Ruahmah J. Hutchings Elementary School

Hutchings Herald

February 28, 2025

Dear Hutchings Community,

 

I hope you've had a great week. One of the fun things happening at Hutchings this week was our Popsicle Stick Challenge. Teams participated in this STEM challenge aimed at building the tallest freestanding and weight bearing structures they could. Mr. DeLand and Mrs. Reis organized the event with our Student Council, and it was great to see so many teams working creatively on this challenge.

 

Sitting down to type this edition of the Herald, I was thinking about teams. The Popsicle Stick Challenge was an obvious example of teamwork, but I was thinking about other teams I'm a part of, and what makes great teams work effectively. Great adult teams meet at Hutchings to think of academic supports for students who need them, to lesson plan, to design a great One Book, One School experience, and to do professional learning on PD days. Great teams of students will come together this spring for events like Girls on the Run and to create acts for our Student Showcase.

 

At the beginning of last school year, Superintendent MacGregor met with our Leadership Team for our first Leadership Team Meeting. He asked us to think about our favorite teams, and what made them great. I know in the last Herald, I wrote about a musical. For this one, I want to share my favorite team, and the lessons I learned from them. I loved the 2004 Detroit Pistons, who shocked the NBA when they beat the Los Angeles Lakers. What made that team so special to me was that they didn't have any superstars. They had a roster full of players who could have been misfits anywhere else, but they discovered how to perfectly compliment each other. Without a single player who was first-team All-NBA, they beat the Lakers, who had two first-team All-NBA players, in five games to win the title.

 

I've always believed that when a team shares common goals, communicates well, and has faith in one another, outcomes can be great. The sum of our diverse parts is greater than anything we can achieve on our own. That was true of that Pistons team, and I see it in our teams at Hutchings, too. 

 

I'm not sure if there are other Pistons fans out there, but I have also been keeping an eye on this year's Pistons. They have outperformed a lot of expectations and are on an 8-game winning streak. (They're playing the Nuggets tonight, which is certain to be a difficult test.) This year's Pistons remind me of that courageous team two decades ago. They are fighting through adversity - one of their great young stars was injured badly earlier this season. They are winning against teams they are supposed to lose to. They learn from set backs and know that no one piece is more powerful than a team of unified pieces.

 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for being a part of our Hutchings team.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Ben Malecki

Principal

District Updates:

 

Enroll Your Future Highlander Today!

It’s time to set your child on the path to success! At Howell, “Future Ready Begins Here” in our Begindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms, where curiosity grows, confidence builds, and a love of learning takes root. If you have a Begindergarten or Kindergarten student, save their seat and begin enrollment today at HowellSchools.com/KDG.

 

MI Student Voice Perception Surveys

This year, our school will participate in the MI Student Voice Perception Survey to gather insights for district improvement planning. This survey, taken by students in grades 5-12, goes beyond test scores to assess engagement, belonging, and social-emotional learning. It does not include questions on personal topics such as drug or alcohol use, relationships, or political and religious affiliations. The survey questions can be reviewed at https://bit.ly/3uI5Iz2. To opt your child out, submit the form by Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at https://bit.ly/49kk7QR. The survey will be conducted between March 10-21. Additionally, we will participate in the MI Student Voice Family Perception Survey, which will be emailed to families next week.

 

March Celebrating Awareness Theme

Our March Celebrating Awareness theme is Women's History Month. This optional program is open to all students and aims to raise awareness, foster empathy, and inspire action by highlighting the contributions of women throughout history. To learn how elementary students can participate, visit https://bit.ly/41l4upK. Submissions can be made using the link in the flyers or delivered to the office at your child’s school.

 

Family Literacy Night

Howell Public Schools invites you to join us for learning, laughter, and literacy during our Family Literacy Night on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 6:00-7:00 PM at Voyager Elementary! This exciting event is open to students in grades BK-8 and their families, offering a fun-filled evening focused on building literacy skills and fostering a love for reading. To learn more or to RSVP, please visit https://bit.ly/41ASqlB. 

 

March Mental Health Resources

The Livingston Educational Service Agency (LESA) has partnered with ParentGuidance.org to offer free mental wellness resources for families in Livingston County. Parents can access on-demand courses, self-help tools, and a personal parenting coach for up to 30 minutes per week at no cost. Our Mental Wellness Resources webpage now features the March webinar calendar, including the Ask a Therapist Live event on Wednesday, March 12, where families can receive real-time advice from a licensed therapist. To explore ParentGuidance.org and see how it can support your family, visit https://bit.ly/3AexYvV.

Counselor's Corner:

 

Fostering Healthy Relationships with Food: Tips for Families and Children

 

March is National Nutrition Month, a perfect time to reflect on your family’s nutritional practices and promote a healthy relationship with food. Here are some practical tips to guide positive conversations and behaviors around nutrition and body image.

 

1. Be Mindful of Your Language - 

Children receive countless messages about food and nutrition, both intentionally and unintentionally. Speaking about food, your body, and nutrition in a neutral and supportive manner can have a lasting impact.

 

Tips for Speaking About Food in a Neutral Way:

• Avoid labeling foods as “good” or “bad.” This can create unnecessary guilt or shame. Instead, focus on the nutritional value of foods.
• Emphasize nutrition over judgment. Explain that different foods contain varying vitamins and minerals, contributing to health in unique ways.
• Remember the Three Ps: All foods have a Purpose, a Place, and a Portion in a balanced diet.

Promoting Body Positivity and a Healthy Body Image:

• Highlight that food provides essential nourishment to grow, move, and learn.
• Use inclusive and positive language to support body positivity.

  • Example: “The weather is lovely today—let’s go for a walk!”

  • Example: “Eating late at night makes it hard for me to sleep. I’ll skip the brownie this time.

• Avoid harsh or negative self-talk, both for yourself and others.
  • Instead of: “I need to lose those last few pounds.”
  • Try: “I’m focusing on feeling strong and healthy.”

2. Model Beneficial Behaviors -

Children learn by observing the trusted adults around them. Demonstrating healthy behaviors can reinforce positive habits:

• Enjoy a variety of foods: Show enthusiasm when eating fruits, vegetables, and balanced meals.

• Encourage joyful movement: Speak positively about physical activities, emphasizing fun and well-being over appearance

3. Support Best Practices in Nutrition Guidance -

When offering advice to children about nutrition, ensure it is practical, balanced, and avoids unnecessary restrictions:

• Steer clear of fad diets and extreme nutrition trends. Instead, promote balanced, evidence-based practices.
• Avoid overly specific advice, which can lead to rigid or unhealthy food rules.
  • Instead of: “Don’t eat dietary fats.”
  • Try: “Healthy fats, like those in avocados and nuts, are great in moderation.”
• Promote balance over restriction: Rather than saying, “You shouldn’t eat chocolate,” try, “Enjoying sweets occasionally is part of a balanced diet.”

By being intentional with your language and actions, you can help children build a healthy, positive relationship with food and their bodies. This approach fosters lifelong habits that support well-being, confidence, and happiness.

 

As always, feel free to reach out for help or support kinneyk@howellschools.com

 

Kristen Kinney

Hutchings Elementary School

3503 Bigelow Rd., Howell, MI 48855

Phone 517.540.8081 | Fax 517.234.6075