Hopkins High School

Salutations,

As I write this article, I struggle because I don’t want to come off preachy. So I will start with this:

Thank you to the parents who came to Parent/Teacher Conferences. Thank you to the parents who constantly check grades in PowerSchool. Thank you to the parents who reach out to teachers with questions about their child and look for understanding. Thank you to the parents who look to support their children through collaboration.

What I ask for, is more. We should have more than a 25% attendance rate at our Parent/Teacher Conferences. We should have more than 7.3% of parents accessing PowerSchool and checking grades during the two weeks leading up to conferences. Those numbers are a little unsettling. I have always assumed that conferences are poorly attended because there is electronic access to grades. The numbers above are only one set of data but are pretty eye opening.

I still believe that it is the parent who is the first and most important educator of their child. Beyond the important skills taught by parents like; being on time, giving it your best effort, treating others in a kind and respectful manner, asking questions, challenging one’s self, and working well with others is the fact that the message “education is important” is fostered through conversations at home. Our children have so many opportunities once they leave our building whether it is college, trade schools, military, and/or the work world.

I ask that we seek to collaborate to make your child’s education as impactful as possible. The life skills that you have initiated and continue to want for your child… is our goal too. Know how they are doing in school, let them know that it is important to be engaged in school, and that their best is an expectation you have for them. We are a phone call, an email, or a stop away

Yours in Education,

Ken Szczepanski, HHS Principal

The Hopkins High School Band had 16 students participate in this year's District Solo and Ensemble at Wyoming High School in Grand Rapids this past Saturday February 4th. Students performed both solo and ensemble pieces for judges and were awarded first and second division ratings. All students took home a medal from the event and almost every group qualified for State Solo and Ensemble in March. Congratulations Viking Band on all your hard work!

Last Names A - K Ms. Wagenfuehr

Last Names L - Z Mr. Crook

For our Virtual Office click HERE.

Feeling overwhelmed, working through a problem situation, having anxious thoughts, want to decrease stress?

Click here to connect with a variety of mental health tips, and be sure to scroll down to view the many topics - particularly the “I’m Feeling” and “Tips for Navigating” sections.

National School Counseling Week - February 6 - 10

Your School Counselors will be celebrating National School Counseling Week in the lunchroom each day this week - look for the Question of the Day, the QR Codes, and some fun activities and helpful information!

Do you know the 3 main areas School Counselors work with students are …

1. Academic - talk about any academic concerns, study plans, organizational skills, academic plans, Tech Center, AP classes, and more.

2. Personal/Social - concerns with friendships, family, other interpersonal concerns, anxiety, stress, and more

3. Career/College - deciding after high school plans and what to do when students are in high school to make those plans happen. Will a student go to trade school? 2 or 4 year college? Military? Apprenticeship? Other?

We meet with students during individual appointments, by conducting small groups, and

when visiting classrooms. We also talk with parents/guardians on the phone and in

person.

9th, 10th and 11th graders - SOON it will be SCHEDULING TIME for classes for next year. The School Counselors will be visiting 10th and 11th grade Social Studies classes this month to discuss required and elective classes - 9th graders will be called down to the Office to meet with Mrs. Robrahn. You will be receiving an email with the Course Catalog this month so you can review class descriptions. You will have a week or so to decide, and then the School Counselors will visit 9th-11th grade Social Studies classes to have you submit your class requests. If you are a 9th, 10th, or 11th grader who does not have a Social Studies class this trimester, you will be called down to submit requests (counselors will also be available at lunch a few days in February.)

SENIORS

• Michigan Achievement Scholarship - Many students in the state will qualify for this new scholarship the state of Michigan has established for Seniors. Students need to complete the FAFSA first. Go to the following website to get started and for more information: getmimoney.org
• Please check the Scholarship tab on our Virtual Office website REGULARLY for additional scholarships. Scholarship opportunities get added as we are made aware of them. Hopkins High School Virtual Counseling Office

• Here is the link to the Senior Packet that was distributed at the Senior Meeting.

• FAFSA - Students applying to 2-year colleges, 4-year colleges, and trade schools are encouraged to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to be eligible for scholarships, grants, and federal aid. Most post-secondary schools participate with federal student aid programs, however, you can check with each school to be certain. Schools also sometimes use the FAFSA information to determine eligibility for their own in-house scholarships and grants. The FAFSA opens online Oct 1 for families to complete - the sooner you complete the more opportunities students are eligible for. See your school counselor with questions. https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help

• When you are ACCEPTED to a college, trade school, military, job, or apprenticeship it is time to celebrate and let us know! Each time you receive an acceptance, complete this Accepted Google Form. Your school counselors want to celebrate with you.

  GO SENIORS!!! Complete for EACH acceptance you receive this school year, then go to the Office to see Mrs. Tew for some candy :)

JUNIORS - Here is the link to the Junior Packet that was distributed at the Junior Meeting.

AP Exam Dates May 2023

*mark your calendars - students must be in school on the Exam date, there are no make-ups. If you have any questions, see school counselor Ms. Wagenfuehr.

