Here we are, the final month of the 2025-26 school year, and we are jammed with so many activities and key pieces of information.
Senior Check Out and Standard Completion Day
All seniors that plan on graduating this year, must have all of their standards completed and checked out by the end of the school day on May 8th. The check out sheets are in the front office. You will need to bring $15 for cap and gown (if you are walking in the ceremony), your swipe card, and your chromebook. The entire process should not take more than 20 minutes, and that includes the time needed to paint your hand on the wall of graduates. Again, if you do not have all of your standards completed by May 8th, you will be forced to attend for a 5th year of high school.
FAFSA Gift Cards
If you completed your FAFSA paperwork, your $50 Amazon gift card is on the way. Once they come, we will contact you to pick them up in the front office. You will need to sign off that you received your gift card. Those students who took the free Prom ticket, have already received their reward, and I am looking forward to seeing you dressed up this Saturday.
Graduation Day - May 20th
Graduation Day is almost here. On Graduation Day we are holding a senior breakfast at 9am here at IA. This is not mandatory. However, the rehearsal is mandatory. Rehearsal is at 11am at Parker Football field, and do not be late. If you are late or miss rehearsal, you will not be able to attend the actual ceremony later that night. The ceremony will begin at 7pm, and the gates will open at 6pm. There are no tickets needed if we are able to hold the ceremony outside. I try to hold off on that decision until the day of, but if we do have to go inside because of poor weather - each student will receive 10 tickets per graduate. The tickets are passed out at the end of rehearsal.
Evacuation Drill
Safety is a priority here at IA, and I have been pleased with all of the Lockdown drills we have done this year. We have done the basic requirement for drills, however we plan on holding one more drill. This drill would be a full on evacuation drill. I will not let the staff and students know the exact date and time of the drill, because I want everyone to be caught off guard. I also know that when drills like this happen, rumors spread quickly that something real is actually happening. Thus I am letting everyone know ahead of time that an evacuation drill is coming this month so that we don’t overreact and worry about a drill and not a real threat. There is no concern for a real threat, I just want us to be prepared for any worse case scenario.
Drop-In Archery Offered at The Hive
Looking for a fun and active opportunity for all ages? The Howell Recreation is now offering Drop-In Archery sessions at the Bennett Recreation Center. Open to participants of all skill levels, archery sessions are held on Sundays from 12–3 p.m., with one-hour time slots available. Participants can reserve a time in advance or attend as a cash drop-in (exact change required). Each session includes time for both setup and clean-up. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/4cYXggT.
Brighton First Responder Camp
The Brighton Area Fire Authority and Brighton City Police Department are teaming up to offer an exciting First Responder Summer Camp for Livingston County students ages 14–18. This immersive six-day experience is designed to build leadership skills, strengthen teamwork, and provide a firsthand look at careers in fire and law enforcement. Participants will take part in hands-on activities and realistic scenarios that highlight the skills, responsibility, and dedication required to serve their communities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to gain confidence, explore potential career paths, and learn from local first responders. To learn more or register, visit https://bit.ly/4rWs8nQ.
Library Board Seeks Community Applicants
The Howell Carnegie District Library Board of Trustees is currently seeking applicants to fill an upcoming vacancy. The Board plays an important role in shaping library policy, guiding long-term strategic planning, and overseeing the library’s budget. Trustees serve four-year terms and are appointed by either the Howell City Council or the Howell Public Schools Board of Education. At this time, the Board of Education is accepting letters of interest for a term beginning July 1, 2026. Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest to Sharin Smith, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent, at [email protected]. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 22.
Coffee Chat with Superintendent MacGregor on May 12
Join Superintendent MacGregor for his final Coffee Chat of the school year on Tuesday, May 12, at 9 a.m. in the Edinburgh Room of the district’s administrative offices. During the Coffee Chat, Dr. MacGregor will share updates on upcoming bond projects and discuss the work of the district’s Coordinated School Health and Wellness Committee, including guidelines for the healthy use of technology and student mental wellness.
The Best Seat in Howell Public Schools
Looking for a career that truly makes a difference? At Howell Public Schools, we’re inviting you to join the team that drives the future! School bus drivers are more than just drivers; they’re the first smile students see in the morning and the last friendly face before heading home. It’s a role filled with purpose, pride, and connection. Our bus drivers enjoy competitive pay, flexible schedules, summers, holidays & snow days off, and paid training (no experience needed!). Right now, we are offering a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000! Drive with purpose. Smile with pride. If you’re ready for a rewarding career that fits your life, visit BeABusDriver.org and apply today.
Howell Public Schools Technology & Device Use Survey
The Howell Public Schools Coordinated School Health and Wellness Committee is currently discussing guidelines for the healthy use of technology in our schools. This includes potential updates to the district’s cell phone policy and 1:1 device program. To help guide this work, we invite all families to complete a brief survey and share their feedback on student device use and possible changes. The survey is available at https://bit.ly/4mUQLAn and takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete. Please submit your responses by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 11. The committee will also host a public forum to discuss the proposed guidelines on Tuesday, May 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the Howell High School Commons (adjacent to the auditorium), prior to the HHS Band concert.