Dear Hutchings Community,
I want to begin by thanking you for supporting us with your participation in our Husky Hustle. We exceeded the goals set by our PTO and raised $22,292. This will help our staff think of creative ways to engage and celebrate with our students and with you all.
Last week, we celebrated reaching one goal with Crazy Hat Day. This Monday, teachers greeted students as they entered the building with bubbles! I have a chef's hat in my office and I'm ready to serve lunch, but I'm waiting for a special apron to arrive to complete my look. Once it's secured, I'll be in the cafeteria serving food. Students have asked, and I feel the need to clarify: I'll only be serving food. No one wants to try my cooking, I promise.
Individual student and class prize planning is underway as well. Thanks again for your participation, and thanks to our PTO for such a connective, positive event.
Fall has always been my favorite season. I'm excited to be back at school, and I love all the other rituals that come with fall - kids' soccer seasons, donuts from cider mills, trail walks to name a few.
I spend a lot of time longing for fall when it's not here, but it certainly has felt busier than I remember it. All of the same fun things are happening, but it feels so over-scheduled sometimes, and I can't find enough hours to appreciate everything. I'm not sure if any of you feel that way, too.
I'm happy we've made it to our Fall Break, which also means we're 25% of the way through the year! As we reach the end of our First Quarter, and with Fall Break upon us, it's the perfect time to pause and reflect on the fast-paced start to the school year. This three-day weekend offers a chance to recharge, celebrate our collective successes, and find balance before we move forward. Let's take this opportunity to rest and return with renewed energy, ready to continue our work of maintaining and growing our positive learning community.
Sincerely,
Ben Malecki
Principal
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District Updates:
Special Education Funding is on the November Ballot
As we approach the November 5 election, we want to provide information about the Livingston ESA Special Education Millage Renewal and Restoration that will appear on the ballot. This millage helps fund services for students with disabilities, which are required by law but are not fully funded by the state or federal government, making local funding necessary. Annually, Howell Public Schools receives more than $3 million from the millage. If the millage is not renewed and restored, we must use general operating funds, which support various programs for all students, to cover the mandated special education costs. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3yYj7VT and remember to vote on Tuesday, November 5.
Statewide Literacy Survey: Opportunity for Parents and Guardians to Participate
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is conducting a statewide literacy survey for parents and guardians of children ages 0-10. This survey aims to gather baseline data to help improve awareness of literacy practices and increase participation in literacy activities. The survey is open through November 14, 2024, and can be completed online in just a few minutes. To participate, visit https://bit.ly/3Y7i0LR.
Optional Program to Support Engaging, Positive, and Safe Learning Environments
As Superintendent MacGregor shared in last week’s MacGregor’s Message, the district is launching a new, optional program aligned with the district’s Adaptive Plan focus area of creating “Engaging, Positive, and Safe Learning Environments” by fostering “a shared Highlander identity that appreciates each student's individuality while bringing all students together.” This program, which is not part of the curriculum or classroom instruction, invites students to highlight selected celebratory months. We are launching this initiative by celebrating Disability Awareness Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. To learn about the various ways students can participate, please visit https://bit.ly/488traM. Entries may be submitted to our school office or online at https://bit.ly/3Ntz7Tm for Disability Awareness Month or https://bit.ly/48c2pzd for Hispanic Heritage Month. Entries will be judged by the district’s Instructional Services Department, and winning entries will be showcased in our school.
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Counselor's Corner:
Regular school attendance is vital for your child's growth and success. When kids attend school consistently, they engage in important learning experiences, build friendships, and develop social skills.
Did you know that missing just three days a month of school adds up to:
- 27 days a year!
- An ENTIRE YEAR missed when you total grades K-5!
- 162 hours of math instruction missed, grade K-5 total!
- 211 hours of reading instruction missed, grades K-5 total!
Each day in the classroom helps kids grow up to be curious and confident! If you are struggling to get your child to school or struggling to get them to stay at school, please reach out to your school counselor - we have tips and tools to help!
Have a wonderful Fall Break!
Kristen Kinney
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Parent / Teacher Conferences are on October 24 and November 7. Please contact your child's teacher for information about signing up if you haven't already!
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Monday, October 21 is PANDA EXPRESS DAY for HUTCHINGS! All Panda Express locations will donate 28% of online orders back to Hutchings. For information or to place your order, use this link: Panda Express Fundraiser
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The Hutchings Choir has practice on Friday, October 25! For more information, contact Ms. Shultz or Ms. Clifton!
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The Hutchings Trunk or Treat is on Sunday, October 27 from 4 - 6 pm!
Candy donations are being accepted in the office! We are also in need of trunks to pass out candy. If you would like to decorate one, please sign up HERE. Not able to decorate a trunk but want to help? We could use a handful of volunteers to help at the event, that signup is HERE.
The Book Bus will be on site for the Trunk or Treat again this year! It was a hit with the kids last year and we are so excited that Mrs. Deurloo was able to coordinate it again this year. There will also be a $0.25 used book sale. Do you have extra books laying around? Donations of gently used books are currently being accepted for this sale. Funds raised will go toward OBOS and other special activities in the library.
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