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

Welcome to Hopkins E-News for Friday, Oct. 3, 2008.

Outstanding Students and Staff Members

Hopkins High School senior honored by National Achievement Scholarship Program
Hopkins West Junior High science teacher attends Google Teacher Academy

Upcoming Activities, Deadlines, and Events

Hopkins Spirit Shop has special October hours
Hopkins West Junior High needs donated shoes for Helping Hands community service project, Oct. 21-23

Inside Hopkins Public Schools

Hopkins Lean Mean Performance Machine serves as high school’s pep band
Debate has long tradition of excellence at Hopkins High School

Reminders about Previously Published Activities, Deadlines, & Events

Early Childhood Fest, Saturday, Oct. 4
Ultimate Intramural League plays, Monday, Oct. 6, and Oct. 13
Right from the Start: Parents as Sexuality Educators, Monday, Oct. 6
Hopkins School Board to conduct Listening Session, Tuesday, Oct. 7
Setting Limits with Infants and Toddlers, Tuesday, Oct. 7
Community Dance: Come Dance with Me, Friday, Oct. 10
Parent conversation nights begin, Monday, Oct. 13
Hopkins Public Schools seeks instrument donations; please donate by Wednesday, Oct. 15
Homework Hassles workshop, Tuesday, Oct. 21
Young People’s Concert, Tuesday, Oct. 21
Faculty Art Show opening reception, Friday, Oct. 24
International Club conducts annual fruit sale fund-raiser with orders due by Friday, Oct. 24
Hopkins Minnetonka Family Resource Center fund-raiser, Saturday, Oct. 25
Making Media Work for Your Family, Tuesday, Oct. 28
Legislative Candidates Forum, Tuesday, Oct. 28
Tickets on sale now for ‘A Wonderful Life’ with performances, Nov. 7-9, and Nov. 13-15
Hopkins North Junior High Players presents its fall play, Nov. 20-Nov. 22

School Board

Upcoming Board discussions

Outstanding Students and Staff Members
Hopkins High School senior honored by National Achievement Scholarship Program
Lauren Vickers of Golden Valley, a senior at Hopkins High School, has been named an outstanding participant in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. She scored in the top 5 percent of more than 150,000 Black Americans who requested consideration in the 2009 National Achievement Program when they took the 2007 Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Lauren was one of select group of 3,100 students to be named an outstanding participant. Although she will not continue in competition for Achievement Scholarship Awards, Lauren’s name will be included on a list of academic scholars that will be sent to 1,500 colleges and universities. The National Achievement Scholarship Program, which is conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, was initiated in 1964 specifically to honor academically promising Black American high school students.

Hopkins West Junior High science teacher attends Google Teacher Academy
Benjamin Friesen, an 8th grade science teacher at Hopkins West Junior High, was recently invited to attend the Google Teacher Academy, which is a free, professional development experience designed to help K-12 educators get the most from innovative technologies. Each Academy is an intensive, one-day event where participants get hands-on experience with Google's free products and other technologies, learn about innovative instructional strategies, receive resources to share with colleagues, and immerse themselves in an innovative corporate environment. Friesen is now a Google certified teacher, sharing what he has learned with other K-12 educators..

Upcoming Activities, Deadlines & Events
Hopkins Spirit Shop has special October hours
The Spirit Shop has a special hours in October:

6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, during high school conferences/volleyball game
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the football stadium
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Super Spirit Saturday Sale

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.

Hopkins West Junior High needs donated shoes for Helping Hands community service project, Oct. 21-23
Donations of gently worn shoes, which can withstand heavy wear are needed for Share Your Soles, which provides shoes to those in need around the world. Share Your Soles is one of the nonprofits being featured in Hopkins West Junior High’s all-school community service project, Helping Hands. Shoes can be dropped off at Hopkins West Junior High until Tuesday, Oct. 22. For additional information about Share Your Souls, go to http://www.shareyoursoles.org.

All students at Hopkins West Junior High will be participating in the Helping Hands community service project, Tuesday, Oct. 21, through Thursday, Oct. 23. The goal of this school-wide project is to provide opportunities for young people to make a difference in their community, and to allow them to experience the sense of satisfaction that comes by serving others. Each homeroom at the school will be assigned to a nonprofit organization. Some of the other service projects include doing fall raking and yard work for Minnetonka parks and Minnetonka Senior HOME, making cards for Give2theTroops, packing food for Feed My Starving Children, making fleece blankets for the Humane Society, helping at the Intercongregation Communities Association food shelf, and others.

