Ruahmah J. Hutchings Elementary School

Hutchings Herald

November 14, 2025

Dear Hutchings Community,

 

What a fun week!

 

We kicked off our Food Drive. our Student Council, led by Jason DeLand and Stephanie Reis, spent time tallying the donations. For our first week, we totaled 1,203 items that will help support our community. We also had our first Food Drive Spirit Day. Today was Neon Day and next Friday is Lions Day!

 

Additionally, PTO brought us a BMX Assembly as a reward for our Husky Hustle fundraiser. Sensei Sam visited BK, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders to talk about our "Courage muscle". Deputy Marino also visited BK and Kindergarten students to talk about the work of a police officer. I'm sure your Huskies will have some fun experiences to share, too. 

 

Next week, I'll pick our warmest day and we'll get another of our Husky Hustle rewards - the silly string on the spinny thing for our highest individual earners! I've got to get to that before it's too chilly!

 

Another thing I want to share is our monthly Husky Huddle assembly. Our student council has introduced these this year as a way to recognize some really positive student and staff accomplishments and reconnect our Husky community. It is important for us to come together as a school and celebrate, and we've done more of that this year already than in any other year since I've arrived at Hutchings. We've had two Husky Huddles, Peter Reynolds visit, and our BMX assembly!

 

Finally, I want to share how we're using Husky Paws! Husky Paws are our way of recognizing students for contributing positively to our school culture by following our expectations. At every elementary school in the district, we've implemented our CARE Matrix to show how students can be Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Engaged in every part of our school. When we notice students demonstrating CARE behaviors, it's possible that we also celebrate the example they're setting with our Husky Paws. If you've never checked out how Huskies CARE, take a look at the Matrix I linked above. You might even think about setting some CARE behaviors at home!

 

 

On a personal note, I've shared in previous editions of Hutchings Herald that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. In our approach to Thanksgiving, I want to thank all of you again for being such a great part of this community.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Ben Malecki

Principal

District Updates:

 

Work At Hutchings

We've pointed out some openings before, but we still have some pretty important open positions at Hutchings. If you are interested in rewarding work with fantastic students that strengthens our community, or you know someone who might be excellent, please consider reaching out. We are looking for two Special Education Aides to help support students in classrooms and one General Education Aide who could help supervise lunch and recess. You can find positings for all Howell Public Schools Jobs HERE. If you want to look for specific Hutchings positions, type "Hutchings" in the "Search Jobs" field to narrow your search.

 

Howell  Fifth and Sixth-grade Exhibition Cheer Team 

The Howell Cheer Program will hold tryouts for its Fifth and Sixth-grade Exhibition Cheer Team on Nov. 17–18 from 6–8 p.m. on the balcony of the Howell High School Fieldhouse. The team will perform at all Howell Middle School competitive cheer meets this season. While this team follows the same schedule as the  Seventh and Eighth-grade Competitive Cheer teams, the fifth and sixth-grade team is exhibition-only, allowing younger athletes to gain valuable experience and showcase their Highlander spirit in a supportive, developmental environment. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/47hf993 or contact Coach Jenn Walls at [email protected].

Counselor's Corner: Fostering Resilience

 

Resilience is important in children because it helps them learn how to cope with challenges, manage stress, and recover from setbacks in healthy ways. When children develop resilience, they become more confident in their ability to handle difficult situations, whether it’s a conflict with a friend, a tough assignment, or a change in routine. Resilient children are better able to regulate their emotions, problem-solve, and adapt, skills that support both academic success and positive relationships. Most importantly, resilience helps children build a strong foundation for lifelong mental and emotional well-being, allowing them to grow into capable, flexible, and self-assured adults.

 

Below are a few tips for fostering resilience in children:

• Create a safe, caring environment where they feel heard and supported.
• Allow them to face age-appropriate challenges.

• Help them problem-solve, even when it may be tempting to jump in and do it for them.

•  

  Praise effort instead of perfection.

• Establish consistent routines.

• Model calm coping strategies, patience and empathy.

• Talk openly about feelings.

• Reassure them that setbacks are a normal part of growing.

Have a great weekend!

 

Kristen Kinney

Counselor

 

Hutchings Day at

Panda Express

 

When: Thursday, November 20, ALL DAY

 

Where: All Panda Express locations nationwide

 

How: Online orders (pickup or delivery) 

 

Apply code 9006436 in the fundraiser code box during online checkout

Holiday Shop Donations

 

Last year, the Hutchings PTO stocked the Holiday Shop and had great success. 

 

The PTO still has a budget, but are also accepting homemade crafts to sell in the shop. Any donations will reduce costs. If you are crafty and could donate 50 pieces, please send an email to

 

hutchingsptotreasurer@gmail.com

 

Thanks for your support!

 

Hutchings Elementary School

3503 Bigelow Rd., Howell, MI 48855

Phone 517.540.8081 | Fax 517.234.6075