HEMLOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mar. 20th - Mar. 26th

Weekly Update from our Superintendent

This week is our 28th week for the 2020-2021 school year.

Many schools around the state of Michigan are still struggling to find a way to provide a minimum amount of face-to-face instruction to their students. Our fantastic staff and students have been exceeding these benchmarks since our 3rd week of school. Our families' level of cooperation and commitment to our return to learn plan has made this possible as we have worked through daily health screeners, sanitizing spaces, social distancing, and other protocols.

Over this last year, we have all learned a lot and have been stretched and grown. Our students have been our focus, and it shows, not only in the classrooms, in extracurricular activities, and in learning growth measurements. However, we know that some students need to catch up academically. With that in mind, we are developing a robust learning program offering for our students and families to help all children achieve at their personal best.

At this time, we do not have any new COVID-19 school-related cases to report. However, we have two students in quarantine this week due to COVID-19 close contact (not school-related). 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.

As you look ahead at the calendar, we only have one remote learning day that remains for the month, which is Friday, March 26th. That day will be asynchronous learning to provide everyone flexibility as we head into spring break. Please see the calendar below through Friday, April 23rd.

As mentioned previously, we will start to work on version 3.0 of the district's strategic plan this spring and will be seeking input from our stakeholders. Click here to view our current plan.

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

All the best,

Don

COVID-19 DASHBOARD

Being Gracious During the Grind

Our school district has been around since before motorized transportation. Our current campus was designed in an era when most students arrived and departed via bus, but over the years, that has gradually changed. This school year we have had an increasing number of parents driving their children to school. As you can imagine this has placed additional stress on our roadways, parking lots, and perhaps you. We all seem to be busier these days, and waiting in the drop-off/pick-up line is the last place we want to spend our precious minutes. We at Hemlock Middle School have been reviewing how our parent drop-off/pick-up should function and working to address these student safety concerns.

Moving forward, we have determined that we need to:

1) Provide additional parking lot supervision, for a short time as we work to facilitate routines.

2) Add signage to help with traffic flow and procedures.

3) Have parent cooperation in allowing students to cross at the crossing areas. (Front of school by the main entrance)

4) Ensure that students utilize the crosswalk at the front of the school by the main entrance.

5) Help inform parents about who is able to assist them in parking lot procedures regarding student drop-off/pick-up at the Middle School.

If you should have additional ideas, I am all ears. My number is (989) 642-5253 and my email is chase@hemlockps.com.

Mrs. Kato's News

Have you ever tried coding before? You might be amazed if you were to ask your kids today if they have ever coded before inside or outside of the classroom. Coding is for everyone, no matter their age or occupation. The best part about learning to code is that you will also develop a wide range of soft skills needs to be successful in the world we live in. Here are just a few communication, empathy, creativity, logic, problem-solving, enterprise, abstract thinking, project planning, attention to detail, and resilience. Check out these sites where you and/or your children can learn to code.

WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND TOWN ........

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Rauchholz Memorial Library News

It may be another blustery chilly March day but Michiganders know spring will win and summer will come! Time to start planning camping trips as everyone knows Michigan is a beautiful state full of hidden treasures to visit! Pick up a book at your library! #visityourlibrary #MyRML #misummer #Michigan #campingtime