Hemlock High School
5/27/20
Congratulations Mr. Chase!
Hemlock Public School District is pleased to announce that Joshua Chase has been selected as the new Hemlock Middle School Principal pending Board of Education approval for the 2020-21 school year.
The district received a lot of 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 nine, comprised of building staff, administrators, parents, and board members.
Board President Dr. Ellison said, "I couldn't be more excited for Mr. Chase and the district. Josh has earned the respect of his peers and students as a teacher, and will, undoubtedly, be a top-notch leader as a principal."
Mr. Chase will be a familiar face to many of our parents, students, and community members. He is a long-time Hemlock Public School District staff member as the 5th-12th grade band director and multi-media teacher.
Superintendent Killingbeck, himself a band parent, shares the loss, yet excitement with students, parents, and the community stating, “Director Chase is an excellent educator and one of the finest band directors in the State of Michigan. Under his leadership, the program has blossomed and grown to include nearly 1 out of 4 Hemlock High School students. We are, however, confident that both the band and the Middle School will move forward in a positive direction.”
Chase has a professional portfolio of experience, which includes 17 years as a classroom teacher, and has served in the leadership capacity within the school district, as a coach, Director of Summer Recreation, a union negotiator, as well as the district’s band director.
New Middle School Principal Joshua Chase said, “I will forever cherish my time as the leader of the Hemlock Band. However, I am very excited about this new challenge in my career. I am ready to get to work in my new position where I hope to have an even bigger reach of the student body”.
Mr. Chase received his Bachelor of Arts in Education, in Music Education from Anderson University and went on to receive his Master of Education, in 2020 in Educational Technology Leadership from Lamar University. He is excited to work with the amazing group of middle school teachers and support staff at Hemlock and looks forward to leading the Huskie pack.
Superintendent Don Killingbeck said, “We are fortunate to have had such a wonderful pool of candidates. Mr. Chase was at the top of the list. His experience, credentials, and leadership are top-notch.”
After getting settled into his position, Principal Chase plans on focusing on strengthening relationships, continuous improvements that are in place such as curriculum development, behavior support (PBIS/PAWS), developing student leadership, and focusing on student needs.
Happy Retirement Mr. Keyser!
Hemlock Public School District celebrates an educational career that spans 4 decades and bridges 2 centuries and millenniums in Middle School Principal Terry Keyser. Principal Keyser will be retiring at the end of our 2019-2020 school year.
During his tenure with the Hemlock Public School District, which started in 1998, Keyser started as the Middle School Assistant Principal and athletic director and then was quickly promoted to the building principal and district curriculum director.
Over the years at the Hemlock Public School District, Principal Keyser has led to support students in the middle. Often you might catch him saying, “The good stuff is in the middle.”
He is most proud of his work championing 1:1 instructional technology, supporting innovation with the district-first classroom of the future, implementing positive behavior intervention support, and developing plans for upgrades and improvements to the middle school.
Superintendent Don Killingbeck said, “It has been a pleasure serving alongside Terry Keyser; he is a great team player.”
Former Middle School secretary and current Director of Communication, Kelly Phillion shared, “Mr. Keyser will be missed working in our district, but his friendship will remain dear. He is a true professional and has been a great colleague. We all wish him a happy retirement.”
HHS Shelter Update
Hotel Hemlock High School officially checked out our last guest this morning. Over the last two days the building has served as a home for those displaced by the flooding. Night one, we housed 50+ inside and that many or more in our parking lots, night two we housed about a dozen people that are now headed home.
Special thanks to United Way, E.O.C., Richland Township Police Department, Richland Township Fire Department, Merrill Fire Department, Merrill Wesleyan Church, Lela Gronksi, Karen Wilour, Dana Lockwood, Mike Walton, Josh Earle, Lori Gensch, Terry Keyser, Keith Green, and so many others for donating and supporting our efforts to help those in need during this difficult time.
During these difficult times, like these, it helps us remember what is important: family, friends, and our community. As a child, I remember my mother saying, "God won't give you more than you can handle." Well, I think we can agree that there is no need to test our limits between Covid-19, fiscal concerns, and flooding we have all seen our limits tested and stretched.
Please make sure to stay safe and healthy and know whether it is teaching online with a day or two notice, opening a shelter for those evacuated from their homes, or serving meals to those in need Hemlock Public School District is here to serve our students, families, and community.
