MacGregor's Message 3/19/2021 

Dear Families,

Over the past week, the number of new COVID-19 cases in our county and state has been increasing. As in the past, this has correlated with an increase in COVID-19 cases among our students. This, paired with the discovery of the B117 variant within our county, has me very concerned. The B117 variant spreads more easily and infects more individuals than the original COVID-19 virus. As the B117 variant has spread around the state, several schools have had to move to mandated distance learning to control the spread. If we want to keep our schools open for in-person learning, we must double down on all of our health and safety protocols and in following best public health practices. We each must continue to wear our masks in public, avoid indoor and social gatherings and practice frequent hand washing. Additionally, students must stay home when showing any signs of illness or with COVID-19 test results pending. Since the symptoms of COVID-19 are so similar to other illnesses, we must act as if any illness could be COVID-19. We are in the home stretch of the school year. Let’s all do our part to ensure that we can end the year with in-person learning.

Recently, the University of Michigan and Northwestern University announced the creation of the George Jewett Trophy. This is the first rivalry game trophy named for an African American player in Football Bowl Subdivision history. Mr. Jewett was the first African American to play at each institution. In fact, he was the first African American player in the history of the Big Ten Conference. An often untold story is that Mr. Jewett has a connection to Howell and Howell Public Schools. In September of 1895, the Howell Public Schools Superintendent Robert Briggs hired Mr. Jewett to coach the first official Howell High School Football team. To fundraise for the new team, Mr. Jewett hosted a gala at the Howell Opera House. The event featured food, music, and demonstrations of various football plays. A program from this event was found under the floorboards of the Howell Opera House during its renovation. High school sports had different rules and norms in the late 1800s, and the teams were composed of both high school players and local residents who would play on the team. That is the case with both the 1895 and 1897 Howell High School football teams on which Mr. Jewett also played along with his assistant coach Lymon Norris.

The first Howell High School football team












The first Howell High School Football team pictured in October 1895. Coach Jewett is standing in profile and Assistant Coach Norris has his head down.


Last week, Jill Cain, Three Fires Elementary fourth grade teacher and the 2020-21 Howell Public Schools Teacher of the Year, earned another honor. Mrs. Cain was named a WHMI Making the Grade winner. The WHMI Making the Grade program honors outstanding teachers working within the county.


Senior Survivor has returned to Howell High School. This year, Senior Survivor is raising funds to build an inclusive, nature-inspired playground at Genoa Park. As a community playground, it will meet the needs of children throughout our county. The inclusive design of the playground will allow for people of all abilities to play together. To learn more about the playground plans and meet this year’s Senior Survivors, please visit https://bit.ly/2SLq3NI.

Five Three Fires Elementary students have advanced to the Michigan History Day State Finals. In the Michigan History Day competition, students choose a topic, complete extensive research using both primary and secondary sources, write a process paper, thesis statement, and annotated bibliography, and make an exhibit to display what they learned. Students Lilianna DesJardin, Olivia Lynn, Khloe King, Daniela Silva-Korte, and Caitlin Watripont advanced to the state finals in the Youth Group Exhibit category.

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

Posted by gouldt On Fri, Mar 19, 2021 at 4:11 PM  

 
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