Hopkins Middle School Newsletter
September 24, 2020
From the Office
From Mr. Stockwell
Dear Students and Parents,
We are in week five of the 2020-2021 school year. Next week marks the halfway point of the first trimester! I have an announcement and some observations I’d like to share with you.
First, the announcement: Parent-teacher conferences will be done remotely with your teachers this year. We are still planning to use the evening of 10/13 (4:00 - 8:00) as our time to meet with you. These meetings will either be done via Zoom, Google Meet, or phone call. We will send out details on how to sign up for a time slot by the end of next week.
Last week, I shared some observations about the adjustment period for the many differences you’ve experienced so far this year. This week, I’ve been part of conversations with teachers that make me believe we are on the right track. To use a sporting analogy, the “game” of school is “slowing down” for our staff. This means teachers are no longer focusing on creating routines in their classrooms. Instead, they can start thinking about how to bring enjoyment and engagement back to their lessons. This is a huge step!
If the trends I have been noticing stay true, students and parents are about a week away from the “game” of school “slowing down” for them. This can only happen once the positive routines of time management, checking Google Classroom daily, sending email questions to teachers, and having regular conversations between parents and students about grades are established. Once these routines become normal, students and parents will feel they have more time at home which will improve the overall enjoyment of this year’s school experience.
Here are some suggestions to help with the grade conversation. Keep in mind there are two layers of communication our teachers are using in regards to your student’s grades. First, we have the Google Classroom Parent Notification system. Google Classroom is the program students and teachers use to send assignments and comments on assignments back and forth. This program will send parents an email when classwork is marked as missing or late.
I have two quick reminders about Google Classroom. First, all missing or late work will be accepted for full credit as soon as it is turned in. Second, make sure students are clicking “submit” and then attaching an actual assignment in GC. Once this is done, there will be a box that shows up in the top right corner of the screen that shows the attachment and gives the option to “turn in”. Once the student clicks “turn in” the teacher will be notified. NOTE: Students can click “turn in” without actually attaching anything. This will be marked as done until the teacher goes into GC and sees there is nothing attached. This creates a gray area where the Google Classroom Parent Notification system does not recognize the assignment as missing, so there is no automatic notification. However, the student’s grade in PowerSchool will reflect a zero or missing assignment. Powerschool is the final word on whether or not an assignment is missing.
I have attached pictures of what a missing assignment with nothing attached vs something attached will look like in Google Classroom.
The PowerSchool grade system is our second layer of communicating a student’s overall grade. This system is what we rely on for final grades and report cards mailed home. Both the student and parent have a log-in and can sign-in to see a spreadsheet of all the assignments and grades in each class. Unfortunately, the two systems do not communicate with each other very well, so we cannot consolidate down to one system.
My suggestion is parents and students should look together each day in each Google Classroom at the assignments. Parents, you should ask to see the actual document they attached to verify it was done. Powerschool should be consulted weekly as most teachers are updating official grades on Wednesdays. In other words, Google Classroom is the formative grade check along the way. Powerschool is the summative grade check at the end of the week or unit.
I hope these suggestions and observations are useful and provide a positive outlook on the direction of the school year. I appreciate the hard work that has gone into this year by staff, students, and parents. I also recognize I’m speaking in generalizations, and there are individual staff, students, and parents who are in different places. I hope that everyone can continue to grow and take the next step towards a better experience and less stress.
As always, please reach out with questions or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Scott Stockwell
HMS Principal
Attention 8th Grade Families!
The 8th-grade team is so happy to be back and working with your students! We have had a wonderful start to the school year. If you have not done so yet, please check out our 8th Grade Team Website for our team calendar, class policies and procedures, frequently asked questions, and more! Our site can be found at https://sites.google.com/a/hpsvikings.org/8th-grade-team/home
In addition, please encourage your student to regularly check their email as well as the "To Do" list in Google Classroom. (Please note: any assignments turned in blank will not receive credit).
