The following is a news release from the Hopkins School District: 

Welcome to Hopkins E-News for April 25, 2008.

Outstanding Students & Staff

• Hopkins senior receives young leadership award
• Hopkins High School teacher receives Arc Change Maker Award honorable mention
  

Upcoming Activities, Events & Deadlines

• Registration for fall early childhood family education classes being accepted now
• Register now for Champions Fund Golf & Tennis Tournament
• Community invited to long-time teacher’s retirement celebration, Wednesday, May 14
• The Depot Coffee House announces youth award for creativity; applications due, Saturday, May 31
  

Reminders about Previously Published Activities & Events

• Modern A Cappella Concert, Friday, April 25
• Stress and Anxiety in Children workshop, Tuesday, April 29
• Raising Boys parent education class, Tuesday, April 29
• Hopkins Minnetonka Family Resource Center hosts Cover the Uninsured event, Thursday, May 1
• Hopkins High School presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream, May 1-4
• Hopkins High School hosts College Fair, Thursday, May 1
• Come Dance With Me community ballroom dance, Friday, May 2
• Depot Coffee House cancels April 28 environmental program
  

School Board

• Upcoming Board discussions
  

Outstanding Students & Staff
Hopkins senior receives young leadership award
Brian Shragg, a senior at Hopkins High School, is the recipient of the 2008 Howie Stillman Young Leadership Award. The Howie Stillman Young Leadership Award was established to recognize the leadership and personal qualities of a high school senior who is active in a Twin Cities chapter of United Synagogue Youth (USY). Nominees are selected on a number of criteria including involvement in USY; involvement in educational, community and school-related activities; leadership qualities; and personal qualities of warmth and concern for others. Each spring, the Stillman Fund sponsors a program that includes a lecture given by a prominent journalist and the presentation of a youth achievement award. This year's event will be conducted at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Adath Jeshurun Congregation, 10500 Hillside Lane W., Minnetonka, and will feature Alan Zweibel, comedy writer of Saturday Night Live, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and 700 Sundays. This event and dessert reception are free and open to the public.

Hopkins High School teacher receives Arc Change Maker Award honorable mention
Kara Dahnke, a special education teacher at Hopkins High School, has won an Arc Greater Twin Cities Change Maker Award honorable mention. This award recognizes long-term or intensive efforts that positively affect the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dahnke was recognized for her work with the Creating Opportunities, Reward Effort (CORE) program. Because of this work, students with special needs at Hopkins High School are able to obtain practical work experience, which will help them succeed in adult life. This work not only provides opportunities for students, but also raises awareness in the business community about the contributions that people with disabilities can make in the workplace. Arc’s Change Maker Awards will be presented, Tuesday, May 6, at General Mills, Inc.

Upcoming Activities, Events & Deadlines
Registration for fall early childhood family education classes being accepted now
Registrations are currently being accepted for Hopkins Public Schools’ fall Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes, which are available to young children from birth through pre-kindergarten age and their parents. ECFE includes activities and information such as parent/child sessions, workshops, special family events, and other fun activities. ECFE classes run from September through May, and are conducted at two locations--the Harley Hopkins Family Center, 125 Monroe Ave. S., Hopkins, and the Ronald B. Davis Community Center, 5430 Glenwood Ave., Golden Valley. For further information about ECFE, please call 952-988-5000.

Register now for Champions Fund Golf & Tennis Tournament
Registration is now open for the second annual Champions Fund Golf & Tennis Tournament, Monday, Sept. 8, at the Oak Ridge Country Club, 700 Oak Ridge Road, Hopkins. All proceeds will benefit Hopkins’ student–athletes and the Champions Fund. Volunteers are needed. Tournament sponsorships and donor opportunities are available. The individual cost for golf & lunch is $150; a foursome is $600; and tennis & lunch is $50 per person. Registrations are due, Sunday, June 1. For more information about volunteering or donating, or to make reservations to play golf or tennis, visit the Champions Fund website at www.hopkins.k12.mn.us (go to the school menu/Hopkins High School/athletics/Champions Fund), or contact Dan Johnson at dan_johnson@hopkins.k12.mn.us, or call 952-988-4691.

