Adopt a Howell 8th Grader!

Howell - Howell resident Jodi Charles Zaltsman is the creator of “Adopt a Howell 8th Grader” – a Facebook page started so parents could get together and do something special for the graduates. Due to the Coronavirus, students are quarantined and unable to finish their last year in middle school. The students are not only missing out on their graduation, but also all the other 8th grade activities planned, such as the formal, boat trip, and pool party. These activities provide the students time with their friends and classmates before separating to attend different high schools. The page asks parents to post a picture of their child with a short bio including hobbies, interest and achievements and which high school they will be attending. Other parents are able to adopt a child and surprise them with gifts such as a favorite candy, a gift card, or balloons to make them feel celebrated and special. The page is a huge success, with so many parents posting and adopting. The parents love seeing the kids’ faces smile when they receive gifts on their doorstep. The success of the page and the joy it brought to the participants led to the idea of a bio book created by another Howell resident, Sujani Nair, from the “Adopt a Howell 8th Grader” Facebook page. Mrs. Nair compiled the photos and bios of almost 300 children and created a special book to be printed. The book is a special keepsake for the graduates and gives them an opportunity to know their friends and fellow classmates on a more personal level. It details where they are headed for high school and what the future may hold for them. Even though graduation is going to look different for them, their achievements are still the same. They put in the same hard work. They learned and grew so much. And it is obvious their parents couldn’t be prouder, parents like Jodi and Sujani who put in countless hours to make sure the students and this important milestone are recognized and celebrated. Congratulations to our Howell 8th Graders!! Class of 2020!!!

Thank you Howell Community!