The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated its current epidemic order to allow contact sports to resume as of Monday, Feb. 8, provided masks are worn during practices and competition. If masks cannot be worn, participants must be regularly tested for COVID-19 consistent with guidelines issued by MDHHS. Safety protocols like wearing masks and testing will help keep kids, coaches and families safe and allow our schools to remain open for in-person instruction. The order remains in effect through Monday, March 29. Read more at http://bit.ly/36HCkd8 find the latest data, information, and #COVID19 news in Michigan at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. #MaskUpMichigan

It is so hard to believe that this is our 22nd week of school. This week we celebrated 100 school days. Many of our elementary students dressed up to celebrate this milestone. We have many great things going on in our classrooms, school buildings, and our community. This week our HBA hosted two ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new businesses. Our community is a place that people want to be part of.

As I have been around town or school talking to people, I have had a few of them comment on my last update. These people were positive about how I ended my update with the calendar survey and said, “At the end of the day, if this is the most frustrating thing some people have to say about Hemlock Public School District, after managing pandemic education, we are in good shape.”

In hearing other people say those words back to me, it made me realize although many may agree and echo that sentiment, there are those out there that may feel marginalized or disenfranchised by those words. If you are one of those that felt like your opinion or thoughts did not matter, I am truly sorry and would encourage you to give me a call at 989.642.5282 or send me an email at killingbeck@hemlockps.com. Please know I was simply trying to highlight that in a world where many educational institutions are just opening their doors, we have been prepared, constantly working to improve, and focused not on what is easy but delivering what many have found impossible. People in other communities and schools would be willing to trade places.

My wife Becky and I are proud Hemlock Huskie parents. As your Superintendent, I often put on my “dad hat” and think about how decisions will affect kids, parents, and families. My family is probably a lot like yours, enjoying one another's company, eating dinner together, celebrating special occasions, playing games and talking. Since the pandemic, the amount of time isolated at home, we have all had to make decisions to balance wellness and health and social interactions. I personally know that my own kids, like probably your kids and even adults thrive on human interaction and connection.

Our children have not had a normal day of school since Thursday, March 12th. So when the opportunity to advocate to bring students back a week earlier next fall than we did this year, I have done so. For two reasons, first, no matter how hard we have tried and believe me, the team of educators here at Hemlock Public School District has tried their best. The education and opportunities that our children, although resilient, have lost since March 2020 are greater than we want to acknowledge. Second, to provide our students with some level of normalcy, social interaction, social and emotional learning support as soon as we possibly can. If you would like to talk about this or anything for that matter, feel free to give me a call at 989.642.5282. Also, feel free to click here and share your feedback.

Our school board will have the calendar as an emerging topic this month and not take any action on the calendar but rather will listen, examine, and make a decision at a later time. Here is the notice for our regular February meeting, held on Wednesday, February 10th at 6 PM. Here is the notice with the link to attend and participate.

Another week and It still is exciting to report that we have not had any new school-related cases of COVID-19 or school-related quarantines since our return to school after the holiday break. However, we do have a couple of students/staff quarantining for non-school related COVID-19 issues.

Our staff had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine with a clinic hosted by our partners, St. Mary's Hospital and Saginaw County Health Department, this past week. Based on the information we receive regarding our next round of the vaccine, we are examining our schedule. We may add additional remote days into our calendar to ensure we can adequately staff.

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.

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

All the best,

Don

1) Please make sure you file your FAFSA by March 1st. Even if you don't qualify for financial aid, it is still important. Schools use your filed FAFSA to determine scholarships and financial aid through their institutions as well. You can visit studentaid.gov to get started or schedule a meeting with Mrs. Netzley for help.

2) Local scholarships are now available in the Student Services Google Classroom. These scholarships are due February 26th by 3 p.m. See Mrs. Netzley with any questions.

3) The class voted and picked the following:

Color - Dark Blue

Flower - Gladiolus

Song - " Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts

Quote - "Started from the bottom now we here." - Drake

4) It’s time to pay your class dues. Don’t be left behind when it comes time to head out on your Senior trip! Cost is $15 per year or $45 for all four. Ask Class Treasurer Kaitlyn Marshall if you are unsure if you have already paid.

Dear Families,

Each year our teacher’s union reaches out to support the women and children of the Underground Railroad of Saginaw. The Underground Railroad is a safe haven that provides services for victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and human slavery.

Annually, the Underground Railroad of Saginaw provided many valuable services to our community, including:

• Providing 14,000 safe nights in a shelter for over 500 women and children

• A 24-hour helpline and emergency response program

• Childcare and housing assistance

• Court support

• Advocacy, therapy, and support groups

Each year, our school district collects items to donate to the women and children in need, including:

• full-size bottles of shampoo & conditioner

• deodorant

• hair ties, accessories, and products

• toothpaste and toothbrushes

• full-size lotions or body sprays

• soaps and body washes

• feminine hygiene items

• Other hygiene/self-care items...

We will be collecting items to donate from February 1st-15th. Items can be dropped off in the office or given to your child’s teacher. Thank you for your continuing support of our community and families in need.

Respectfully, Hemlock Federation of Teachers

For more information on the Underground Railroad of Saginaw, please visit: http://undergroundrailroadinc.org

Hicks Studio will be here tomorrow, Thursday, February 11th to take group and band pictures. We will begin taking group photos at 9am for the following groups:

- Art Club

- Snow Carving

- Book Club

- SLS

- NHS

- PEER

- Student Council

- Class Officers

- Spirit Club

- Robotics

- Powerlifting

- CSO

- Trapshooting

- Yearbook Staff

Band students will be called out early before band class to change. Picture envelopes have been handed out to students.

