dates
Update Hopkins Public Schools
The community’s guide to the District. Meadowbrook Packs Items During Annual Service Night
Winter Edition 2018
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Potpourri Art Exhibit
Kindergarten Roundup Events
An exhibit of artworks by Hopkins Community Education teachers and students! Now showing through January 7
You belong in Hopkins! Join us in February to receive important information about fall 2018 enrollment and get to know your child’s school.
Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins
Check your Roundup date by visiting: HopkinsSchools.org/kinder
Royal Bash
the Save ! date
Mingle with friends and neighbors, dance, and enjoy live music, all to support Hopkins Public Schools. Tickets on sale in early January. Saturday, February 24, 6 p.m. Marriott Minnetonka Southwest, 5801 Opus Pkwy, Minnetonka
Creating Supportive Learning Environments How Hopkins Public Schools is creating a culture of wellness to make sure every child succeeds
On Nov. 17, students, staff, families, and community members filled the gymnasium of Meadowbrook Elementary to prepare items to donate to local organizations. Throughout the evening, students at various stations wrote letters to members of civic leadership, sorted and packed toiletries, tied blankets, and put together kits for those experiencing homelessness. “It is a feel good event,” said Meadowbrook Principal Greta EvansBecker. “By the time families leave, everyone has done several good things for others, and that is tons of fun.” Hopkins Teacher Awarded for Innovative Conservation Education Activities
Hopkins High School science teacher John Sammler received the 2017 Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation District (MASWCD) Teacher Award. The award is given to one K-12 teacher each year who has created innovative conservation education activities for reaching students. Sammler received the award during the MASWCD Annual Convention, held in Bloomington on Dec. 4, 2017.
Hopkins Public Schools is focused on a world-class education for all students. But what does this mean? Of course, strong academics are part of the equation, but equally important is helping students develop the resilience they need for lifelong success. To accomplish this goal, the Hopkins Education Foundation (HEF) and leaders from across the District are developing a series of strategies and programs that address anxiety, stress, and trauma — all of which can be barriers to learning. This fall, HEF announced six wellness grants that span across all age groups, from preschool to high school, and cover a range of topics from creating a support center at the high school to helping students understand the importance of nutrition. The programs described below are all part of this work and funded by HEF. The foundation is also making wellness the theme for its biggest annual fundraiser, the Royal Bash. “The Hopkins Education Foundation wants to help our schools break down barriers to create an environment where all children can excel,” said Jennifer St. Clair, executive director of HEF. “This funding allows the District to provide more opportunities that will positively impact the academic growth of each and every student.”
Student members of the Hopkins One Voice initiative meet to discuss wellness.
and what to do if that occurs. The campaign covers topics around early prevention and coping techniques, as well as provides students with the skills necessary to identify and support a friend who might not recognize their own unhealthy behavior. These are all lifelong skills that students will use throughout their lives. Student Recharge Center Students who feel they are experiencing an unhealthy level of stress or who are struggling with other mental health issues will have the opportunity to go to the Recharge Center, which will be housed at the high school two to three times a week after school.
