The following is an e-mail from the Hopkins School District:

Welcome to Hopkins E-News for Friday, Aug. 29, 2008.

Outstanding Students and Staff Members

The Royal Page newspaper receives top student journalism honors
Kids & Company raises more than $500 for Pennies for Peace organization

Upcoming Activities, Deadlines, and Events

Youth enrichment courses now available online
Hopkins High School Football Casino Royale fund-raiser
Hopkins Spirit Shop open daily

Inside Hopkins Public Schools

Hopkins hires new equity coordinator
Connect–ED® messaging system

What’s New for 2008-09

Full-day kindergarten
Expansion of XinXing Academy
ProPel mentor program
Project Lead the Way
Music Tech Lab/Garage Band
Carpentry & Construction
Hopkins High School adds sixth guidance counselor
Technology enhances student learning

Reminders about Previously Published Activities, Deadlines, & Events

Do Less . . . Be More: Eat. Talk. Connect!
Preschoolers needed for Playschool
Hopkins West Junior High needs volunteers for all–school community service project
Facing Autism Challenges Together (FACT) offers support groups
Harley Hopkins Vehicle Vehicle Fair, Friday, Sept. 5
Champions Fund Golf & Tennis Tournament, Monday, Sept. 8
Minnesota House conducts hearing on education issues in Hopkins, Thursday, Sept. 11
Senior Planning Night, Monday, Sept. 15
Get in the Know about College Planning, Wednesday, Sept. 24

School Board

Upcoming Board discussions

Outstanding Students and Staff Members
The Royal Page newspaper receives top student journalism honors
Hopkins High School’s newspaper, The Royal Page, has again been awarded a first class ranking by the National Scholastic Press Association. The first class ranking is the second highest ranking awarded by the organization. The newspaper also received a mark of distinction for its content and coverage of issues relevant to the Hopkins High School community.

The judge’s summary stated: “Overall, these issues of The Royal Page show a high quality publication that serves its student body and community well. On every page, I saw interesting stories, lively headlines, and smooth, well-structured journalistic writing. Your editorials are especially strong, thoughtful, and interesting, with a fantastic student voice.”

Last year’s editors were Abby Rosen and Paige Robson. This year’s editors are seniors Jeff Cartwright and Katy Combs. Jeff Kocur is the adviser of The Royal Page, and he has been recognized by the Journalism Education Association as a certified journalism instructor.

Kids & Company raises more than $500 for Pennies for Peace organization
As part of this summer’s community service project, Hopkins’ students enrolled in Kids & Company raised more than $500 for the Pennies for Peace organization. Pennies for Peace, a program of Central Asia Institute (CAI), educates American children about the world beyond their experience and shows them that they can make a positive impact on a global scale, one penny at a time. Pennies for Peace teaches children the rewards of sharing and working together to bring hope and educational opportunities to children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. This money will go toward teacher salaries and school supplies for the CAI program.

Upcoming Activities, Deadlines, and Events
Youth enrichment courses now available online
Fall youth enrichment classes are now available online. An array of offerings are available, including chess, sports, theater, art, music, drivers education, and technology. New offerings include fencing, video game design, Young Performers Audition Group, Photo Club, Chinese music for kids, and more. Visit www.hopkinscommunityed.org, or call 952-988-4070. Catalogs will arrive in homes beginning the week of September 1.

Hopkins High School Football Casino Royale fund-raiser
The Hopkins High School Booster Club will conduct its fourth annual Football Casino Royale fund-raiser from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Hopkins Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), 100 Shady Oak Road, Hopkins. Tickets are $25 for a night of unlimited playing time at the gaming tables, all-you-can-eat hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, silent auction. and a chance to win the grand raffle prize. The Football Casino Royale is one of the largest fund-raisers for Hopkins High School football, and the funds raised help to purchase equipment, pay for coaches, cover player scholarships, and provide general enhancements to the program. To purchase tickets, ask questions, or to donate something for the silent auction, please contact one of the Football Casino Royale Co-Chairs: Luanna Hacker at LBHacker@aol.com or 952-939-1160, or Sandy Forster at sandoster@comcast.net or 952-938-3364.

Hopkins Spirit Shop open daily
The Hopkins Spirit Shop offers a variety of Hopkins clothing and team wear such as sweatshirts, T-shirts, sweat pants, baseball caps, mittens, hats, socks, and more in sizes from youth to adult. The Spirit Shop is located on the main floor of Hopkins High School next to the Lindbergh Center, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Managed and operated by volunteers, the Spirit Shop is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day school is in session from September through May. The Spirit Shop will be open from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, and Friday, Sept. 26, during the football games. Sales will be conducted at the stadium. The Spirit Shop also will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Super Spirit Saturday, Sept. 20. Cash or personal checks are accepted. For questions, please call 952-988-4551, or information about dates and hours. All profits are returned to the district in the form of grants or merchandise.

