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

Welcome to Hopkins E-News for Friday, Dec. 21, 2007. The next edition will appear, Friday, Jan. 11. In this week’s edition is information on:

• Changing email addresses
• Stepping Stones open houses
• Hopkins High School tours and information sessions
• Open enrollment open houses
• Kindergarten options information sessions
• XinXing Academy information sessions
• Hopkins West Junior High invited to Breaking Ranks Showcase
• Caring Youth Award nominations sought
• High School students participate in TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
• Athletic Captains Council
• German students attend immersion camp
• Hopkins High School Chamber Orchestra to perform at conference
• Superintendent’s state of the school district conversation
• XinXing Academy students to sing at Immersion Celebration
• Adult Options in Education seeks volunteers and classes to begin soon
• Budget input and information meetings
• Community invited to upcoming science fair
• Registration open for early childhood classes
• Upcoming Board meetings and discussions
  

Please note: email and website links in the articles listed below may not be active depending upon your email service provider. If not, please copy and paste into your email or web browser. Also, an email bounce problem was discovered with the budget_input@hopkins.k12.mn.us. We believe that problem has been corrected, so if you submitted some input and the email bounced, please try again.

Comcast no longer forwarding Roadrunner emails as of December 31--here’s how to change your email address
As of December 31, 2007, Comcast will no longer be forwarding old RoadRunner--mn.rr.com--emails. If you subscribe to Hopkins Public Schools' emergency school closing, Hopkins E–News, Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition (LAC), or other school district or school listservs and have had your email address change, please follow these steps to ensure that your new address is included in our electronic news distribution.

• Go to http://www.hopkinsschools.org, and click on the Email Listserv Signup link on the left side of the home page.
• Choose the listserv you belong to by clicking on its name.
• Scroll to the bottom of the page, and enter your old email address into the box next to the unsubscribe or edit options button. After your email address is entered, click on the unsubscribe or edit options button.
• Enter your new email address in the designated new address box. When you are all done, click on the change my address and name button. If you subscribe to several listservs, you can change your email address all at once--just check the change globally box before clicking the change my address and name button.
  

Stepping Stones preschool to conduct open houses in January
Stepping Stones, Hopkins Public Schools’ preschool for 4 year olds, will be conducting open houses in January at its three locations. Open houses are planned for 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.:

• Tuesday, Jan. 22, Eisenhower Elementary School, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins
• Wednesday, Jan. 23, Gatewood Elementary School, 14900 Gatewood Drive, Minnetonka
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, Ronald B. Davis Community Center at Meadowbrook Elementary School, 5430 Glenwood Ave., Golden Valley
  

Stepping Stones is a year–before–kindergarten option that provides a full–day, year–round program at three locations—Eisenhower Elementary School, Gatewood Elementary School, and the Ronald B. Davis Community Center at Meadowbrook Elementary School. Stepping Stones hours are from 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For additional information, please call 952-988-5000, or visit www.hopkinscommunityed.org.

Hopkins High School plans tours and information sessions, Tuesday, Jan. 8
Hopkins High School guidance counselors and other staff members will host several sessions of building tours and school information, Tuesday, Jan. 8. Anyone interested in seeing the school and finding out more about the award-winning programs offered is invited to visit the school at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. that day.

Each session will begin in the Media Center with a short introductory presentation by the guidance counselors. The tours will include the state-of-the-art technology being used throughout the school; recently remodeled art classrooms and exhibit space; special facilities for orchestra, band, and choir; the new performing arts center; technology education resource areas; science labs, the television studio; the new dining room; and support areas such as the Counseling and Career Center, the Lindbergh Center, fitness, and weight-training facilities.

Hopkins High School is located at 2400 Lindbergh Drive in Minnetonka, just north of Cedar Lake Road between Hopkins Crossroad and Highway 169. For more information, contact the Hopkins High School Guidance Office, 952-988-4520.

The deadline for open enrollment applications is Tuesday, Jan. 15. Open enrollment forms are available at http://www.hopkins.k12.mn.us/pages/district/commun/marketing.html#Open.

