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Homecoming Game
Update Hopkins Public Schools
The community’s guide to the District. Hopkins Welcomes the Newest Royals on Staff
Back to School 2018
com m u ni t y
Come and cheer on the Hopkins Royals as they take on Chanhassen in the Homecoming football game on September 28 at 7:00 p.m. Free to students with a valid student ID. GO ROYALS! Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka
Kindergarten Information Sessions Learn about 2019-20 kindergarten at Hopkins and get your questions answered. For dates and times, visit: HopkinsSchools.org/kinder or check your school’s online calendar!
Youth Fall Enrichment Classes
Hopkins Community Education youth classes are ready and waiting for you. Art, drama, chess, cooking, sports, and more! Explore our classes, meet new friends, reach your goals, or try something new. HopkinsCommunityEd.org
Orientation Day Helps Build Strong Relationships ‘Soft start’ to school year allows students to feel greater ease and comfort as they enter a new building.
We are thrilled to welcome many new professionals to Hopkins Public Schools! There are 69 new teachers and other Hopkins Education Association professionals, four technology service specialists, eight clerical staff members, seven nutrition services professionals, 15 paraprofessionals, four custodians, one assistant principal at the high school, two cabinet members, 19 community education professionals, and two new head coaches.
District Kickoff Event Celebrates Start of 2018-19 School Year
Teachers and staff celebrated the start of a new year with the annual District Kickoff event on Tuesday, Aug. 28. They were welcomed with cheers, high fives, a pep band, a performance from the pom team, and a gymnasium filled with passionate educators. Superintendent Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed welcomed staff and gave an update on progress with our efforts to move the District from Great to World Class. The Royal Reps presented findings from a community survey they conducted, and keynote speaker Jenni Donohoo talked about the power of teamwork.
The first day of school can be exciting and energizing, but it can also come with a series of questions and unknowns, especially for a student who is new to the building. Where is my locker? How do I navigate my class schedule? What’s the lunch line process? In an effort to alleviate some of the anxieties that come with the first day of school, Hopkins secondary schools implemented an all-day immersive orientation for new students. The orientation day was held Sept. 4 for grades 7 and 10, as well as students new to the District. The remaining grade levels returned Sept. 5.
Students were attentive and engaged with first day of school activities.
“This orientation schedule gets new students into all of That’s why parents were also invited to some sessions on their classes, gets them through the lunch process, and orientation day. Teachers informed parents takes care of all the seemingly little things about what is expected of their child, how that actually weigh heavily on students’ You can’t the grading process works, and other school minds in advance of school,” said Doug information. It was also a way for teachers build authentic Bullinger, Hopkins High School principal. to start making stronger connections with Strong relationships benefit students learning families. Allowing students to become familiar West Junior High principal Leanne experiences with their new surroundings isn’t the only Kampfe agrees that strong relationships are reason for a full-day orientation. Rather unless you know a necessary for strong learning. Anything that than jumping into content on the first administration can do to provide time and day, orientation day helps create stronger student, opportunity for students and staff to connect relationships between students and staff. results in a better academic outcome for validating what Becky Melville, principal at North Junior students, she added. is important to High, said significant learning cannot begin A welcome start to high school without building relationships. them, including There was already lots of noise and energy “You can’t build authentic learning the halls when new high school students their families and in experiences unless you know a student, arrived in the morning. The pep band, Lean validating what is important to them, Mean Performance Machine, played in the culture. including their families and culture,” entrance to greet sophomores for orientation. Melville said. The school day began with a welcome from high school leadership in the auditorium. Students spent the rest of the day involved in a variety of social activities, a walkthrough of their schedule, picking up Chromebooks, and checking out student groups and clubs. Anne Sateren Burow, a history teacher at Hopkins High School, said that allowing new students to have the building to themselves on the first day of school allows for greater ease and comfort when returning students arrive the following day.
Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) leaders welcomed seventh graders at North Junior High with a human tunnel and lots of cheering.
