Dear Families,
I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving weekend.
In this edition of MacGregor’s Message:
Coffee Chat Scheduled for December 7
Holiday Card Artwork Contest
Mental Wellness Family Series
Winter Weather Procedures
Senior Survivor Playscape Opens
Middle School Robotics Teams Advance to State Championship
ParentGuidance.org December Newsletter
Howell Public Schools Receives Outstanding Annual Audit
On Thursday, December 7, I will host my next Coffee Chat from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Howell High School’s Highlander Restaurant. During the chat, I will share updates on the district and shine the spotlight on our fine and performing arts programs. Some of our teachers and students involved in these programs will join me. There will also be time to ask any questions about the district. To read more about the next Coffee Chat, please visit https://bit.ly/46EQnwb.
Each year, I select holiday-themed artwork created by a student to be featured on the district’s holiday card. We want to allow students in grades begindergarten through fifth grade to showcase their creativity by submitting an original holiday design for the card. With your help and permission, students should send their artwork to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13. Please include the student’s name, grade, and school in the email.
I am excited to invite you to our next monthly family educational series session, focusing on a topic vital to our children's success - understanding and addressing school avoidance. Join us on Tuesday, December 14th, from 6 to 7 p.m. for an informative and supportive discussion. The session will dive into the common reasons behind school avoidance and offer practical advice for families. It's an opportunity to gain valuable insights and equip yourself with questions that can help uncover the root causes of this challenge. To learn more about this session, please visit https://bit.ly/3sW65VJ. For those who prefer an in-person experience, we're hosting a viewing at the Howell High School Freshman Campus Media Center. Enjoy refreshments and take advantage of our childcare services while you attend. Please register for the in-person viewing at https://bit.ly/3QXLWGL. If you'd rather join from home, you can access the webinar online by visiting https://cookcenter.info/Dec14Livingston.
Winter is coming, and Sunday’s snow reminded me of that fact. While the snow on Sunday was not nearly enough to close school, I would like to take the opportunity to remind you of our winter weather protocols. There are several factors that my team and I consider when deciding to close school due to inclement weather. The most important of those is the safety of our students and staff. When we need to close school, we try to decide as soon as possible to allow families to make arrangements. It is always a good idea to have a plan in place should we need to cancel school. Please take a few minutes to review the district's winter weather closing procedure at https://bit.ly/3mRMPQC.
Last Wednesday was the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Survivor Playscape, the inclusive playground funded by Senior Survivor 2021 and 2022. Seeing the project completed and watching children enjoy the new nature-inspired playscape was incredible. During the ceremony, I was reminded of Senior Survivor's impact on our community. To read more about the grand opening, please visit https://bit.ly/46CnJf1.
Two of our middle school FIRST Tech Challenge robotics teams have qualified for the FIRST in Michigan state championship event. Teams KUDOS and KRASH have each secured their spots for the event that will be held at Parker Middle School on December 18 and 19. Team KRASH earned their trip to the state championship by being the first team selected as the Finals Alliance at a qualifier event. Team KUDOS earned their trip by being named the Inspira Award second-place winner at a qualifier event.
In today's world, recognizing the significance of mental health in our children's lives is essential. Parents are crucial in shaping their children's views and behaviors around well-being. The phrase "Erase The Stigma” is a call to action, emphasizing the need to break down the barriers surrounding mental health and the role parents play. Let’s explore the importance of parents taking the lead in erasing the stigma surrounding mental health and fostering awareness in their children. Join us by reading this December's Mental Health Newsletter (English/Spanish). As always, check out the ParentGuidance.org resources, where you can access free courses led by licensed therapists on more than 50 topics. Check out the course titled Connect with Your Child by Parenting with Purpose. To access the course, simply navigate to ParentGuidance.org and click on-demand courses.
At the November Board of Education meeting, we received the results of our annual audit. We were awarded an “unmodified” opinion, which is the highest assurance and signifies that the audit team did not identify any material weaknesses or noncompliance within the district’s accounting practices and financial records. Earning an ‘unmodified’ opinion reinforces our district’s commitment to being good financial stewards of taxpayer funds. To learn more about our annual audit, please visit https://bit.ly/3uFdf1b.
Sincerely,
Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.S
Superintendent
Howell Public Schools
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