Dear parents,

I am very pleased to share that we have completed the water testing in each of our 11 school buildings. We began this process to ensure that our students and staff have access to safe drinking water after the water crisis in Flint came to light. In our tests, we checked each of our buildings for lead and copper levels above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) action levels, which are 0.015/15 parts per billion for lead and 1.3 parts per million for copper. In each building with the exception of Northwest Elementary, our initial test results showed no detection of lead and copper or trace amounts well below the EPA’s action levels. At Northwest Elementary, our initial test results showed elevated lead levels. By completing additional testing, we were able to identify that the older fixtures at Northwest Elementary were the source of the elevated lead levels. We replaced each fixture that showed elevated lead levels and in follow-up testing of those fixtures, all but one showed no detection of lead. One fixture in the Northwest Elementary Kitchen did show trace amounts of lead below the EPA’s action level. As a precaution, we have implemented a flushing program for that fixture. The Livingston County Health Department confirmed that this is an effective strategy. I would like to thank the City of Howell, M.H.O.G. and the Livingston County Health Department for all of their help and support on this project.

At the end of this school year, Dan Hutcheson our athletic director will be leaving Howell Public Schools to join the Michigan High School Athletics Association (MHSAA) as an assistant director. This is a wonderful opportunity for Mr. Hutcheson but a great loss for Howell Public Schools. Dan has helped build a strong athletics program that emphasizes success in both the classroom and on the playing field. He has worked hard to set high expectations for our student-athletes and to ensure that those expectations are met and exceeded. I wish Mr. Hutcheson all the best in his new endeavor. My team and I will begin the process of finding a qualified replacement to fill this position.

As we come into the final months of the school year, the great things happening around Howell Public Schools continue. Senior Survivor kicks off next week at the high school, and I am very excited to experience this for the first time. Recently, some of our middle school students were named local winners in the “America and Me” essay contest.  Southwest Elementary fourth grade students recently brought history to life with their wax museum project. I’ve shared more about each of these stories below.

Senior Survivor Kicks off April 24
On April 24, 14 Howell High School seniors will move into the school for one week as part of the annual Senior Survivor fundraiser. While still attending each of their classes, the Senior Survivors will collect donations and participate in challenges throughout the week. This year, the money raised will benefit Stiggy’s Dogs, a local charity with ties to Howell High School. To learn more about this year’s Senior Survivor, please visit http://goo.gl/UTktU9.

Students Named Local Winners in “America and Me” Essay Contest
Four of our middle school students have been named local winners in the “America and Me” essay contest. The contest is sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance and challenges middle school students from around the state to write about their personal hero. To read more about this honor, please visit http://goo.gl/A2tJDb.

Southwest Wax Museum Brings History to Life
Fourth-grade students at Southwest Elementary school recently finished their research and writing project on historical figures. For the project students had to select, research, write a narrative about, and then become a historical figure. You can read more about this fun project at http://goo.gl/uyFbSX.