“Orientation Day is meant to introduce new students to the Hopkins High School community and what it means to be a Royal,” Sateren Burow said. see Orientation Day, inside
Welcome to the 2018-19 School Year! It was a World Class Kickoff at Hopkins Public Schools! We welcomed nearly 6,700 students into classrooms across the District Sept. 4 and 5 as we began the 2018-19 school year. A little rain on the first day of school for grades 1-7 and 10 couldn’t dampen the excitement for the start of a new school year. Principals held open doors, walked students to classes, and hosted kindergarten open houses. Junior high staff and mentors greeted incoming seventh graders with smiles and high energy, while incoming tenth graders were welcomed with a performance by the Hopkins pep band, Lean Mean Performance Machine.
With our collective goal of moving Hopkins from Great to World Class, we look forward to working together with you — our families and community. Have a great year everyone!
The following day was the first day of school for kindergarten and grades 8, 9, 11, and 12. Students at the high school enjoyed a back-toschool cookout complete with burgers. Orientation Day, from cover Building community in junior high At the junior highs, ninth-grade Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) leaders greeted incoming students. The new students were then led through several fun group activities designed to build energy for the rest of the day.
Sarah Coffey, West Junior High school counselor, said staff wanted each student who walks into the building to know that they belong.
What was your favorite part of orientation day?
“The day consisted of many community-building activities and opportunities to just be themselves and realize that everyone is welcome,” Coffey said.
“I liked getting to know my classes and my home base better, and seeing what school is like.” - Jahzarah Hall, North Junior High
Following the morning activities, students broke into small groups where they could make connections with other students and staff members. “A successful day would include lots of positive energy, students and staff getting to know each other and building community together,” said Jeremy Reichel, science teacher at North Junior High. Reichel’s definition of success was reflected in one student’s account of the day. Brianna Alfred, an incoming seventh grader, said she was pleased with how welcoming everyone was throughout the day. The activities were exciting, engaging, and got the students moving. She even met a new friend.
“The tour helped a lot because I kind of had a reminder of where my classes were.” - Leo Sanchez, North Junior High “My favorite part was going to my classes because it was my first time being a sophomore, and I haven’t seen the other side of the school, so going to my classes and knowing where they were going to be was helpful.” - Jalyn Hall, Hopkins High School “Getting to know my teachers. They introduced themselves and they told us what we were going to be doing in our classes overall.” - Wardlyn Dualu, Hopkins High School
“I’m kind of happy they didn’t start right away with school,” Alfred said. “We had a chance to tour our rooms, so that was nice.” Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) is a student orientation and mentoring program.
Hopkins Community Education
Building a great place to live
Adult Enrichment
Start your adventure! A new season of adult enrichment classes is here to explore — pottery, fitness, parent/child cooking, yoga, baking, jewelry making, dance, Tai Chi, crafts, gardening, and more! Connect with others, unveil new talents, change up your routine, and learn for life with Hopkins Community Education.
Explore fall classes at HopkinsCommunityEd.org
HopkinsCommunityEd.org
Early Childhood
Monthly Meet-up!
Calling all parents of 3- to 6-yearolds! Can’t commit to a weekly ECFE class? Join us for our new monthly session and dive into parenting topics and idea sharing in this supportive, parent-only class. Thurs., Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 29, 9:45-11:15 a.m. or 6:30-7:30 p.m. Register: HopkinsSchools.org/early or call 952-988-5000
From the Superintendent, Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed
Hopkins Vision 2031 Welcome to the 2018-19 school year! Time passed so quickly, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my second summer back home in Minnesota with my family. I hope yours was full of fun times in the sun as well. In Hopkins, we are going from Great to World Class! Here are a few key updates as we launch into this upward move: • We welcomed over 100 new staff this year, and I have given all staff the mission of building authentic relationships with every student to help them feel connected. • We have been collecting and reviewing thousands of sources of staff and stakeholder feedback — yours included — to shape our Great to World Class vision that we call Vision 2031, the year our current kindergartners will graduate from Hopkins. • At Hopkins, a World Class education does not mean elite or exclusive. World Class means the best, and every Hopkins student deserves the best.
