The Hopkins School Hawk Squawk
Principal's Updates - 10/3/21
Principal's Cabinet for October: Helpfulness
Updates from the Hopkins' Office
Dear Hopkins Families,
As a "Lead Learner" at Hopkins, I believe that one my biggest responsibilities is to help create an environment where students and staff alike will be excited to enter the doors of Hopkins. Educators know that we all learn best in the presence of a strong and positive school culture. We recognize that without building connections and a sense of belonging, our students won't be available for learning. It is our job to get them enthusiastic about learning- and feel part of their classroom and school community. We know that the "heart" of our work is emphasizing Social Emotional Learning (SEL), woven into our academics and all that we do in our hours together as a community. While this is important all the time, it has never been more so after the past 18 months!
How do we build connections and create a safe, supportive, JOYFUL environment at Hopkins? It begins with routines and structures, like Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, also known as PBIS. This involves establishing shared expectations for a successful school year - expectations that we've been building and practicing and emphasizing since Day 1 across building: the lunchroom, classroom, hallways, recess. It includes things like creating a school-wide behavior matrix that everyone agrees to follow, greeting each other in positive ways in classrooms and around the building, sharing understandings of appropriate noise levels for different settings, building active listening skills through our "Give Me Five" routine and frequent, shared conversations about Core Values. We reinforce these messages through school-wide recognition and celebration of our successes, with practices like our CARES cards program and Principal's Cabinet.
Connections are built upon a sense of mutual respect between adults and children, which happens to be our Core Value for this month. Speaking of Core Values, congratulations to our first Principal's Cabinet of the year - nominated last month for exhibiting Helpfulness (see below for all those nominated) - they will be serving as school leaders all month. Ms. Babson and I enjoyed meeting and planning with you last Friday! It is wonderful to be able to recognize 30 students every month for their efforts towards building community. Working with these student leaders certainly brings joy to my day!
Connections based on respect start at the classroom level- with our commitment to "Responsive Classrooms," where adults focus on learning outcomes- both academic and social-emotional for students in their care. Our National Park teams allow students to build a further sense of identity through team spirit, respect and unity. It encourages connections with teachers and students beyond their classroom experience. At the school level, we connect through a variety of school-wide events. In typical times, our Whole School Meetings bring us together to celebrate and share. We are hopeful that as this year progresses, we may have the opportunity to gather once more as a full school community.
For now, we rely on other things - like our Spirit Days (see some pics below from our first one, "ONLY ONE YOU!" last Friday!), dance parties in the lunchroom/hallways, enrichment programs like Nature's Classroom, and Daily Announcements featuring student voices and recognizing important events/times of the year. For example, we did a moment of silence in honor of the victims and heroes of 9/11- and have been talking and learning about Hispanic Heritage month for the past two weeks. We've even recorded a shared read aloud to be shared by all classes across Hopkins (see the video below!).
We also celebrate as a building with other events, often sponsored by our Principal's Cabinet. The current Cabinet for Helpfulness will sponsor a whole month of awareness, around October's National Bullying Prevention month. In a week, we will discuss ways to STAND UP for others with our STOMP OUT BULLYING campaign. Last week in October, we will focus Be Fearless, Be Kind challenge. The month will also include Understanding our Differences enrichment for both grades - a unit on Intellectual Disabilities for grade 4 and Autism for grade 5. We hope students will recognize that is through our differences comes our collective strength.
Respect is also modeled by adults through collaborative partnerships between home and school. Please, discuss these core values with your children- what they mean to you and how your child can demonstrate the values. Academics are important - and we do them well in Hopkinton! But we also know that the biggest measures of our success is our ability to create positive citizens for our world. As Helen Keller stated, "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." We look forward to partnering with you throughout this year in creating our citizens!
Warmly,
Vanessa Bilello
Principal, Hopkins School
Important Hopkins' Dates
HOPKINS' UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
Please contact us if you have any questions on events listed below!
- All October: National Bullying Prevention Month
- Thursday, October 7th - 9:00-9:45 AM Hopkins School Council (via Zoom)
- Friday, October 8th - Nature's Classroom - Grade 5
- Monday, October 11th - NO SCHOOL
- Week of October 12th - STOMP OUT BULLYING WEEK @ HOPKINS; Applications out for Hopkins' Memory Book Cover Contest & Class Photographers & Design Team
- Thursday, October 14th - KICKOFF - MEADOW FARMS FUNDRAISER FOR HOPKINS SCHOOL - see below for info
- Week of October 18th - Understanding our Differences Enrichment Grade 4: Intellectual Disabilities
- Friday, October 22nd from 9:15 AM - 10 AM - Drop In Office Hours with the Hopkins Principal, Mrs. Bilello : Join Zoom Meeting https://hopkintonps.zoom.us/j/81232801475?pwd=QjA2enhxbWd1OHVPb0puODZyMkF2UT09
- Week of October 25th - SPIRIT WEEK - BE FEARLESS, BE KIND (stay tuned for daily spirit events!)