Hopkins High School, the special services department, and HEF are working together to develop this cutting-edge space, which will be staffed The Hopkins by social workers and counselors who can Education Foundation support students around a range of issues from relationships and depression to stress and test wants to help our anxiety. The idea is to give students a proactive approach that empowers them to be selfschools break down reliant. The center will be open to junior high students as well. barriers to create an
environment where all “We want to make it possible for all Stress and high school students adolescents in the District to have access to According to the 2016 Minnesota the Recharge Center; using activity buses, we children can excel. Student Survey, the percentage of can help students access the center and also students self-reporting a long-term get home,” said Linda Gardner, special services director for mental health, behavioral, or emotional health problem Hopkins Public Schools. noticeably increased among students in grades eight, nine, and eleven. This trend was reflected both at Hopkins and Understanding trauma across the state. Hopkins’ focus on wellness includes a deeper look into In response to these results, Holly Magdanz, coordinator of the Hopkins One Voice Coalition, is partnering with Community Blueprint, a local social marketing agency, to create a mental health awareness campaign at the high school. This youth-driven campaign will empower students to identify and get help for emotional and mental health challenges, either for themselves or for a friend. “The campaign will tread a careful line between destigmatizing, yet not overly dramatizing, emotional and mental health challenges that are prevalent with teenagers,” Magdanz said, “and help them understand why getting help now is so important for their health and well-being.” Magdanz describes the peer-to-peer messaging around the campaign as critical, as students need to have a sense of normal stress and what might be crossing the line,
issues like trauma. Although the word sounds intense, its implications are universal, as all of us will, at some point, experience a loss or tragedy that will disrupt our normal lives. Educators are just beginning to understand trauma and the role it can play on students’ ability to learn. With this learning comes a lot of hope that a basic understanding of how to recognize it can improve the learning outcome for the students who are experiencing it. “Trauma physically changes the brain, but it can be remedied,” said Becky Allen, staff development coordinator for Hopkins Public Schools. “You can start to make little shifts with kids, and you can teach them how to calm down or focus themselves.” Last year, 180 teachers enrolled in training designed to help students manage their emotions, which in effect helps them see Learning Environments inside
Hopkins Students Celebrate Service Learning at WE Day Minnesota “Who is going to change the world?” “Gen WE!” This affirmation from nearly 18,000 students echoed throughout the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Nov. 8, as students from across the Midwest gathered for WE Day Minnesota. Among the crowd were 250 students from Hopkins Public Schools, representing each school. The theme this year was Generation WE, or Gen WE for short. WE Day is a star-studded, all-day event that is part of the WE Movement, which recognizes and celebrates youth volunteerism, service learning, and community involvement. Tickets to WE Day aren’t purchased, but earned. In order to attend WE Day, students must complete at least one local and one global action that make a positive difference. And Hopkins students far surpassed that.
In 2016, Royals at every grade level organized projects and events that benefitted communities here in the Twin Cities and around the world. Hopkins students recorded over 250 service hours, including hosting WE-sanctioned events like the WE Scare Hunger food drive, a WE Are Love kindness campaign, and by taking the WE Take Charge positivity pledge. Campaigns at North Junior High and Gatewood Elementary — which helped organizations here in Hopkins and in other countries — were recognized and earned them seats at the event. “It was powerful for students to feel like they could impact students across the world,” said North language arts teacher Angela Wilcox.
speaker and anti-bullying activist, and Ann Curry, nationally known news reporter/anchor. There was also a surprise guest, Olympian Laurie Hernandez, who talked about literacy and the importance of reading.
During the event, students saw performances from “America’s Got Talent” winner Grace VanderWaal and up-and-coming Canadian performer Jessie Reyez. And they heard from keynote speakers Lizzie Velásquez, a motivational
“Students are starting to think of others more than themselves, and not just in an, ‘I need to help them’ way,” said Gatewood Elementary Kids & Company staffer Kara Wattunen. “They truly embrace the concept of WE.”
Learning Environments, continued from cover choices they make and their overall health. Barb Mechura, director of nutrition at Hopkins Public Schools, describes making healthy food choices as a critical lifelong skill. “We want to create an environment where students will be successful,” Mechura said. “And health is a strong indicator of your lifelong ability to achieve.” Grow towers are another way Hopkins is promoting wellness throughout the District.
become better learners. According to Allen, the professional development piece is important because this is not training that teachers typically receive in college. Recognizing a child in crisis and having strategies on hand to help is becoming more and more relevant; however, it’s also important for teachers to know when the situation requires intervention beyond the classroom. “Teachers can be an important first intervention,” Allen said, “but we should not expect them to have the skills to be therapists.” Healthy body, healthy minds Another component of the wellness initiative is giving students access to nutrition and helping them understand the link between the food
Hopkins Community Education
Wellness Grants Funded by the Hopkins Education Foundation 1 Student Wellness = Student Success: Brings social-emotional learning to all Hopkins schools and provides professional development for staff. 2 Give Me a Break sensory space: A space at Glen Lake Elementary to help students overcome barriers to learning.
Hopkins promotes a healthy environment in a variety of ways. The nutrition department goes beyond just serving food. Nearly every school has a garden, which students help tend over the summer. However, with long winters, these gardens have a limited impact on students.
