Hopkins Middle School Newsletter
January 14th, 2022
COVID-19 Update (1/14/2022)
HMS Parents/Guardians,
We wanted to provide you with a COVID-19 update on our current quarantine policy.
IN SCHOOL EXPOSURE
Allegan County School Quarantine Guidance will apply to both in-school and at-home exposures for our students.
Follow guidance as written until getting to the bottom of the flow chart linked above. (Note: the star means all situations will require a mask through 10 days after exposure)
If the student was exposed at school and distance was less than six feet, unmasked and not vaccinated:
Offer to stay in school. Must wear a mask for 10 days after exposure. Test every other day for six days until our supply runs out. Use a school test.
If a parent does not want to test every other day or they don’t want to mask, move to the blue box, they will stay home for 5 days and test on day 5 with us. Use a school test. They will have to wear a mask for an additional 5 days.
If a parent or student does not want to test on day 5 or wear a mask, move to the second blue box and stay home for 10 days.
AT HOME EXPOSURE
Although the guidance says this may not apply, at HPS we are requiring the following:
Follow guidance as written until getting to the bottom of the flow chart linked above. (Note: the star means all situations will require a mask through 10 days after exposure)
If the student was exposed due to a household exposure and not vaccinated:
Begin at the first Blue Box. Close Contacts must stay home for 5 days from the onset of symptoms. If unknown, go from the date of the positive test. We will test when they get back on day 6 with our supply. They will have to wear a mask for 5 additional days. We are not allowing students to come even with a negative test every other day. This is a Hopkins Public Schools decision and falls under the “if you are a household contact or an outside school exposure this guidance may not apply” clause on the left.
If the parent or student does not want to test or mask for 5 additional days, move to the second blue box. The student will have to stay home for 10 days after the onset of symptoms. If unknown, 10 days from the positive test.
Here is an example of a conversation with a parent of a close contact:
Hello Parent/Guardian,
I want to let you know that a student in your child's class just tested positive today. All close contacts (6 feet or less for 15 minutes or more) will have to test every other day for six days and wear a mask through the tenth day in order to avoid quarantine and remain in school.
Those who choose to quarantine will do so for five days, test on the return day, and mask through ten days. Those who are unable or unwilling to test or mask will quarantine for 10 days before coming back. Our principal will test your student first thing in the morning tomorrow in the school’s main office. I wanted to let you know this information so you can monitor for symptoms at home as well.
Exceptions to this process are students who are vaccinated or who have been COVID-19 positive within the last 90 days. These students will still be required to wear a mask for 10 days if they are deemed a close contact.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Scott Stockwell
Hopkins Middle School Principal
Upcoming Assembly, Monday, January 17th
Outstanding Person in Education
Do you know someone that should be recognized as an Outstanding Person in Education? This award is sponsored by the Allegan County School Boards Association to honor and recognize people in public education who are excelling in their field and/or making an impact in the quality of public education.
Please use the link below to fill out your nomination. All nominations are due by March 1, 2022
https://forms.gle/muinqkWSrgt4Svdf9PARTNERS
If the answer is yes to any of the questions above, you would be a perfect member of our PARTNERS parent organization! PARTNERS is involved in planning fun events like dances for students as well as raising money for needed supplies and class trips. PARTNERS also goes above and beyond in supporting our staff by providing meals throughout the year for events like PTC and holiday meals.
Membership in PARTNERS consists of an open invitation to our monthly in-person meetings, monthly emails with our meeting agenda and notes, and the occasional email sharing upcoming volunteer opportunities.
If you are interested, email Scott Stockwell to be put on our mailing list and consider joining us for any number of the remaining meetings. See dates and times below:
All Meetings are at the Middle School at 7:00 PM
Feb 1
March 1
April (Meet on 3/29)
May 3
June 2 (Tentative)
Important Dates
Important Dates:
Jan 17 - 1/2 day
Jan 18 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
Jan 21 - Student of the Month Ceremony
Feb 1 - Partners Meeting 7:00pm
Feb 17 - 1/2 Day
Feb 18 - Mid-Winter Break No School
March 1 - Partners Meeting 7:00 pm
March 3 - 1/2 Day
March 4 - 1/2 Day, end of Trimester 2
March 29 - Partners Meeting 7:00 pm
May 3 - Partners Meeting 7:00 pm
June 2 - Partners Meeting (tentative)
Reminders
Electronic Devices
Cell phones are to be turned off and kept in their lockers during the school day. Cell phones that are used during the school day will be confiscated and must be picked up by a parent.
