Hello Pirate Family and Happy "Final Friday of February!"
We have plenty of reasons to celebrate today—not only is it the last day of February, but tomorrow marks the first day of spring (yes, I know it’s only meteorological spring, but at this point in the year, I’ll take any sign of warmer days ahead!). It’s been wonderful to have a full week of school, and with the extended forecast looking promising, we’re hopeful that the worst of winter is behind us. The only challenge left to tackle now is the endless mud coating our vehicles!
As we step into March, we’re also kicking off
March is Reading Month, filled with a variety of activities to foster a love and appreciation for literacy. This week, we proudly launched our
One District, One Book initiative, announcing that our PreK through 5th-grade students, staff, and families will be reading
Mr. Lemoncello’s Very First Game. The excitement was taken to the next level with a special visit from none other than Professor Marvelmous himself! It’s going to be a fantastic month of reading and learning together.

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We were also incredibly fortunate to host Michigan author Sonya Hollins this past Thursday, who spent time with our Pathfinder 8th graders. She shared the inspiring and often overlooked stories of remarkable local African Americans, such as Merze Tate, the first African American to graduate from Western Michigan University and later from Oxford University in England. Another figure she highlighted was Abraham Losford, who escaped slavery and became the first African American resident of Howell. Known affectionately as "Old Uncle Abe," he was a highly respected barber in the community, a legacy carried on by his son Benjamin and grandson Norman, who continued the trade in both Howell and Edmore, Michigan. It was a powerful reminder of the rich history and enduring impact of these individuals in our local area.


As our winter athletic season comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate and congratulate three outstanding student-athletes: Danielle Marytka (Freshman), Phil Bolyard (Sophomore), and Katelyn Sanchez (Sophomore). Last week, they delivered incredible performances at the Regional competition, with Danielle taking 1st place, Phil earning 2nd place, and Katelyn securing 3rd place. Their remarkable achievements have also qualified all three for the state tournament! We couldn’t be prouder of their hard work, dedication, and success. Way to go, PIRATES!! Let’s cheer them on as they continue to shine at states!

I’d also like to extend a huge congratulations to our PCHS Competitive Cheer Coach, Megan Wild, for being honored with the SEC White Division Coach of the Year Award! This well-deserved recognition highlights the incredible impact Coach Wild has had on our program and the positive influence she’s had on our athletes this season. Her dedication, leadership, and passion have truly made a difference, and we’re so proud to have her leading our team. Way to go, Coach Wild!

Finally, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out last Saturday to support our Pirate musicians at the Spaghetti Dinner. It was an incredible day filled with music, delicious food, and a strong sense of community. With 56 local business vendors participating in the Business Expo and hundreds of parents, family members, and students showing their Pirate Pride, the event was a true celebration of our school and community spirit. Your support means the world to our students and programs—thank you for making it such a special day!
Wishing everyone a fabulous first day of spring tomorrow 😉 and just remember, we are just 3 weeks away from spring break! Thanks for your continuing support and as always, GO PIRATES!! 🏴☠️
-- Rick Todd
Superintendent
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