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The community’s guide to the District. Dec. 2013/Jan. 2014
Hopkins students take financial challenge with Minnesota Vikings
Hopkins High School students, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the Minnesota Vikings, and Visa teamed up on Nov. 19 for an event highlighting the importance of Financial Literacy. Vikings player Greg Jennings and Commissioner of Commerce Mike Rothman were pitted against each other as they each led a team of students in a game of Financial Literacy Football Trivia. In 2011, Hopkins became the first district in Minnesota to make Financial Literacy a required course. This preparation made students especially tough contenders in the trivia challenge — they only missed a few questions.
Hopkins junior highs to eliminate study halls from schedule
In an effort to align with International Baccalaureate (IB), both Hopkins junior highs will move to an alternatingday, four-block schedule, which will eliminate study halls. This change will take effect starting next school year. The new schedule will meet IB standards and enable students to take additional courses above the requirements. More information at www.hopkinsschools.org.
2014-15 Hopkins Public Schools Open Enrollment applications are being accepted now. Deadline to apply: January 15, 2014 Questions? Please call 952-988-4110.
HopkinsSchools.org
com m u ni t y Free Comet Week Open House Nights
Pot Pourri Art Exhibit
View an exhibit of artwork Experience a close encounter with created by Hopkins the Comet ISON at the historic Community Education Eisenhower Observatory. Free Adult Enrichment students viewing of the night sky and this and teachers. once-in-a-lifetime comet! December 5 - January 6 Eisenhower Community Center Hopkins Center for the Arts Observatory, December 16-20 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins 1001 Hwy. 7, Hopkins HopkinsSchools.org/Observatory
HopkinsCommunityEd.org
Hopkins High School Offers a Wealth of Music Opportunities Hopkins High School is a GRAMMY® Signature School semifinalist The last few months have been exciting for the Hopkins High School music department. The Minnesota Orchestra performed live for students, 20 choir students performed in concert with the band Paramore, and to top it off, Hopkins High School was named a GRAMMY® Signature School semifinalist. If Mark Czech, music chair at Hopkins High School, could ask for one more thing, it would be for Hopkins High School to earn the esteemed honor of GRAMMY® Signature School finalist. Hopkins is deep into the application process, but a decision won’t be announced until March. “Our music program is one of the top in the state,” said Czech. “You could come to a band concert as someone who has never experienced band, and have an enjoyable and entertaining experience. The level of musicianship and the quality level of our performances is spectacular.” An exceptional staff According to Czech, the success of the music program is attributed to the staff, specifically the world-class orchestra, band, and choir directors. Over the years, each has taken the time and energy to put a unique spin on their program, creating opportunities that are engaging and relevant for students. For example, Philip Brown, choir director at Hopkins High School, compares singing to preparing a meal —there should be flavors, spices, variety, and the unexpected. His students are learning Norwegian lullabies, Czech folk songs, and Swedish-American pieces. “Choir teaches us to find a voice,” said Brown. “One of the neatest things it does is builds a positive community for the kids who are involved. They feel a sense of pride, accomplishment, and belonging—it’s a chance for them to be successful.”
The Hopkins music program has drum line, nine choirs, three orchestras, a string quartet, two jazz bands, a pep band, a concert band, a symphonic band, a wind symphony, a marching band, and more.
secondary and undergraduate choral training throughout Minnesota by celebrating music educators who uphold high standards of excellence in repertoire selection, and acknowledging creativity in choral performance.
Brown oversees nine choirs a year—five that are curricular, and four that are before or after school. He runs a healthy five-concerts-a-year performance schedule and strives to embed innovation into everything he does. He also seeks professional performing You could come opportunities for his students. On Nov. 23, 20 to a band concert as of his top singers performed live with the band Paramore at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in someone who has St. Paul.
never experienced band, and have an enjoyable and entertaining experience. The level of musicianship and the quality level of our performances is spectacular.
This fall, Brown was awarded the 2013 American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota Award for Creative Programming. The award affirms the importance of quality
“It was a tremendous opportunity for our students to perform on stage with a professional group,” said Brown. “They got to experience a sound check and observe how a professional band prepares for a show.”
Breadth of music programming—from drum line to music production Despite the fact that music classes are elective and students don’t have to take them, the high school music program continues to grow its enrollment. Czech attributes this trend, in part, to a decision the department made 15 years ago when they created paths for students who did not have musical training. From that idea, the guitar program was born, which allowed students who did not already play an instrument (as well as those who did) an opportunity to learn guitar. The class was an instant hit, with enrollment reaching 250 kids. Now the department teaches three levels of guitar. Thanks to a Hopkins
Make music part of your December. High School concerts featured on back.
see MUSIC inside