HEMLOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Happy Thanksgiving! This is our 14th week of the 2020-2021 school year. It remains our goal to provide you with regular updates.

This is a shortened week with the Thanksgiving holiday. We hope everyone manages to have a good time, regardless of the format that your family chooses to celebrate.

Our team has developed a COVID-19 Dashboard with data updates in real-time and a location that brings pertinent information together into an easy to access place. We have added a new column that shows the quarantine number for an incident.

We have reviewed our data and believe the best thing to protect our face-to-face instruction is to add remote instruction for Monday, November 30th, and Tuesday, December 1st for students in grades K-8. We will remain in synchronous mode for these two additional days with students at the MS/HS meeting every hour online. This provides 48 hours from the holiday weekend for any new COVID-19 symptoms to show up for our students and staff.

Please do not send children to a school with any sickness symptoms, cough, fever, etc. Sending children sick to school places our face-to-face instruction program at risk and creates inconvenience for you when we have to send your child home before the end of the school day.

We need everyone to continue to do their part by doing daily health screeners, keeping sick children home, and following the 3 W's: wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.

We continue to follow our return to learn plan and guidance from the health department, the department of education, and other oversight that has been provided.

Please continue to encourage your child to utilize our free breakfast and lunch program for all; it makes your morning easier knowing that breakfast and lunch are already taken care of. We also have times for you to pick up free food for all students when we have remote days (989) 642-4700 for more information.

Please rest assured if there are any concerns specific to you or your children that either a building principal or myself will contact you directly.

If you should have any questions feel free to give me a call 989.642.5282.

All the best,

Don

We have added up-to-date information on our webpage at:

https://www.hemlockps.com/o/district/page/covid-19-resources--84

Hemlock Public School District is pleased to announce that Sarah Sweatland has been selected as the new Hemlock Middle School 5th and 6th-grade resource room teacher.

Sarah will be teaching 5th and 6th Grade Special Education and Math MTSS. She is originally from St. Charles, MI, but has spent quite a bit of time as a friendly face here at Hemlock Public Schools. Sarah has student-taught in our district and has been a long-term substitute teacher, as well. She has attended our middle school Washington D.C. trip with our students.

The first-round interviews included a 15-minute presentation where she prepared and taught a lesson. The second-round included meeting in-person with two building administrators. The final round of interviews concluded with Superintendent Killingbeck.

Middle School Principal Mr. Chase said, "Sarah is so willing to learn new things. Her life-long approach to learning is one of her best attributes!” “Sarah loves Hemlock Middle School because it feels like being at home,” she shared “and everyone is always welcoming and willing to help each other.”

Sarah’s most proud moment was when she graduated with her Education Degree. There was never a doubt in her mind that teaching was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. Earning her teaching certificate made her dreams a reality. Her favorite thing about Hemlock Middle School is the small-town atmosphere, the supportive staff, and great student body.

In her spare time, Sarah loves spending time with her family. Her parents Douglas and Michelle Sweatland, and brother Jon, are very proud of her and what she has achieved so far in her career. Her other hobbies include crafting and reading. Her favorite author is William Kent Krueger.

Ms. Sweatland’s favorite quote is “Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo

Welcome to Hemlock Middle School Miss Sweatland! We are happy to have you!

Thank you for supporting the Holiday 2020 Hemlock apparel fundraiser sale put on by the Class of 2021.

Orders are expected to be delivered to the school on or after December 14th. Please choose grade level at check out. Please be advised, if school is all virtual you will need to pick up your order from Sandlot Sports on State Street in Saginaw.

Please be sure you receive an email confirmation after placing your order to be sure it was processed. There are NO returns/exchanges on custom online apparel.

Please email Erin Clayton with questions, erinclayton@sjss301.com

If you have any questions about sizing on a product, please contact us before placing your order.

DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 27TH

We will continue to provide food service during remote learning days, 11/30 and 12/1, between the hours of 11 AM-1 PM, passing out a daily breakfast and lunch at Hemlock Middle School door #29 for children age 19 and under and those with special needs up to age 26.

