#HighlanderNation 5.22.18

1:1 Opportunity Presented to the Board - with the completion of Phase 1 of the district's technology bond, we are now taking steps to launch Phase 2. The primary intent of Phase 2 was always to increase the number of devices for our students. At last Monday's board meeting, we provided the board with an overview of our plan related to this commitment. Specifically, beginning in the 2018/19 school year each 3rd - 5th grade classroom will receive an additional 15 Chromebooks (and a charging station). This will provide one device for each student while they are in the classroom. At the middle and high schools we will provide a Chromebook to each student to use in the classroom (when necessary) and to take home. With this long-term investment, we are striving to enhance teaching and learning by fostering a culture of student engagement. Through our research, partnerships with other districts who have launched similar models, and our own experiences and feedback from you, we have found a 1:1 model provides personalized learning opportunities, increases ownership of learning, expands access to learning beyond the classroom, strengthens collaboration within and outside of school, and prepares students for real-world experiences. For the full presentation to the board, click here. We plan to bring a recommendation to the board on June 11 to purchase these devices. This is an exciting opportunity for the district! We look forward to providing you with the resources necessary to enhance teaching and learning and to further empower our students in the learning process. With anything new, I know there will be a number of questions. We have launched a website, developed a Student Chromebook Care & Usage Handbook, and started an FAQ. There is a form on the website to submit questions. We will add questions/answers as we receive them.

Senior Survivor 2018 - another year, another record broken for Senior Survivor! This year our students, the HPS team, and community raised over $88,000 for the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) and LACASA. FARA is special to us as one of our seniors is affected by this rare disease. This event has grown every year and embodies the #OneHowell spirit. Our elementary schools even got involved this year in various ways such as the Junior Survivor event at Southwest. 

Long-Term Capital Improvements - at last Monday's meeting, I presented a long-term capital maintenance and improvements summary to the board. Pursuant to the district's Adaptive Plan, the intent is to develop a plan and identify funding options to address these needs. At the conclusion of the presentation, I recommended we pursue asking our voters to support a sinking fund in November 2018 as one source of funding to address the long-term capital needs of the district. To view the full presentation, click here. The board did not take action, but they did express interest in exploring this concept further. I will update you on this item accordingly.

Howell Education Foundation (HEF) Golf Outing - please consider forming a team and golfing in the annual HEF golf outing. The HEF provides amazing support to our teachers and students, and so often either provides seed money to launch an innovative idea or fill the gaps in areas that we may not be able to support. To register for the golf outing, click here. If you or anyone you know is interested in being a sponsor, click here.

Howell Rotary Exchange Program - one of the things I have been so impressed with in Howell are the opportunities for both hosting exchange students as well as our students participating in exchange programs. In turn, I wanted to share some information from the Howell Rotary about both opportunities.

Outgoing - high school aged students are invited to consider applying for a Rotary Scholarship valued at $25,000+ to be a foreign exchange student in one of over 30 countries stretching from Asia through South America and into Europe. For an exchange experience in the 2019-20 school year, the application window opens on September 1 and ends in early October. For pre-application information contact Howell Rotarian Steve Manor at teach34@comcast.net.  This is a great opportunity for Howell High School students.  The application process is supported and sponsored by the Howell Rotary Club.

Incoming - the Howell Rotary Club is seeking host families for an Exchange Student from France (a boy) for the 2018-19 school year.  This student would arrive in mid-August and depart sometime between mid-June and mid-July.  If you have an interest in hosting or know of someone within the Howell Public School District who may be interested, please contact Steve Manor, Howell Rotary Youth Exchange Officer, at teach34@comcast.net. The Howell Rotary Club has hosted many exchange students over the years as well as sponsored outbound students.  It is a richly rewarding experience for the students and for the host families.  Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to both your family’s international understanding but also a foreign student’s understanding of America and Americans.  This exchange program is supported and approved by the U.S. Department of State as part of their international understanding diplomacy program

Expanding Capstone Experiences for Our Students - I wanted to thank #teammiddleschool for embracing the opportunity to explore a capstone experience for our 8th grade students. When the combined Highlander Way and Parker staff met during a recent PD to discuss these types of opportunities, teachers expressed a high interest in bringing back the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. The board approved this trip for next spring. Thank you to the middle school team for creating powerful and unique learning opportunities for our students.

United Way Day of Caring - last year, 1,375 volunteers participated, and 471 of those individuals were youth.  Over 134 work site/community projects were completed including the collection of two tons of food, the distribution of 1,100 school backpacks w/supplies, and the completion of 62 school and non-profit agency building improvements.  In addition, over $7,000 in grant dollars was distributed to local high school groups participating in the event through the Citizens Insurance Day of Caring High School Youth Challenge. The 2018 Day of Caring is scheduled for August 15, 2018. You can register to volunteer by clicking here.