Dear Hopkins Families,
I hope your summer was everything you wanted it to be. This summer, Hopkins Public Schools engaged thousands of students in various programs – Camp Royal, Freedom School, Extended School Year, Credit Recovery, Kids & Company, youth sports, Blink, and so much more! Summer is a great time to catch up on academic learning, spend time with family, or participate in enrichment experiences. It’s been a full and productive summer.
And now, we’re set to launch the 2024-25 school year! Each new school year offers tremendous hope, possibility, and purpose. And now, we’re set to launch the 2024-25 school year! You can literally feel the excitement in the halls of each of our buildings – see for yourself in this short video.
I referenced these themes with Hopkin staff at our District Kick-Off this past Tuesday. We gathered in the Hopkins High School auditorium and listened to important messages, watched a thoughtful performance by Pillsbury House Breaking Ice, and participated in professional learning.
We are ready for your student(s)! We know that your children hope for specific things this school year – to feel seen and be heard, to be safe while in school, and to learn meaningful and relevant content that builds their competence and confidence.
There is so much possibility this school year offers. It is possible for all adults to work together to create spaces of belonging for students. It is possible for every student to learn and grow critical skills. It is possible for each kindergartener to learn to read, and each 2025 graduate to land in a college or career well-matched to their skill set.
Finally – purpose. In Hopkins, we have a shared purpose. Our shared purpose is to effectively educate each student. This requires us to pair strong academic instruction with the socioemotional learning and co-curricular experiences that enable each student to develop into holistic, thoughtful human beings. As adults, we know this is collaborative, collective work.
This year will be exciting and fulfilling! We can’t wait to interact with and educate your child. A quick housekeeping note: Thank you for your patience during the first two weeks of school while we iron out transportation routes (lots of construction - be prepared for late buses and adjusting drivers), student schedules, and other back-to-school kinks. Launching back-to-school is a complex enterprise thus we appreciate your understanding and grace.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to educate your child. Have an amazing school year!
Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed
Superintendent