LCPS District News
CHESTERFIELD, Mich. – Francis A. Higgins Elementary School will welcome back former student and Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin on Friday, October 16, at 10:45 a.m. Conklin will visit the school to announce his sponsorship of the new Hawk Hut, a dedicated space where students can go for snacks and clothing needs throughout the school year to ensure they feel comfortable, supported, and ready to learn.
The Hawk Hut was envisioned as a way to provide additional support to students and families by helping meet students' basic needs. Through a new partnership with the Tyler Conklin Foundation, that vision is becoming a reality. The Tyler Conklin Foundation will fund the Hawk Hut in its entirety, including the supplies and funding necessary to build the hut and fill the shelves with snacks and weather-appropriate clothing on a regular basis. Conklin will appear as a special guest during a school assembly to interact with students and officially announce his partnership with Higgins.
Conklin, who attended Higgins for elementary school, has been an avid supporter of his hometown and his former schools by hosting events, attending athletic events, and now utilizing his foundation to directly support student well-being. The staff and administration at Higgins are excited for this new program and to have their former student return and inspire the next generation of L’Anse Creuse students.
“The Hawk Hut is so much more than a place for students to grab a snack or pick up something they need—it represents kindness, compassion, and a community coming together to take care of our kids,” said Principal Amanda Melymuka. “We are incredibly grateful to Tyler Conklin and the Tyler Conklin Foundation for believing in our school and helping us bring this vision to life.”
L’Anse Creuse Public Schools extends its sincere appreciation to Tyler Conklin and the Tyler Conklin Foundation for their generosity and active support of our schools and community over the years. The Hawk Hut will be a meaningful resource for students and families, demonstrating the value of community partnerships in contributing to a supportive environment where every student can thrive.
MACOMB, Mich. – Students and staff from L’Anse Creuse High School and L’Anse Creuse High School – North joined together to raise awareness for suicide prevention and remind students throughout the district that they are never alone and that support is always available. The initiative encouraged students from both schools to look out for one another and promote a culture of care and connection.
On Friday, September 18, the Crusaders hosted the Lancers for their annual rivalry football game to earn the coveted John Armstrong Jug. At the end of the third quarter, student leaders and football players from both sides of the field met in the middle of the football field, set aside their friendly rivalry, and read a message to the entire crowd about being a light in the dark for each other.
“Our students demonstrated that while schools may compete on the field, they stand united when it comes to supporting one another and promoting mental health,” said Superintendent Keith Howell.
On Sunday, September 20, the L’Anse Creuse High School – North National Honor Society (NHS) and DECA Club hosted their second annual Be the Light Suicide Prevention Walk, with all proceeds from the event benefitting Kevin’s Song, a nonprofit organization dedicated to generating public awareness about the causes of suicide, its prevalence in our society and possible preventive measures. In total, the walk had 366 attendees from across the district and raised $8,668.72 for Kevin’s Song.
“To me, the Be the Light Suicide Prevention Walk is about bringing awareness, spreading compassion and allowing our community to come together as a reminder that you are not alone during hard times,” said Mia Spasich, a student leader for the walk. “It is more than an event; it is an opportunity to show up for those who are struggling and create a support system out of our community where people feel supported and appreciated.”
The district is incredibly proud of our students, staff, and community for raising awareness for such an important cause. L'Anse Creuse Public Schools encourages any student or family in need of mental health support to contact their school's counseling office or student support team. Additional assistance is available 24 hours a day through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
MACOMB, Mich. – In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, students and staff from L’Anse Creuse High School – North’s National Honor Society (NHS) and DECA Club will be hosting their second annual Be the Light Suicide Prevention Walk on Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. All proceeds from the event will benefit Kevin’s Song, a nonprofit organization dedicated to generating public awareness about the causes of suicide, its prevalence in our society and possible preventive measures.
The planned route for the walk will start on the high school’s track and loop through the surrounding neighborhood. In addition, attendees can expect several interactive stations, mental health resources and a short presentation during the event. Registration is $25 per person and can be completed online at: https://schoolpay.com/parent/mip/Mf4z. The Be the Light Walk is open to all community members and includes an event t-shirt while supplies last.
