March 2013 Hopkins Public Schools Update Newsletter

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High School Choir Concert

Update Hopkins Public Schools

The community’s guide to the District.

Hopkins Junior High students create a chain reaction of kindness with Rachel’s Challenge

During the month of January, Hopkins junior high students worked with Rachel’s Challenge, a national program designed to equip and inspire individuals to replace acts of bullying and negativity, with acts of respect, kindness, and compassion.

The program is based on the life of 17-year-old Rachel Scott, who was the first student killed at Columbine High School in 1999. Rachel left a legacy of reaching out to those who were different.

Student leadership teams at both junior highs received additional training to master the program and carry it forward to create a positive junior high school community.

Hopkins secondary schools achieve milestone in preparing students for college

Advancement Via Individual Determination

Recently, Hopkins junior highs and high school have been recognized by the AVID Center as AVID Certified Sites.

Becoming AVID certified is another milestone in the growing AVID program at Hopkins.

AVID is a nationally recognized program that helps ensure that all students are successful in a rigorous curriculum.

March 2013

com m u ni t y Free STEM events for preschoolers & parents!

An evening with the Hopkins High School choir, conducted by award-winning director, Phillip Brown.

March 7, 7:30 p.m.

Hopkins High School 2400 Lindbergh Drive Minnetonka

Join us for STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Let’s Build events. Ages 3-5.

Tanglen: March 4, 9:30 a.m.

Meadowbrook: March 4, 10 a.m.

Gatewood: March 8, 10 a.m.

Glen Lake: March 11, 9:30 a.m.

Alice Smith: March 20, 10:00 a.m.

Eisenhower: March 22, 9:30 a.m.

Empty Bowls Event All are welcome! Be a part of the fun, entertainment, art, and fight against hunger – a fundraiser for local foodshelves.

Tuesday, March 12 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Hopkins Center for the Arts 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins HopkinsSchools.org/bowls

Creating College Readiness through Multiple Paths Range of innovative programs ensure Hopkins students attain college-readiness skills Through a variety of programs, classes, and innovative strategies, Hopkins High School is building a design for education that ensures all students graduate with the skills necessary for college. Achieving success in this endeavor requires a variety of paths that appeal to a range of students – from the high-flyer, to the students who are identified as high-potential, to the majority of students who are smack dab in the middle.

Teachers are experimenting with emerging teaching methods like “flip the classroom” to create more individualized learning experiences for students. While programs like AVID help high-potential students thrive and transition into more rigorous opportunities like College in the Schools and Advanced Placement courses that have always appealed to high-achieving students.

Anthony Padrnos works with math students in his fully “flipped” math class. A benefit of flip the classroom is that it creates more individualized learning experiences.

Flip the classroom is new, but Padrnos is already seeing promising results, especially among his students who are average or struggling in math. These students are able to pace themselves better, and work with Padrnos on a one-toone basis in the content areas that they are struggling with.

Padrnos is also able to push his high-achieving students into a deeper level of learning, creating a customized, rigorous curriculum to meet their needs.

Flipping the classroom upside down to create more individualized learning experiences Hopkins High School math teacher, Anthony Padrnos, knows a lot about flip the classroom, a teaching style where students do homework in class and watch lectures delivered by short Teachers are video clips at home. It’s the subject moving towards of his thesis, which he hopes to have completed in early spring of this being an year. With a goal of increasing MCA math scores and providing more instructional coach individualized learning experiences for for students, students, Padrnos became interested in putting his research into action in rather than the his math classes. His geometry class is now fully flipped and his pre-calculus container of the class is moving in that direction.

“Flipping the classroom moves the direct instruction out of the classroom to create a more individual experience in the classroom,” said Padrnos. “It’s applied learning, and it works well with math.”

information — it’s important that we teach them how to find their own answers.

Creating a flipped classroom requires an educational shift. Instructional lectures are delivered as homework through quick videos, and classroom time is used to work on math problems that were typically assigned as homework. The method increases the teacher’s ability to work individually with each student.

