An e-mail from the Hopkins School District:

Welcome to Hopkins E-News for Friday, Nov. 7, 2008.

Upcoming Activities, Deadlines, and Events

>From Hot Tamale Power Struggles to Cool Cucumber Parenting, Thursday, Nov. 13
Promoting Emotional Health in Teens, Thursday, Nov. 20
Bake & Take Holiday Cookie Bake, Friday, Nov. 21
Hopkins High School’s Royal Den Preschool accepting applications
Hopkins High School to celebrate 100 years of educational excellence, Dec. 8-9

Inside Hopkins Public Schools

Hopkins Votes engages students in learning about democracy
Subscriptions available to The Royal Page student newspaper

Reminders about Previously Published Activities, Deadlines, & Events

Hopkins Public Schools conducts November information sessions on kindergarten options
Meadowbrook Culture Club hosts family event, Thursday, Nov. 6
Parent conversation nights continue, Monday, Nov. 10
Tickets on sale for ‘A Wonderful Life’ with performances, Nov. 7-9, and Nov. 13-15
Story Time & Dinner, Thursday, Nov. 13
Positive Discipline for Young Children workshop, Tuesday, Nov. 18
Hopkins North Junior High Players presents its fall play, Nov. 20-22

Community Programs

SouthWest League boys basketball registration taking place now
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra presents free concert, Wednesday, Dec. 17

School Board

Upcoming Board discussions

Upcoming Activities, Deadlines & Events
From Hot Tamale Power Struggles to Cool Cucumber Parenting, Thursday, Nov. 13
Paul Buckley will present a workshop, From Hot Tamale Power Struggles to Cool Cucumber Parenting, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in Room 215 at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. This entertaining and fast-paced workshop addresses how children use emotional intensity or power struggles to control parents. Without “cool cucumber” strategies, parents can become frustrated and angry themselves. Parents will walk away with examples and hand-outs of three specific strategies that help avoid power struggles and contribute to “cool cucumber” parenting. The cost is $10 per person of $15 per household. Call 952-988-4070 or visit www.hopkinscommunityed.org for more information or to register.

Promoting Emotional Health in Teens, Thursday, Nov. 20
Norman T. Berlinger, M.D., Ph.D., adolescent psychotherapist and author of “Rescuing Your Teenager from Depression,” will lead a workshop, Promoting Emotional Health in Teens: What Parents Can Do Right Now, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, in Room W230 at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. This workshop will focus on strategies that parents can do to making a lasting difference in the emotional lives of their children, how to promoted character traits and strengths, and how to identify early signs and symptoms of trouble. The cost is $10 per person or $15 per household. Call 952-988-4070 or visit www.hopkinscommunityed.org for more information or to register.

Bake & Take Holiday Cookie Bake, Friday, Nov. 21
Due to popularity, a new section of Bake & Take Holiday Cookie Bake has been added. The class is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at Gatewood Elementary School, 14900 Gatewood Drive, Minnetonka. The Bake & Take Holiday Cookie Bake class allows participants to do all their holiday baking in just one three-hour class. Participants take home a dozen each of 10 different varieties of cookies. This “hands on” class provides prepared cookie dough, recipes and everything needed to form, trim and decorate the cookies. The fee is $34. Call 952-988-4070 or visit www.hopkinscommunityed.org for more information or to register.

Hopkins High School’s Royal Den Preschool accepting applications
The Child Psychology II Class at Hopkins High School is accepting applications for its annual Royal Den Preschool program. This program is planned and implemented by high school students and supervised at all times by the child psychology instructor. Planned activities for the preschool include math, arts and crafts, science, reading, music, and games/exercises. The children will also be given a light snack. Dates of the preschool are Dec. 2 through Jan. 15 (excluding winter break). The times are from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Three to four days per week are available. The cost is $10 per child. For additional information, please contact Gayle Durand at 952-988-4715, or via email at gayle_durand@hopkins.k12.mn.us.

Hopkins High School to celebrate 100 years of educational excellence, Dec. 8-9
All community residents, alumni, and friends are invited to attend a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Hopkins High School scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, and Tuesday, Dec, 9, at the school, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka.

The event will feature displays of historical memorabilia, decade-by-decade photo collages, and tours of the award-winning programs and cutting-edge classroom technology in the current facility. A free pasta dinner will be available in the school dining room until 6:30 p.m. A winter Gala Concert at 7:00 each night will feature the Hopkins High School orchestras, bands, and choirs. Ticketing for the Gala Concerts is separate and seating is limited.

Hopkins High School was founded in 1908 in downtown Hopkins as the first high school serving the western suburbs. It moved to a new state-of-the-art building on Highway 7 in 1955, which closed as a high school in 1982. The current Hopkins High School on Lindbergh Drive in Minnetonka was completely remodeled in recent years for 21st century world-class learning.

