This week is our 32nd week for the 2020-2021 school year, and despite the challenges, our school community continues to support students and our staff in moving forward.

Since our return from spring break, we have encountered an increase of positive Covid-19 cases that have translated into quarantines and disruption of face-to-face instruction with two of our elementary classrooms and some high school students.

As our school year is winding down, we ask that everyone remain vigilant and keep children home that show any signs or symptoms of illness. This helps keep your child safe and helps to minimize the potential of disruption to our face-to-face education and services.

We continue to navigate COVID-19 and the pandemic together, following the Saginaw County Health Department's guidance. The safety and well-being of our students and team are our number 1 priority as we work to provide the best opportunities for children. Please know that the SCHD is currently advising a 14-day quarantine for anyone who has had close contact with a laboratory tested positive COVID-19 person.

At this time, we do have some COVID-19 cases to report; 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. These recent cases occurred over our spring break; having a remote day on Tuesday really helped bring some of these cases to the surface before our students and staff returned to school.

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

All the best,

Don

Hemlock Public School District is pleased to announce that Alex Haltom has been selected as the district’s next Director of Innovation, Technology, and Media Services.

The district received solid interest from qualified candidates and went through a rigorous interview process which included a digital screener, face-to-face interview, and finalists were greeted by a panel of ten (10) comprised of support staff, instructional staff, administrators many of whom are parents as well.

Board President, Matt Wesener said, “It is fantastic to see an internal candidate rise to the challenge and distinguish himself through the hiring process.”

Haltom is a familiar face to many in our school community, he is a 2013 graduate of Hemlock High School. While in High School, Alex worked in the technology department, along with participating in a variety of sports including; four years of tennis, two years of track, two years of baseball, and one year of basketball. He continued working in the technology department throughout his college years, graduating from Saginaw Valley State University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems.

Superintendent Killingbeck said, “Throughout our interview and vetting process, Alex stood out and led the pack with his work ethic, competence, and merit.”

New Director of Innovation, Technology, and Media Service, Alex Haltom said, “I’m excited to continue the innovation that exists in the classrooms, our technology, and our STEM initiatives.”

After getting settled into his position, Director Haltom plans on focusing on security, staff training, and improving the efficiency of the department.

What do drafts, leaks, and safety have in common with the Hemlock Board of Education? They share a campus together and the Hemlock Board of Education (BOE) is keeping its promise to the voters of our district to address these issues and more. As they reviewed and carefully considered projects to move forward the BOE focused on honoring their promise to voters to replace/repair roofs as able, replace old windows (circa 1959), and keep safety at the forefront of their decisions.

Trustee David Messing, Chair of the Facility Assessment Committee of the Board of Education said, “Enhancing our student’s learning environment by minimizing things like drafts and leaks with a focus on keeping everyone safe was our goal. The district has a lot of larger needs that we cannot address at this time, but we are doing our absolute best with the resources we have been entrusted with.”

The Hemlock Board of Education at their regular April meeting unanimously approved a series of action items that approved roof work this summer/fall and plans for next summer/fall, as well. In addition to roofs, a rework of our middle school parking lot; that includes a drop-off/pick up lane and sidewalk, and moving the student recess/play area out of the parking lot to an area north of the building, with some outdoor courts, and other age-appropriate items for students. The roof work at Hemlock Elementary and Middle School, the Middle School parking lot, and the Middle School student play area follow the BOE approval to replace high school windows that were original to the building in 1959.

Superintendent Don Killingbeck said, “We are so fortunate for the support of our community and families to be able to address these needs in real-time and work to stay ahead of issues as they arise. The district has ¼ million square feet under-roof so these types of projects will be ongoing for years to come, with more needs than funds each year. We will continue to do our best to maximize the benefits to our students and stakeholders.”

Click the link to sign up for a time slot: https://donate.michigan.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/137989

Wednesday, April 28th

- V Tennis @ Ithaca - 4pm (Bus 2:30pm)

- V Track @ Bullock Creek - 4pm (Bus 2:50pm)

- V Soccer @ Nouvel - 4:30pm

- V Golf @ Ithaca Jam. - 4pm (Bus 2:30pm)

Thursday, April 29th

- V Baseball @ Garber - 4pm (Bus 2pm)

- V Softball @ Garber - 4pm (Bus 2pm)

- JV Baseball vs. Garber - 4pm

- JV Soccer @ Freeland - 5pm (Bus 4pm)