What is Hopkins Vision 2031? Vision 2031 is a vision of innovation to reimagine Hopkins Public Schools starting from the ground up. The strategic “why” behind it is that every student deserves a brilliant future. These key points will help explain more: • At Hopkins, we believe in: educating learners ages 0-21, self-directed learning, teaching holistically, job market connections, and creating a student of the world. • Our students are ready to leave traditional classrooms behind and engage in change that includes their voice. • The future of employment in our volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world demands we prepare a different kind of student. • Hopkins 2031 graduates will be: confident in their voice, critical and holistic thinkers, well-traveled and global-minded, and cultivators of empathy. • We are proud to look like the real world, with a 46 percent non-white student body — it is our quest to permanently disrupt gender and racial disparities. • Our Six Pillars of Innovation are: Innovation Teams that are not afraid to fail, digital tools to help students and educators succeed, reimagining what school could be, crowdsourcing new ideas, strategic partnerships, and an open mindset.
Concepts into action In the next 100 days, you will see some of these concepts develop into action steps as we move toward system alignment, finalize Hopkins core values, define and construct innovations lab(s), communicate our vision, focus on partnering, and articulate student success metrics. This work will require collective efficacy ... and will be messy, ambiguous, and thrilling! Vision 2031 needs you! Help shape our vision. Participate in one of these strategic focus groups: • Reimagining School Day Structures (start/end times, learning beyond school) • Creating Students of the World: Language Immersion, Intercultural Competence, and World Travel • Creating Innovation Lab Spaces, Mindset, and Behaviors • Cultivating Career and College Connections/Readiness • Reimagining Early Learning (cultivating world scholars from birth to 21) • Reimagining Student Success Metrics • Reimagining Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations • Redefining Educators’ Evolving Roles
Meet Fhonda Contreras and Stephanie Herrera Meet Fhonda Contreras, Director of Special Services Fhonda Contreras is excited to be part of the District for the growing diverse population and quality of schools.
Fhonda Contreras
She is joining Hopkins after working for 15 years at St. Paul Schools. She most recently acted as a special education supervisor for 18 schools with other district-level responsibilities.
Contreras holds a master’s degree in special education and an education specialist degree. She is currently a doctoral student at the University of St. Thomas. She has taught both general education and special education classes, and is an adjunct instructor for the University. Contreras enjoys scrapbooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. She is married with three daughters. Meet Stephanie Herrera, Director of Principal Leadership The director of principal leadership is a new position which will focus on providing principals with a partner in the strategic planning process as well as providing personalized leadership support. Stephanie Herrera is inspired by Hopkins’ goal to set a new standard for educational excellence by moving the District from Great to World Class. She favors a leadership style that embodies boldness and grace and is up for the challenge of transformative change at Hopkins. Stephanie Herrera
“I believe in Hopkins’ mission and I believe in the people who are making it happen,” she said. “I feel very fortunate to be a part of the team.” Herrera has 20 years of experience in education, serving both inside the classroom and in leadership roles. She comes to Hopkins after spending most of her career in California. She holds two master’s degrees and is pursuing a doctorate focused on international comparative education. Herrera enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her husband and kids. Her family loves the water, and they look forward to getting out on the many lakes in Minnesota.
Over the Summer Summer is a great time for teachers and students to relax and recharge for the following school year, but for many Hopkins staff members, it’s also a time to expand their knowledge and grow upon their skill set. Listed below is the number of teachers who participated in professional development opportunities over the summer and the type of learning opportunities they engaged in.
Hopkins Professional Development
By the Numbers:
• Cultivating Vigilant Equity
Sign up for a focus group today! Email Bobbi McLaird at Bobbi.McLaird@HopkinsSchools.org.
