Huntington Herald

Hello, Huntington Families!

November is here, bringing crisp air, colorful leaves, and the start of sweater weather! We’re so proud of our students for their hard work and kindness this fall.

As we head into this season of gratitude, we want to thank you—our amazing families—for your continued support. Whether you’re helping with homework, volunteering at school events, or simply encouraging your child each day, you make a huge difference!

As the temperatures drop, please remember to send your children to school with proper outdoor gear—coats, hats, gloves, and warm shoes. We still enjoy our recess time even when it’s chilly, and we want everyone to stay cozy and comfortable while they play!

Thank you for helping keep our students bundled up and ready for fun! We’re grateful for your continued support and wish all our Huntington families a happy and heartwarming November!

🚫 Middle School Pick-Ups
Just a friendly reminder: Middle school students are not permitted to pick up their elementary siblings. We had several issues involving inappropriate language and disrespectful behavior toward other families during pick-up. Thank you for helping us maintain a respectful and safe environment for everyone.

Nicole M. Muñoz

Principal

Theresa Sexton-Grunwald

Administrative Assistant to the Principal

Huntington Elementary School

17752 Kennebec

Riverview, Mi. 48193

734-283-4820 ext -2​ ​

AARGH!!!

tsexton-grunwald@riverviewschools.com

This October, nearly 400 elementary and middle school students experienced the joys of fresh food, fun games, and fall festivities at our district-wide Farmer's Market event! All 5th graders from the district, Huntington’s 4th graders, and Seitz Middle School’s 6th graders joined together for a day of delicious learning and hands-on activities.

A Community Effort

The event was coordinated by Chartwells, our Food Service company, whose team made sure every detail created a memorable and educational experience. A special thanks goes to Tom Maceri, who supplied all the fresh, locally grown produce for students to take home and share with their families.

Exciting Activities & Festive Fun

Students rotated through a variety of activities at the market:

• Cooking Presentation: The high school culinary team wowed everyone with a cooking demonstration, inspiring healthy meal ideas.
• Smoothie Bike: Kids pedaled their way to fresh smoothies—fun and fitness combined!
• Apple Cider, Slushies & Donuts: Seasonal treats brought extra smiles and energy.
• Guessing Games: Contests like “How Many Pickles in a Jar” and “How Many Candy Corn in a Jar” encouraged friendly competition.
• Pumpkin Decorating Contest: All 5th-grade classrooms in the district competed. Shout-out to Huntington’s own Brody Burgess, whose winning design—created with help from Marvin Cruz and Zion Henderson—took first place!
• Fall Decorations: Beautiful corn stalks, pumpkins, hay bales, and more set a festive autumn scene throughout the day.

A Day to Remember

With students from Memorial, Forest, Huntington, and Seitz schools gathering at different times throughout the day, the event buzzed with activity, laughter, and discovery. The Farmer’s Market not only brought healthy produce into our homes but also nurtured curiosity, teamwork, and community spirit.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to Chartwells, Tom Maceri, and everyone who contributed their time and creativity. We look forward to more events that bring learning to life for our students!

NOVEMBER

4th NO SCHOOL for Students (Election day)

10th Picture Retake

25th Early Release District-wide – End of Trimester 1

26th-28th NO SCHOOL for Students or Staff – Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER

1st Trimester 2 Begins

8th-10th Santa Shop (12/11 Make up day)

9th 2nd and 3rd Grade Christmas Concert 5pm

22nd Holiday Break Begins

JANUARY

5th Classes Resume

19th NO SCHOOL for Students (MLK Jr. Day)

23rd Boy's event

FEBRUARY

11th Spring Count Day

12th Elementary/Middle School Early Release- Conferences

13-16th NO SCHOOL – Mid Winter Break

20th Girls Event

MARCH

5th Spring Book Fair, Family Literacy Night and Art Showcase 5-7pm

6th Early Release - End of Trimester 2

9th Trimester 3 Begins

18th Kindergarten and 1st grade Concert 5pm

30th NO SCHOOL – Spring Break Begins

APRIL

3rd Paraprofessional Appreciation Day

6th Classes Resume

21st 4th and 5th grade Concert 5pm

23rd Administrative Assistant Day

28th- May 1st 5th Grade Camp

MAY

1st Principals Day

8th Color Run

3rd Chalk the walk

5th-9th Staff appreciation week

22nd Field Day

25th NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)

JUNE

3rd 5th Grade Send off

5th LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Early Release

School Hours are from 8:35 – 3:20

Students may not be dropped off more than 10 minutes before school starts.