Looking to get a jump on Christmas presents? The Hemlock Athletic Department is holding a water bottle fundraiser now until winter break.

These water bottles/tumblers come in navy or pink and can be customized with a jersey # or first name on the front and a last name on the back. This keeps others from guessing who's bottle is who's.

Samples are available in the high school office to view. There is a quick turn around on the orders so no waiting for weeks or months to get your order back. All order forms should be turned into the high school office as well.

DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 11TH

Due to the current covid situation and restrictions in place, the library is only open for curbside service for the next 3 weeks. This may be extended as things change. Appointments can be made for copies/fax service. We got through this before; working together we will get through it again! #visityourlibrary #community #workingtogether #MyRML

The Hemlock Business Association is excited to announce their third annual Christmas wreath decorating contest and raffle, "Festival of Wreaths".

Wreaths can be viewed online at the Hemlock Business Association Facebook page or in person at the participating businesses and organizations.

To purchase tickets you can either visit the local businesses that are participating or attend the Holiday Market at the Richland Township Park on December 4th starting at 4:00 pm. Winners will be selected at 6:30 pm and attendance is not required to win. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

(11/16) For those wondering- the December 4th holiday market and wreath raffle are still on. Masks will be required, the pavilion will be closed with heavy curtains but fresh air will still help with keeping a safer area, social distancing will be expected. Thanks and hoping you will join use at this event! We have a number of our regular farmers market vendors as well as several local Hemlock vendors. Woody’s hot dogs will be joining us also.

Proceeds from this event go back into the community. For more information, please call 989-642-2097 or email: hemlockba@gmail.com.

This week begins Round One of Christmas Movie Mania! Follow the link below to vote for your favorite Christmas movies. This week's winners will face off in Round Two next week!

Vote Here: https://forms.gle/VqC5bxshgmrvLGS46

The RTCA will be hosting a Holiday Coloring Contest for children that live or attend school in Hemlock. Please see the information below. The contest will start December 1, 2020 and end at noon on December 18, 2020. Children will not be judged on the best coloring job, rather we will draw their entry from all those submitted giving skilled and not so skilled artist the same chance to win one of the three prizes.

There is a different coloring sheet for each age group. Your child must sign their name on the back page as well as having parents sign their name giving permission for their child to enter the contest. We also ask that you provide a phone number on the back of the sheet so we know how to contact the winner.

Good luck and we look forward to seeing all the fantastic entries. The RTCA committee.

You've waited and waited ....the day is finally here.... Your belly has been filled with delicious food, the football game is playing on the television and you can't move off of the couch. So why not play a game that doesn't require you to move from that spot??? Let's test your Thanksgiving knowledge, shall we?

#1 - When was the first Thanksgiving celebration?

#2 - What is a female turkey called?

#3 - What great American statesman lobbied to make a turkey the national symbol?

#4 - What is a male turkey called?

#5 - About how many feathers does a mature turkey have?

#6 - What sound does a female turkey make?

#7 - Which state produces the most turkeys annually?

#8 - What sounds does a male turkey make?

#9 - How fast can wild turkeys run?

#10 - Approximately what percentage of American homes eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

Answers: 1. 1621, 2. A hen, 3. Benjamin Franklin, 4. A tom, 5. 3,500, 6. Cluck, 7. Minnesota, 8. Gobble, 9. 25 mph, 10. 90%.

Jack Ray, 11/28

Cheyenne Trim, 11/28

Ms. Sweatland, 11/28

William Wenzel, 12/2

Dawson Davenport, 12/3

Kenzington Alaniz, 12/4

Gavin Gilbert, 12/4

Madison Wyant, 12/4

• Wednesday, 11/25 - Friday, 11/27: No School. Thanksgiving break!!!
• Monday, 11/30: Virtual day for everyone!
• Tuesday, 12/1: Virtual day for everyone!
• Friday, 12/4: Virtual day for everyone!
• Friday, 12/11: Virtual day for everyone!
• Friday, 12/18: Virtual day for everyone!
• Monday, 12/21 - Friday, 1/1: No School. Christmas break!!!

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