January is School Board Recognition Month and Hemlock Public School District is joining 541 local and 56 intermediate school districts across the state to thank these community volunteers for their untiring dedication to public education.

“Serving on a school board has been described as the ‘toughest volunteer job in America.’ Yet Michigan’s public school board members dedicated countless personal hours to attending meetings, school functions, and hours of preparation for the decisions they make,” said Don Killingbeck, Superintendent. “On top of that, many pursue their own professional development to stay on top of the ever-changing education landscape. Collectively, school board members in Michigan have spent more than 7,500 hours attending training and professional development. They’re dedicated individuals who are committed to the continuing success of our schools and students.”

It’s an exciting and challenging time in public education. School board members in Hemlock Public School District develop policies and make tough decisions that help shape the future of our education system. They bear responsibility and oversight for an annual budget of $15 million, 1240+ students, 150+ employees, and 4 school buildings.

“We proudly join educators and community members in saluting these education advocates as they provide vision and leadership for student achievement, academic programs, district funding and school facilities,” Killingbeck said. “They preserve the core of our democracy—public education.”

The Hemlock Public School District joins the Michigan Association of School Boards and school districts across the State of Michigan in honoring board members for their service. The district will formally honor board members at the regular monthly board meeting on January 8th.

 The men and women serving Hemlock Public School District and their years of service are:

• President Matthew Wesener, 2012

• Vice President Dr. Katherine Ellison, 2014

• Secretary Kimberly Hoeppner, 2018

• Treasurer Jamie Rivette, 2012

• Trustee Hilary House, 2016

• Trustee David Messing, 2018

• Trustee Bryan Conger, 2020
  

As we celebrate School Board Recognition Month, Hemlock Public School District extends its heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated school board members for their unwavering commitment to education and our community. These individuals exemplify leadership, vision, and a deep dedication to the success of every student. Their work ensures that our schools are safe, innovative, and well-equipped to prepare students for the future. We invite the community to join us in recognizing and thanking these remarkable volunteers for their service, as they continue to shape the educational experience for generations to come. Together, we are #HemlockStrong.

School safety is a shared responsibility, and the key to maintaining a safe environment lies in our collective vigilance. Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, or community member, everyone plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of our schools. When you see something unusual or concerning, it’s essential to speak up. By embracing the principle of "see something, say something," we can prevent potential issues before they escalate. Open communication is one of the most effective tools we have in fostering a secure, supportive space where students can focus on learning and thriving.

• Ok2Say Tip Line: (855) 565-2729

• Hemlock Crisis Line: (989) 200-5514

Building Contact Information, for any safety-related concerns or questions, please reach out to your building’s administration:

Hemlock High School | Principal Keith Green  

• Phone: (989) 642-5287, Email: green@hemlockps.com

Hemlock Middle School | Principal Joshua Chase  

• Phone: (989) 642-5253, Email: chase@hemlockps.com

K.C. Ling Elementary School | Principal Lori Gensch  

• Phone: (989) 642-5235, Email: gensch@hemlockps.com

Hemlock Elementary School and Early Childhood Center | Principal Cory Snider  

• Phone: (989) 642-5221, Email: snider@hemlockps.com

Hemlock Public School District | Superintendent Don Killingbeck 

• Phone: (989) 642-5282, Email: killingbeck@hemlockps.com

As part of our commitment to school safety, we are proud to continue our strong partnership with the Richland Township Police Department. This partnership includes a dedicated School Resource Officer (SRO), Officer Randy Schroeder, known to many as Officer Randy. Officer Randy plays a vital role in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students, staff, and community members within our district. He works closely with our administrative teams to prevent and address any safety concerns swiftly and effectively. His presence on our campuses enhances not only physical security but also fosters positive relationships with students and staff. 

By working together and supporting initiatives like "See Something, Say Something," we can further strengthen our efforts to keep our schools safe. In our ongoing efforts to create safe, supportive environments for all students, we've redefined how we approach school discipline, culture, and student engagement. Discipline, rooted in the Latin word meaning "to teach," should be more than just punishment. To truly teach and guide our students, we've shifted our focus to restorative practices—working with students and all involved parties to address conflicts and build better outcomes, rather than simply enforcing punitive measures.

This paradigm shift has been coupled with a positive behavior incentive system that rewards good choices and encourages students to actively participate in creating a positive school environment. We're not just focused on keeping students in line; we’re building a community that uplifts each student. Whether it's robotics, drama, art club, or athletics, we’ve been focused on engaging students and helping them find their place within our school community.

A key component of our approach has been bolstering support systems. We’ve added mental health practitioners across our K-12 buildings and ensured that every school has at least one staff member with a counseling degree, providing critical emotional and psychological support for our students. By embedding these resources in every building, we're addressing students' needs before they escalate into larger issues.

We’ve also integrated behind-the-scenes safety measures. While some are visible, like secure entrances and communication systems, others work silently in the background, adding layers of security without disrupting the daily student experience. 

Our Communication Protocol | When it comes to safety, clear and measured communication is critical. We investigate all reports thoroughly. If a real threat to safety is identified, we typically would communicate district-wide to ensure that every family and staff member is informed. However, if an issue is isolated to a single building and does not pose a credible threat but gains traction through gossip, we will typically communicate at the building level to those directly involved. This helps ensure that our safety communications are not diluted into "white noise."

A parent once suggested that we should send out communication every time we conduct a safety drill. When asked, “Should we send one for every fire drill?” the response was, “No.” “For tornado drills?” Again, the answer was “No.” Just like our fire and tornado drills, we run our security drills regularly, both in visible ways and behind the scenes. Our safety communications will focus on real concerns or the need to clarify misinformation, ensuring that when we communicate, it's important and meaningful and doesn’t create “white noise.”

As we continue to make school safety our top priority, we are committed to creating environments where students feel secure and supported. By focusing on prevention, restorative practices, and clear communication, we are working to ensure every student can thrive in a safe learning environment.

This is our call to action—working to improve every aspect of school life, from discipline to engagement to safety, to ensure that each child can thrive in a secure, supportive environment. We are not simply responding to crises; we are building a better, safer future for all.

The HMS Office now has Child Identification Kits available to any parent that would like one.

Please stop by during 6:30 am - 3:30 pm to pick one up today.