HMS Special Edition

January 29th, 2021

Return to School - Special Board Meeting,

January 28, 2021

This evening, the Hopkins Public Schools Board of Education approved a revision to its Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan. We realize there are no solutions that are pleasing to everyone, however; in order to increase the time that students are in school, the district will begin offering full face-to-face instruction beginning on March 8 (beginning of new trimester).

Key points of the revised plan include the following:

MS/HS
- 4 days per week of full in-person instruction for all students
- Wednesday is a remote learning day for all students
- Continue with Hopkins Remote - a virtual option that uses HPS teachers and follows the in-person curriculum
- Offer VAAC as an additional virtual option
Elementary
- 5 days per week of full in-person instruction for all students
- Offer VAAC as an additional virtual option

The Allegan County Health Department is supportive of this recommendation and was involved in the planning.

There are many details that need to be worked out in the next several weeks and returning to full face-to-face instruction does not mean that school is returning to normal. We are still in the midst of a pandemic and it is important that we diligently follow all of the safety protocols we have in place.

More information will be provided as we move through this process.

We know it has been a difficult year for everyone and we thank you for your patience and resilience.

Gary Wood, Superintendent

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From the desk of Mr. Stockwell

1/29/21

HMS Returning to 4-Day per week instruction

Dear Students, Parents, and Staff,

The Board of Education voted last night to return all in-person students to 4-day weeks beginning March 8th. We will still offer Hopkins Remote and virtual Wednesdays for all.

The purpose of this communication is to share out a timeline in which decisions will be made about our Return to Learn Plan. My goal is to have all the necessary changes written in our HMS Phase 4 Return to Learn Plan no later than February 12. I will post this updated plan to the website and share it via our newsletter. Possible changes right now include lunch schedules, reduction of mask breaks, and changes to our cleaning regimen.

Once the updated plan is made public, Parents will have an opportunity to read through the changes and may opt to switch their student to either in-person, Hopkins Online, or VAAC. There will be instructions for those who wish to change after February 12.

I know there are a variety of feelings and concerns about this change in our Learning Plan. For some, this is great news. For others, this will be a time of uncertainty and increased anxiety. No matter what your stance is, please keep in mind there is a person behind the opinion. Our job is to take care of our students first, but it will take all of us working together to get through yet another change in routine.

As always, please reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have as we begin the process of updating our Return to Learn Plan.

Sincerely,

Scott Stockwell

HMS Principal

scotstoc@hpsvikings.org

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Hopkins Middle School

Email: stepcaul@hpsvikings.org
Website: hpsvikings.org
Location: 215 Clark Street, Hopkins, MI, USA
Phone: (269) 793-7407
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopkinsMiddleSchool/
Twitter: @hpsmiddleschool

Office Business

ATTENDANCE

Please call the Middle School office at (269) 793-7407 within 24 hours of your students' absence. You may leave a message on our voicemail system day or night. When reporting illness, please inform the secretary of the type of symptoms your child is experiencing (fever, sore throat, ect.). If your child is absent 2 days or more, you may request homework. If your student is absent only 1 day, homework may be picked up from their teachers the following day. You may also email absences to jennhitc@hpsvikings.org.

PHONE CALLS

Telephones in the office are to be used for illness and emergencies only.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Please report all immunizations that your child has had so we are able to keep our school records up to date. All new students and all 6th graders must be completely up to date on all immunizations. Contact the HMS office if you have any questions.

MEDICATION

ALL medications needing to be dispensed to students must be supplied from home. The school does not provide any type of medication. All prescription medication must be provided in a pharmacy labeled bottle. Tylenol/Aspirin must be brought to the office in an unopened bottle. All students requiring any type of medication must have a medication form completed by their parents and on file in the office.

CHANGES in Phone Numbers, Home Address & E-Mail

Please inform the office any time there are changes in your address or phone numbers. We need to have this information so we can update our records and successfully contact you if needed.

The Hopkins Public School District Board of Education complies with all federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, marital status, height, weight, or disability in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Mr. Gary Wood Superintendent of Schools, Hopkins Public Schools, 400 Clark Street, Hopkins, MI 49328 Phone 269-793-7261.