Challenger Families,
Testing season can be a bittersweet time for students and staff. On one hand, it directs what we do as educators, provides valuable data about student achievement, and switches up the status quo in our daily schedule. On the other hand, it can create some added stress for our learners. For this reason, we are taking steps, where possible, to create a positive testing environment for our students.
At Challenger, we are taking some practical steps to support a smooth testing season. Due to the spring MSTEP window, we have taken action to lessen the amount of NWEA testing in the spring for grades 3, 4, and 5. We are implementing positive testing practices such as taking breaks during testing, providing positive encouragement, and taking time prior to testing for students to move while talking with friends. We are also encouraging good practices during testing season, such as eating healthy foods that fuel our bodies, getting 9-12 hours of quality sleep a night, and spending time doing activities that soothe the mind and body (reading, playing board games, and enjoying time outdoors).
We are so proud of our students - for their kindness, grit, presence - and also for their commitment to growth and achievement. We don’t need a test to tell us how fantastic, skilled, and kind our Challenger students are! They show us everyday.
As always, thank you for sharing your children with us.
David Cherry
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Coffee Chat with Superintendent MacGregor
Superintendent MacGregor will host his final Coffee Chat of the school year on Thursday, April 13, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Howell High School's Highlander Restaurant. The focus of the Coffee Chat will be on the various co-curricular activities offered to students. In addition to sharing about co-curricular activities, MacGregor will provide general district updates and answer any questions attendees may have. To read more about the Coffee Chat, please visit https://bit.ly/3K84S23.
Senior Survivor Carnival
All Howell families are invited to the third Annual Senior Survivor Kick-Off Carnival on Friday, April 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $10 for ages 3-18*. Adults and children two and under are free! The carnival will feature games, entertainment, arts and crafts, raffles, inflatables, and more. The carnival will be held in the Howell High School Field House. There will be multiple food trucks with food available for purchase. Please visit www.howellschools.com/survivor for more information on Senior Survivor 2023.
*Eighth-grade students and younger must be accompanied by an adult!
M-Step Electronic Device Policy
As we approach the M-STEP assessment window, the Michigan Department of Education has revised its technology policy for non-testing electronic devices. Students are not permitted to use, wear, or access personal, non-testing electronic devices during testing or while on a break when in an active testing session. These electronic devices include but are not limited to smartphones, cell phones, smart watches, Bluetooth headphones, headphones that allow access to voice assistant technology, and computers and/or tablets not being actively used for testing purposes.
Pinwheels for Prevention
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. To raise awareness of child abuse prevention, our school is joining LACASA and several businesses, community organizations, and other schools in displaying a pinwheel garden as part of LACASA's Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign. To read more about Pinwheels for Prevention, please visit http://bit.ly/3KHOtDj.
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Counselor's Corner
Parenting is hard. 50% of parents worry their child is struggling, but don’t know what to do. 32% of parents feel their child is unhappy.
The Livingston Educational Service Agency has partnered with an o-rganization called ParentGuidance.org to provide every Howell parent access to some amazing opportunities:
- On-demand courses that parents can access to help support their child
- On-demand self-help courses for parents
- Access to an individual parenting coach for up to 30 minutes each week
- The ability to message a coach and receive responses within 24 hours when families experience difficult moments
ParentGuidance.org is intended to be used by parents and will not be used in the school setting. To learn more about the coaching program, please visit https://bit.ly/3VpVsnn. To register to be connected with a free parenting coach, please visit https://bit.ly/3RZgEO8 and click "Register Today."
For support, information, or a more personalized family plan, please reach out!