Hopkins Public Schools to conduct open enrollment open houses, Wednesday, Jan. 9
Hopkins Public Schools will be conducting open enrollment open houses at 10 a.m. and  6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Glen Lake Elementary School, 4801 Woodridge Road, Minnetonka. The open houses are an opportunity for those interested in open enrollment to learn more about Hopkins Public Schools, and its educational programs and services from pre-kindergarten through high school. Hopkins has a rich tradition of excellence in many areas including academics, athletics, and student activities.

The deadline for open enrollment applications is Tuesday, Jan. 15. Open enrollment forms are available at http://www.hopkins.k12.mn.us/pages/district/commun/marketing.html#Open.

Hopkins Public Schools schedules school-based information sessions on kindergarten options
Hopkins Public Schools will be conducting school-based information sessions in January on its kindergarten options. Those meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.:

• Monday, Jan. 14 at Glen Lake Elementary School, 4801 Woodridge Road, Minnetonka
• Tuesday, Jan. 15 at Eisenhower Elementary School, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins, and Meadowbrook Elementary School, 5430 Glenwood Ave., Golden Valley
• Thursday, Jan. 17 at L.H. Tanglen Elementary School, 10901 Hillside Lane, Minnetonka
• Tuesday, Jan. 22 at Gatewood Elementary School, 14900 Gatewood Drive, Minnetonka
• Thursday, Jan. 24 at Alice Smith Elementary School, 801 Minnetonka Mills Road, Hopkins
  

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 magnet program
• KinderConnection, half–day kindergarten plus school–age child care through Kids & Company
  

Detailed information about the options is available on Hopkins Public Schools’ website at www.hopkinsschools.org, there is a link on the left–hand side of the page, and under the Learning menu on the top of the page. For additional information, contact Hopkins Public Schools’ kindergarten specialist, Diane Schimelpfenig at 952-988-4036 or diane_schimelpfenig@hopkins.k12.mn.us.

Information meetings planned for XinXing Academy
Hopkins Public Schools is accepting enrollment for 2008–09 kindergartners for XinXing Academy, a full–day Chinese immersion program at Eisenhower Elementary School. Parent information meetings for kindergarten enrollment for the 2008–09 school year are planned for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, and Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Eisenhower Elementary School, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. For additional information about XinXing Academy, please call 952-988-4300, or visit Hopkins Public Schools’ website at www.hopkinsschools.org (click on the XinXing Academy link under schools on the right-hand side of the page).

Hopkins West Junior High invited to Breaking Ranks Showcase
Hopkins West Junior High (HWJH)  has been invited to make a presentation on literacy at the second annual Breaking Ranks Secondary School Showcase in February. Hopkins West Junior High Principal Terry Wolfson, social studies teacher, Kim Campbell, 9th grader Bridget Sweeney, and 8th grader Laurice Reed, will be presenting, Creating a Hotbed of Literacy, demonstrating the power of literacy for meeting the needs of students.

Only 30 schools in the country were invited to the Showcase, and HWJH is one of only 10 middle schools. The Showcase convenes the most innovative and successful secondary schools and school districts from around the country to share the programs and strategies for success. Schools are chosen to present on the basis of their outstanding reputations for quality and innovative practices.

Breaking Ranks is presented by the Center for Secondary School Redesign and the national Association of Secondary School Principals.

Caring Youth Awards honor young people’s community service; nominations due January 30
Young people in 7th–12th grades who actively give their time and talents in the community are honored each year by the Caring Youth Recognition program. Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s honorees who will be recognized, Thursday, March 13. Local agencies and organizations are encouraged to nominate young people who are exceptionally generous in doing volunteer work in the community. Nominations are due, Wednesday, Jan. 30. Organizations or individuals who know a young person who exemplifies outstanding volunteer contributions should contact Deb Ukura, Hopkins Community Education Youth Programs Coordinator, at 952–988–4082, for nomination information.