Inside Hopkins Public Schools
Hopkins hires new equity coordinator
Stanley Brown is Hopkins Public Schools’ new equity coordinator, bringing with him many years of classroom teaching and administrative leadership experience. Brown was born and raised in Harlem, New York. He attended elementary and high school in Harlem, New York; attended Iona College in New Rochelle, New York for undergraduate; and attended Boston College in Boston Mass for graduate school. Presently, he is attending Hamline University, where he completed his administrative licensure and is finishing his doctoral work. Brown's doctoral research and dissertation focus on the education of African American high school boys. His experiences with schools include private and parochial settings as well as teaching on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota immediately after college. He has a passion for equity and diversity in educating all students, and helping administration and teachers research, discover and uncover best practices and strategies for reaching and achievement of all students. “I am excited to embark on this new journey with such a fine and progressive district where teachers and administrators value the notion of teaching and learning for a whole new world,” he said.

Connect–ED® messaging system
Hopkins Public Schools has launched its new Connect–ED® messaging system. Connect–ED® will enable the school district to personally communicate with parents about emergency situations, school events, and other issues that have an impact on their children such as attendance and school lunch balances. It will allow the school district and its schools to send personalized voice messages to a family’s home, work or cell phones, and to send email messages. With this system, the district and its schools will be able to reach all parents in the district within minutes. Parents can double check that the school district has their correct primary phone numbers and email addresses through Infinite Campus. Parents are urged to activate their Infinite Campus accounts. Parents who do not have log–in for Infinite Campus, should send an email to portal@hopkinsschools.org. Parents can correct their own email addresses, but need to contact their school to correct any wrong phone numbers.

What’s New for 2008-09
Full–Day Kindergarten
Hopkins Public Schools is offering one section of full–day kindergarten, called Kindergarten Plus, at each of its elementary schools. Class sizes range from about 23 to 27 students. Students will be with one kindergarten teacher throughout the day, and an additional certified teacher—learning resources teacher—will be available for a portion of the day. This summer, Kindergarten Plus teachers have been working to adapt the kindergarten curriculum and materials to best support and enrich student experiences in the full–day kindergarten program.

Expansion of XinXing Academy
XinXing Academy, Hopkins Public Schools’ Chinese immersion program, which is located at Eisenhower Elementary School in Hopkins, has expanded to first grade, and will welcome 49 new kindergartners this fall. For additional information about XinXing Academy, visit Hopkins Public Schools’ website at www.hopkinsschools.org, or contact Principal Rosemary Lawrence at 952-988-4301, or rosemary.lawrence@hopkinsschools.org.

ProPel mentor program
Professionals Providing Experiences for Life (ProPel) is designed for juniors and seniors who have exhausted the curricular resources at Hopkins High School, and who have an interest in working with professionals from a broad spectrum of career fields, including trade, service, academic, medical, legal, executive, or creative. This course includes a rigorous collection of curricular requirements, including projects, speaker engagements, interviewing professionals in the field, required onsite mentor contact time, group objectives, field trips, and hands–on opportunities beyond the classroom.

Project Lead the Way
As part of its interest in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) initiatives, Hopkins Public Schools is participating in Project Lead the Way (PLTW), which aligns those academic areas of study with hands–on learning.

Hopkins High School offers two Project Lead the Way courses, Introduction to Engineering and Design (IED) and Principles of Engineering (POE). IED teaches problem–solving skills using a design development process. Students create, analyze, and communicate product solutions using solid–modeling, computer–design software. In POE, students learn how engineers and technicians use math, science, and technology in engineering to benefit people. The course also looks at the social and political consequences of technological change.

At the junior high schools, Gateway to Technology courses incorporate national standards in math, science, and technology, and include Design and Modeling, The Magic of Electrons, The Science of Technology, Automation and Robotics, and Flight and Space.

Music Tech Lab/Garage Band
This course begins with students learning the basics of Apple’s innovative, all–in–one digital studio, Garage Band. Then students will study basic composition techniques, create melodies, and learn how to manipulate the musical elements of melody, rhythm, harmony, form, tone, and color. The course will explore the concepts of arranging, mixing, loop creating as well as how to record, edit, mix, re–mix, and download pre–recorded work for re–mix and pod casting. Students will learn how to make recordings, set up a digital studio, lay down tracks, sound shaping, work with loops, and record spoken or singing voice and instruments using 24–bit audio support. Students will create voice over audio, and record interviews, speeches, and public service announcements using pod casting radio engineer. Activ Board technology will allow students to share their projects with the class for additional critique. Interactive online learning using Atomic Learning and iLife training videos will be used to guide students through lessons and technical development. This program is possible through a generous grant from the Hopkins Education Foundation.

