Hutchings Herald 2-8-2019
The Principal's Corner:
This past Saturday I went to a funeral. I know that isn’t the catchiest way or a fun-filled way that I’ve started these newsletters but much like when students are having difficulties in school I’ve found it is just better to come out and talk about it.
This Saturday I went to the funeral for a man I considered to be a mentor, his name was Dave Brown. Mr. Brown dedicated his life to serving young people in many different capacities one of which was by being a principal at Village Oaks Elementary in Novi, Michigan. I knew Mr. Brown from my younger days at the church where I was friends with his granddaughter who was only a year behind me. I always knew he was a principal, I knew he ran the youth groups, and I knew he was always really nice to me but I did not have much interaction with him until 2015. In 2015 my father suggested that I reach out to Mr. Brown to help me with principal interviews. I had been on a few interviews, nothing major, but knew that with some guidance I could perform at a much higher level. Mr. Brown agreed to meet me, now retired from service, at a Wendy’s where he would run me through some mock interviews.
We ran through the interviews and I nailed all of the questions. I had all the proper responses, I knew the correct lingo, I had the situational awareness and a good mixture of examples coupled with philosophical answers. We wrapped up the last question and then Mr. Brown looked me straight in the eye and said, “You did better than I thought you were going to do, but you missed the most important part.” I did not really know how to respond to that, looking back at it the answer was 100% his style, honest and to the point. I remember saying, while kind of laughing, “Thanks for the high hopes! What did I miss?” The following words that he spoke to me are easily in the top five most impactful things that anyone has ever told me. He said, “You forgot to be yourself, you are answering the questions the way you think I want them to be answered, you need to be who you were meant to be, who you are.” That hit me like a ton of bricks. He was right, I had the jargon, I had the answers, I had all the politically correct responses but at the end of the day, I wasn’t being honest with myself.
Fast forward to the end of 2015 I received a phone call from Howell Public Schools that they were interested in talking to me about a job at two elementary schools, Hutchings and Northwest. I gladly accepted and when I walked into the room in front of me sat Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Reis with parents, office staff, and Bob Starkey the principal of Three Fires. We were three questions in the interview and I was asked to talk about my experience with students. In my mind, I had the “right answer” I knew what they were looking for in the answer, but then I heard Mr. Brown’s voice in the back of my head. Be yourself, be who you are. I went with it and started with a small joke about working with kids which got a laugh and then I went into about how my love of working with kids defines who I am as a person. I gave examples of really personal moments where I was able to make a child's life better and how when the kids were successful or overcame an obstacle, I would get really excited. After I got the job Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Reis said that answer, where I was myself, was the major reason they enjoyed my interview. Thanks, Mr. Brown.
I ran into Mr. Brown a few weeks before he passed and he asked me the normal question, “How are you doing, how is work?” I answered in the same way that I’ve answered the past three years, “Living the dream, still getting to work with kids.” He would always smile. I told him during this encounter that it was a bit unfair because I could never pay him back for the help he gave me his response was yet again another top five quote in my life. He said, “You already paid me back, you lived up to the hopes that I had for you and you're making a difference for kids.”
How do you honor someone like that? How can you thank someone who helped you just because? I thought about that a lot this past week and the best way I came up with was to spread the message that he gave me. To continue to remind students that we want them to be themselves, be unique, be you who are meant to be.
I think Mr. Brown would like that, over 500 kids hearing the message about how they are special and how much they are loved for nothing more than just being themselves.
I think he would like that quite a bit.
All the best,
Mr. Moore
MacGregor's Message:
Kindergarten Registration is March 5
Our annual Kindergarten and Begindergarten Registration Event is set for Tuesday, March 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at our school. During the registration event, children and parents can take a tour of the school, meet the teachers and principals, and go for a school bus ride. For more information about the registration event to register your child online or to download a registration packet, please visit https://goo.gl/DqnReY.
Livingston Educational Service Agency Early Childhood Programs Now Enrolling
Livingston Educational Service Agency Early Childhood Programs are enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year. Head Start and Great Start Readiness Programs offer no-cost/low-cost preschool to income eligible or children “at risk” who qualify under federal and state guidelines. Families meeting eligibility guidelines have access to learning opportunities, health and wellness, social and disability services, and other community resources. Children of all abilities are encouraged to apply. For more information about applying and to see if you are eligible, call 517-548-2100 or go to www.LivingstonESA.org.
Child Abuse Prevention Stewards of Children Workshop
Howell Public Schools has partnered with The Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Council to offer a unique (and free) training experience for families called Stewards of Children. The Stewards of Children workshop is an evidence-based training that teaches adults about the 5 Steps to Protecting Children. This 3-hour training utilizes videos, workbooks, and group discussions to teach adults strategies for protecting kids from any kind of abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional). If you work with children and/or are passionate about advocating for child safety, please consider this opportunity which will be held on Saturday, February 23 at 9:00 a.m. at LACASA (2895 W Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843). Registration is required, and seats are limited. To register, or for more information, please contact the CAP Council at 517-548-1350 or[email protected].
No School on Monday, February 18
Please remember that there is no school on Monday, February 18, 2019, in Honor of Presidents Day.
Counselor Corner
Brrr...It’s Cold Outside!
We have survived the polar vortex, but winter is far from over. Here are eight quick seasonal tips for staying safe and warm during these cold (and sometimes dangerous) winter days.
- When outdoors, keep your core warm. Wear warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Use multiple layers to maintain warmth. Kids can lose a third of their body heat through their heads when they're outside, so hats are extra important.
- Pay attention to each other. Check on neighbors, friends, and relatives. If you suspect a person is suffering from frostbite or hypothermia, call to get medical help immediately.
- Hypothermia is most likely to begin in extremities like your hands and feet, so keeping your toes warm is important. Whether you're walking to work or just around the block, make sure to wear sturdy, insulated shoes that will help prevent slips on slick surfaces and keep your feet dry.
- Report any loss of heat or hot water to property managers immediately.
- Remember the “three feet rule.” Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters and fireplaces. Don’t leave heaters and fireplaces unattended - and be sure to turn off heaters and ensure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.
- If your home lacks heat, get to a warm place. For information about local warming centers, contact OLHSA at (517) 546-8500.
- If you are facing a utility shut-off and need assistance paying your bill, please contact OLHSA at (517) 546-8500.
- Assemble a roadside emergency kit to ensure you are prepared during inclement weather. Include a portable phone charger, first aid kit, hazard flares, and jumper cables. For a full list, go tohttps://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/beforestorm/supplylists.html.
- Set your thermostat at the same temperature day and night; this will help prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting. While avoiding a high heating bill might be tempting, you could be protecting yourself from costly repairs from frozen or burst pipes.
For additional support or resources, please reach out to your elementary school counselor.
Jennifer Starkey
[email protected]
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