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

Welcome to Hopkins E-News for Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. Please note: the next edition of Hopkins E-News will be published, Friday, Dec. 5, with a new format.

Outstanding Students & Staff

Robins Adapted Soccer Team wins state championship

Upcoming Activities, Deadlines, and Events

Hopkins North Junior High conducts book fair fund-raiser, Sunday, Nov. 23
Senior party fund-raising opportunities planned
Information sessions for XinXing Academy, Tuesday, Dec. 2, & Thursday, Jan. 8
Hopkins Comedy Team plans fund-raising show, Saturday, Dec. 6
Hopkins Public Schools cancels tax levy hearings

Inside Hopkins Public Schools

National Honor Society helps food shelf and food relief efforts
Hopkins North Junior High Student Council honored for Coats for Kids campaign efforts
Delta Place participates in Invisible Children campaign
ProPEL students raise money and donations for baby kit project
Books available for Our Community Reads

Reminders about Previously Published Activities, Deadlines, & Events

Hopkins North Junior High Players presents its fall play, Nov. 20-22
Parent conversation nights continue, Monday, Nov. 24
Hopkins Spirit Shop has November and December holiday hours, starting Saturday, Nov. 29
Hopkins High School bands present, An Evening of Jazz, Tuesday, Dec. 2
Hopkins High School celebrates 100 years of educational excellence, Dec. 8 & Dec. 9
Band Boosters conduct book fair, Friday, Dec. 12

Community Programs

Blue Water Theatre Company presents ‘Oliver,’ Dec. 4-6
One Voice Mixed Chorus presents Many Lives, One Song, Dec. 5, & Dec. 6
Apollo Male Chorus presents holiday concert, Sunday, Dec. 7

School Board

Upcoming Board discussions

Outstanding Students & Staff
Robins Adapted Soccer Team wins state championship
The Robins Adapted Soccer team finished off a perfect 13-0 season by winning the adapted soccer state championship. During the tournament, the Robins defeated St. Paul Humboldt 17-0, South Suburban 6-1, and Anoka-Hennepin 4-3 in the championship game. Junior Steven Halsey had two goals for the Robins in the title game. In addition to Halsey, Hopkins’ members of the team include sophomore Harrison Lerner and senior Zach Thuleen. Lerner and Halsey were named to the Wells-Fargo All Tournament Team.

Upcoming Activities, Deadlines & Events
Hopkins North Junior High conducts fund-raiser, Sunday, Nov. 23
Hopkins North Junior High (HNJH) is conducting a fund-raiser from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Ridgedale Barnes & Noble. A donation to Hopkins North Junior High will be made from all purchases. People need to identify themselves as being from HNJH at the checkout. Use HNJH’s identification number 242651 to make purchases via the Internet. Student musicians will be performing throughout the day. Gift wrapping will be available

Senior party fund-raising opportunities planned
A number of fund-raising opportunities are planned to help pay for Hopkins High School’s parent-sponsored and organized senior all-night party following graduation, including:

Pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at Applebee’s in the Knollwood Mall. Confirmations are needed by Tuesday, Nov. 25. Send an email to lindascher@llmsi.com, or call 952.240.3438 for ticket information.
Taste testers are needed. Each participant gets paid directly for his or her efforts and the senior party also receives funds. Testers must be between the ages of 18 and 65. Day and evening times are offered for most tests, and participants can accept or reject any test opportunity. To sign up, send an email to mjmdlevin@msn.com, or call 763.544.8140. The senior party will receive a $100 bonus if 30 new people participate in the taste testing.
2009 gray fleece blankets, silk-screened with the Hopkins Royal’s emblem and the class of 2009, are available for $30. Send an email to Karen@pecosconsulting.com or call 952.945.0560 for an order form.

Information sessions for XinXing Academy, Tuesday, Dec. 2, & Thursday, Jan. 8
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.