Stay Safe and Healthy.
All the best,
Don Killingbeck
IMPORTANT DATE CHANGES
- July 17th Prom (If allowed by the governor)
- July 22nd @7pm Formal Graduation (If allowed by the governor)
Enrollment
We are starting to get interest from new families about enrolling for the 2020-2021 school year. Well, we made it easier and better with online registration. As always, feel free to give us a call (989) 642-5282. Click here to start the process: http://hemlockmi.apptegy.us/o/district/page/enroll-now--68
School Funding
Greetings, Huskie Pack!
Since the '90s and Proposal A, Michigan school funding has been married to our state's economy. As you can imagine COVID-19 and our stay at home orders have taken a toll on our state budget and the School Aid Fund (SAF).
We need the federal government to intervene to make the next school year and beyond work for children. What can you do? Contact our elected officials. Let them know we need federal dollars distributed to Michigan schools with a per-pupil formula, not utilizing the standard federal allocation methods that will exacerbate financial inequity.
Michigan's US Senators, Debbie Stabenow, (202) 224-4822 or (810) 720-4172 and Gary Peters (202) 224-6221 or (313) 226-6020
US House of Representative, John Moolenaar (202) 225-3561 or (989) 631-2552 and Daniel Kildee (202) 225-3611 or (810) 238-8627
I have found the best results with a personal phone call and a heartfelt message. Realize you most likely will speak with someone from their office that will relay the message. Please do your part to help out our students.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
All the best,
Don
Hemlock Hub
Hemlock Area STEM Center
Food Service
Keep Our Community Strong and Shop Local
At Jacques Orchard Hemlock Michigan , produce is sold out of the shop located at 2275 N Iva Rd and at the Hemlock Farmers Market which opens June 18!
You can see more businesses in our area by following the Hemlock Business Association's Facebook page (see link below). Local businesses support our schools, athletics, youth groups, clubs and more! Let's make sure we support them during this time. #HemlockStrong
Farmer's Home Tavern - 989-642-2546
Frosty Freezer - 989-297-2482
Jenn's Place - 989-301-0345
Mama Mia's Pizzeria - 989-642-6420
Maple Grill - 989-233-2895
Rauchholz Memorial Library
Need something to do? Our local library has e-books, audio books and digital magazines available through their website.
Accepting returns starting May 27. The library is NOT open yet but we are allowing you to start returning items during our daily hours. The drop box will NOT be available after hours or on weekends. This is a step in our plan for reopening and we will share that information by the end of the week. In the meantime, continue to use our online digital resources. #MyRML #RMLvirtual #missourpatrons
Coronavirus Info
Athletics - Senior Spotlights
The Hemlock Athletic Department would like to recognize Abigail Tennant. She is a senior on the Varsity Girls Soccer team.
Her Favorite memory: My favorite memory was facing my old coach when we played Nouvel.
The Hemlock Athletic Department would like to recognize Kathleen Rondy. She is a senior on the Varsity Track & Field team.
Stats: 300 Hurdles, 2nd team TVC West in 2019
Her favorite memory: Being an unexpected second-place medalist at the TVC West meet in 2019.
The Hemlock Athletic Department would like to recognize Courtney Boehler. She is a senior on the Varsity Softball team.
Stats: Been awarded All-Conference and All-District 3 years. All-Regional 1 year and honorable mention for All-State 2 years. Also qualified for academic excellence award for senior year.
Her favorite memory: Winning Conference and District freshman year and getting lots of awards throughout my career!
The Hemlock Athletic Department would like to recognize Emilie Peitsch. She is a senior on the Varsity Girls Soccer team. (Included in picture is senior Abigail Boylan)
Her favorite memory: Being a team captain as a Junior and getting to play with my best friends.
"I am thankful for all the players especially the seniors, a lot of whom I have played with since preschool and kindergarten, for making soccer such an amazing and fun program to be a part of."
The Hemlock Athletic Department would like to recognize Brady Devereaux. He is a senior on the Varsity Track & Field team.
His favorite memory: Breaking the school record for the 4x100.
Events:
200
4x100
Long jump
Went to state for all of these events:
Long jump-pulled muscle in leg
200 -10th place
4x100- team placed 11th
Weather Forecast for Hemlock, MI
Hemlock High School
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