Hopkins High School

October 2022

Dear Parents,

What an opportunity we have…Parent/Teacher Conferences! What we have found is that once students start hitting their secondary school years, attendance to conferences wane. Some of the reasons we have gathered are; students are becoming more independent, schedules get a little busier, and electronic gradebooks give data to parents. While yes, all those things are true…what isn’t true is that conferences are not needed. We all deserve more than a snapshot of student progress, we deserve a conversation. I invite you to our face to face Parent/Teacher Conferences tomorrow- Tuesday 10/4 from 4:00-8:00. To help persuade you that being here is worthwhile, here is Ken’s Top 10 List of why it is important to attend.

Top 10 reasons to attend HHS Parent/Teachers Conferences.

Number 10- The time and facility is scheduled. The staff will be there.

Number 9- A great reason to get out of the house, maybe have dinner out afterwards.

Number 8- You may run into another community member you haven’t seen in years…

Number 7- You get to meet quality educators in person.

Number 6- A face to face conversation can bring understanding better than any email could.

Number 5- You can gather information or data on your child.

Number 4- You can find out what that data actually means- the story.

Number 3- You can discuss factors and behaviors regarding performance- the story behind the story.

Number 2- You can bring home affirmations and/or concerns to discuss with your child.

Number 1- Your child will know.

By attending you will help us keep Hopkins High School a safe place for your child to flourish. Physically, emotionally and academically safe… that’s our goal.

Yours in Education,

Ken Szczepanski, HHS Principal

Veterans Day Speaker Needed

If you know someone who would serve as speaker at our 2022 Veterans Day Ceremony please let us know!!! Contact Autumn @ autukrai@hpsvikings.org or (269) 793-7616.

Thank you!

Counselor Corner

Last Names A - K Ms. Wagenfuehr

Last Names L - Z Mr. Crook

For our Virtual Office click HERE.

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

Exam Fees:

$97 per each exam

$53 per each exam for students eligible for reduced fee

$40 additional - late fee

$40 cancelation fee

Exam Fees due to the high school office by Friday October 28, 2022.

Determine your total fee due, if taking more than 1 AP Exam, based on fee listed above.

Cash or Checks payable to “Hopkins Public Schools”

Looking for a Leadership opportunity serving students county-wide?

Allegan County high school students can apply to serve on the Allegan County Foundation’s TAG Team (teens aiding growth.) Students conduct community service, determine high school scholarships, and develop leadership - along with working together with other students from across the county. Apply on their website: TAG Team and for additional information, see Ms. Wagenfuehr in the Counseling Office.

SENIORS

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.

HOPKINS HIGH SCHOOL 2022-2023 YEARBOOK ORDER FORM

Yearbook without a name on it: $50.00

Yearbook with your name on it: $59.00

Name______________________________Grade________

Name to be on yearbook____________________________(No more than 25 characters including spaces)

Cash________Check________(Check #__________)

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: HOPKINS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SEND TO: MR. SPOELHOF-YEARBOOK ADVISOR

ORDERS MUST BE IN BY: January 20, 2023

Or buy online at yearbookforever.com

Handbook Reminders and More

Appearance:

As the fall is officially upon us, it is important to make sure that all students are coming into school with school- and weather-appropriate clothing. We take pride in the appearance of our students, and their dress is a factor not only in school but in their future careers as well. Hats, sunglasses, cut-off shorts and any clothing exposing midriffs or undergarments should be left at home for out-of-school wear only. We also recommend students layer up in the fall (or keep an extra sweatshirt in their locker), as the weather can dramatically change from morning to afternoon. Let’s hope we have some great fall weather and can enjoy some warm temperatures before the snow hits, and again - thank you for your support and helping make sure your child is following the handbook dress code policy!

Credit Attainment Based on Attendance:

Parents and students share the obligation under state law to insure compulsory school attendance. Every day in school is important. The classroom instruction missed when a student is absent cannot be completely recovered. Therefore, a parent may excuse 6 days of 6 absence each trimester without documentation from a medical professional. Each absence after the 5th will be excused if there is documentation from a medical professional and it is received within 48 hours of the absence (quarantine paperwork turned in from the Allegan County Health Department will not affect credit attainment). Otherwise, each additional absence will be marked as “unexcused”.

● A student cannot miss more than six (6) days of class per trimester, excused or unexcused, in order to be eligible for credit.

● Parents will be notified after four (4) absences each trimester to avert a potential non-attainment of credit. Parents will also be notified if a student passes six (6) for consideration to begin the appeals process.

● All absences from school excused or unexcused will be counted toward the six-day limit. An appeal may be submitted by the parents/guardians, a school review committee may make adjustments to this limit due to extenuating circumstances.

Truancy

Student attendance is critical to the learning process. Truancy is therefore a serious issue and will be dealt with in a serious manner by the school and district. A parent or other person in parental relation who fails to comply with the Michigan Compulsory School Law (§ 380.1561) is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than $5.00 nor more than $50.00, or imprisonment for not less than 2 nor more than 90 days, or both.

Parents will be notified in writing when a student has accumulated 5 unexcused absences. If a student accumulates 7 unexcused absences, parents will be contacted and a meeting may be scheduled. Continued contact with parents may occur as additional absences accumulate throughout the school year. If a student accumulates 10 unexcused absences a third letter will be sent home and the Allegan County Truancy Officer will be notified. These absences are accumulated per school year.

9th grade Academic Meetings

Mrs. Robrahn is just about completed with 9th grade academic meetings for the first trimester with current 9th grade students. Each student was given a pass to come meet with Mrs. Robrahn, and during these meetings the following topics are discussed:

How the transition to high school has gone so far?
How the coursework lead is going this trimester? Any worries so far this year?
A check of academic grades and a reminder of what can be still be completed and turned in (for those behind in any classes)
A quick look at their next trimester grades, and how different that trimester coursework load will feel compared to this trimester
A discussion of goals the student has upon leaving high school, and what we can start thinking about now to help them prepare for the future they want (or to stay on college/career track)

Each trimester, students will meet with Mrs. Robrahn to discuss academic grades, goals, and planning. Scheduling will also be discussed mid-year, and students will meet with Mrs. Robrahn at the end of the year to make sure that the student is prepared for 10th grade. While specific scheduling questions should be directed to the child’s counselor (Mrs. Wagenfuehr for last names A-K, Mr. Crook for last names L-Z), Mrs. Robrahn uses these meetings as a chance to advise and get to know our freshmen to see how we can help them succeed in high school and their future endeavors.

Jessica Robrahn

Assistant Principal
Hopkins High School

Seniors

Bookmark this form - complete it when you receive job, military, trade school, and college acceptances. 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

Each time you receive an acceptance, complete this Accepted Google Form.

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The High School Marching Band traveled to the Otsego Band Invitational September 24th to compete in class C. Their show celebrates the music of Sir Elton John with these hits: Rocketman, Crocodile Rock, Don't Go Breaking My Heart and Your Song. The color guard took 1st place while the band placed 5th overall. They will travel to Hastings on Saturday October 1st, Grandville October 8th, and East Kentwood on October 11th and 22nd.