Dear Parents,

Happy Homecoming Week. It has been so much fun watching as our students participated in Spirit Week. I am looking forward to the the game tonight. It should be a great night!

We are currently accepting nominations for the 2016/2017 Howell Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Each year, this program honors one of the outstanding educators in our district. You can nominate a teacher for this honor using our online nomination form at https://goo.gl/thppJL. The deadline for nominations is Monday, October 10 at 4 p.m. After that a committee of teachers, staff, administrators and parents will review the nominations and select the winner.

On Friday, October 14, we will have our first of three half days that are scheduled for this year. Since we have not had half days in several years, I wanted to share a few reminders about the half day schedule. On a half day, school will begin at the normal time; high school students will be dismissed at 10:40 a.m., middle school students will be dismissed at 10:41 a.m. and elementary school students will be dismissed at 11:55 a.m. Breakfast will be available on a half day; however, lunch will not be served. In the coming days, we will be posting the elementary school bus drop off times for half days. This will be posted in the “News” section of our website. If your child is enrolled in Kid’s Kare, afternoon care will be available at each building, Kid’s Kare has sent information regarding this to registered families.

Buster the Bus, our Transportation Department’s remote control bus has been busy visiting our elementary schools this fall. Next month eight Parker Middle School students will represent Howell in the Michigan School Vocal Music Association Regional Honors Choir. Throughout October, Howell High School will participate in Michigan College Month. I've shared more about each of these below.

Buster the Bus Visits Howell Elementary Schools

Each fall, Buster the Bus visits our elementary schools to teach students about the importance of bus safety. Buster shares with students how important it is to stay out of a bus’ “danger zone” and how to safely cross the street near a bus. To learn more about Buster’s visits, please visit https://goo.gl/pxy75k.

Parker Middle School Choir Students Head to Regional Honor Choir

Eight Parker Middle School students have been selected to participate in the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) Regional Honors Choir on October 22 at South Lyon East High School. These students are working hard to prepare for the concert. While at the Regional Honors Choir event, each student will audition for the MSVMA State Honors Choir. You can read more about this honor at https://goo.gl/w3Dmlm.

Michigan College Month Comes to Howell High School

Throughout the month of October, Howell High School will celebrate Michigan College Month. The main goal of Michigan College Month is to help foster and grow a college-going culture at Howell High School. The school has events planned to help students apply for college, complete scholarship applications and to learn about applying for financial aid. Please visit https://goo.gl/fq71Gb to learn more about Michigan College Month.