[HMHS News] Hawk News week of March 24

[Steven Chamberlin]

Thoughts from along the adventure:

I could not possibly begin this weekly note without thanking you for 
your support at the school district meeting.  Seeing so many people 
participate and comment on the quality of the schools in Hopkinton was 
wonderful.  I understand the frustration and financial struggle that 
the current tax system causes.  I hope a different system is created 
someday soon.

It was an extraordinary week in the life of a middle high school 
principal.  The day after the school district meeting, I accompanied 28 
students, two teachers, and one adult chaperone on a science expedition 
to the Zealand Falls hut. The students excelled in this experiential 
learning activity.  They collected and analyzed snow samples from 
different elevations and locations in the White Mountains.

The Rotary Four Way Speech Contest was next, as four students spoke 
eloquently of the issues ranging form the worldwide reputation of the 
United States to immigration.

Hopkinton High School hosted “Life After High School.”  Over 125 people 
attended a forum to learn about opportunities for exceptional learners.

The middle school hosted a math meet on Thursday.  It was great to see 
so many students excited about math.

As you plan your summer calendar, it looks like June 19, 2006 will be 
the last day of school (now that I’ve said that, we are in for a spring 
snow storm for sure).  The middle school awards assembly will be on the 
last day of school.

We are collecting old/discarded cell phones for a fundraiser to benefit 
the Hopkinton PTA.  Please bring the phones to any school office.

If you have any unused traditional phones kicking around, we would love 
to have them.  The phone in our Student Center is broken.  A couple of 
years ago we were able to save the district funds, as many phones were 
donated to replace this broken phone.

Thanks for your endless support.  I am including the following 
information to help keep our young people safe.


Steve

Recently I received two pieces of information that is important to 
share:

1.	The Choking Game is a life threatening activity that is circulating 
though teen and pre teen culture.  By compressing the chest or 
squeezing the neck with hands or ropes, children are playing this 
"game" to temporarily starve the brain of oxygen to induce a temporary 
high.1 Please talk with your youngsters about this dangerous activity.

2.  Information about inhalants.

National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week is March 19-25, 2006. Many
parents don't think to monitor the levels of everyday household 
products;
but inhalant use has grown in popularity among teens. These substances 
are
legal, inexpensive, accessible and a quick high. In fact, according the
National Survey on Drug Use and Health, inhalants are the third most 
abused
substance among 14 to 15 year olds.

Do you know what qualifies as an inhalant? Items such as glue, nail 
polish
remover, spray paints and air fresheners are in the bathroom cabinets,
under the kitchen sink and elsewhere throughout your home. Visit
TheAntiDrug.com's "Inhalants House" to learn more:
http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_inhalants_home.asp

TIP: GET INFORMED ABOUT "HUFFING"

Inhalant use is like playing Russian Roulette. One "huffing" episode may
result in some nausea while a second episode may be deadly. It's 
important,
as a parent, that you are informed about inhalants so you can talk to 
your
teen about the dangers. Following are some specific things you can do to
keep your teen safe from inhalants:

1.  MONITOR THE LEVELS of everyday household products. Next time you're
cleaning, take stock of all solvents, gases and nitrates in your home, 
such
as paint, cooking spray and whipping cream aerosols. It can be as easy 
as
using an ink pen to mark the bottle.  Read more:
http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_inhalants.asp

2.  LEARN THE WARNING SIGNS and health effects. Inhalants are toxic,
volatile substances. There are tell-tale signs, such as a chemical odor 
on
breath and clothes, nose bleeds, slurred speech and disorientation that 
can
alert you if your teen is using. Read more:
http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_inhalants_quickfacts.asp

3.  TALK TO YOUR TEEN about the health effects. Communication is the 
best
form of prevention. Learn about the long and short term effects of 
inhalant
use and impress upon your teen how dangerous these substances are to 
their
health.
Learn the side effects:
http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_inhalants.asp

NEWS
Study: White Kids More Likely to Abuse Inhalants
Kids who try to get high by sniffing glue, lighter fluid and other
chemicals are more likely to be white and come from families that make 
more
than double the poverty level, according to a federal study.
Read more by visiting: http://www.theantidrug.com/news/index.aspx

