Dear Families,

With so many great things happening around our district, it has been very challenging to fit them all into my recent newsletters.

In This Edition of MacGregor's Message:

• Class of 2023 Graduations
• Facilities Assessment and Committee Update
• Parker Middle School Unified Champion Schools Program
• Athletic Highlights
• Howell Archery Wins National Championships
• Family Perception Survey Reminder
• Highlander Reading Express Schedule
• Last Day of School Signs
  
  

Over the past week, we have celebrated the Howell High School and Innovation Academy seniors during their graduation ceremonies. While the path to graduation looks different for each student, it is paved with the love and support of their families, teachers, and school staff. While graduation marks the end of one chapter of their lives, it is also the beginning of a new and exciting chapter. Whether they are entering the workforce, serving our country in the armed forces, or attending a trade school or university, I know these incredible young adults will go on to accomplish great things.

On Tuesday, the Board of Education held a workshop to hear and discuss an update to the facilities assessment we had completed over the past several months. This work aligns with our Adaptive Plan focus areas and guiding questions under Engaging, Positive, and Safe Learning Environments and Fiscal, and Operational Stewardship. The assessment surveyed the district's buildings from top to bottom to identify current and future needs. These needs included safety and security, critical infrastructure, teaching and learning, and community and co-curricular needs. A Facilities Committee of district administrators, Board of Education members, teachers, parents, and students reviewed the assessments, determined priorities, and made recommendations. While this process is ongoing, we are in a unique position where we can fund the needed improvements without changing the current millage (or tax) rate." While we are still in the planning phase, I will keep you updated as things move forward.

Also, on Tuesday, 34 students from Parker Middle School's Unified Champion Schools program attended a Special Olympics Unified Bocce Tournament at the United Wholesale Mortgage Sports Complex in Pontiac. The students competed against 11 other teams (with 250 students in attendance at this event). Students played two bocce ball games, joined their peers for lunch, and received t-shirts and awards. Unified Champion Schools is an outstanding program providing co-curricular opportunities to special needs students. I am so proud of how our students, staff, and families have grown this program in the district.

Several of our Track and Field athletes have qualified for next week's MHSAA Track and Field State Championship meet. Sarah Halliday qualified in the 3200 meter; Kaitlyn Ward in the pole vault and 100-meter hurdles; Ella Koons, Sophie Daugard, Lea MacGregor, and Mackenzie Wright in the 4 x 400-meter relay. Sophie Daugard also qualified in the long jump. Also qualifying for this event were TJ Fischhaber and Alexis Le in the high jump; Emma Kanka and Sophie Daugard in the shot put; Ella Koons, Sarah Halliday, Lea MacGregor, and Mackenzie Wright in the 4 x 800 meter; and Luke Eros in the discus. Also in athletic news, Our boys golf team claimed the KLAA West Championship for the first time in program history.

A few weeks ago at the National Archery in the Schools Program Eastern Nationals, one of our high school teams, claimed first place in the Centershot Bullyseye and 3D competitions. Our high school JROTC team also claimed the JROTC Bullseye, 3D, and overall JROTC National Championships. Tristan Stuart, a member of the JROTC teams, was named the overall JROTC Individual National Champion, and Jacob Dault claimed fifth place in the National 3D Competition. Watching our archery program grow and earn the right to compete nationally has been so much fun.

If you still need to complete our Family Perception Survey, please take a few moments to do so. The responses from the survey help us evaluate our current practices and identify our strengths and areas for improvement. You can access the survey at https://bit.ly/3VUXTPJ. The survey will be open until Friday, June 2, at 5 p.m.

This summer, the Highlander Reading Express will again be in various locations around our community each week. The Reading Express is the district's mobile library. This year the Reading Express will run on Tuesday and Thursday each week. On Tuesdays, the Reading Express will be in the Hidden Creek Subdivision and the Rolling Ridge Subdivision. On Thursdays, it will visit Little Highlanders Learning Center, Marion Township Park #1, and on select Thursdays, Howell Estates. To view the schedule, locations, and times, please visit HowellSchools.com/ReadingExpress.

We have created printable last-day-of-school signs to celebrate the last day of school. You can download the signs at https://bit.ly/3ouFsVE. If you take photos of your child for the last day of school, we would love to share them on our Facebook page. Just send us a Facebook message with the photo. Seeing how our students have grown over the school year is always fun.

This will be the last MacGregor's Message of the 2022-2023 school year. It has truly been an incredible year in Highlander Nation. I want to thank our entire team for their dedication over the school year. I also want to thank all of the parent volunteers who help support our students and schools. Lastly, I would like to thank each of you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education. I hope you all have an excellent, safe, and fun summer.

Sincerely,
Erin J. MacGregor Ed.S.
Superintendent
Howell Public Schools