This semester, Padrnos was able to meet with every single student in class in an individual conference.

In Hopkins, the flipped classroom trend is moving beyond just the subject of math. Science teacher Mike Harris is using the teaching style in his College in the Schools anatomy and physiology class. For Harris, flip the classroom is helping his students build skills, like collaboration, that will be essential in college. His classroom has transitioned from a passive space, where students listen to him lecture, to an active classroom where he participates in a learning-based dialogue with his students.

“Teachers are moving towards being an instructional coach for students, rather than the container of the information,” said Harris. “It’s important that we teach them how to find their own answers.”

Helping students to be college-bound with AVID AVID coordinator Shannon Bailey spends quite a bit of time thinking about what it means for a student to be college-bound. The purpose of AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is to make sure students in the middle are entering some type of post-secondary education after graduating from Hopkins High School.

The program has been at Hopkins for six years and has graduated three classes. It starts in junior high and continues through the high school years.

College Readiness, see inside

College Readiness continued from cover building confidence. It may not be appropriate for all AVID students to take AP and honors courses, but there are students who could be taking more rigorous courses, but don’t because they don’t perceive themselves as an AP student.

“AVID students may be on the same academic playing field as a high-achieving student, but they don’t always have the same confidence,” said Bailey. “We encourage these students to take at least one AP class and provide a supportive structure so they can be successful in these classes.”

Mike Harris works with a student in his flipped anatomy and physiology classroom.

Advanced Placement and College in the Schools According to Sara Garcia, gifted and talented coordinator, the strength of Hopkins High School lies in the breadth of programming and offerings it is able to provide, making it possible for all students to explore college-level work.

According to Bailey, the requirements for AVID are not always what people expect. Her students are high-potential, but their performance does Students who want to prepare for college by not always reflect their abilities. Many AVID taking college-level classes will not fall short on students would be the first in their family to options. With 16 classes in a range of subjects, attend college. They have the ability to be Hopkins High School has one of college-bound, but may lack the most extensive AP (Advanced We are looking confidence or support. But Placement) programs in the state. for kids who are These classes are at the college ability alone is not enough — the students accepted into level, open to any student who highly motivated, would like to take them, and are AVID need to have the right combination of potential and capable of earning college credit. but who don’t motivation. And, of course, they Last year, about 650 Hopkins maintain that need to be interested in going to High School students took at least college. That’s something Bailey one AP class, and programs like motivation views as non-negotiable. The AVID are encouraging even more interview process for AVID is students into these more rigorous consistently. in-depth. It requires a referral, a opportunities.

Some AVID kids paper application and a face-toCIS (College in the Schools) face interview. The students who classes are similar, but offer are getting all As, are chosen must demonstrate college credit from the University their commitment to the process. but are not taking of Minnesota to students who “We are looking for students who the challenging complete and pass the class. Last are highly-motivated, but who year 326 students enrolled in one don’t maintain that motivation classes they could of six CIS classes, and together, consistently,” said Bailey. “Some earned a total of 1,557 college be taking.

AVID kids are getting all As, but credits. are not taking the challenging The major advantage of AP and CIS classes is classes they could be taking.” that they provide students with the skills and the The role of AVID is to help students find tools to interact with an intellectually higherthe right college-bound path for them, while level class. Students can experience the rigor, developing life skills, providing support, and rhythm, and expectation of college-level work

Hopkins Community Education

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K-6 youth will love Camp Royal, with flexible full-day or part-day fun with art, chess, pottery, crafts, cooking, soccer, STEM, and much more!

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while still in high school — and they can pick up a multitude of college credits along the way.

“The best service we can provide a student is to give them the skills to be able to take what they’ve learned elsewhere, so that when they leave that AP class, they are able to transfer those skills to other areas of life,” said Garcia.