Breakfast begins at 8:10. If students are dropped off at this time, he/she must go to breakfast.

School ends at 3:20. At 3:35, 15 minutes after school ends, all students should be off school grounds (including the playground). We have had too many incidents where students have not been picked up and we are not aware of the situation until all students have left which could be ½ hour after school has ended.

Middle School students are not permitted to pick up their siblings from the elementary school. We had far too many incidents last year with extremely inappropriate language used as well as disrespectful behavior towards our parents waiting to pick up their students.

All students who have siblings at the MS and need to be picked up by MS students, will be walked by Huntington Safeties to a Meeting Spot at the MS after school. K-2 will meet their safety in the front lobby. 3-5 will meet their safety in the hallway behind the cafeteria, in front of the Maintenance Office. They will then leave with their siblings through the MS Auditorium Doors.

- For the safety of our students, NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED during drop off and pick up of students while you are standing outside.

* Any medications students need to take during school (either prescription or over the counter) must be kept in our office and you must have the medication forms completed. Medication form can be picked up in the office. If your child will need to take medication at school, use an inhaler, or if there is the possibility of your child needing over-the-counter medication, please have your Doctor fill out and sign the form. As the parent/guardian, you will sign it as well. Lastly, please turn the form into the office with the medication in the original labeled bottle/box.

- Please make sure you call our attendance line ahead of time (283-4820, #1) and leave a message when your child(ren) will be tardy or absent. Leave a brief message as to reason.

It is IMPORTANT that you keep the office and your powerschool account updated of any phone #, email or address changes throughout the year AND you check your emails for important school related issues coming from Huntington office or the Superintendent

If your child has a fever they MUST be fever free for 24 hours before returning back to school.

Always check your child's daily school folder for anything sent home from teacher or office; or things that require your completion. Please make a habit to check your Schoology account also.

SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

* PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR UNATTENDED IN OUR DROP OFF LANE (or in the striped areas)! NO STOPPING/STANDING/PARKING is allowed! Signs are posted. You may not stop your car and wait for your child to come to you in the driveway/entryway to our school. We need to keep traffic flowing. This blocks cars from being able to enter our parking lot and causes major issues on Kennebec.

Please park your car in designated spots and make sure you are there walking your child to and from your car. Students should not be allowed to walk across street to your parked car on Kennebec (accidents have occurred). Please meet your child at the playground or sidewalk.

Note from the School Social Worker:

I recently was reading through The Guidance Center Family Connection newsletter and saw this write up in the Ask the Expert section. Seeing as I probably could not write this information up any better, I decided to share the write up with you in full. In it, the author, Dr. Khan shares how children may show they are feeling stressed out, and he reminds us that not all stress is harmful. Stress is a part of life, but we need to learn early to recognize what we have the ability to change and what we don’t. That way we can work on the areas that are in our control to change. He goes on to demonstrate how important it is to recognize that parents can help teach strategies to help with stress, and by doing so they are supporting their child through stressful times presently, and throughout their life.

Ask the Expert (Taken from The Guidance Center October Family Connection Newsletter)

Q. How to Recognize Stress in Your Child?

By: Nauman Khan, M.D., is a child and adolescent physiatrist at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland.

Children experience stress for various reasons, ranging from school expectations and peer pressure to traumatic events. Even positive changes can impact a child’s stress level.

Stress can manifest in mood changes, behavior, daily habits, relationships and school performance. Recognizing symptoms of stress and providing support can help reassure and guide them through difficult times. Not all stress is harmful. Some stress can help children develop resilience and learn how to deal with life's challenges. However, when the stress is continuous or intense, it can take a toll mentally and physically.

Recognizing Stress in Children - Here are some indications that your child might be stressed and in need of extra support:

• Trouble sleeping: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

• Being withdrawn: Avoiding social interactions or family activities.

