Hopkins Middle School Newsletter
April 3rd, 2020
From the Principal
I hope this newsletter finds you and your families happy and healthy. I want to take a brief minute to outline the next few weeks in light of the Governor's latest order to end face-to-face instruction for the remainder of the year.
Our district is currently developing a model that will allow ALL students to access educational experiences for the remainder of the school year. Our specific learning plan will be communicated once we have all the details in place. In the meantime, here are some details we know:
1. The week of April 6 is Spring Break. Teachers are not required to post additional information during this week.
2. The week of April 13 will be a week of preparation for all. This means teachers and staff will be developing the lessons and students and parents will have the learning expectations communicated and materials distributed.
3. The week of April 20 will mark the beginning of our continuous learning for all. Again, details of this plan are under construction.
The key to making this a successful experience for all will be communication, flexibility, and patience. Just as this type of learning will be new for you and your family, it is new for our educators as well. If you have a question please ask me! If you feel there has been miscommunication, reach out for clarification. Our community is known as one that comes together during tough times, and together we will make it through!
Thanks and have a great Spring Break!
Sincerely,
Mr. Stockwell
From the Secretary
I hope Mr. Stockwell won’t mind if I take a corner of this newsletter just to say Hi!
I’ve been trying to make things at home feel as normal as possible right now, though I’m finding things aren’t typically normal for a middle school secretary any time. Not one person has asked me for an ice pack or a bandage in weeks! Is it strange to miss that? I suppose that’s not really what I‘m missing. I miss each and every one of you!
Your teachers will be keeping in contact with you over the next several weeks and I want you to know that if there’s anything I can do, I’m here for you too.
Keep trying your best, wash your hands often, and know you’re missed!
Mrs. Hitchcock
Educational Resources
The attached document has been made available to the entire district. It contains many resources for education assistance as well as Counseling Resources.
Looking to keep your Hopkins student in an educational routine? Try the following:
1. Begin by having them check their email or google classroom (if applicable). Many of our teachers are using this as their primary method of communication.
2. Schedule times throughout the day where students are reading or using technology for educational practice. This document has a plethora of resources. Try one or two a day and see which ones your student enjoys most!
3. Encourage your students to journal every day. This will help students practice writing, process thoughts and emotions they may be having during this period of shutdown, and could potentially create opportunities for family discussion!
The attached chart shows a variety of Instructional Resources that parents can use during the COVID-19 shutdown.
Please use these resources to support the continued learning for all of our students. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bSacYQEMYsO9qAMBmtd4uT6qDRtQYCHw4Pl8hVNSP9U/edit?usp=sharing
Happy Birthday
Birthday Celebrations
Normally, when a student has a birthday, I attach a birthday card to their locker and make an announcement on the Daily Announcement slide show. Due to our current absence I'm unable to do this. I know many students look forward to it and are probably disappointed that they will not get to see their name on the TVs or get their card. In our absence, I've decided to start posting the Birthdays in our Newsletter.
So to those that are celebrating their Birthdays, Happy Birthday!! I hope you have a Great One!
~Mrs. Caulder
Photo Contest
Ms. Dana is once again hosting a Hopkins Middle School Photo Contest.
2020 HMS Photo Contest
Attention all HMS Students:
Are you locked up in isolation and bored at home during the shutdown? Fear not, HMS is here for you! The HMS photo contest is back and open to all HMS students.
Photo Contest Theme: My Home
Please send your best digital photographs of what “Home” means to you. Photographic examples of this theme could include, but are not limited to:
-Interesting angles of the inside or outside of your home
-The objects, people, and pets that exist in your home
-Your favorite things to do at home
-How you are feeling at home during the shutdown (mood: lonely, isolated, happy, joyful, etc.)
-Hopkins hometown pride
Contest Rules: Take your best digital photographs! You should focus on making sure your photo has good lighting, good use of space and composition, interesting perspectives and angles, crisp/clear color/value, and clear definition (no grainy or fuzzy images).
Your photo must be an original photo taken this year, and you must take the image yourself. No old photos or internet images will be accepted. Photos should be taken with a camera or phone, and must depict high quality/resolution.
2 photo submissions per student only.
Please send your digital photo files to Ms. Dana at kathdana@hpsvikings.org
Photo deadline is April 30th.
Top 10 finalists will be announced and displayed at HMS on May 8th.
Top 3 winners will be announced on May 15th.
1st prize- $50 gift card of your choice
2nd prize-$30 gift card of your choice
3rd prize-$20 gift card of your choice
Free Lunches
Remember to pick up your student lunches at the location you chose when signing up. If you have not signed up previously and would like to please visit the following link: https://forms.gle/PF1ZaLbrraEw1qs56
***Lunches will be delivered for Spring Break but will be delivered ONLY on Tuesday. You will receive Tuesday's and Friday's delivery on Tuesday April 6th. No deliveries will be made on Good Friday***
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. – Watson Township Hall, Hilliards or Salem Township Hall
10:50 – 11:05 a.m. – Topaz Trailer Park
10:55 – 11:10 am. – Hopkins Fire Barn or Sycamore Elementary
11:15 – 11:30 a.m. – Sapphire Estates Trailer Park
11:20 – 11:35 a.m. – Monterey Township Hall
***Please Note that some of the locations on the sign up form are no longer available!***
These meals are FREE to all children ages 18 and under (26 and under in Special Education). Each meal package will provide meals for multiple days.
Fine Arts
6th GRADE MATH STUDENTS:
Hi there, everyone. Like you, I have been at home a lot, and it looks like we are going to stay for a while. It's nice to have time off, but most people also will need some help to finish the Big Ideas math assignments. We are still working out how to help you with online teaching, but the following link should be a good place to start. This link and video demonstrate how to use online examples and tutorials solve problems. The video shows a lot so listen and practice a few examples. Regular math students should be finishing Chapter 7 soon, and Advanced math Chapter 12.
https://support.bigideasmath.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045037154-Access-Online-Lessons-for-Students
Good luck... Mr. Barry
6th Grade Chess
Hey there students in Mr. Barry's Puzzlers class. You still have full access to Chesskid until June 6. I also has a limited number of extra Chesskid memberships. If you would like to try chess or have already played and want to dive deeper, then Chesskid is a cool option. Email me if you're interested. You can play against other 6th graders online.
Mr. Barry
Stay Active
Compliments of Mrs. Klumpp
Hopkins Middle School Counseling Department
From the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals
"During this pandemic it is up to each of us to cultivate the confidence and optimism to develop the grit needed to persevere through social isolation, cope with loss, and push forward in challenging times. Here are a few ideas gleaned from the “grit” experts about how to be intentional in our quest to build grit before we act (e.g., pause before you post), we ground ourselves in the present moment, allow our emotions to settle, make healthier decisions, and act more responsibly."
For more information, click on the link below.
Additional Information and Important Links
Hopkins Middle School
Email: stepcaul@hpsvikings.org
Website: hpsvikings.org
Location: 215 Clark Street, Hopkins, MI, USA
Phone: (269) 793-7407
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopkinsMiddleSchool/
Twitter: @hpsmiddleschool
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.
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.