Northwest Elementary School

Where Dreams Take Flight

Hutchings Herald

February 12, 2026

Dear Hutchings Community,

 

It was an exciting day at Hutchings with plenty of treats available.

 

This morning, our PTO hosted its first of two "Donuts with Grownups" events. PTO launched an inaugural DwG event last year, and this event was improved! Our PTO Board and our school staff recognized that we could make it better by splitting the event in two and moving it out of the cafeteria. That allowed us to get people moving, sitting, and eating sooner. It also helped us have a less disruptive start of the school day because students eating breakfast didn't have to break routines. You can see a picture of us gathering early this morning on the bottom of the Herald.

 

There are a few big 'thank you' messages I want to pass along. I want to thank families for understanding the need to split into two different dates. (The next DwG event is a couple of weeks away- your classroom teacher is sharing information in their communication.) I want to thank everyone who attended and spent time with us this morning. I want to thank our PTO for their dedication, planning, and vision. It's great that we have a PTO that just wants to get our community together. I also want to thank Meijer for a generous contribution that will allow our PTO to reallocate resources it had planned to commit to this event. "Donuts with Grownups" is a great example of collaboration and it was a fabulous start to the day.

 

The only times I had to leave the event was to shuttle supplies up to classrooms. This included donations for classrooms and more than one Valentine's Day box, including one from a fifth grader I could've fit inside! In classrooms throughout the school, students exchanged notes and candy as we approach Valentine's Day. Hutchings is a lovely place, and it's no surprise to see expressions of that even on a cold February day.

 

It's a four day weekend for students. I hope you enjoy every minute of it. We'll see you back at Hutchings on the 17th!

 

Sincerely, 

 

Ben Malecki

Principal

District Updates:

 

Begindergarten & Kindergarten Registration Now Open

Registration for begindergarten and kindergarten for the 2026–2027 school year is now open at HowellSchools.com/KDG. Families will find an Enrollment Guide on the webpage with program details and helpful resources to support future Highlanders as they prepare to start school. The application window is also open for next year’s kindergarten class in Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary, the district’s Spanish immersion program. Students learn academic content in Spanish while developing fluency in both Spanish and English by fifth grade. Families can learn more at HowellSchools.com/DualLanguage. Applications for Academia Bilingüe at Three Fires Elementary are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27.

 

Attention Fifth-Grade Parents

Before long, your child will be preparing for middle school. Our middle school principals would like to share several important upcoming dates and details to help you prepare. On Monday, March 16, the middle school principals, Dr. Tim Moore (Highlander Way Middle School) and Dr. Trish Poelke (Parker Middle School), will visit all fifth-grade classrooms. Prior to their visit, students will watch a video created by Dr. Moore and Dr. Poelke that explains what to expect during the transition to middle school and how students can begin preparing now. The video will also review the structure of the middle school day and highlight the various encore classes offered. During their visit, the principals will answer students’ questions.

 

A Fifth-Grade Parent Night will be held on Monday, March 16, at 6:00 p.m. at both Parker Middle School and Highlander Way Middle School. We encourage you to attend to learn more about the transition process.

 

If you are interested in requesting a transfer to a middle school other than your assigned school, please submit an  Intra-District Transfer Request Form by Friday, March 6. Submitting the form by this date will allow the committee to review requests and notify families before the elementary school visits and Parent Night.

 

Livingston County Parent Summit & Wellness Fair

Families are invited to the Second Annual Livingston County Parent Summit and Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 21, from 8:15 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. at Parker Middle School. This free event will feature TED-style talks, interactive workshops, and family resources centered on this year’s theme: Tech, Talk, and Well-Being: Finding Balance in a Digital World. Childcare will be provided for children in grades BK–5. The summit brings together expert speakers and community partners to support families with practical tools and ideas for navigating today’s digital landscape. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4qjZI66.

 

Youth Solutions Select Family Survey

As part of the district’s ongoing commitment to preparing future-ready students, Howell Public Schools is partnering with the Highlander College and Career Council and Youth Solutions Select, a nonprofit organization that supports sustainable career development programs. Families are invited to complete a short, anonymous family survey around postsecondary education and workforce readiness. Feedback from families will help guide future programs and opportunities for students. The family survey is available at https://bit.ly/45fYDoq.

Counselor's Corner:

 

Digital Balance & Healthy Tech Habits

Howell Public Schools is committed to helping every student become “Future Ready for college, careers, and life.” This year, our newsletters feature quick, plug-and-play tips to support your child at home.

 

This week’s focus is Digital Balance & Healthy Tech Habits. Winter often brings extra screen time, so it’s a great moment to reset and build healthy routines.

Try these quick tips:

• Create tech-free zones or times. Examples include mealtimes, car rides, or the first 30 minutes after school to reconnect and reset.
• Co-view or co-play when you can. Watching or playing together lets you guide your child’s choices and opens the door for great conversations.
• Model healthy boundaries. Let your child see you putting the phone away during family time, choosing non-screen activities, or taking breaks from devices.
• Make a simple screen-time agreement. Work with your child to set clear expectations (like when screens are allowed and what content is okay). A short, friendly family contract can prevent power struggles later.

Building digital balance doesn’t mean removing technology - it means teaching kids how to use it thoughtfully and responsibly.

 

Kristen Kinney

Husky Balloon Car Challenge!

This afternoon, students learned about the Husky Balloon Car Challenge!

 

Sign ups for any interested participants are due next Friday, February 20! Click on the links below for more information.

 

2026 Balloon Powered Car Building Competition Letter

 

Balloon Car Building Competition Registration

February Spirit Days!

Wednesday, February 18 - Wacky Wednesday (wear something wacky!)

 

Wednesday, February 25 - Necktie Day!

Hutchings Elementary School

3503 Bigelow Rd., Howell, MI 48855

Phone 517.540.8081 | Fax 517.234.6075