One of my favorite parts of the school year is March is Reading Month. From celebrity readers to special assemblies and even parades, each of our elementary schools have planned special events all month long. The goal of March is Reading Month is to get students excited about reading and inspire a love of reading. I would like to give kudos to the March is Reading Month committees in each building who have worked very hard to schedule celebrity readers, assemblies, kick-off celebrations and book fairs. I would also encourage each of you to spend some extra time reading with your children this month.

On Monday, Howell High School welcomed Mike Smith, a motivational speaker and self-proclaimed “professional teenager.” Mike told students how he went from being a “ghost” that nobody saw in school to being one of the “cool” kids. However, during his senior year, Mike’s mother helped him see that he had changed into someone she could not be proud of. From that moment on, Mike worked to make his school and the world a better place. Mike’s key message to students was that everybody matters and everybody has worth, so be kind to one another. These types of programs help to maintain a positive culture and learning environment for all students.

There are so many positive, exciting and unique things that happen around our district each day. Howell High School senior Natalie Jenks has been accepted and received a generous scholarship to The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Parker Middle School recently held its annual World Culture Day, which allows students to learn about life in countries around the world, without leaving their school. Due to the winter weather last week, Kindergarten Registration has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 16. I have shared more on each of these stories below.

Natalie Jenks Heading to SAIC

 Howell High School senior Natalie Jenks has been accepted to the internationally esteemed The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Additionally, Natalie was awarded the school’s Presidential Merit Scholarship, which is valued at over $100,000. You can read more about Natalie’s story at http://goo.gl/rg6ytg.

Parker Middle School World Culture Day

Students at Parker Middle School had an opportunity to learn about various  cultures from around the world during the school's annual World Culture Day. World Culture Day ties in with the social studies curriculum and allows students to experience first-hand many of the cultures they have read about in their textbooks. From watching an African Drum and Dance Troupe to creating Navajo Sand Art, World Culture Day is another example of the unique learning opportunities provided to our students.

Kindergarten Registration Rescheduled

 Our Kindergarten Registration has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 16. Students and parents will have the opportunity to tour their new school, meet their principal and visit a kindergarten classroom. All students who register on March 16 will receive a special stuffed animal. For more information, please visit http://goo.gl/zIAEjd.