Challenger Families,
We need your help to support our Title I team. As a Title I school, we need to have signed Parent Compacts from every family at Challenger. This helps us to comply with the rules for being a Title I school, but most importantly it is a moment for the Challenger community to say "We are ALL IN" for supporting our kids. This is a very quick task that will help us greatly. Please click on the link below and complete the document by signing in the appropriate places. You will need to complete a form for each student in your family.
TITLE I COMPACT - PLEASE SIGN
Being a Title I school means that your child's school is part of a special program designed to provide extra support and resources to ensure that every student has a fair opportunity to succeed in their education. Title I is a federal initiative that helps schools with a significant number of students from families with lower incomes. Here's a closer look at what it means for your child at Challenger:
Additional Staff Support: Title I schools receive extra funding, which they use to provide additional support to students who may need it. This support could include more teachers or support staff to enhance the learning experience. Here at Challenger the Title I team consists of our Title I teacher Mrs. Richard and instructional assistants including Mrs. Fassero and Mrs. Niemiec.
Special Assistance: If your child is struggling in certain subjects or needs more support, Title I schools often offer programs that give students special assistance. This helps students catch up if they're behind or give more opportunities for practice. At Challenger, our Title I staff create programming at most grade levels to better support students with their specific academic needs.
Highly Qualified Teachers: Title I schools typically employ highly qualified teachers. These educators receive professional development and training to ensure they provide the best education possible for your child.
Parent Involvement: Title I schools actively encourage parents to get involved in their child's education. You might have the opportunity to attend meetings, workshops, or events to gain a better understanding of the school's activities and learn how you can support your child's learning.
Resources: Title I provides money for resources the school can use to support student learning. Over the years at Challenger we have purchased books for students, resources to support the curriculum, items for Title I literacy/math events, and some technology.
In essence, being a Title I school is about promoting equity in education. It aims to level the playing field, ensuring that every child, regardless of their family's income, receives the support and resources they need to excel in school. It's a commitment to providing every student with the best possible education and opportunities for success. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected].
Thank you for completing the Title I compact above.
Mr. Cherry
___________________________________
School Meal and Budget Update
Early this morning, the Michigan Legislature approved the final State and School Aid Budgets, which will now be sent to the Governor for approval. The final School Aid Budget continues the Michigan School Meals program, which provides universal free meals for all students for the 2025–2026 school year. As such, all students will continue to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each day. Please note that this does not apply to à la carte items. A new requirement in the School Aid Budget is that all families must complete the Child Nutrition, Education Benefits, and Summer EBT Application. Every family must complete this form, as the district could face a financial penalty of 5% of its state-aid funding if applications are not submitted for all families. If your family has not yet completed the application for this school year, please visit https://bit.ly/4nRSLZX to complete one.
Coffee Chat with Superintendent MacGregor
Superintendent MacGregor will host his first Coffee Chat of the school year on Thursday, October 9, from 9–10 a.m. in the Edinburgh Room at the district’s Administrative Offices. This session will focus on the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and the many student support programs available in Howell Public Schools. Families and community members are invited to attend. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/48e9IbR.
Livingston County Public Safety Trunk or Treat
Mark your calendars for the annual Livingston County Public Safety Trunk or Treat event on Friday, October 24, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Livingston County Sheriff's Office. Join the Livingston County Sheriff's Office and local public safety agencies, including EMS, 911, and local fire and police stations, for a fun and safe night of Halloween festivities! Everyone is welcome to attend, and the event is free.
____________________________________
Counselors 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.
Emotional Check-ins
As we near the end of the first quarter, please help remind students about the importance of emotional check-ins. Just like we check in on homework or assignments, it’s also important for students to pause and notice how they’re feeling.
- Pause and ask: “How am I feeling right now?”
- Name the feeling: happy, tired, worried, calm, excited, frustrated, etc.
- Think about what’s needed: deep breathing, a quick break, talking with an adult, or sharing positive energy with others.
- Remember: All feelings are okay — what matters is how we handle them.
- Check in often: in the morning, after recess, or before heading home.
Taking time for these small check-ins helps students understand their emotions, take care of themselves, and show kindness to those around them. This daily practice also builds lifelong skills—helping students become “future ready” with the ability to manage stress, connect with others, and make thoughtful choices.