Dear Families,

It is an exciting day in Highlander Nation as our varsity football team takes on Belleville for the KLAA championship title. 

In this edition of MacGregor's Message:

• National Merit Scholarship Commended Student

• ParentGuidance.org November newsletter and webinar schedule

• Parker Middle School National Junior Honor Society

• HHS teacher honored by LACASA

• Highlander Sports Report

• Livingston ESA Special Education Millage

• Breakfast is available at school each day

• Christmas Elf Program Sponsors

Howell High School senior Luke Bonanni has been named a Commended Student in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. Luke is recognized for his exceptional academic promise, placing among the top 50,000 students nationwide based on his 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test results. Being named a Commended Student is a tremendous accomplishment, and we are proud of Luke for his dedication and hard work. To read more about Luke and this achievement, please visit https://bit.ly/3YGcDoI. 

We have added the November calendar of ParentGuidance.org webinars and newsletter to our Mental Wellness Resources webpage. This month, we are spotlighting the session on School Avoidance, a crucial topic many families face. Be sure to visit the site for a complete list of webinars and resources to help parents and students navigate these challenges. These resources are available through Livingston ESA's partnership with ParentGuidance.org. Please visit https://bit.ly/3AexYvV to learn more or access the resources.

Earlier this week, Parker Middle School hosted its first National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) induction ceremony. NJHS is open to seventh and eighth-grade students who earned a 3.75 cumulative GPA from the previous school year at Parker. Eligible students also submitted a letter of recommendation and an essay highlighting their character and leadership qualities. This year, 60 students were inducted into the Parker Chapter of NJHS. I'd like to thank Mrs. Schmidt and Mrs. Moore for bringing this opportunity to our students and congratulate all the inductees.

Leah Brinker, a teacher at Howell High School, was recently honored by LACASA with the Phoenix Rising: Youth Advocate of the Year Award. This award recognizes Mrs. Brinker for her steadfast support of LACASA's mission. For over a decade, she has worked with LACASA to expand healthy relationship lessons in Livingston County schools by helping develop age-appropriate materials. She has also served as an ambassador for LACASA at the local, state, and regional levels, successfully advocating for LACASA to speak at the Michigan Family and Consumer Sciences teachers' conference, broadening its message statewide.

The Howell Athletics Department has launched a new newsletter, The Highlander Sports Report. Whether new to the Howell Athletic Family or a returning member, this newsletter is your comprehensive guide to our upcoming Winter Sports programs. New families will find valuable information to help navigate their first season while returning families will be reminded of the 'Highlander Standard'—dedication, integrity, and teamwork. Visit https://bit.ly/3Yl5YP6 to read The Highlander Sports Report.

As we approach the November 5th election, I'd like to take a moment to highlight the Livingston ESA Special Education Millage Renewal and Restoration that is on the ballot. This millage provides funding for services for students with disabilities, many of which are legally mandated but underfunded by state and federal sources. This millage provides over $3 million annually for Howell Public Schools, helping us bridge the gap and maintain critical special education programs. If the millage is not renewed, these costs would need to come from our general operating budget, potentially impacting programs and services that benefit all students. Whether voting in person or by absentee ballot, your participation matters. You can learn more about the millage at https://bit.ly/3yYj7VT. 

Our Food Service Department offers a nutritious breakfast daily, starting at 7:05 a.m. for middle and high school students and 8:30 a.m. for elementary students. As part of the Michigan School Meals program, a full breakfast is free to all students, ensuring that everyone starts the day ready to learn and succeed. We are committed to supporting the health and well-being of our students, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of this program.

There is still time to become a sponsor for the Christmas Elf Program, which partners with Livingston County schools and generous sponsors to support underprivileged students in our community during the holiday season. Last year, the program helped over 435 children and families in Brighton Area Schools,  Howell Public Schools, and the Livingston ESA. There are two ways to support this wonderful program: 1) by sponsoring a student or 2) by making a monetary donation to help provide gift cards for high school students. To sponsor a child, please visit https://bit.ly/3zUHOTq. To make a monetary donation, please visit https://bit.ly/3YjQTyv. 

I hope you have a great weekend. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.S.

Superintendent

Howell Public Schools