Dear Families,

As we head into Spring Break, we are quickly approaching the busiest and most exciting time of the year. Our students continue to achieve incredible things, as showcased in each edition of MacGregor’s Message.

In this edition of MacGregor’s Message

• Howell High School senior claims first place in math competition

• DECA students advance to International Competition

• Senior Survivor fundraising begins

• FCCLA students earn honors at state competition

• Elementary schools welcome our future Highlanders

• Highlander Way students create mural

• Save the Date: Howell High School presents Chicago: Teen Edition

• Howell Carnegie District Library Board position

Howell High School senior Bella Farrell earned first place in the Chalk Talk event at the University of Michigan-Flint’s Math Field Day on March 3. Competing against students from across Michigan, Bella delivered a five-minute presentation on transcendental numbers. The Chalk Talk competition requires students to prepare and deliver a mathematical presentation, judged on content, presentation skills, chalkboard use, and responses to judges’ questions. To read more about Bella’s accomplishment, please visit https://bit.ly/4bJApoy.

Three Howell High School students, Bence Mate, Militza Algredo-Huerta, and Jayden Zhang, have qualified for the International DECA Conference after excelling at the Michigan DECA Conference. Bence qualified in the Entrepreneurship Individual event, while Militza and Jayden qualified in the Entrepreneurship Team event. Additionally, three Howell students earned the state high score on the career cluster exam: Reagan Trent (Accounting), Blake Pearsall (Marketing Management), and Lance Mosher (Business Law and Ethics). Six additional Howell students were named runners-up in their events and may qualify for the international competition. To read more, please visit https://bit.ly/4hqkv3F. 

Senior Survivor 2025 is officially underway! This year, Senior Survivor is supporting The Ivy Table, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity by transforming surplus food into nutritious meals, distributing them through community fridges, and operating a pay-it-forward café in Brighton. The Senior Survivors and their Middle School and Junior Survivors are already planning a variety of fundraisers and events as they compete for the title of Ultimate Survivor. To learn more about Senior Survivor or view all fundraising events, please visit HowellSchools.com/Survivor.

Students in Howell High School’s Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter recently showcased their talents at the Michigan FCCLA State Leadership Conference, earning multiple honors. In the STAR Competitive Events, Howell students excelled in categories such as Interior Design, Hospitality and Tourism, Chapter Website, Focus on Children, and Repurpose and Redesign, with several students earning top awards. Hailey Emery, Jassalyn Esper, Elaina Pennell, and Jax Stevens earned gold medals and qualified for nationals, while Mary Cheresko, Sophia Cargill, and Alyssa Martin earned silver medals and also advanced. Elaina Pennell placed first in the Interior Design Sketch Skill Demonstration, and Mary Cheresko was recognized for completing the most community service hours in the state. To read more, visit https://bit.ly/3DFYrUZ. 

On Tuesday, our elementary schools welcomed our newest Highlanders during Begindergarten and Kindergarten Information Night. Parents and their children learned about the begindergarten and kindergarten programs, met their school’s principal, and toured the school. Several elementary schools also hosted begindergarten and kindergarten signing events, where our future Highlanders pledged to always do their best in school. If you or someone you know has an incoming begindergarten or kindergarten student, please ensure they are registered, as early registration helps us plan for staffing for the 2025-26 school year. Registration is available anytime at HowellSchools.com/KDG.

Students at Highlander Way Middle School showcased their creativity with a mural honoring the district’s Highlander Hownds therapy dogs. As part of a School Community Project, eighth-grade students in Mrs. Andrews' Hawk Hour class used the skills they developed through the Positivity Project to design and paint an 8' x 16' mural featuring the Highlander Hownds. To ensure the mural captured the essence of these beloved animals, students collected high-quality photos of each dog and worked collaboratively on the design. Through teamwork, creativity, and a strong sense of community, these students left a lasting mark at Highlander Way while celebrating a program that makes Howell Public Schools unique.

The Howell High School Performing Arts Department is set to bring the roaring ‘20s to life with its spring production of Chicago: Teen Edition at the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center. This adaptation of the Broadway classic will run from Friday, April 11, through Sunday, April 13, with performances at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Audiences can expect an unforgettable evening filled with show-stopping musical numbers, high-energy choreography, and a satirical take on fame and justice. To read more about the show or to purchase tickets, please visit https://bit.ly/41N9B2i. 

The Howell Carnegie District Library Board of Trustees is seeking applicants for an open seat. This seven-member board plays a vital role in library policy, strategic planning, budget oversight, and governance. Trustees are appointed to four-year terms by either the Howell City Council or the Howell Public Schools Board of Education and are expected to act in the best interest of the library and the community. The term for one of the Board of Education-appointed seats ends on June 30, 2025, and the Board is currently accepting letters of interest. The deadline to submit a letter is Friday, May 23, with an appointment to be made in June. Letters should be sent to Sharin Smith at [email protected]. For more information, contact Holly Ward Lamb at [email protected] or Lyn Hewitt at [email protected].

I hope you and your family have a safe and enjoyable Spring Break. Go Highlanders!

Sincerely,

Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Howell Public Schools