Hemlock High School
4/15/20
District Update
Dear Huskie Pack,
I hope this email finds you and your family well.
We pride ourselves in our strong partnerships with parents and families. At this time, our partnership is more important than ever before.
With our face-to-face instruction suspended for the remainder of the school year, we have developed a continuation of learning plan for pre-K through 12th grade including our early middle college/dual enrollment students as well.
We are fortunate, in many ways our plan is a continuation of the things we have been doing since our shutdown but with improvements. There will be more consistency and a dedicated website for distance learning across the district, which will be up and ready by next week.
Our commitment to our students and families remains unchanged at this time; we will continue to do our best to provide the best possible solutions as we work together to find the right answers.
We have not forgotten about things like graduation, prom, and other important events. We will be making decisions as needed and possible with the best interest of our students and families at the forefront of our decision-making process.
Food service continues next week (April 13th) with meals available on Monday - Wednesday- Friday. Parents should drive up along the sidewalk to door #29 on the east end of Hemlock Middle School for curbside service.
If you should have questions or concerns, please reach out to our building principals so that we can know how to meet your needs best.
Elementary/KC Ling - Lori Gensch - gensch@hemlockps.com
Middle School - Terry Keyser - keyser@hemlockps.com
High School - Keith Green - green@hemlockps.com
Special Education - Scott Buchman - buchman@hemlockps.com
Again, we know this is not business as usual for us, so if you have a special education child or one with a 504 and have concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to their service provider or our Special Education Supervisor, Scott Buchman.
These uncharted territories seem more and more familiar and navigable each day.
All the best,
Don Killingbeck, Supt.
#huskietastic #StayHome #SchoolsGetitDone
Food Service
High School Art at SVSU
Huskie Podcast #1
Huskie Podcast #2
Keep Learning through Art
Hemlock Public School District’s high school and middle school art teacher RaeAnn Woodcock had a unique sketchbook assignment assigned to her students recently.
She asked students to show her how the pandemic of the COVID-19 shut down was affecting them personally. Students rise to the occasion with heart and soul.
Senior Alexandra (Lexi) Seidel submitted the above sketchbook assignment. It clearly shows the struggle many teens may feel.
Mrs. Woodcock shared, “It is beautifully done and I know others would enjoy seeing how our students express themselves through art in this trying time.”
Remember Local Businesses
Our local businesses often help us with many things throughout the year. They donate their time and money to many sports teams (youth through high school age), drama clubs, and robotics teams just to name a few. Don't forget about them during this time. Many of them are closed now due to the "Stay at Home" order from Governor Whitmer, but many of our local restaurants are still open for take-out/delivery.
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
Alex Haltom
Kelly Phillion and Tom Lockwood have nominated Alex Haltom for this week’s Staff Recognition Highlight.
Alex is always willing to help us all in our “technology world” and he helped all of us move our offices from school to offices at home at this crazy time effortlessly.
Haltom is a "Blue Blood" he bleeds Hemlock Huskie blue. He is a 2013 Hemlock High School graduate who started working at the school district before graduation; his work continued while a student at Saginaw Valley State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems. Upon graduation, Alex was promoted to the Assistant Technology Director for Hemlock and Merrill schools and is an important part of both school districts providing excellent technical support and a brilliant attitude. Alex is a dedicated professional who is responsible for "almost any device that plugs into the wall" including computers, Chromebooks, network switches, phone systems, surveillance cameras, WiFi networks, interactive projectors, and Audio Video gear. He also helps with technology planning and enjoys working with staff and students.
In addition to his regular duties, Alex is a programming mentor for one of the best FIRST robotics teams in the state, Team 5712, Hemlock's Gray Matter. He's had a significant, positive effect on the students and always has time to encourage and challenge the kids.
Alex says, "We encounter many new challenges every day and each is like it's own individual puzzle to solve - and who doesn't like puzzles? Working with the school tech department has been a fun and challenging environment whether it's fixing a problem in a 1st-grade classroom and receiving applause or looking at a problem in a 12th-grade classroom and being asked, "Please don't fix it!""
Superintendent Don Killingbeck noted, “Alex is a valued member of the Huskie Pack and always goes above and beyond!”
Rauchholz Memorial Library
Need something to do? Our local library has e-books, audio books and digital magazines available through their website.
Boys Basketball Honors
Obituary
Ronald Gary Kunold, age 73, of Hemlock, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020. He was born December 17, 1946 in Mount Clemens, the son of Bernhardt (Benny) & Esther (Jennett) Kunold. He was a 1965 graduate of Mount Clemens High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University in 1969.
He married Susan Kreger on September 2, 1967. They were happily married for 52 years. He worked for Hemlock Public Schools for 28 years. Over the years, he coached little league, youth football and basketball as well as high school golf. His passion became coaching high school tennis until he retired. He enjoyed working with students and athletes, encouraging them to reach their goals and learn life lessons through education, academics and sports. He liked attending all sports, mainly for Hemlock High School.
He was awarded special recognition as the Outstanding Elementary School Teacher, Regional Coach of the Year in Boys and Girls Tennis, State Tennis Coach of the Year. Later being named to the Tennis Coach’s Hall of Fame.
He especially loved being with his family. He was proud of his children’s academic and athletic accomplishments. In his later years, he became a proud grandpa who attended as many of his grandchildren’s activities as he could. He also enjoyed family gatherings and reunions.
Besides his wife, Sue, he is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Vanover of Dexter, his son Aaron Kunold of East Lansing, grandchildren Collin and Claudia Vanover, his sister Janet Wilden of Clinton Twp., Brothers-in-law Carl Kreger of Auburn, John Kreger (JoAnne) of Tucson, AZ, Sisters-in-law Carole Diener of Prior Lake, MN and Barb Bell of Saginaw, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, in-laws Carl & Donna Kreger, brothers-in-law Gary Diener and Kim Bell, and sister-in-law Joan Kreger.
The family wants to thank their neighbors who helped them in the past few months. They also appreciate the help from the staff at HealthSource and Heartland Hospice.
A private burial will take place at Richland Township Cemetery. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association or Heartland Hospice Services.
To plant a tree in memory of Ronald Gary Kunold, please visit our Tribute Store.
Coronavirus Info
Class of 2020
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