Community invited to long-time teacher’s retirement celebration, Wednesday, May 14
Community members, including current and former students and their parents, are invited to an open house in honor of Barbara Erickson’s retirement, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, in her classroom at Gatewood Elementary School, 14900 Gatewood Drive, Minnetonka.

The Depot Coffee House announces youth award for creativity; applications due, Saturday, May 31
In keeping with its arts mission, The Depot Coffee House is offering youth (age 14 to 20) the chance at up to $500 in funding toward their creative endeavors. An application is available on the homepage of www.thedepotcoffeehouse.com. The application deadline is Saturday, May 31. For additional information, please send an email to depotYAC@gmail.com.
 
Reminders about Previously Published Activities & Events
Modern A Cappella Concert, Friday, April 25, is choir fund-raiser
A modern a cappella concert, which is also a fund-raiser for Hopkins High Schools’ choirs, is planned for 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, in the auditorium at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. The concert features GEOFF! and Midori (Hopkins High School ensembles), Marcoux Corner, and the Great Northern Union. Tickets are $20 in advance from Philip Brown, or $22 at the door.

Stress and Anxiety in Children workshop, Tuesday, April 29
A workshop on Stress and Anxiety in Children (for parents of elementary-aged children) is planned for 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Mental health therapists from St. David’s Child Development and Family Services will provide a brief overview of the types of anxiety exhibited in children, and will help participants learn how to recognize symptoms and develop strategies for interventions to help manage anxiety. The cost is $10. Please register online at www.hopkinscommunityed.org or call 952-988-4070.

Raising Boys parent education class, Tuesday, April 29
Raising Boys parent education class is planned for 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, in Room 27 at the Harley Hopkins Family Center, 125 Monroe Ave. S., Hopkins. This session will give parents an opportunity to share stories and strategies for raising boys. The cost is $10/adult, or $15/houselhold. Child care for children birth through kindergarten is available, $5.00 per child. Register by calling 952-988-5000.

Hopkins Minnetonka Family Resource Center hosts Cover the Uninsured event, Thursday, May 1
The Hopkins Minnetonka Family Resource Center will be hosting a Cover the Uninsured event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at the Center, 915 Mainstreet, Hopkins. This event is an opportunity for individuals and families to sign up for Medical Assistance and/or MN Care. Hennepin County workers will explain the programs' eligibility requirements and supply applications. No appointments are necessary. Information and application assistance also will be available through the Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH) for people interested in determining eligibility and signing up for the Federal Food Support Program. For additional information, please contact the Hopkins Minnetonka Family Resource Center at 952-988-5350.

Hopkins High School presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream, May 1-4
Hopkins High School students will present A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare’s comedy about chasing love, getting lost, and finding forgiveness, May 1-4. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 4, in the little theater at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Tickets are $7 for adults, and $5 for students and seniors. For ticket information, please visit the Hopkins High School Theater Department’s website at www.hhstheater.org, or call the ticket office at 952-988-4718.

Hopkins High School hosts College Fair, Thursday, May 1
The Hopkins High School College and Career Center is hosting a College Fair from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Participants will have the opportunity to talk to college admission representatives from two- and four-year local and national colleges, and to gather information about the college admissions process.