3 Classroom Supports for SelfRegulation: An early childhood grant for self-regulation. This helps young students feel more secure in their learning.
To expand the growing season, HEF has purchased four quick-growing gardens that will rotate through each elementary school. Students can grow produce like lettuce, herbs, and kale year-round and can experiment with the different ways herbs can enhance the taste of food without using sugar or salt. All of this pairs well with the school lunch program, which promotes foods that are made from scratch and minimally processed. Healthy food habits are important to develop in childhood, as they carry on through adulthood.
4 Growing Gardens, Fueling Minds: Quick-growing gardens that will rotate among the six elementary schools, residing in the cafeterias. 5. HHS Student Campaign: Mental health awareness campaign created by students. 6. Recharge Center: A two to three day per week after-school center at the high school for students who need a little extra emotional support.
Building a great place to live
Discover Hopkins Preschool! Full-day and part-day flexible options
Full-Day: Stepping Stones Preschool for 4- to 5-year-olds Monday-Friday, open 6:45 a.m.-6 p.m., year-round or school year Located at Gatewood, Meadowbrook, and Tanglen elementary schools.
HopkinsCommunityEd.org
Frosty Fun!
Early Childhood
Mark your calendar for indoor winter family fun!
January 13, 10-11:30 a.m.
Half-Day, Full Week: Ready 4 K for qualifying families
Come in from the cold for winter fun! Enjoy playing with snow and ice, making snowflake art, singing snowy songs, and listening to winter tales — all indoors! Frosty Fun is for families with children ages 2 to 5. $5 per family
Come to a January open house: HopkinsSchools.org/preschool
Register: HopkinsCommunityEd.org or call 952-988-5000
Half-Day: Kaleidoscope Preschool for 3- to 5-year-olds
Half-day, full- and part-week options, school year and summer Located at Harley Hopkins Family Center, Glen Lake, and Meadowbrook. Half-day, full-week tuition-free preschool for ages 4 to 5.
From the Superintendent, Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed
History in the Making: What’s Next for Hopkins Public Schools This fall, Hopkins voters expressed overwhelming support for the three referendum questions on the ballot. While Hopkins has never voted down a referendum, the level of support voters showed — a nearly 80-percent approval rating — was a first in Hopkins history. Thank you! As your superintendent, I take your vote of confidence very seriously, and I aim to lead a system that delivers strong results for every student. With Thanksgiving behind us and other holiday celebrations coming up, it’s a perfect time to be grateful and think about the blessings and advantages afforded to many of us. It’s also the time to think about others and their needs. Whether you volunteer at one of our schools, support the homeless or poor, or donate to those in more need, it’s important for us as a community to model gratitude and charitable giving for our children who are always watching us. Navigating difference This is a time in our nation’s history when we, as individuals, can take opportunities to be united or divisive. I was listening to MPR recently, and the commentator was talking about how to think critically during emotional conversations, especially when listening to someone with a radically different perspective. It made me think of my experience visiting HHS Responds. HHS Responds is a Hopkins High School student club that gathers weekly after school to explore their divergent perspectives on a multitude of issues. A large group of students, balanced in terms of gender and race, HHS Responds is a great example of the unabashed approach young people take to explore difficult issues. I saw our high schoolers allow their thinking to be influenced by others, as well as hold fast to ideas they felt strongly about, while calmly explaining their perspective. What this means to me is that we must give our students a supported training ground to practice navigating differences and leveraging their negotiation and communication skills to find meaning and their true place on teams. Our students’ future successes depend on their ability to build this skill set. We have work to do. Opportunities ahead We in Hopkins have a bright future ahead of us. The way we grab ahold of our future, however, depends on our ability to work together to reimagine our education system in Hopkins. I challenge us to reject the archaic practices of the past, and instead think forward 10 years and beyond to predict the future demands that will be placed on our students. Our charge is to create systems and processes that will enable personalized learning, cultivate multilingual scholars who possess a global perspective, develop critical thinkers and world problem solvers, and allow high school students to enter into high-wage technical fields as well as be admitted into four-year institutions. The world is Hopkins’ oyster, but we need to work together to determine how we’ll leverage our incredible strengths and talents to prepare our students for success. This is the true work. I thank you for your partnership, and wish you a happy holiday season! Sincerely,
Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed Superintendent