Hopkins Comedy Team plans fund-raising show, Saturday, Dec. 6
The Hopkins Comedy Club has planned a fund-raising show for 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in the Little Theater at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Tickets will be available at www.hopkinscomedy.com.

The Hopkins Comedy Team is a student-led group devoted to practicing and performing improvisational comedy. Its stage is a unique place where humor, satire, and wit are the vehicle for demonstrating intellectual ability through performance. The team participates in the ComedySportz High School League, and performs additional fund-raising shows throughout the year, including at the The Depot Coffeehouse in January and February, and another fund-raising show in March.

Hopkins Public Schools cancels tax levy hearing
With only a slight increase in its proposed levy—1.31 percent over last year’s levy—Hopkins Public Schools will not be conducting a Truth in Taxation tax levy hearing, Tuesday, Dec. 9, with a continuation, if necessary, Thursday, Dec. 18. State law allows exemptions to Truth in Taxation hearings, if levy increases are less than 6 percent. Hopkins’ hearings traditionally have had low attendance.

The district’s total proposed levy is $36,162,049.95. The district’s general fund levy is decreasing by $522,765, with the major decrease coming in the adjustments to the district’s referendum. The Community Education fund levy is going down by $76,129, primarily due to a reduced levy in the school-age care levy. The debt service fund levy is increasing by $1,067,270, primarily due to the issuance of Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) bonds and the issuance of phase II bonds for the Alternative Facilities bonding program.

Anyone with questions about Hopkins Public Schools’ tax levy, may contact the school district’s Business Services Office at 952.988.4001.

Inside Hopkins Public Schools
National Honor Society helps food shelf and food relief efforts
The Hopkins High School National Honor Society (NHS) collected 587 pounds of food for the Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA) food shelf during the recent Cans for Candidates Food Drive.

Twenty NHS members volunteered at Feed My Starving Children in October. Their work, along with the other volunteers during that shift, helped package 17,712 meals, which will feed 49 children for an entire year.

Dawn Hansen is the National Honor Society adviser.

Hopkins North Junior High Student Council honored for Coats for Kids campaign efforts
The Hopkins Junior High Student Council received first place honors for the Pilgrim Dry Cleaners Coats for Kids campaign. Under the direction of the school’s Student Council, HNJH collected the greatest number—590—of coats and jackets in the state. The items were cleaned and repaired by Pilgrim Cleaners and distributed to nine local charities. Student Council members received a plaque for their trophy case, a certificate of distinction, and a Subway meal. Student Council advisers are Sue-Ellen Baird and Marcia Danahy.

Delta Place program participates in Invisible Children campaign
At the start of the 2008 school year, a group of students and teachers at Delta Place in Hopkins began raising money and books for the Invisible Children campaign, which supports children in war-torn northern Uganda. They wrote summaries about the war, sold Links of Love, organized book drives, and made key chains. They have put up fliers, had a showing of the new Invisible Children movie, “Go!”, and recently had a guest speaker from Uganda teach them more about the situation in northern Uganda, Sudan and the Republic of Congo.

Delta Place is one of many schools involved with the Schools-for-Schools program, working to raise money and books in order to help children get out of the war and into safe homes and schools.

Residents can support this cause by coming to the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins, and buying a Link of Love or a keychain, donating books, or making a small donation. The students have a goal of raising 4,000 links—enough to create a paper chain that goes around the school. They want to collect 10,000 donated books, which will be sent to the children at the Gulu Senior Secondary school in northern Uganda.

People can also donate money through the School-for-Schools program at www.Invisiblechildren.com.

ProPEL students raise money and donations for baby kit project
As part of a class community service project, the students in the ProPEL Program at Hopkins High School raised more than $1,000, and put together baby kits for homeless families in the metro area expecting babies. In addition to raising money, the students organized various drop sites to collect baby clothes and supplies. The kits will be presented to Loaves and Fishes for further distribution, Monday, Nov. 24.

