The Hopkins School Hawk Squawk
Principal's Updates - 11/24/19
Updates from the Hopkins' Office
Dear Hopkins' Families,
As the month of both Thanksgiving and Veterans Day, November is a time in America associated with reflection, gratitude, and a celebration of community. Earlier this month, the staff of Hopkins engaged in work around all three of these themes. Since the connections between gratitude and happiness are well-researched, we must practice the habits regularly to get the biggest benefits. So, Ms. Babson and I encouraged each of our staff members to try a "gratitude challenge" for the month. Below, you will see that I've shared out some similar resources for families. With our students, we've practiced gratitude at Hopkins by writing letters and collecting supplies to send to the troops abroad, as well as collecting cans of food for Project Just Because to help families in need right here in town.
Developing a positive and inclusive school culture for a building of 580+ fourth and fifth graders requires quite a large "village," so my gratitude runs quite deep this time of year. As I've shared before, I have been lucky enough to work in several top school districts in Massachusetts and California during my career. The dedication, compassion and passion of Hopkins' staff is truly second to none! The teaching and support staff at Hopkins School: classroom teachers, special education teachers, related service providers and specialists, related arts teachers, counseling team, tech support, paraprofessionals, custodians, cafeteria and maintenance workers, nurse and secretaries are such a dedicated group of professionals- devoted to ensuring the best possible learning environment for all our children.
Teachers and support staff alike know that the most important job we have is to ensure the emotional and physical safety of the children in our care. I assure you that everyone within the walls of Hopkins comes to our building each and every day with this at the forefront of their efforts. Teaching is truly both an art and a science, but it is also an emotionally and physically taxing profession. I am blessed to work with all of them and encourage every family to thank these "extended members" of your own family this holiday season!
I would also like to give a public thanks to my partner in leadership at Hopkins, Ms. Julie Babson. We are incredibly lucky to have an Assistant Principal who models excellence in education each and every day. Already this fall, Ms. Babson has led many, many classroom lessons on everything from Digital Citizenship to Disability Awareness to Geography (check out the pics of Ms. Babson working with the 4th grade below!). As our AMAZING Assistant Principal, on any given day you might find Ms. Babson leading a classroom lesson, serving lunch and supervising in the cafeteria, counseling fourth graders through a peer conflict and then working with groups of student to prepare a presentation. It is hard to make connections with close to 600 students who only spend two years in our building, but Ms. Babson goes out of her way each and every day to build relationships with your children.
A final thanks goes out to all our Hopkins' families- adults and children. As parents and guardians, you put your trust in us each day and partner with us on your child's educational journey. And to our students- your passion for life and love of learning is at the heart of our work. Our "village" within the walls at Hopkins is a vibrant one, strengthened by our diversity and unity. Thank you to all the staff, families, and of course children, that make it such a special village!
Respectfully,
Vanessa Bilello
Principal, Hopkins School
HPTA- Important Reminders: Square One Art online orders DUE 12/3!!
For questions about Square One Art, please contact Christine Chapman @ christinechapman72@gmail.com.
HOPKINS' UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
HOPKINS' UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
Please contact us if you have any questions on events listed below.
- November 25th - HPS Elementary Term 1 Report Cards Close
- November 27th - Early Dismissal (11:25- NO LUNCH Served)
- November 28th-29th- Thanksgiving Break
- December 5th - 7PM at HHS- Hopkins' Winter Concert (HHS) for 5th Grade Band, Chorus and Orchestra
- December 6th - EARLY RELEASE (12:15PM - Lunch served) - Fall Conferences & REPORT CARDS TERM 1 available in family portal of PowerSchool @ 3:30 PM
- December 6th - PRINCIPAL'S CABINET SPIRIT DAY & Whole School Meeting (Gr. 4 Chorus performs)- Stay tuned for the spirit day theme, as chosen by Principal's Cabinet for Responsibility!
- December 21st- January 1st - Winter Break
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
Thanksgiving donations are rolling in for PJB!
Look at all that food!
HAWK Squad advertises for our drive!
Donations galore!
Adding to the piles of food...
HAWK Squad counts their Trick or Treat Unicef donations- over $600 raised by these awesome kids!!!
Geography comes alive with our new Giant Map, thanks to HEF!!!
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). Ms. Babson sends out the Hopkins Herald newsletter every other month. This includes articles written by staff and students at Hopkins, as well as many pictures from our hallways.
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 Google Classroom, 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.