[HMHS News] Hawk News week of October 13

[Steven Chamberlin]

We foster a learning environment that is safe, supportive, and  
respectful.

We promote personal integrity, intellectual curiosity, and civic  
responsibility.

We provide traditional and innovative opportunities for students to  
maximize their potential.


Thoughts from along the adventure:

We have just finished one of the longest stretches of uninterrupted  
instruction for the school year. We try to take advantage of the  
beginning of the school year, when the youngsters are fresh. By the  
look of it, I think everyone is ready for a long weekend.

A school calendar is always a topic that gets much interest. Many  
schools had Friday, October 10, off, as it is a tradition teacher  
workshop day.  (I would love to get feedback for this weekend next  
year; a teacher workshop or something like it on Friday of Columbus  
Day weekend would create a four-day weekend for the students.)  Please  
let me know what you think.

This week I had the opportunity to join five NH school administrators  
in a meeting with forty school administrators from Denmark. They asked  
the principals about the biggest challenges facing NH high schools:  
funding, the increased complexity of student issues, and finding and  
retaining qualified teachers were at the top of the list. The Denmark  
administrators explained that compulsory education ends at ninth grade  
in Denmark.  After ninth grade the students attend a vocational  
school, enter the work force (Denmark has full employment), or if  
accepted, a comprehensive high school. The idea of an inclusive school  
– educating disabled and non-disabled student together was of interest  
to the administrators.

Our first meeting of the Principal Advisory Committee will be this  
week:  Tuesday from 5:00pm – 6:00pm in the high school conference  
room. Topics for discussion will include but not be limited to: the  
high school master schedule, z – block (an opportunity for remediation  
and enrichment), the two year NEASC report, and brainstorming ideas  
for the year.  All are invited to attend.

On Thursday, October 16, Hopkinton High School will be hosting an  
admissions event for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  
The event, a regional information session, is for students and  
families interested in MIT. The event will be held in the auditorium.   
Please feel welcome to attend.

*** Please remember to turn in the student information verification  
sheets. The information is very important to us, especially if we have  
an emergency.  ***

It looks like a raking and catch up on work weekend for me.  I hope  
everyone has a great weekend.

As always, thank you for your support.

Steve Chamberlin
Principal

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…





PAC Meeting, Tuesday, October 14



Please join us…



The Hopkinton Middle High School (PAC) Parent Advisory Committee will  
be meeting in the school administrative conference room on Tuesday,  
October 14th, from 5:00pm - 6:00pm.  This week’s agenda includes a  
discussion about the high school master schedule, z-block (an  
opportunity for remediation and enrichment), the two-year NEASC  
report, and brainstorming ideas for the year.  All are welcome to  
attend.





*Mexico trip in April 2009



There were 2 last minute cancellations for the trip to Mexico in  
April.  If

anyone is interested in going, please see or email  Sra. Hassett ASAP  
@ lhassett at hopkintonschools.org.





Parents and guardians of seniors…please join us for:



PROJECT GRADUATION MEETING…October 16th



A Project Graduation meeting will be held on Thursday, October 16th,  
at 7:00pm at the high school in room 202.  Interested parents and  
guardians are invited to come as planning begins for Project  
Graduation 2009.



First Robotics Team 1922  --  Join in the fun!!!



Students and volunteers needed in all areas of talent: website design,  
business management, engineering, programming, team parents, public  
relations, etc.



The First Robotics Team will begin meeting in October…we are looking  
for adult volunteers, mentors, and sponsors.  If you are interested  
please contact Will Renauld at 746-4167, ext. 268 or email wrenauld at hopkintonschools.org 
.





PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE DAY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10

To schedule a middle school conference, please call Anne Whiting at  
746-2502 or

to schedule high school conferences, call Jean Eaton at 746-4167 ext.  
222.





The Talon

The journalism class has begun positing their first stories of the  
school year… READ THE TALON at



http://hmhstalon.blogspot.com/





Messages from the Guidance Office



River Valley Community College

Juniors and seniors are invited to attend the 21st annual Discovery  
Day at New Hampshire Community Technical College in Claremont on  
Wednesday, October 22nd from 9:30am to noon.



