HopSwap is a joint venture between the HopMoms Group and the HPTA and provides the opportunity to recycle and reuse your child’s gently used clothing, toys, gear, and more. We are in the process of collecting donations of used children’s clothing and items that will in turn be sold at HopSwap. If you make a donation and shop at HopSwap you’ll get to “stuff” your reusable shopping bags with as much as you can for a discounted price. Larger items will be available for bargain prices, too.

We are currently taking donations of the following:

• children’s clothing (sizes newborn to 14)
• maternity clothing
• children’s shoes
• baby gear (sorry, no car seats or high chairs)
• strollers
• all types of toys and games
• books and puzzles
• DVDs/CDs
• bikes/trikes/ride-on toys
• sports equipment

Please contact Michelle McGowan at m_r_mcgowan@hotmail.com to arrange a donation pickup or drop off or to get further information. All proceeds to benefit Hopkinton Public Schools.

Animal Adventurers cares for rescued animals and educates youngsters with their visits to local schools.

Children were able to pet a hedgehog, gecko and alligator.

A student from each class helped display a python snake too, but the biggest surprise was to see a one-year-old kangaroo hop around the room.

Center School really was a zoo for the day!

Article and Photos by Janice Doyle

Thanks to Summer Coblyn from Plimoth Plantation, they learned all about homes, food, clothing, livelihood and customs of the tribe. A colorful slide show, accompanied by lots of hands-on artifacts, engaged the children in the one-hour session. Students learned about life long ago as well as how Native Americans live, dress and honor their heritage today.

Sessions were held for each third grade classroom giving the students opportunities to ask questions and participate in demonstrations of Wampanoag artifacts. The children were impressed by the
resourcefulness of the Native Americans and learned about the respect they had for everything that came from the land.

The most fun was talking about games like football, how the Wampanoag made tattoos, and touching the animal skins.

“That was really cool!” said Isabelle O’Rourke, a third-grader in Mrs Joyce’s class.

Special thanks to the Enrichment Coordinators, Jayashree Dattar and Melissa Altman for organizing an informative program with 12 sessions from January 17 through 19 at Elmwood School.

Note: The Plimoth Plantation is a “living history museum” located in Plymouth, MA and re-opens March 17 for the 2012 season. Photos are from Mrs. Mack’s classroom.

Article and photos by Sally Chambers

Lauren Murphy, Cate Cestari and Postmaster Carl Zagame

Mrs. Silver was pleased to be back at Elmwood and  join 30 more second and third-graders as they were sworn in for the second session of the Wee Deliver program.

Session One was a huge success, with more than 4,000 letters being sent, sorted and delivered in just six weeks – including more than 1,000 letters processed the week after Christmas vacation.

Incoming Postmasters – Cate Cestari and Lauren “Lulu” Murphy – were sworn in by Hopkinton’s Postmaster Carl Zagame reciting the same oath he took when he entered the town position. He then swore in the remaining employees who will work in the program until March 20 (with time off for February vacation).  All new employees received a special book mark from the Post Office and a red, white and blue Wee Deliver pencil.

Students, friends and family are again encouraged to take part in this popular program by writing letters to those at Elmwood.

Postmaster Carl Zagame and Wee Deliver employees

Using specific school-based addresses and a special Elmwood Wee Deliver stamp, mail can be dropped off in mailboxes at Elmwood School lobby, Colella’s and of course, the Hopkinton Post office. Please be sure to use complete addresses as well as return addresses.
As the ceremony drew to a close, Mrs. Silver reminded the students of the Wee Deliver motto, “Write a Letter, Receive a Letter!”

Article and photos by Kerri Torgerson

Entry by Helen Gao

We are pleased to announce local judging results of the 2011-2012 Reflections entries. Entries, reviewed by community judges, were placed by how well the “Diversity Means…” theme was interpreted and delivered.

