The #RoyalFam Newsletter
September 20, 2021
A Message from Principal Ballard
Families and caregivers,
It's hard to believe this is only the 3rd week of school. I have observed scholars engaging in complex thinking and learning tasks through inquiry in many classes. Last week, I sent a communication regarding a plan for an anti-mask protest planned by scholars. Based on the information I received at least 100 scholars were planning to enter HHS without masks. After drafting communication to staff, scholars, families and caregivers, I welcomed scholars at our front door entrance and the entrance for scholars who ride the bus. I observed less than 10 scholars who did not have on a mask. They graciously accepted one when offered.
At Hopkins we create space for scholars who would like to engage with leadership about problems of practice and opportunities for improvement. We created two spaces this week in response to the plan for protest in the auditorium and also under the canopy in front of our school. Many scholars were not aware of the plan but expressed gratitude for the communication.. When engaging with scholars their feedback has been, although they do not love wearing masks they make the necessary adjustment for in person learning.
Homecoming
This week is Homecoming week. Our student council has communicated the daily dress attire associated with this spirit week to scholars via social media and flyers around the school. The dance is scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 8:00pm-10:30pm. The dance will take place at Hopkins High School in the Mall. Tickets are on sale for $15 and can be purchased in the main office.
We are still in need of chaperones. Chaperones need to arrive by 7:30pm and we'll need some tear down help afterwards.
Please sign up for an hour (or more) time slot if you are interested in helping out.
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Ali (student council co-advisor) at fatuma_ali@hopkinsschools.org
Transportation
Parent Pick Up/Drop Off
Term 1 Conferences
Teacher / Parent / Caregiver Term 1 Conferences will occur from 7:30-10:30am and 3:00-7:00pm on Thursday, September 30th. Term 1 conferences will be offered virtually. The format will be either a google meet or phone call. Sign-ups for general conference registration will occur through an online system. The system will be open on September 24th. Families will get an email with a unique link to sign up on that day.
Lifetouch Picture Retakes
Picture retakes will be October 14th at the high school during each student's opportunity hour. Ids and photos from the first picture day should be distributed in the next two weeks.
Senior Yearbook Photos
Yearbook Sales
Yearbooks are sold at the cheapest price of the year until September 24. Please visit jostensyearbooks.com to order.
Scholar Temporary ID's
PSAT/NMSQT Test - Juniors
Juniors, are you interested in taking a Practice SAT or qualifying for scholarship dollars? On Wednesday, October 13th, juniors will have the option of taking the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). The PSAT/NMSQT is a shortened version of the SAT and is the exam that serves as the initial screening for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Registration opens on September 15th and closes October 1st. Registration is first come, first serve with a limited number of tests available.
To sign-up click on the link below. Scholars must log in to their Hopkins Apps (Google) account to access the registration link. The test is paper/pencil, online tests are not available. Testing will begin at 7:50am and end at approximately 11:30am.
Meet and Greet the New HHS Debate Coach
We are excited to announce that Kendrick Walton has been selected as the new head coach for Debate at Hopkins High School and we are going to do a meet and greet with him on Thursday, September 23, at 5:30pm in the classrooms (N205/206) in Lindbergh Center. Coach Walton will also provide information as to practice dates/times/locations as well as information pertaining to the program. Masks are required for this event.
Parking Permits
Operating in dual pandemics have made problems of practice hypervisible. For years now, scholars who did not have parking permits parked in the parking lot owned by the housing complex across the street from our school. These actions have caused the housing complex to take actions resulting in financial strain on our families. As a result of this recently disclosed data and conversations we have had with parents, we have decided to reduce our parking permit fee from $250 to $160. Parking fees will be collected each term at a rate of $40. Our board policy requires us to have a different fee scale for families who are eligible for free or reduced priced lunch. As such, the fee for eligible families will be $80; fees will be collected each term at a rate of $20. Account balances are available for view in the portal. Parking permits will be sold during lunches in the main office. To determine eligibility for Educational Benefits that include free and reduced price lunch, please fill out the annual form on our Nutrition Services webpage.
