Dear Families,

From our students’ co-curricular successes and updates on the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond projects to important reminders about winter weather protocols and second-semester enrollment for Highlander Virtual, this MacGregor’s Message is packed with valuable information. I encourage you to check out the highlights, including details about our new family engagement program and the upcoming "Breaking the Silence" mental wellness event.

In this edition of MacGregor's Message

• Superintendent's Holiday Card Contest

• Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond Update

• Co-Curricular Achievements

• Breaking the Silence: Mental Wellness and Substance Use Awareness Event 

• Family Informational Evening Screen Time and Mental Wellness

• Winter and Severe Weather Protocols 

• October Celebrating Awareness Winners

• Highlander Virtual Second Semester Enrollment Reminder

There is still time for students in begindergarten through fifth grade to submit their artwork for the Superintendent's Holiday Card Art Contest. With your permission and support, students can submit an original holiday design by emailing their artwork to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27. Please include the student's name, grade, and school in the email. The selected artwork will be featured on the holiday card sent to families and community members. The winning artwork will be used on the holiday card that is shared with our families, staff, and the Howell community. 

Last week, contractors started replacing doors and door hardware at the Howell High School 10-12 Building as part of the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future Bond. This project will enhance security by transitioning to electronic locks and installing new interior doors throughout the building. Many of the current doors are original to the building's construction in the 1980s, and after 40 years of use, they were due for replacement. This week, Innovation Academy received new bond-funded furniture designed to create flexible learning spaces that better meet the needs of students and staff. Additionally, we took delivery of four new bond-funded buses. These buses are equipped with the latest technology, including a 360-degree camera system that gives the driver a complete view of the bus during student pick-up and drop-off.

It has been an exciting fall for our co-curricular programs. Our football team finished with an impressive 11-1 record, earning a district title before falling to Hudsonville in a hard-fought regional game. The Howell High School Esports team advanced to the state playoffs, continuing their streak of success since the program's inception, with team members actively recruited by colleges to join their Esports programs. Jack MacGregor was honored as Livingston Daily’s Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. Our girls swim and dive team also had a standout season, winning the KLAA "B" swim meet. Kinzie Szakal qualified for regionals in diving, and Annabelle Respondek will compete in the MHSAA State Championship this weekend in both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events.

Several community groups partnered together to present "Breaking the Silence," an evening dedicated to mental wellness, substance use prevention, and hope. This free event will take place on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at 2|42 Community Church in Brighton. The event will feature keynote speaker and magician Anthony Grupido, known for his inspiring "Magic of Hope" presentations, along with Collyer Smith, who shares his personal story of loss to substance use, and Amy Buchanan, a person in recovery. This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insights and resources on these critical topics. If you are interested in attending, please register at https://bit.ly/3YZ0aLB. 

We invite you to attend a family informational evening on the impact of technology on mental health. Learn strategies to promote digital well-being and foster healthy online habits. Join us on Tuesday, December 10th at 6 PM in the Highlander Way Middle School media center. The session will help parents facilitate conversations with their students, so parents are encouraged to bring their students ages 10 and up. Families with younger children are welcome to attend, but childcare will not be available. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/4eZ6fOh. 

While yesterday's snow wasn't enough to consider a snow day, it's only a matter of time before winter weather is here to stay. My team and I take the decision to close school very seriously, with several factors considered as we monitor conditions. We strive to notify families of closures by 5:30 a.m. to allow as much time as possible for arrangements. That said, it's always a good idea to have a backup childcare plan in place. Please take a moment to review our Winter and Severe Weather Protocols at https://bit.ly/3mRMPQC.

As part of our new Celebrating Awareness program, I’d like to recognize the creative contributions of Savannah Bliss and Lucy Gee from Highlander Way Middle School and Emily Zitterman from Three Fires Elementary. Their thoughtful projects on Disability Awareness Month and Hispanic Heritage Month exemplify our district's commitment to fostering "a shared Highlander identity that appreciates each student's individuality while bringing all students together." In November, our optional Celebrating Awareness program continues, focusing on Homelessness Awareness Month and Native American Heritage Month. To learn how your child can participate, visit https://bit.ly/3ZhjAwN, and submit entries to your school office or online at https://forms.gle/fAwS6tnoyGHaeZMh6.

As we prepare for second-semester enrollment in Highlander Virtual, families interested in changing their child's enrollment (from in-person to Highlander Virtual or vice versa) are encouraged to complete the Second Semester Placement Change form for each child by 4 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024. New Highlander Virtual students must also submit a Parent Consent form. No action is needed if your child's enrollment will remain the same. For questions, please get in touch with Brooklyn Gehringer, Highlander Virtual Coordinator, at [email protected].

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and an enjoyable Thanksgiving Break. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor. Ed.D.

Superintendent

Howell Public Schools