The Principal's Corner:
I grew up over in Farmington Hills and there was this hill over on Drake Road and Shiawassee that was, as my 7-year-old mind put it, the best sledding hill in the world. I loved it, my mom took me out in our bright red sled and I was the king of the world, granted when I had to walk back up this hill it felt like I was doomed and climbing Mt. Everest. Fast forward a few years, and my family got to experience the thrill of snowboarding on one of the biggest mountains in the world: the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland. You were the king of the world when you got to go down the slopes of one of the most majestic mountains in the world.
However there has been one thing that remained consistent from birth until now in my life when dealing with snow, which is - I loathe getting dressed in snow gear. The boots are clunky and when you try to take them off there is always a moment when the boot is ½ way off that it gets stuck on your leg and part of your foot. It is the worst, you have to use your hand, which is sweating from the gloves, to try and maneuver it off of your foot as if you have an advanced degree in physics. There is also the task of snow pants, which are basically hot boxes for humans. Do they keep me warm? Sure. Are they there to keep me dry? Sure. Do I enjoy them? No.
Let me cut to the chase here, the weather is getting colder, the snow is falling down to the ground, and as we approach these lovely months, it comes with some expectations of kids in terms of recess and lunch. Please remember to send students with hats, gloves, snow pants, boots, and anything else they may need to keep them warm and dry when outside. Yes, kids will always tell us they “don’t have gloves today” and when we look in the locker they will be sitting at the bottom of their backpack, crunched up under their math work. Yes, they will complain a bit about not being able to get their boots off and ask for help with the laces. I know all of this from personal experience (Sorry Mrs. Gumas, but the boots really impeded my ability to kick the soccer ball!), but we also know, as the adults in the room, that keeping them safe and keeping them dry is vastly more important than how many touchdowns they may miss due to the bulkiness of the gloves.
Thank you for your assistance and support in all of this, because I’m sure you all hear it just as much as we do at the school. “Mom and Dad, it’s not even cold outside…” - every student who wants to get outside as fast as possible.
All the best,
Mr. Moore
MacGregor's Message:
Support and Service Person of the Year Nominations
The deadline to submit nominations for the Howell Public Schools Support Person of the Year and Service Person of the Year awards is Tuesday, November 20 at 4 p.m. These awards honor the district's outstanding office staff, maintenance employees, computer technicians, special needs aides, general education aides, and hall monitors. You can submit nominations online at https://goo.gl/forms/tmIKmc6faRLSN1DB2.
District Wide Canned Food Drive
The annual Howell Public Schools canned food drive benefiting Gleaners Community Food Bank. The goal for this year’s canned food drive to collect 30,000 canned goods to support those in need in our community. Donation boxes have been placed in our school, and we will be taking donations until Friday, December 7. Additionally, monetary donations can be made online at http://www.gcfb.org/howell_public_schools.
Childcare Openings at Little Highlanders Learning Center
The childcare program at the Howell Public Schools LIttle Highlanders Learning Center currently has openings in both its infant (6 weeks to 18 months) and its toddler (18 months to 3 years) programs. The toddler program offers a nurturing environment where individualized schedules are developed based on each child's needs. The toddler program students will engage in small group time, art, story time, and outdoor play. To learn more about these programs, please visithttps://goo.gl/oNsh19.
Counselor Corner:
The Season for Giving and Receiving
Believe it or not, the holiday hustle is upon us. For many of us, this can be just as exhausting as it is exciting. Fortunately, there are many resources and opportunities for giving and receiving in our community! Please note that many of these deadlines are fast approaching!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE:
- Families can sign-up for Christmas Assistance through the Salvation Army - they offer food, toys, and Adopt-a-Family programs. Sign-up at the Salvation Army Building (3600 E. Grand River) on Saturday, November 17th from 12:00-7:00. Bring (a) picture ID for adults 18+, (b) ID for children, like school ID or birth certificate, (c) proof of residency, and (d) income documentation. For more information, call 517.546. 4650.
- Northridge Church is offering to deliver turkey and fixings, but you must sign up by November 15th. For more information, contact Love INC at 517.552.3620.
- Apply online with Toys for Tots at https://howell-mi.toysfortots.org. Applications accepted through December 15th.
- The American Legion Post 141 offers a home-cooked meal on Christmas Day (home delivery available). Call 517.546.2534 for more information.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE OR VOLUNTEER:
- Contact Volunteer Livingston for local volunteer opportunities: www.volunteerlivingston.org or 810.464.3000. Many volunteers are needed to staff community seasonal efforts, such as gift collection, pick-up and delivery of goods, gift wrapping, donation site management, toy and fund drive organization, and many other activities.
- If you are interested in donating holiday food items, please consider donating to the Howell Public Schools canned food drive benefiting Gleaners Community Food Bank. There are donation boxes in each school. The canned food drive will run through December 7. If you would like to contact Gleaners directly, you can reach them at 5924 Sterling Drive in Howell or by calling 517.548.3710 or gcfb.org.
- Every child deserves a Christmas! Toys for Tots welcomes donations. Visit https://howell-mi.toysfortots.org or call Gary Dunn at 810.923.7926.
- Individuals can donate to many local efforts, like Toys for Tots or Stuff the Bus. Contact United Way for areas of greatest need: 810.494.3000.
I’m sure there is more - if you know of any other opportunities, please let me know so we can share with all families. As always, feel free to reach out anytime for insight and support!
~ Jennifer Starkey, LPC
School Counselor