Language Arts Special Services Internal Professional Development
Sincerely,
Advanced Studies
Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed Superintendent
Global Learning Advancing Achievement
District Life Changer
Sarah Coffey
Helping students feel good about who they are — especially in school — is Sarah Coffey’s number one goal. Her current job title is licensed school counselor, but Coffey has taken on many roles throughout her 12 years at West Junior High School. Among these roles, there is one that resonates with her — she is the coordinator for Where Everybody Belongs (WEB), a student orientation and mentoring program. “Every year we do something different to add a new element to the program, and the students always step up,” she said. According to her colleagues, Coffey herself is a person who steps up. Donna Philippot, language and literature teacher at West Junior High, said Coffey is extraordinarily generous with her acts of kindness. Doing good for others is a way of life for her. Matthew Johnson, West Junior High assistant principal, shared a similar sentiment. “Sarah is a District Life Changer because she takes the time to build deep, authentic relationships with students and families,” Johnson said. Coffey strives to create a welcoming environment for all kids while helping them reach their highest potential. She does that by allowing them to be vulnerable with her and trust her. Johnson said Coffey leads with her heart and takes the time to listen. Background: Before coming to Hopkins, I worked as a youth and family counselor at The Bridge for Youth in Minneapolis. The experience I gained in that setting really helped me in my work with families from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. What do you love most about working at Hopkins Public Schools? The passion! I absolutely love Hopkins and especially my colleagues. My West Junior High colleagues are some of the most caring and fun people I have ever met. We often break into the “High School Musical” song, “We’re All in This Together.” Proudest moment? My proudest moments are always related to the WEB program. The first time I heard a student say, “I want to be a WEB Leader because my leader helped me so much in seventh grade,” I broke into tears! Favorite quote? Life begins at the end of your comfort zone! Stats: • Studied biology and psychology with a minor in health, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. She received a master’s in school counseling from Winona State University. In the future, Sarah Coffey would like to get a licensure in marriage and family therapy.
Where are they now?
Mar Dawson Hylbak: 1968 graduate
Stats: B.A. and M.A. in education, University of Minnesota
fun facts Education has always been a big part of Mar’s life. After Hopkins, she studied education in college, taught in a classroom, and eventually led an early childhood program. She is proud of her career working with young families. Hopkins also impacted her personal life in a big way. She met her husband in junior high. They were in the same friend group and dated throughout high school. He was a state wrestling champion, and she was a cheerleader. Favorite hangout spot during Hopkins High School? The foyer. Everybody came and went through it. Favorite music artist of ‘68? The Beatles. What Hopkins teacher made a difference? Angie Bjorgan (sixth grade teacher at Burwell Elementary) encouraged me to be a leader. What are you doing in retirement? Teaching one class a week with new parents and infants, volunteering as a travelers assistant at the airport, loving my grandchildren, and going camping.
Community Spirit Shayne Fettig-Hughes The District’s Great to World Class initiative inspired Shayne Fettig-Hughes to support the Royal Reps in their community survey efforts over the summer. Her background in survey design and analysis, especially with qualitative research, helped the Royal Reps in understanding the data they collected. “I volunteer for programs that inspire me or provide enrichment for my children, and seek volunteer and work opportunities that complement my education and work experience,” Fettig-Hughes said. She appreciates that leaders in the District are working positively to impact student culture and promote a sense of belonging and inclusion in the schools. People would be surprised … At the lengths I go to when helping my children explore their interests. I volunteer for many reasons, but ... The larger one is to be a part of a broader community effort for positive change. I value education and actively seek enrichment opportunities for my children, and love to extend those opportunities to other students as well. What person has influenced you the most? The person who influenced me to volunteer was Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed. I first met her at a school coffee event in August 2017, where she connected warmly with parents and impressed me with her genuine desire to make our schools better.
Know someone we should feature on this page? Email Michelle.Wirth@HopkinsSchools.org
John Raymond: 2004 graduate Stats: B.M. in trumpet performance, UW-Eau Claire • M.M. in jazz studies, SUNY Purchase College • currently studying to be a professor of jazz trumpet, Indiana University fun facts Music is a big part of John Raymond’s life, and he is on his way to make his mark in the jazz world. Since 2012, he has released five albums, all of which have garnered critical acclaim from Stereogum, The New York Times, and DownBeat Magazine. He was recently voted a Rising Star Trumpeter in the DownBeat Magazine Critic’s Poll, and he has been a featured artist at the Festival of New Trumpet Music and NYC Winter JazzFest. Favorite hangout spot during Hopkins High School? The music department. Favorite music artist of ‘04? Red Hot Chili Peppers. What Hopkins teacher made a difference? There are too many to name, but Mr. Bell (band) was always a mentor to me. To this day our relationship continues to grow. How did Hopkins prepare you? I was surrounded by peers who worked hard to achieve their goals, as well as to make a difference in the world around them.