Contributions of memorabilia are from the Golden Valley Historical Society, Hopkins Historical Society, and Hopkins High School Archives.

For more information, visit Hopkins Public Schools’ website at www.hopkinsschools.org, or call 952-988-4024.

Inside Hopkins Public Schools
Hopkins Votes engages students in learning about democracy
Hopkins Votes, Hopkins Public Schools’ new student voter education program, gave all students the opportunity to vote in school on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Hopkins students in kindergarten through 12th grade voted for president. Barack Obama swept the election with a total of 5,189 of the popular vote. John McCain received 1,581 of the popular vote.

At Hopkins High School, Hopkins North Junior High, and Hopkins West Junior High, students counted the popular vote and electoral vote. Barack Obama nearly had a sweep at the electoral college at Hopkins North Junior High, taking 506 electoral votes. John McCain’s sole state was Texas, with 32 electoral votes. Hopkins West Junior High had a near sweep for Barack Obama, except with one state—Louisiana—tied 7 to 7. The school’s Student Council decided the outcome of the electoral votes for Louisiana. At Hopkins High School, Barack Obama received 378 of the electoral votes and John McCain received 160 of the electoral votes.

Students in 4th grade through 12th grade voted in the senate race. Al Franken was the clear winner with 2,544 votes, Norm Coleman received 1,476 votes, and Dean Barkley received 726 votes.

High School students also voted for the Third Congressional race. Ashwin Madia won with 870 votes. Erik Paulsen received 483 votes and David Dillon received 202.

“I traveled around to many of the schools and was awed by the students illustrating democracy in action,” said Kathryn Anderson, Hopkins Public Schools’ social studies curriculum coordinator. “I saw kindergartners enthusiastically wearing ‘Vote’ buttons, upper elementary classmates eagerly helping 1st graders with the voting process, and junior high students waiting in anticipation for the electoral college results. I also heard high school students stating that even though they may not have been eligible voters for this election, they were very excited to participate in an election process during this historical national election. Thanks so much to all who participated in this event. It was truly amazing to see our students these past months learn the democratic election process and then participate in this process.”

Hopkins Votes was developed by Anderson, district social studies teachers, and Barb Westmoreland, the district’s volunteer and community partnerships coordinator. Sponsors of Hopkins Votes included the city of Hopkins Clerk’s Office, Community Education, Hopkins American Legion, Hopkins Parent Teacher Organizations, Hopkins Rotary, Hopkins Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Infinite Campus, Inc.

Subscriptions available to The Royal Page student newspaper
Parents and community members can subscribe to The Royal Page, Hopkins High School’s award-winning student newspaper. Subscribing to the newspaper is a great way to stay connected with Hopkins High School students and to keep-up-to-date with current events at the school and around the district. The newspaper is published monthly. To subscribe, please send a $20 check made out to Hopkins High School to Jeff Kocur, The Royal Page adviser, Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305. Please include the address where the paper should be sent.

Reminders about Previously Published Activities, Deadlines, & Events
Hopkins Public Schools conducts November information sessions on kindergarten options
Hopkins Public Schools will conduct information sessions on its kindergarten options at each of its elementary schools in November. Information sessions are scheduled for:
Thursday, Nov. 13

6:30 p.m. Eisenhower Elementary, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins, 952-988-4300

Tuesday, Nov. 18

5:30 p.m. Alice Smith Elementary, 801 Minnetonka Mills Road, Hopkins. 952-988-4200
6 p.m. Gatewood Elementary, 14900 Gatewood Drive, Minnetonka, 952-988-5250
7 p.m. Glen Lake Elementary, 4801 Woodridge Road, Minnetonka, 952-988-5200

Thursday, Nov. 20

6:30 p.m. L.H. Tanglen Elementary, 10901 Hillside Lane, Minnetonka, 952-988-4900
7 p.m. Meadowbrook Elementary, 5430 Glenwood Ave., Golden Valley, 952-988-5100

Hopkins has four kindergarten options, including:

Half-day kindergarten
Kindergarten Plus, a fee-based, full-day kindergarten
XinXing Academy, a fee-based, full-day kindergarten in a Chinese immersion program (*information sessions specifically for XinXing Academy are listed below)
KinderConnection, half-day kindergarten plus school-age child care through Kids & Company

For additional information, contact Diane Schimelpfenig, Ed.D, director of Teaching & Learning and Hopkins Public Schools’ kindergarten specialist, at 952-988-4133, send an email to diane.schimelpfenig@hopkinsschools.org, or visit www.hopkinsschools.org.

