HEMLOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL

This week is our 38th week (also the final) for the 2020-2021 school year.

We have no new COVID-19 cases or close contact quarantines on our campus. Click here to review our COVID-19 Dashboard with data updates in real-time. This link brings pertinent information together into one easy-to-access place.

Despite the challenges, our Huskie Pack made the most of this school year and exhibited a level of grit and resilience unmatched.

There was a saying in the weight room that I would hear from others and often say myself as a former powerlifter, "there is no gain without pain." That old saying perhaps was more fitting in the middle of a pandemic than in the weight room. This past year-plus, we all dealt with many difficulties and challenges and pain created outside of our control. As a school district and educators, we navigated managing learning in multiple modalities, shifting gears at a moment's notice, dealt with disruptions to services, adjusted our practices, and had the added layers of following our return to learn the plan and following all the restricts that were placed on schools this past year. We learned many lessons that will carry our school district forward for years to come.

Like weightlifting, all of the pain will and has produced gains. In so many ways, our school and community are like the imaginary town of Lake Wobegon that author and host Garrison Keillor talked about in his show, A Praire Home Companion. I am sure you can see the similarities between the community of Hemlock and the fictional town of Lake Wobegon, as Keillor use to open the segment up with, where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average. Although we are an idyllic community and school system that others want to be part of or emulate, we do have things we can do better and this past year highlighted those things in so many ways as well.

In addition to areas for growth, this past year, we uncovered some of our strengths as well. As an educator with a career that spans into four different decades, I often say, "education is a relationship business." This past year highlighted our team's ability to connect with students, parents, and other stakeholders to move things in the right direction, despite the challenges we faced. Moving forward, our commitment to improvement and to our mission and vision will remain unparalleled.

We are in the midst of setting the course for our school district with an updated strategic plan and working on a master plan for our facilities and campus. These efforts are examples of our commitment to ensure our students and families have the best educational experience possible, whether in a classroom, on the field, or performing on the stage. Our district is a triple "A" school system with attention to academics, athletics, and arts.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Have a wonderful summer.

All the best,

Don Killingbeck, Supt.

(989) 642-5282

If your student failed a core class, their attendance at summer school will allow them to recover credit. If students do not attend summer school they will be placed in a credit recovery class instead of an elective class next school year. The program is designed to help students retain and boost their academic skills, while incorporating STEM and PE activities. Lunch will be provided daily by the district in the form of a take home sack lunch.

The following are dates and times of the program:

June 14th - 17th: 8:00 am - 11:30 am

June 21st - 24th: 8:00 am - 11:30 am

August 2nd - 5th: 8:00 am - 11:30 am

August 9th - 12th: 8:00 am - 11:30 am

ALL SESSIONS ARE FREE!!!

If you would like to enroll your child in summer school, please stop by the office with your paperwork no later than June 10th. We are asking that you commit to at least one of the 2 sessions of the program, however we would love for your child to attend both sessions. This will provide your child with the most impactful learning experience.

Our summer school program begins June 7th and ends August 2nd. This program will be led by a certified teacher and completed online. The program is web-based and students may complete lessons anywhere they have web access. The fee for this program is $100.00, which will be refunded upon successful completion of the enrolled course(s).

Mrs. Zastrow is available to answer any questions or concerns that you might have regarding the supports recommended for your child. Please call our office at 989-642-5253 if you need any assistance regarding summer school.

Beginning June 3rd, Volleyball will have open gyms every Thursday night from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm at the High School.

If you have any questions,

please contact Pete Salo (989)293-8119.

This is for 9-12 graders for the 2021-22 school year.

Rules have changed again! We will still follow occupancy limits, we request you call ahead to see if computers are available (or all in use), and...masks required if you do NOT meet any of the current mask exemptions in place. Adjusting to all the changes so please continue to work with us; you've all been great during the last 14 months!!!

Every Tuesday and Thursday starting June 8th our food service will be passing meals out at the Middle School from 11:00 am-2:00 pm at door 29. We will pass out multiple meals on these days in an on demand system.

Matthew Braley, 6/5

Nathan Gohr, 6/6

Grace Murtha, 6/6

Douglas Wahl, 6/6

Lyli-Ann Torchia, 6/7

Zachary Fournier, 6/10

Easton Pretzer, 6/10

Aaiden Alcock, 6/11

Kassidy McFadden, 6/12

Mason Lavigne, 6/15

Zoey Reikowsky, 6/18

Dominic Rivette, 6/18

Braden Turner, 6/19

Aidan Trinklein, 6/21

Landon Gardner, 6/23

Colton Siler, 6/24

Connor Barrows, 6/26

Claire Beck, 6/26

Greysen Thornton, 6/26

Mia Jimenez, 6/27

Raymond Martinez, 6/27

Lily Wenzel, 6/28

Nevaeh Dwenger, 6/29

Nevaeh VanWormer, 6/29

Kori Dwenger, 6/30

Kendall Valley, 6/30

Harlo Seeger, 7/1

Logan Halm, 7/2

Alexis Hagerty, 7/3

Sophia Hampton, 7/8

Austin Kuehnemund, 7/9

Cole Romain, 7/9

William Fanning, 7/10

Julia Darby, 7/12

Noah Langworthy, 7/12

Layla Gardner, 7/14

Ava Roka, 7/14

Mrs. Bishop, 7/14

Mrs. Slominski, 7/16

Landon Perry, 7/19

Aubrie Little, 7/20

Casey Jo Wardin, 7/20

Jayme Chad, 7/21

William Foss, 7/22

Drew Genow, 7/22

Ella Kocsis, 7/22

Benjamin Handa, 7/23

Cadin Cmach, 7/25

Liam McElhaney, 7/25

Aubrianna Pattenaude, 7/28

Carly Siler, 7/28

Mrs. Peitsch, 7/29

Dallas Dearman, 7/31

Emma Wardin, 8/2

Savanah Ross, 8/5

Mrs. Helmer, 8/8

Rylie Wright, 8/10

Kaleigh Atkins, 8/11

Grace Belknap, 8/11

Isaiah Steinert, 8/12

Mrs. Knowlton, 8/12

Cadence Sugar, 8/13

Hunter Yackel, 8/13

Corvin Stadler, 8/14

Katherina Fuller, 8/15

Emma Hale, 8/16

Kassandra Hensler, 8/16

Marcus Kain, 8/16

Chad Brown, 8/17

Genevieve Browne, 8/17

Kayden Kapka, 8/21

Alejandro Mojica Lopez, 8/22

Aiden Seward, 8/23

Aaron Bruce, 8/24

Megon Tilot, 8/25

Catherine Bauer, 8/26

Caden Miller, 8/27

Callie Godwin, 8/28

Carli Moore, 8/28

Ella Bryce, 8/29

Ms. Mary, 8/29

Boston Davis, 8/30

Mrs. Woodcock, 8/30

Trevor Gross, 8/31

• Friday, 6/4: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!
• Monday, 6/7: Summer School Starts for 7th & 8th Grade
• Monday, 6/14: Summer School Starts for 5th & 6th Grade
• Monday, 8/23: BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

Email: kienitz.kris@hemlockps.com
Website: hemlockps.com
Location: 525 North Maple Street, Hemlock, MI, USA
Phone: 989-642-5253