Past Newsletters
Canvas
Have you signed up for a parent Canvas account? It allows you to monitor your student's progress in their classes. There's even a convenient app for your iPhone or Android device.
Visit bit.ly/HHSpairing to learn how to get a pairing code and create your account.
Hopkins Spirit Wear
Spirit Store Hours:
On days Hopkins High School is in session, hours are Monday through Thursday: 2:30-3:30pm
Order Online:
Visit our store website at https://hopkins-high-school-spirit-shop.square.site/.
We offer convenient pick up options; ordering gear has never been so easy.
Shopping Appointment/Letter Jacket:
Fill out the following Google Form to request an in-person shopping appointment at the Spirit Shop.
https://forms.gle/xE4R1uoLba5SP8VC7
Special Orders:
We can help with your group’s special order needs. Follow the link to find out more information about special orders.
https://hopkins-royals.com/special-ordersteam-apparel/
Contact Julie with any questions at spirit.shop@hopkinsschools.org
Military Exclusion Form
In accordance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Hopkins School District 270 is required to release the names, addresses and telephone number(s) of juniors and seniors to military recruiters. Parents and caregivers have the right to refuse the release of this data to military recruiting officers.
The list of scholars is released on October 1 each year. If parents and caregivers want to opt their scholar out of the list, they need to complete the form prior to October 1. Once the form is completed, the scholar will be opted out of the military lists for the remainder of their time at Hopkins.
Click here for the Military Exclusion Form.
Hopkins Public Schools Community Engagement Events
We welcome you to join our Hopkins Public Schools Community Engagement events in late September, early October. We value your thinking to help us answer important questions to help guide Hopkins toward Vision2031 - questions such as learning start times for older and younger students, a year-round elementary school, locations for 6th and 9th grade learning, and creating flexible, hybrid models that become permanent features of our learning system. The next step in this process is gathering input from you!
Please calendar the following dates and watch for more detail as these dates draw near!
Monday, Sept. 27, 4:00-5:30pm
Wednesday, Sept 29, 6:30-8:00pm
Monday, Oct. 4, 4:00-5:30pm
Thursday, Oct 7, 6:30-8:00
Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition (LAC)
As we kick off a new school year, we invite you to join forces with the Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition (LAC). As a non-partisan group of parents, community members, and school board representatives, we maintain close working relationships with the 12 state legislators who represent Hopkins Public Schools. We create and support specific pieces of legislation, and we oppose others, based on the best outcome for our public school students and Hopkins community. Our mission is to identify and advocate for the education issues that affect Hopkins Public Schools and other districts across Minnesota. Working with input from our school board, administrative leaders, and local advocacy groups, we create an annual working document: the State Education Platform. Our legislators look forward to this Platform and refer to it throughout the session as bills are presented.
The LAC meets every Friday that school is in session, using a virtual format for the 2021-22 school year. These weekly meetings include updates from local education advocacy groups, invited legislators, school administrators, plus group input on Platform development.
If you are interested in how legislative action affects our schools, we encourage you to join us! Please send an email to lac@hopkinsschools.org to receive the virtual link to the meetings which begin on September 10, 2021. Check out the LAC webpage for calendar dates, legislator information and more.
Hopkins Online Royal Academy
Community Education
Masks Required in all Hopkins Schools
COVID-19 Dashboard Coming Soon
Additional Vaccination Information
Free At-Home COVID-19 Testing for Hopkins Scholars
Important Upcoming HHS Dates
9/30 - Term 1 Conferences - NO SCHOOL
10/21 & 10/22 - MEA - NO SCHOOL
Hopkins High School
Email: crystal.ballard@hopkinsschools.org
Website: https://hopkinsschools.org/schools/secondary-schools/hopkins-high-school
Location: 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305, USA
Phone: (952) 988-4500
Facebook: facebook.com/hopkinsroyals270/
Twitter: @HopkinsHigh270