Highly-qualified AP and CIS Teachers

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Six Hopkins High School Advanced Placement (AP) teachers are certified AP Readers This means they join college faculty and select AP teachers from across the country to evaluate and score AP exams.

Teachers who are selected to be AP Readers are experienced in teaching rigorous, college-level work. They are experts in their fields. The process also gives teachers insight into AP exams, allowing them the opportunity to develop techniques to offer the best preparation to students.

Rigorous training requirements for College in the Schools teachers In order to teach College in the Schools, (CIS) teachers must attend ongoing training, summer workshops, and two workshops during the year. The University of Minnesota must sign off on all teachers who teach their classes, and it is a rigorous application process.

Building a great place to live

Youth Summer Rocks! in Hopkins & Minnetonka Hopk

Flipped classrooms require a higher level of student collaboration.

Preschool-age, check out Hop-Kids for action and learning that feels like fun, with t-ball, floor hockey, fishing, ballet, golf, art, drama, science, music, and more.

Parent Education

FREE event, free CEUs!

Parent Forum: Kids & Technology Thursday, March 7 6:30-8:45 p.m.

Eisenhower Community Center 1001 Hwy. 7, Hopkins

Katy Smith

Join Katy Smith, 2011 Minnesota Teacher of the Year and Parent Educator, for a discussion about media and children. Be supported, challenged, and inspired for your greatest role in life – that of a parent. Break-out groups at 8:00 p.m. Free, registration requested, 952-988-4070 or online at www.HopkinsSchools.org/Katy.

Hopkins High School Earns 29 Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards

STEM Let’s Build events for preschoolers and parents Preschoolers and parents are invited to free STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Let’s Build events featuring STEM stations with The Works museum.

Each of our elementary schools invites children ages 3-5, and their parents, to participate in the hands-on STEM Let’s Build activities, designed to create a fun, memorable learning experience. The Works offers hands-on engineering programs that make learning about science and engineering interesting, understandable, and fun for kids.

Gold Key winner (American Vision Nominee): Michael Semahge

Gold Key winner: Sarah Klecker

Student Michael Semahge named American Vision Nominee, Kelly Marble named Gold Key portfolio winner Hopkins High School art and photography students won an impressive 29 Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards (10 Gold Key, eight Silver Key, and 11 Honorable Mentions). Hopkins student, Michael Semahge, received the Gold Key, American Vision Nominee in the category of drawing. His drawing is one of five “Best of Show� pieces in Minnesota. Semahge will continue to the national competition in New York City, where one piece will be selected to represent Minnesota in the National Art Exhibition.

Statewide, only 17 portfolio entries earned the Gold Key award – and one Hopkins student, Kelly Marble, was among these winners.

Students who received the Gold Key will have their winning pieces exhibited at the College of Visual Arts in St. Paul from February 7 to March 3. Silver Key and Honorable Mentions will be on display digitally. An awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 3.

The Gold Key winners will move on to the national competition in the spring with a reception at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

National winners will be announced in May. The Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards is the highest art recognition for high school students. This year the contest received 1,849 individual artwork entries and 164 portfolio entries. The jury awarded 183 Gold Keys and 186 Silver Keys for individual entries and 17 Gold Keys and 13 Silver Keys for portfolio entries.

Hopkins Gold Key award recipients: Michael Semahge - Drawing (American Vision Nominee) Kelly Marble - Jewelry Portfolio William Chizek - Photography Sarah Grimaldi - Drawing Alexandra Hanson - Painting Claire Hoober - Painting Gold Key winner: Jon Zierden Claire Hoober - Drawing Sarah Klecker - Drawing Jon Zierden - Jewelry Jon Zierden - Sculpture Hopkins Silver Key award recipients: Matthew Chinn - Ceramics and Glass Lily Marcelius - Ceramics and Glass Tom Sheely - Jewelry Alexandra Hanson - Drawing Sarah Klecker - Painting Isabel Korab - Drawing Isabel Korab - Painting Mao Lee - Painting

Gold Key Portfolio winner: Kelly Marble

STEM skills are front and center for future careers in Minnesota and global companies Hopkins is committed to preparing students for a highly technical future. Our nationally recognized and researched core STEM curriculum, Engineering is Elementary (EiE) was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston. Hopkins is one of only three school districts in Minnesota to offer this advanced curriculum in our elementary schools.

