Northwest Elementary School

Hutchings Herald

February 16, 2023

Dear Hutchings Community,

 

Today, we're celebrating the end of our One Book, One School celebration of Peter Brown's The Wild Robot. We had the Howell High School Robotics Team join us in our gymnasium for an exciting demonstration with some robots they designed! Not only that, but our library has robots designed and built by dozens of our students across grade levels! The talented thinkers really flexed their imaginations with these projects.

 

I want to extend a very sincere thank you to Mrs. Heather Buckingham for coordinating our One Book, One School efforts. We've been immersed in The Wild Robot since the calendar turned to 2023, and none of it was an accident. Thank you.

 

When I started this year, everything was new and novel. Eventually, some work becomes routine. Nothing about our celebration of The Wild Robot has felt routine! It's so positive and refreshing to see the creative energies of people on full display during the cold, dark Michigan winter. I'm proud of our building. I'm also excited by the fact that One Book, One School will never feel routine. I can't wait to see what books I collect over the years at Hutchings, and what memories and experiences we bring to our Husky pack.

 

 

Finally, I want to wish everyone a wonderful long weekend. A few Heralds ago, Ms. Marker's Counselor's Corner was all about boredom. I wanted to rerun it today. I hope it serves as a reminder to find some nice, boring time by myself and with my family after so many wonderful, creative, and exhausting days here! I hope you consider finding some boredom, too!

 

Sincerely, 

 

Ben Malecki

Principal

District Updates:

 

Attention Fifth-Grade Parents 

Before you know it, your students will move on to Middle School. We wanted to make you aware of some important upcoming dates. The Middle school principals (Dr. Tim Moore - Highlander Way Middle School Principal, Mrs. Trish Poelke - Parker Middle School Principal) will visit all fifth-grade classes on March 13. Before the visit, students will watch a video created by Dr. Moore and Mrs. Poelke that will go over the changes to expect in the transition to middle school and some things they can start doing now to prepare. They will review how the middle school day is structured and the different encore classes offered. During the visit, the principals will answer questions from students. A fifth-grade parent night will be held on Tuesday, March 14, at 6:00 p.m. at both Parker and Highlander Way. If you are interested in transferring to the middle school that is not your assigned school, you will need to fill out an Intra-District Transfer Request Form by Thursday, March 9. This will ensure that the committee can meet and notify parents before the elementary school visits and parent night. 

 

Register for Begindergarten and Kindergarten Today!

Begindergarten and kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year is now open. If you have an incoming begindergarten or kindergarten student, please visit HowellSchools.com/KDG to enroll them. On Thursday, March 16, from 6–7 p.m., our school will host a Begindergarten and Kindergarten Information Night. At this event, families will learn about the school, meet the principal and begindergarten and kindergarten teachers, and tour the school. 

 

New Dual Language Immersion Program Now Accepting Applications

Howell Public Schools is now accepting applications for its new Spanish Dual Language Immersion program. Starting this fall, Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary will consist of one kindergarten classroom and one first-grade classroom. Dual Language Immersion is a unique educational model where children learn to think, read, write, and communicate in two languages. Students enrolled in a dual language immersion program develop a high level of thinking that sets them on a path to be future ready. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please visit HowellSchools.com/DualLangauge.

 

No School Friday, February 17 - Monday, February 20

Please remember that there is no school Friday, February 17, or Monday, February 20, for our mid-winter break. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 21.

 

Bus Drivers Wanted: Earn Up to a $5,000 Sign-on Bonus

Howell Public Schools is still in need of additional bus drivers. During February, the district is offering a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000 for fully trained certified bus drivers, up to $3,000 for fully trained licensed bus drivers taking on substitute runs for at least 20 hours per week, and up to $2000 for individuals who will take part in the paid training program. Please help us spread the word about these limited-time incentives. Individuals interested in applying can do so at BeABusDriver.org.

Counselor's Corner:

 

Boredom might seem like a bad thing, but it’s a much-needed counterpoint to information/stimulation overload and vital to your long-term health, happiness, and productivity. To get more comfortable with boredom, build your ability to resist meaningless distraction. Whenever you think “I’m bored,” lean into that feeling instead of instinctively reaching for the nearest gadget. Look around you. Find someone else with a free moment and talk. Wonder about something in your immediate environment, then return to the next item on your list with more focus.  

 

Here’s to a peaceful, restful weekend,

Sarah Marker

Morning Drop-Off Procedure

Our teaching staff helps with the Kiss-and-Go lane in the morning. They enter the building at 8:50.

 

Beginning Tuesday, 2/21, any student entering the building after the staff enters needs to be officially signed in. It's part of our attendance process. 

 

Thanks for understanding.

Hutchings Elementary School

3503 Bigelow Rd., Howell, MI 48855

Phone 517.540.8081 | Fax 517.234.6075