Good afternoon Meadowbrook,

I always find so much joy in watching our students get excited about their learning. This week the joy was plentiful as students jumped back into learning and projects! Our Kindergarten students started their unit on winter birds which culminates with a trip to Westwood Nature Center, our 3rd graders are starting to design their taco trucks and will have a guest speaker from Chameleon Concessions next week to inform their thinking, and our 5th graders have been engaged with Mr. Peters, our Writer in Residence, as they create their own creative stories. There is so much to be excited about!

Please remember that there is no school on Monday, January 16 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Its important to me that our students know why we collectively celebrate Dr. King. In addition to in-class learning about Dr. King, I've included three videos below, each directed at a slightly different development level of our students. Please share them with your children and talk to them about what they can do to help us realize Dr. King's dream.

In closing, I'll leave you with this Dr. King quote: "Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals."

In partnership,

Natalie

As we continue to prepare for the 6th and 9th-grade transition, we have a few important updates regarding transportation and its impact on school start times. In our last communication, we shared the 2023-24 calendar, which has been adopted by our School Board. We are now able to provide the anticipated start times for our elementary schools, middle schools, and high school. Please note, we will be moving forward with a three-tier bussing schedule, which impacts start and end times. Read about anticipated start times here.

• Are you an upcoming Hopkins 6th or 7th grader? You and your family are invited to the upcoming Welcome and Registration event at your future school building. Join us for building tours, presentations, and fun activities.

The event is designed as a touchpoint for you and your student to get more acquainted with the building and get to know some of the key school leaders and staff who will help guide or support your student as they navigate the next stage of their education.

North Middle School will host their event on Thursday, Jan. 19 from 6-8 p.m. Get more details and register for North’s event here.

West Middle School will host their event on Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 7-8 p.m. Get more details and register for West’s event here.

Think back to when you were in math class. How did you feel? This question often elicits strong feelings one way or another. Do you tend toward “I loved it” or “I loathed it”? In Hopkins, we strive to cultivate critical thinkers who are empathetic, confident, curious, and empowered in math.

Last year, Hopkins launched an E-12+ Math Committee with representatives from all schools. The goals of this committee are to: align math teaching with best practices, deepen and strengthen personalization in mathematics, and develop math teacher leaders across our system. We want students to have a positive association with mathematics as a result of their experiences in our schools!

The Transit Assistance Program (TAP) is designed to make public transit more affordable for residents of lower income. TAP provides a reduced fare pass on a Go-To Card and allows customers to use a bus or train for just $1 per ride — even during rush hour — with a 2.5 hour transfer. Signing up can be done in-person at a Transit Facility location or through the link below. Visit https://www.metrotransit.org/tap-riders for more information!

January 16: No School - In Honor of MLK Jr.

January 18: Restaurant Night @ Davanni's

January 24: 5th Grade Band Concert 7:00pm

January 27: No School - Grading Day

February 20: No School - Professional Learning Day for Staff