Dear Hutchings Community,
Happy Mother's Day! I hope everyone is enjoying this weekend and celebrating family.
We just had Teacher Appreciation Week and I wanted to take another moment to celebrate all of the great educators at Hutchings. Thank you for all of the selfless ways you make our students' experience at Hutchings wonderful.
The PTO did a fantastic job recognizing our team, so thank you to all members of our PTO for their contributions. They came in throughout the week to bring joy to our staff, and it was felt. That brings me to tomorrow, which is our last PTO meeting for the 2025-26 school year. It will include elections for our PTO Board and a chance to dream big for next school year. We do hope you'll join us at 6 pm in our library.
The partnership between our PTO and our staff has led to a lot of One Book, One School fun with Piper Morgan Joins the Circus and Mr. Lemoncello's Very First Game. This Wednesday, May 13 is our last OBOS spirit day - "Step Right Up Day!" where we hope everyone can wear bright, bold colors to Hutchings. It also means we're a week and half from our Field Day!
For Field Day, I want to thank all of the families who have donated so that students can have an unforgettable experience. We have received nearly everything we've asked for, but if you want to take one last look at the Field Day Donations, please click on the link I provided. In addition to nearly having every donation, we also have nearly every parent volunteer we need. If you are considering volunteering, please check out the Field Day Volunteers sign up linked here as well.
Ensuring a safe environment is of the utmost importance and careful consideration goes into every event at Hutchings to ensure our students and staff have a safe, fun experience. Different events demand different preparations and systems. I can understand if some families are disappointed by this news, but Field Day will not be open to parent and family spectators, just working volunteers. We will ask teachers to take lots of pictures and share them. We appreciate your understanding and partnership in ensuring the safety of Hutchings.
Please enjoy the rest of your weekend! Another Hutchings Herald is coming soon, too!
Sincerely,
Ben Malecki
Principal
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District Updates:
Coffee Chat with Superintendent MacGregor on May 12
Join Superintendent MacGregor for his final Coffee Chat of the school year on Tuesday, May 12, at 9 a.m. in the Edinburgh Room of the district’s administrative offices. During the Coffee Chat, Dr. MacGregor will share updates on upcoming bond projects and discuss the work of the district’s Coordinated School Health and Wellness Committee, including guidelines for the healthy use of technology and student mental wellness.
The Best Seat in Howell Public Schools
Looking for a career that truly makes a difference? At Howell Public Schools, we’re inviting you to join the team that drives the future! School bus drivers are more than just drivers; they’re the first smile students see in the morning and the last friendly face before heading home. It’s a role filled with purpose, pride, and connection. Our bus drivers enjoy competitive pay, flexible schedules, summers, holidays & snow days off, and paid training (no experience needed!). Right now, we are offering a sign-on bonus of up to $5,000! Drive with purpose. Smile with pride. If you’re ready for a rewarding career that fits your life, visit BeABusDriver.org and apply today.
Howell Public Schools Technology & Device Use Survey
The Howell Public Schools Coordinated School Health and Wellness Committee is currently discussing guidelines for the healthy use of technology in our schools. This includes potential updates to the district’s cell phone policy and 1:1 device program. To help guide this work, we invite all families to complete a brief survey and share their feedback on student device use and possible changes. The survey is available at https://bit.ly/4mUQLAn and takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete. Please submit your responses by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 11. The committee will also host a public forum to discuss the proposed guidelines on Tuesday, May 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the Howell High School Commons (adjacent to the auditorium), prior to the HHS Band concert.
Drop-In Archery Offered at The Hive
Looking for a fun and active opportunity for all ages? The Howell Recreation is now offering Drop-In Archery sessions at the Bennett Recreation Center. Open to participants of all skill levels, archery sessions are held on Sundays from 12–3 p.m., with one-hour time slots available. Participants can reserve a time in advance or attend as a cash drop-in (exact change required). Each session includes time for both setup and clean-up. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/4cYXggT.
Highlander Robotics Open House Welcomes Future Innovators
Curious about robotics and STEM opportunities for students? The Highlander Robotics program is hosting an open house on Monday, May 11, 2026, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. in the Parker Commons. The event will feature all levels of the program, welcoming students from Kindergarten through 12th grade to explore the Highlander Robotics program. Highlander Robotics proudly participates in multiple programs, including FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition. Each program offers students unique opportunities to build technical skills, collaborate with peers, and engage in real-world problem-solving. To learn more, please complete the Highlander Robotics interest form at https://bit.ly/4vwJpXL or visit https://bit.ly/3Qr4DWH to view the event flyer.
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Counselor's Corner:
Finishing the Year Strong!
Howell Public Schools is committed to helping every student become "Future Ready fo college, careers, and life." This year, our newsletters have featured quick, plug-and-play tips you can use at home to support your child in building the skills they need for a successful future.
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, it's a great time to help children build the important life skill of finishing strong. Staying motivated, managing responsibilities, and following through - even when excitement for summer is building - are skills that will serve them well far beyond the classrooms.
Here are a few simple ways you can support your child at home:
- Set small goals together: Help your child identify 1-2 things they want to improve or complete before the end of the year (finishing a book series, staying organized, turning in all assignments)
- Celebrate effort, not just results: Recognize persistence, responsibility, and positive attitude - even in small moments
- Keep routines consistent: Maintaining regular bedtimes, homework time, and screen limits helps children stay focused and regulated
- Talk about "why it matters": Remind your child that finishing strong builds confidence and shows pride in their work
- Look ahead with excitement: Balance hard work with something to look forward to like summer plans, family time, or a fun end of the year tradition
With encouragement and structure, students can end the year feeling proud, confident, and ready for what's next!
Kristen Kinney
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Classroom Consideration Form
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Our staff is begin to plan for next school year. We'd love your input, too. Consider taking a moment to let us know about your Husky as a learner, and let us know what environment suits their needs from your parent perspective.
Please remember that this is not an opportunity to request specific teachers, as there is no guarantee that teams will be the exact same next school year. Any forms with specific teacher requests will not be considered.
2026-27 Hutchings Classroom Consideration Form
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Congratulations to all of our students for fantastic concert performances over the past few months!
Also, congratulations to all of our Girls on the Run runners for their 5K run this weekend!
Finally, congratulations to all of our building participants in Senior Survivor for their hard work and effort in fundraising!
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Hutchings Elementary School
3503 Bigelow Rd., Howell, MI 48855
Phone 517.540.8081 | Fax 517.234.6075
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