A few quick updates on this very cold December Friday. It has been another very solid week here at IA as we count down toward Christmas vacation.
NO BUSES on Dec. 18th and 19th and Important December Dates
Howell High School has half days in December on Thursday the 18th and Friday the 19th. Due to this schedule we cannot provide the normal bussing to IA. Please plan on making other arrangements. Also note, that Friday the 19th is a Senior Focus Day, so the Esports arena and gym will be closed. Friday December 19th is the last day before our Christmas break. We will return to school on Monday January 5th.
Xmas Gift Cards
As per our tradition here at IA, every student will receive a Holiday Card with a $10.00 gift card to McDonald's in it. They should be ready for pickup on Tuesday December 16th in the front office. These will not be mailed out, so you will need to come in person to receive your personal IA gift.
Planetarium Field Trip - Tuesday December 9th.
The mentors will be taking a group of students to Michigan State's Abram's Planetarium in East Lansing. Every student will need to sign up ahead of time with your mentor by the end of the school day on Monday. You will need to be here by 9:15am on Tuesday, and we will return by 1:00pm. If you are in the morning cohort, please make transportation arrangements ahead of time to get home once returning to IA. Bring a snack or grab and eat something from the pantry before leaving.
Basketball Cancellation
I am sorry to announce that there have not been enough other alternative schools this year that will be having basketball teams for us to have a formal team and schedule. We will continue to play intramural scrimmages and pick up games, but unfortunately there is just not the organization from other schools as in years past. I really wanted to make this work, because we have some excellent ballers this year, and would have crushed the competition.
Underwater Drone Team
If you are interested in participating in this year's underwater drone team, please see Mr. McDowell. There is a lot of work and learning that needs to be done, so that we are ready for the big Square One Competition in March. We have won several trophies in this event in the past and many of the returning students have set high goals for this year.
Caleb Stewart - Engineering Champion!!!
Congratulations to Caleb Stewart for creating the best tower in the IA Engineering Challenge. Many students built amazing structures, but Caleb's was the tallest and sturdiest in the entire school. All the students had to use toothpicks and marshmallows to construct a tower that could withstand the testing limits.
Second Semester Highlander Virtual Enrollment Window
The district is beginning preparations for second-semester enrollment for Highlander Virtual. This planning period allows time to make any necessary schedule adjustments. If you would like to change your child’s current enrollment, either from in-person to Highlander Virtual or from Highlander Virtual to in-person, please complete the short form at https://bit.ly/47Rk5R6t. A separate form should be submitted for each child whose enrollment you wish to change. The deadline to request an enrollment change for the second semester is 4 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact Brooklyn Gehringer, Highlander Virtual Coordinator, at [email protected].
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 support, 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.