Bring your preschooler to the Let’s Build event, coming to your Hopkins elementary school on the following dates: Tanglen Elementary: March 4, 9:30 a.m.

Meadowbrook Elementary: March 4, 10:00 a.m.

Gatewood Elementary: March 8, 10:00 a.m.

Glen Lake Elementary: March 11, 9:30 a.m.

Alice Smith Elementary: March 20, 10:00 a.m.

Eisenhower + XinXing: March 22, 9:30 a.m.

Watch the STEM video, visit HopkinsSchools.org/STEM

It’s Kindergarten Roundup Time at Hopkins!

Kindergarten Roundups are fast approaching. All families with 2013-14 kindergartners are encouraged to attend, regardless of your kindergarten choice.

At Roundup, your child will be involved in kindergarten activities to acquaint them with the teacher and classrooms. While your child is engaged in activities, you will meet the principal and others from the school. As this is the beginning of the registration process, you will receive important information from the principal, school nurse, transportation supervisor, and Kids & Company staff.

Kindergarten Roundups are held at each Hopkins elementary school on the following dates: Glen Lake Elementary: Tuesday, March 5, 6:30 p.m.

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Can’t make it to Roundup? Please call your child’s school to receive the necessary information.

District Life Changer

Shannon Bailey

Shannon Bailey knows how to help her students be better writers, thinkers, and readers — standard procedure for her role as Hopkins AVID District Director — but she knows she has done her job well when her students are able to set the bar high, do what it takes to reach their goals, take risks, and have the determination to try again, even when things don’t go well the first time.

“Ms. Bailey has a knack for seeing the potential in people that they do not even see in themselves,” said former AVID student Wesley Wooten. “I’m proud of myself for achieving something I never thought possible, but at the end of the day, I have to give the most credit to Ms. Bailey for believing in me, she has made a powerful impact on my life.”

A Hopkins classroom teacher, Shannon was asked to help implement the AVID program at Hopkins High School in 2006. It was a natural fit, and she’s been teaching the AVID class and coordinating the program ever since. Her work with AVID (Advancing Via Individual Determination) is all about ensuring that Hopkins students are college-ready. As a result of the AVID program, there are more students taking and succeeding in advanced and honors course work than in years past.

“Shannon reaches out in many ways, above and beyond the scope of her job, she is extremely invested in her role with the students,” said Patty Johnson, Hopkins High School principal. “She helps students achieve their dream of going to college, who have never had anyone in their entire family attend college before — she has high expectations of her kids and she cares.”

Background: A St. Paul native, Shannon graduated from the U of M, and went to work at the Boys and Girls Club in Minneapolis. Later, she began working for the Storefront Group to work with students of color in predominantly white suburban school districts, which included Hopkins. With the support of Hopkins administration, Shannon went back to school for her teaching license and taught social studies classes for 11 years before taking on her role with AVID. What do you love most about working at Hopkins Public Schools? The staff and administrators at Hopkins are continually trying to improve how and what we teach, how much kids learn, and address the challenges we face in education. I couldn’t imagine teaching anywhere else.

Proudest moments? The moments that touch me are when a student’s hard work results in improvement or opportunity — an improved score on a test, an A on a difficult class project, an acceptance letter from a college, a scholarship award for a student who is struggling with tuition costs, or a student returning from college to tell me how much they love it. I love celebrating these moments with my students.

Teaching philosophy? I believe that our job as educators is to teach kids what excellence looks like, teach them how to obtain excellence, and encourage and support them as they challenge themselves to excel every day.

