Dear Families,

As Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close, we celebrate the incredible impact our staff has on our students and community, while celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of our students. 

In this edition of MacGregor’s Message:

• Teacher Appreciation Week

• Vocal music students earn All-State Honors

• Senior Survivor raises $196,541 

• Series II Bond sale

• May Celebrating Awareness Theme

• Mental wellness resources

• Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry 

Today marks the end of Teacher Appreciation Week. I truly believe we have the best staff in the state working with our students. Our incredible team here in Highlander Nation shows up for each student every day. Their care and support extend well beyond the curriculum, focusing on ensuring that students’ academic, social, and emotional needs are met. They create an environment where curiosity thrives, and a love of learning and exploration develops. Please join me in thanking our exceptional staff for all they do for our students, families, and community.

The Highlander Chorale, a high school vocal music ensemble, and Kaiyah Luethy, a senior at Howell High School, have both been named All-State Finalists by the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA). This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding performances at the MSVMA State Solo and Ensemble Festival. Both the Highlander Chorale and Kaiyah will represent the state of Michigan at the MSVMA All-State Festival, which celebrates the musical accomplishments of choral programs across Michigan. To read more about this honor, please visit https://bit.ly/434MJeZ. 

This year, Senior Survivor raised $196,541 to support The Ivy Table, a local non-profit transforming the fight against food insecurity through innovation and compassion, and Livingston County's first pay-it-forward café, which provides fresh, high-quality meals to all, regardless of their ability to pay. It is always inspiring to hear the total amount raised announced by our students and community. Senior Survivor unites our students, families, and community to make a huge impact. The winner of this year’s Senior Survivor was John Curtin (Team John Solo). Including the funds raised this year, Senior Survivor has raised nearly $1.6 million for various charities since its inception in 2008. To read more about this year’s Senior Survivor, please visit https://bit.ly/44vaEH4. 

Last Tuesday, we sold our 2025 School Building and Site Bonds, Series II (the 2025 Bonds). The 2025 Bonds are the second of three series from the 2023 "Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future" Bond proposal, which was approved by voters in November 2023. The funds from this series will be used for improvements throughout the district, as outlined in the bond program. The 2025 Bonds were sold at a tax-exempt fixed interest rate of 4.36%. On the day of pricing, demand was strong, which resulted in a better-than-expected interest rate, ensuring taxpayers will benefit from low borrowing costs while maximizing the value of the bond funds for district improvements. To read more about the bond sale, please visit https://bit.ly/4kg5q6J.

Our May Celebrating Awareness theme is Mental Health Awareness Month. This optional program is open to all students and aims to raise awareness, foster empathy, and inspire action by encouraging students to express, reflect, and grow through art. Students can create a visual piece that shows what mental health means to them or how people can care for their mental well-being. Accepted formats include drawing, painting, collage, mixed media, digital art, posters, or infographics. To learn how students can participate, visit https://bit.ly/4d7tru9. Submissions can be made using the link in the flyer or delivered to the office at your child’s school.

The Livingston Educational Service Agency (LESA) has partnered with ParentGuidance.org to offer free mental wellness resources for families in Livingston County. Parents can access on-demand courses, self-help tools, and a personal parenting coach for up to 30 minutes per week at no cost. Our Mental Wellness Resources webpage now features the May webinar calendar, newsletter, and more. To learn more about the resources available, please visit https://bit.ly/3AexYvV.

On Thursday, May 15, Gleaners Food Bank's Mobile Food Pantry will be in the bus lot at 411 N. Highlander Way (between Highlander Way Middle School and the Freshman Campus). The pantry will be open from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone in the community needing food can drive through and pick up food from the Mobile Food Pantry. To support the Gleaners' mission, please consider participating in the Gleaners Hunger Free Summer 5K on June 21, 2025, at Freedom River to support a food-secure community! For more details and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3YDuBHX. 

I hope you have a great week, and good luck to our Archery teams as they compete at the National Archery in the Schools Program National Championship. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Howell Public Schools