Hopkins High School

As we head into November we celebrate many things. I am thankful for:

• The students we have and the community support for our schools.

• For the efforts our staff make daily to keep students safe; physically, emotionally, and academically.

• The extra curricular activities that we have for our students. Participation in organizations and teams beyond the school day brings depth to our student’s engagement with each other and focuses on something beyond and bigger than “self”.

• Below is a press release that celebrates one of our many gifted teachers. Jessica Couch is receiving a prestigious award for her work with our FFA students and community. Tune in to Wood TV8 for Teresa Weakleys story about Mrs. Couch and our FFA on Friday 11/3 between 6:00am and 7:00am.

Jessica Couch Honored by National FFA Organization

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023/National FFA Organization) – Jessica Couch of Allegan, MI, was selected to receive the Honorary American FFA Degree.

This award is given to those who advance agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment. The National FFA Organization works to enhance the lives of youth through agricultural education. Without the efforts of highly dedicated individuals, thousands of young people would not be able to achieve the success that, in turn, contributes directly to the overall well-being of the nation.

The Honorary American FFA Degree is an opportunity to recognize those who have gone beyond valuable daily contributions to make an extraordinary long-term difference in the lives of students, inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturists. Members of the National FFA Organization’s board of directors approved the nomination.

Couch will receive the award during the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. All recipients will receive a plaque and medal, and their names will be permanently recorded as recipients of the highest FFA honor.

Thank you for reading and Go Vikes!

Yours in Education,

Ken Szczepanski, HHS Principal

We hosted our annual Career Fair on Friday October 27th. We had many different presenters (a mix of businesses, colleges, military and trade schools) participate in our career fair. The Junior class was able to visit several different tables and talk with presenters to learn about different opportunities they may be interested in after graduation. Thank you to everyone that put the career fair together and thank you to the presenters for taking time out of your day to come talk with our students about possible future opportunities.

The Hopkins High School Marching Band finished the season strong! The show CREEP has been very successful this year as the band took 2nd place at the Otsego Marching Invitational, 3rd place at the Grandville Invitational, 4th place at the East Kentwood Invitational, and received a second division rating at MSBOA District Marching Band Festival. The band performed Hymn for Hunt to Red October, Superstition by Stevie Wonder, Psycho from the popular 1960s horror movie, Creep by Radiohead, and Somebody's Watching Me by Rockwell. Seniors this year are: Vanessa Barry, Abram Burchardt, Kylien Butts, Ellie Carpenter, Lynn Cozart, Ramona Kamp, Lydia Karston, Jacey Koperski, Sabrina Kiraly, Noah Slyker, Clara Teunissen, and Noah Wilfong. Congratulations Viking Band Members!

Top Band Students Perform at West Michigan Honor Band

Wednesday October 18th, five Hopkins High School Band students traveled to Calvin University to participate in their 17th annual West Michigan Honor Band. Clara Teunissen, Eli Aalderink, Abram Burchardt, Ramona Kamp and Kylie Williams spent the day rehearsing with Dr. Peter Boonshaft and Dr. Tiffany Engle and performed a concert in the evening the same night. We are so proud of the hard work and dedication of these students and for representing the Hopkins Band and Schools in this event.

Last Names A - K Ms. Wagenfuehr

Last Names L - Z Mr. Crook

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, coping skills 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.

SCHEDULE CHANGES -

Sometimes students want to ask their school counselor about a possible schedule change because they no longer need a class or are in the wrong class, etc.

Possible schedule changes for the entire school year can be discussed and requested with your school counselor at Orientation.

For Trimester 1 requests, they need to be made at Orientation and up through the 1st Day of School.

For Trimesters 2 requests, by November 10th and for Trimester 3 by March 1st.

EXAMS

Remember that Trimester 1 ends before Thanksgiving Break. A few more weeks! Keep working hard to maintain your grades and/or catch-up and finish strong.

Exams will be during the last days of the trimester.

Confirm with your teachers the format of each of your exams (Written paper? Multiple Choice Test? other?) Then, make a plan for studying for exams.

Click here for a great study tips video!

And, here is one more study tips video!

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

Click here and keep scrolling down to connect with a variety of mental health tips - particularly the “I’m Feeling” and “Tips for Navigating” sections.