Stats: r B.A. African American Studies, University of Minnesota, M.Ed, Secondary Social Studies Education, University of Minnesota. r Shannon leads the roles of AVID District Director, AVID Elementary District Liaison, and AVID 10 Teacher

Where are they now?

Madeline Rudin: 2006 graduate

Stats: Public Relations and Marketing at Interview Magazine. t Studied Magazine Journalism, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University fun facts Madeline moved to New York upon graduation from college to pursue a career in the magazine industry. Apart from her responsibilities at Interview magazine, she freelances for various online publications, and is a regular contributor to Trendland.com. Her future plans include acquiring a degree that will allow her to teach communications and content marketing in an ever-changing digital age.

Favorite hangout spot at Hopkins High School?

The Mall.

Favorite Band of 2006? Guster.

How did Hopkins prepare you? The sense of community within the walls of Hopkins High School was excellent and set a great foundation for success both socially and academically.

What Hopkins teacher made a difference in your life? Randi Rood, AP Drawing & Painting class. Ms. Rood encouraged us to think critically and use our creative license to explore new ideas.

Community Spirit Kathy Israel

When Kathy Israel took her first pottery class though Hopkins Community Education 13 years ago, she was hooked. So, when her instructor asked her to volunteer as a co-teacher for Empty Bowls pottery classes, she was thrilled to be a part of such a community-focused event. Besides teaching, Kathy spends countless hours hand-crafting miniature bowl necklaces that volunteers wear at the event. Veteran Empty Bowls volunteers proudly cherish their bowl necklaces, and look forward to one of Kathy’s intricate creations each year.

Her work doesn’t end with Empty Bowls — Kathy is passionate about kids and has spent 10 years working with the A.S.K (After School Kids) academic support program at Eisenhower Elementary.

Proudest moments volunteering?

I once worked with Stepping Stones preschoolers and parents to create and glaze 100 bowls for Empty Bowls. We all worked together, creatively and cooperatively, to make functional art that would ultimately raise money to help our neighbors in need.

What person has influenced you most?

It has definitely been my mom and dad. They believed that everyone deserved respect, freedom, and opportunity. I try to live by the Golden Rule.

Pie or cake?

Definitely white cake with white frosting. But I must admit, lemon meringue pie is a close second!

People would be surprised to learn...

As a child, I would rather play outside in my cowboy boots than take ballet or piano lessons.

I volunteer because...

I love any opportunity to help someone realize they have a skill or a talent — because I know if we believe in ourselves, we can then believe in others.

Know someone we should feature on this page? Email Carrie.Gerard@HopkinsSchools.org

Peter Brickwedde: 2002 graduate

Jane Kleinman: 1983 graduate

Stats: Director of Government Affairs for the Minnesota Department of Commerce t B.A. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota fun facts Married since 2010, Peter and his wife Meghan love living in downtown Minneapolis. Recently, Peter attended his 10-year Hopkins High School reunion and had a blast catching up with old friends. Though he works for the Department of Commerce, Peter says, with a wink, that his future plans have always included playing first base for the Twins!

Favorite hangout spot at Hopkins High School?

The Cove before school started.

Favorite Band of 2002? Dave Matthews Band.

How did Hopkins prepare you? I received a tremendous education at Hopkins and had educators who prepared me well for my career.

What Hopkins teacher made a difference in your life? The social studies department played a huge role in exposing me to a wider world of civic life that influenced my career decisions.

But, nobody had a bigger influence on my life than Jim Brickwedde, my father, who taught at Meadowbrook from 1989 to 2010.

Stats: Health Science Teacher, Department Chair and Curriculum Coordinator at Hopkins High School t B.A. Economics & Management, St. Olaf College. M.A. Teaching, St. Thomas University.

After a stint selling real estate, Jane managed lift/rental operation at Hyland Hills Ski Area while coaching sports at area schools. A life-altering experience motivated her to become a health teacher, which she credits as the best decision she has ever made.

