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com m u ni t y Hopkins High School Winter Choir Concert
ECFE Frosty Fun!
Update Hopkins Public Schools
The community’s guide to the District. December/January 2016-17
Choral Conductor Philip Brown Running for ‘The American Prize’
The Hopkins High School Concert Choir was named a semifinalist in the High School Chorus division of The American Prize, a national nonprofit competition in the performing arts. In addition, Hopkins High School Choral Conductor, Philip Brown was named a semi-finalist in the High School Youth Chorus Conductor Division. The American Prize will announce its finalists in mid-December. Hopkins is competing against 15 other high schools across the nation and is the only Minnesota school to be represented in the competition.
High School Volleyball Takes Fourth at State
The Hopkins High School volleyball team made history Nov. 11 with its first-ever appearance in the Minnesota State High School League semifinals match. The team has been a powerhouse in the Lake Conference for the entire season and their hard work set them up for a fourth-place finish overall at state. State tournament play was preceded by an exciting 23-1 season and the title of section 6AAA champions. Outside hitter Jasmyn Martin was named to the Wells Fargo All-Tournament team.
Indoor winter family event! Enjoy playing with snow and ice, making snowflake art, and singing snowy songs. For families with children ages 2-5. Register online. Sat., Jan. 7, 10-11:30 a.m. Register:
December 14 6:15 p.m.: Sophomore Chorale, Chamber, Kantorei, Bel Canto. 8 p.m.: Geoff, Midori, Tenor/Bass Chorus, Treble Chorus, Concert Choir Hopkins High School Auditorium 2400 Lindbergh Dr., Minnetonka
hopkinsschools.org/early
Royal Bash!
save the date!
Mingle with friends and neighbors, enjoy great food, live music, dancing, and raise funds for projects that support Hopkins Public Schools. Tickets go on sale January 9. Plan to join us for this fun-filled event! February 25, 6 p.m. Marriott Minnetonka Southwest Information and purchase tickets: hopkinseducationfoundation.org
You Belong in Hopkins Three families describe why they chose Hopkins Public Schools
Kathy Willett attended high school in an affluent suburb. It seemed like an ideal situation, but she does not describe it that way. In fact, she describes it as lacking. Her husband, who attended a similar school district, felt the same way. Because they were not part of the upper-middle class, both felt like outsiders. Their schools did not have much to offer by way of diversity, and there seemingly was one type of kid. Willett remembers how she would try to fit in, but it never quite worked and it never felt right. When it was time for her girls to go to school, she knew she wanted a better experience for them. Hopkins was an obvious choice since she worked for the District in the early childhood program. But it was more than that. Hopkins had what she was looking for — strong academics in a diverse setting. “We wanted our kids to be exposed to many perspectives,” Willett said. “We were looking for an environment with different cultures, income levels, and faiths.”
Michelle Kuhl and her family. Kuhl said that one reason she chose Hopkins Public Schools is because the student body reflects her family.
“I still remember my child’s reaction to seeing other nations’ flags hanging in the halls of Eisenhower when she was in kindergarten,” said Jallow. “We talked about them and tried to figure out which flag belonged to which country. Understanding that their school has students whose parents are from countries and cultures all over the world was a pretty big deal, even at that age.”
I am playing the long
Changing demographics Hopkins Public Schools, like many game for my children. Minnesotan communities, looks different than it did 20 years ago. In 1996, only 9 percent I can teach them all of the students enrolled in the district were of sorts of things, but color; in 2016, that number is 42 percent. The Willett’s daughters are of students who qualify for the Free what I can’t teach them number comfortable in their own skin. and Reduced Lunch program has also changed They know themselves. She from 10 percent in 1996 to 27 percent in is how to be culturally attributes this to the Hopkins 2016. The District estimates that as many as culture, and an academic 46 languages are spoken by Hopkins students, competent from a experience that has offered a lot and 9 percent of the student population speaks of choice. This was exactly what young age. a language other than English as their first she had hoped for. language. Demographers predict that other suburbs will experience similar changes within the next 10 This sentiment also resonates with parent Jahay Jallow. Her years. first exposure to Hopkins was when she participated in the early childhood program. As an immigrant, the program Cultural competency helped her adapt to the American school system. Her Being part of a global environment has inherent benefits, children, now in seventh and 10th grade, have enjoyed offering a type of immersion experience in cultural being in a district that supports them and allows them to competency that is hard to truly understand through a feel comfortable maintaining their identities. textbook. Students are facing a workforce that is becoming increasingly global. Knowing how to interact with people who are different from you is an important life skill, and Hopkins students will be a step ahead of students who have not had these experiences. Parents like Michelle Kuhl have this in mind as they seek out learning environments for their children. Kuhl has a Ph.D. in educational policy and administration and wrote her thesis on diversity. She identifies as Black and Jewish and is part of a multiracial, multifaith family. It was important for her that her children attend a district that reflects her own family. Jahay Jallow poses with her girls. Jallow has appreciated how welcoming Hopkins Schools was to her family, starting in early childhood.
“I am playing the long game for my children, and I know that real life is not something I can manufacture for them,” Kuhl said. “I can teach them all sorts of things, but see You Belong in Hopkins on pg. 2