• Increased irritability or emotional outbursts: Frequent crying, anger or frustration.

• Headaches or stomachaches: Complaints without a clear medical cause.

• Struggles with school: Declining grades or loss of interest.

• Defiant behaviors: Arguing or rebelling.

Symptoms of stress may vary depending on a child’s age. Younger children may become clingy while older ones become more defiant. Keep an eye out for sudden or drastic changes.

Children are also sensitive to their parents’ stress. If a parent, or both, are going through financial, emotional or work-related issues, it can impact the children even if not openly discussed. Modeling healthy coping skills can positively influence children’s ability to manage their stress.

How to Help a Stressed Child - Here are some strategies to help ease your child’s stress:

• Promote healthy habits such as regular eating and sleeping schedules. Generally, ages 6–10 need 9–12 hours of sleep while teenagers need 8–10 hours.

• Avoid over scheduling to ensure your child has enough time to relax and recharge.

• Encourage fun, enjoyable activities. Physical activities, outdoor play and time with friends can help children manage stress.

• Be aware of triggers. Help your child identify and track stress triggers to find patterns and prevent stress.

• Allow choices. Allowing them choices when appropriate will help them feel more empowered.

• Enlist the help of a teacher. Teachers might notice stress-related issues at school that children don’t share at home.

Spend quality time with your child. Ask how they feel and listen; respond with kindness and offer reassurance. Your attention and affection bolster their self-esteem. If stress symptoms are persistent, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. Together, you can create a toolbox of coping skills that will last a lifetime.

Additional Resources:

• Over-Scheduled, Stressed-Out Families (The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds)

• Helping Children Handle Stress (Healthychildren.org)

• The Overscheduled Child (Imagination Playground)

• Stressed out kids? Signs and strategies (Mayo Clinic Health System)

Nov 5th - Parent Club Meeting @ 6pm

Dec 4th - Holiday Event 5-8pm

Dec 8th, 9th, 10th - Santa Shop

🎅🏼 Santa Shop can't happen without your help! The Parent Club needs volunteers to make this holiday tradition possible. More info to come!

Hi Huntington Parents & Families,

Did you know that those Box Tops you collect can make a BIG difference for our school? It's easier than ever to help raise money for Huntington with Box Tops! Join the fun and start collecting Box Tops today! It's a simple way to support our school while making your shopping more enjoyable. You can scan and earn money for Huntington!

Here's how to get involved:

1. Scanning: Use the Box Tops app to scan the boxes and earn cash!

Spread the word and encourage your friends and neighbors to participate too! Together, we can make a huge impact on Huntington Elementary.

Thank you for your support!

"Let's make Huntington even better, one Box Top at a time!"

The Kroger Family of Companies is committed to community engagement, positive social impact and charitable giving at the national and local levels. Every community is unique, but our common goal is to partner with the neighborhoods we serve and help the people there live healthier lives.

One of the ways in which we do this is through our Kroger Community Rewards program. This program makes fundraising easy by donating to local organizations based on the shopping you do every day. Once you link your Card to an organization, all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Shopper’s Card. Here’s how it works:

1. Create a digital account.

A digital account is needed to participate in Kroger Community Rewards. If you already have a digital account, simply link your Shopper’s Card to your account so that all transactions apply toward the organization you choose.

2. Link your Card to an organization.

Selecting the organization that you wish to support is as simple as updating the Kroger Community Rewards selection on your digital account.

1. Sign in to your digital account.

2. Search for your organization here.

3. Enter the name Huntington Elementary

4. Select the our school from the list and click “Save”.

Huntington will also display in the Kroger Community Rewards section of your account.

3. Huntington earns.

Any transactions moving forward using the Shopper’s Card number associated with your digital account will be applied to the program, at no added cost to you. Kroger donates annually to our school based on your percentage of spending as it relates to the total spending associated with all participating Kroger Community Rewards organizations.

If you have any questions, please contact Kroger's Customer Service Center.

To volunteer in any capacity within the Riverview Community Schools, the link below for the VOLUNTEER CONSENT FORM must be completed.

• Must be completed at least 2-weeks prior to the event
• Must be done annually!!!!
  • Valid for the entire school year (you only need to complete once - not for each event)
  • Applies to all your students in the district