Highlands School District

August 2022

Dear Highlands Students & Families,

It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 2022-23 school year. As I reflect on my time as the Superintendent of the Highlands School District, especially the past couple of years, I realize how unique our school district and community is, and I am so privileged and proud to be a part of it.

This year, as we continue to Frame the Future for our students, we will also use the theme WE Are Highlands to recognize our uniqueness, and promote the qualities of the students, staff, school board and community. The administration, teachers, and staff worked diligently this summer to prepare the buildings and classrooms so that rigorous teaching and learning can start on the day our students return for the 2022-23 school year. We are excited to carry on with Framing the Future by striving to accomplish the district goals that were established in 2019.

A focus this school year will be to continue designing a Career and Workforce Readiness Program K-12 that provides exposure, preparation and education relevant to the pathway students choose, leading to achievement of post-secondary outcomes. To accomplish this multi-year goal, the High School worked with the district’s Grading and Assessment Committee to restructure the graduation credit requirements and the Program of Studies. The district will resume its partnership with the Upper Allegheny Valley Community Development Corporation (CDC) and the AIU Career and Workforce consultants to redesign the High School to create pathways for our students that include college, trade/technical school or the workforce. Our goal is to provide exposure to various professions by giving our students opportunities and resources to enhance the skills and competencies needed to be successful in whichever path they choose.

Another focus area will be to assure our students’ social and emotional needs are being met. The Student Services Department has worked with key personnel this summer to provide meaningful services for our students throughout the new school year. Our teachers and staff are excited to return to a sense of normalcy that will allow our students to pursue their academics while participating in extracurricular activities, sports, and other school-related events. These activities are critical in addressing the needs of the whole child.

I hope you know how important you and your children are to the Highlands School District administration, staff and school board. We strive to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for your children each day while creating meaningful relationships with them. Our goal is to support them as they grow and development into the best possible person they can become throughout their time as RAMS. I look forward to seeing the smiles on our students faces soon, and I wish them and our staff another rewarding and successful school year.

WE Are Highlands, continuing to Frame the Future!

Respectfully,

Dr. Monique Mawhinney

724-226-2400

mmawhinney@goldenrams.com