8th Grade Parent Night

8th Grade Parent Night Agenda

Thursday, March 30th, 2017

Welcome: 7:00-7:15 (Athletic Center) >Evan Bishop, Principal

Workshops: 7:20 – 9:00 > Subject Matter Leaders (see below)
   
After a brief introduction in the Athletic Center, we will break up for informational curriculum workshops. Each workshop will be 15 minutes in length with 5 minutes passing time in between for parents to rotate to the next session. Subject Matter Leaders will take the opportunity to discuss highlights of their department, explain what 9th graders can expect next year and answer any questions you may have about their subject.

Workshop schedule:
Workshop # 1: 7:20- 7:35
Workshop # 2: 7:40 – 7:55
Workshop # 3: 8:00 – 8:15
Workshop # 4: 8:20 – 8:35
Workshop # 5: 8:40 – 8:55


Workshop Subject Breakdown:
Math/Science – Carla Crisafulli and Val Lechtanski – (Library)
English/History & Social Sciences – Sarah Ellam, Michael Sullivan (Auditorium)  
Foreign Language/Wellness – Marilyn Miracle, Bruce Elliott (Athletic Center)
Music/Art/Engineering & Technology – Craig Hay, Colleen Gianino, & Doug Scott (C208)
Course Recommendations & Scheduling Overview – Adelaide Greco (Guidance Office)

**Ashoke Ghosh, our Director of Technology, will also be available for drop-ins throughout the evening if you have questions about the 1:1 Laptop Program in the cafeteria.

Parent Groupings: Group 1 - Parents with last names A-D
Group 2 - Parents with last name E-K
Group 3 - Parents with last name L-P
Group 4 - Parents with last name Q-Z

We will also have junior and senior UNITE mentors around the building to help with any questions you may have, need help finding a workshop, or if you are interested in taking a tour of the building.

Hopkinton High School

Telephone: (508) 497-9820

FAX: (508) 497-9829

Guidance: (508) 497-9840

Website

Typical 9th Grade Course Requests

English 9

Math

Intro to Chemistry/Intro to Physics

World History

Foreign Language

Elective

Wellness

Freshman Guidance Seminar

For every course a student passes in high school, s/he earns credits.A student must earn 113 credits over four years in order to graduate.See HHS Program of Studies for details.

Credits are earned by passing courses.  

Most courses meet 5 times a cycle (7 days) and award 2.5 credits per semester.

Credit for courses meeting more or less frequently during a cycle award pro-rated credit.

Failing Grades = No Credit = Summer School or Repeating Course

• Students must take a minimum of SIX courses each semester.
• Required courses in grade 9 are English, World History, Intro to Chemistry and Physics, Mathematics, and Wellness.  Freshman Guidance Seminar is a required course, which meets during the first term in the same time block with Wellness.

What are the academic expectations of a course?

Courses in Art, Music, Wellness, Drama, Technology & Engineering, and some other electives without any designation are available to all students.  Grades earned in these subjects are not included in the student’s GPA (Grade Point Average) unless they are designated an honors or AP course.

COURSE LEVELS

GENERAL: General courses include Art, Music, Wellness, Drama, as well as Technology & Engineering and other electives which are available to all students.

COLLEGE PREPARATORY (CP): College Preparatory courses are designed for students who are preparing to continue their education beyond high school. The instructional methodologies and pace are designed to meet the individualized needs of the students. Outside work and/or research papers and projects may be required.

HONORS (H): Honors courses are designed to be rigorous, challenging, in-depth courses.
Extensive work outside the classroom, such as research papers or special projects, is assigned. A positive attitude and strong work ethic are important to succeed in Honors courses.

ACCELERATED (AC): Accelerated courses (Math only) are rigorous, challenging and in-depth courses in which significantly more content is delivered at a faster pace than in an honors course.  In addition to having a strong work ethic, students are expected to have a solid academic background in the subject. Accelerated and honors courses will prepare students for future study at the advanced placement level.

