Challenger Families,
It’s hard to believe we are well over halfway through the 2025–2026 school year and just four weeks away from the start of the fourth quarter! As we begin looking ahead to next year, we are excited to share that registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open for Begindergarten, Kindergarten, and Spanish Immersion (Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires). This is where our youngest learners begin their journey to becoming Future Ready students in Howell Public Schools.
If you have a child who will be ready for BK or Kindergarten, or if you know a neighbor, friend, or family member who does...please encourage them to register as soon as possible. Early registration is incredibly important, as it helps us plan for staffing, classroom sections, and resources to ensure the very best start for our students. Families can learn more and complete registration by visiting HowellSchools.com/KDG.
We also invite families that are enrolling to attend Kindergarten Information Night on Tuesday, March 10 at 6:00 PM at all elementary schools. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet staff, learn more about our programs, and begin building excitement for the year ahead. We can’t wait to welcome our newest Challenger Champions!
Have a wonderful extended weekend. See you on Tuesday!
Mr. Cherry
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Begindergarten & Kindergarten Registration Now Open
Registration for begindergarten and kindergarten for the 2026–2027 school year is now open at HowellSchools.com/KDG. Families will find an Enrollment Guide on the webpage with program details and helpful resources to support future Highlanders as they prepare to start school. The application window is also open for next year’s kindergarten class in Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary, the district’s Spanish immersion program. Students learn academic content in Spanish while developing fluency in both Spanish and English by fifth grade. Families can learn more at HowellSchools.com/DualLanguage. Applications for Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27.
Attention Fifth-Grade Parents
Before long, your child will be preparing for middle school. Our middle school principals would like to share several important upcoming dates and details to help you prepare. On Monday, March 16, the middle school principals, Dr. Tim Moore (Highlander Way Middle School) and Dr. Trish Poelke (Parker Middle School), will visit all fifth-grade classrooms. Prior to their visit, students will watch a video created by Dr. Moore and Dr. Poelke that explains what to expect during the transition to middle school and how students can begin preparing now. The video will also review the structure of the middle school day and highlight the various encore classes offered. During their visit, the principals will answer students’ questions.
A Fifth-Grade Parent Night will be held on Monday, March 16, at 6:00 p.m. at both Parker Middle School and Highlander Way Middle School. We encourage you to attend to learn more about the transition process.
If you are interested in requesting a transfer to a middle school other than your assigned school, please submit an Intra-District Transfer Request Form by Friday, March 6. Submitting the form by this date will allow the committee to review requests and notify families before the elementary school visits and Parent Night.
Livingston County Parent Summit & Wellness Fair
Families are invited to the Second Annual Livingston County Parent Summit and Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 21, from 8:15 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. at Parker Middle School. This free event will feature TED-style talks, interactive workshops, and family resources centered on this year’s theme: Tech, Talk, and Well-Being: Finding Balance in a Digital World. Childcare will be provided for children in grades BK–5. The summit brings together expert speakers and community partners to support families with practical tools and ideas for navigating today’s digital landscape. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4qjZI66.
Youth Solutions Select Family Survey
As part of the district’s ongoing commitment to preparing future-ready students, Howell Public Schools is partnering with the Highlander College and Career Council and Youth Solutions Select, a nonprofit organization that supports sustainable career development programs. Families are invited to complete a short, anonymous family survey around postsecondary education and workforce readiness. Feedback from families will help guide future programs and opportunities for students. The family survey is available at https://bit.ly/45fYDoq.
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Counselor's Corner
Digital Balance & Healthy Tech Habits
Howell Public Schools is committed to helping every student become “Future Ready for college, careers, and life.” This year, our newsletters feature quick, plug-and-play tips to support your child at home.
This week’s focus is Digital Balance & Healthy Tech Habits. Winter often brings extra screen time, so it’s a great moment to reset and build healthy routines.
- Create tech-free zones or times. Examples include mealtimes, car rides, or the first 30 minutes after school to reconnect and reset.
- Co-view or co-play when you can. Watching or playing together lets you guide your child’s choices and opens the door for great conversations.
- Model healthy boundaries. Let your child see you putting the phone away during family time, choosing non-screen activities, or taking breaks from devices.
- Make a simple screen-time agreement. Work with your child to set clear expectations (like when screens are allowed and what content is okay). A short, friendly family contract can prevent power struggles later.
Building digital balance doesn’t mean removing technology - it means teaching kids how to use it thoughtfully and responsibly.