Highmeadow Staff Reunion Marks School's 25th Anniversary

Thelma Blevins was a nanny for 15 years before coming to Highmeadow Common Campus in Farmington Hills to work as a school aide. 

"Taking care of kids, that was my calling," said Blevins, who lives in Farmington.

She was among many present and former Highmeadow administrators, teachers and support staff who attended a reunion at the school June 10. As people began to arrive, friends crowded around the gymnasium doors sharing memories and hugs.

Current principal Dyanne Sanders said students celebrated during the year, but "we wanted to do something special for all the teachers." 

Highmeadow opened in 1988, designed to meet the needs of gifted and talented students, Sanders said. In addition to regular classes, students can participate in enrichments at the end of the day, in areas like robotics, costume design and making jewelry. 

Julie Riegel was among the school's first media specialists. During her more than 10 years at the school, she said, Highmeadow's staff was "amazing". 

"We got to know every kid in the building by name, because we all worked with them," she said. "When school ended, we went out to wave good-bye, and then we cried."

Sanders said while she worked as an assistant principal at East Middle School, she saw a difference in the children who came from Highmeadow, so when the principalship opened up, she applied. During her nine years at the school, Sanders did her doctoral thesis on what makes Highmeadow tick.

"This school has a remarkable level of collective efficacy," Sanders said. "What that means is, there is not a problem they can't solve. It's very child-centered, and that's why I'm still here. I like what the school stands for. It's a family." 

Blevins can attest to that, even now. 

"The ladies I worked with took care of me like I was a kid," she said. "They still keep in contact with me, and that makes me feel good."