Inside Hopkins Public Schools
Hopkins Lean Mean Performance Machine serves as high school’s pep band
The Hopkins Lean Mean Performance Machine (LMPM) is Hopkins High School’s pep band. In addition to playing at sporting events such as home football, basketball, and hockey games, it serves as a performance group, playing and marching at other special events like the Pops Concert, Hopkins Raspberry Parade, the Hopkins Education Foundation Annual Gala, Holidazzle Parade. LMPM is a volunteer group composed of about 50 students in 10th grade through 12th grade, Assistant Director Ben Harloff, Director Alison Haseman, and Drumline Instructor Kristin Kusche. Any student playing flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, or tuba is welcome to join LMPM. Percussion students must audition to be part of the group. LMPM is an extra curricular club; however, students receive a half credit per year of participation.

Debate has long tradition of excellence at Hopkins High School
Debate at Hopkins High School has a long history and tradition of excellence spanning more than 60 years. Hopkins’ debate program is successful on both a regional and national level. In recent years, students have qualified to compete in the Minnesota State Tournament and the National Tournament of Champions, and experienced consistent success at other major debate competitions throughout the country.

Students participate in Lincoln-Douglas debate, which focuses on taking a proposition about the justness or moral permissibility of a particular social practice or institution, and debating whether it is true or false. Students debate both sides of the resolution (each topic is debated for about two months), and utilize reasoned arguments and research to demonstrate the validity of their positions on the topic. They attend three to four practices a week and tournaments on weekends from September through January.

The benefits of participating in high school debate are enormous. The skill set that debate teaches includes the ability to think rigorously and critically, to write and speak clearly and persuasively, to research effectively, and to comprehend advanced academic literature. Not surprisingly, these skills translate into a significant academic and occupational achievement. At Hopkins, debaters focus on maintaining a team first approach, teaching and developing character, and having fun while doing it.

For more information, or to learn more about the benefits of debate and Hopkins’ team history, visit www.hopkins-debate.com.

Reminders about Previously Published Activities, Deadlines, & Events
Early Childhood Fest, Saturday, Oct. 4
Early Childhood Fest is planned for 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Hopkins Library, 22 11th Ave. N., Hopkins. This fun–filled celebration includes entertainment, free Starbucks coffee, free cookies, and a free new book for the children to keep. This event is sponsored by the Hopkins Public Library and Hopkins Public Schools’ Early Childhood Family Education.

Right from the Start: Parents as Sexuality Educators, Monday, Oct. 6
Deborah Roffman, nationally known author and family life educator, will present Right from the Start: Parents as Sexuality Educators, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at the Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins. She will explore effective strategies for parents and caregivers as primary sexuality educators of their children from birth to the teen years. She will share her insights, humor, and practical applications based on decades of experience working in the classroom and with parents and professionals. This workshop is sponsored by the West Metro Parent Education Collaborative. The cost is $10 per person or $15 per household. Scholarships are available. To register, go to www.minnetonkacommunityed.org, or call 952-401-6812.

Ultimate Intramural League plays, Monday, Oct. 6, and Oct. 13
A newly former Ultimate Intramural League has been formed, and will be playing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, and Monday, Oct. 13, at the Hopkins High School stadium, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka.

Setting Limits with Infants and Toddlers, Tuesday, Oct. 7
Setting Limits with Infants and Toddlers is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Harley Hopkins Family Center, 125 Monroe Ave. S., Hopkins. The discussion will look at ways to set limits that respect infants’ and toddlers’ emerging independence while giving the necessary structure for safety and growth. The cost is $10 per adult or $15 per household. Care for children, birth to kindergarten, is available for $5 per child. To register, call Hopkins Early Childhood Family Education at 952-988-5000, or register online at www.hopkinscommunityed.org.

