Hutchings Herald Friday, September 10th, 2021 
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Hutchings Herald

Friday, September 10th, 2021

Dear Families,

 

My mother told me that the most amazing sentence that I have spoken to her as an adult was, “I love to read.” When I told her this, her face went from a smile to a face filled with confusion. She responded with, “what did you do to my son?” We laughed about it and we recalled the years of torment I put her through when she would try to get me to read as a child. 

 

As a student who had dyslexia and struggled to read, really anything, reading was a challenge that seemed insurmountable. I would do ANYTHING to not read, I would have to go to the bathroom at least 20 times, fake an injury, pretend I was working on something, or just stare off into space. For me, getting in minor trouble was vastly easier than trying to learn how to read or admitting that I did not know how to read. 

 

When I walk around the school now I am truly amazed at how many staff members are experts in helping students that were just like me. Our at-risk reading team, our special education team, and our general education teachers are spending a plethora of time at staff meetings and grade level meetings increasing our ability to teach reading to all students. 

 

One of my favorite activities as a principal is going into 5th grade and talking about my favorite books in hopes that it inspires someone else to read it. I’m going on year 6 here as the principal and I still have students from the past coming back talking about the book I recommended to them and how it is still their favorite book. I wanted to extend our support to anyone at home that is in the same boat my own mother was. The boat of trying to get a child to read that just doesn’t want to. If you would like any suggestions, activities, a sounding board, or starting point feel free to reach out to us directly.



All the best,

Mr. Moore

 

School Meals May Be Affected By Supply Chain Issues

As you may have heard in news reports, the lasting effects of the pandemic are affecting food supply chains nationwide. School meal programs are no expectation. Due to this, the Howell Food Service Department may, from time to time, need to make last-minute meal substitutions due to shortages in various food products.   

 

Free Online Classes from Gleaners Community Food Bank

In partnership with Gleaners Community Food Bank, the district is able to offer two free virtual Nutrition Education Classes to families. The first class, Cooking Matters at Home - Hack Your Snack, will be held on Tuesday, September 14, and will focus on making healthy snacks. To learn more about this class, please visit https://bit.ly/3BVaAi3. The second class, Cooking Matters at the Store - Shopping on a Budget, will be held on September 22 and will focus on grocery shopping on a budget. To learn more about this class, please visit https://bit.ly/38RwnuD

 

Counselor’s Quick Tip:  Start Saving for College Now!

 

Saving money for college while your child is young is beneficial and easy!   Here are two great college-savings opportunities:  Michigan Education Trust (MET) and Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP).  Both MET and MESP are simple, user-friendly, and can help maximize your savings even on a modest budget. Contributions may qualify for a state tax deduction and can be made automatically. You can even invite others to contribute to your children’s accounts through e-gifting!  

 

MET is a 529 Prepaid Tuition Plan which allows for the pre-purchase of tuition based on today's rates and then paid out at the future cost when the beneficiary is in college. Click here for more information about MET, or visit https://www.michigan.gov/setwithmet.

 

The MESP is a college savings account that you pay into over time. By setting up automatic contributions from your bank account or by payroll deduction (if supported by your employer), making regular contributions is hassle free. MESP can be used at colleges and universities all over the country, and it allows for unused benefits to be transferred between members of the same family. Click here for more information about MESP, or visit www.misaves.com.

 

Click HERE for more information on an upcoming College Savings Workshop (held via Zoom on September 29 at 7:00 pm).  Flyers will also be sent home with your child!  

 

As always, reach out for support and resources! I am just an email away - contact me any time at [email protected]

 

Sarah Marker 

School Counselor

Important Dates

  • September 24th - Half Day
  • September 29th - Picture Day

Hutchings Elementary School, 3503 Bigelow Rd., Howell, MI 48855, Phone: 517.540.8081, Fax 517.548.1763




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Posted by deurlooj On 13 September, 2021 at 9:40 AM