Chinese Immersion Students Honored for Language Proficiency On Saturday, Oct. 7, 153 XinXing Academy students were honored at the fourth annual Chinese Proficiency Awards ceremony. Hosted by the University of Minnesota’s Confucius Institute, the event recognized all students who have mastered Chinese proficiency on the 2017 Youth Chinese Test (YCT) level 3 and level 4, the Assessment of Performance Toward Proficiency in Language (AAPPL), or the Advanced Placement Chinese Language and Culture exam. All grade levels of the Chinese immersion program were well represented at the awards ceremony. Ninety-five XinXing Academy students were honored for their performance on the Youth Chinese Test, which is used to measure Chinese proficiency in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. According to test publishers, students who pass the YCT4 have enough proficiency to be able to travel to China and handle most of the communication tasks they encounter. At the secondary level, 39 XinXing@West students were honored for their performance on the AAPPL, which uses role-play scenarios to create real-life tasks for students. In addition, 19 tenthgrade students passed the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam. Two students were asked to participate in the awards ceremony. Sixth-grade student Carrington Kreger and ninth-grade student Alice Lind-MacMillan were chosen to represent Hopkins on a panel at the awards ceremony, which was led by the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute. Panelists were asked to speak about their Chinese education.
Eight Student Athletes Sign Letters of Commitment During Signing Day 2017 Each fall, Hopkins High School student athletes make an important decision on what their plans will be after graduation. This year, eight Royals participated in the fall National Signing Day event on Wednesday, Nov. 8, committing to academics and athletics at colleges near and far. Students and their respective sports and colleges: Natalie DenHartog - Softball, University of Minnesota Joe Hedstrom - Basketball, University of Wisconsin Kylie Hanley - Hockey, University of Minnesota-Duluth Angie Hammond - Basketball, Siena College Tommy Auth - Baseball, Ellsworth Community College Amanda Olson - Hockey, University of Wisconsin-Superior Evelyn Barczak - Softball, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Rafael Lewis - Baseball, Macalester College
District Life Changer
Holly Magdanz
The Hopkins One Voice Coalition is committed to advocating for student wellness and reducing youth substance abuse. Leading that charge is Holly Magdanz, coalition coordinator. Now in her fourth year at Hopkins, she is instrumental in creating an environment that not only supports students but also prepares them for success after high school. “So many elements that impact our lifelong health and wellness are rooted in patterns and opportunities started in childhood and adolescence,” Magdanz said. “I believe that parents, families, schools, and the community all have a role in helping educate and provide opportunities for youth to gain skills and a solid toolkit for how they can grow into healthy adulthood.” Recently, Magdanz pioneered a parenting series focused on teen driving safety, student mental health, and responsible digital citizenship. She coordinates the administration of the Minnesota Student Survey, which identifies important issues for students today. Her work with the coalition has also forged partnerships with various District staff and students, as well as community officials, to promote healthy youth development. “Holly has made Hopkins Public Schools and our surrounding communities a leader in addressing adolescent chemical use and prevention and advocacy for mental health,” said Jane Kleinman, Hopkins High School health science teacher. “She is always positive and enthusiastic and provides a tremendous amount of background knowledge and support for our student wellness committee and the initiatives they work on.” What do you love most about working at Hopkins Public Schools? First and foremost, I love that Hopkins is a diverse and welcoming community. The many staff, parents, and community members who are active in the One Voice Coalition are so amazing and inspiring. I also am really proud of our District leaders for seeing the importance of prevention work. Proudest moment? I am really proud to work with Katie Williams, director of community education. She is a tireless advocate for the importance of the work of the One Voice Coalition. She has encouraged me to grow, run with new ideas, and is unwaveringly supportive as we continue to build on the work of the Coalition. Crowning achievements? I am really proud of the One Reason campaign, which was started to increase awareness that most students at Hopkins High School do not drink alcohol. We saw in the Minnesota Student Survey a change in perception of peer alcohol use — students in the most recent survey reported thinking that fewer of their peers drink at all, or drink regularly, compared to three years before, which is a really positive finding. Stats: Bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Carleton College; two master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota, one in public health and the other in social work • Magdanz started working at Hopkins in 2013 and is a lifelong resident of Minneapolis.
