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Update Hopkins Public Schools
The community’s guide to the District. Hopkins reaches highest level of financial accountability and transparency two years in a row Hopkins Public Schools has received the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award from the ASBO (Association of School Business Officials International). The District was recognized for its high-quality Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending 2011. This is the second consecutive year the District has received the award.
Alice Smith Elementary receives $13,000 grant to enhance STEM programs and curriculum Cargill has granted Alice Smith Elementary $13,000 to enhance existing STEM curriculum and programming. The grant, Innovative STEM Extensions, is focused on second through fourthgrade, but will benefit all Alice Smith students. It will increase STEM exposure both during the school day and in extended-day learning opportunities.
September 2012
Since 1995 Hopkins Education Foundation has awarded $2 million in grants to enhance education. Let’s celebrate! Sept. 30, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Tuttle’s 107 Shady Oak Rd, Hopkins www.HopkinsEducation Foundation.org
www.HopkinsSchools.org/vehicle-fair
Adult Fall Enrichment Hopkins Community Education is your premier destination for art, fitness, dance, computer, wellness, world language classes, and so much more! Now enrolling: Call to register 952-988-4070, or visit us online: www.HopkinsCommunityEd.org
Student Mentorship Program Helps Incoming Students Transition to Junior High Experience
W.E.B. program builds meaningful student-tostudent connections The first day of school at North Junior High started feeling different four years ago. Seventh-grade students were noticeably less anxious and navigated the building with confidence. Overall, things were just…calmer. It is no coincidence that four years ago, North Junior High started implementing Where Everybody Belongs (W.E.B.), a school orientation and transition program that welcomes seventh-graders into the building and makes them feel comfortable throughout their first year of junior high. The student mentorship program was started at North Junior High as a way to bring the changing school community together. The program has been so successful that West Junior High is starting its own program this year.
The North Junior High W.E.B. program has been around long enough that the ninth-grade W.E.B. leaders have had a mentorship experience as seventh-graders. Andy Schoonover (right) said that his W.E.B. leaders helped him understand the school schedule. He is looking forward to developing a relationship with seventhgraders this year and reconnecting with his seventh-grade teachers. In this photo, he is working on a project with a fellow leader at the leadership training.
This program is transformative for ninth-graders, they leave W.E.B. so proud of themselves.
At North Junior High, 64 ninth-grade students have been chosen to be W.E.B. student leaders. Prior to the start of the school year, these students go through eight hours of training to prepare for their yearlong leadership role. They are then paired with other W.E.B. leaders and assigned a small group of seventh-grade students to mentor throughout the year, focusing on that critical time before school starts. According to Chuck Schlegel, a teacher at North Junior High and head facilitator of the W.E.B. program, the
Hopkins invites community to strategic planning session Hopkins Public Schools invites you to enjoy refreshments and talk about issues important to public education with School Board members and District leadership on Thursday, Oct. 4, 5:30 p.m. Check the website for more details.
Join us for this FREE family event! See a fire truck, font-end loader, police car and more. Plus, other activities, refreshments, and fun! Friday, Sept. 7, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Harley Hopkins Family Center
W.E.B. leader JaMichael Ellis (left) is looking forward to making seventhgraders feel welcomed. He still keeps in touch with his W.E.B. leaders, who are now in eleventh-grade.
seventh-grade orientation is crucial to preparing students for successful junior high experiences. “The idea is to create an environment where everyone is comfortable and to put incoming seventh-grade students at ease,” said Schlegel.
W.E.B. leaders are well-rounded students who come from various backgrounds. They represent the entire student body. For many, this is their first significant leadership role. There is a period of adjustment as the students figure out how to accomplish the ambitious and, frankly, scary goal of guiding younger members of the student body, but the experience is well worth it. “It’s transformative for ninth-graders,” said Schlegel. “They leave the W.E.B. assembly so proud of themselves.” As part of the W.E.B. program, seventh-grade students and their mentors connect before school starts. The seventhgraders are bussed to the building, giving them a chance to test-ride their new bus route. At the assembly, they are assigned their W.E.B. leaders and begin discussing how they can be successful in their seventh-grade year. They also participate in various fun activities designed to break the ice and build meaningful connections. The day ends with a tour of the junior high. W.E.B. benefits seventh-grade students in numerous ways. First-day-of-school jitters are alleviated as students are generally more aware of the expectations of being in junior high. They also have a mentor they can turn to if they have questions, need advice, or simply can’t find the science room. They come to school prepared and ready to contribute on day one.