- Week of October 25th -SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR (IN LIBRARY CLASSES) - more info coming soon!
- Week of October 25th - Understanding our Differences Enrichment Grade 5: Autism
- Week of October 25th - Principal's Cabinet for Helpfulness Spirit Day - "Movie Day/Week"
Email: hoffice@hopkinton.k12.ma.us
Website: https://hopkinselementary.hopkinton.k12.ma.us/
Location: 104 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA, United States
Phone: 508-695-5839
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HopkinsElementarySchool
Twitter: @HopkinsSchool
HPTO UPDATES: MEADOW FARMS FUNDRAISER FOR HOPKINS SCHOOL!
Coming soon!! Our annual holiday fundraising event with Meadow Farms is starting October 14th. Our school record is $38,000 in sales - a significant percentage of profits are returned to Hopkins and have allowed us to purchase curriculum, technology and this year - our very own HOPKINS' BOOK VENDING MACHINE!!!
This year we will offer hundreds of new items online and in the brochure packet Ultimate Gift Collection and Style/Home. Products like Kringle Candle (the original founders of Yankee Candles), Gertrude Hawk Chocolate company, gourmet popcorn, MA made gift wrap, Lego and MORE. As always, 100% of your orders will be mailed home so nothing will come to the school. The best way to boost our sales is family participation so help us PROMOTE, ADVERTISE, & REMIND. For quick and easy sales, follow the directions on your packet to register your seller online. Once registered, reach and exceed your goals by sharing your seller's fundraising page with friends and family via text, email, or social media. Kickoff - October 14th!
SPECIAL INCENTIVE: 10 families will be selected to receive a FREE large pizza at Bills Pizza & 1 family will be selected to win an Amazon Echo Dot!
Only One You Spirit Day Fun
Related Arts @ Hopkins!
Nature's Classroom with 5th Grade
Social Emotional Learning Resources
Social-Emotional Resources for the Pandemic and Beyond
Beginning of Year- Key Info
All information below can also be found on the Hopkins' website.
What are school drop-off/pick up procedures?
Bus routes will be posted through the HPS transportation department website. Please be at your child's stop EARLY, but also be patient- there is no doubt that between construction in town/schools, as well as the new school start/end times, that busses could very possibly be running 15 minutes late.
Students being dropped off at the building should arrive at 8:45 AM, when supervision will begin in the front of school, for walkers/bikers and parent drop-offs (see map below). This is considered a “live drop-off,” meaning drivers must remain in their cars during drop-off time. Have your child seated in the back on the passenger side of the car and please say your goodbyes quickly, as others are waiting to drop off their children. This side will be closest to the curb when you pull up in front of the school, and will allow for the safest drop-off. The tardy bell is at 9:00 AM.
School dismisses promptly at 3:15 PM and parent pick up follows the same route as morning drop-off. It is necessary to stay in your vehicle when in the dismissal line- having your child's name printed in the dashboard is helpful and showing ID is required. This applies to all after-school enrichment programs, unless the instructor has arranged with families to meet at another location outside our building. This is not applicable for the YMCA Afterschool Care, which has their own dismissal protocols.
What are school office hours?
Our school office hours are 8:00-4:00. There is no supervision prior to 8:45 AM. At 4:00, the office closes and families will not be able to gain access to Hopkins.
How do I dismiss my child early from Hopkins - or different than their normal daily plan?
Families changing dismissal must complete the Hopkins' Dismissal Form. It can be found on our school webpage, as well. All dismissal changes MUST be completed by 2:00 PM! Please note, we cannot accommodate any early dismissals to occur beyond 3:00PM, as it interferes with our normal dismissal routines/traffic patterns.
What do I if my child is going to be absent?
Contact our absence line at (508) 435-0312.
What about lunch?
FREE MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS: Free meals are available to all students until 6/30/22, due to a grant from the USDA. No documentation/application is needed to receive these benefits. Only complete, reimbursable meals are eligible (1 meal/student/meal period). Snacks, single milks/water, double meals, etc. are NOT FREE and will be charged accordingly. STUDENTS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO PRE-SELECT LUNCHES IN THE MORNING WITH HOMEROOM.
Access elementary school lunch menus here. Additional lunch is available for $2.75 ($.60 for milk). Online payments can be made through the HPS website, or with a check. Students are also welcome to bring their own lunch. As a reminder, Hopkins students do have lunch on Early Release Days, but not on Early Dismissal Days. Please check the school calendar on the website for details.
Technology?
At Hopkins School, we utilize Chromebooks for instruction, as well as the Schoology Learning Mangagement System (4-12 in HPS). Please note, at this time, HPS Chromebooks will REMAIN at Hopkins for 4th/5th graders and will not travel between home/school. Families with any questions about technology use are urged to reach out to classroom teachers, school administration or the HPS tech department.
