time of change. We look forward to continued collaboration as we work to enhance our educational offerings, strengthen our community partnerships, and ensure that all students receive a high-quality education tailored to their needs.


As we close out this year, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you—our dedicated families, guardians, and staff—who are the backbone of the Highlander community. Your support and involvement make a difference in the lives of our students every day.


Wishing you all a joyful holiday season filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments with family and friends. May the New Year bring peace, prosperity, and exciting opportunities for growth and success.


Thank you for being a vital part of our journey. Together, let’s embrace the possibilities that 2025 will bring!


Warmest regards and Happy Holidays,

Simona M. Simpson-Thomas| she, her, hers

Superintendent | Highlander Charter School

Work: 401·277-2600 | 401-247-3585

Cell: 401-454-9178



Updates from Elementary School
Click on the red box above to see what Lower School has been up to.
Updates from Middle & High School
Click on the red box above to see what the Middle & High School has been up to.
Family Engagement

As we approach the Holiday Season and the end of the year I'm feeling thankful for the Highlander Community. Our community is always ready to help in times of need and ready to celebrate our students successes.


Penny War Challenge was a success and I'm still counting money 😂. I'll share with all a report with how much money with raised and what classes won the challenge.


The first week of December we invite families to join us for Lunch with a ❤️ one. Please check your child class dojo for more details and to RSVP. Please make sure you RSVP lunch room has limited space.



There is still time to help Highlander families during the Holiday Season. This year we have about 75 families requesting help. Feel free to share with your family and friends if they are looking for an opportunity to help.

Helping is easy, here a few way to help:

-If you are interested in helping by donating gift cards, toys or adopting a family please complete the following form I want to help.


-If you are interested in making a monetary donation, you can do do using the following link https://checkout.square.site/merchant/3XYKG3S2Z8DC1/checkout/I3OCGTN7NLOEQTCPHG5DYFMB?src=webqr


-Purchasing gifts from our amazon wish list to be delivered directly to Highlander - https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2L6AGOJ80SR9O


If your family could use some help this Holiday Season please complete the following form A little help please


Wishing you and your family a healthy, peaceful and joyful Holiday Break and a Blessed 2025!


Have a shoutout for a staff, a student or group of students? Please use the following link to share: https://forms.gle/mKG7d5aU2iLoq7Yx5

Shout Out Shout Out

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Help me congratulate Merlyn Rodriguez Morillo on her acceptance to Bryant University under the Early Decision I Program.
Merlyn has been with us since Kindergarten and all of us from the Lower School to the High School are very proud of her!

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Thank you to Cam’Ren Wheeler from Highlander’s class of 24 and an amazing group of young men attending URI who spent a Saturday at our Providence campus collecting toys for our Family Giving program! We are so grateful that Cam’Ren wanted to give back to Highlander because of the support he received here.

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Kyle Cares- Active Minds Chapter at Highlander


With the support of school psychologist, Dehlia McCarthy, a group of students submitted a proposal to Kyle Cares Foundation and were awarded funds to start an Active Minds Chapter. They are planning programs to support students with mental wellness and we are excited to see their successes!

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Mentoring Grant

Highlander was awarded a second grant from Mentor RI to continue building our peer-to-peer mentoring program supported by the Nonviolence Institute. In addition to training in Kingian Nonviolence, we have a dedicated group of student mentors and staff who will be getting formal training from Mentor RI on what it means to be a mentor and how to handle situations that may arise. From there, we will have a group of students and staff visit 3 schools in Chicago to learn how to formalize our Peacemakers program into something that will be part of Highlander for years to come.

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On November 2nd, our AmeriCorps and TerraCorps member officially made their pledge of Service.


AmeriCorps members are individuals who Get Things Done, completing 300-1,700 hours of paid community service, as tutors, attendance coaches, out-of-school time educators, community health workers, counselors, land conservationists, disaster responders, and more.


Did you know Highlander has many staff who began here as AmeriCorps members? They include Tatiana Iezzi, Ate Hernandez, Helena Johns, Alenoush Hagopian, and more!


Do you want to make an impact in your community? AmeriCorps members volunteers serve with organizations to strengthen communities across our nation. Message atorres@hc.school for more info.

It Gets Better Grant

Highlander is the only organization in Rhode Island that received a grant from It Gets Better to provide a safe learning and working environment for LGBTQ+ students and staff. More to come!


Fall Blood Drive Brings in 24 Donations

Highlander High School students and the community joined together and donated 24 pints of blood on November 8th that helps save 72 individuals! The Blood Center sent all of the students new beanies in appreciation for making this happen.

Link to Community Resources
List of resources for families from different Community Organizations.

Connect with us

Providence: 401-277-2600

Warren: 401-247-3585

Class Dojo : https://www.classdojo.com/


Mrs. Simpson-Thomas: ssthomas@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

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