Freshman Guidance Seminar

All 9th graders are assigned to a Freshmen Guidance Seminar as part of their curriculum.  This course will meet in small groups for one class period every 7-day rotation during the first or second quarter of the school year. The guidance seminars are designed to allow counselors and students to get to know each other, to orient the freshmen to the high school, and to encourage a smooth transition from the middle school structure to a more independent environment.  Topics addressed include transitional and adjustment concerns, goal-setting for the future, learning styles, managing stress, and improving study skills.  This course is mandatory for grade 9 students.

High School Counseling Staff

Adelaide Riordan Greco Counseling Department Coordinator lgreco@hopkinton.k12.ma.us 508-497-9840  x1138	Kristen Wurster School Counselor kwurster@hopkinton.k12.ma.us 508-497-9840  x1141
Patrick O’Brien School Counselor pobrien@hopkinton.k12.ma.us 508-497-9840  x1011	Kirsten Gleason Adjustment Counselor kgleason@hopkinton.k12.ma.us 508-497-9840  x1145
Cheryl Elder School Counselor celder@hopkinton.k12.ma.us 508-497-9840 x1137	Jane Gomes Adjustment Counselor jgomes@hopkinton.k12.ma.us 508-497-9840  x1139
Kiely Murray School Counselor kmurray@hopkinton.k12.ma.us 508-497-9840 x1140	Nadine Hoagland Counseling Department Support Staff nhoagland@hopkinton.k12.ma.us 508-497-9840  x1256
Michael Flanagan School Counselor mflanagan@hopkinton.k12.ma.us 508-497-9840 x1119	Connie O’Loughlin Counseling Department Support Staff coloughlin@hopkinton.k12.ma.us 508-497-9840  x1257

Lisa Winner
Adjustment Counselor - START
lwinner@hopkinton.k12.ma.us

For more information about HHS please check out the sites below:

• Instragram  Hopkinton_high_school
• Twitter - @hopkintonhs and @hillerathletics
• HHS Press – student newspaper located on the HHS website (site shortcuts)
• HHS Today – student run TV production located on the HHS website (site shortcuts)

Back To School Night

September 12, 2016

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Please join us at Hopkinton High School on Thursday evening, September 15, for our annual Back-to-School Night.  This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and learn more about the high school.  Teachers use this occasion to discuss the content of their courses, expectations for students, and the best way to contact them throughout the year.

The Back-to-School Night program will begin promptly at 7:00 pm.  We ask that parents please report directly to your child’s first period class as we have put together a back-to-school night video that teachers will show in their individual classrooms to begin the evening.  After the welcome video, you will have a chance to meet all of your child’s teachers by attending each of their classes.  This will begin at 7:15 pm and each class will run for ten minutes with five-minutes of passing time in between (see schedule below).  Please ask your child for a copy of their schedule or you can access the schedule through your iPass/iParent account.   Please note that all Wellness classes will meet in the Athletic Center.  Also, if your child has a study period or a guidance seminar in their schedule we encourage you to visit our newly renovated library space.  In addition, if you have any questions about an online class or your iPass/iParent account, the technology staff will be available between 7 – 9 pm in A219.

Also, Senior, Junior, Sophomore and Freshman classes will be collecting class dues by the auditorium and the school store will be open so that you can stock up on Hiller gear! There will also be UNITE members around the school in black and green shirts to help you find your way around the building.

As this evening is designed for general introductions and information, and time is limited, there will not be an opportunity for individual conferences.  If you have a specific concern about your child you may contact the teacher by note, phone, e-mail, or set up a parent/teacher conference directly with the teacher, or through Guidance.

I look forward to seeing you at Back-to-School Night.  

Go Hillers!

Evan Bishop, M.Ed.

