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HCS former Children's House directress Mrs. Eniola Oladeji-Kalimara working with her granddaughter Ayana Lewis.

"Highland, Highland/My home and my friend..."
Every HCS child knows the Highland song, and the author is a longtime HCS teacher and now HCS grandparent!

Mrs. Eniola Oladeji-Kalimara was an instrumental Highland teacher in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Although she subsequently left HCS to move out of state, her granddaughter, Ayana Lewis, started at Highland this year in K-3. Below is an interview conducted by Ola, Eniola’s daughter and Ayana’s mom.
What initially brought you to HCS?
I was looking for a neighborhood school that had a community focus. Gwen Moore, your (Olayinka's) godmother told me about highland and she thought it would be a good fit. She knew that I was looking for a small, intimate, parent involved, and family oriented school.
Highland Community School was a place where children were loved, nurtured, and respected.
What is a fond memory or two?
To try to narrow down my fond memories to 1-2 is very hard, because I have over 20 years of fond memories at Highland Community School.
The camping trips, the Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast at the Interlude, the Highland Picnic’s at Hawthorne Glen, and each year during summer break Tim Souers and I would have one day to get together with the children in our class and would spend the day at Pike Lake.The Highland Community School Walk (Juneau Walk) was at the end of the year. Highland parents, staff, and students would meet at Tim Souers' house or families would get picked up on the way, during the walk. Everyone socialized and parents helped other parents with their children, and enjoyed the walk together. I have never known another school to have such a wonderful community effort.
I loved the staff parties, during the holiday season we would always get together to celebrate.
Can you share what you found special about HCS? What kept you there?
The words in the Highland song that I wrote really describe what Highland meant to me. Highland is a loving and nurturing environment for children and their families. Highland represents what a community should be and can be. To guide children in their education the whole family has to be involved in order for that to be successful.
For me Highland was an extension of family. Being a part of Highland Community School I felt a sense of pride, because of its sincerity and mission to provide quality Montessori education.
Highland is truly living its mission statement.
Is there a particular story/lesson/experience that comes out of your time at HCS?
Highland Community School sees the potential in all of our children as well as parents. Highland Community School creates many opportunities for parents to be involved to share their skills, talent and develop new skills. Through Highland I had my first experience of serving on a board and various other committees. Highland nurtures your potential and supports it.
What hopes/expectations do you have for your grandchild at HCS?
Through Highland and the Montessori experience I would like for Ayana Lewis to receive the foundation for a love of learning. A strong sense of self, love, and respect for the world community, and the tools that will encourage her to contribute and give back. I want her to have fun, build friendships, and when she is older and has moved on from Highland she will continue to carry that Highland spark in her heart.