Where Are They Now? Rachel Kelm: 2001 graduate
Community Spirit Monte White
Chances are if you’re looking for Monte White, he’s helping out in the Glen Lake Elementary classrooms, gardens, or at a school event. For the last 11 years, Monte has been a dedicated volunteer alongside the Grizzlies, assisting in just about every capacity. He originally began volunteering as a way to connect with teachers, the school, and his own kids, but it has turned into a lifelong passion for supporting local education. Proudest moment volunteering: We are fortunate to have some beautiful gardens at Glen Lake Elementary, and a couple of years ago I took on helping maintain them. The main gardens started as a memorial to a student who passed away in 1997. These gardens are a great place for students, staff, parents, and visitors to enjoy the peacefulness and being outdoors. It is very rewarding to see so many people enjoy them. What person has influenced you most? A lot of people! The ones who have believed in me and inspired me to pursue my hopes and dreams are teachers, college professors, coaches, friends, and, of course, my wife Barbara and our kids. I volunteer because … I believe in giving back to your community, no matter where you’re from or currently living. Whether it’s time, money, or expertise, we all have something we can contribute to our community. Podcasts or books on tape: Neither! I listen a lot to KFAN and Pandora. My favorite reading app though is Flipboard. I love the custom feed of articles based on my interests.
Know someone we should feature on this page? Email Emily.Buss@HopkinsSchools.org
Khalil Al-Kaissy: 2009 graduate
Stats: Activity supervisor at Alice Smith Kids & Company • Certification in massage and bodywork, Minneapolis School of Massage and Bodywork
Stats: Enterprise and global account executive at CenturyLink • Degree in business, Rochester Community and Technical College
fun facts Working in the Hopkins Kids & Company program is a full circle experience for former Royal Rachel Kelm. Once a participant in the program, she is now an activities supervisor. She has been part of the Kids & Company team for the last 17 years. A budding model and actress, Rachel enjoys sharing her life experiences and talents with her students every day. Favorite Hopkins High School hangout: I would say in the stands with friends cheering on the athletes and supporting the theatre productions. Favorite music artists of 2001: soulDecision, NSYNC, and Matchbox Twenty. What Hopkins teacher made a difference? I’ve had many staff positively impact my life throughout my Hopkins education. The best part is getting to grow those relationships as a staff member. How did Hopkins prepare you? Hopkins prepared me to strive for excellence. I have learned to try new things and enjoy the journey.
fun facts Hopkins grad Khalil Al-Kaissy is a business executive and family man by day, and local football star by night. Since his days as a Royal, Khalil has risen through the ranks at CenturyLink and made a name for himself on the field as a player with the Med City Freeze, a semipro football team. The 27-year-old father of two currently lives in Rochester with his girlfriend. When he’s not working or playing left tackle, you can find Khalil hanging out with his kids, Keaton, 5, and newborn daughter, Elara. Favorite Hopkins High School hangout: The Lindbergh Center. Favorite music artist of 2009: Black Eyed Peas were good at that time. T.I., Lil Wayne, and Linkin Park also. What Hopkins teacher made a difference? I really enjoyed Mr. Sammler’s class. The way he taught got everyone engaged. How did Hopkins prepare you? Hopkins High School allowed me to think critically and think about the facts, so I could draw my own conclusions. I couldn’t be happier that I graduated from Hopkins. Go Royals!
This could be
YOU! Would you or somebody you know make a good addition to our Where Are They Now section? Contact Emily Buss at Emily.Buss@HopkinsSchools.org to be a part of our Update newsletter!