Principal

Back to School Night 2016

Schedule of Events

7:00 – 7:15 pm:  Welcome video from the Administration (in your child’s first period classroom)

7:15 – 7:25 pm:  Period 1

7:30 – 7:40pm:   Period 2

7:45 – 7:55 pm:  Period 3

8:00 – 8:10 pm:  Period 4

8:15 – 8:25 pm:  Period 5

8:30 – 8:40 pm:  Period 6  (1st block of “B” day)

8:45 – 8:55 pm:  Period 7  (2nd block of “B” day)

Welcome Back Letter

Dear Parents & Guardians,

It has been a beautiful summer and I hope you have all had some time to relax and enjoy your families.  It is almost time to say goodbye to summer and hello to a brand new school year that I’m sure will be filled with exciting times, challenges and possibilities.  I want to thank you in advance for all of your continued support.  I feel very fortunate to work in a community with such dedicated, caring and supportive parents and students.  

We are in full swing preparing the building for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year.  Our front office, guidance, custodial and maintenance personnel have been working extremely hard preparing for the first day of school on Wednesday, August 31.  I know you will join me in thanking them for all of their hard work, diligence and commitment to the building and our students.  In addition, many of our teachers have done substantial work this summer writing curriculum and participating in professional development courses and workshops.  The learning never stops here at HHS!

Next week the school will really come alive as fall sports will start and our student council will have its first meeting of the year.  We will also host 9th Grade Orientation for the class of 2020 on Wednesday, August 24, from 8:30am - 1pm and New Teacher Orientation on Tuesday, August 23, and Wednesday, August 24.  Our New Student/ International Student Orientation is scheduled for Thursday, August 25, from 11 - 1pm, and on Wednesday, August 31, we will officially open our doors for another school year -- hopefully, our best yet!  Another upcoming important date to keep in mind is our Back to School Night, scheduled for Thursday, September 15 at 7pm.

At HHS, we will use many ways to share information with you throughout the course of the school year.  For example, each student has a hillers.org email address and will receive emails from administration about upcoming events. I will also send out a monthly newsletter recapping the previous month and highlighting our amazing students and staff.  Additionally, to subscribe to receive information, announcements and news from your child’s grade level, you can click on the following link http://www.hopkinton.k12.ma.us/domain/411.  Simply enter your name, check the appropriate grade levels and submit. There is no need to register for emergency phone or email chains, as those communications will come directly through iPass iAuto Alerts. If you have a Twitter account, please consider following us at username @HopkintonHS.  All are encouraged to read the Student Weekly Memos and Principal’s Blog, both located on the high school homepage for weekly updates.

In an effort to incorporate common planning time for HHS faculty, as well as to explore the benefits of a later start time for students and staff, this year we will institute what we’re calling Hiller Days.  Hiller Days will be scheduled once a month between September and May.  We feel strongly that common planning time helps improve instruction by allowing teachers to share best practices, review student work and plan curriculum and lessons together.  This common planning time for teachers will fall between 7:20 and  8:00 am on the last Friday of each month starting in September. The bell schedule and specific Hiller Days for the year can be found on the school website.

Please note that, on Hiller Days, school will open at the normal time and buses will run on a regular schedule.  However, first period will not start until 8:00 am, so students are not expected to be at the high school until that time.  If your son/daughter comes to school prior to 8:00 am, s/he can go to the library, cafeteria, athletic center, or guidance office as they can on any other day if they arrive early.  As usual, breakfast will be served and, in addition, the fitness center will be available for student use.  Lastly, the week in which we have a Hiller Day scheduled there will not be an advisory period, so instructional time will be preserved in order to accomplish our goal of creating more common planning time and exploring a later start time.

Lastly, this summer we have welcomed quite a few new faces to the Hopkinton High School family.  Please join me in welcoming the following new staff members to HHS:

Caitlin Burke (Intensive Special Education Teacher)

Caitlin earned her Bachelor of Arts from Lafayette College in 2008.  In addition to her Special Education certification, she is also certified in History.  Caitlin taught in the Northbridge School District and also served as a Special Education Department Head.  She has coached field hockey at the varsity level since 2011.      

