Huntington Herald

📚🌟 March Is Reading Month at Huntington Elementary! 🌟📚

Get ready to turn the page on an exciting month of stories, imagination, and adventure! March is Reading Month at Huntington Elementary, and we’re celebrating the magic of books all month long.

From cozy classroom read-alouds to exciting reading challenges, our students will explore new worlds, meet unforgettable characters, and discover just how powerful reading can be. Whether it’s a mystery, a biography, a graphic novel, or a silly story that makes us laugh out loud, there’s a book for everyone!

We encourage families to join the fun at home by setting aside special reading time each day. Even 15–20 minutes can spark a lifelong love of reading. Ask your child about what they’re reading, take a trip to the local library, or let them read to you — it all counts!

Let’s make this March one full of imagination, curiosity, and lots of great books. Happy Reading, Huntington Elementary! 📖✨

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

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

24th Spring Pictures

26th 5th Grade mixer

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

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

Picture Day is coming up on 03/24/2026! YOU MUST PREORDER for your child's photograph to be taken. Online ordering closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before Picture Day. Order here: https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/0406ZPF

Dear Parents and Families,

Huntington students will be visiting the Scholastic Book Fair the week of March 2nd! Students will have the opportunity to browse and purchase books during this time.

If you would like your child to shop, you may send cash in a labeled envelope, or you can set up an eWallet, which is a safe and convenient cash-free option. You can create an eWallet and find more information about our fair here:

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/huntingtonelementaryschool3

We are also still looking for volunteers to help make our Book Fair a success! If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up using the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44ADA622A7F5C34-62295506-huntington

Huntington will also be Hosting a Family Literacy night with the Scholastic Book Fair, Bingo for Books, and Art Showcase on Thursday March 5th!

Thank you for supporting our school and helping your child build their love of reading!

At Huntington Elementary, we believe that every school day matters. Consistent attendance plays a vital role in your child’s academic success, social development, and overall confidence. When students attend school every day, they build strong learning habits, stay engaged with classroom instruction, and develop meaningful connections with their teachers and classmates.

Even a few absences each month can quickly add up and may cause students to miss important lessons, discussions, and hands-on activities that cannot be fully recreated at home. Being present each day helps students stay on track and feel confident in their learning.

We understand that illnesses and unexpected situations occur. When your child must be absent, please notify the school office as soon as possible. If your child visits a doctor or healthcare provider, it is very important to turn in a doctor’s note to the school. Providing documentation allows the absence to be properly recorded as excused and documented and helps us maintain accurate attendance records in accordance with district and state guidelines.

To help support strong attendance habits, families can:

• Establish consistent bedtime and morning routines.

• Prepare backpacks, lunches, and clothing the night before.

• Schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.

• Communicate promptly with the school about absences.

• Submit doctor’s notes for any medically related absences.

If your family is experiencing challenges that affect attendance, please reach out. We are here to partner with you and provide support.

Together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. Thank you for making attendance a priority each and every day.

As we move through the later part of winter, this time of year can feel especially challenging for many students and families. The shorter days, inconsistent weather, and limited opportunities for outdoor activity can impact overall mood, energy levels, and mental well-being. These seasonal factors often affect both adults and children, and we may see this reflected in increased irritability, fatigue, or difficulty with focus and motivation.

With that in mind, I would like to share a brief list of practical strategies that may help students manage this final stretch of winter and support their emotional wellness.

Additionally, I want to remind families that our district offers access to valuable mental health support resources. Riverview Community School District partners with CareSolace, a service designed to assist families in locating mental health providers who meet their specific needs and accept their insurance. CareSolace helps streamline the process of finding a therapist, reducing the stress that can sometimes accompany seeking support.

If you are ever interested in accessing this service or would like assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at mjones@riverviewschools.com or by calling Huntington School at 734-283-4820. I am happy to help connect you with the appropriate resources.

Sincerely, Mrs. M. Jones, Huntington School Social Worker

5 Mental Health Tips for Kids This Winter

Written by: Melissa Santos, PhD, January 12, 2023 (Article Shared from Conneticut Children's)

https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/growing-healthy/5-mental-health-tips-kids-winter

Winter darkness and colder weather can cause your child’s mood and health habits to take a dive. To help, start with the basics!

1. Eat right.

Make it easy for yourself: Decide on a meal prep day for your family and spend time together trying new recipes and making sure your fridge is ready to make it easy to eat right.

2. Keep moving.

The winter months can make it so hard to get moving, which can take a toll on mood. Take time each day to do something to move your body – start your day with yoga, have a dance party with your family, get out for a hike on the weekends or just use your phone or tracker to get your steps in.

3. Watch your sleep.

Is there anything better than waking up all curled up under the covers on a cold winter morning? It’s so easy to sleep in. But we want to make sure kids aren’t getting too little – or too much – sleep.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to actually “catch up” on sleep. So focus on helping your child fall asleep and wake up at around the same time every day. If they have problems falling asleep, consider an app like Sleep Bug, which has lots of different sound effects to encourage sleep.

4. Get some sunlight.

Humans are basically houseplants with emotions – and they need sun. Getting out in those rare daylight hours is so important to lifting our mood and getting good vitamins!

5. Build in extra mood-boosters.

Since darkness and cold weather can easily impact mood, it’s important to be proactive in wintertime about building mood-boosters into your child’s day. When in doubt, have your child create a “mood jar”: Fill a jar with written reminders of things that always give their mood a lift – an activity, a memory, whatever. Go to the jar when they need a mood boost!

As always, if you’re concerned about your child’s health (or your own), please talk to your doctor.

* 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.

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.

Healthy eating is important at every age – and can be done on a budget. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives. When deciding what to eat or drink, choose options that are full of nutrients and limited in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Click here for some MyPlate tip

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