Discovery Day provides students an opportunity to learn more about the  
Community College, programs and services, and the diversity of its  
offerings.  Students will have the opportunity to tour the new state  
of the art Puksta Library, sit in on live college courses, and meet  
students and faculty and administration.



Contact Mr. Fox to register.



The New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) is  
sponsoring a statewide college convention at Southern NH University on  
March 28, 2009. This event would be perfect timing for juniors.  
Consider putting it on your calendar.





PSAT – Test date Oct. 18th – students arrive at 7:45am.





Free ACT practice questions!



This site has study tips and ACT questions with detailed answer  
explanations.

http://www.actexampracticetests.com







Hopkinton High School Guidance Department Presents:



COLLEGE MINI FAIR 2008!



Please encourage your youngster and consider attending yourself:


October 23rd

11:15 – 12:15 pm, in the high school auditorium

Bay Path College

Bay State College

Becker College
Castleton State College
Clarkson University
Chester College
Drew University
Elms College
Franklin Pierce University
Gordon College
Lakes Region Community College (formerly NHCTC-Laconia)
Maine Maritime Academy
Manchester Community College
Marietta College
Marymount Manhatten College
Mitchell College
Montana State University
Mount Ida College
Pace University
Saint Michael’s College
Simmons College
The College of Saint Rose
University of Maine - Orono
University of New Hampshire
Utica College



HMHS LUNCH MENU FOR THE WEEK



Monday:  no school

Tuesday:  chicken nuggets, chicken/cheeseburger

Wednesday:  Pasta bar, meat/alfredo, chicken/cheeseburger

Thursday:  meatball sub, chicken/cheeseburger

Friday: Pizza





Monday, October 13, Day 0

No school, Columbus Day





Tuesday, October 14, Day 2

Forensics Club, rm. 204, 7:30am-8am

Driver’s Ed, rm. 209, 3-5pm





Wednesday, October 15, Day 1

HS Drama, audi, 3-5:30pm

Driver’s Ed, rm. 205, 6-8pm

Knitting Club 3-4:15 pm Rm 403





Thursday, October 16, Day 2

Driver’s Ed, rm. 209, 3-5pm

MS Drama, audi, 3-4:30pm

Robotics Meeting, rm. 224, 6:30-8pm





Friday, October 17, Day 1









Have a  wonderful weekend!





MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS!

Click here for direct access to the middle school homework pages!

http://www.hopkintonschools.org/middle



Reminder:  The students who are going to The 2008 Kids Voting New  
Hampshire Gala at the Grappone Center in Concord on Monday, October 20  
need to return their permission slips by 8:00am on Wednesday, October  
15 to Mrs. Cross.



NECAP testing dates:  Oct. 16, 17, 20, and 21!



October 28 – Early release day.



October 31 – First quarter ends, report cards issued November 14





Upcoming Events

October 13 – No school: Columbus Day

October 16 – Senior Class Group Picture @ Gould Hill

October 28 – Early release day

October 27 – Picture retake day: grades 7-11

October 31 – Quarter one grades close

November 4 – No school

November 4 – Election Day, polls open 7:00am – 7:00pm

November 10 – Parent/Teacher Conference Day – no school

November 11 – No school: Veterans Day

November 14 – Report cards distributed

November 24 – NHS Induction Ceremony, 7:00pm

November 26-28 – No school: Thanksgiving

December 22-31 – No school: holiday recess



Community News



October 18 is Wood for Warmth Volunteer Day



Wood for Warmth is a simple community effort of neighbors helping  
neighbors to stay warm through the winter!  Here is how you can help!

     - Check out neighbors and friends to be sure they have enough  
heating supplies.

     - Encourage them to call Hopkinton Human Services to register for  
Federal Fuel Assistance if needed.

     - Donate burnable wood to the Sean Powers Wood Bank which is  
located at the Hopkinton Transfer Station.



October 18 is Wood for Warmth Volunteer Day.  On this day, wood  
donations may be left at your curbside to be picked up by volunteers.   
All donations must be hardwood in 16" lengths.  Please call Mary  
Congoran at 568-2783 or 529-2692 or email at woodforwarmth at hotmail.com  
by October 16th if you would like a pick up.



Volunteers are also needed to to move or load wood, truck wood, unload  
and stack wood.  For more questions, please call Mary at 568-2783 or  
email woodforwarmth at hotmail.com.





