Dear Families,

From lessons about online safety to honoring our local veterans and celebrating our students’ talents on stage and on the field, there’s so much to be proud of in Highlander Nation.

In this edition of MacGregor’s Message:

• Online safety presentation

• Annual Veterans Day program

• Winter and severe weather procedures

• Second-semester Highlander Virtual enrollment

• Weekend events 

We recently hosted FBI Agent Chris Rodolico to speak with our seventh and tenth-grade students regarding online safety. The FBI has seen a significant increase in the number of cases involving teens being coerced into sending explicit images online, a crime called sextortion. There is also a rise in financial sextortion cases where the offender receives sexually explicit material from the teen and then threatens to release the compromising material unless the victim sends money. Agent Rodolico allowed us to record his presentation so families can benefit from this important information as well. You can watch the video at https://bit.ly/3JPTPhX. 

On Wednesday, November 12, the Howell High School Air Force JROTC unit will host its annual Veterans Day program. The event will honor local veterans and educate the school community about the sacrifices made in service to our country. All area veterans are invited to enjoy light refreshments beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center lobby. The program will begin at 9:15 a.m. in the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center and will feature performances by the Howell High School Wind Ensemble and A Cappella Choir. The ceremony will also include the AFJROTC color guard, a flag-folding presentation, and the playing of “Taps.”

While we might not want to admit it, winter is on its way. When winter weather arrives, the safety of our students and staff is always the top priority when making decisions about snow days. While our goal is always to hold school as scheduled, there are times when road conditions make it unsafe to operate our buses. You can review our winter and severe weather procedures at https://bit.ly/3mRMPQC. We try to make closure decisions as early as possible to give families time to arrange childcare; however, it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in place.

As we move through the second quarter of the school year, we are beginning to plan for our second-semester enrollment for Highlander Virtual. This will allow time for schedule adjustments to be made. If you would like to switch your child’s current enrollment  (in-person to Highlander Virtual or Highlander Virtual to in-person), please visit Second Semester Change of Placement to complete a short form. Please complete the form for each child whose enrollment you wish to change. The deadline to change your child’s enrollment for the second semester is 4 P.M. on Friday, December 12, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact Brooklyn Gehringer, our Highlander Virtual Coordinator, at [email protected].

It is a big weekend here in Highlander Nation. Tonight is opening night of the high school’s production of Clue High School Edition. This fast-paced comedic mystery will run tonight through Sunday in the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center. You can purchase tickets online at http://bit.ly/2ZGF1HK or at the door. Tomorrow, Saturday, November 8, our football team will host East Kentwood for the MHSAA District Championship. The game will begin at 1 p.m. at Howell High School’s Memorial Stadium. Tickets must be purchased through GoFan.co.

I hope you have a great weekend. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Howell Public Schools