If a student needs to contact a parent/guardian, they can go to the office to either use their cell phone or call from the office phone. If a parent needs to reach a student, they can leave a message for their student with the office.
Additional Resources and Helpful Links
January Menu
Menu is subject to change
Allegan County Covid-19 Information
HPS Athletics
Athletic Director, Andy Mains (andrmain@hpsvikings.org) Athletic Secretary, Kelly Smith (kellsmit@hpsvikings.org) Athletic Office 269-793-7616 ext 1511/1504
Hopkins Middle School
Email: stepcaul@hpsvikings.org
Website: hpsvikings.org
Location: Hopkins Middle School, 215 Clark Street, Hopkins, MI, USA
Phone: (269) 793-7407
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopkinsMiddleSchool/
Twitter: @hpsmiddleschool
The Hopkins Public School District Board of Education complies with all federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, marital status, height, weight, or disability in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Mr. Gary Wood Superintendent of Schools, Hopkins Public Schools, 400 Clark Street, Hopkins, MI 49328 Phone 269-793-7261.
The Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), disability, age (except as authorized by law), religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes") that are protected by Federal civil rights laws in its programs and activities.
Office Business
ATTENDANCE
Please call the Middle School office at (269) 793-7407 within 24 hours of your students' absence. You may leave a message on our voicemail system day or night. When reporting illness, please inform the secretary of the type of symptoms your child is experiencing (fever, sore throat, ect.). If your child is absent 2 days or more, you may request homework. If your student is absent only 1 day, homework may be picked up from their teachers the following day. You may also email absences to jennhitc@hpsvikings.org.
PHONE CALLS
Telephones in the office are to be used for illness and emergencies only.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Please report all immunizations that your child has had so we are able to keep our school records up to date. All new students and all 6th graders must be completely up to date on all immunizations. Contact the HMS office if you have any questions.
MEDICATION
ALL medications needing to be dispensed to students must be supplied from home. The school does not provide any type of medication. All prescription medication must be provided in a pharmacy labeled bottle. Tylenol/Aspirin must be brought to the office in an unopened bottle. All students requiring any type of medication must have a medication form completed by their parents and on file in the office.
CHANGES in Phone Numbers, Home Address & E-Mail
Please inform the office any time there are changes in your address or phone numbers. We need to have this information so we can update our records and successfully contact you if needed.
Hopkins Middle School Staff Directory
ADMINISTRATION: E-mail Address
Scott Stockwell, Principal scotstoc@hpsvikings.org
Pat O’Dell, Assistant Principal patrodel@hpsvikings.org
Todd Crook, Counselor toddcroo@hpsvikings.org
Tamara Johnston, Counselor tamajohn@hpsvikings.org
Jennifer Hitchcock, Secretary jennhitc@hpsvikings.org
Stephanie Caulder, SRC Coordinator stepcaul@hpsvikings.org
STAFF:
Aleman, Kathleen kathalem@hpsvikings.org
Barg, Megan meganbarg@hpsvikings.org
Barry, Joseph josebarr@hpsvikings.org
Byville, Suzanne suzabyvi@hpsvikings.org
Dana, Katie kathdana@hpsvikings.org
Dudick, Nikole nikodudi@hpsvikings.org
Dykstra, Krystal krysdyks@hpsvikings.org
Fisher, Mark markfish@hpsvikings.org
Hazen, Rick rickhaze@hpsvikings.org
Irwin, Julie juliirwi@hpsvikings.org
Kerber, Brian briakerb@hpsvikings.org
Klumpp, Molly mollklum@hpsvikings.org
Kok, Wendy wendkok@hpsvikings.org
Lutz-Wilkens, Tara taralutz@hpsvikings.org
Oaster, Jacob jacooast@hpsvikings.org
Osborne, Craig craiosbo@hpsvikings.org
Powell, Kim kimpowe@hpsvikings.org
Reszka, Richard richresz@hpsvikings.org
Rynsburger, T.J. tjryns@hpsvikings.org
Schoonveld, Missy missscho@hpsvikings.org
Scudder, Mack mackscud@hpsvikings.org
Smith, Julie julismit@hpsvikings.org
Tomaszewski, Katelyn katetoma@hpsvikings.org
VerMerris, Steve stevverm@hpsvikings.org
Weibel, Alexis alexweib@hpsvikings.org
Weick, Pat patweic@hpsvikings.org
Williams, Jessica jesswill@hpsvikings.org