HMS Hiller Heads-Up

Growing an active community of strong minds and kind hearts.

Dear HMS Families:

I hope this week's Hiller Heads-Up finds you doing well and looking forward to April Break. I am asking you to please save the date of May 21st on your calendars for an evening with guest speaker Katie Greer. Katie will be speaking with our community about Internet Safety. The presentation will take place from 7:00pm-8:00pm in the middle school auditorium. Please note that this presentation is for parents and guardians only. Katie will be presenting to our students during the school day. You can read more about Katie on her website. Thank you to the HPTO for supporting this event.

Matt

• Day 1: Monday, April 8
• Day 2: Tuesday, April 9
• No School: Wednesday, April 10
• Day 4: Thursday, April 11
• Day 5: Friday, April 12

April 10

No School - EID Al FITR

April 11

Grade 6 Homeroom Challenge

April 15-19

No School - Spring Recess

April 26

Full Ensemble Rehearsal - make sure your students have their instruments

April 26-27

HMS Drama Club presents James and the Giant Peach Jr.

April 30-May 1

Math MCAS Grades 6-8

Course registrations are due next week. Please see the dates below. Information on how to register was sent via email. If you did not receive the email, please email Katie Dittami in the main office and she will send you the information.

Monday, April 8

Deadline for Incoming Grade 9 Course Registration

Portal closes at 3:00pm

Wednesday, April 10

Deadline for Incoming Grade 7 & 8 Course Registration

Portal closes at 11:59pm

Hopkinton Middle School Drama Club proudly presents Road Dahl's James and the Giant Peach JR! A delightfully offbeat adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl adventure, a boy and his insect friends take an amazing journey across the ocean.

Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $10 for HPS Students, $15 for adults, and HPS Staff and Seniors (65+) are free. Tickets will be sold at the door and online: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/82360

This family friendly show's run time is about 90 minutes.

6th Grade Homeroom Challenge

April 11, 2024

6-8pm

All 6th graders are invited to participate in HMS' Annual Homeroom Challenge. Led by the 8th grade IGNITE team, each 6th grade homeroom will compete in a series of games which will test their homeroom spirit, their speed, agility and their ability to have an amazing time! Students should arrive between 5:45-5:55 (no earlier please) with games beginning at 6pm. They should wear their assigned homeroom color and appropriate shoes, and come ready to have fun. Festivities will conclude between 7:50 and 8pm after the Homeroom Champion has been announced. Food will not be allowed (nor will it be provided). Students may bring a closed lid water bottle. While this is not a mandatory event, we look forward to having as many students as possible participating.

Please see the chart for homeroom colors.

Hopkinton Parent Teacher Organization (HPTO) is celebrating 30 years as one of the only PTOs in the state that supports all district schools and grades (prek-12th) under one organization. The funds raised by the HPTO go directly to all five schools to support enrichment programs, teacher appreciation, robotics and science clubs, speakers, presentations and scholarships. The HPTO also provides volunteering opportunities and community involvement to help strengthen the bond between home and school. This invaluable resource to our schools has raised over $2 million for the Hopkinton Public School system to date.

The HPTO’s 30th Birthday Bash Silent Auction is open to the public:
https://www.32auctions.com/HPTO2024

Check out the amazing items from wellness to sports to recreation and even some special school based opportunities.

Middle School parents should note these special items:

• RESERVED parking at 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony - A space will be held for you up close to the field so you can pull up with ease to the ceremony and not battle for parking. Priceless!
• Two tickets and reserved seating to HHS Drama Club production of James and the Giant Peach - Also includes a concession package.

Get your tickets here:
https://hopkintonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/270230

We look forward to celebrating our school system with the community and hope to see you all there.

On Wednesday, April 17th, the HOP coalition is partnering with the YMCA to host a FREE interactive middle school day program! Open to middle school students in Hopkinton, MA with a max capacity of 45 students. Weather permitting, the archery and ropes course will be open. There will be crafts for the students to do as well and other activities. Lunch will be provided.

To register, click this link. Registration closes on April 8th.

Parents/caregivers must submit the waiver provided prior to the program. **Students will not be able to attend without the waiver being submitted prior to program.**

When: Wednesday, April 17th

Where: MetroWest YMCA Outdoor Center, Hopkinton MA

45 East St, Hopkinton, MA 01748

Time: 9:00am-3:00pm

Students must be dropped off and picked up at the YMCA. Students may be picked up early, please indicate below if your child(ren) will be leaving early. If someone requires an extension of time (later pick up) please email Cassandra at cbigness@hopkintonma.gov to discuss a possible extension. A drop off location will be provided via email.

Extended School Year 2024 Virtual Seminar

When: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 7pm

Visit our website for the Zoom link: www.hopkinton-sepac.org

Hopkinton SEPAC Parents and Care Partners Coffee Hour

Hopkinton SEPAC is hosting a coffee hour for parents and care partners of special needs students. Come to meet other special needs parents and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.

When: Monday, April 22, 2024 at 10AM

Where: Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong Room (Large Event Room)

Mediation Process with Special Education Mediator Steve Lilly-Webber Virtual Seminar

When: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 7pm

Visit our website for the Zoom link: www.hopkinton-sepac.org

Spring Social with SEPAC

Join us for a fun day at the playground with sports and spring themed crafts. We will be serving snacks and refreshments. Come meet other special needs families at our free event. RSVP is preferred, but not required. RSVP here or on our website.

When: Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 10AM – 12PM

Where: Marathon Elementary School playground (behind the school)

We invite you to check out this website for more information on the Hopkins Addition project. This website contains information such as. and frequently asked questions. An email has been created for questions not answered on the website: hopkins-project@hopkinton.k12.ma.us.

• ELA - April 2 - 3
• Math - April 30 - May 1
• STE (grade 8 only) - May 15 - 16
• Civics (grade 8 only) - May 29 - 30

Does your student ride the bus? Are you using the Stopfinder app? StopFinder is an excellent tool for families. It has the ability to track the bus and alert you when the bus has entered a zone, allowing you to plan more efficiently. With Stopfinder, you will be able to set Geoalerts, which will give you a notification when the bus approaches your location. More information can be found in the latest Transportation Newsletter.

For those who still need to sign up for the StopFinder App, the Transportation Department just sent out another invitation link. Make sure to sign up today!