Congratulations to the following winners:
Primary – Literature (PreK-Gr2)
1st Place: Ailene Barry
2nd Place: Allison Chen
3rd Place: Mia Kelley-Lanser

Primary – Visual Arts (PreK-Gr2)
1st Place: Deeksha Vaidyanathan
2nd Place: Melanie Cole
3rd Place: Bridget Walker
Honorable Mention: Maggie McCarthy

Center School Literature Local Winners

Center Visual Arts Winners

Elmwood Literature Local Winners

Elmwood Visual Arts Local Winners

Intermediate – Literature (Gr3-Gr5)

1st Place: Hannah Ianelli
2nd Place: Catharine Barry
3rd Place: Marvi Ali

Honorable Mention: Mirabella Paolucci

Middle School Visual Arts Local Winners

Intermediate – Visual Arts (Gr3-Gr5)

1st Place: Sarah Kang
2nd Place: Abigail Furlong
3rd Place: Hope DeLuca
Honorable Mention: Jasmine Battikha

Middle – Visual Arts (Gr6-Gr8)
1st Place: Mia Coutinho
2nd Place: Jacob Burden
3rd Place: Katie Litchfield

By Mirabella Paolucci

By Matthew Paolucci

By Abigail Furlong

By Sarah Kang

By Jacob Burden

By Malanie Cole

High School Reflections Participants

In addition to local winners, the following participants’ entries have been sent on to State Judging.

Primary – Film Production: Sean Walker
Intermediate – Musical Competition: Alexandra Holmes
Intermediate – Photography: Mirabella Paolucci
Middle – Literature: Zara Ali
Middle – Musical Composition: Matthew Paolucci
Middle – Photography: Matthew Paolucci (2 Photography Entries)
Senior – Literature: Sam ChircoSenior – Visual Arts: Helen Gao

To view the Visual Arts entries on Picasa click here.

Students were placed in groups of four and five to build bridge structures such as a truss, beam, suspension and arch.  These structures then had to pass the “Godzilla Test,” which meant if  they withstood the students shaking them, then they were sound.

The class was then challenged to apply what they had learned  to build the biggest and tallest bridge. So the races were off, with the winning bridge standing eight towers high!

Tom Wahle is a certified technology education teacher with ten years of classroom teaching experience.  He has been travelling extensively to schools throughout New England since 1997.  His unique program brings science and technology concepts to real life situations in fun and exciting ways.  The fifth-graders had a blast while they explored the world of bridge engineering.

Article by Beth Herlihy and Kelly Asherman

The Online Auction and Childrens Gallery raised $40,000 last year. This success was due to the generosity and support of volunteers, sponsors, online shoppers, teachers, schools, and parents.

Here’s how you can become part of this great event

Donate and item or become a sponsor

The auction begins March 9, but you can become a big part of it right now! Consider becoming a sponsor or donating items.

• 2012 Auction – Donation Only Form
• 2012 Auction – Donation and Sponsorship Form

For more information, click here

Contact:
Jane Wojcik at jane.wojcik@yahoo.com or
Karen Bograd at kthayerbograd@alumni.middlebury.edu
 

There will be no evening event. All auction items will be only online this year.
 

2012 Auction – Donation Only Form

2012 Auction – Donation and Sponsorship Form

This year, we are using Amazon to make it easier to donate items and gift cards. You can buy items from the wish list below.

Buy Children’s Gallery Basket Items from Amazon.

Click here to download the flyer to learn more about how to donate.

For more information about this year’s Basket themes and how to donate, contact
Erin Graziano:
emgraz@gmail.com or 508-544-2872

Kristy Willadsen:
kristykemper@yahoo.com or 508-435-7779
 

If you would like to volunteer and be part of the Annual Online Auction please contact:
Jane Wojcik at jane.wojcik@yahoo.com or
Karen Bograd at kthayerbograd@alumni.middlebury.edu
 
The Children’s Gallery Family Event will be held on
Saturday, March 24
12-4 pm
Hopkins Gym & Cafetorium

Join Finz’ the Shark’s Birthday Celebration!

The first 500 KIDS 12 and under through the gates receive a FREE Finz t-shirt!

Sunday, March 11 @ 3:00 PM
Tickets are just $18.00 each

Friends & Family Welcome!

ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW!

For group seats, please complete one online transaction or contact Judy McGrail (sjmcgrail90@comcast.net) to make seating requests.

Deadline Friday, March 2nd

Worcester Sharks at DCU CENTER
50 Foster Street, Worcester.

For more information/directions: www.sharksahl.com

Click here to download the flyer

Click Here to Register – The deadline to register is the Sunday before each class.