Hopkins March Update 2021

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The Community’s Guide to the District

John Kuhl Joins the Hopkins School Board

March 2021

Hopkins Junior Highs Keep Students Connected During a Time of Distance

On Tuesday, Feb. 2, John Kuhl was officially sworn in as the seventh Hopkins School Board member. Kuhl was one of several community members who applied to fulfill a vacancy left by Chris LaTondresse, who resigned from the board when he was voted in as Hennepin County Commissioner. After a careful selection process, Kuhl was chosen to join the Hopkins School Board. Kuhl will fulfill the remaining months of LaTondresse’s term, which was set to expire in January 2022.

Hopkins Celebrates Student Nutrition Staff for Reaching Major Milestone

West Junior High seventh-grade student Jamaria Brown-Watson (left) is one of many who are happy to be back learning in person. Watson said she enjoys the hands-on aspect of being in school.

This year, Hopkins seventh-graders did something no other class had done before — they transitioned into junior high without ever entering a building. Due to the pandemic, all scholars in grades 7-12 started their year in distance learning, and most remained in that learning model until after winter break. In fact, when junior high students entered the classroom for the first time, it had been nearly a year since they were physically in school. Starting school in a virtual environment was an unprecedented decision. While there was no roadmap for what this would look like, the Hopkins junior high program was especially mindful this year about creating virtual communities through unique What I Need (WIN) sessions that were held in the morning before the official start to the school day. The topics of these sessions helped create a sense of belonging for students, while allowing them to explore their passions.

Inspiring confidence and connection Hopkins has served over 1 million meals during the entirety of the pandemic. When hybrid learning began, nutrition staff were preparing meals for both at-home and in-person learners. Food has been delivered to students through critical home meal delivery, curbside service, weekend meal bags, in-school meals, and more. Each school thanked its nutrition staff with cheers, applause, shirts, and signs the week of Feb. 22.

Andrea Dale, a student services coordinator at North Junior High, is one of the staff members hosting virtual WIN sessions this year. Not being able to be in person was hard for Dale, who describes herself as a hugger and someone who cares and stands up for all kids. This year, she started a

DATES IN THE COMMUNITY

virtual affinity group for Black girls at North Junior High called Black Girl Magic. It’s a safe place where girls of color can talk about everything from social justice to hair care, TikTok, books, and mental health. “They are so thirsty for it,” said Dale. “They just want to connect with each other. This group is a fortress, you can make your way through anything when you have a group and a community. That’s part of the magic.” In the first Black Girl Magic session, three girls showed up. The next session had 13 and continues to hold strong. Dale said her goal for the group is to create a sense of community and to help girls of color build confidence. Whatever they want to be or aspire to do, she wants them to be the best version of themselves. In a time of isolation, this group is a lifeline. Dale has heard from parents and grandparents who have thanked her for starting the group and shared that they have noticed it has made a difference in their child. “I think I am the person they can come to if they have difficulties or have a question,” she said. “This work is my calling.”

Where We All Belong: Building an Anti-Racist World Join us for an online forum on navigating conversations about race and racism with your child. This event is open to all and is catered to parents and guardians of 9- to 13-year-olds. Thursday, March 25 at 6 p.m. on YouTube Register online at https://bit.ly/3q6ahdX

See Hopkins Junior Highs, inside

Best Summer Ever for Youth! Register now for Camp Royal activities and the Kids & Company summer care program. Camp Royal offers a variety of camps for students entering kindergarten to sixth grade. Visit HopkinsSchools.org/summer to learn more and register.


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