- Jostens to pass out Senior Announcements

Friday, April 30th

- V Track @ Clare - 2:30pm (Bus 12:45pm)

- V Golf @ Frankenmuth Invite - 9am (Bus 7:25am)

- V Soccer vs. Bullock Creek - 7pm

Saturday, May 1st

- Nothing Scheduled

Sunday, May 2nd

- Nothing Scheduled

Monday, May 3rd

- V Tennis vs. Chesaning - 4pm

- V Baseball vs. Valley Lutheran - 4pm

- V Softball vs. Valley Lutheran - 4pm

- JV Baseball @ Valley Lutheran - 4pm (Bus 2:30pm)

- V Soccer @ Millington - 4:30pm (Bus 3pm)

Tuesday, May 4th

- V Tennis vs. Nouvel - 4pm

- Love of the Arts Nights @ Richland Twp. Park

Wednesday, May 5th

- V Track @ St. Louis - 4pm (Bus 2:45pm)

- V Soccer vs. Ithaca - 7pm

- JV Soccer vs. Freeland - 5:30pm

- V Golf @ Valley Lutheran Jam (Crooked Creek) - 1pm

- V Softball vs. Carrollton - 4pm

Important Upcoming Dates:

- May 9th - Mother's Day

- May 13 - 16th "The Ever After" Musical

- May 17th - Blood Drive

- May 18th - Senior's Last Day

- May 18th - NHS Induction, 8:30am (Students Only)

- May 22nd - Prom

- May 23rd - Spring Band Concert - 2pm, Wallace Field

- May 25th - Baccalaureate

- May 27th - Senior Rehearsal - 9am, Commencement - 8pm

- May 31st - Memorial Day, No School

- June 1st - 4th - Exams

- June 4th - Last day of school!

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up - May 3rd through May 7th.

Hemlock Bands would like to announce their spring concert. It will take place on Sunday, May 23rd at 2:00 on the football field. The concert will start with 6th grade band, then 7th, then 8th. There will be a brief 30 minute intermission to let people safely leave and come in, and then the high school will start at 3:00, with the Jazz Band leading off and then the Concert Band finishing up. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thursday, April 29th

- Jostens Announcement Orders Arrive

Tuesday, May 18th - Senior Last Day

- NHS Induction 8:30am (Students Only)

- Senior Awards (Students Only) in HS Gym 9:30-10:30am

- Senior Picnic @ Richland Twp. Park**

- Cap & Gown Distribution

- Cap & Gown Walk

Wednesday, May 19th & Thursday, May 20th

- Senior Exams (if needed)

Tuesday, May 25th

- Baccalaureate 7pm, outside

Thursday, May 27th (Back up day 5/28)

- Senior Rehearsal - 9am Football Field

- Commencement - 8pm Football Field

**If you had Ms. Schmidt for 1st Grade, please bring your time capsule with you to the picnic.

**Any drink donations would be greatly appreciated for the picnic! We will need bottled water and soda/ beverages. Please have any donations to the high school office by 9 am Tuesday May 18th.

When - Saturday, May 22nd

Where - The Grand Banquet & Conference Center, Bay City

Capacity - Currently there is a max of 300 people that may attend per MDHHS health orders, but this allows us to have a normal amount of students attend based off numbers from years past.

Tickets - $50 per person, tickets on sale April 26th - May 5th

Guest Form - You can pick one up outside the office. Deadline to return is Friday, April 30th.

4/21/21 - V Boys Track @ Standish - W vs. Nouvel (106-6) & W vs. Standish-Sterling (86-46)

1st Place Finishes include.
Brayden Beyersdorf, shot & discus
Robert Knapik, Long Jump, 100 Meters, 200 Meters, 4 x 100 Relay.
Kamron Brown, High Jump, 110 High Hurdles, 300 Meter Hurdles, 4 x 100 Relay
Tyler Jones, 3200 Meter Run, 3200 Relay
Carson Penny, 1600, meter Run, 3200 Relay
Dennis Schaffer, 4 x 100 Relay
Luke McGregor, 4 x 100 Relay
Alec Briggs, 3200 Relay
AJ Light, 3200 Relay

4/21/21 - V Girls Track @ Standish - L vs. Standish-Sterling (24-71) L vs. Nouvel (38-42)

Reagan Keyser, third-200 m: first/400 meters, first-high jump
Alex Grzenia, Second, 400 m.

