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

Welcome to Hopkins E-News for Sept. 5, 2008.

Outstanding Students and Staff Members

Upcoming Activities, Deadlines, and Events

Hopkins Spirit Shop has special hours and locations
Faculty Art Show opening reception, Friday, Oct. 24

Inside Hopkins Public Schools

The Royal Page goes online

Reminders about Previously Published Activities, Deadlines, & Events

Do Less . . . Be More: Eat. Talk. Connect!
Hopkins West Junior High needs volunteers for all–school community service project
Harley Hopkins Vehicle Vehicle Fair, Friday, Sept. 5
Hopkins High School Football Casino Royale fund-raiser, Saturday, Sept. 6
Champions Fund Golf & Tennis Tournament, Monday, Sept. 8
Facing Autism Challenges Together (FACT) offers support groups, first meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 9
Minnesota House conducts hearing on education issues in Hopkins, Thursday, Sept. 11
The Depot Coffee House celebrates 10th anniversary, Saturday, Sept. 13
Senior Planning Night, Monday, Sept. 15
Preschoolers needed for Playschool for enrollment, Monday, Sept. 22
Get in the Know about College Planning, Wednesday, Sept. 24

School Board

Upcoming Board discussions

Outstanding Students & Staff Members
Hopkins science teacher has research paper published in professional journal
John Sammler, a science teacher at Hopkins High School and the Off Campus Program, recently had his master’s project article--Population Trends of Tundra-Nesting Birds at Cape Churchill, Manitoba, in Relation to Increasing Goose Populations--published in The Condor, a peer review scientific journal. The Condor is considered one of the top two professional bird journals. International bird experts and ecologists read and use the data in The Condor to inform their own work and to provide information for further bird studies.

After completing his master’s degree in wildlife conservation at the University of Minnesota, Sammler then revised his master’s thesis into a format necessary for academic research publication with assistance from his master’s adviser David Andersen and data collector Sue Skagen. For his research, Sammler went to Churchill, Manitoba, for four summers to collect data and conduct bird diversity surveys on the tundra. He was specifically interested in answering the question: How do massive snow goose overpopulations affect the population levels of all other birds in the area (were other bird populations being harmed or endangered from the presence of this one overpopulated species)? Sammler’s paper details the full study of the scientific problem, experimentation, results, and data analysis from these results.

Upcoming Activities, Deadlines, and Events
Faculty Art Show opening reception, Friday, Oct. 24
The opening reception for Hopkins Public Schools’ Faculty Art Show is planned for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, in the Charles D. Redepenning Gallery at the Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins. The Faculty Art Show features recent works of current and retired school district staff members. The Faculty Art Show runs from October 23 through November 30.

Hopkins Spirit Shop has special hours and locations
The Spirit Shop has special hours and locations during September:

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, and Friday, Sept. 26, during the football games with sales will be conducted at the stadium, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, in the lobby at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Super Spirit Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Spirit Shop, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka

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. Cash or personal checks are accepted. All profits are returned to the district in the form of grants or merchandise.

For questions or information, please call 952-988-4551.

Inside Hopkins Public Schools
The Royal Page goes online
The Royal Page, Hopkins High School’s student newspaper, is going online and has a new look for its printed version as well. This project began with a grant from the Hopkins Education Foundation, which enabled the high school to purchase new cameras to facilitate a highly visual online and print newspaper. Adviser Jeff Kocur attended a workshop sponsored by the American Society of Newspaper Editors that helped him create curriculum for an online print newspaper. This summer, he also looked at websites from award-winning school districts for items that The Royal Page staff members could use in their newspaper.

Students will be responsible for writing and uploading the stories and visual content to the website. The newspaper will be online by the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 5. The first article will feature a student press conference with Assistant Principal Patty Johnson. The Royal Page online will be available at www.royalpage.org.

In addition, the printed The Royal Page has a new look. Three students spent a week at a journalism class this summer changing the format of the printed newspaper into a news magazine format with a heavier focus on the visual component.

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!

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.

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.

Hopkins High School Football Casino Royale fund-raiser, Saturday, Sept. 6
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.

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).

Facing Autism Challenges Together (FACT) offers support groups with first meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 9
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.

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.

Preschoolers needed for Playschool for enrollment, Monday, Sept. 22
Hopkins North Junior High is gearing up for Playschool, and applications are being accepted now for enrollment, Monday, Sept. 22. 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.

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:

5:30 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
6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 (workshop)

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).