Tomorrow is the first day of school! All A-Day students are to report to the building. B-Day students will report on Friday, 8/27. The doors will open at 7:35.

We have been fielding questions and sending answers as fast as we can! My goal with this communication is to give you an update of one MAJOR CHANGE and try my best to paint the clearest picture of what tomorrow and Friday will look like for our students.

Here is the MAJOR CHANGE:

When conducting our walk-through this morning, we found the original Dropoff and Pickup locations were not ideal for student safety. Specifically, the North Entrance (Door #2) for 6th-graders was in a dangerous location as that drive is also the HS student parking entrance. We have changed the locations of dropoff to the following:

- 6th-grade will now be in front of the building at the West Entrance (Door 1)

- 7th-grade will be where previously communicated at the East Entrance (Door 3)

- 8th-grade will now be at the Athletic Entrance (East Door 4)

- All Bussed students will be where previously communicated at the bus loop (Door 5)

Here is a map of the current dropoff/pickup locations:

Students will enter at their designated location. Signs will be posted outdoors at each location.

- We will have staff members in hallways helping direct students.

- We will have all the first-hour rosters posted in multiple spots throughout the hallways to help students find their first-hour classroom.

- Once in the classroom students will be directed to their seat where they will find:

• a netbook - an agenda - a student ID card
• their own class schedule
• a confidential handout with parent and student PowerSchool login information (please ask your student for this handout when they get home)

- Classes are shortened because of the half-day so teachers will be explaining the new building procedures and familiarizing students with their classroom expectations. - Students will get their pictures taken in the Cafeteria on the stage at designated times throughout the day. - Students will rotate through their 5 core classes (due to a half-day schedule). Electives and Flex will begin next week. - Students will exit the building at their designated time (see map above).

Remote students who have picked up their netbooks from the office will be able to check their email for teacher google classroom codes. If you are fully remote and have not picked up your netbook, please contact the office.

Please keep in mind that our goal for this week and next is to welcome back students safely to the building. We will use this time to teach routines and procedures. The content in each classroom will be gradually increasing until about the third week! On that same note, teachers will be sending emails to parents NEXT WEEK with the link to join the Google Classrooms as a parent.

I understand the timing of this information is not ideal. With so many moving parts this year, we are pushing hard to share information as soon as it becomes available. We are prepared to create a safe learning environment for your students tomorrow, but please keep in mind, that wrinkles in the plan may appear. I’m asking for your patience as we work to improve each day of this school year. As always, please feel free to reach out with your questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Scott Stockwell

HMS Principal

A-Day Students, we will see you on Thursday, August 27th for a half-day (7:45 AM to 11:00 AM)
B-Day Students, we will see you on Friday, August 28th for a half-day (7:45 AM to 11:00 AM)

School Messenger is one of the many platforms we use to communicate with our parents, staff and students. Information ranging from school closures and emergency's to parent-teacher conferences or changes in schedules can be shared instantly using School Messenger. You can choose to be contacted via phone, e-mail or both. Update your School Messenger account today to receive all communications from school.

If you would like to receive non-emergency reminders/phone calls from the school you MUST opt-in. You can watch a how-to video or get started with the links below:

https://player.vimeo.com/video/173531877

https://go.schoolmessenger.com/#/learn

Thank you for your assistance and cooperation,

HMS Staff

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

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.