Ijen Chen (Mandarin Teacher)

Ijen earned her Bachelor of Arts from National Cheng-Chi University in Taiwan in Land Economics before earning her Masters of Art degree in Psychology from Boston University and her Master of Science in Education degree in Special Education in Severe Need from Simmons College.  She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.  She has worked in various districts most recently the Marlborough Public Schools and Melmark New England.  Ijen will be teaching our Honors Mandarin IV class this upcoming year.

Andrew Couto (Science Teacher)

Andrew earned his Bachelor of Science from UMASS Amherst in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation before earning his Masters of Art degree in Teaching from UMASS Dartmouth.  He has worked as a Science teacher at the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School since 2012 where he coached both the Science Olympiad and the Science Bowl teams.  He conducted his student teaching in the Wareham Public Schools.  Andrew will be teaching sections of both Biology and Anatomy and Physiology this upcoming year.

Richard Guyette (Long Term Substitute Guidance Counselor)  

Richard received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Regis College and his Masters of Education in School Guidance Cambridge College.  Richard has previously served as a Guidance Counselor at Norton High School and completed his Guidance Internship at Dover Sherborn Middle/High School.  Prior to his career in education, Richard worked in Marketing Operations and Business Strategies at EMC and in Promotion and Public Relations for NESN.  Richard enjoys coaching soccer and basketball.

Jessica LeBel (.5 Transition Specialist)

Jessica earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Cedar Crest College.  She has worked as the Coordinator of Residential Life at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts since 2013.  Prior to that she served as a case manager/social worker at the Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Cedar Crest Campus in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Courtney Miville (Foreign Language Teacher)

Courtney earned her Bachelor of Arts from Connecticut College in Hispanic Studies with a minor in Latin before earning her Master of Science degree in Ecological Teaching and Learning from Lesley University.  She has worked as a Spanish teacher at Nauset Regional High School since 2010.  Courtney has also served as a Student Council Co-Advisor, Fundraiser Designer and Coordinator, Ecology Club Co-Advisor, Rotary Interact Club Co-Advisor, and has participated in the Interdistrict School for Art and Communication Service Learning program.  Courtney will be teaching sections of Spanish II and Global Spanish this upcoming year.

Patrick O’Brien (Guidance Counselor)

Patrick will be returning to HHS after a year at Canton High School.  During the 2014-15 school year, Pat served as a long-term sub for both Ms. King and Ms. Wurster, so he is very familiar with the high school guidance department.  He obtained his Bachelor of Science from Roger Williams University and a Master of Education in School Counseling from Bridgewater State University.  Pat has served as an Assistant Varsity Lacrosse Coach at Newton South High School and a Behavioral Specialist at the Stevens Treatment Program in Swansea.  Pat is also a graduate of HHS.

I hope you enjoy these last few weeks of summer and I look forward to working with you in the upcoming year!

Go Hillers!

Evan Bishop

Principal

Principal's Weekly Update: Summer Edition

Dear Parent/Guardian:        

I hope this letter finds you enjoying the summer with family and friends.  This time of year is routinely busy at HHS, with numerous projects underway, and preparing for the upcoming school year.  In just a few short weeks, we will be back in full swing and I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of some important information.

Class of 2020 and New Student Orientation  All incoming 9th grade students are invited to orientation on Wednesday, August 24, from 8:30am to 1pm.  Incoming 9th grade students will have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the building layout and the locations of their classrooms. Administrators, class advisors and UNITE student leaders will also provide a general overview of our curriculum, rules, procedures and extracurricular activities.  Laptops will also be distributed at orientation for the Class of 2020.  Any students new to Hopkinton High School, grades 10 - 12, are invited to our New Student Orientation on Thursday, August 25 from 11:30 -1pm.