May 1, 2023 Monday 8am AP Government

May 1, 2023 Monday 12pm AP Chemistry

May 2, 2023 Tuesday 12pm AP Psychology

May 3, 2023 Wednesday 8am AP English Literature

May 5, 2023 Friday 8am AP US History

May 8, 2023 Monday 8am AP Calculus AB

May 9, 2023 Tuesday 8am AP English Language

May 9, 2023 Tuesday 12pm AP Physics C: Mechanics

May 10, 2023 Wednesday 12pm AP Biology

May 11, 2023 Thursday 12pm AP Physics 1

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is the newest State of Michigan scholarship program that has the potential to impact more students than any other State scholarship program!

High school students and parents interested in learning more are encouraged to register for an informational webinar provided by Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid team. Participants will be able to gather the following information:

• Michigan Achievement Scholarship eligibility requirements
• Michigan Achievement Scholarship award amounts
• Important action items for students and families
• Additional resources and program information

All sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Please register for one session only, as space is limited.

michigan.gov/mistudentaid

mistudentaid@michigan.gov

1-888-447-2687

Do you know someone who has "made a difference" to a student at Hopkins? Please consider nominating them for the " 2023 Outstanding People for Education" Award. Please make your nomination using the google form link: https://forms.gle/9YvaCsEpFVVPp5Qy7 All nominations are due March 1.

Hand2Hand Permission Slip Instructions

Dear Parent/Guardian:

We would like to offer your student the opportunity to participate in a program at Hopkins High School called “Hand2Hand”. This program helps provide a student with food for the weekends and is intended for families who currently may be experiencing a financial burden.

Here’s how Hand2Hand will work: At the end of the week students who are signed up for the program will receive a minimum of 10 food items in a black school logo drawstring bag that will be provided at the first week of participation. These food items will be a combination of breakfast, snacks, lunch and/or dinner items. While the food items are meant for the student, they can be shared among the family as well. (Please note: if your student or another family member has food allergies it will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to check the contents of the backpack each week to ensure the food doesn’t contain ingredients which could cause an allergic reaction).

There is no cost to participate! If you sign your student up to receive Hand2Hand, they will continue to receive the weekly bags each week they are at Hopkins High School. However, if down the road you no longer need the assistance, simply write a note expressing your desire to discontinue receiving Hand2Hand bags and give this note to the school office. This opportunity is being provided by LifeChange Community Church. To learn more about Hand2Hand, please visit their website: http://h2hkids.org.

If you feel your student would benefit from this opportunity, please complete the response form at the bottom of this letter and we will make sure that your student’s name is then added to the list. Your response will be kept confidential.

Sincerely,

Ken Szczepanski

Hopkins High School

Jason Babiak --------------- jasobabi@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2104

Alyssa Bargabus ---------- alysbarg@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1119

Alexandra Bosanac ------ alexbosa@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1110

Tara Burgess ---------------- taraburg@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1112

Erica Chamberlin ---------- ericcham@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2101

Jessica Couch -------------- jesscouc@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1104

Tim Dommenick ----------- timdomm@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1117

Nikole Dudick --------------- nikodudi@hpsvikings.org Ext 1593

Rebecca Ellithorpe ------- rebeelli@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2111

Trenton Feyen -------------- trenfeye@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2110

Cody Francis ---------------- codyfran@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2109

Melissa Haverdink ------- melihave@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2119

Ben Herrick ------------------ benherr@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1103

Julie Irwin -------------------- juliirwi@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2120

Diane Kamps --------------- diankamp@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2108

Lindsay King ---------------- lindking@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1101

James Kiss ------------------ jamekiss@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1102

Zachary Miller -------------- zachmill@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2103

Phil Moerdyke -------------- philmoer@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1109

Lisa Nagengast ----------- lisanage@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2102

Jacob Oaster --------------- jacooast@hpsvikings.org Ext. 3116

Matt Oeverman ------------ mattoeve@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1113

Jaclyn Rewa ---------------- jaclrewa@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1107

Casey Schoenborn ------ casescho@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2106

Susan Snoeyink ----------- susasnoe@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1108

William Spoelhof --------- willspoe@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2100

Russ VanDommelen --- russvand@hpsvikings.org Ext. 1118

Jessica Williams --------- jesswill@hpsvikings.org Ext. 3129

Amy Yuengert ------------- amyyuen@hpsvikings.org Ext. 2107

The 2022-2023 District and School Annual Education Reports are now available at www.hpsvikings.org. Hard copies are available in the school office.

Ken Szczepanski, Principal

kenszcz@hpsvikings.org ext. 1509

Jessica Robrahn, Assistant Principal

jessrobr@hpsvikings.org ext. 1507

Todd Crook, Counselor

toddcroo@hpsvikings.org ext. 1520

Christine Wagenfuehr, Counselor

chriwage@hpsvikings.org ext. 1510

Andrew Mains, Athletic Director

andrmain@hpsvikings.org ext. 1511

Email: highschool@hpsvikings.org
Website: hpsvikings.org
Location: 333 Clark Street, Hopkins, MI, USA
Phone: 269-793-7616
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HopkinsHighSchool

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.

The Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), disability, age (except as authorized by law), religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes") that are protected by Federal civil rights laws in its programs and activities.