What about lockers?
Hopkins School students will be using lockers for storage of their coats, backpacks and lunches only. Hopkins does not permit students to lock their lockers, so valuables should be left at home.
Other Key Info?
Be sure that you and your family review our HPS Elementary School Handbook prior to the start of the school year- all families are required to sign off that it has been reviewed each year.
How can I get involved?
Families are encouraged to learn more about volunteer opportunities with the HPTO (Parent-Teacher Organization), SEPAC & ELPAC (Special Education/English Learner Parent Advisory Councils), as well as HEF (Hopkinton Education Foundation). These are all great ways to become part of our community at Hopkins- and are extremely important supporters of our schools in Hopkinton! You can find links to these organizations at the bottom of this newsletter or from our website.
Hopkinton Parent-Teacher Organization
The Hopkinton Parent-Teacher Association (HPTO) provides students at our elementary schools with a variety of enrichment programs during the school year to enhance and support classroom instruction. THE HPTO organizes parents/guardians to volunteer at Hopkins - whether you are available weekly or for special events. The HPTO counts on your membership to support activities in the schools that are enjoyed by all. For more information, please visit the HPTO website. HPTO also offers a variety of extracurriculars - check out their website for more info. Join the HPTO and get priority registration!
Volunteering
As a reminder, any volunteers do need to have an up-to-date CORI on file in the office. Check with the office for details on this form. Most volunteer opportunities in the building are arranged through the HPTO.
Security Reminders
Drop-off Window:
In an effort to minimize disruptions, drop off hours for forgotten lunches, instruments, and other items occur between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM at Hopkins School. Please do not bring forgotten homework to school. To drop-off items, you will be buzzed into our main entrance exterior door, and a table will be located in the vestibule. Please leave the clearly-labeled items on the table. We no longer allow visitors into the main section of the building to drop-off forgotten items. Our staff will call students down to the Main Office to pick up these items at approximately 11:00.
School Doors:
Just a reminder that we ask for everyone’s support to prevent ‘tailgating.’ While holding the door open for others is a polite thing to do, it can be a security risk in our schools. Please do not hold the door open for others; we kindly ask that all visitors pass through our buzz-in system at the main entrance to the school.
Arrival/Dismissal Routines at Hopkins School
Busses:
If your child will be taking the school bus, you can access bus route information on the school district website. Hopkins will be sharing busses this year with Marathon. We recommend that you be at bus stops somewhat earlier than the printed times for the first week or so, until the buses have a chance to fully establish their routines. We encourage a 10-15 minute window at the beginning of the year, as route times are approximations. Be respectful of the time, as those not prepared will delay the route for all. For the dismissal route, again, please allow a 10-15 minute window of time. Route times are approximate, not exact.
Parent Drop-Off and Pick-up Procedures:
For those of you not familiar with our process, please check out the map below, which can also be found on our website. Drop-offs in the morning start at 8:45. Please know that if you drop off your child prior to 8:45, we are unable to provide supervision or entry to the building. Therefore, we ask you aim for as close to 8:45 as possible. Our tardy bell rings at 9:00. The pick-up line will begin dismissing students promptly at 3:15. Be prepared with ID for all parent pick-ups at the end of each day.
Because we have so many buses picking up and dropping off at Hopkins all at once, we will continue using the ‘access road’ to queue waiting buses. That access road exits with a right turn next to the entrance into the front driveway/parking of Hopkins. If you are in the line of cars dropping off or picking up students, please do not block the access road so buses can exit.
Dismissal/Transportation Changes for Students:
It is critical to your child and our staff at Hopkins that we know your child’s dismissal routines, or, if there is a change to transportation at the end of the day. Any dismissal changes also need to comply with our District’s Transportation policies. To make changes to a dismissal, please use the form on the district website.
It is also important for your child to know their dismissal plans each day, especially if they have different routines on different days of the week. Children are sometimes confused or forget about the days of the week. Kids can also be on “auto-pilot” at the end of each day and not think about where they are supposed to go. If your child has different plans on different days, please review with your child their schedule and routine.
Quick Links
Communication
Our school website has static information, but it is also updated with current news, photos and bulletins. Every other week, you can expect a school-wide update from the Principal’s Office, the Hawk Squawk. This is distributed to families via email and can also be found on the school’s webpage. You can also follow us on Twitter: @hopkinsschool, Instagram (hopkins_elementary), and Facebook (HopkinsElementarySchool).
In addition to the above school-wide methods, please communicate openly with your child’s teacher(s). Each teacher has an email address and voice mailbox. Many also utilize a website and/or Twitter to share news. You can find their contact information on our school website or you can call (508)-497-9824 to reach teachers’ voicemail.