“To me, the Be the Light Suicide Prevention Walk is about bringing awareness, spreading compassion and allowing our community to come together as a reminder that you are not alone during hard times,” said Mia Spasich, a student leader for the event. “It is more than an event; it is an opportunity to show up for those who are struggling and create a support system out of our community where people feel supported and appreciated. Choosing to bring this event back this school year was an easy decision. Although it’s taking a lot of teamwork, along with planning, the impact it can make in our community makes it all worth it.”
In the fall of 2024, students and staff from High School – North’s NHS attended a local high school’s Be Aware suicide prevention walk and were inspired to organize an event of their own. Last year, North’s NHS Chapter held their first Be the Light walk around the neighborhood and raised $5,728.53 for Kevin’s Song.
CLINTON TWP, Mich. – The district welcomed all teachers and staff back for the 2026-2027 school year with our Annual Opening Day Kickoff event at the John Armstrong Performing Arts Center (JAPAC) on August 26. This special professional development event featured presentations from Superintendent Keith Howell and keynote speaker Brian Mendler, as well as a student panel called Mr. Howell and Friends.
Staff were introduced to this year’s theme, ‘The Power of Moments,’ with each presentation aimed at solidifying that theme for the school year. During the Mr. Howell and Friends panel, L’Anse Creuse students spoke about how simple moments, actions, or words from their teachers made an impact on them, with several students giving a personal shoutout to staff members in the audience. Afterwards, Brian Mendler gave his presentation to inspire teachers and staff to reflect on the ways they react and respond to different things throughout the school year. He provided advice, real-life scenarios, and techniques teachers can use to help themselves and their students thrive this school year.
Superintendent Keith Howell extends his thanks to keynote speaker Brian Mendler, the community and vendor partners who supported the event, the L’Anse Creuse Food and Nutrition department, and all our student leaders for the role they played in making the Opening Day Kickoff a success.
CLINTON TWP., Mich. – The L’Anse Creuse Public Schools Food and Nutrition Department held its annual Meet Up & Eat Up Summer Meal Program, offering free meals for children 18 and under. Free meals were provided from June 15 to July 31 at Green Elementary and Tenniswood Elementary, along with mobile lunch service at Carriage Way, Fairchild Lake, and Willow Point.
Over the course of 34 serving days, the Food and Nutrition Department provided 3,006 breakfast meals and 4,980 lunches to students and families. At school locations, staff first provided meals to students participating in summer camps and programs and then opened up each site to any child in the community. This allowed staff to support our students while also making meals accessible to children throughout the surrounding community.
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) completed its Administrative Review of the program, which is standard procedure for summer meal programs, and was impressed with our staff and with how efficiently the program was operated. The MDE specifically recognized the cleanliness, organization, and accessibility of the meal service.
“We are incredibly proud of our Food & Nutrition staff and everyone who helped make our summer meal program welcoming, efficient, and accessible for families,” said Angela Scheid, Supervisor for Food and Nutrition. “Receiving such positive feedback from the Michigan Department of Education during our review was a great reflection of the hard work that goes into this program. It truly takes the cooperation of many people across our district to make our summer meal program successful, and we will continue working to increase awareness so that even more families know this resource is available to them.”
CLINTON TWP, Mich. – On August 4, The L’Anse Creuse Public Schools community voted to renew the Operating Millage and ensure the district will continue receiving the full foundation allowance from the State of Michigan. The funding provided by the passing of the proposal will help sustain the educational programs, student services, and opportunities our students, staff, and families rely upon.
“On behalf of the L'Anse Creuse Public Schools Board of Education, our staff, and our students, thank you to everyone who participated in the Operating Millage Renewal election,” Superintendent Keith Howell said in a statement to the community. “We recognize that this was an important decision for our community, and we are grateful to every resident who took the time to vote. We are committed to keeping students at the center of every decision.”
Strong public schools are built through the partnership of students, families, staff, and the community. L'Anse Creuse Public Schools is honored to continue that partnership and remains committed to listening, serving, and working together to provide the very best opportunities for every student.