Hemlock Public School District - Innovate, Collaborate, Educate

#WednesdayWisdom #HemlockHuskies

Some things just belong together...

🥜 Peanut butter and jelly.
🍪 Milk and Oreos.
🌭 Ketchup and mustard.

And around here?

✨ Huskies and having fun.

The best school days are filled with imagination, laughter, and friendships that make every moment memorable. We'd say these two understood the assignment.

#HemlockHuskies #Huskietastic #Since1863

Running into fall like… 🍂

Last year, our middle school teachers took “school spirit” to a whole new level—and hurled their inflatable bodies across the field...multiple times.

We’re not saying it was dignified.
We are saying it was spectacular.

Never a dull moment with our Huskies.

#SmallTownBigOpportunities #HemlockTogether #Since1863

High standards. Big possibilities.

We believe our students are capable of more—and we’re committed to giving them the challenge, support, and opportunities to get there.

#HemlockTogether #Since1863 #SmallTownBigOpportunities

“Aren’t you afraid you’re going to get hurt?”

Barb Johnson’s answer?

“Well, if I do, I do. Then I’ll quit. But until then, I love the game.” 🥎

And at 92 years young, our former Hemlock teacher is still playing it.

Barb is the oldest member of the Colorado Peaches softball team — affectionately known by her teammates as “Mom” — and recently took the field as the Peaches celebrated their 35th anniversary.

At an age when most people might be content to cheer from the stands, Barb is still grabbing her bat, stepping up to the plate and doing what she loves.

We think that deserves a standing ovation.

Keep swinging, Barb. We’ll be cheering you on from Hemlock.

Thank you to Rocky Mountain PBS for sharing Barb’s story and giving us another reason to celebrate one of our own.

Photo credit: Adrian O'Farrill, RMPBS

#HemlockHuskies #Huskietastic #HemlockStrong #Since1863 #SmallTownBig Opportunities

It's #TeacherFeatureTuesday, and this week, we’re heading to fourth grade to meet Lindsay Davis - a lifelong Huskie who now gets to give the next generation of Huskies the kind of classroom experience that inspired her.

• School days: Lindsay graduated from Hemlock High School (yes, she’s one of our own!) and went on to Saginaw Valley State University. Go Cards!

• Huskie years: Lindsay has been a Huskie since moving to Michigan in third grade, and this is her 6th year teaching—all six right here at Hemlock!

• Favorite subject: History! She loved it so much that she even minored in it in college.

• What inspired her to teach: The great teachers she had growing up. They made learning engaging, encouraged her when things got hard and, most importantly, made her feel loved. Even when she was… occasionally reading library books at her desk instead of listening.

• What she hopes her students remember: Everyone gets a clean slate in her classroom, and no matter where life takes them after fourth grade, Mrs. Davis will always be rooting for them.

We love a full-circle Huskie story—and we know the fourth graders are lucky to have Lindsay cheering them on!

#TeacherFeatureTuesday #HemlockHuskies #Huskietastic #HemlockStrong

#PullTheSled

The tradition of grit and grace continues as we launch into Homecoming Week 2026.

We got things rolling last night with our annual Powderpuff Game, where the Junior/Seniors faced off against the Freshmen/Sophomores for a little friendly competition and plenty of bragging rights.

When the final whistle blew, it was the underclassmen who came out on top.

Congratulations to our Freshmen and Sophomores, and a big shoutout to every student who stepped onto the field, played hard and helped kick off Homecoming Week in true Huskie fashion.

Let the celebrations begin!

#HemlockHuskies #PullTheSled #Powderpuff2026 #Hoco2026

Happy National Good Neighbor Day 🫶 In Hemlock, being a good neighbor means showing up, looking out for one another and making sure everyone knows they belong.

We’re especially grateful for the seniors who have helped shape our community, supported our schools and invested in generations of Huskies. Their stories, wisdom and friendship are part of what makes Hemlock feel like home.

Today, we celebrate the people who remind us that community is something we build together.

We’re #HemlockTogether.

#HemlockHuskies #HemlockStrong #Since1863

Friendship is on the menu.
Sure, lunch comes with chocolate milk, sandwiches and approximately 47 different conversations happening at once. But the best part of the cafeteria might be the simple joy of kids being together.

There’s a lot of learning that happens around a lunch table, too.

#HemlockHuskies #BetterTogether #Since1863

Thinking ahead about transportation and daily routines can help make mornings run more smoothly. 🚌

#GoodAttendanceIsAGamechanger #HuskieAttendance #HuskiesRunInPacks

Our face when someone says,

"I've got a quick question..."

...and then sits down. 😳😂

When things don’t go as planned, you pivot.

The team at Tommy’s Express Car Wash, our school staff, and our friends at Cruz’s Kitchen worked overtime to bring a food truck to today’s Day for Dax event. Despite everyone’s effort, it didn’t work out.

So Nurse Becky and a small army did what they do when they run into a problem. They fired up the ovens and started baking.

We have five kinds of homemade cookies, 3 for $2 cash, with proceeds supporting the Day for Dax Industrial Arts Scholarship Fund.

Come see us at Tommy’s Express Car Wash on State Street in Saginaw. The food truck opens at noon and stays open until we sell out, and we would love to see you there for Dax.

📌 A Day for Dax is today at Tommy's Express Car Wash on State Street in Saginaw. Don't miss this great opportunity to honor Dax's memory while supporting students.

All day long a portion of every wash will go to a scholarship fund to support students from Hemlock High School who are going into the trades.