During the past 12 years, young people have been recognized for volunteering with disabled youth and adults, responding to hunger in the community, supporting local and international health initiatives, tutoring younger students in school and faith–based organizations, leading chemical-free activities, promoting animal humane and ecological efforts, and many other service programs.

Those honored must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Live in Golden Valley, Hopkins, or Minnetonka
• Attend Hopkins or Minnetonka public schools
• Act as a volunteer in Golden Valley, Hopkins, or Minnetonka (volunteer work must be unpaid and not a requirement for a class or co-curricular program)
  

Young people may only be nominated by the organizations that they are serving.

The sponsors of the Caring Youth Recognition program are the cities of Golden Valley, Hopkins, and Minnetonka, in conjunction with the Hopkins and Minnetonka school districts.

Hopkins students to be representatives on the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce
Beginning in January, students at Hopkins High School will become active members of the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce. The students include Erika Rice, Nick Stender, Jake Anderson, Grant Rorem, Bennett Chargo, Gabriel Medema, Ethan Lang, Lauren Vickers, Logan ******, and Brooke Burton. They will participate in monthly TwinWest meetings, have the opportunity to network with TwinWest members, and will meet local business leaders. There are only three schools nationally to participate in a school/chamber partnership of this kind.

Athletic Captains Council draws interest of students
Now in its third year, the Hopkins Captains Council continues to draw interest from the student leaders of Hopkins’ athletic teams. An average meeting draws 50 to 60 captains from the district’s 39 varsity athletic programs. The Hopkins Captains Council helps define expectations for the sport teams’ captains, teach them leadership skills, and provide them with a networking forum. Guest speakers have included principals, coaches, and leaders from across the state such as Joel Maturi, University of Minnesota athletic director, Craig Perry, associate director of the Minnesota State High School league, Dwight Lundeen, legendary Becker football coach, and Pam Borton, Gopher women’s basketball coach. Hopkins’ Athletic Director Dan Johnson and some of the captains will be making a presentation on the Captains Council at the state athletic director’s conference in April.

German students attend camp
Twenty-seven students from Hopkins North Junior High (HNJH) and Hopkins West Junior High (HWJH) recently attended the German immersion camp at Concordia Language Villages in Brainerd. Students enjoyed eating German meals, playing chess and German card games, playing soccer and volleyball in the snow, knitting, designing T-shirts, performing theater pieces, singing and dancing--all in German. Two students from HNJH, Sarah Eckhert and Amanda Young, and two students from HWJH, Jackie Hetchler and Jack Miller, won prizes for consistently speaking German to the counselors. Students were accompanied by their German teacher Judith Mikolai and Terry Maag, a HNJH German-speaking parent.

Hopkins High School Chamber Orchestra to perform at convention; tickets available
The 2008 Minnesota Music Educators Association has selected the Hopkins High School Chamber Choir as one of the featured performances of its annual convention. The convention takes place, February 14-16, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. During the convention, music teachers from across the state gather to attend workshops and concerts in an in-service format. Four high school choirs were selected from auditions conducted across the state to perform at the convention.

The HHS Chamber Choir will perform on at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15. The Chamber Choir is directed by Philip Brown and consists of 24 auditioned students who are juniors or seniors in the choir program. The group rehearses twice a week before school. The concert will have a world music theme, featuring music from six different continents with multiple languages and styles being sung. The entire concert is a cappella.

Community members may attend the HHS Chamber Choir performance. For tickets, contact Philip Brown at philip_brown@hopkins.k12.mn.us.

XinXing Academy students to sing at 2008 Immersion Celebration
Students in XinXing Academy, Hopkins Public Schools’ Chinese immersion program located at Eisenhower Elementary School, will perform at the 2008 Immersion Celebration, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the Northrop Auditorium on the University of Minnesota campus. The Immersion Celebration is organized by Minnesota’s Immersion Network, and will feature students enrolled in immersion programs performing songs, dances, and skits.