Winter Edition 2018
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 161 Hopkins, MN 55343
Winter Events Winter Choir Concert Wednesday, Dec. 20 6:15-7:30 p.m. - Sophomore Chorale, Chamber Choir, Kantorei, Bel Canto 8-9:30 p.m. - Geoff, Midori, Tenor/Bass and Treble Choruses, Concert Choir Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Dr., Minnetonka ECFE Frosty Fun! - Indoor winter fun for the whole family! Saturday, Jan. 13, 10-11:30 a.m. Harley Hopkins Family Center, 125 Monroe Ave. S., Hopkins. $5/family. Open Enrollment Deadline - Now enrolling for the 2018-19 school year! Monday, Jan. 16 HopkinsSchools.org/enrollment
1001 Highway 7 Hopkins, MN 55305 www.HopkinsSchools.org 952-988-4000 Time Value
Residential Postal Patron ECRWSS
District Orchestra Festival Tuesday, Jan. 16, 7-9 p.m. - Symphony Strings, Philharmonic Orchestra Thursday, Jan. 18, 7-9 p.m. - Sinfonia and Chamber Orchestra Club Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Dr., Minnetonka
S AV E T H E D AT E
Winter One-Act Plays Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 1-3, 7-9 p.m. Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Dr., Minnetonka
Winter Carnival with HEF Saturday, February 24, 6 p.m.
Home Remodeling Fair - Ideas, info, and resources for homeowners! Sunday, Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins
Mark your calendar for the most exciting event of the winter! Royal Bash 2018 promises to be a night to remember. Purchase your tickets in early January.
Get Connected, Stay Connected Find us on Facebook:
Marriott Minnetonka Southwest
www.facebook.com/HopkinsPublicSchools
Hopkins Public Schools Election Results
Visit Hopkins Preschools at January Open Houses
The three referendum proposals on the ballot for Hopkins Public Schools — a $30 million bond, a capital projects levy, and an operating levy — were approved by voters on Nov. 7. In addition, Fartun Ahmed, Jen Westmoreland Bouchard, and Chris LaTondresse were elected to the Hopkins School Board. Ahmed is the first SomaliAmerican to be elected to the Hopkins School Board. Referendum results The bond passed with 7,174 yes votes (77.89%) and 2,036 no votes (22.11%); the capital project levy passed with 6,908 yes votes (75.84%) and 2,201 no votes (24.16%); and the operating levy passed with 7,055 yes votes (77.15%) and 2,090 no votes (22.85%). Read more at HopkinsSchools.org/referendum. Hopkins School Board election results Fartun Ahmed, Jen Westmoreland Bouchard, and Chris LaTondresse were elected to serve on the school board. They are replacing incumbents Warren Goodroad, Michael “Doobie” Kurus, and Betsy Anderson, none of whom sought re-election. A breakdown of the election results are below: Candidate Name
Tickets: HopkinsEducationFoundation.org
Number of Votes
Elected to Board?
Fartun Ahmed
5,615 (26%)
Yes
Kevin Bennett
2,094 (10%)
No
Jen Westmoreland Bouchard
6,242 (29%)
Yes
Chris LaTondresse
5,409 (25%)
Yes
Steve Semler
2,046 (10%)
No
At Hopkins, your child will discover a welcoming learning environment designed to create excitement around learning. Our internationally recognized Reggio Emilia curriculum approach promotes curiosity and the development of the whole child. We offer creative, engaging classrooms and nature-oriented playgrounds that encourage exploring and inspire enthusiastic learning. Our highly skilled preschool teachers have extensive experience in creating nurturing surroundings and ensuring students are prepared for the transition to kindergarten and beyond.
half-day preschool program. Stay and Explore is a perfect option for parents who would like a few more hours of child care to run errands or take care of other needs. Join us in January to meet our preschool teachers, see our classrooms, and discover why you belong in Hopkins preschools!
Extend your child’s half day session Preschool supervisor Kathy Willett is excited about the inaugural year of the Stay and Explore program with flexible options to extend the learning day for children in the
“Visit Us” Open House Dates: Half Day: Kaleidoscope Preschool Harley Hopkins: Fri., Jan. 19, 12-1 p.m. Meadowbrook: Mon., Jan. 22, 12-1 p.m. Glen Lake: Thurs., Jan 25, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Full Day: Stepping Stones Preschool Gatewood: Wed., Jan. 17, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tanglen: Thurs., Jan. 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Meadowbrook: Wed., Jan. 24, 5:30-7 p.m.