HEF2007 fall news

Hopkins Education Foundation

1001 Highway 7

Hopkins, MN 55305

952.988.4097

hopkinseducationfoundation.org

Unique and colorful park benches and Adirondack chairs painted by student artists will be featured at the Hopkins Education Foundation’s Gala on Saturday, February 23, 2008. The art specialists will help each elementary school’s students transform a park bench into a work of art. Each secondary school will receive a pair of Adirondack chairs to create their masterpieces. The six benches and six chairs will be auctioned off at the 9th annual gala at the Marriot City Center.

Money raised at the gala goes directly towards supporting Hopkins schools via grants requested by Hopkins teachers.

Last year, the foundation awarded $30,000 to reinstate the primary art specialist program. The art specialist trains the teachers in art curriculum throughout the year. “We’re hoping that by involving the students and their artwork we’ll create more awareness for the grants, because, after all, it’s for the kids,” stated gala co-chair Julie Magney.

Many Gala volunteers are still needed. “If you have a lot of time, or just a little time, we could use your help and creativity,” said co-chair Debbie Stephens.

SHARE YOUR TALENTS AND SUPPORT OUR KIDS. THE GALA COMMITTEE HAS OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY TIME FRAME AND ABILITY.

The Hopkins Education Foundation

was created in 1995 to enhance the

quality of education in the Hopkins Public

Schools through private contributions.

Our public schools reflect our community

pride and the value we place on our

greatest resource – our children.

And thanks to the concerned citizens

and dedicated staff, the Hopkins schools

consistently rank among the best in

the nation. Your tax-deductible gifts

to the Foundation will enrich

educational experiences for which there

is inadequate or nonexistent funding

via federal, state or local tax dollars.

Our Mission: Acquire and utilize

resources to enrich

educational experiences

within the Hopkins

School District. Investing in our children … Investing in our future!

Hopkins’ dads lend muscle to the Gala. L to R: Craig Stephens,

Gary Renneke and Phil Magney

“Gala 2008 ‘Growing Young Minds’ celebrates the unique opportunities HEF grants provide to our kids. It’s great to be part

of a community that continually strives for

excellence in our schools.”

— Debbie Stephens 2008 Gala Co-Chair

GALA 2008: GROwING YOUNG MINDSGala highlights Hopkins art program with gardening theme

• Encourage other families at your school to attend the gala. • Pick up auction items as you run errands. • Invite a business or Hopkins family to be a gala sponsor. • Spread the word as a member of the marketing committee.• Invite a friend to join you at the invitation stuffing evening. • Decorate the auction hall and dining room; help make centerpieces.

• Tally expenses and income as treasurer.• Work behind the scenes as a silent auction closer.

Whether you can share your time for a day, a week, before the gala or at the gala - we count on volunteers to make this a successful and memorable event. To join the fun-loving team contact co-chairs Julie Magney at jmagney@comcast.net or Debbie Stephens at d.l.stephens@comcast.net

Responsive Classroom Training Rosemary Lawrence, Eisenhower Elementary Grant Awarded: $6,250

Classroom Performance Systems Alicia Beebe, West Junior High Grant Awarded: $7,000

Peer Insights Patty Ormson, Hopkins High School Grant Awarded: $3,500

Geography for the 21st Century Anne Sateren, West Junior High Grant Awarded: $2,000See inside for more details about these grants!

SPRING GRANTS AT A GLANCE

Left to right: Elisa Titus, HEF executive director; Ben Friesen, grant recipient and WJH science teacher; Ellen Cousins; HEF board member; Terry Wolfson, WJH principal; Neil Lerner, WJH social studies teacher and team leader; and Nancy Renneke, HEF board member

Interactive Whiteboards Ben Friesen, West Junior High Grant Awarded: $7,200

Hopkins Education Foundation Gala 2008

HEF PRIzE PATROL AwARDS GRANTS...DETAILS INSIDE!

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDHopkins, MN

Permit No. 806

Building a new community will be the focus this fall for teachers at Eisenhower Elementary. Due to the closure of Katherine Curren Elementary and the elementary school boundaries changing, many of the staff and students will be new to Eisenhower Elementary. To bring together this new culture of students, nine staff members have been trained in the Responsive Classroom method of classroom management which creates a positive social and academic environment. Six teachers from Katherine Curren have been using the

techniques.

Responsive Classroom uses strategies that include: morning meetings to practice social skills, language that builds respect, trust, and capacity for learning, and academic choice so students become invested, self-motivated learners.

It also minimizes classroom disruptions with effective ways to approach discipline and build self-control. Schools that have used this approach see an increase in academic achievement.

The Hopkins High School Peer Insights class also seeks to build community by building bridges between people with disability and people without disability. Through daily peer interaction, speakers, and individual and group projects, students learn about one another. Mainstream students learn about barriers persons with disabilities face. Students with disabilities learn how to make and keep friends and how to act in the community.