Alyssa Rivette, 300 hurdles, third place.
800 m relay team of Grzenia, KEYSER, Rivette, and Ostrowski, first place

4/21/21 - V Softball vs. Meridian - L (0-15) & L (6-17) The Huskies came up with multiple hits from Cayla Konop, Regan Finkbeiner, Madison Martinez and Sage Draves. Jenna Galonska contributed a hit as well. Madison Martinez had 5 K's in Game 1 while Regan Finkbeiner added 3 stolen bases on the night.

4/21/21 - V Golf Hemlock Jamboree - 1st Place - Hemlock Golf team wins second straight Jamboree by 19 strokes. Leading the way once again was Carsen Countagen with 37 followed by Carter Miller 39, Anthony Hagarty 42, Rocco Rosa 43, Nolan Finkbeiner 43 and Zach Kreager 48. After 2 Jamborees the Huskies have a 32 stroke lead over second place St Louis and Nouvel.

4/22/21 - V Tennis @ Frankenmuth - W (8-0)

Singles:
No. 1 - Grace Gasper, FRANKENMUTH def. Sophia Hauffe, HEMLOCK, 3-6 , 7-5 , 10-6 ;
No. 2 - Ella Smith, FRANKENMUTH def. Reilie Netzley, HEMLOCK , 6-0 , 6-1 , -;
No. 3 - Brooke Carnahan, FRANKENMUTH def. Laci Lee, HEMLOCK, 6-1 , 6-0 , -;
No. 4 - Haley Watchorn, FRANKENMUTH def. Ana Rodriguez, HEMLOCK , 6-1 , 6-0 , -;
Doubles:
No. 1 - Hunter Warack, FRANKENMUTH - Alyse Notter, FRANKENMUTH def. Hope McGreger, HEMLOCK - Cassidy Peake, HEMLOCK , 6-2 , 7-5 , -;
No. 2 - Katie Hetzner, FRANKENMUTH - Sarah Hauk, FRANKENMUTH def. Haylee Bauer, HEMLOCK - Alyssa Masters, HEMLOCK , 6-4 , 6-3 , -;
No. 3 - Amanda Mossner, FRANKENMUTH - Ashlee Walz, FRANKENMUTH def. Jackie James, HEMLOCK - Sophia Burns, HEMLOCK , 6-0 , 4-6 , 6-2 ;
No. 4 - Macie Jacob, FRANKENMUTH - Michelle Mossner, FRANKENMUTH def. Isabella Atkins, HEMLOCK - Sarah Stein, HEMLOCK, 6-0 , 6-2 , -;

4/22/21 - V Soccer vs. Shepherd - W (4-0) Kali Jimenez was dominant last night scoring all 4 goals for the huskies as they defeated the Shepherd Blue Jays by a score of 4-0. Logann Clayton, Madison Blue, and Noelle Kenny each contributed an assist on the night. Good Team communication and ball movement kept the pressure off the Hemlock end allowing only 2 shots on goal. Alexis Guerrero made both saves and completed another shutout.

4/22/21 - JV Soccer vs. BC Western - L (0-5) Morgan Walle did a phenomenal job leading the defense through the challenges of the game and Kenna Christian added an extra offensive spark putting pressure on the talented Bay City Western defense. Avery Ross played an outstanding game in goal with a total of 9 impressive saves.

4/23/21 - V Soccer vs. Valley Lutheran - L (0-3) Kali Jimenez had 5 shots on goal and Claire Watson had 1 shot. Alexis Guerrero finished an amazing game with 16 saves.

4/23/21 - JV Soccer vs. Frankenmuth - L (0-1) The girls played a strong game start to finish giving up the games only goal with 3 minutes left in the contest. Avery Ross had 10 saves in goal for the contest.

4/23/21 - V Baseball vs. MLS - W (15-5) & W (8-1) In the first game Max Dinninger picked up his 3rd win of the season giving up 0 runs while striking out 5. Corbin Larkin lead the offense with 3 singles and a triple with 3 RBI’s. Brayden Green had three singles and 2 RBI’s. Bryce Murphy and Shane Renas both had two hits. In the second game Shane Renas picked up his 2nd Win on the season, giving up one run and striking out 6. Brayden Green and Hunter Hahn both had two hits and 2 RBI’s to lead the way on offense.

4/23/21 - V Softball vs. MLS - W (11-1) The Huskies were led by Madison Fromholz with 3 hits including a triple, and 2 RBI's. Averi Hall, Nicole Miller, and Kate Noyes added 2 hits a piece including a triple by Averi Hall. Regan Finkbeiner, Mikayla Rapini, and Madison Martinez each added a double and 2 RBI's. Madison Martinez went the distance and struck out 13. W (20-1) The Huskies mercied MLS in 3 innings.

