Hopkins Middle School Newsletter
January 15th, 2021
HMS Holiday Light Extravaganza!
“It’s a beaut, Clark, it’s a beaut!”
This famous line, delivered by Clark Sr. (John Randolph), in the movie “National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation” is spoken after Clark triumphantly illuminates the stubborn lights on his house. This brilliant glow, which can be seen from space, always brings a smile to my face. It was this very moment when the idea for the first ever HMS Holiday Light Extravaganza was born.
Teams of students and teachers would work together and decorate the front lawn of our building. They would be given a 30’ x 45’ patch of ground and be asked to fill it with lights, ornaments, and anything else lying around in those old dusty boxes labeled “Christmas” in storage. This was supposed to be a time of fun, a time of creativity, and most importantly, a time to forget about the cares and worries of 2020. Quite honestly, we wanted our middle school-aged students to act more like middle school-aged students!
After adding extension cords, outdoor light timers, and signage, our Extravaganza was complete. Throughout the Holiday Break, the Hopkins community was invited to participate by voting for their favorite light display. The winning grade level would be presented with a major award. No, I’m not talking about a lamp, I’m talking about the coveted Trophy of Light!
I’m grateful to all those students, staff, and community members who donated supplies, time, and energy into making this experience possible. For two weeks, students were laughing, goofing around, and working together to create something brilliant. Although the 6th-grade team took home the Trophy of Light, those of us fortunate enough to see the spark of energy and excitement in our students are the true winners.
Sincerely,
Scott Stockwell
HMS Principal
Reminders
Calendar Change:
Monday, January 18th is a FULL Day of School.Upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences:
We are planning to hold REMOTE Parent-Teacher Conferences again this trimester. The date is Tuesday, January 19th, between 4:00 and 7:00 PM. The electronic sign-up form and additional information can be found here:
HMS Study Hall
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.
Hopkins Middle School Contact Information
ADMINISTRATION: E-mail Address
Scott Stockwell, Principal scotstoc@hpsvikings.org
Pat O’Dell, Dean of Students patrodel@hpsvikings.org
Todd Crook, Counselor toddcroo@hpsvikings.org
Tamara Johnston, Counselor tamajohn@hpsvikings.org
Jennifer Hitchcock, Secretary jennhitc@hpsvikings.org
Jennifer Johnston, Social Worker jennjohn@hpsvikings.org
Stephanie Caulder SRC Coordinator stepcaul@hpsvikings.org
STAFF:
Aleman, Kathleen kathalem@hpsvikings.org
Barry, Joseph josebarr@hpsvikings.org
Bisbee, Kailee kailbisb@hpsvikings.org
Byville, Suzanne suzabyvi@hpsvikings.org
Dana, Katie kathdana@hpsvikings.org
Dykstra, Krystal krysdyks@hpsvikings.org
Fisher, Mark markfish@hpsvikings.org
Megan Barg meganbarg@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
Oaster, Jacob jacooast@hpsvikings.org
Osborne, Craig craiosbo@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