Adult Options in Education seeks volunteers
Opportunities to tutor adults in English language skills or GED preparation are available with Adult Options in Education. Volunteers are needed for day, evening, and Saturday morning classes in Hopkins. A particular need is for a volunteer to facilitate an English language conversation circle from noon to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. For additional information, please call Adult Options In Education at 952-988-5343 or send an email to adult_options@hopkins.k12.mn.us.

Registration for Adult Options in Education classes taking place now
Registration for Adult Options in Education’s classes is open. Classes begin, Monday, January 7, at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins.

Classes are for adults who want to gain English-language skills or adults working to prepare for the general educational development (GED) exams. Adult Options offers day, evening, and Saturday morning classes in Hopkins. All Adult Options in Education classes are free. To register for classes or to find out more about the many learning opportunities, please call 952-988-5343.

GED testing is regularly offered at Eisenhower Community Center on alternating Wednesday mornings, Tuesday evenings, and Saturdays. For a complete testing schedule, visit www.adultoptions.org. For more information about the five GED exams or to schedule a test time, please call 952-988-5340.

Adult Options in Education is an adult basic education program supported through the community education departments of the Hopkins, Minnetonka, and St. Louis Park school districts, along with the Hennepin County Corrections. For more information about Adult Options In Education, call 952-988-5343, email adult_options@hopkins.k12.mn.us or visit www.adultoptions.org.

Budget input and information meetings
Hopkins Public Schools is seeking comments, suggestions, and ideas on the formation of the 2008-09 budget. Residents can provide input via email at budget_input@hopkins.k12.mn.us, or by calling the budget voicemail input line at 952-988-4173. Discussions and decision–making on the 2008-09 budget will begin in January 2008. All comments, suggestions, and ideas will be shared with Hopkins School Board members.

Information meetings are planned for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29*, and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, in the Board Room at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Please note that the Jan. 29 date is a change from the Feb. 5 date listed in Hopkins Public Schools’ printed calendar.

Superintendent presents state of the school district address, Monday, Jan. 14
The community is invited to a state-of-the-school-district address, The Optimistic Outlook on the Future of Hopkins Public Schools, by Superintendent John Schultz, Ph.D., which is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, in the theater at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Schultz’ address will include lessons from the past, celebrating success, and creating a vision for the future.

Community invited to Hopkins Public Schools’ annual Science Fair, Tuesday, Jan. 15
Community members are invited to Hopkins Public Schools’ annual Science Fair, which is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, in the activity structure at Hopkins West Junior High, 3830 Baker Road, Minnetonka. All 9th grade students from Hopkins North Junior High and Hopkins West Junior High will be participating.

Registrations being accepted for Early Childhood Family Education classes
Registrations are currently being accepted for winter/spring 2008 Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes, which begin, Monday, Jan. 21. Classes are available for parents and young children from birth to pre-kindergarten age, and include parent/child sessions, workshops, special family events, and other fun activities. ECFE programs take place at two locations: the Harley Hopkins Family Center, 125 Monroe Ave. S., Hopkins, and the Ronald B. Davis Community Center, 5430 Glenwood Ave., Golden Valley. For more information about ECFE, call 952-988-5000.

Upcoming Board discussions

• 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7--Board workshop on officer selection
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7--oath of office, organization of the Board, acceptance of 2008 legislative platform, and supporting quality staff development
  

Please note that Board agendas are subject to change.

For regular Board meeting agenda and information materials, go to the Hopkins School Board’s Web site at http://board.hopkins.k12.mn.us/cgi-bin/WebObjects/bms.woa/1/wo/0.0.5.1.5.0.0.3.0.2.0.7.2.0.5.1. Or simply go to Hopkins Public Schools' Web site at www.hopkinsschools.org and click on School Board menu on the top right of the page. (Meeting information is typically posted on the Web site 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 Web site at www.hopkinsschools.org (click on the School Board menu on the top right–hand side of the page, then select Video/Audio).

Eileen Harvala, APR
Public Relations Director
Hopkins Public Schools
1001 Highway 7
Hopkins, MN 55305
952-988-4024
952-988-4108 (fax)
eileen.harvala@hopkinsschools.org
www.hopkinsschools.org