Hemlock High School
12/9/2020
Continued PAUSE
On December 7th, the MDHHS announced that they were extending the Pause to Save Lives order through December 20th. That means our high school will remained closed to in person learning but will continue with remote/virtual learning through Friday, December 18th. Students will need to login, as they have been doing, to a google meet each hour 8am, 9am, etc. Our Winter Break will be December 19th - January 3rd.
Down to One
Hemlock Public School District is fortunate to have great families and wonderful community support. The district is continually focused on student safety, achievement, and providing an overall positive school experience.
In 2018, the district highlighted four significant fundraising projects that were all in the works and in the fundraising stages. They included the playground equipment at the elementary buildings, the lighting of the soccer fields, the STEM Center, and a Fitness Center.
By the fall of 2018, the “Playground Patrol” had fundraised, organized installation, and completed playground upgrades at K.C. Ling and Hemlock Elementary. Amongst the first of these projects completed.
Elementary Principal Gensch said, “The Playground Committee worked tirelessly to make this project happen. This is just another example of the supportive families and community members we have here in Hemlock.”
The lighting of the soccer field, which had been an ongoing project, was light up in time for the fall 2019 season. The opening hosted a grand fan fair including the high school drumline and a lineup of alumni all-stars.
Keith Green, High School Principal said, “The lights have expanded opportunities for gameplay and practice. Last fall, we saw our crowds at games double or triple in size with the 7 PM game time. Which was good for our student-athletes and program.”
The Lockwood STEM Center was completed recently with incredible support of our sponsors and donors. Hemlock Semiconductor, The Rollin Gerstacker Foundation, Pumford Construction, Saginaw Control and Engineering, Dupont, and many made this project possible. The center will open to area FIRST Robotics Teams as soon as we are able to navigate the COVID-19 restrictions and protocols. This will change the face of STEM education and experience in our area.
Technology Director Tom Lockwood noted, “This facility is state of the art and will provide tremendous STEM education for our nearby communities.
The only remaining project from spring 2018, is our high school student fitness center. There are several reasons, that we are glad that this is the last project from that series. First, at that time, we didn’t have Hometown Gym LLC 16625 Gratiot Road accessible to our community.
This has definitely adjusted the need and our vision of what was needed in a positive way. Second, we have walked through our high school facility with more than a half dozen architects, and it is much clearer where we need to place this facility. Third, with the scope being redefined, so has the budget. When we announced this project in the spring of 2018, we anticipated that it could cost more than $1,000,000. At that time, we also thought we had high interest from a single benefactor to make this project a reality. Now based on the location change and scope the best guesstimate, from start to finish, including equipment, is between $300,000 to $400,000.
Superintendent Don Killingbeck said, “This is a real need, we have multiple classes using this space each day, and it is inadequate. The district will be communicating more information throughout this initiative, right now we need to secure some funding either through grants, donations, in-kind work, or fundraising efforts.”
Hemlock Public School District is always looking to add partners to our improvement efforts, if you have ideas, a donation, in-kind materials/labor, or just want to talk please let us know. If you would like to know more about this project please contact Principal Keith Green or Superintendent Don Killingbeck by calling (989) 642-5282
Lockwood STEM Center
Recently, Hemlock Public School District Board of Education passed a resolution to name the newly built STEM Center after Tom and Dana Lockwood with a sunset of 2040. The STEM Center and Lockwood’s journey started several years ago when the district attempted to launch a newly formed FIRST Robotics team. Before launching the team, the district needed a mentor or two. Tom and Dana volunteered and what they thought might be a few hours a week turned into a family affair, taking much of the families’ free time. The Lockwood’s, however, would not have it any other way, with both of their sons taking part in what was has evolved into a K-12 robotics program. The program has grown to have multiple teams and dozens of mentors and sponsors.
As the STEM programs grew, the need for a dedicated space became more and more apparent. The couple originally thought a simple pole barn might suffice, what started off as an attempt to raise around $100,000 turned into a project that generated over a quarter of a million in donations and tens of thousands of in-kind donations. The Lockwood’s have forever changed the face of robotics and STEM education in our community. This endeavor has created a world-class facility that will serve as an inspiration to our community and the region.
Remote Learning Protocol for Chromebooks
Willour & Stedry Receive Internal Grant Award
Hemlock Public School District is committed to its mission and vision to innovate, collaborate, educate a community of learners. Recently, the district released an internal proposal for the instructional staff to pitch ideas that would improve instruction and remote learning due to the changing landscape of education in this new era of handling COVID-19 and a world-wide health crisis/pandemic.
High school teacher Karen Willour and middle school teacher Jeremy Stedry both submitted a proposal to enhance their classes with the use of a Jamboard.
Superintendent Don Killingbeck said, “I am very pleased with these teachers who are demonstrating the forward-thinking that we need in our educators today. Both of their proposals were thought-provoking and made good sense to support.”
Middle School Principal Chase shared, “This is just another example of how Hemlock Public School District supports innovation and moving programs ahead.”
