Highlander Way Middle School

1:1 Chromebook Program

As you know, Howell Public Schools students in grade 6-12 will be participating in a 1:1 chromebook program.  This means that each student will be issued a chromebook that they will use in class and be able to take home to continue and extend their learning.  It is our belief that technology will help to provide learners with a sustainable 21st Century learning environment that will have a positive impact on student achievement and literacy for all, while preparing students to be college, career and life ready.  In accordance with the District’s vision, our instructional and support staff operate under the following Core Belief Statements:

1. Focus will remain on the right “1” in “1:1” (students, not the devices)

2. Student engagement increases with the use of technology

3. Technology supports and enhances differentiated instruction

4. Technology enhances project and inquiry based learning experiences

5. Use of technology supports broader collaboration opportunities

Students will be issued chromebooks following the schedule below:

• 8th grade distribution: 4th week of school (week of 9/17)

• 7th grade distribution: 5th week of school (week of 9/24)

• 6th grade distribution: 6th week of school (week of 10/1)

Students will have the opportunity to utilize Hawk Hour to engage in discussions regarding expectations for their chromebooks and their responsibility as digital students and citizens.  We are excited about the new opportunities the devices will bring for both students and teachers. At the same time, we also understand that there may be many questions surrounding the 1:1 program.  The district has developed a Student Mobile Device Handbook that outlines many of the questions you may have.  It also includes the information regarding the purchase of insurance.  Please review the handbook and the Chromebook Usage Policy.  Once you have done so, you will be asked to complete this online form confirming you have reviewed the documents and made a decision regarding insurance.  

A parent/student meeting regarding the 1:1 program was held on Tuesday, August 28 which included a 1:1 Chromebook PowerPoint presentation.

8th Grade Chromebook agreements and deposits are due by noon on Tuesday, September 18.

Chromebooks will be distributed to 8th grade students on Wednesday, September 19 during science classes.

Highlander Reading Express Book Returns

There are still some students who have not returned books that were checked out from The Highlander Reading Express this summer. If your child still has books that were checked out over the summer from the Highlander Reading Express, please have them return the books to our main office, and we will get the books returned to the bus.

Highlander Way Homecoming Spirit Week
Highlander Way Middle School will be celebrating HPS Homecoming with their own Homecoming Spirit Week competition.   Please look for more information to be announced shortly.

MONDAY, September 17  - Comfy/Cozy Day

 TUESDAY, September 18 - Hawaiian Day

WEDNESDAY, September 19 - Twin Day

THURSDAY, September 20 - Crazy Sock Day

FRIDAY, September 21 - Highlander Day

Cross Country Cross Country meets from 2:30-4:00. All students in 6th through 8th grades are welcome to join the team. Students are required to have a current sports physical dated after April 15 to participate. Please contact Coach Lounds in Room 218 for more information. Howell Area Mountain Biking Club Do you enjoy mountain biking? Then come join the Howell Area Mountain Biking Club. We meet two days a week (Monday and Wednesday) now through early November. If you are interested in riding with us, please see Mrs. Andrews in the Art Room for details.



Howell Archery
The Howell Archery Club is seeking students for a four week introductory session to archery. Students in 4th-12th grade are welcome to register and no experience is required. Students will learn the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) format archery. All archers must shoot with equipment provided: a standard Genesis Bow, full length Easton 1820 arrows and 80 cm Targets. Archers may bring their own equipment to use, provided it meets the guidelines.
There will be two "Club" 4 week sessions starting October 1st.  

     *  GOLD Sessions:  New students, at any experience level, will shoot on both
         Mondays & Thursdays for a fee of $50.

     *  GREEN Sessions:  Returning teammates will shoot on Tuesday nights for a 
         fee of $20.

There will be a two 1-hour time slots 6:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. for each session above.  Space is limited.  All archery sessions will be held at the Highlander Way Middle School  gym.

In November, tryouts will be held for a competitive season.  Participation in the club season is not required in order to try out for the Tournament Team.  Team tryout details will be announced at a later date.  The Tournament season runs from December, 2018, through March, 2019, and possibly through May (if qualified).

     Gold Club Mondays and Thursdays, 6:00 p.m or 7:15 p.m.
                   October 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17 and 22

     Green Club Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. or 7:15 p.m.
                   October 2, 9, 16, and 23

Registration is online only.  Email howellarchery@gmail.com for link or visit our facebook page HOWELL ARCHERY for link.

Email HowellArchery@gmail.com with any questions and stay connected to our club by "liking" the Howell Archery Facebook page.

Brown Bag Book Club

HWMS is starting a “The Brown Bag Book Club.”  Please stop by the Media Center to sign up! The first book club meeting will be Thursday, September 25 during your lunch.

LOC Federal Credit Union Partnership

Help teach your student the value of saving with LOC! 

The Highlander Way Credit Union will open for the 2018-2019 school year on October 3, 2018.

In 1995, LOC Federal Credit Union opened its first student-run credit union in Farmington Hills. Today, LOC is a proud partner with Farmington Public Schools, Hartland Consolidated Schools, and the Howell Public School District and operates 21 in-school branches. Our in-school program and this community partnership strengthen student advancement as a result of exposure to positive community role models. 

For 3 years, LOC Federal Credit Union has operated a full-service, student-run branch at Highlander Way. Our student-run credit unions are managed by students with the supervision of an LOC employee. Student employees gain hands-on experience on how to run a branch and they perform duties of the various positions available at a financial institution. They are also taught real-life work skills, such as 
  
• Resume writing and interviewing techniques
• Professionalism and teamwork
• Development of responsibility and leadership skills 
• Increased student confidence
• Counting money efficiently 
• Financial education classroom presentations
• Importance of having healthy savings habits
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Increased math skills and more

Not only does this program teach valuable skills to students working the credit union, this also gives all students real-life lessons in savings and finance. All students, staff, and parents at Highlander Way are eligible to open an LOC account through the student-run credit union. 

Highlander Way Credit Union is open Wednesdays from 7:20 a.m.-8:00 a.m. and operates under the direction of Stephanie Cole, Youth & Community Development Coordinator at LOC. To open an account, access the links below. Print and complete an application and return to Ms. Cole on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m.-7:50 a.m. or go directly to LOC’s website to apply for an account online. 

Account Application
Parent Question and Answers 

For a full list of student-run branch locations and operational hours, visit locfederal.com/cuatschool. 

For additional information or with further questions, contact: 
Stephanie Cole, Youth & Community Development Coordinator at LOC
scole@locfederal.com 
248.919.5824