Dear Families,

There is certainly no shortage of exciting things happening across Highlander Nation. From the riding area to the theatre stage, and everywhere in between, our Highlanders continue to make their mark. 

In this edition of MacGregor’s Message:

• A Cappella to sing with Jackson Symphony Orchestra 

• Highlander Hownd therapy dog, supports reading 

• Equestrian team competing at State Championship

• Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry

• Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond update

• Support the Christmas Elf Program

The Howell High School A Cappella Choir has been invited to perform with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra next weekend. Our students will join singers from Lakeview High School to perform John Williams’ Star Wars Suite, featuring Duel of the Fates from The Phantom Menace. Additionally, the A Cappella sopranos and altos will perform the Neptune movement from The Planets by Gustav Holst. This is an incredible honor and opportunity that highlights the exceptional talent of our vocal music students. The performance will take place on Saturday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Jackson College Potter Center. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/4q3MjAq.

Wylie, Southwest Elementary’s Highlander Hownd therapy dog, has become a frequent visitor at the Howell Carnegie Library’s Tail Waggin’ Tutors events. The program gives children the opportunity to read to a trained therapy dog in a relaxed environment, helping them build confidence and enjoy reading without fear of making mistakes. This is just one example of how the Highlander Hownds support students both in and out of the classroom. The next Tail Waggin’ Tutors event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/4nJ3Vjy.

Our high school equestrian team is having an outstanding season. After claiming the district championship title, the team went on to earn the title of Region B Reserve Champions and qualified for the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association State Championship. The team is currently competing at the Midland County Fairgrounds. Please join me in wishing our riders good luck as they represent Highlander Nation at the state level.

Through a partnership with Gleaners Community Food Bank, we host a Mobile Food Pantry distribution on the third Thursday of each month. The distribution takes place in the bus lot between the Freshman Campus and Highlander Way Middle School from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Families and community members are welcome to stop by during that time to receive fresh, healthy food. This is just one of the many ways Gleaners is helping to fight food insecurity in our community. The next Mobile Food Pantry will be held on Thursday, October 16.

If you’ve driven by the sites of the replacement Northwest and Southwest Elementary Schools recently, you’ve likely noticed that construction is moving full steam ahead, with the walls of both buildings rising higher each day. In addition to the elementary projects, progress continues at Highlander Way Middle School. Outside, crews are completing site work and pouring foundations for the new band room and academic addition. Inside, renovations are underway in classrooms designed to better support students with varying abilities. The planning process for the new community center building is underway, with district and community stakeholders meeting to shape the vision for this exciting space. While groundbreaking is still more than a year away, the center will be an incredible asset to both our district and the broader community when completed. We have also formed a committee to guide the process of replacing classroom furniture across the district, ensuring learning spaces are functional, flexible, and welcoming for all students. All of these projects are made possible through the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future bond proposal. To stay updated on progress, please visit HowellSchools.com/Bond.

Each year, the Christmas Elf Program partners with Howell Public Schools, Livingston ESA, Brighton Area Schools, and the local community to help ensure a bright holiday season for children in need. Thanks to the generosity of families, staff, and community sponsors, last year the program supported more than 300 children from birth through eighth grade and nearly 100 high school students. There are two ways you can make a difference this year:

• Sponsor a child: Sign up at https://bit.ly/47hT2z6 to receive a wish list from a child and shop for items from that list.

• Make a monetary donation: Donate online at https://bit.ly/4q3GBOV. Monetary donations help provide gift cards for older students.

The Christmas Elf Program is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. The deadline to sign up to sponsor a child is Wednesday, October 29.

I hope you have a great weekend. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Howell Public Schools