*Information sessions planned for XinXing Academy
Parent information meetings for kindergarten enrollment into XinXing Academy for the 2009-10 school year are planned for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, and Thursday, Jan. 8, in the media center at Eisenhower Elementary School, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. For additional information about XinXing Academy, please call 952-988-4300, send an email to Principal Rosemary Lawrence at rosemary.lawrence@hopkinsschools.org, or visit Hopkins Public Schools’ website at www.hopkinsschools.org.

Meadowbrook Culture Club hosts family event, Thursday, Nov. 6
The Meadowbrook Culture Club is hosting a family event for all ages from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. The evening features African American culture. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to serve 10 people. The evening includes storytelling, music, games, and crafts.

Parent conversation nights continue, Monday, Nov. 10
Dr. Mary Wilkins is leading a series of parenting conversation nights, Parenting Teens: The Power of Parental Influence, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, Nov. 24, and Dec. 8, in the media center at Hopkins North Junior High,10700 Cedar Lake Road, Minnetonka. These parent conversations are designed to connect parents of teenagers with other parents so they can learn more about the world of their youth, and learn tips and strategies for effectively talking to teenagers about sexuality, chemical use, and other risky behaviors, and about values and home rules. There is no fee, and registration is not required.

Story Time & Dinner, Thursday, Nov. 13
Parents of babies (age birth to 12 months) who live in the Hopkins School District, are invited a Story Time & Dinner, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at Gatewood Elementary School, 14900 Gatewood Drive, Minnetonka. Enjoy a free meal, a chance to visit with parents of other infants, and share a story and play time with the children. In addition, parents may choose a new free book for each child to take home. Siblings are welcome. Reservations are required. Space is limited. Please contact Kathryn Moore at 952-988-5046, or send an email to kathryn_moore@hopkins.k12.mn.us.

Positive Discipline for Young Children workshop, Tuesday, Nov. 18
Parent Educator Kathie Dormanen will lead a workshop, Positive Discipline for Young Children, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, in Room 27 at the Harley Hopkins Family Center, 125 Monroe Ave. S., Hopkins. Dormanen will teach the difference between positive discipline and punishment. Participants will look at setting up family structures and routines, problem solving, and age-appropriate consequences. This workshop is designed for parents with children 3 to 8 years old. The cost is $10 per person or $15 per household. To register, call Hopkins Early Childhood Family Education at 952-988-5000, or register online at www.hopkinscommunityed.org.

Tickets on sale for ‘A Wonderful Life’ with performances, Nov. 7-9, and Nov. 13-15
Tickets on sale for Hopkins High School’s award-winning Royal Productions presentation of “A Wonderful Life.” Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, Saturday, Nov. 8, Thursday, Nov. 13, Friday, Nov. 14, & Saturday, Nov. 15, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, in the auditorium at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $10 for students (students will receive a 50 percent discount if purchased with their student activity cards and at the Activity Office).

Tickets can be purchased by going to http://www.hhstheater.org,or can be purchased in person week days from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Spirit Shop, or 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Student Activities/Athletic Office. Both the Spirit Shop and Student Activities/Athletic Office are located at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka.

“A Wonderful Life” is adapted from the Frank Capra film “It’s A Wonderful Life,” with book and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and music by Joe Raposo. This is one of the great American films adapted for the musical stage by the creator of “Fiddler on the Roof,” and the composer known for his long collaboration with Jim Henson and the Children’s Television Workshop. “A Wonderful Life” is a celebration of community, hope, and belief in our fellow human beings.

Hopkins North Junior High Players presents its fall play, Nov. 20-22
Hopkins North Junior High Players have selected "WhoDunit . . . And to Whom?" for its first show of the season. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22, in the theater at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. All tickets are $5. Looking for the whodunit to end all whodunits? Then look no further. This hilarious spoof of the classic gumshoe story has more twists than a loop of licorice. "WhoDunit . . . And to Whom?" is being produced with funding from the Hopkins Education Foundation.

Community Programs
SouthWest League boys basketball registration taking place now
Registration for the SouthWest Basketball League is being accepted through the month of November. The SouthWest League is a recreational basketball program for high school age boys who are not playing on a school team. Registration forms and more information can be found at www.hrbbabasketball.net (Select SW League from the left side menu). For additional information, contact Tom Ruble at 763-525-1029.

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra presents free concert, Wednesday, Dec. 17
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Comcast have teamed up to present a free, one-hour, community holiday concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, in the auditorium at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Reservations are required. Go to http://www.thespco.org/comcast, or call 651-291-1144.

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

5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 (workshop)
7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 (regular meeting)—Gatewood Elementary School strategic site plan update; student enrollment projections; and Measures of Academic Progress.
5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 (workshop)
7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 (regular meeting)—Board regular meeting with report on payable 2009 property taxes

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).