4/26/21 - V Soccer vs. Standish - W (3-0) Kali Jimenez led the scoring with 2 goals while Claire Watson added one of her own off a rebound shot of Haylee Near. Logann Clayton and Rebecca Willour each had an assist on the night as well. Sami Seidel had an outstanding game on defense while Alexis Guerrero Had 2 saves and along with her defense completed another shutout.

4/26/21 - JV Soccer vs. Birch Run - W (3-0) Emma Streich scored the first two Huskie goals with the first coming just 1 min into the contest. Makenna Monville added a goal of her own near the end of the first half. Avery Ross had 4 saves in goal and Riley LaFrance had 3 in the combined shut out.

4/27/21 - V Tennis vs. John Glenn - W (8-0)

Singles:
No. 1 - Sophia Hauffe, HEMLOCK def. KAYLENE DARBEE, Bay City John Glenn, 6-1 , 6-1 , -;
No. 2 - Reilie Netzley, HEMLOCK def. Ella Yantz, Bay City John Glenn, 6-2 , 6-0 , -;
No. 3 - Laci Lee, HEMLOCK def. Lauren Gallagher, Bay City John Glenn, 6-1 , 6-1 , -;
No. 4 - Ana Rodriguez, HEMLOCK def. Anna Reinhardt, Bay City John Glenn, 6-2 , 6-4 , -;
Doubles:
No. 1 - Hope McGreger, HEMLOCK - Cassidy Peake, HEMLOCK def. Rylee Musser, Bay City John Glenn - Ryann Engelberts, Bay City John Glenn, 6-0 , 6-2 , -;
No. 2 - Haylee Bauer, HEMLOCK - Alyssa Masters, HEMLOCK def. Cayla Cataline, Bay City John Glenn - Elyse Cnudde, Bay City John Glenn, 6-1 , 6-0 , -;
No. 3 - Jackie James, HEMLOCK - Sophia Burns, HEMLOCK def. Aubrey Lang, Bay City John Glenn - Isabelle Begres, Bay City John Glenn, 6-0 , 6-2 , -;
No. 4 - Isabella Atkins, HEMLOCK - Sarah Stein, HEMLOCK def. Kami Box, Bay City John Glenn - Maren Burgeson, Bay City John Glenn, 6-0 , 6-0 , -;

4/27/21 - V Baseball @ Millington - W (7-3) & W (12-2) In the first game Max Dinninger picked up his 4th win of the season giving up 3 runs while striking out 7 over 6 innings. Brayden Green lead the offense hitting two doubles and a single with 2 RBI’s. Jake Shelagowski hit a triple and a single with 1 RBI. In the second game Sophomore Anthony Zechmeister picked up his 2nd Win on the season, giving up one earned run and striking out 3 over 5innings. Corbin Larkin hit a triple and a single with 2 RBI’s, Blake Stockford hit a Triple and a single with two RBI’s and Shane Renas hit two doubles with an RBI.

4/27/21 - JV Baseball vs. Millington - L (4-5) & W (8-5)

4/27/21 - V Softball @ Millington - L (0-1) The Huskies faced a tough league opponent while playing a solid defense. Madison Martinez took the loss while striking out 11 batters. & L (0-8) Regan Finkbeiner, Cayla Konop, and Mikayla Rapini each added a hit. Madison Martinez had 8 strikeouts.

Sports Physicals: For the 2021-22 school year, an MHSAA pre-participation sports physical is required for all students who participate in sports. A physical examination must be completed on or after April 15, 2021 to be considered a valid physical for 2021-22.

Turn in your completed physical to the High School Office. If you have any questions, please contact galbraith@hemlockps.com.

https://www.hemlockps.com/o/athletics/page/athletic-registration--3

Have you reserved one of our pavilions or the barn for one of your upcoming events? Or do you need to reserve one? Call the township office today for available dates. Dates are filling up fast so call soon! 989-642-2097

Be a Friend! The Friends of the Library is holding their annual membership drive. This group supports programming at the library by fundraising and volunteering their time. Their most recent project is receiving a grant to fund mini-camps at the library this summer. The Friends are also looking for members willing to serve on their board and oversee the yearly meeting. #visityourlibrary #MyRML #beafriend

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