Dear Families

Today's Senior Survivor finale event was a great way to end an incredible week in Highlander Nation.

In this edition of MacGregor's Message:

• Senior Survivor
• Amy Nicholas named Michigan Social Worker of the Year
• Howell Board of Education Members earn honors
• Decision Day celebrates senior's post-secondary education plans
• Administrative Professionals Day
• April ParentGuidance.org newsletter
• Late Start Day, Wednesday, May 1
  

Senior Survivor Week is always a testament to the strong bond between our schools and community. This year, our collective efforts raised $204,479 to support Community Catalysts, a Howell-based non-profit organization. Community Catalysts provides quality and affordable housing and support services, creating thriving communities for seniors, veterans, and homeless individuals. The funds raised will specifically support affordable housing within Livingston County. The winner of this year's Senior Survivor was Noah DeLand. To learn more about Senior Survivor please visit https://bit.ly/3WeMKeE.

I am excited to share that Amy Nicholas, a school social worker within our district, has been named the 2024 Michigan Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers Michigan Chapter (NASW-Michigan). This prestigious award recognizes Amy's dedication and exemplary service to our students and community. Her contributions to programs like Parker Middle School's TIES (peer mentoring) program and Unified Champion Sports program have been instrumental in fostering student well-being and development. To read more about this well-deserved honor, please visit https://bit.ly/3WilqfI.

Christy Conn and Meg Marhofer, two of our Board of Education members, were recently honored by the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB). The awards recognize their commitment to enhancing their governance and leadership skills and continuous improvement. This recognition comes from Ms. Conn and Ms. Marhofer's participation in MASB's leadership training, attendance at educational conferences, and years of service. We are lucky to have board members willing to further their education to better our district. To learn more about this honor, please visit https://bit.ly/3Whr55B.

Last Friday was Howell High School's annual Decision Day Celebration. Decision Day celebrates and honors the senior class and their post-secondary education plans, whatever they may be. During a school-wide assembly attended by our eighth graders and some of our fifth-grade classes, the seniors paraded into the Field House holding signs and banners representing their next chapter. From serving our country in the armed forces to trade schools and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Highlander Nation will be well represented across Michigan and the world this fall. You can view pictures from Decision Day and read more about the event at https://bit.ly/4aWQTZd.

Wednesday marked Administrative Professionals Day. Our team of administrative professionals is the backbone of our district. They ensure our offices operate efficiently, welcome families, attend to students, among other tasks. I am grateful for our team and their daily contributions. Their commitment, skill in organization, and support contribute to the positive atmosphere in Highlander Nation.

Discover the latest insights on how sleep impacts children's mental well-being in our April Mental Health Newsletter (English/Spanish) "Sleeping Sound." Dive into the crucial connection between quality sleep and children's emotional health. Explore expert tips for fostering better sleep habits and learn how a well-rested child is a happier, more resilient child. As always, check out the ParentGuidance.org resources, where you can access free courses led by licensed therapists on more than 50 topics. Check out the course titled Calming Your Anxious Mind. To access the course, navigate to ParentGuidance.org and click On-Demand Courses > Anxiety & Depression > Calming Your Anxious Mind.

Please remember that next Wednesday, May 1 is a district-wide late start day. During this time, our staff will be engaged in professional development to better serve our students. Our middle and high school students will begin their day at 9:05 a.m., and our elementary students will begin school at 10:20 a.m. For bus stop times for the late start day, please visit https://bit.ly/3DDrgym.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,
Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.S.
Superintendent
Howell Public Schools