 From the Hopkinton PTA



*Every three years the PTA is required to submit their bylaws to the  
NH PTA.   Prior to the submission, the members of the Hopkinton PTA  
must vote to approve them.  The bylaws will be on the agenda for vote  
and copies will be provided before the start of our November 6, 2008  
meeting.  We encourage all members to attend.



*October is Parent Involvement in Education Month (Governor Lynch's  
October 08 proclamation).  For more information, I have the following  
link:



www.nhparentsmakethedifference.org.



Helping Your Child Succeed with Homework

As a parent, you know that homework can sometimes pose real  
difficulties for your children. But you don’t have to be an expert in  
math or science to help your child be successful with homework. Your  
caring and attention can go a long way. By getting involved with your  
child’s homework, communication between you and the school improves.  
You learn more about what is expected of your child in school. And you  
get a firsthand idea of what students are learning and how well your  
child is doing. Research shows that if a child is having difficulty  
with homework, parents should pay close attention. Talk to your  
child’s teachers to find out what you can do to help.

Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework. Avoid  
having your child do homework with the television on or in places with  
other distractions, such as people coming and going.

Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a  
dictionary, are available. Ask your child if special materials will be  
needed for some projects and get them in advance.

Help your child with time management. Establish a set time each day  
for doing homework. Don‘t let your child leave homework until just  
before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for  
working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting  
together with classmates.

Be positive about homework. Tell your child how important school is.  
The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your  
child acquires.

When your child does homework, you can do homework. Show your child  
that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an  
adult. If your child is reading, you read too. If your child is doing  
math, you can balance your checkbook.

When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers. Giving  
answers means your child will not learn the material. Too much help  
teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the  
work for him or her.

When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, find out more  
about what you can do. Cooperating with the teacher shows your child  
that the school and home are a team.

If homework is meant to be done by your child alone, stay away. Too  
much parent involvement can prevent homework from having some positive  
effects. Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent,  
lifelong learning skills.

Stay informed. Talk with your child‘s teacher. Make sure you know the  
purpose of homework and what your child‘s class rules are.

Homework shouldn’t take too long or be too hard. If your child is  
making good effort but cannot complete home work assignments in a  
reasonable amount of time, you should discuss the issue with your  
child’s teacher.

Adapted from U.S. Department of Education, Office of Intergovernmental  
and Interagency Affairs, Educational Partnerships and Family  
Involvement Unit, Homework Tips for Parents, Washington, D.C., 2003





Woman’s Club Fundraiser…BIG TRUCK SHOW



Sunday October 12 from 12 PM to 4 PM. Held at Milton Caterpillar in  
Warner Exit 7 off I-89. Tickets are $5 and family of four or more is $  
20 with children 3 and under free. There will be dozens of equipment  
to look at and some to go through. There will be representatives at  
each piece to ensure safety. The NH National Guard, Hopkinton Fire  
Department ladder truck, big wrecker, cement and dump trucks along  
with other construction equipment, a big semi with living quarters and  
much more. Also a Race Car from Bates Racing Team along with the  
driver. We have raffles for Pats Peak passes, Monarch and Fisher Cat  
tickets, a CAT remote control wheel loader and a motorized CAT  
excavator with lights and sounds. The proceeds will go to Outreach in  
Hopkinton and Contoocook. For more information call Cathy at 746-4364.



Hopkinton Parks and Recreation



Indoor Soccer Team

Only two spots left!!!!  Hopkinton Recreation is gearing up to start  
our own Co-ed Indoor Soccer team to play at the Fieldhouse Sports  
recreational facility in Bow.  The games will start the week of  
October 20 and end mid December.  Men must be 25 years or older and  
women must be 21 years and older.  This is a fun league for all levels  
of play, no matter your experience.  Cost will be between $90 and  
$100, depending on how many players we get.  Call 746-2915 to register  
and for more information. Spots are limited.



Slusser Senior Center Harvest Bazaar and Sale

  The seniors of Hopkinton/Contoocook are hosting an indoor yard sale  
and craft fair.  The sale will benefit the new Slusser Senior Center  
and provide the center with some new amenities.  The sale will be on  
Saturday October 18th, 8am – 2pm.  For information please call  
746-3800 and ask for Lillian.