Hopkins School Board to conduct Listening Session, Tuesday, Oct. 7
The Hopkins School Board will conduct the first of two Listening Sessions from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, in Room 215 at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Listening Sessions are an opportunity for community members to share their issues, concerns, and ideas with three school board members and the superintendent. The school board representatives will listen to citizens and ask clarifying questions. Superintendent John Schultz will be present to assist and respond to issues being presented. The Listening Session will be summarized in writing by one of the board members in attendance, and the summary will be presented to the whole Hopkins School Board. The second Listening Session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2009.

Community Dance: Come Dance with Me, Friday, Oct. 10
Come Dance With Me, a community ballroom dance featuring the big band sound of ****** Macko, will be held, Friday, Oct. 10, in the Oakwood Room at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. The evening begins at 6:15 p.m. with beginner Cha-cha lessons with Jay Dudding. The dance is from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. People of all ages are welcome to attend. The cost is $10 per person. Registrations can be made by calling Minnetonka Community Education at 952-401-6800, or http://minnetonka.registryinsight.com/. Register early. Space is limited. This event is sponsored by the Hopkins Activity Center, Hopkins Community Education, Minnetonka Community Education, Minnetonka Senior Services, and RidgePointe Active Senior Living.

Parent conversation nights begin, Monday, Oct. 13
Dr. Mary Wilkins will lead a series of parenting conversation nights, Parenting Teens: The Power of Parental Influence, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. beginning Monday, Oct. 13. The conversation nights are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 13, and Oct. 27, in the media center at Hopkins West Junior High, 3830 Baker Road, Minnetonka, and Monday, Nov. 10, Nov. 24, and Dec. 8, in the media center at Hopkins North Junior High,10700 Cedar Lake Road, Minnetonka. This series of 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.

Hopkins Public Schools seeks instrument donations; please donate by Wednesday, Oct. 15
Hopkins Public Schools’ Music Department is seeking instrument donations of brass, woodwind, percussion, and string instruments. Donations are eligible for tax deductions. The district will accept instruments in any working condition, which will then be repaired, if necessary, or used as a trade, if beyond fixing. Donations will be accepted at any of the district’s nine schools. Donors will receive a letter of thanks on official letterhead from the school district, which people can file with their tax returns. So instruments can be used this year, people are asked to make their donations by Wednesday, Oct. 15. For additional information, contact Sandy Merry, Hopkins Public School’s fine arts coordinator, at 952-988-4054.

Homework Hassles workshop, Tuesday, Oct. 21
Denise Konen, parent educator, will lead a session, Homework Hassles, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, in Room 215 at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Konen will present practical strategies that parents can use to help their children become motivated, self–directed students related to homework and general organization. This workshop is specifically designed for parents with children in 2nd grade through 6th grade. The cost is $10 per person or $15 per household. To register, go to www.hopkinscommunityed.org.

Young People’s Concert, Tuesday, Oct. 21
The Hopkins High School Symphony Orchestra will present its ninth annual Young People’s Concert—a bedtime concert designed especially for families with preschool-aged through 5th-grade children—at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the Hopkins High School (HHS) gymnasium, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. A light, child-friendly program is planned that will include Disney songs and other children’s favorites. The program will last about an hour. Children are encouraged to come dressed in pajamas, and to bring pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals for a true bedtime concert. The concert is free, and snacks will be served.

International Club conducts annual fruit sale fund-raiser with orders due by Friday, Oct. 24
The Hopkins High School International Club and the Rotary Club are conducting their annual fruit sale fund–raiser. This collaborative effort raises money for Hopkins High School’s International Club activities and Rotary Club programs. This year’s sale includes oranges, grapefruit and cashews, chocolate pecan turtles and whole bean coffee. Please place an order by calling the International Club Fruit Sale Hotline at 612-721-6270 by Friday, Oct. 24. Students will be calling homes to raise funds through fruit sales on the evenings of Oct. 13, 14, 21 and 23. The fruit will be delivered, Saturday, Nov. 22. Residents who will not be home are asked to leave instructions on where to leave fruit orders along with payments. International Club brings together a diverse mix of exchange, immigrant, and American students to learn about each other, share cultures and break down barriers between student groups. International Club activities events are recreational and free, including bowling, roller skating, cross-country skiing, the international foods potluck, an annual international talent show, and other activities.

