Dear Families,

I hope you had an enjoyable holiday break and that your new year is off to a great start. 

In this edition of MacGregor’s Message:

• School Board Appreciation Month

• Teacher and Support Person of the Year Award Nominations

• Pathways to Future Ready event

• Hope Squad Dances

January is School Board Appreciation Month, and while we take time this month to formally recognize our Board members, their unwavering commitment to our district extends throughout the year. We are incredibly fortunate to have dedicated Board members who engage in thoughtful discussion on a wide range of topics and lead with the best interests of our students, families, and staff at the heart of every decision. Our Board members are responsible for establishing a vision for the district’s educational program, designing the structure needed to achieve that vision, ensuring accountability to our community, and strongly advocating for continuous improvement in student learning. They dedicate countless hours to this work, making Highlander Nation a better place to live, learn, and work. Please join me in thanking our school board members for their leadership, service, and dedication.

Each year, we honor two outstanding staff members through the Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year awards.  These awards celebrate the dedication, professionalism, and daily impact of our incredible staff members. We invite all members of Highlander Nation, employees, students, parents, and residents to nominate deserving candidates for these prestigious awards. To submit a nomination, please visit https://bit.ly/4jw1sHV. The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, February 6, at 4:00 p.m.

We are proud of the high-quality early learning options available to families in our district. At the same time, we recognize that choosing the right program for a child can sometimes feel overwhelming. To help families better understand the programs offered by Howell Public Schools, we are hosting Pathways to Future Ready on Tuesday, January 20, at 6 p.m. in the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center at Howell High School. Designed for families with children ages 3–5, this event will provide information about our preschool, begindergarten, kindergarten, and Spanish Immersion programs. It is a great opportunity to learn about each option before our enrollment window opens, allowing families to make informed decisions about their child’s education for the upcoming school year. To learn more about the event, please visit https://bit.ly/491lg0J. 

Howell High School’s Hope Squad is hosting its popular Mother-Son and Daddy-Daughter Dances next month. This year’s theme is The Greatest Dance on Earth. The evening will feature dancing, crafts, desserts, and circus performers. All proceeds will support the work of the Hope Squad, a peer-to-peer suicide prevention and mental health awareness program. Be sure to get your tickets early, as last year’s dances sold out quickly. To learn more about the Hope Squad and the dances, please visit https://bit.ly/3YsdXdV. 

Have a wonderful weekend and Go Highlanders.

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.D.