Read about what is happening at Hopkins Public Schools!
The Royal Report is distributed every other Friday during the school year. In it, you will find stories about students who are going above and beyond, staff members who are making a difference, and events you will want to mark on your calendar. Send story ideas to: Jolene.Goldade@hopkinsschools.org. View email in browser.
We’ve made it through week one of the COVID-19 school closure. It’s truly hard to believe that one week ago life was operating in a normal fashion. Even though we have increased the physical space between us and our students, we will work hard to fill that space with strong and frequent communication.
There were many stories to tell this week about how our Hopkins community came together for the greater good. We will continue to tell these stories of strength, dedication, and love for our school community. And as we adjust to our current reality, staying connected will become more important than ever. We have survived our first week, and we will make it through another week, and another, until it’s over. We are in this together. We are Hopkins Strong.
Be Well,
Dr Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, Superintendent
Hopkins Public Schools
Hopkins Public Schools realizes that staff and families may have questions about COVID-19, the coronavirus. We have put together a webpage to better help you keep track of all of all the updates and information we have to share. Hopkins will begins distance learning on April 6; however, our teachers have curated and designed enrichment resources you can access to keep your child engaged in learning.
Hopkins ECFE and Preschools are working to create engaging and interactive ways to support families’ early learning experiences during this time. Watch for videos from our teachers, opportunities to connect with other families in video chat, take-home bags for your children coming soon.
We are so grateful to the many parents and community members who have reached out to us wanting to help out in any way possible. We have established a Community Support/Outreach Task Force that will begin to organize requests from families and share them with parents who want to help. You can contact Dominique Pierre-Toussiant or Holly Magdanz if you would like to help or need resources.
We're all stressed. Take a moment to enjoy this virtual dog therapy.
Meals continue for Hopkins students: 'Some super heroes don't wear capes'
Hopkins Public Schools’ nutrition and transportation departments have teamed up to provide free meals to students. Parents and students can pick up these meals at our elementary schools and also along several bus routes. School Board Member Christopher LaTondresse helped deliver health meals to students and families on school bus turned "meal bus" — one of dozens of busses like this deploying across the district. LaTondress rode with drivers Wendy and Beshir, and commented that "some super heroes don't wear capes."
Thank you to our frontline employees. You are ensuring that our students have food and care. You are ensuring that their parents can serve the public. You are ensuring that our buildings are clean and that our employees get paid. You are providing a welcoming greeting to those of us who are still coming to work. Thank you, frontline employees. We see you!
Elementary schools share learning resources with students
Earlier this week, building principals reached out to families about how to pick up or access resources to support their child’s learning. Staff at Hopkins elementary schools put together resource bags for every child in their school and families picked up the learning materials on March 17.
Thank you to our staff for their flexible, creative, and innovative ideas. We are so thankful to have dedicated and loving professionals like you!
Principals use social media to create community online
Building principals are getting creative as they find new ways to connect with students during social distancing. Hopkins High School principal Doug Bullinger posted a video showing students what he has been up to while they are at home and West Junior High principal Leanne Kampfe shared a video telling her students what she plans to do at home. Elementary principals like Glen Lake's Jeff Radel and Meadowbrook's Greta Evans-Becker read books for their students in online videos. Tanglen Elementary has started a Tuck in Tanglen reading series too. Thanks for your quick-thinking and creative solutions, principals!
Saluting our Hopkins Royals Girls Basketball team
Though their season ended in heart-breaking fashion with a cancelled State Championship game against Farmington, we want to recognize the team’s ongoing achievements and landmark season. The team has won 62 straight games dating back to last season, and they definitely played like repeat champions in this year’s state semifinal game against Stillwater, winning 66-40. We cannot formally crown them State Champions this year, but they are surely champions in our hearts and role models for all aspiring athletes in our school community and beyond.
Important Information Regarding the March 17 School Board Meeting
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and our Hopkins community's focus on preparing for school closure, and in accordance with state statute and guidelines from the Minnesota School Board Association, the March 17 School Board meeting was canceled and rescheduled for Friday, March 20. The workshop will begin at 3 p.m. and the School Board Meeting will begin at 5 p.m. To be in compliance with the Minnesota Department of Health's social distancing guidelines, this meeting will be conducted remotely. The public can view the workshop and the meeting at this link.
Finnegan named semifinalist for MN Teacher of the Year
Hopkins teacher Shannon Finnegan has been named a semifinalist for this year’s Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Finnegan is a social studies teacher in the Hopkins Alternative Program at Hopkins High School.
“Every single student who walks through my door has power, genius, and value, and it is my job to help them realize this,” Finnegan said. More
West Junior High principal wins MNIB Leadership Award
Leanne Kampfe is the first person to receive the newly created MNIB Leadership Award. Colleagues surprised her with an award ceremony March 12 when she entered the media center to thunderous applause. Jon Peterson, the executive director of the Minnesota Association of IB World Schools (MNIB), presented Kampfe with the award.
“It’s important that you realize what a gem you have — that you have someone who is considered a leader in the state,” Peterson said. More
Connect with us online!
In the midst of social distancing, it is now more important than ever to stay connected with our Hopkins community. We'd love to hear from you. Be sure to tag us in your social media posts. Teachers, we want to see your pets and virtual engagement with your students. Students, we want to hear from you, too!
The next edition of the Royal Report will come out Friday, April 3, 2020.
