Dear Families,

As we move into February, there’s much to celebrate in Highlander Nation! From recognizing the vital role of our school counselors to celebrating outstanding student achievements

In this edition of MacGregor’s Message

• National School Counseling Week

• Howell High School Air Force JROTC earns top honors at State drill meet

• February Celebrating Awareness Theme

• Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires parent night

• February Mental Wellness Resources

Today marks the end of National School Counseling Week, and I want to take a moment to recognize our incredible team of school counselors. Our school counselors have a tremendous impact on our students. They help ensure students are future-ready by advancing the work of the Highlander Career and College Council and guiding each student in planning for life after graduation. They also support students' social growth and development, serving as a friendly face and a listening ear when students need them most. Additionally, they provide valuable resources to families and students facing challenges, creating welcoming environments where all students can thrive. Please join me in thanking our school counselors for their unwavering support of our students and families!

Last month, the Howell High School Air Force JROTC Drill Team earned top honors at the statewide drill meet. A total of 24 Howell cadets competed in various events, with the Varsity Armed Squad claiming first place and the Varsity Armed Platoon securing second place. The Inspection Team demonstrated exceptional precision, finishing fourth, while the Varsity Color Guard showcased their skills, earning second place. With overall points calculated based on event standings, Howell's AFJROTC unit outperformed the competition by 10 points, securing the top honor. To read more about this outstanding achievement, visit https://bit.ly/3EnEGRY.

Our February Celebrating Awareness theme is Black History Month. This optional program is open to all students and seeks to raise awareness, foster empathy, and inspire action. To learn how elementary students can participate, please visit https://bit.ly/3Q5i2jO. To learn how secondary students can participate, please visit https://bit.ly/411Qlyz. Submissions can be made using the link in the flyers or to the office at your child’s school. 

If you have an incoming kindergarten student and are interested in learning more about Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary, our Spanish dual language immersion program, we invite you to attend Parent Night on Thursday, February 20, at 6 p.m. at Three Fires Elementary. At this event, the Academia Bilingüe team will share details about the program and answer parents' questions. To learn more about Academia Bilingüe, visit https://bit.ly/4gnSKs0. Reminder: You can register your incoming begindergarten or kindergarten student anytime by visiting HowellSchools.com/KDG.

The Livingston Educational Service Agency (LESA) has partnered with ParentGuidance.org to provide free mental wellness resources for families in Livingston County. Parents can access on-demand courses, self-help tools, and a personal parenting coach for up to 30 minutes per week at no cost. Our Mental Wellness Resources webpage has been updated with the February webinar calendar, including the Ask a Therapist Live event on Wednesday, February 19, where you can receive real-time advice from a licensed therapist. To explore ParentGuidance.org and see how it can support your family, visit https://bit.ly/3AexYvV.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Howell Public Schools