Student Schedules/ ID Pictures: Pictures for student IDs will be taken on Wednesday, August 24, for all high school students any time between 8 - 2pm.  Students will be able to receive a printed copy of their schedule, along with biographical information and medical forms after they have taken their ID picture on the 24th. Schedules will also be made available online through your iStudent/iParent account on Friday, August 26. Student schedules received prior to the first day of school may reflect some unresolved scheduling conflicts. If that is the case, please set up an appointment with your guidance counselor. Counselors will be in starting the week of August 22.  

Fall Sports: Varsity & JV Football start on Friday, August 19th, Freshman Football & Cheerleading start on Monday, August 22, and all other fall sports start on Thursday, August 25. Please remember to sign up to be eligible to participate through FamilyID on the HHS website asap!  For other athletics questions, please contact our new Athletic Director, Dee King, at dking@hopkinton.k12.ma.us or by phone at 508-497-9845.    

School Opening:  This year school starts Wednesday, August 31st.  Out typical school day starts at 7:25 am and ends at 1:50 pm. 

Save the Date!  HHS will host its annual Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 15, from 7- 9pm. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with teachers while experiencing a simulated school day. More information about Back-to-School Night will be sent out as we get closer to September 15.

I look forward to another very productive and exciting year.  If you have any questions, or if I can do anything to assist you and your family, please do not hesitate to contact me at 508-497-9820.  With only a few weeks left, I wish you continued relaxation, enjoyment, and fun this summer.

Go Hillers!

Evan Bishop, M.Ed

Principal

HHS Weekly Update for April 11 - 15th

Weekly Announcements:

- On Wednesday, Peer Leaders is hosting a Boston Strong Day at HHS.  All are encouraged to wear blue and yellow to school.  In addition, former marathon winner, Meb Klefezighi, will be attending our spring track meet against Medfield High on Wednesday, hopefully we can get him to run for us!

- Also on Wednesday our music department will be hosting a Jazz night in the auditorium at 7pm. All are encouraged to come listen to some great music.

- Thursday is a busy day/night.  We have our first annual Girls Robotics Day in C206 & C207 from 2  4pm, and the HHS library will be hosting two henna artists, during long block. There are also 2 events that evening.  The seniors have their 50 days to graduation dinner in the cafeteria and the district is hosting a STEM informational night (science, technology, engineering & math) at the middle school from 6:30 - 8pm.

- On Friday, April 15, over 90 of our students will be participating in the Day of Silence, a national day of action in which students across the country call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.  This is the 12th year that HHS will be a part of this national movement.The first-ever Day of Silence took place at the University of Virginia in 1996 and has since become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.  It is expected that over 8000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities will be participating this year.    Please support those students who are taking the vow.  

Student Spotlight/Article of the Week: HHS students play key role in upcoming marathon:

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20160405/NEWS/160407735

Hiller (Home) Varsity Sports:

Monday, April 11th: Girls Tennis vs. Medfield@3:30pm

Tuesday, April 12th: Girls Lacrosse vs. Holliston@3:30pm

Wednesday, April 13th: Girls Track vs. Medfield@3:30pm, Boys Track vs. Medfield@3:30pm

Thursday, April 14th: Boys Tennis vs. Holliston@3:30pm

Friday, April 15th: Softball vs. Holliston@3:45pmSaturday, April 16th: Boys Lacrosse vs. Agawam@4:00pm (Fruit Street)

Go Hillers!

HHS Weekly Update for Apr 4th - 8th

Weekly Announcements:

- Please come support the Relay for Life of Hopkinton on Wednesday night, April 6th, at 6:30 PM in the AC for the second annual students vs. teachers basketball game! The cost for admission is $3 if you are registered for Relay for Life and $5 if you are not, so sign up soon for the discount! There will be a bake sale, as well as a 50/50 drawing and all proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

-beFREE is hosting it's Spring Jam on Friday, April 8th, at 7pm next door at the newly renovated HCA building. All are welcome to attend to hear some great music!  

- At the MICCA music festival this past weekend our Concert Band took home a gold medal, while our Chorus, Orchestra and Symphonic band took home silver medals. Congrats to Mr. Hay, Mr. Brody and all the students for their hard work and effort.   