Upcoming Events
Calendar
Important Upcoming Dates:
- December 19th thru January 3rd - Winter Break
- December 24th - Christmas Eve
- December 25th - Christmas Day
- December 31st - New Year's Eve
- January 1st - New Year's Day
- January 4th - Return to school
- January 12th - 15th 1st Semester Exams
- January 18th - No School
Sports
2021 Michigan HS Football Player of the Year Contenders
Hemlock's own Robert Knapik, is on the MLIVE 2021 Michigan High School Football Player of the Year contender list. With only 27 players listed from the whole state, that is a pretty big honor. We already knew he was awesome but this says others know too and are paying attention. We are definitely looking forward to the 2021 season. Go Huskies!
Here is the link to the article, but it is only available to MLIVE subscribers.
Go Beyond The Lights
Community Info
Toys for Tots
Christmas Movie Mania
Round 3 of Christmas Movie Mania starts today! Follow the link to vote for your favorites: https://forms.gle/6rdBxnWXftPWeeyHA
Round 2 Results: (18 voters - winning movie listed first):
A Charlie Brown Christmas - 94%, How the Toys Saved Christmas - 6%
It's a Wonderful Life - 77%, Jack Frost (1979) - 23%
Prancer - 63%, Klaus - 37%
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas - 71%, The Chronicles of Narnia - 29%
Home Alone - 82%, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - 18%
Christmas with the Kranks - 53%, Miracle on 34th Street (1994) - 47%
The Santa Clause - 77%, The Polar Express - 23%
The Star - 67%, Mrs. Santa Claus - 33%
Frosty the Snowman - 65%, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) - 35%
Elf - 88%, Santa Buddies - 12%
Die Hard - 65%, The Holiday - 35%
Jingle All the Way - 65%, While You Were Sleeping - 35%
A Christmas Story - 94%, An Elf's Story - 6%
White Christmas - 81%, The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas - 19%
A Christmas Carol (2009) - 69%, Scrooged - 31%
The Nightmare Before Christmas - 56%, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer - 44%
Hemlock Sawdust Days Beard Contest 2020
Thomas Township's Winter Wonderland
Join us for 6 nights from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at Roberts Park for a Winter Wonderland Drive Through Light Display at Roberts Park where local families and businesses have helped us decorate the park with wonderful light displays for all to see.
December 10th, 11th, and 12th
Enter the Park off Miller Rd. and drive one way through the park.
Park at the Soccer Complex to watch a short musical light display before waving at Santa and Mrs. Clause as they wish you a Merry Christmas on your way out of the park. Kids can personally hand one of Santa's Elves their Christmas wish list as part of Thomas Townships Santa Mail.
We ask that you remain in your vehicles during this drive through event. Due to Covid-19 we are trying to limit the gathering of groups at the park during this event.
We politely ask that you only watch the musical light show once to allow for others to get a chance to watch the show and keep the flow of cars moving! THANK YOU for your cooperation.
This event is FREE although DONATIONS will be accepted and go towards Thomas Township Parks and Future events and programs!
Rauchholz Memorial Library Update
New Business Spotlight - Ace Hardware
Shop Local this Holiday Season
Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify your community. Also, spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong— in your community!
Click here for a list of Hemlock Businesses:
Light Recycling Drive
Hollyday Art Mart
Running Nov. 23 to Dec. 23
Andersen Enrichment Center, 120 Ezra Rust in Saginaw
9am to 3pm Mondays through Fridays
Popular artists and craftsmen from years past will bring selected works for display at the Andersen. Shoppers can come in and look on their own for unique gifts for their holiday gift giving.
Expected goodies include home and garden decor, wooden reindeer, painted tote bags, notecards, prints, mugs, toys, scarves, jewelry etc.
The popular hand-painted Saginaw ornaments will also be available for purchase.
Masks are required. Visitors should keep 6 feet of distance between themselves and other people. A limited number of visitors are allowed in the building at one time.
Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra's "Home for the Holidays"
Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra’s second concert of the 2020-2021 season ... “Home for the Holidays.’’
Starting at 8pm Tuesday, Dec. 8, from the Temple Theater in downtown Saginaw, it is airing over the Internet in real time, what is called live streamed. Harking back to the early days of television and its live only programs.
And for those who can’t make that fleeting date, it will also be recorded that night and made available to view at 3:30pm and 7:30pm Sunday, Dec. 13.
Performing under the baton of Fouad Fakhouri are the six-member Saginaw Bay Brass, the five-member Saginaw Bay String Consort, and double quartet St. Lorenz Chamber Singers from Frankenmuth.
Among the mixed bag selections are:
—Arrangements of “Veni Veni” and “In Dulci Jubilo” by Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller.
— “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
—“See the Conquering Hero” from “Judas Maccabaeus” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” from The Messiah by Handel.
— “Winter Night Gives Birth to Day” by Scott Hyslop, the conductor of the St. Lorenz Chamber Singers.
— “Gloria in excelsis” by Vivaldi.
— “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson.
— “Concerto Grosso” by Corelli.
— And arrangements of “Fantasia for Christmas,” “The First Noel,” “Christmas Time Is Here” and “A Christmas Portrait.”
Tickets are $12 per household and available at saginawbayorchestra.com/concerts. The links to the live concert and the two recorded ones will be emailed to each buyer one hour prior to start time.
The digital program book is available by texting “program’ 298-244-7818.
This concert is sponsored by Wildfire Credit Union, Ascension-St. Mary's and WEYI-TV25.
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