Hopkins Middle School Newsletter

September 12, 2025

Dear Students, Staff, Parents and Guardians,

This has been a week of strong emotions for our students, community, and country as a whole. Our goal as a middle school is to provide a safe environment for our students to learn. We teach our students the content in subject areas where our staff are experts. We also have implemented Homeroom (SHFT) as part of our goal to be a place where positive relationships are formed and students feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their thoughts and opinions. When thoughts and opinions are shared from our students and it becomes classroom conversation, our staff should be leading these discussions in a neutral way that can provide insight into different ways of thinking. We believe that family core values will be different but should be respected.

While being a neutral institution for learning is the desired outcome, there are common expectations about opinions and comments that cannot and will not be tolerated. Any speech or action that is derogatory, inflammatory, or could incite fear or violence is not ok. This type of behavior needs to be reported so our school can investigate and follow our procedures for appropriate conversations and consequences.

As teachers, parents, guardians or mentors, we have an opportunity to model an appropriate response to a highly emotional national event. How we respond teaches our students how they should respond when encountering something highly emotional in their personal lives.

My expectation for our students and our community is that all our responses will be filtered through a lens of grace, peace and love, even to those we disagree with. Even to those whom society has deemed our “enemy”. Even to those who have hurt us.

This is one of the most difficult things to do in a culture that wants to create an “us vs. them” mentality. We have to see beyond that. When we are able to see the commonality of being human, even through differing beliefs, experiences, and appearances, then we are better able to make it through the difficult times. In fact, when this happens, the seeds of grace, peace and love are planted and will grow to something bigger and more beautiful than we can imagine. How we move forward is important. Our students are always watching.

Our school has planned next week as the time to address bullying and harassment and staying safe online. Mrs. Ortega-Furgeson and Deputy Keefauver will be leading two sessions for each grade level next week during Homeroom. Mrs. Ortega will be sharing an anti-bullying, harassment, and mean behavior message and what to do if students encounter this during school. Deputy Keefauver will be speaking about staying safe online, including cyber-bullying and sending or receiving inappropriate pictures and videos. We have included Deputy K’s slides she will be presenting as well as some family resources below. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Scott Stockwell

HMS Principal

scotstoc@hpsvikings.org

Click here for Deputy Keefauver's Power Point Slides

Children's Advocacy Center

Videos

Cybersecurity Awareness Program-Parent/Educator Resources/ CISA

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We have a Free Little Lending Library in the trophy case by the gym full of FREE books. Take as many as you will read.

The Free Little Lending Library has been freshly restocked for the new school year! Stop by and check it out!

Friday, September 19-HALF DAY Dismissal at 11:00 am

Thursday, October 2- Parent/Teacher Conference #1 (In person) 4-8 pm

Friday, October 3- Student/Citizen of the Month for September

Friday, October 3- Homecoming Dance 3-5 in Middle School Cafetorium

The 2024-2025 District and School Annual Education Reports are now available at www.hpsvikings.org. Hard copies are available at the administration office

Email: scotstoc@hpsvikings.org
Website: hpsvikings.org
Location: Hopkins Middle School, 215 Clark Street, Hopkins, MI, USA
Phone: (269) 793-7407
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopkinsMiddleSchool/
Twitter: @hpsmiddleschool

Stockwell, Scott HMS Principal scotstoc@hpsvikings.org

O’Dell, Patrick HMS Assistant Principal patrodel@hpsvikings.org

Austin, Jennifer HMS Secretary jennaust@hpsvikings.org

Aleman, Kathleen: 6th Grade Science Teacher KathAlem@hpsvikings.org

Cross, Alex: Choir Director alexcros@hpsvikings.org

Dana, Katherine: Art Teacher KathDana@hpsvikings.org

Dangremond, Matthew: Network Administrator MattDang@hpsvikings.org

DeGood, Jennifer: 6th Grade Math Teacher JennDego@hpsvikings.org

Fisher, Mark:7th Grade Science Teacher MarkFish@hpsvikings.org

Irwin, Julie: Education Intervention Teacher JuliIrwi@hpsvikings.org

Kerber, Brian: Custodian BriaKerb@hpsvikings.org

Klocke, Anna: Education Intervention annakloc@hpsvikings.org

Klumpp, Molly: Physical Education Teacher MollKlum@hpsvikings.org

Kok, Wendy: Food Service WendKok@hpsvikings.org

Maher, Jennifer: Food Service JennMahe@hpsvikings.org

Martinez, Ann: SRC Coordinator AnnMart@hpsvikings.org

Meerman, Megan: Resource Room Teacher MegaMeer@hpsvikings.org

Myers, Travis: 8th Grade Science Teacher TravMyer@hpsvikings.org

Ortega-Furgeson, Taryn: HMS Counselor Taryorte@hpsvikings.org

Pulaski, Vicki: 8th Grade ELA Teacher VickPula@hpsvikings.org

Reszka, Richard: 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher RichResz@hpsvikings.org

Ruegsegger, Sarah: 7th Grade ELA Teacher SaraRueg@hpsvikings.org

Rynsburger, TJ: 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher TJRyns@hpsvikings.org

Savage, Leanna: 8th Grade Algebra Teacher LeanSava@hpsvikings.org

Schoonveld, Missy: Media Center, Newsletter, Social Media MissScho@hpsvikings.org

Scudder, Mack: 8th Grade History Teacher MackScud@hpsvikings.org

Sterken, Lindsey: 7th Grade Math Teacher LindSchw@hpsvikings.org

Swainston, Vicki: Lunchroom Paraprofessional VickSwai@hpsvikings.org

Weick, Pat: 6th Grade ELA Teacher PatWeic@hpsvikings.org

Wiegerink, Tanner: Physical Education Teacher Tannwieg@hpsvikings.org

Williams, Jessica: Band Director JessWill@hpsvikings.org

The Hopkins Public School District Board of Education complies with all federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, marital status, height, weight, or disability in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Mr. Scott VanBonn, Superintendent of Schools, Hopkins Public Schools, 400 Clark Street, Hopkins, MI 49328 Phone 269-793-7261.

The District shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected category in its programs and activities, including employment. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and shall likewise not be permitted with respect to students or employees. The District shall not retaliate against a person who reports or opposes improper discrimination or retaliation. The District shall fully comply with all applicable federal and state civil rights statutes, including, without limitation, Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.