The Students of the Month presentation is always the highlight of the Highland Board of Education meeting. However, the May 21 presentation was particularly special. Held in the High School Cafeteria, a record nine students were given the honor of Student(s) of the Month in May.

At Highland Elementary School, fifth grader Jude Vankleek was honored by Principal Joel Freer for his participation in the elementary band and the NYSSMA competitions. Jude’s teachers and peers praised him for his respectfulness, being a role model, and as an all around great person.

The Highland Middle School honored Nelson Zheng as its student of the month. Though unable to receive his award in person, Nelson was credited by Principal Wetzel for his participation in track and cross country. Mr. Zheng is currently learning his fourth language. Mr. Zheng also has a particular talent for frisbee, and shares his throwing skills with his classmates.

Finally, Highland High School awarded all seven members of the Highland Special Olympics Team the honor of Students of the Month. Jonaah Super, Tobias Meisel, Jasmine Sullivan, Isabella Reid, Kathleen Cruz, Tyler McConnell, and Eric Fernandes, part of the Highland High School Flex class, received their awards while wearing their Special Olympics metals. In total, the Highland Special Olympics Team brought home 14 gold and 4 silver medals after competing at West Point. Those athletes who received two or more gold medals will take part in the Summer New York Special Olympics on June 15 at Vassar College. Members of the flex class will also compete in an Equestrian competition for the first time this summer.

The Highland Lacrosse Club asks for the board’s assistance

Though the Marlboro Central School district and Highland Central Schools have enjoyed a merged lacrosse team for many years, Highland’s recent decision to make middle school lacrosse a modified sport has left Marlboro players without a team. Coaches, parents, students and supporters of the Highland Lacrosse Club approached the Board of Education asking for their help in keeping their seventh and eighth grade team together. The club has already appealed to the Marlboro Board of Education, who have created an intramural lacrosse program. Players of the Highland Lacrosse Club now find their team split, resulting in less opportunities for seventh and eighth graders to continue in lacrosse. Adam Fodera, the current director of the Highland Lacrosse Club, and John Palmer, approached the Board with the hopes of opening up communication between Highland and Marlboro regarding the future of the merger of lacrosse players between the two districts. Highland Board of Education President Alan Barone agreed to set up meetings to discuss the issue and asked the Highland Lacrosse Club and the Highland Athletics director to gather more information about the number of players affected by the recent changes.

Superintendent Introduces ARCH Program Pilot this Fall
Superintendent Thomas Bongiovi gave Board members the first details about a program designed to help increase graduation rates in the district. The ARCH program (alternative, restorative, collaborative, high school) would directly benefit those students who are short on credits needed to graduate, students whom are sensitive to large groups and the busy high school environment, and those who are on suspensions. have been suspended. The ARCH programs goal is to bring some of these students back into the High School environment, and give them a better chance of graduating on schedule. While participating in this program, ARCH students would receive instruction in the four main subject areas, attend PE classes and receive counseling as needed. If successful, the ARCH program would cut down on the need for district provided home educators, keep students active in the district, and provide restorative services. Currently, the ARCH program will run Monday to Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Though not all the details have been ironed out, Mr. Bongiovi hopes to pilot the program this coming fall.

The final meeting of the Highland Board of Education for the 2019/20 school year will be held on June 11 at the Highland High School.