#DayForDax #WashForaCause #BetterTogether #HemlockStrong

Mrs. Wieland’s 4th graders had a fabulous time exploring the State Capitol this week. 🏛️ From seeing history come to life to learning more about how our state government works, our Huskies were busy making memories and soaking up new knowledge.

We’re proud of our Huskies for representing K.C. Ling Elementary and showing that learning can happen anywhere.

#Huskies #FieldTripFun #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #BetterTogether

Hemlock Public School District is looking for a caring, energetic, and dedicated Childcare Lead Teacher to join our Early Childhood Center team.

This position will serve as the Lead Teacher in our Walker Room, working with our youngest Huskies during an incredibly important stage of their growth and development.

We are looking for someone who loves working with toddlers, creates a positive and caring classroom environment, works well with families and colleagues, and is ready to lead a classroom team.

• Hemlock Early Childhood Center
• Childcare Lead Teacher | Walker Room
• Deadline: October 6, 2026, or until filled
• Application screening is ongoing, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

Know someone who would be a great fit for the Huskie Pack? Please share and tag them!

👉 Apply Today: hemlockps.bamboohr.com/careers/315

Small Town. Big Opportunities

#HemlockTogether #HuskieHiring #Since1863

Sometimes, the best things are pretty simple:
fresh air, good friends and a place where you belong.

Here’s to stepping outside, soaking up a little sunshine, sharing some laughs and remembering that connection matters.

There’s something pretty special about belonging to a community that feels like home.

#HemlockHuskies #HemlockStrong #Huskietastic

🚒 Two Huskies. One incredible opportunity.

Congratulations to Cadence Murphy and Nathan Jarabeck, who are representing Hemlock in the 2026–27 Saginaw County High School Fire Academy.

Over the coming months, Cadence and Nathan will complete rigorous classroom and hands-on training through the Michigan Firefighter I & II Academy, preparing them for state certification and a future in the fire service.

Even better? Upon successful completion, they’ll earn 12 college credits through Delta College and be eligible to become certified Michigan firefighters.

This is what career-connected learning looks like—real skills, real experience and a pathway to serve their communities.

We’re proud of you, Cadence and Nate. 🚒

#HemlockHuskies #Huskietastic #SmallTownBigOpportunities

A Brief Public Thank You Recently, an anonymous Facebook personality broke the news on something that I don’t believe is much of a surprise to anyone in Hemlock. I am married to Becky. I have never hidden that fact. Actually, I am incredibly proud to be her husband. When I came to Hemlock 14 years ago, Becky attended my interviews along with our two oldest children. We said then that coming to Hemlock wasn’t simply going to be my job. It was going to be a family commitment, and it was a decision we made together. After my decision of faith, marrying Becky, and deciding to build a family together, I believe choosing Hemlock, and Hemlock choosing us, has been one of the best decisions of our lives. Not every day has been easy. Neither of us is perfect. Our children aren’t perfect. We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world, doing our best to faithfully steward and care for what has been entrusted to us. And this week, we have been reminded just how blessed we are to call Hemlock home. The outpouring of support, encouragement, and love shown to both of us, but particularly to Becky, has been overwhelming. The messages, conversations, kind words, and people simply reaching out to say, “We see you, and we appreciate you,” have meant more than I can adequately put into words. Thank you. Yes, my wife works at Hemlock Public School District. Around here, she is simply “Nurse Becky,” a name she actually carried with her from her previous medical office. It is easy for kids to say, but more importantly, it just fits. She doesn’t walk around flexing a title, a relationship, or a position. She takes care of kids. She helps families. She serves. And anyone who has watched her work knows exactly what Nurse Becky brings to Hemlock. When I arrived here 14 years ago, there was a LOT of conversation about the “good ol’ boys club.” Since then, we have worked hard to move in a different direction. Merit matters. Qualifications matter. Performance matters. Service matters. When someone in district leadership has a family member working for the district, safeguards matter too. Relationships are disclosed. Our governing Board is aware. Appropriate separation is maintained, and supervision and personnel decisions are handled by administrators who are not related. We don’t hide those relationships. We address them openly and put safeguards around them. There will always be critics. There will always be people willing to throw stones from behind a keyboard. But there is some ancient wisdom that has always resonated with me. You will know them by their fruit. When our family came to Hemlock, the district was struggling financially and in ways that went far beyond the balance sheet. Staff were emotionally drained. Facilities were tired. Curriculum needed alignment. Opportunities were limited. Fourteen years later, the fruit is visible. Better opportunities for kids. Better curriculum and resources. Better facilities. Better systems. Better support. Better partnerships. Better stewardship. Better opportunities for our staff and community. Better. My wife, my children, and I didn’t do all of that. Not even close. I wouldn’t attempt to take that credit. What has happened in Hemlock is much bigger than one superintendent or one family. It is the work of hundreds of incredible employees, Board members, students, parents, volunteers, community members, businesses, partners, and supporters who believed Hemlock could be better and rolled up their sleeves to make it happen. But our family has been part of it. We have poured a significant piece of our lives into this community, and we are proud of that. So, those that haven't invested anytime or energy into building up our school or community and the other anonymous personalities who thought they were breaking some big story about my wife working at Hemlock, thank you. You actually gave me an opportunity to say publicly something I probably don’t say nearly enough. I am proud of Becky. I am proud of our family. I am proud of the people we work alongside. And I am incredibly proud of Hemlock. Fourteen years later, we’re still here. Still serving. Still working. Still trying to get better. Still pulling the sled. And at the end of the day, the fruit can speak for itself. All the best, Don Killingbeck Jr., Ed.D., Supt.