Don't forget to order your 2020/2021 Hemlock High School Yearbook! They are $55 and can be ordered using the following link:

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1064167/Hemlock-High-School/

Wednesday, February 10th

- Count Day

- V Girls BBall @ MLS - 7:30pm (Bus 4:45pm)

- JV Girls BBall @ MLS - 6pm (Bus 4:45pm)

Thursday, February 11th

- Group & Band Pictures - 9am

- V Boys BBall @ Nouvel - 8pm (Bus 4pm)

- JV Boys BBall @ Nouvel - 6:30pm (Bus 4pm)

- F Boys BBall @ Nouvel - 5pm (Bus 4pm)

Friday, February 12th

- Remote Learning Day

- V Girls BBall vs. Nouvel - 7:30pm

- JV Girls BBall vs. Nouvel - 6pm

Saturday, February 13th

- V Wrestling vs. Bullock Creek & Standish - 10am

Sunday, February 14th

- Valentine's Day

Monday, February 15th

- No School

- Presidents' Day

- V Boys BBall vs. St. Charles - 7:30pm

- JV Boys BBall vs. St. Charles - 6pm

- V Girls BBall @ St. Charles - 7:30pm (Bus 4:45pm)

- JV Girls BBall @ St. Charles - 6pm (Bus 4:45pm)

Tuesday, February 16th

- V Boys BBall vs. Bullock Creek - 7:30pm

- JV Boys BBall vs. Bullock Creek - 6pm

- F Boys BBall vs. Bullock Creek - 4:30pm

- V Wrestling @ St. Charles Quad - 5:30pm (Bus 4:30pm)

- Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday

Wednesday, February 17th

- V Girls BBall @ Bullock Creek - 7:30pm (Bus 4:50pm)

- JV Girls BBall @ Bullock Creek - 6pm (Bus 4:50pm)

- Ash Wednesday

Important Upcoming Dates:

- March 14th - Daylight Saving Time Begins

- March 15th - Spring Sport Practices Begin

- March 17th - St. Patrick's Day

- March 20th - 1st Day of Spring

- March 27th - April 5 - Spring Break

Breakfast and lunch will remain FREE to all students thru the remainder of the 20-21 school year.

02/08/21 - V Girls BBall @ HH Dow - L (46-72) Regan Finkbeiner led Hemlock with 19 points while Chloe Watson added 14.

02/08/21 - JV Girls BBall @ HH Dow - L (8-61)

2/9/21 - JV Boys BBall vs. MLS - W (49-31) Carter Gensch had 26 points, and Caiden Larkin had 7 points.

2/9/21 - V Boys BBall vs. MLS - W (67-30)

Points - Nolan Finkbeiner - 17, Dylan LaGrow - 14, Brayden Green - 13, Jacob Shelagowski - 10

Rebounds - Michael Zolinski - 9, Brayden Green - 6

Assists - Max Dinninger - 5, Nolan Finkbeiner - 4

Steals - Nolan Finkbeiner - 4, Michael Zolinski - 3

Brayden Green and Dylan LaGrow combined for 7 first half three pointers to turn a close game into a big halftime lead. We also got some steals off of traps which seemed to really fuel us. Finkbeiner hit three 3's in the 3rd quarter to essentially put the game away.

For Hemlock High School Senior Nolan Finkbeiner, his dream can now become a reality with the start of the winter 2020-21 sports season. All winter sports will begin to compete this week with an abbreviated season.

On Saturday, January 30, 2021, more than two-thousand people gathered at the steps of the state capital to support the “Let Them Play,” movement. Hemlock was represented by families supporting their student’s desire to play the sports they love. One student that was in attendance was Nolan Finkbeiner. Nolan is a 4-year varsity “All-State” starting point guard with aspirations to play collegiately next year. Nolan is currently 100 points away from scoring 1000 points in his career.

"Hitting the 1,000 point-mark has been a dream of mine since being on the varsity team as a freshman. Being a part of the 1,000-point club would be an honor, as only a few players in my school have achieved it,” shared Nolan Finkbeiner.

High School Principal Green noted, “I have had the opportunity to coach and watch Nolan since he was eight-years-old. I know how hard he has worked year-round to reach this milestone. I also know that this has been a goal, but his selfless, team-first attitude, he would easily trade it for a team victory.”

The ice rink is ready to enjoy and plowed. Weather permitting it should stay good for a while. The Park Supervisor has programmed the lights to come on from 5:30pm - 10:00pm.

Enjoy and stay safe.

• The contest information is located at ArtContest.ess.com.
• To enter, students must submit a drawing or painting with an image representing “What would it be like to go to school for superheroes?”
• The contest ends on March 21st, 8:00 pm Eastern Time.
• The top five finalists in each Grade Group will be featured on ESS’ Facebook and Instagram during the week of April 12th for public voting.
• Voting ends on April 18th, 8:00 pm Eastern Time.
• Winners will be announced on April 21st.
• Winning students will receive a $500 gift card, plus a $500 gift card for their school.
• Attached is an 8.5” x 11” digital flier for printing and distributing.
• Any questions, email ArtContest@ESS.com.

Email: galbraith@hemlockps.com
Website: www.hemlockps.com
Location: 733 North Hemlock Road, Hemlock, MI, USA
Phone: (989) 642-5287
Facebook: facebook.com/HemlockHighSchool
Twitter: @MIHemlock_High