[HMHS News] Community News

[Jean Eaton]

September 14, 2005



Dear Parents and guardians,

Due to the increasing concern of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) 
and the second bird found positive for EEE in Hopkinton (not on 
school property), the School District has decided to take the 
following precautions:

1. At both Harold Martin School and Maple Street School, students 
will no longer be having recess before school begins. When they 
arrive off the bus or are dropped off by parents, they will go 
immediately into the building. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and 
dusk, so we feel that this is an appropriate precaution. In fact, 
students will not be heading out to recess or physical education 
classes earlier than 9:30 AM.

2. At Hopkinton Middle High School first block physical education 
classes will take place in the gymnasium.

3. Hopkinton Middle High School will be ending all athletic games or 
practices by 6:30 PM, about the time of day that the mosquito 
population becomes abundant again.

In addition, we encourage parents to apply mosquito repellent with 
10% or less DEET before they leave in the morning. That should cover 
the children during the morning hours when there is greater risk. 
Parents may also choose to have their children wear long sleeves and 
pants to school.

At the first frost, we should be able to resume all normal activities.

For more information on the EEE virus, feel free to check out: 
http://www.dhhs.nh.gov

Of course, feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.

Thank you for your help,

Steven Chamberlin, Principal