Challenger Families,
First and foremost, I continue to be blown away by the generosity of our Challenger community. This year’s canned food drive has been extremely successful. While we don’t yet have a final total, the boxes in the front lobby have been filling quickly. On behalf of Gleaners Food Bank, thank you for your contributions and ongoing support. Great job, Challenger Champions!
As the snow and cold settles in, we’re officially heading into another Michigan winter. A few reminders as we move into the next few months:
- Students will go outside twice per day as long as the temperature (including windchill) is 10 degrees or warmer.
- Please send your child to school with appropriate winter gear each day—hats, gloves, coats, and boots are essential. We have a limited supply in the office, but not enough to outfit students daily.
- If your family is in need of winter clothing, please contact the office. Our team will work with you to secure these items, and we have excellent community resources available.
- Snow days will be upon us soon. Please double-check that your contact information is up to date in PowerSchool. You can update it online or call the office, and we’ll be happy to help. Nothing is worse than getting to the bus stop and realizing you could have stayed in bed!
- As winter illnesses increase, please remember to call the school office if your child will be absent. We often see attendance dip during these months, so thank you for continuing to send your child to school unless they are truly sick. Also a reminder that a student is marked as "absent" for the day if they come into school after 9:51 or they leave prior to 2:42. Your support makes a big difference.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mr. Cherry
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Superintendent’s Holiday Card Art Contest Entries due by Wednesday, December 10 at 5 p.m.
The holiday season is just around the corner, and we’re excited to continue one of our district’s favorite traditions: the Superintendent’s Holiday Card Art Contest! This annual contest invites students in Begindergarten through fifth grade to showcase their creativity and artistic talents. Families are encouraged to help students submit an original holiday-themed design by emailing the artwork to communications@howellschools.com no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10. Please be sure to include the student’s name, grade, and school in the message. The winning design will be featured on the Superintendent’s holiday card sent to families and community members across the district.
Complete the Benefits Application to Support Your Family and Our Schools
While the Michigan School Meals Program provides universal free meals for all students, it is still very important for families to complete the Child Nutrition, Education Benefits, and Summer EBT Application. Submitting the application ensures that eligible families can be considered for additional supports, such as reduced Chromebook fees, discounts on college admissions and academic tests, lower-cost home internet, and access to the Summer EBT program. The application also plays a critical role in helping our district secure essential state and federal funding, which is determined in part by the number of eligible families who complete it. To fill out the application, please visit HowellSchools.com/Food.
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Counselor's Corner
Managing Holiday Excitement
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.
The holiday season brings joy, fun, and lots of excitement - which can sometimes become overwhelming for young nervous systems! Helping children recognize when they need a break builds important self-regulation skills they’ll use for life. Try creating simple “reset routines” at home: a cozy spot to relax, a few deep breaths together, or a quiet moment with a book or stuffed animal. When we model and encourage these pauses, kids learn that listening to their bodies is a strength - one that sets them up to be Future Ready by helping them navigate busy school days, friendships, and new challenges with confidence.