Books available for Our Community Reads
“Spark: The Revolutionary new Science of Exercise and the Brain” by John Ratey, M.D., redefines the power of exercise, and is the book chosen for this year’s Our Community Reads in February 2009. Learn the latest research connecting exercise to brain performance. Even with moderate physical activity, people can improve their ability to learn, increase focus, enhance memory, beat stress, and much more. Books are available for $20 in Room 127 at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. For additional information, please call 952.988.4070.

Reminders about Previously Published Activities, Deadlines, & Events
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.

Parent conversation nights continue, Monday, Nov. 24
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. 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.

Hopkins Spirit Shop has November and December holiday hours, starting Saturday, Nov. 29
The Hopkins Spirit Shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13, and Dec. 20, for holiday shopping.

The Hopkins Spirit Shop offers a variety of Hopkins clothing such as sweatshirts, T-shirts, sweat pants, baseball caps, mittens, hats, socks, and more in sizes from youth to adult. Some selected items will be on sale.

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 Hopkins High School in the form of grants or merchandise.

For questions or information, please call 952.988.4551.

Hopkins High School bands present, An Evening of Jazz, Tuesday, Dec. 2
The Hopkins High School Bands will present An Evening of Jazz at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2. Conducted by William Bell, the performances by Jazz One and Jazz Too will be presented in the newly refurbished Little Theater at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Tickets are $7 for adults, and $4 for seniors and high school students. Students under the age of 16 will be admitted free of charge. Tickets may be purchased at the door. All seating is general admission.

Hopkins High School celebrates 100 years of educational excellence, Dec. 8, & Dec. 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. The menu includes a choice of whole grain Rotini or bow tie pasta, topped with red marinara sauce with seasoned chicken breast or creamy garlic parmesan sauce, a creamy Caesar lettuce salad with homemade croutons, warm French bread slices, Italian cream cake, coffee, and lemonade. The dinner is being prepared and served by Hopkins Royal Cuisine.

A winter Gala Concert at 7:00 each night will feature the Hopkins High School orchestras, bands, and choirs. Seating is limited. Available tickets will be on sale from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting Monday, Dec. 1, in the Spirit Shop at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Tickets are $7 for adults, and $4 for seniors and students. A few tickets will be available for purchase each night.

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 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.

Band Boosters conduct book fair, Friday, Dec. 12
The Hopkins High School Band Boosters is having a Barnes & Noble book fair from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the Barnes & Noble in Minnetonka (between Byerly’s and Target). The Band Boosters support all band programs at Hopkins High School. Listen to Hopkins’ talented students, enjoy a treat in the café, and buy a bestseller, chocolates, games, music, or movie. Gift wrapping will be available.

Community Programs
Blue Water Theatre Company presents ‘Oliver,’ Dec. 4-6
Blue Water Theatre Company presents the musical “Oliver” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6, in the theater at the Eisenhower Community Center Theater, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Tickets will be available at the door, or in advance at the Bookcase, 607 East Lake Street, Wayzata. For more information, call 763.473.3187

One Voice Mixed Chorus presents Many Lives, One Song, Dec. 5, & Dec. 6
Commemorating the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, One Voice Mixed Chorus presents Many Lives, One Song, a concert series honoring those lost to AIDS, those currently living with the disease and their caretakers. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, in the auditorium at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Tickets range from $10 to $25. Tickets can be ordered online at www.ovmc.org, or by calling 651.298.1954.

Apollo Male Chorus presents holiday concert, Sunday, Dec 7
The Apollo Male Chorus will conduct is annual holiday concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in the auditorium at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. For ticket information, call 952.933.6322.

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. 20 (workshop)
7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 (regular meeting)—payable 2009 property taxes
5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 (workshop)
6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 (student recognition)
7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 (regular meeting)—Eisenhower Elementary School strategic site plan, Citizens Financial Advisory Committee report
5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 (workshop)
7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 (regular meeting)—Audit report, and 2009 legislative platform

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).