DRUG INFORMATION
What are inhalants and why are teens experimenting with these dangerous
chemicals?
Read more:
http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_inhalants_quickfacts.asp

CONVERSATION STARTERS
Starting a Conversation About Risk-Taking
Experimenting with inhalants is a dangerous, but growing, activity among
teens. Make it a point to talk with your teen about the severe risks.
Learn more: http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/two.asp

FREE RESOURCES
Looking for FREE anti-drug information? Check out all TheAntiDrug.com's
Campaign Resources here: 
http://www.theantidrug.com/news/get-resources.aspx



  HAWK NEWS
"A weekly note"

Hopkinton High School and Hopkinton Middle School


Visit our website @ www.hopkintonschools.org

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT DIRECT TELEPHONE NUMBER:  746-2502

HHS Sports Information Line...call 746-NEWS, extension one!

HHS Online calendar
http://www.hopkintonschools.org/calendars


MESSAGES FROM THE PRINCIPAL!

Planning Ahead for Summer…
All High School Fall Sports begin on August 14, 2006
All Middle School Fall Sports begin on August 21, 2006
First Day of School – August 29, 2006


RECYCLE YOUR UNUSED CELL PHONES!

HIGH SCHOOL FUNDRAISER to benefit the PTA!

“CALLING ALL USED CELL PHONES!”  If you have any unused cell phones, 
please bring them to Hopkinton High School, Maple Street School, or 
Harold Martin School.  There will be designated drop off boxes in the 
main offices.

Thank you for your support!


Monday, March 27, Day 0
No school, curriculum day
Drivers Ed., rm. 203, 6-8pm


Tuesday, March 28, Day 1
NHS, audi, 7-8am
Drivers Ed, rm. 203, 3-5pm
Forensics/Debate Club, rm. 204, 7:30am.
Student Bible Study, chorus room, 7:20-7:45am



Wednesday, March 29, Day 2
Sewing Club, rm. 104, 3-4:45pm
HS Drama Club, audi, 3-5:30pm
MS Homework Club, rm. 403, 3-4pm
Extended Library hours – every Wednesday from 3:30-5pm


Thursday, March 30, Day 1
Art, Open Studio, grades 9-12, 3-4pm
Drivers Ed., rm. 203, 3-5pm


Friday, March 31, Day 2
Have a wonderful weekend!



Middle School News!

May 5 – Eighth grade to Concord City Auditorium, Romeo and Juliet
May 11 – Middle School Spring Concert
May 18 – Middle School to the Fisher Cats

Click here for direct access to the middle school homework pages
http://www.hopkintonschools.org/middle


Upcoming Events
March 27 – No School
April 2 – 5 NEASC visiting team
April 6, 7, 8 – Allstate Festival/Concord
April 8 – MS/HS Destination Imagination Team competing in States
April 12 – Steel Pan to UNH
April 24 to 28 – Spring Break
May 5 – Eight grade to Concord City Auditorium, Romeo and Juliet
May 11 – Middle School Spring Concert
May 12 – Jazz Band to Hillsboro
May 13 – Prom
May 18 – Middle School to the Fisher Cats
May 18 – High School Spring Concert
May 20 – 7th Annual Fine Arts Forensics Tournament
May 23 – Academic Awards Night
May 29 – Memorial Day/No School
June 3 – Steel Pan to Warner Fest
June 9 – Graduation


GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT CALENDAR

*Throughout the month of March – Guidance visiting classes in grades 8 
- 11 for scheduling and future planning

*April 6 from 6:30–8 pm, auditorium, NHHEAF Program: Tuition 
Impossible: Financial Aid Award Seminar

*April 18 from 6:30–8pm, auditorium, NHHEAF Program: Early College 
Planning for Parents (grades K-8)

For additional information, please call Anne Whiting in the guidance 
office @ 746-2502.


COMMUNITY NEWS

Challenger British Soccer Camp for Hopkinton Soccer Club

August 21 – 25, 2006

Free Jersey with early online sign-up @ www.challengersports.com

If you need any further information please call Mike and Kym Rouleau @ 
529-3776 or email @ rouleaumk at gsinet.net