Colleges and universities that plan to attend include Anoka Technical College, University of Arizona, Augsburg College, Aveda Institute, Bemidji State, Brandeis University, Carleton College, Colgate University, NY, Concordia University - St. Paul, University, Drake University, IA, Dunwoody College of Technology, Grinnell College, IA, Gustavus Adolphus College, Hamline University, Hennepin Technical College, Indiana University, Institute of Production & Recording, Johnson & Wales University, CO, University of Kansas, Lawrence University, WI, Lehigh University, PA, Luther College (Iowa), Macalester College, Minneapolis College of Art & Design, University of Minnesota--Duluth, Morris, and Twin Cities, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mount Holyoke College, MA, University of Michigan, Normandale Community College, North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota, North Hennepin Community College, Pro-Image Beauty School, Regency Beauty Institute, St. Benedict/St. John's. College of St. Catherine, St. Cloud State, St. Paul College, College of St. Scholastica, University of St. Thomas, Winona State, and University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire, Madison, and Stout.

Representatives will also be available from the United States Air Force, Army, and Marines.

For additional information about the College Fair, please contact Donna Friedman, career development facilitator, at 952-988-4517, or via email at donna_friedman@hopkins.k12.mn.us.

Come Dance With Me community ballroom dance, Friday, May 2
Community members are invited to an evening of ballroom dancing, Friday, May 2. Come Dance With Me begins with ballroom dance lessons with Jay Dudding from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by the dance from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the Oakwood Room at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. The dance will feature the big band sound of ****** Macko. The cost is $10 per person. To register, please call 952-401-6800, or register online at www.minnetonkacommunityed.org. Come Dance With Me is sponsored by Hopkins Community Education, Minnetonka Community Education, Minnetonka Senior Services, Hopkins Activity Center, and RidgePointe Active Senior Living. The dance is open to people of all ages. Early registration is encouraged because space is limited.

Depot Coffee House cancels April 28 environmental program
The Depot Coffee House’s environmental session scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday,  April 28, has been cancelled.

School Board
Upcoming Board discussions   

• 5:45 p.m. Thursday, May 1--Volunteer recognition in the Wetlands Café
• 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1—Intermediate District 287 update, Hopkins High School strategic site plan update, School Board goals, superintendent goals, and Board agenda plan for 2008-09, school nutrition year end report, and discussion on school district facilities study
• 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15--Performance plan for special education, and elementary reading implementation plans
• 6 p.m. Thursday, May 29--student recognition
• 7 p.m. Thursday, May 29—West Metro Education Program update, Early Childhood program strategic plan update, and presentation of 2007-08 budget
  

Please note that Board agendas are subject to change.

For regular Board meeting agenda and information materials, go to the Hopkins School Board’s website at http://board.hopkins.k12.mn.us/cgi-bin/WebObjects/bms.woa/1/wo/0.0.5.1.5.0.0.3.0.2.0.7.2.0.5.1. Or simply go to Hopkins Public Schools' website at www.hopkinsschools.org and click on School Board menu on the top right of the page. (Meeting information is typically posted on the website the Friday or Monday before the meeting.)

Hopkins School Board cable TV broadcasts, online video & audio streamings available
Hopkins Public Schools is now cable casting its school board meetings. Online video and audio streamings of meetings are available as well for viewing or listening.

Broadcasts of recorded meetings are available for viewing on cable television channels in all seven of the communities served by Hopkins Public Schools.

• Channel 17: In Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, and Minnetonka, the meetings will be cablecast at 9 p.m. Tuesday, and 10 a.m. Saturday, on cable channel 17. Broadcasts of the most recent meeting will start on the Tuesday after the meeting.
• Channel 96: In St. Louis Park, the meetings will be broadcast on cable channel 96 at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the week after the meeting.
• Channel 20: In Golden Valley and Plymouth, meetings will be broadcast on cable channel 20. Residents will need to check their local listings for broadcast times.
  

Video and audio streams of the meetings are available on the school board section of the district’s website at www.hopkinsschools.org (click on the School Board menu on the top right–hand side of the page, then select video/audio).

Eileen Harvala, APR
Public Relations Director
Hopkins Public Schools
1001 Highway 7
Hopkins, MN 55305
952-988-4024
952-988-4108 (fax)
eileen.harvala@hopkinsschools.org
www.hopkinsschools.org