• August 2024

    Dear Highlands Students and Families,

    Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! I hope everyone had a fun-filled summer that re-energized and excited you for another school year! This time of the year always brings excitement, and I am eagerly looking forward to seeing our students, faculty, and staff's smiling faces as we embark on another year of learning and growth. 

    Throughout the summer, the administration and staff are busy preparing the facilities, buildings, and classrooms so that teaching and learning can begin when the doors open to our students on August 27, 2024. Central office and building administrators are busy conducting interviews, completing student schedules, and finalizing instructional programs for the teaching staff and students. Time was spent Re-Framing the Future and updating the district goals for 2024-2028, which were approved by the Highlands Board of School Directors in August. Although the goals remain the same, subgoals within each have been added or revised to ensure we continue to address the academic, social, and diverse needs of our students and families. 

    One of our key focuses this summer has been enhancing the Career and Workforce Readiness (CWR) K-8 and HS Post-Secondary Pathways programs. Our district and building teams have been working tirelessly to ensure our students possess the skills and knowledge required to be successful in their post-high school plans. This commitment to our students' future is at the heart of our educational mission. Principals also worked with central office administrators to prepare our academic, social/emotional, fine arts, and athletic programs so students can access them the first day they return to school.

    This is the time of year when you drive by the buildings and see the return of students and staff eagerly awaiting the start of another school year. The band is practicing behind the high school, the football team is out on the field working hard to prepare for the upcoming season, and the other fall sports teams are using the MS and HS gyms to practice for the start of their seasons. The buzz in the buildings is returning, with teachers coming in on their last days of summer to set up their classrooms so the students enter a welcoming environment on the first day.

    I hope your children are as excited as we are to start another school year. We cannot wait to welcome them back! We also look forward to working with you to ensure they have a meaningful and positive experience as RAMS students. 

    Here’s wishing our students, faculty, and staff a successful 2024-25 school year!

    Respectfully,

    Dr. Monique Mawhinney

    Superintendent