Highlander Charter School
May 2025
Important Dates:
- May 3rd: STEAM Box Joyful Rebellion
- May 5th-9th: PVD Math RICAS, Staff Appreciation Week
- May 6th: PVD SIT meeting 5:00pm (in person)
- May 7-8th: Math RICAS (7th & 7th grade)
- May 7th: PVD Student of the Month
- May 8th: Highlander Sports Banquet in PVD
- May 9th: PreK - 2nd grade Family Dance
- May 14-15th: NGSA Assessment (8th & 11th grade)
- May 14: Warren SIT Meeting
- May 15th: Prom, Board of Trustees meeting - 5:00pm
- May 22nd: No School - Staff PD, Senior Portfolio, New PreK & K Screening
- May 23rd: Class Award Night, WIN Field Day
- May 26th: Memorial Day - No School
- May 30th: PVD Field Day
May 1, 2025
Dear Highlander Families and Community Members,
As spring brings a sense of renewal and new beginnings, I am filled with hope and gratitude for the vibrant energy across our school community. This season always reminds me of the importance of celebrating the everyday joys that make Highlander special. As a leader, my greatest joy comes from witnessing the incredible moments that center our students. Recently, a few highlights have truly inspired me:
Educator Pathway Program: Watching our upper school students work alongside our lower school classrooms as part of our commitment to building a diverse educator pipeline.
Celebrating Together: Both our middle and high school dances at the Providence campus brought our students and staff together for much-needed moments of fun and connection.
Expanding Partnerships: Our lower school after school program is flourishing, with growing collaborations like the Mini Entrepreneurship of RI program.
Global Learning: This year, upper school staff and students embarked on our annual Ireland trip as part of our Global Service Learning program.
Innovating for the Future: We are piloting new programs such as Beyond the Bell to provide additional opportunities for our high school students.
These experiences are at the heart of my “why,” and they keep me grounded as we navigate complex times as a school community.
As we look ahead, I believe it’s important for everyone to be informed and engaged. At our recent board meeting on April 21st, I shared a Superintendent’s State of Affairs highlighting four key crossroads Highlander is currently facing:
Charter Renewal: Every few years, the Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education reviews our school’s charter and determines renewal based on our academic and operational performance. Our last renewal was for three years, and as this term comes to an end, we are beginning the process again—reflecting on our progress and reaffirming our commitment to students and families. Renewal is never guaranteed, and we recognize there is important work ahead to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to academic excellence.
Financial Sustainability: Like many schools, we face uncertainty around local and federal funding. We must collectively reimagine a sustainable financial model to ensure Highlander’s long-term stability.
Labor Relations: We have an opportunity to realign and strengthen trust and collaboration among all staff. By working together, we can focus our collective energy on creating the best possible environment for our students.
Facilities: We are actively planning for the relocation of our secondary campus to better serve our students and support future growth.
I recognize that clear and open communication is more important now than ever. To keep everyone informed and engaged, I will be working with the school principals to use the upcoming SIT meetings as an opportunity to share more details about our current state of affairs and discuss ways families can support Highlander’s next chapter.
To meet this moment and thoughtfully plan for the future, we are launching our strategic planning process and invite family and community voices to help guide this important work. If you are interested in volunteering to serve on our core strategic planning group, please contact me at ssthomas@hc.school. I will share more details at the upcoming School Improvement Team meetings:
Lower School SIT- Tuesday, May 6th at 5pm (in person),
Upper School SIT- Wednesday, May 14th at 6pm (virtual)
As always, I welcome your questions, feedback, or ideas. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you would like to connect or learn more about how you can be involved.
With appreciation,
Simona Simpson-Thomas
Superintendent
Happy May!
As we enter the final stretch of the school year, we're excited to share all the wonderful things happening across our schools and invite you to join us in celebrating and supporting our students and staff.
As we approach Mother’s Day, I want to take a moment to recognize and honor the many incredible individuals who nurture, guide, and support our students every day.
This celebration is not only for mothers—it is also a time to appreciate grandmothers, aunts, foster parents, older siblings, family friends, and all caregivers who take on the loving and essential role of parenting. Your dedication, patience, and care help shape the hearts and minds of our children, and we are deeply grateful for all that you do.
I see you. I appreciate you. And I thank you for being a vital part of our school community.
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is coming up (May 5–9), and we need your help! Let’s show our amazing teachers & Staff just how much they mean to us. We’re asking families to participate by donating snacks, drinks, gift cards, or time to help with activities throughout the week. Check out Ms. Tatiana's Class Dojo message on how to participate or contact her for more details.
Yearbooks are now on sale! Thanks to the generous support of our Penny Challenge fundraiser, ALL Providence students will receive a yearbook for free! Yearbooks are on sale for Warren students for $15. Supplies are limited, so don’t miss out on this keepsake full of memories!
#AttendanceMatters
Let’s finish the year strong—attendance still matters! Every day counts, especially during these final weeks. Consistent attendance helps students stay on track academically and ensures they don’t miss out on exciting end-of-year events. Students with good attendance (less than 10 absences) received a "Kids Achievement Award" from Burger King, and we will be raffling RIFC tickets for improved attendance.
RIFC Partnership
I'm also proud to share that several of our students have entered our 1st RIFC Art & Writing Contest! Winners will receive free tickets for the May 10th RIFC game—what an honor! To celebrate, the RIFC mascot recently visited our lower school, bringing lots of smiles and school spirit.
Community and Family Resources
Make sure to check the Community Resources Section and the new Immigration Resources for Families Section on our school website.
As always please reach out if you need help.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement. Let’s make this May a month to remember!
With love,
Ms. Tatiana
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
Big shout out to the GSL Group
On April 23rd, students from our Global Service Learning class, along with their teacher and an 2 administrators from Highlander embarked on a flight for Northern Ireland. They were joined by an instructor from the Institute for Nonviolence and one from Mentor RI. This group spent 7 long days together exploring the history, the culture, the troubled past and the hopeful future of Northern Ireland and its youth. Working in partnership with Irish youth from St. Peters Immaculata Youth Center in Belfast, our students overcame cultural differences and made fast friendships.
RIFC Art & Writing Contest
Win 4 Tickets to the May 10 RIFC Game!
Show your love for RIFC by entering our Art and Writing Contest! Whether you're a creative writer or an artistic genius, we want to see how you celebrate our team spirit!
Prizes:
1 Grand Prize Winner per category and campus (PVD & Warren) will receive 4 tickets to the RIFC home game on May 10th!
How to Enter:
Art Category: Submit an original drawing, painting, or digital artwork that represents the RIFC soccer team.
Writing Category: Submit a short story, poem, or fan letter... (300 words max) about RIFC.
Rules:
Open to all students.
Only one entry per person (choose either Art or Writing).
Entries must be original and appropriate for a school setting.
Submit your entry by Monday, May 5th (PVD to Ms.Tatiana, Warren to Ms.Goulart).
Include your name and grade with your entry.
Judging Criteria:
Creativity
Connection to the RIFC team
Effort and originality
Winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 7!
Let’s show our RIFC pride!
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