Carpentry & Construction
Carpentry & Building Construction with Applied Math is designed to reinforce geometry and mathematic skills through hands–on construction experiences. Students will combine and enhance math and construction knowledge and skills as they study carpentry, cabinetry, framing, site planning, plumbing, electrical and heating/ventilation / air conditioning. Students will build a small livable structure. Students who complete this course may also earn credit at the Hennepin Technical College.

Hopkins High School adds sixth guidance counselor
Hopkins High School is adding a sixth guidance counselor to meet the needs of its students. The sixth counselor reduces the high school’s guidance counselor to student ratio of 339 to 1—one of the lowest ratios for high schools in the area. The school’s guidance counselors help students with registration and graduation requirements, provide information about colleges, scholarships, and financial aid. They also help students with their transcripts, or with post secondary education options.

Technology enhances student learning
Hopkins Public Schools is focusing on the use of technology to enhance student learning, which includes installing interactive whiteboards in 99 classrooms across the district. The district is also training 110 teachers, who are in the second Technology Learning Community, on how to use whiteboards. Other technology initiatives include: increasing the number of classrooms with mounted digital projectors; upgrading the memory for 750 student and teacher laptops; adding 320 new laptop computers and 370 desktop computers for student use across the district; and adding 184 computers for staff use across the district. Work on the redesign of Hopkins’ website also continues, with the new site scheduled to be unveiled in December. Some of the district’s technology enhancements are possible through generous grants from the Hopkins Education Foundation.

Reminders about Previously Published Activities, Deadlines, & Events
Do Less . . . Be More: Eat. Talk. Connect!
Eat. Talk. Connect! is back for the third year in Hopkins Public Schools. The 2008 initiative will focus on a month–long awareness campaign during the month of September. The goal is for families to eat five to seven meals together, focusing on conversation and connecting.

Family mealtimes are one of the best ways to build connections and to transfer values to the next generation. Research shows that children who share meals with their families—without the distraction of TV or technology—benefit in the following ways:

They have greater academic success.
They are 40 percent to 50 percent less likely to smoke, use drugs or alcohol, or engage in sexual activity.
They eat more nutritionally and have fewer problems such as obesity, anorexia or bulimia.
They experience less stress and are significantly less likely to be depressed.
They incorporate family values into their lives.

Go to www.hopkinscommunityed.org under Parent for creative ideas, or watch for more details coming to schools about ways to Eat. Talk. Connect!

Preschoolers needed for Playschool
Hopkins North Junior High is gearing up for Playschool, and applications are being accepted now for Sept. 22, enrollment. The Playschool is part of a 9th grade family and consumer sciences class called Working with Children. The Playschool is planned and implemented by 9th grade students with supervision by the teacher. Parents with preschoolers, ages 3 to 5, who are interested in more information, are encouraged to contact Jane Martin at 952-988-4725 or jane_martin@hopkins.k12.mn.us.

Hopkins West Junior High needs volunteers for all–school community service project
All students at Hopkins West Junior High in Minnetonka will be participating in community service projects, Oct. 21–23. Currently, parent volunteers are needed as chaperones to work with the students on site at the school, or with the students at community–based charities. For additional information, please contact Helping Hands co–chairs Kimber Jorgensen at sejorgen@earthlink.net or 952-949-2502, or Jill Tigner at jill@tigners.net, or 952-933-6575.

Facing Autism Challenges Together (FACT) offers support groups
Facing Autism Challenges Together (FACT) offers two support group meeting opportunities on the second Tuesday of the month—1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in Room 207A at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Meeting dates are Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 10, April 14, and May 12. FACT is an open support group for parents, individuals, families, friends, or community members to share support, resources and ideas on life with an autism spectrum disorder. Learn more about FACT at http://HopkinsFACT.home.comcast.net, or send an email to HopkinsFACT@comcast.net.

Harley Hopkins Vehicle Vehicle Fair, Friday, Sept. 5
The Harley Hopkins Vehicle Fair is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at the Harley Hopkins Family Center, 125 Monroe Ave. S., Hopkins. All families are invited to attend this free event, which will feature police, fire, and numerous city maintenance vehicles, in addition to face painting, classroom activities, and refreshments from Coldstone Creamery, Caribou Coffee, Great Harvest, Cub Foods, and McDonalds. The Hopkins and Minnetonka police departments are providing a free car seat check clinic. This also will be the kickoff for the EcoFamily Initiative. For further information, please contact Kathryn Moore at 952-988-5046. This event is sponsored by Hopkins Public Schools’ Early Childhood Family Education.