- Congrats to our own Officer Powers on receiving the SRO Exceptional Service Award from the Mass Juvenile Officers Association.  A very well deserved honor for Officer Powers. 

- April is National Poetry Month! Please encourage your son/daughter to visit the HHS library for displays and programing related to this month-long celebration. And please encourage your son.daughter to submit their own works of poetry, to be spotlighted in the HHS library!

- On Thursday, April 14th, the HHS library will be hosting two henna artists, during long block. Stop by and learn more about the history of henna art, and get your own temporary henna tattoo! Sign-ups are required, as spots will be limited. Appointments are available during all lunches; stop by the library's circulation desk to reserve your spot! Open to all students and staff. Also, the April issue of the library newsletter is now available.

- The community is looking for families to participate in Keep Hopkinton Beautiful by focusing on volunteering their time on school property April 9th.  Will Stearman has a letter in this last week’s Hopkinton Independent with contact information www.keephopkintonbeautiful.org or letskhb@gmail.com

Student Spotlight of the Week: 

- Sophomore Avery Sherffius won the 1^st place prize ($5,000 scholarship) in the 3^rd annual Frederick Douglass U.S. History Essay Contest. Additionally, the top prize winner’s school also wins an award of $1,000. Congratulations (and thanks!!) to Avery on this amazing achievement!

Article of the Week: Embracing Mindfulness

http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/03/30/what-changes-when-a-school-embraces-mindfulness/

Hiller (Home) Varsity Sports:

Friday, April 8th: Boys Tennis vs. Dover/Sherborn@3:30pm, Baseball vs. Dover/Sherborn@3:45pm, Softball vs. Dover/Sherborn@3:45pm

Go Hillers!

HHS Weekly Update for March 28th - Apr 1st

Announcements:

- The HHS Blood Drive sponsored by the Student Council is this upcoming Tuesday from 8 - 1pm in the auditorium. Students must be 17 years old, 16 years old with a signed parental permission form, have a positive ID and meet the high school weight requirements to donate. Before donating, get a good night's sleep, have a healthy meal and try to avoid fatty foods.

- On Tuesday, 3/29 after school, HHS parent Ms. Barnes will be visiting the makerspace to teach us all how to sew scarves! This event is open to students and staff; no experience necessary!

There will be a screening of the documentary The Homestretch, at the library during long block on Wednesday, 3/30. The Homestretch follows three homeless teens as they fight to stay in school, graduate, and build a future. Curious? Watch the trailer here! For those that can't make the screening during long block, there will be a screening and discussion after school on 3/30 as well. All are welcome!

- The HHS Honors Art Exhibit begins on Wednesday night.  The Opening Reception is from 6:30 - 7:30 at the new Hopkinton Center for the Arts.  The student Artwork will be on display through April 22nd.

- We have another Talent Show on Thursday night starting at 6:30 in the auditorium.  All are welcome to come check out the amazing acts!

- The MICCA festival is this upcoming weekend.  Here is the complete schedule of our chorus and band performances.  Best of luck to all the performers!

- Here is a little blurb about our science olympiad team's performance at the state competition. Congrats Ms. Baldiga and the students. They did a great job for our first competition!

- This summer 45 HHS students will travel to Appalachia, WV for a week-long mission trip.  On Saturday, April 9th from 6-10 pm at St. John's Church Hall, they will host a Country Spaghetti dinner with salad and breadsticks from Olive Garden and live music provided by junior Ben Fargiano's band, The Fuse.  There will be drawings, a silent auction, and a big 50/50 draw for $50 a ticket (this admits two to dinner).  Dinner tickets are only $10 per person for this fun night out to support their trip. All are encouraged to attend.

Student Spotlight of the Week:

- Congrats to HHS senior Maggie Reynolds on winning the Massachusetts Daughters of the American Revolution State Conference!! 

Article of the Week: 10 Questions to ask to help develop a growth mindset in children.

Go Hillers!