MacGregor's Message 8/31/18 
Dear Families,

It has been a great first week of school. On Monday, I was able to visit each of our buildings. I loved seeing the smiles on students faces as they started the new school year. Our teachers, staff, and principals all worked so hard setting up our schools and classrooms to be welcoming spaces that students are excited to come to each day. I look forward to another great year of partnering with each of you to ensure that our students reach their maximum potential.

On Wednesday, the State of Michigan released the 2018 M-STEP assessment scores. While I was disappointed to see our proficiency rates decline in some areas, this seemed to be a trend across our county and the state. The M-STEP is one source of information for us to evaluate our student's progress regarding content mastery. However, as we examine overall student performance, I believe students must be provided opportunities to demonstrate knowledge of essential skills such as problem-solving, creativity, innovation, adaptability, and leadership. In turn, we are broadening our assessment toolbox to get the most accurate information on each of our students. That said, while the M-STEP assessment showed a decline in student proficiency, our internal NWEA assessment has been showing a trend of increased student growth. You can read more about our 2018 M-STEP scores at https://goo.gl/eN7ndY.

This summer our new mobile library, The Highlander Reading Express logged some serious miles traveling around our community promoting summer reading and increasing our students access to reading materials over the summer months. I had the opportunity to drive The Highlander Reading Express twice, and it was amazing to see how excited our students were about reading. I also enjoyed the opportunity to connect with parents, students, and teachers outside of the school setting. During the eight weeks that The Highlander Reading Express ran its weekly route, we checked out more than 1,000 books! None of this would have been possible without the students who helped transform an old school bus into a mobile library, our community partners who funded this effort, and the teachers, staff, and principals who volunteered their time to help drive the bus and read with students at each stop. If your child still has books from The Highlander Reading Express, please drop them off at the main office of their school.

Yesterday we officially dedicated the athletic field at Howell High School’s Memorial Stadium in honor of a Howell legend, Mr. John Dukes. On Wednesday, September 26, all Howell Public Schools fifth grade students are invited to participate in a cross-country race prior to the state of the middle school cross county meet, and on Saturday, October 20, the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department will offer a free distracted driving awareness course to high school students. You can read more about each of these stories below.

John Dukes Field Dedication
Last night, we held a ceremony to officially dedicate the athletic field at Howell High School’s Memorial Stadium as John Dukes Field. Mr. Dukes is a life-long Howell resident whose contributions to Howell Public Schools and the Howell community are extensive. Mr. Dukes touched the lives of thousands of Howell students during his 35-year teaching career and his 25 years as the Howell High School varsity football coach. Even in retirement, he continues to work with our students as a volunteer with the athletic department. You can read more about this honor and Mr. Dukes at https://goo.gl/7MiQD8.

Howell Public Schools Fifth Grade Cross Country Race
On Wednesday, September 26, all Howell fifth grade students are invited to take part in a one-mile cross county race. The race will begin at 5 p.m. prior to the start of the Parker versus Highlander Way middle school cross country meet. There will be both a boys and a girls race with the top finishers receiving medals. To read more about the race, please visit https://goo.gl/KhN7tm.

Livingston County Teen Distracted Driving Initiative
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department has partnered with FT Techno of America and State Farm Insurance to offer a hands-on teen distracted driving awareness course on Saturday, October 20. The program will allow teens to experience several distracted driving situations under the supervision of a Sheriff’s Deputy. To learn more about this great opportunity, please visit https://goo.gl/b6LA4j.
Posted by gouldt On Fri, Aug 31, 2018 at 2:18 PM  

 
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