Champions Fund Golf & Tennis Tournament, Monday, Sept. 8
The Hopkins Champions Fund Benefit Golf & Tennis Tournament will be conducted, Monday, Sept. 8. Golf will be a scramble format with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Tennis will be a round robin tournament beginning at 9:30 a.m. Both events are hosted by the Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins. The event is open to all supporters of the Champions Fund and Hopkins Public Schools’ athletic programs. Proceeds will go toward participation opportunities for students and families that require financial assistance. During the past few years, the Athletic Department provided more than $60,000 annually in financial aid to families needing assistance to cover the cost of participation fees. For further information, please contact Hopkins Athletic Director Dan Johnson at 952-988-4692 or dan.johnson@hopkinsschools.org, or visit the Champions Fund website at www.hopkinsschools.org (go to the school menu/Hopkins High School/athletics).

Minnesota House conducts hearing on education issues in Hopkins, Thursday, Sept. 11
The Minnesota House of Representatives K-12 Education Finance Division is seeking citizen input on public schools, and will be conducting a hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, in Room 215 at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Testimony will be taken about the challenges Minnesota schools are facing, and the successes that have resulted in student achievement. The hearing will include an update on education–related results of the 2008 legislative session, including highlights of the education finance reform legislation—House File 4178 or the New Minnesota Miracle—that will be a focus of the 2009 session. The proposed New Minnesota Miracle simplifies and increases state public school funding, reduces property taxes and lays a foundation for every student to succeed when they graduate from high school. The hearing will also include an opportunity for members of the public to provide information about the challenges and successes of their public schools, and their hopes for the future of K-12 education in Minnesota. For additional information, Committee Administrator Shannon Patrick, 651-296-5098, or shannon.patrick@house.mn, or Hopkins Public Schools’ Public Relations Director Eileen Harvala, 952-988-4024, or eileen.harvala@hopkinsschools.org. Information on the New Minnesota Miracle or HF 4178 is available at
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/bills/billnum.asp?Billnumber=hf4178&ls_....

The Depot Coffee House celebrates 10th anniversary, Saturday, Sept. 13
The Depot Coffee House, located just west of Highway 169 on Excelsior Boulevard in Hopkins will be celebrating its 10th anniversary, Saturday, Sept. 13. The celebration begins with tours of the Depot, beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. dinner and silent auction at the Wetlands Café in the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Tickets are available from Jo Clare Hartsig at 952-548-6309 or jchartsig@gmail.com.

Senior Planning Night, Monday, Sept. 15
Senior Planning Night is planned for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept, 15, in the auditorium at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Sponsored by the high school’s guidance counselors, this evening is focused on planning information for all seniors and their parents. Learn about the final year and process for graduation. No fee. No advanced registration required.

Get in the Know about College Planning, Wednesday, Sept. 24
Get in the Know about College Planning is set for 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, in Hopkins High School’s College and Career Center, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. This discussion will cover the differences between college entrance exams; financial aid—college grants vs. scholarships vs. loans; similarities and differences between two– and four–year colleges and how to select the right college; and benefits of a Career Interest Assessment. There is no fee for this workshop; however, reservations are needed by Tuesday, Sept. 23, and can be sent via email to donna.friedman@hopkinsschools.org.

School Board
Upcoming Hopkins School Board discussions
Here’s what is scheduled to be discussed by the Hopkins School Board at upcoming regular meetings:

5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4 (workshop)—assessments
7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4 (regular meeting)—2008 assessment results, and athletic fund-raising update
5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 (workshop)—property tax levy
7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 (regular meeting)—school opening 2008-09, and district strategic plan

Please note that Board agendas are subject to change.

For regular Board meeting agenda and information materials, go to the Hopkins School Board’s website at http://board.hopkins.k12.mn.us/cgi-bin/WebObjects/bms.woa/1/wo/0.0.5.1.5.... Or simply go to Hopkins Public Schools' website at http://www.hopkinsschools.org and click on School Board located in the top menu of the page. (Meeting information is typically posted on the website the Friday or Monday before the meeting.)

Hopkins School Board cable TV broadcasts, online video & audio streamings available
Hopkins Public Schools is now cable casting its school board meetings. Online video and audio streamings of meetings are available as well for viewing or listening. Broadcasts of recorded meetings are available for viewing on cable television channels in all seven of the communities served by Hopkins Public Schools:

Channel 17: In Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, and Minnetonka, the meetings will be cablecast at 9 p.m. Tuesday, and 10 a.m. Saturday, on cable channel 17. Broadcasts of the most recent meeting will start on the Tuesday after the meeting.
Channel 96: In St. Louis Park, the meetings will be broadcast on cable channel 96 at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the week after the meeting.
Channel 20: In Golden Valley and Plymouth, meetings will be broadcast on cable channel 20. Residents will need to check their local listings for broadcast times.

Video and audio streams of the meetings are available on the School Board section of the district’s website at www.hopkinsschools.org (click on the School Board menu on the top right–hand side of the page, then select Video/Audio).