Are You Smarter than a 4th- or 5th-Grader?

Posted May 9, 2010
On Friday, April 30, the HPTA hosted the 1st Annual “Are You Smarter than a 4th- or 5th-Grader?” as part of its Family Fun Event series. 


More than 70 Hopkins students and parents registered to take the challenge. Fourth-grade teacher Deanna Law led the contestants through three rounds of questions. Ms. Law was a spectacular host – Jeff Foxworthy should be nervous about his job security!


Congratulations to our winners:


4th-grade student – Zach Ritterbusch
4th-grade parent – Alison Dean
5th-grade student – Olivia Spar
5th-grade parent – Wally Henneberry


Special congratulations go to 4th-grader Ivy Gogolin for getting all but one 5th-grade question correct!


Many thanks go to the parent committee that helped us create this event – Lynne Auslander, Katie Keavany, Lori Glover, Lisa Summers, Liz Burke, Jean Bertschmann, and Patti Liberta.  


Thanks also go to the wonderful volunteer support at the event itself: Hopkins principal, Martha Starr; Hopkins teacher Jennifer Keeler; Pam Palleiko, Kim Joyce, Kathy Baumann, Cindy Bernardo, and the Hopkinton High School Leo Club.


Start studying for next year’s event!


Submitted by Jean Bertschmann

Family Fun, Hopkins School, Schools, The Runner

Carnival Committee Needs Help!

Posted Apr 25, 2010
The HPTA is hosting the First Annual Carnival on May 8 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on the Hopkinton Town Common. 
In order to raise the most money for schools, we are looking for gently used or new items for the carnival games. We have many games built by Keefe Tech, but still need small items to go with the games. Below is a list of things we need. 
Please email Aimee Graeber at agraeber@verizon. net if you are willing to supply any of these items.  You will receive an email back if we still need the item.
Footballs – 1 (any size)
Darts – 2 sets
Basketballs – 2
Softballs – 4
Six cans or bottles that would be good for a Milk bottle/can knockdown
Six rings for a 1 liter ring toss
One set of 3 bean bags
Frisbees – 5
1 plastic pool
Ducks for duck pool – 50 to 75
1 plastic basketball hoop
Card tables or banquet tables (bring day of)
12 canopies (bring day of)
cardtable chairs (bring day of)
And lots of volunteers! Six people for set up (9:00-10:00 a.m.), 6 people for breakdown (3:00-4:00 p.m.) and 72 people to work the games. Teams of two will work the games in 2-hour shifts, so volunteer with a friend!

Thanks for supporting the HPTA!

Family Fun, Fundraiser Events, The Runner

New Date, Same Fun for 2010 HPTA Mini Marathon

Posted Apr 25, 2010

After being inspired by the Boston Marathon, Hopkinton students may look forward to the HPTA’s Annual Mini Marathon. To make the event bigger and better this year, the event has moved from early May to June 19 in conjunction with the Sharon Timlin Memorial 5k. 

The Mini Marathon will take place at the Hopkinton High School outdoor track for ages two to eight, while students ages seven to 10 may compete in a one-mile race around the Loop Road.

Two- to five-year-olds will run a half lap in the toddler open. Six-year-olds will compete in the quarter-mile (one lap) and seven- and eight-year-olds will circle the track twice to complete a half-mile. The kids’ one-mile race will start on the Loop Road at 9:45 a.m. following the Timlin 5k, which begins at 8:30 a.m. The races on the track will start at 11:15 a.m.
In addition to the races, participants will enjoy an expanded family fun day with food, games and activities. 

Registration for the races on the track costs $5, while the mile race costs $15 and includes a T-shirt. The 5k race costs $25 and includes a T-shirt for those registered by May 19. 

5k entrants must pre-register, while participants in the kids’ races may register in person on the day of the event or online at www.sharontimlinrace.org. The website also includes further information about the races.

To volunteer or to ask questions about the event please e-mail Colleen Allen at run4als@gmail.com
Funds raised from the Mini-Marathon will continue to support the HPTA. The proceeds of HPTA fundraising events go directly to the schools to be used for programs such as student enrichment, scholarships, communication, technology enhancement, and professional development programs.

Family Fun, The Runner

HPTA Silent Auction Offers Something for Everyone

Posted Feb 28, 2010
HPTA’s 27th Annual Silent Auction has something for everyone with games, food, prizes, and items ranging in value from $25 to priceless. The March 6 event at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough opens with the Children’s Gallery Preview at 1:00 p.m. and evening event at 7:00 p.m.
“Between the Children’s Gallery event from 1:00-3:00 p.m. that day and the evening event, we have something for all ages,” said Cindy Bernardo, HPTA president. “That is the beauty of the Silent Auction. There is always something for everyone. There are auction items/baskets for women, men, kids and pets — an absolutely fun time for the whole family. Something you don’t want to miss!”
The Children’s Gallery Preview includes a Zhu Zhu Pet raffle (tickets cost $10 each for the package valued at $280), autographed items from students, a free ice cream sundae bar, Clarity the Clown, face painting, balloons, and crafts with Sparks! Art Studio.
At 7:00 p.m. tables open and patrons may enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, food stations, and a cash bar. Three drawings will determine who gets to enter the Money Machine to try to grab up to $500. Other games include Putting for the PTA, Hopkinton Plinko, and Wheel of Prizes. At 8:00 p.m. the live auction begins with emcee Chris Zito from “Zito and Karen Blake in the Morning” on 103.3 WODS.
The Silent Auction is the HPTA’s most significant annual fundraiser. Over the 15 years of the HPTA organization, the auction and other fundraisers have allowed the HPTA to budget more than $2 million for the Hopkinton Public Schools. Proceeds of the events go directly to the schools to be used for programs such as student enrichment, scholarships, communication, technology enhancement, and professional development.

Click to view photos of last year’s Silent Auction in our Picasa Web Album.

Annual Auction, Family Fun, Fundraiser Events, The Runner

Hopkins Day at Pinz

Posted Feb 14, 2010

A great time was had by all at the Hopkins Day at Pinz!

Hopkins students had a chance to hang out with each other while bowling and playing video games and laser tag. The fun took place following Early Release on Feb. 3.
Of course, no bowling party would be complete without pizza and other munchies. It was a day filled with fun and games.
Thanks to all of you who participated and to Pinz for helping organize this fun HPTA family event!
Photos and article by Lynne Auslander.

Family Fun, Hopkins School, Schools, The Runner

HPTA Turns Up Heat With 1st Chili Cook-Off

Posted Jan 31, 2010
The 1st HPTA Chili Cook-Off drew 120 people to taste 13 different entries and enjoy activities like face painting and raffles. The event, held at the Woodville Rod and Gun Club on January 24, raised $2,383.25 for Hopkinton schools.
Residents and restaurants entered their best chili in one of five categories. Official judges included Cari Morales of Colella’s, Denise Gribben of Ciao Time, Michael Tobins of Marathon Restaurant, and Phil Powers of the Hopkinton Police Department. 
Judges selected Kathleen Dustin, Zio’s Bistro, TJ’s Restaurant, Lee Wright and Zahra Ali as best in their category for vegetarian, fire house, mild, most original and carnivore, respectively. Attendees voted for the people’s choice award, won by Juli Hayes.
Claudia Wadman of Waltham won the most coveted raffle prize — a 42″ Samsung television.
The event was chaired by Adrienne McKenna. 
“On behalf of myself and Cindy Bernardo, HPTA president,” McKenna said, “we would like to thank the community for participating in the event and thank all for its success.”
Article by Jean Cann

Family Fun, Fundraiser Events, The Runner