AP Exams May 2024

For those students taking an AP class this year, note the following dates of the AP Exams. Please plan doctor appointments and other school absences around these dates so that students will be in attendance for the exams. These dates are set in stone and set by College Board and all test-takers around the world take these tests on the same day:

Monday, May 6 8am - US Government

Monday, May 6 12pm - Chemistry

Wednesday, May 8 8am - English Literature and Composition

Thursday, May 9 12pm - Psychology

Friday, May 10 8am - US History

Monday, May 13 8am - Calculus AB

Monday, May 13 12pm - PreCalculus

Tuesday, May 14 8am - English Language and Composition

Thursday, May 16 12pm - Biology

Seniors

• Senior Packet -please read and refer to throughout the school year - the Senior Packet can be found here: Senior Packet

• ACCEPTED FORM - This form has been emailed to all Seniors. As soon as you are accepted to a Trade School, 2 or 4-year college, Military, etc., complete this form. School Counselors have a treat for you and want to congratulate you!! Complete this form EVERYTIME you receive an acceptance if you receive more than 1.

• DEADLINES - As you prepare for and apply to 2-year colleges, 4-year colleges, and trade schools, make a list of application deadline dates, so you can plan ahead and don’t miss any deadlines. Sometimes a college will have different deadline dates, so look into that as well to see which deadline is best for you. See you school counselor with any questions.

• Apply on website or through the Common App? Check your college or trade school website to find out how they want you to apply ….some will have you apply on their website, while others want you to apply via Common App.

• APPLICATIONS - you might need to write an essay and/or obtain recommendation letters for your college and trade school applications. Make sure you give yourself enough time to write and obtain these parts of your application.

• 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. Students and Families can obtain FAFSA ID beginning in October (this is the 1st Step) and then the FAFSA opens later this year in DECEMBER for students and families to complete - the sooner you complete, the more opportunities students are eligible for. See your school counselor with questions. You can also refer to: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

• Scholarships - Periodically look at the Scholarships link on the Counseling Office Virtual Office. Ms. Wagenfuehr also emailed you the link. Scholarship deadlines vary, some deadlines are approaching and some are not until early spring. ALSO ask your college about their own Scholarships once you have been accepted - they have their own for admitted students. See you school counselor for more information.

  
  

• Tech Center NEXT school year - Are you interested in applying to Tech Center for next school year when you are a Senior? Applications will be available on Dec 4 - Students will receive an email with the application link/Google Form. Applications due 1 week later on December 11. See your school counselor with any questions.

• This is the school year you will start to make more solid post-secondary plans - what you will be doing after high school graduation! This planning can be exciting as well as sometimes a little daunting. Your school counselor is here to help. Also, refer to the Junior Packet of information. The Junior Packet can be found here: Junior Packet

• Tech Center NEXT school year - Are you interested in applying to Tech Center for next school year when you are a Junior? Applications will be available on Dec 4 - Students will receive an email with the application link/Google Form. Applications due 1 week later on December 11. See your school counselor with any questions.

• This year you will continue to grow and develop as a high school student as well as think about and plan for any Tech Center programs, AP classes, and more. Your school counselor is here to help. Also, refer to the 10th grade packet of information. The 10th Grade Packet can be found here: 10th grade Packet

• Remember your school counselor is available to answer any questions and provide support - stop by to see us in the Office and if we are not available, complete a GREEN appointment request sheet. We will then call you down to meet.

• 9th Grade Packet can be found here: 9th grade Packet

Michigan Career Pathfinder

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's Office of Employment and Training (LEO-E&T) created this online career planning tool to help connect Michigan residents with high-quality, in-demand degrees and credentials. We encourage students and families to explore this useful tool:

Michigan Career Pathfinder

Students and families looking for help paying for college are encouraged to register for a Virtual Financial Aid Presentation provided by the MI Student Aid team. Participants will be able to gather information on the following financial aid topics:

• FAFSA application information

• Federal financial aid programs

• State financial aid programs

• Scholarship searching resources

Also, high school students and families interested in learning more about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship are invited to register for an informational Webinar provided by the 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. Register for one session only, as space is limited.

The Michigan Department of Treasury is not affiliated with National Merit Scholarship Corporation or its registered trademarks National Achievement®, Achievement Scholarship®, or Achievement Scholar®.

Wednesday November 8th

Hopkins High School Cafeteria

starting at 2:30 to 4:00 pm

Please arrange pick up between

those times. Questions please

contact Diane Kamps at 269-793-7616 ext 2108 or diankamp@hpsvikings.org

Did you know that College Representatives and the Branches of our Military visit our schools throughout the year? If you would like to get more information about the options for your future please sign up on the attached Google Document. Please check often as representatives add frequently. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tMpI84_Xhsek4jkRebJVKIoAUrTmu8h6bND-77e_06E/edit?usp=sharing

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

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

Alexandria 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

Alexander Cross ----------- alexcros@hpsvikings.org Ext. 3129

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

Kaitlyn Dudek --------------- kaitdude@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

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

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

Jaclynn 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. Scott VanBonn 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.