Alissa (Dvorak) Tierney: 2001 graduate Stats: Community life and volunteer director at The Glenn Minnetonka • B.S. in therapeutic recreation, Winona State University fun facts It’s safe to say Hopkins grad Alissa Tierney never really left her Royal roots. As a 2001 grad, Alissa moved to Winona to attend college, but was drawn back to the Hopkins community to start her career and raise her family. Her son attends Alice Smith, where she says he receives a “Royal education.” Alissa is also active in the school’s PTO and supports all things Hopkins. Favorite hangout spot during Hopkins High School? We called it “The Corner” – right inside the front doors – our meeting spot to find friends. Favorite music artist of ‘01? The Goo Goo Dolls. What Hopkins teacher made a difference? Don Bates — the teachings he provided applied well beyond the walls of the band room. “Do something, do it well, and most of all, enjoy what you do!” How did Hopkins prepare you? Hopkins encourages learning both inside and outside of the classroom. It provided many opportunities to explore careers in the community. Update Back to School 2018
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 161 Hopkins, MN 55343
Fall Events Hopkins Homecoming Game – Free to students with an ID. Go Royals! Friday, September 28, game at 7 p.m. (vs. Chanhassen) Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka Winter Warm Wear Drive – Donate winter outerwear for local children. Donate through the end of October Resource West, 1011-1st St. S., Hopkins • ResourceWest.org • 952-933-3860 Kindergarten Parent Information Sessions October 4-23, visit HopkinsSchools.org/kinder Learn about 2019-20 kindergarten at Hopkins Public Schools and get your questions answered. Early Childhood Fest Saturday, October 6, 10-11:30 a.m. Family-friendly entertainment, including live music and other activities! Hopkins Public Library, 22-11th Ave. N., Hopkins Come Dance With Me! – Join us for an evening of dancing! Friday, October 12, 7-9 p.m. Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Hwy. 7, Hopkins Tickets: 952-988-4070, HopkinsSchools.org/dance Fall Family Field Trip – Visit the Lowry Nature Center for an afternoon of outdoor family fun and exploration. Free event! Shuttle provided. Saturday, October 13, 1-4 p.m. For details & to register, call 952-988-4070 or visit HopkinsCommunityEd.org.
1001 Highway 7 Hopkins, MN 55305 www.HopkinsSchools.org 952-988-4000 Time Value
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Get Connected, Stay Connected Find us on Facebook:
Grab your parent and favorite stuffed animal! Join us for this free, fun-filled concert and instrument petting zoo for kids on Oct. 23 at Hopkins High School.
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 5:45-6:30 p.m. Hopkins High School 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka
www.facebook.com/HopkinsPublicSchools
Entering Kindergarten in 2019? You Belong in Hopkins!
Young People’s Concert 2018
What Does World Class Look Like to Our Community? After surveying about 300 people throughout the summer, the Royal Reps reported their findings to Hopkins staff at the District Kickoff event Aug. 28. The group of students spent their summer collecting information from community members about what a World Class education looks like to them. Respondents were asked about the strengths and weaknesses of Hopkins Public Schools. The survey responses offered valuable insight into what the District is doing right and what we can improve.
Welcome Hopkins class of 2032! The year before kindergarten is an exciting but also very important time, and families often have a lot of questions. Join us for our Kindergarten Parent Information Sessions to get your questions answered. See the rooms, tour the buildings, meet teachers and other parents, and get excited for kindergarten at Hopkins! The sessions are designed for parents of 2019 kindergarteners, but everyone is welcome to attend. Join us!
Mark Your Calendar!
Kindergarten Information Sessions:
Eisenhower/XinXing: Thurs., Oct. 4, 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. L.H. Tanglen: Mon., Oct. 8, 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Glen Lake: Tues., Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m. Meadowbrook: Thurs., Oct. 11, 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Alice Smith: Mon., Oct. 22, 10:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Gatewood: Tues., Oct. 23, 6 p.m. Visit HopkinsSchools.org/kinder for more details.
Areas to improve? Class sizes, not enough racial multiculturalism in AP classes, and heavy homework load are in need of improvement according to respondents. In addition, respondents would like to see more diversity among teachers and staff. Strengths? The wide variety of classes, special education, gifted programs, and AP and Honors classes were some of the items respondents liked most. They also value the culture and diversity at Hopkins.