Dear Families,

While the end of the school year can feel hectic, it is also a time filled with celebrations and cherished Howell traditions. From Senior Survivor setting a new fundraising record to honors assemblies, our annual Warrior Awards, and everything in between, great things are happening across Highlander Nation.

In this edition of MacGregor’s Message:

• Teacher Appreciation Week

• School Communicators Day

• Senior Survivor sets new fundraising record

• Coffee Chat 

• Eighth-grade Washington, D.C. field trip

• Highlander Warrior Awards

• Voyager kindergarten students become artists

• Hiring bus drivers - up to a $5,000 sign-on bonus

• Reminder: Student device use survey

Today marks the end of Teacher Appreciation Week. I truly believe our teachers and support staff are the best of the best, and we are incredibly fortunate to have them working with our students each day. From the warm, welcoming, and supportive learning environments they create to the countless hours they spend preparing and planning, they show up every day with the best interests of our students at heart. They work tirelessly to ensure all students reach their full potential and become future-ready Highlanders. This week, and every week, I am grateful to work alongside such an outstanding team of educators.

Today is also School Communicators Day, a time to recognize the important work of school communication professionals. I would like to personally thank our Director of Communications, Tom Gould, for the tremendous work he does on behalf of the district. Tom is a one-person department who works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our families, staff, students, and community informed and connected. From sharing the incredible stories happening across Highlander Nation to supporting communication during important moments and events, Tom plays a vital role in helping us tell the One Howell story each day.

After a week of intense competition, fun, and lasting memories, Senior Survivor 2026 came to an end last week. When all the dollars were counted, this year’s participants raised a record-breaking $287,235.17, surpassing the previous record by more than $50,000. All funds raised will support the Livingston County Animal Shelter. I love Senior Survivor week and the way that it unites our schools and community as everyone joins in to support a deserving cause. This year’s winner and Ultimate Survivor was Raleigh Leppek (Epic Leppek). To read more about Senior Survivor, please visit https://bit.ly/4daqcT9.

Next Tuesday, May 12, from 9:00–10:00 a.m., I will host my final Coffee Chat of the school year. The discussion will focus on the work of the district’s Coordinated School Health and Wellness Committee, including reviewing and updating guidelines for healthy technology use and supporting student mental wellness. I will also provide a brief update on the progress of the Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future bond, and there will be time for attendees to ask questions about the district. The Coffee Chat will be held in the Edinburgh Room at the district’s administrative offices. To learn more about Coffee Chat, please visit https://bit.ly/3Peh5ZD.

Our eighth-grade students recently visited Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg. During the trip, they experienced history firsthand by visiting many of the nation’s most significant landmarks, such as the National Mall, the National Archives, the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Ford’s Theatre, the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and Gettysburg. Through these experiences, students connected their classroom learning to real-world history, deepening their understanding of the nation’s founding, government, and key events while also gaining a broader perspective beyond their local community.

On Wednesday, we hosted our annual Highlander Warrior Awards luncheon. The Highlander Warrior Award recognizes students who have overcome challenges, demonstrating perseverance, resilience, and a strong work ethic along the way. Students are nominated by school staff, and the luncheon is always a deeply moving experience as we hear the stories of how these students have persevered and achieved success despite the obstacles they have faced.

Kindergarten students at Voyager Elementary recently wrapped up the CKLA English Language Arts unit “Shaped by Nature: Art and the World Around Us.” Throughout the unit, they explored a variety of artistic styles and how artists are inspired by nature and culture, studying works ranging from cave art and Native American pottery to photography and artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Ruth Asawa. Students also built research skills by asking questions and gathering information from texts. To extend their learning, Voyager teachers gave students the chance to become artists themselves, creating paintings, wire sculptures, yarn weaves, and pottery inspired by the artists they studied.

What if your job came with built-in perks like snow days, summers off, and holidays with your family? At Howell Public Schools, it does. School bus drivers enjoy one of the most family-friendly schedules around, plus competitive pay and full support with paid training. Whether you're a parent, retiree, or simply looking for meaningful work, this could be your perfect fit. A rewarding career. A flexible schedule. A real impact. And up to a $5,000 sign-on bonus! Join the team that drives the future. Apply today at BeABusDriver.org.

If you have not yet completed the Howell Public Schools Coordinated School Health and Wellness Committee survey regarding the district’s cell phone policy and 1:1 device program, we encourage you to take a few minutes to do so. The committee is currently discussing guidelines for the healthy use of technology in our schools, and your feedback will help inform this work. The survey is available at https://bit.ly/4mUQLAn and takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete. Please submit your responses by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 11. The committee will also host a public forum to discuss the proposed guidelines on Tuesday, May 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the Howell High School Commons (adjacent to the auditorium), prior to the HHS Band concert.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Howell Public Schools