Dear Families,
It has been a sad week in Highlander Nation. On Sunday, we learned that two of our high school students, junior Josh Pennala and sophomore Len Eskola, passed away in a car accident. Two other students were hospitalized with injuries stemming from the accident. One has been released from the hospital, and the other's condition is improving each day. In difficult times like this, our school and community band together to support each other. Our high school team provided a safe place for students and staff to grieve the loss of Josh and Len. Community leaders, organizations, and businesses offered their support in many different ways. Brighton Area Schools also shared some of their therapy dogs who worked with Finn, our therapy dog, to comfort those who were hurting. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has had a part in supporting our school community during this time. As our community mourns, please continue to keep Josh and Len's families and friends in your thoughts.
On Tuesday, we held the first of three public forums to gather feedback on the work from #OneHowell committee. The draft work to date includes a revised vision, goal statements, and guiding questions. If you could not attend Tuesday's forum, there are two more opportunities. Both of the opportunities are scheduled for Monday, January 31. The first is from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m via Zoom and the second is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Howell Opera House. To help us plan for the forums, we do ask that you RSVP if you are planning to attend. In addition to the forums, please take a moment to share your feedback on this work by completing this survey.
The district's Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year nomination window closes on Monday, January 31, at 4 p.m. Please consider nominating a teacher or support staff member who has positively impacted your child, the district, or the community. More information about these awards and the links to submit nominations can be found at https://bit.ly/3n4zvec.
During our weekly check-in meeting, the Livingston County Health Department was cautiously optimistic that we have hit the peak of the COVID-19 surge caused by the Omicron variant. While the number of new cases in our county and state is decreasing, that number remains very high. We all must remain vigilant and continue to follow guidance from the LCHD, which strongly recommends that all individuals wear a mask while in public, practice frequent hand washing and avoid large gatherings.
Sincerely,
Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.S.
Superintendent
Howell Public Schools
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