In her 20th year as a Hopkins teacher, Jane says she loves going to work each and every day.

Favorite hangout spot at Hopkins High School?

The “senior steps” in front of the library.

Favorite Bands of 1983? Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, and Air Supply.

How did Hopkins prepare you? Hopkins gave me tremendous opportunities and new experiences, along with passionate staff and community. I feel blessed to be teaching at Hopkins and fortunate to have my children attend school here at Hopkins.

What Hopkins teacher made a difference in your life? There were so many! Kenny Novak Sr. — his coaching example was instrumental in my desire to be a high school coach.

Update: March 2013

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March Events Kindergarten Roundup Nights – Families of 2013-14 kindergartners are encouraged to attend Roundup at their child’s school.

Check for upcoming dates and times: HopkinsSchools.org/Kinder or call your child’s school office.

Kids & Company Registration – Kids & Company provides high-quality school-age care before- and after-school, on school vacation days, and during summer. Plan now for spring break, March 25-29.

Registration for 2013-14 school year is now open.

Register online: HopkinsCommunityEd.org/Kids or call 952-988-4080.

Together We Read – Join the Community Book Read 2013, and read the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio. Then, join us for a panel discussion.

March 7 - April 18, panel presentation on April 18 Watch for details in the next Update and at www.HopkinsCommunityEd.org Friday Night Live! Fun and supervised event for all 5th and 6th graders.

Details and to register: call 952-988-4070, or HopkinsCommunityEd.org.

March 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Hopkins North Junior High School, 10700 Cedar Lake Road, Minnetonka Empty Bowls Fundraiser – Help celebrate community and support local foodshelves.

March 12, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins

Get Connected, Stay Connected Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HopkinsPublicSchools

World Language Coming to Hopkins Elementary Schools You asked. We listened. Starting next year, all Hopkins elementary schools will have Spanish language instruction. In 2011, a parent survey revealed that 89 percent of parents would favor World Language at the elementary level. Hopkins will implement the FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) model starting next year in kindergarten and first grade at all Hopkins elementary schools. The program will grow each year until it reaches sixth-grade. The anticipated level of language proficiency for elementary students upon entering the junior-high program is Spanish Level II, once the elementary program is implemented in grades K-6.

Further details in the next issue of the Update.

Learn more about this exciting decision at: www.HopkinsSchools.org/Spanish.

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The Musical

Bring the whole family to see Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. — the musical. Based on the award-winning 1970s educational animated TV series.

Performed by West Junior High students, this is a production all ages will enjoy! Tickets available now.

March 8, 7:30 p.m.

March 9, 7:30 p.m.

March 10, 3:00 p.m.

Hopkins High School, Little Theater

Tickets: www.HopkinsSchools.org/schoolhouse-rock or call 952-988-4070

Empty Bowls Celebrates 15 Years Helping Community Though we have persevered through the coldest days of winter, some families and community members still struggle with hunger.

Fortunately, on March 12, Empty Bowls returns for its 15th year, aiming for a new high goal – $80,000 to fight hunger in our community.

The past 14 years of Empty Bowls has yielded nearly $700,000, aiding countless families and community members by benefiting ICA Food Shelf and Resource West. This year, because of high turnouts for bowl-making events, as well as the landmark of 15 priceless years, the event is expected to be bigger than ever.

How can I help?

You can make a bowl, volunteer at the event, sponsor with soup or bread, make a financial contribution, donate a fine art bowl or any hunger related art piece, entertain at the event as a musician, or simply enjoy a bowl of soup with the community. Any form of help gets us one step closer to ensuring the only empty bowls in our community are the ones on pottery wheels.

All are welcome to this community event: March 12, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Hopkins Center for the Arts 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins More information or to make a donation visit www.HopkinsSchools.org/Bowls

Hopkins superintendent and 2013 Empty Bowls community co-chair, John Schulz, gets some pointers at the pottery wheel from a Hopkins high school ceramics student.