Dear Families,
Tomorrow, we will celebrate the Howell High School Class of 2021 and, in a few weeks, the Innovation Academy Class of 2021 during their graduation ceremonies. Graduation is the culmination of the students' hard work and dedication over the past thirteen years. It is a time to celebrate all that they have accomplished and to reflect on how far they have come, from young children entering school for the first time to young adults going off to college, entering the workforce, or enlisting in the armed forces. Regardless of their path forward, I know these students will go on to do amazing things. I am so proud of each of our graduating seniors and wish them well as their new journeys begin. I would also like to thank all of you for trusting us with your children, sharing your children with us, and partnering with us over the years. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and we have one fantastic village here in Howell.
As we close the book on the 2020-2021 school year, we can begin to look to the 2021-22 school year. I can share that the first day of school will be on Wednesday, August 18. We will start the school year with three half days like we did this year, as that seems to provide a nice transition back into school routines. We have come to an agreement with the Howell Education Association for the school year calendar, which can be found at https://bit.ly/3wm9lWw.
As it relates to state COVID-19 requirements and mandates, the county superintendents and I have been working with our legislators to have representation in any back-to-school planning. I am honored that Senator Theis has asked me to serve on the Return to Learn Legislative Committee. While I will not be a decision-maker on the committee, I hope to provide valuable insights into what we have learned this school year to inform the committee's decision-making process. Over the summer, I will send out periodic updates as we know more about what the next school year will look like.
At the end of each school year, we ask families to complete a Family Perception Survey. This survey helps guide our work as a district. This short survey allows us to better understand our strengths and opportunities for improvement. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at https://bit.ly/3vZkR9W. This survey will close on Friday, June 11, at 5:00 p.m., and all responses will remain strictly anonymous.
Over the summer, we will be completing several projects funded by the 2019 Capital and Safety Bond that was passed in May of 2019. Some of this work will affect the district's Administrative Offices. During June and July, our staff will be working from various areas of the Freshman Campus. If you need to visit any of the administrative departments, please contact them ahead of your visit. They will provide you with the best entrance to access their temporary workspace.
We learned this week that Team KRASH, one of our middle school FIRST Tech Challenge teams, has advanced to the finals of the FIRST Innovation Challenge. KRASH is the only team from Michigan and one of only 20 teams globally to advance to the finals. The team will have several presentations between now and the Awards Ceremony on June 30, when the winner of the challenge is named.
On Wednesday, four Innovation Academy students, Brady Caylor, Autumn Ellwart, Max Fellows, and Jack Hartigan, competed in the Square One Education Network Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge. In the challenge, high school students create a full-size electric or hybrid electric vehicle and complete the performance challenges on-road and Figure 8 courses. The team earned first place overall in the competition. They also earned first place in Excellence of Execution and first place in Public Relations. A few weeks ago, three Innovation Academy students, Ben Crandall, Trenton Barbour, and Brendon Barbour, competed in the Square One Education Network Underwater Innovative Vehicle Design competition where they claimed third place overall and the Ambassadorship Award.
The Livingston County Health Department is hosting COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for ages 12 and up on Tuesday, May 25 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Chilson Hills Church, 4440 Brighton Rd, Howell. For more information on this clinic, please visit https://bit.ly/3hW5njB. For additional resources on COVID-19 vaccine availability, please visit https://bit.ly/2RLCdsc.
This year the Howell Carnegie District Library's Summer Reading Challenge 2021 will run June 1 through July 30. This year’s theme is BINGO! The 2021 Summer Reading Challenge is easy and fun for all ages. Families can pick up a Bingo card in the library or participate online. Read, explore the library, and be engaged this summer as you complete activity squares on your card to get BINGOs and chances to win prizes. Visit www.howelllibrary.org to find out more.
Mark your calendars for the Livingston Educational Service Agency’s annual Backpacks for Kids/Connect for Kids event. This year's event will be held on Thursday, August 12 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at LESA's building on Grand River. The event will be a drive-through event, and families are encouraged to attend the event during their district time slot. The time slot for Howell families will be 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This is the final MacGregor's Message of the 2020-2021 school year. While this year has been challenging, I am so proud of all that we have accomplished over the past ten months. We were one of the first districts in the state to re-open for in-person learning five days a week. Yes, it was hard, and yes, there were times when it seemed impossible to do, but we did it. We did it together. We did it, thanks to every one of you reading this. Thanks to the support of our families, the dedication of our staff, and the incredible grit, perseverance, and adaptability of our students.
Sincerely,
Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.S.
Superintendent
Howell Public Schools
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