Welcome back!
I hope this newsletter finds you soaking in the remaining beautiful summer weather and enjoying some time with your family this weekend. Before we know it, football will be on the TV and the leaves will be falling from the trees. I am thrilled to report that this year is off to a great start! There is a lot of positive energy and excitement throughout the building.
Coming up next week is our annual “Circle Ceremony.” During our Circle Ceremony we will officially welcome everyone back to school and we will remind the students that Challenger Champions CARE, they have Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Engagement.
At the ceremony, we will be officially kicking off our houses. The Houses are a fun way of building community and encouraging positive behavior at Challenger. Each student and staff member has been or will be placed in a "house." There are four houses being represented by Eagles, Castles, Unicorns, and Lions. Each student will have opportunities to earn points for their House by showing positive behavior. Houses will also lose some points if students are not following expectations. The house points will be shown in live time on the screen entering the school. Like last year, we will have one winner at the end of the school year with a big celebration. Please ask your child about this fun initiative at school!
Lastly, I wanted to touch on the drop off and pick up lane. As a Challenger community, we have done a really great job getting the routines down to make this process safe and fast. It truly has been a great start this year with learning the routines and keeping students safe. The biggest challenge is the amount of cars we are putting through these lines. If you are considering having your child ride the bus, I may suggest trying it out for a week. In the end, it will save you a lot of hours in the pickup line at Challenger.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mr. Cherry
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Don’t Forget to Complete Your School Meal, Education Benefits, and Summer EBT Application
While the Michigan Department of Education has announced that the Michigan School Meals program, which provides free breakfast and lunch for all students, will continue through September 30, 2025, the end of the state’s fiscal year, it is not yet clear whether free meals for all students will continue beyond that date, as the Michigan School Aid Budget has not been finalized. If the program does not continue, students will begin paying for meals on October 1, 2025. Only students with an approved meal application will qualify for free or reduced-price meals at that time. To ensure your child is eligible for these benefits throughout the school year, please complete the School Meal, Education Benefits, and Summer EBT application at HowellSchools.com/Food. Completing this application not only helps families but also ensures Howell Public Schools receives important Title I and 31a funding, which directly supports students across the district.
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Counselor's Corner
Howell Public Schools is committed to helping every student become “Future Ready for college, careers, and life.” This year, our newsletters will feature quick, plug-and-play tips you can use at home to support your child in building the skills they need for a successful future.
BUILDING INDEPENDENCE AT HOME
The start of a new school year is the perfect time to encourage independence. Simple tasks - like packing their own backpack, choosing tomorrow’s outfit, or setting the table - help children feel confident and capable both in and out of the classroom. These everyday habits not only make school days smoother, but also strengthen important life skills that prepare students to be Future Ready!