Dear Families,

I hope you had an enjoyable holiday season and break. 

In this edition of MacGregor’s Message

• January is School Board Appreciation Month

• Begindergarten and Kindergarten Registration for 2025-26

• Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary Application Window

• Teacher and Support Person of the Year Nomination Window

• ParentGuidance.org January Mental Wellness Resources

• Michigan K-12 Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management

• Community Connect 2025

• Final Totals from the District Food Drive

Each January, we celebrate and honor our school board during School Board Appreciation Month. The efforts of school board members often go unrecognized, yet they play a vital role in shaping the future of our schools. We are fortunate to have an incredibly dedicated School Board that spends countless hours preparing for and attending meetings to make informed decisions that benefit our students and families. As we begin 2025, I know our school board members will continue their commitment to improving student achievement and providing exceptional education for all children in our community. Please join me in thanking our school board members for everything they do for Highlander Nation.

With the second semester just getting underway, it’s time to enroll our future Highlanders for the next school year. The begindergarten and kindergarten registration window is now open. At Howell, Future Ready begins in our Begindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms, where curiosity grows, confidence builds, and a love of learning takes root. If you have an incoming begindergarten or kindergarten student, visit HowellSchools.com/KDG to start the enrollment process. Be sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 18, when each of our elementary schools will host a kindergarten information night for families.

On Monday, January 13, the application window will open for next year’s kindergarten class in Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary, our Spanish dual language immersion program. In this program, students will learn the same coursework as in other district classrooms, but in Spanish, becoming proficient in both English and Spanish by the end of elementary school. Participation in Academia Bilingüe is an optional educational opportunity for families. To learn more, visit HowellSchools.com/DualLanguage. A family night will be held on Thursday, February 20, at Three Fires Elementary, where the Academia Bilingüe team will provide information about the program and answer questions. The application deadline for Academia Bilingüe is Friday, March 21.

Each year, Howell Public Schools proudly honors exceptional individuals through the Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year awards. These awards celebrate the dedication and hard work of our outstanding staff members, who make a difference in the lives of our students every day. We invite all members of the Howell community, employees, students, parents, and residents to nominate deserving candidates for these prestigious awards. To learn more about the awards or to submit a nomination, please visit https://bit.ly/3PtVngL. The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, February 3. 

The Livingston Educational Service Agency (LESA) has partnered with ParentGuidance.org to offer free resources to families in Livingston County. These include on-demand courses for parents, self-help resources, and weekly access to a personal parenting coach for up to 30 minutes. Our Mental Wellness Resources webpage has been updated with the January webinar calendar. Don’t miss the Ask a Therapist Live event on Wednesday, January 15, where you can get real-time advice from a licensed therapist. To learn more about ParentGuidance.org and how it can support your family, visit https://bit.ly/3AexYvV.  

At Howell Public Schools, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. To maintain a secure learning environment, we follow the Michigan K-12 Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (Mi-BTAM) protocol to identify and address potential safety concerns. Mi-BTAM helps recognize early signs of concerning behavior and ensures the appropriate support or intervention is provided. When a concern arises, trained staff gather information to assess the situation, determine any potential threat, and develop a plan to address it. This plan may include connecting students with resources, involving mental health professionals, or, if necessary, working with law enforcement. This prevention-focused protocol emphasizes care while ensuring safety and fostering a positive school environment. Each of our buildings has a trained Mi-BTAM team that is ready to respond when needed.

Mark your calendars for the annual Community Connect event on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2|42 Community Church, 7526 Grand River Ave., Brighton. This free event offers resources, services, and information from over 50 local organizations. Attendees can access free giveaways like laundry detergent, coats, hats, gloves, personal care items, boxed lunches, blankets, food, socks, and diapers. Complimentary services include attorney consultations, health screenings, haircuts, immunizations, hearing care, and more. The Secretary of State Mobile Office will also be on-site to assist with select services. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with your community! To learn more, https://bit.ly/3PwKxa4. 

I am excited to share the final results of the recent district-wide food drive supporting Gleaners Community Food Bank. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, a total of 16,713 pounds of food was collected. Southwest Elementary led the elementary schools with an impressive contribution of 7,621 items and a generous donation of $2,000 from their staff. Highlander Way Middle School led the secondary schools, contributing 2,847 pounds of food. In total, online and cash donations amounted to $5,665.90, further supporting Gleaners’ efforts. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in this important initiative, which supports students and families in our district and community. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Howell Public Schools