Thank you so much for your continued support this school year!
-The 8th Grade Team
News from the Sixth Grade Team...
We successfully completed our NWEA testing in math and ELA this week. If your child was absent on any of the testing days or did not finish the test, we will get that taken care of in the near future. As we progress through these first few weeks of school, there are some observations that our team has noticed on a regular basis. The students were sent an email with the same information that I am going to share below. PLEASE read through carefully, and have a brief discussion with your child. The points below will help to make things run more smoothly for the students and their teachers.
1. Students need to check their Google classrooms on a daily basis whether they are at home or here at school. Kids are not looking unless they see an assignment is due. There are items such as videos or reading that also could be listed that need to be completed before the next day.
2. Students need to make sure they ask questions if unsure of how to do an assignment. If they are at school, then ask in person. If at home, they need to email that specific teacher. Students are submitting work that is not correct. Then it has to be returned and fixed, which is twice the work for the students.
3. While the Parent notification system is nice for you as parents to see if your child is turning work in, there are some students who have figured out that as long as they submit something, whether it is complete or not, it will show as turned in on the parent side. I know we are all busy, but if you could try to check in with your child every couple of days as to what is being assigned in their classes, it would be a HUGE help!
4. Finally, students need to look at assignments that have been returned to see that there is a grade. If not, they need to look for a comment as to what needs to be fixed. and then resubmit it. Students have simply been resubmitting without fixing because they did not read the comments.
Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
Pat Weick
Kathleen Aleman
TJ Rynsburger
Joe Barry
Molly Klumpp
Sending a Thoughtful Email
Tips:
- If asking for help, be very specific
- Reread what you have written to be sure it is worded clearly and is explained well
- Remember, words can be interpreted in different ways. Are you sure that your email is kind and respectful?
- Sign your first and last name
Free Breakfast and Lunch until December for Every Student
ATTENTION!!
All students are now eligible to receive FREE breakfast and lunch, five days a week from now through December, regardless of income.
Breakfast
Students who would like to eat breakfast at school on their in-person days should go to the cafeteria after dropping off gym bags and band instruments. They will remain in the cafeteria until they are finished and then report to class. They will NOT be marked Tardy if they arrive to class after the tardy bell has rung.
Take-Home Meals
Take-Home Meals can be picked up after school in the cafeteria by your student. If you would like to order meals for the days your students are at-home learning, please complete the form below. Each student will need to complete their own form. DEADLINE TO ORDER is Friday, September 25. Meal request information is available at www.hpsvikings.org.
DEADLINE TO ORDER Take-Home Meals is Friday, September 25
Please click on the link to place your order today!
DEADLINE TO ORDER is Friday, September 25
Hand2Hand
Dear Parent/Guardian:
We would like to offer your student the opportunity to participate in a program at Hopkins Middle School called “Hand2Hand”. This program helps provide a student with food for the weekends and is intended for families who currently may be experiencing a financial burden. The first backpack is set to be delivered on September 24.
Here’s how Hand2Hand will work: At the end of the week students who are signed up for the program will receive a minimum of 10 food items in a black school logo drawstring bag that will be provided at the first week of participation. These food items will be a combination of breakfast, snacks, lunch and/or dinner items. While the food items are meant for the student, they can be shared among the family as well. (Please note: if your student or another family member has food allergies it will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to check the contents of the backpack each week to ensure the food doesn’t contain ingredients which could cause an allergic reaction).
To learn more about Hand2Hand, please visit their website: http://h2hkids.org.
If you feel your student would benefit from this opportunity, please complete the response form at the bottom of this letter and return it to your student’s teacher and we will make sure that your student’s name is then added to the list. Your response will be kept confidential.
Sincerely,
Scott Stockwell
Hopkins Middle School
Picture Retakes
If you are opting for Re-takes, please bring your original packet with you.
Please call the office at 269-793-7407
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
Haverdink, Melissa melihave@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