Hopkins Education Foundation continued their support of the Peer Insights class with a grant to carry out three field trips to practice social skills in real-life settings. During the field trips, three person “buddy teams” navigate together outings at a shopping mall, restaurant, theater or other community locations. They develop leadership skills that encourage both dependence and independence. The Peer Insights class encourages students to challenge themselves and take risks in their learning.

TECHNOLOGY ENHANCES wEST JUNIOR HIGH CLASSROOMS

Students at Hopkins West Junior High will get more hands-on experience with classroom technology due to three grants distributed from the Hopkins Education Foundation. Each type of technology will uniquely engage individual students and enhance their learning. Pilot programs will be evaluated to consider extending equipment to other classrooms and buildings.

Every week, in every school, teachers are making a difference in our students’ lives. Take a moment to express your appreciation and send a “Gratitude Greeting”. HEF will send a colorful card with your personalized message to your chosen staff member, letting them know a donation was made in their honor.

Download an order form at www.hopkinseducationfoundation.org. Your gift makes future grants possible!

Any time – Any reAson – thAnk A teAcher!

7th Grade Geography

In the 21st century, students need to be prepared to compete in a global economy. They need to be exposed to skills and tools necessary to think critically, creatively, and innovatively in a rapidly evolving world. Global Position Systems (GPS ) will introduce seventh grade geography students to the technology of the discipline.

Basic geography skills will be introduced via GPS. Students will learn how to use it, find their exact location on earth, and then practice using the GPS units with an outdoor scavenger hunt. Lastly, they will use the units in

a problem solving activity involving map reading and map making skills.

Math Students

A second grant will fund Classroom Performance Systems in math classrooms. When using a Classroom Performance System each student is given a clicker to answer questions. The teacher is able to observe which students had the correct

answer, who did not respond, and who has further questions. The data provided to the teacher helps to identify strengths and weaknesses in students’ learning and therefore adjust future lesson plans to the needs of the students.

Classroom Performance Systems help to break down the achievement gap by providing a safe environment where students can confidently engage in their learning. The instant, personalized feedback will increase their mathematical knowledge.

Hopkins Education Foundation Board of Trustees

GRANTS FOCUS ON BUILDING COMMUNITY

Two very different grants both focus on building community at Eisenhower Elementary and Hopkins High School

Eisenhower teachers (l to r) front row: Angie Leitch, Kristy Nelson, and Betty Johnson; back row: Abby Larson, Kathy Bouten, Paige Frondell, Jill Swanson, Anne Moening and Sheila Taitano.

Freshman Academy North Junior High, Becky Melville $20,000 awarded in January 2006Interdisciplinary curriculum combining Civics and English classes has deepened the level of learning for freshmen at North Junior High. Students completed a memoir project, titled Who Am I?, which focused students on skills and character traits they’d like to have for use after high school.In Homebase, they created a ten year plan and investigated post-secondary options. Students will benefit from this grant for years to come.

JumpStart for College Hopkins High School, Jean Davidson $4,300 awarded in April 2006Fourteen students participated in JumpStart for College during summer school. The class exposed first generation college students to educational opportunities after high school. They visited the University of Minnesota, Aveda, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, and Gustavus Adolphus College.

Boys Write! Gatewood Elementary, Amy Kodet $950 awarded in October 2006

Author Lehman Riley motivated students by sharing his writing and life experiences. His books show historical events from an African-American perspective and were inspired by his grandfather.

Good Books West Junior High, Robin Price $2,000 awarded in April 2006Word of mouth or a story that you can relate to often makes a book stand out. That is the intent behind “Good Books” featured in the WJH media center. Encouraging recreational reading furthers the literacy initiatives at West.

8th Grade Science

Hopkins Education Foundation is supporting the school district’s initiative to use interactive whiteboards (such as SMARTboards or Promethean). Based on the success of a pilot project, this grant has expanded the use of interactive whiteboards to all eighth grade science rooms.

In a recent survey, students overwhelmingly cited interactive whiteboards for improving science class. One student commented, “The SMARTboard helps represent topics that would usually be more complex and harder to grasp. It makes it easier to understand and get the concept of the lesson.” Based on previous experience, science teachers anticipate increased engagement, motivation, and learning from all students.

In addition, the grant recipients are part of the district-wide Technology Learning Community, a cadre of 52 teachers across grade levels and curriculum areas that are implementing interactive whiteboard instruction and learning experiences in their classrooms.

GRANTS AT A GLANCE

“This class has truly touched the lives of many and made a lasting mark on everyone. You can know with confidence that you have invested in our children and in our future.”

– Patty Ormson, Family and Consumer Science Instructor, Hopkins High School

Jay HromatkaPRESIDENT

Nancy RennekeVICE PRESIDENT

Virginia Harn SECRETARY

Pam CarmanTREASURER

Ellen CousinsKip Heegaard

Alan HenningsgaardAnn Herzog-Olson

Dan JohnsonDanny KaplanDave Koppe

David ShannonCathy Spicola

Jane Welch

Executive DirectorElisa Titus