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Marian (Ayres) Fischer
08/23/2024
Highlands School District welcomed over 300 returning and new staff to school on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 to kick off the new school year at the Staff Opening Day Event! The morning festivities began with outstanding performances by the Highlands Varsity Marching Band, Varsity Cheerleaders and High School vocalists Chloe Fox, Adele Misejka and Noah Blythe. Speakers included Assistant Superintendent Dr. Cathleen Cubelic, who reviewed the district's "ReFraming the Future" goals and focus for this year, School Board President Dr. Debra Lehew and HEA President Rachel Crowell. In addition, the school principals introduced and welcomed 20 new staff members to the Highlands family. One of the highlights of the day was the delicious luncheon prepared by the HSD Food Service staff and director Stacey Waffensmith. After lunch, staff participated in building meetings with their principals to discuss goals and procedures for the new school year, which begins Aug. 27 for students.
Staff Members Recognized for 25 Years
At the end of the morning's events, Dr. Cubelic recognized the 21 staff members who celebrated 25 years of service at Highlands! Staff members were escorted by members of Superintendent Dr. Monique Mawhinney's Student Cabinet or by family members who share a Highlands connection!
With sincere appreciation and gratitude, we congratulate the following staff for their 25 years of dedication and commitment to Highlands:
Pre-K Counts Teacher
Escorted by Shane Sultzer
Cynthia Smith
Kindergarten Teacher
Escorted by Carter Brown
Michele Pacek
Kindergarten Teacher
Escorted by Michael Reid-Wells & Giuliana Malta
Nicole Baker
MTSS Interventionist at Highlands Elementary
Escorted by her father, Ron Korczynski, who was an art teacher at Highlands for 32 years!
Kristine Hrivnak
1st Grade Teacher
Escorted by Mikenzie Anderson
Annette Wasilowski
Food Services, Highlands Elementary
Escorted by Jamaal Cook
Trish Beam
8th Grade Learning Support Teacher
Escorted by...
Kevin Schmitt
Recently retired 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher, who is also celebrating 25 years!
Scott Cale
5th Grade Science Teacher
Escorted by his children, Highlands students Aiden Cale & Lilliana Cale
Ron DeJidas
6th Grade Science Teacher
Escorted by Vincent Markey
Mike Foster
8th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Wendy Hutchison
8th Grade Science Teacher
Escorted by Ava Josefoski & William Woody
Renee Ludwig
Middle School Choral Director
Escorted by Serenity Matthews & Drake Hatajik
Chris Nowicki
Recently retired 5th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Kelly Schoepf
MTSS Facilitator at the Middle School
Escorted by Quinn Dickerson
Teresa Emeloff
High School Art Teacher
Escorted by Chloe Fox
Jennifer Galcik
High School Special Education Teacher
Escorted by her daughter, Hannah Miller, who is an ELA Teacher at Highlands Middle School.
Rich Macura
High School Special Education Teacher
Escorted by Asira Hayden
Autumn Melczak
High School Social Studies Teacher
Escorted by Gabby Godfrey
Matt Sespico
High School Science Teacher
Escorted by Keegan Babinsack
Matt Taladay
High School Science Teacher
Escorted by Mason Powell
#ReFraming the Future
#RamPride
#WeAreHighlands
#R4L
