Ruahmah J. Hutchings Elementary School

Hutchings Herald

January 17, 2025

Dear Hutchings Community,

 

It's nice to kick off 2025 with a new Hutchings Herald. Happy New Year to you and your family.

 

Since returning to school, we've been busy. In 4th grade, students visited the State Capitol in Lansing this past Monday. They even got to meet our State Representative, Jason Woolford, while they were there. Thanks to the 4th grade team for this fantastic experience. 

 

3rd graders have a great science learning experience on their horizon, too. They'll be bowling in a few weeks! It's a fun way to connect their Force and Motion Science Unit to a great activity. Maybe one of them will bowl 300!

 

5th grade students began some of their big National Park Project writing this week, too. It's the beginning of a process that eventually culminates in our National Park Expo. That's one of the signature events on our Hutchings calendar.

 

And just today, our begindergarteners, kindergarteners, 1st and 2nd graders were visited by Sensei Sam in the library! (Don't worry- the upper elementary kids will get their turn to learn with Sensei next week.) In the fall, Sensei practiced some language to eradicate bullying at Hutchings. In his second visit, he reminded us about how we build up our Courage muscle. We've continued to practice the skills he taught us. 

 

Today, his focus was on Self-Discipline. Specifically, he wants us to all remember his training theme: "I always do a little bit more than anyone expects." Students practice saying this phrase and think about what it means to grow into a person who exceeds expectations. All of us have room to grow. Sensei provides a great reminder that our growth won't happen without Self-Discipline. Sensei Sam has a great partner in a lot of the Social and Emotional Learning we share in together at Hutchings.

 

 

So now we head into our three-day weekend. On Monday, we don't have school to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. One particular thought of Dr. King's that resonates with me is, "Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love."

 

This quote that has come up for many Hutchings staff members in training we've had with Bill Boyle. Like Sensei Sam, Mr. Boyle has been a key influence on our Hutchings staff. Unlike Sensei, he doesn't teach our students directly- he's only helped train staff members across HPS and throughout Livingston County. Mr. Boyle has challenge us to consider ways to help our students take ownership of their own learning communities. We have built great systems to empower students, found ways to be more authentic and accountable in our relationships, and strengthen our Environments of Belongings at Hutchings.

 

 

Please enjoy your three-day weekend! 

 

 

Sincerely, 

 

Ben Malecki

Principal

District Updates:

 

Youth Solutions Select Survey

As part of our ongoing commitment to preparing future-ready students and as part of a partnership with the Highlander College and Career Council and Youth Solutions Select, a non-profit focused on building sustainable career development programs, we will administer a survey to students in grades 3-5 at each Howell elementary school in early February. You can review the survey questions at https://bit.ly/3WirDHy. If you prefer your child not to participate, please complete the opt-out form at https://bit.ly/4g15LHy by Monday, February 3.

 

We also ask all parents to complete a family survey by Friday, February 7. The survey is anonymous, and your feedback will help guide future programs. You can access the family survey at https://bit.ly/4hiscJv.

 

It is Time to Register for Begindergarten and Kindergarten 

It’s time to enroll our future Highlanders for the 2025-26 school year! The registration window for begindergarten and kindergarten is now open. At Howell Public Schools, Future Ready begins in our Begindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms, where curiosity grows, confidence builds, and a love of learning takes root. If you have an incoming begindergarten or kindergarten student, visit HowellSchools.com/KDG to begin enrollment. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 18, when all elementary schools will host a Kindergarten Information Night for families.

 

Academia Bilingüe Application Window Now Open

The application window is also open for next year’s kindergarten class in Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary, our Spanish dual language immersion program. This unique program allows students to learn the same curriculum as other district classrooms but in Spanish, becoming proficient in both English and Spanish by the end of elementary school. Participation in Academia Bilingüe is an optional opportunity for families. To learn more, visit HowellSchools.com/DualLanguage. Join the Academia Bilingüeteam for a Family Night on Thursday, February 20, at Three Fires Elementary to learn more about the program. The application deadline for Academia Bilingüe is Friday, March 21.

 

Teacher and Support Person of the Year Nominations

Each year, Howell Public Schools honors outstanding individuals through the Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year awards. These awards recognize the dedication and impact of our exceptional staff members, who positively influence the lives of students every day. We encourage employees, students, parents, and community members to nominate deserving candidates for these prestigious awards. To learn more or to submit a nomination, please visit https://bit.ly/3PtVngL. Nominations are due by Monday, February 3.

 

Dive "Under the Sea" for Two Special Dances!

Mark your calendars for a memorable evening of fun. This February, the Howell High School Hope Squad is hosting two exciting events for families: a Daddy-Daughter Dance on Saturday, February 15, 6–8 p.m. and a Mother-Son Dance on Sunday, February 16, 6–8 p.m.

 

Both dances will feature crafts, refreshments, and fun for everyone. Glow items and raffle tickets will also be available for purchase. Tickets are $25 per person, and proceeds will benefit the HHS Hope Squad. Spaces are limited, so register now for the Daddy-Daughter Dance at https://bit.ly/4gYFKKC or the Mother-Son Dance at https://bit.ly/3WhjZ04. Don't miss this opportunity to create special memories with your child!

 

January is Poverty Awareness Month

As part of our Celebrating Awareness program, Howell Public Schools recognizes the creative contributions of students who explore important topics through learning, art, and service. This month, we are focusing on Poverty Awareness Month, encouraging students to reflect on the theme, "What Poverty Means to Me: In Howell and Around the World." This optional program fosters empathy and inspires action, supporting our shared Highlander identity that values individuality while bringing students together. To learn how your child can participate, please visit https://bit.ly/3CeapEv. Students can submit entries to their school's office or online at https://bit.ly/4hcyfz6. 

Counselor's Corner:

 

Winter months often leave us stuck indoors more often, which can lead to more screen time. Evidence shows that this increased screen time can affect our children's mental health. Excessive use of electronics- whether for gaming, social media, or watching videos- can contribute to increased stress, anxiety, and sleep issues.

 

Help your child find a healthy balance by:

• Setting screen time limits (for children ages 6 to 18, it is recommended no more than 1 to 2 hours per day of recreational screen time)
• Encouraging outdoor activities like sledding, building a snowman, or a winter nature walk
• Fostering face-to-face connections through board games, puzzles, or playdates
• Setting clear boundaries around tech use, such as no screens during meals
• Modeling healthy technology use by taking "tech breaks" together
• Creating a tech-free bedtime routine with reading or storytelling

Together, we can help our kids thrive both online and offline, even during the colder months!

 

For more support, or a more personalized family plan, please reach out: [email protected]

 

Kristen Kinney

Hutchings Elementary School

3503 Bigelow Rd., Howell, MI 48855

Phone 517.540.8081 | Fax 517.234.6075