Hopkinton’s 4th Annual Haunted House

Aliens have invaded Kimball Cabins and all are invited to witness the  
“Alien Invasion” on Sunday, October 26th.  The day will start off with  
kids' storytelling sessions every 20 minutes (2:30, 2:50, 3:10, 3:30)  
with tours of the cabins for the little ones.  The scary alien tours  
begin at 6:30pm and end at 9pm.  The Woman’s Club will be hosting the  
welcome station and have beverages and other treats.  The event is  
FREE, but donations are accepted.  Call 746-2915 if you have any  
questions.



Casino Trip

Hopkinton Recreation is teaming up with Bow Recreation to bring you a  
trip to Mohegan Sun Casino.  The trip will be on Sunday November 2nd.   
The package includes roundtrip transportation on a luxury coach, a  
lunch voucher for the buffet, and three $10 bet vouchers for specific  
table games.  All this for $38 per person.  There will be two pick-up  
locations, one at 7:30am at the Slusser Senior Center and one in Bow  
Community Building at 8am.  We will be at the casino around 10:45am  
and leave at 5pm.  Spots are limited, call 746-2915 to sign up by  
October 24th!





Hopkinton Town Library Tenth Anniversary Celebration:  Celebrating  
Books and Libraries



On October 24th in 1998, the new Hopkinton Town Library building was  
dedicated, the culmination of years of dedicated effort by this  
community.  In recognition of that event, we are spending the month of  
October celebrating books and libraries with a range of activities for  
people of all ages.  A calendar of events is available at the library  
or on our website www.hopkintontownlibrary.org.  Please come and  
celebrate books and libraries with us!!  Activities include:



Book Group Discussion of Anne Fadiman’s Ex Libris:  Confessions of a  
Common Reader:

This brief book of essays by the author of The Spirit Catches You and  
You Fall Down, will be a springboard for discussion about your  
favorite books—fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature or  
reference works.  We will use your favorites to compile a list of  
“Patrons’ Picks” to post in the library.  (10/14 at 7:30pmand 10/22 at  
1pm)



Keepsake Book Workshops:.

  Local art teacher Phyllis Randall will conduct a series of workshops  
on  creating your own keepsake books.  All materials will be  
provided.  Reservations required.

             Making Storybooks (K-Grade 2):  10/5 from 2-3:30

             Making Keepsake Books (Ages 9-12):  10/19 from 2-3:30

             Making Keepsake Books (Teen-Adult):  10/26 from 2-3:30



Family Day Anniversary Celebration:

Come enjoy music by Jeff Dearborn and Friends, hear about the blues  
and have a sip of cider and some cookies in our Community Room.   
Memorabilia about the original Bates Library and the building of our  
new library will be on display.  (10/18 from 3-4:30)



Better Together, a Reflection on Libraries in Communities across the  
US:  Lew Feldstein

Feldstein, President of the NH Charitable Foundation will talk about  
what he and co-author Robert Putnam found as they traveled the country  
doing the research for their book Better Together: Restoring the  
American Community.  Also sample our “tasting menu” from local food  
purveyors who are donating food to the event.  (10/19 from 4-6)



Children’s Book Reading:

Children’s author Mary Lyn Ray will be reading from some of her  
books.  A sampling of her books will be for sale and signing by the  
author.  (10/23 3:15-4:15)



Music at the Library:

Some favorite local musicians will present an eclectic afternoon of  
music in the Community Room.  Refreshments to follow.  (10/25 at 2)



“Why I Love Libraries” with David Elliott

NY Times best-selling children’s author David Elliott will speak about  
why he loves libraries and the role of the imagination.  (10/29 at 7)



Tea with Thelma:

Former Bates Librarian Thelma Mitchell will take a look back at her  
time there.  Come hear about a slice of Contoocook history and enjoy  
some treats made by our Friends.  (10/30 from 3:15-4:30)



To be scheduled:  More readings by local poets and authors.  There  
will also be an essay contest with prizes for local students and  
adults on how books or libraries have made a difference to them.  We  
are also exploring the possibility of starting a Writers’ Group at the  
Library.  If you are interested, please call Sherry Young 746-5233 to  
discuss.  More information on coming events will be announced.