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 Minnetonka Family Resource Center fund-raiser, Saturday, Oct. 25
The Hopkins Minnetonka Family Resource Center’s annual fund-raiser, Chocolate, Wine, and All That Jazz!, is Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka. Tickets for dinner and the main event are $80 for single, and $560 for a table purchase. Tickets for the main event only are $40 single, and $280 for a table purchase. The dinner from 5 p.m. To 6:45 p.m. Features a chocolate infused dinner by Chef Tangee Harrison, and jazz pianist. The main event from 7 p.m. To 11 p.m. Include wine tasting with chocolate, and jazz music by Geoff Senn Jazz Quartet. There also will be a silent and live auction. For tickets, call 952-988-5351 or send an email to judy@hopkinsminnetonkaresourcecenter.com.

Making Media Work for Your Family, Tuesday, Oct. 28
Denise Konen, parent educator, will lead a session, Making Media Work for Your Family, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Harley Hopkins Family Center, 125 Monroe Ave. S., Hopkins. Konen will talk about the impact of computers, televisions, and video games on children and families, and will provide tips on how to manage technology. This workshop is specifically designed for parents of children, ages 2 to 8. The cost is $10 per adult or $15 per household. Care for children, birth to kindergarten, will be available for $5 per child. To register, please call Early Childhood Family Education at 952-988-5000, or register online at www.hopkinscommunityed.org.

Legislative Candidates Forum, Tuesday, Oct. 28
Hopkins Public Schools Legislative Action Coalition’s Forum on Legislative Issues with the district’s legislative candidates is set for 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, beginning in Room 215 at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Minnesota House of Representatives candidates from 41A, 42A, 43A, 43B, 44A, 44B, and 45B have been invited to attend. The evening begins with a short welcome and introductions promptly at 7 p.m. Then there will be break-out sessions divided by House district where constituents can meet and ask questions of their candidates. This is an opportunity to learn about the candidates’ approaches to challenges facing public education, which have a direct impact on students. For additional information, contact Legislative Action Coalition Steering Committee Co-Chairs Robert Mattison at 763-522-5353 or via email at bobmattison@hotmail.com, or Yvonne Selcer at 952-912-0473 or via email at selcerc@aol.com. Need to know your legislative district? Go to: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/Districtfinder.asp.

Tickets on sale now for ‘A Wonderful Life’ with performances, Nov. 7-9, and Nov. 13-15
Tickets are on sale now 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 purchase by going to www.hhstheater.org. “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-Nov. 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
Homework help available at Hopkins Library
The Hopkins Library is offering free homework help to students. The Homework Hub is available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. The help is available through Dec. 18, with the exceptions of Oct. 1-19, and Nov. 26-30. Trained tutors are available to help with research, writing papers, problem solving, and working on computers.

Hopkins Dynamo evaluations, Sunday, Oct. 12
Hopkins Dynamo will be conducting evaluations of boys who are interested in playing soccer in the summer of 2009 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, at Hopkins West Junior High, 3830 Baker Road, Minnetonka. Interested players should have birthdates between Aug. 1, 1994, and July 31, 1995. Players should bring a soccer ball, soccer cleats, and water bottle. The Dynamo Club provides opportunities for players to play soccer in the community and to compete with other local teams as part of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association. For more information, visit the Dynamo website at http://www.hopkinsdynamosc.org.

JazzMN Big Band, Saturday, Oct. 18
JazzMN Big Band presents The Latin Side of Conrad Herwig at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in the auditorium at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. For tickets, go the http://www.ticketworks.com, or call 651-209-6689. For more info about JazzMN Big Band, go to http://www.jazzmn.org/.

Hee Ah Lee, Sunday, Oct. 19
Hee Ah Lee, known as “The Four-Fingered Pianist” from Korea, will perform a piano concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, in the auditorium at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Her concert will include a repertoire of Beethoven, Chopin, Pachelbel, Liszt, and other composers. For tickets, go to http://www.ticketworks.com/, or call 651-209-6689.

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, Oct. 2 (workshop)
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 (regular meeting)—District equity goals, and Title I update
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7—School Board Listening Session
5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 (workshop)
7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 (regular meeting—L.H. Tanglen strategic site plan, marketing, public relations, and community engagement plan, and kindergarten program

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).