From the Superintendent, John Schultz, Ph.D.
Defining the Hopkins Excellence One of the long-standing goals of public education is to prepare young people for success. Hopkins Public Schools excels at this complicated work. Preparing students requires that we peer into the unknown and build learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Hopkins develops skills and knowledge, so students can be productive in the diverse environments that they will encounter in their futures. First and foremost, we teach young people the reading and mathematics skills necessary to support future learning. These are skills that the Hopkins community expects its students to continually develop from kindergarten to graduation. Our District is also the perfect place for students to challenge themselves and explore their many interests. Our schools give learners the opportunity to develop knowledge in a wide variety of subjects. Technology-infused learning Students work with one another through a prevailing virtual world. Hopkins students are taught how digital devices can be tools for their learning. Students in grades 6-12 have an iPad or Chromebook that they use to expand their learning. Through technology, a student experiences the rapidly changing culture in which they live. They see, under the care of a Hopkins professional, firsthand how technology and knowledge expand and change. A relevant culture Hopkins Public Schools welcomes and honors young people from many cultures. Our student body reflects the broader world. Hopkins students, who come from many different cultures and backgrounds, interact, collaborate, and learn together. The diversity of our student body is a great tool for our learners. The Hopkins excellence is defined by our ability to prepare young people. We are proud that our young people are partners in this pursuit! Sincerely, John W. Shultz Superintendent
AVID Students Celebrate Bright Futures The 2015-16 class of AVID students honor each other and their teachers during annual celebration
Nearly 75 students from Hopkins Public Schools’ AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program celebrated a year of successes May 3, complete with speeches from graduating seniors and recognition of the dedicated teachers. The AVID program at Hopkins is a nationally recognized approach to ensuring all students — especially the least served students in the academic middle — are successful in a rigorous curriculum. “I love hearing the student speeches and seeing the upperclassmen as they approach graduating,” said District AVID Coordinator Erik Thompson. “Seeing and hearing how much students have grown and matured during their time with us in Hopkins and the AVID program is the greatest reward that an educator can ask for.”
Hopkins Public Schools Welcomes Two New Principals This Fall Doug Bullinger will be the principal of Hopkins High School, and Mark French will be the principal of Gatewood Elementary Doug Bullinger is coming to Hopkins from the Mounds View School District, where he has worked since 2011. Four of those years he served as an associate principal of curriculum and instruction at Mounds View High School. His most recent role was the continuous improvement coordinator for the Mounds View District. “Doug Bullinger is committed to keeping Hopkins High School one of the top high schools in Minnesota,” said John Schultz, Doug Bullinger will be the next superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools. “He Hopkins High School principal. will provide strong instructional leadership and build relationships with the high school community.” Bullinger has a significant amount of leadership experience and a proven track record of helping teachers do their very best work. He describes himself as having an equity mindset that has shaped his core beliefs. In Mounds View, he led staff through large-scale change and reforms, and put practices in place to address achievement gaps and improve inequities in student learning. He also has strategized with teacher leaders to create effective and relevant professional development programs. A graduate of Osseo High School, Bullinger has held to his Minnesota roots throughout his career. Prior to Mounds View, he taught science for 10 years — three at Park Center High School and seven at Edina High School. He has been an adjunct professor for the past eight years at Hamline University, University of St. Catherine, and most recently St. Thomas. You can learn more about Bullinger by following him on Twitter @DougBullinger. Mark French has an extensive background in leadership and teaching. He has 19 years of elementary principal experience and 15 years of classroom teacher experience. For over 18 years, he served as principal of Rice Lake Elementary and Oak View Elementary, both in the Osseo Area Schools District. Known for an innovative and caring leadership style, French is able to create a strong and positive school culture. While at Osseo Area Schools, he embraced Mark French will be the next new technology as a communication principal of Gatewood Elementary. and engagement tool, and began actively promoting digital learning and modern classroom experiences through social media and his blog. He firmly believes in role modeling risk-taking and lifelong learning for his staff, and this trait has earned him respect and praise. “Mark’s work has been recognized by not only his present community of learners, but his professional colleagues, as well,” said Nik Lightfoot, assistant superintendent for Hopkins Public Schools. “He brings outstanding knowledge, ability, and presence. He will make an excellent addition to Gatewood and Hopkins Public Schools.” To learn more about French, you can follow him on Twitter @PrincipalFrench or search #89DaysOfSummer, where he plans to share his summer activities and adventures from June 1 to August 28. Full bios of both principals are available on our website: HopkinsSchools.org.