Dear Families

The past two weeks in Highlander Nation have been nothing short of incredible. From celebrating two outstanding employees to highlighting career opportunities and witnessing some incredible athletic performances, our students and staff continue to inspire and impress.

In this edition of MacGregor's Message

• Howell Teacher and Support Person of the Year honorees

• Middle School Career days

• Athletic Success 

• MI Student Voice Family Survey

• Upcoming family engagement event

• March Celebrating Awareness Theme

• Livingston County Parent Summit

• Late Start Day Reminder

Each year, our Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year awards recognize individuals who are deeply committed to helping every student reach their full potential. These honorees go above and beyond to build meaningful, lasting relationships with students, families, and the community. This year’s winners truly embody the spirit of these awards, demonstrating exceptional dedication and impact.

Our Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Tina Everard, a kindergarten teacher at Southwest Elementary, has spent more than 25 years teaching our youngest Highlanders and setting them up to be future ready. She recognizes each student's unique needs and abilities, using creative teaching techniques and interactive activities to foster an engaging learning environment that builds confidence and a love of learning. Mrs. Everard's class motto is “once an evergreen, always an evergreen,” and she has created a forest of evergreens that will change the world. To read more about Mrs. Everard, please visit https://bit.ly/4kpC5re.

Our Support Person of the Year, Mrs. Angela Harris, a paraprofessional at Three Fires Elementary, has been a constant presence in the school's program for students with cognitive impairments for more than 17 years. She builds meaningful relationships with her students, ensuring they feel valued, supported, and included. She sets high expectations and works tirelessly to provide the tools and support her students need to succeed socially and academically. To read more about Mrs. Harris, please visit https://bit.ly/43upsVA.

As part of our goal to prepare students for the future, Parker Middle School recently hosted a career day. The events allowed students to explore various career pathways in a fun and engaging way. The schools welcomed a wide range of professionals from skilled trades, public service, the armed forces, medical fields, and STEAM-related careers. One of the highlights of Parker’s Career Day was a visit from a U.S. Army National Guard Chinook helicopter. Highlander Way Middle School will host its career day later this year, featuring many of the same careers and presenters. 

Our winter sports athletes are making an incredible postseason run. The Howell boys boardercross team made history, winning the MHSAA State Championship in their first-ever team appearance! Anson Forsyth claimed the Individual State Championship, with Chase Clay finishing second overall. Team members included Blake Pearsall, Anson Forsyth, Chase Clay, Nolan O'Dea, Parker Maupin, Tucker Nalley, Brainden Pollok, Wilson Zimlich, Kristian Kubicz, Matthew Mateja, and Lorenzo Decia. The girls boardercross team also finished strong, placing fourth. In hockey, the Highlanders dominated their regional semifinal (8-0 over Essex-Garberville) and regional final (3-0 over Capital City Capitals) before securing a 2-1 state quarterfinal win over Clarkston. They’ll face KLAA West rival Salem in the state semifinal tonight at 7:30 p.m. at USA Arena in Plymouth. The girls basketball team defeated Milford 43-27 in the Division 1 district semifinal and will play for the district championship tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Hartland High School. The boys basketball team battled back from a 12-point deficit before falling 56-52 to Milford. Danny Hampton led with 21 points, closing the season at 13-10. The girls bowling team won the KLAA West Division Championship, and the Howell-Brighton gymnastics team qualified for the MHSAA team finals, with Rori Gregory advancing to individual finals. Alex Cotton represented Howell on the slopes in the MHSAA championship slalom race at Nubs Nob. In wrestling, Dylan Perkins finished 8th at the MHSAA state finals, earning All-State honors and a spot in the Howell Athletic Hall of Fame this June. Finally, congratulations to the Howell High School Unified Basketball team, the 24-25 KLAA Unified Basketball Champions!

This week, you should have received an email from your child’s school with a link to the MI Student Voice Family Perception Survey. Your input is invaluable as we strive to enhance our schools and district. This survey helps us identify strengths and areas for growth, guiding our district’s improvement planning. Participating alongside other districts across Michigan can give us a broader perspective on how our schools compare statewide. The survey is anonymous, takes about 10 minutes, and can be completed on a computer, tablet, or mobile device. While participation is voluntary, we strongly encourage all families to take part—your feedback makes a difference. To complete the survey, visit https://bit.ly/41rE1YJ. The survey will remain open through Friday, March 28.

Howell Public Schools invites you to join us for learning, laughter, and literacy during our Family Literacy Night on Wednesday, March 19, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Voyager Elementary! This exciting event is open to students in grades BK-8 and their families, offering a fun-filled evening focused on building literacy skills and fostering a love for reading. To learn more or to RSVP, please visit https://bit.ly/41ASqlB. 

Our March Celebrating Awareness theme is Women's History Month. This optional program is open to all students and aims to raise awareness, foster empathy, and inspire action by highlighting the contributions of women throughout history. To learn how elementary students can participate, visit https://bit.ly/41l4upK. Submissions can be made using the link in the flyers or delivered to the office at your child’s school.

Livingston ESA is hosting a Livingston County Parent Summit: "Tech, Talk, and Well-Being: Finding Balance in a Digital World" on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Parker Middle School. This event will give parents valuable insights, practical tools, and expert guidance on navigating technology, communication, and well-being in today's digital world. The morning will begin with breakfast from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m., followed by the main event from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., featuring TED-style talks, interactive workshops, and parent resources. Parents will have the opportunity to engage in discussions, attend informative sessions, and access resources to support their children in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/3QFNC7Y. 

Please remember that next Wednesday, March 12, is a district-wide late start day. Our secondary students will begin their day at 9:05 a.m., and our elementary students will begin at 10:20 a.m. For bus stop times, please visit https://bit.ly/4bq9hus. 

I hope you have a great weekend. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Howell Public Schools