Passing the Godzilla Test – Hopkins Techsploration

Posted Jan 25, 2012

How to build a bridge structure in less than an hour.  This was the test put forth by Techsploration founder, Tom Wahle, for Hopkins 5th graders during the HPTA sponsored techsploration program – Exploring Structures and Technology.

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

Enrichment Programs, Hopkins School, The Runner

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Children’s Gallery Family Fun Event is Coming!

Posted Jan 17, 2012

The HPTA is beginning to create baskets for its popular Children’s Gallery Family Fun Event.
Classes at Hopkinton schools create gift baskets with specific themes, which will then be auctioned off at the HPTA event on Saturday March 24.
The baskets are always popular, and it’s a successful fundraiser for the HPTA. But we need your help to create the baskets and make this event as successful as ever.
 
Donations will be collected from January 20 – February 18.

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

Annual Auction, Center School, Elmwood School, Family Fun, Fundraiser Events, High School, Hopkins School, Hopkinton Integrated Preschool, Middle School, Upcoming Events

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Hopkins Awesome April Two-Day Art Workshop

Posted Jan 12, 2012

Welcome spring with a multi‐media art exploration! This class will explore: 2D Jasper Johns numbers sculpture, Kandinsky modern art watercolor painting and Chagall surrealism oil pastels. Feel free to send your child with an old t‐shirt or smock to wear over school clothes, if desired.
Grades: 4-5
 Dates: Tuesdays 4/3 and 4/10 @ 3:10‐4:10pm in the Hopkins Cafeteria
Cost: $70 for two days

Last day to register -March 27, 2012

Click Here to Register

Extracurricular Programs, Hopkins School, Upcoming Events

Extracurricular Program Information

Posted Dec 6, 2011

Center, Elmwood, Hopkins and the Middle School (Grades 1-8)

Winter Session 2012

Winter 2012 Extracurricular Catalog – Open the pdf catalog for class titles, dates, costs and descriptions.

Click Here to Register Online for Extracurricular Classes
(Registration Opens at 9:00 pm in the evening on Thursday, December 8.)

Use our online registration system to enroll your children in our popular, affordable and convenient extracurricular classes. Registration is available on a first-come first-served basis at all schools. At the time of online registration you will be able to see how many spots are left in each class. Our system accepts payments by VISA, MasterCard and eCheck.

Technical Support: Amy Ritterbusch extracurricular@hptaonline.com 508.625.0467

December 8-15 – Early Bird Registration Discounted Rates for HPTA Members Only ($15 off each class)

New members are welcome! You can sign up for membership online at the same time you sign up for extracurricular classes, so you won’t miss out on the discount. Please note that during the last session, we received over 260 registrations within the first hour of Early Bird registration. Many classes fill quickly!

Friday, December 16 at 10:00 am – General Registration Begins
All Classes are Full Price (no discounts)
Open to Non-Members and Members

Friday, January 6 – Last Day to Register for Extracurricular Classes

Week of January 17 – Winter Session Classes Begins

Center School, Elmwood School, Extracurricular Programs, Hopkins School, Middle School

Bamboo Grove Author Returns to Hopkinton

Posted Nov 1, 2011

On the evening of Wednesday, October 26, 2011, award-winning author Yoko Kawashima Watkins once again gave a very engaging program at the Hopkinton Middle School.

Kawashima  is the author of  So Far From The Bamboo Grove,  the required summer reading assignment for 7th graders.  During the first half of the HPTA presentation, she read traditional Japanese children’s stories. The rest of her visit focused on her life during and after the events of Bamboo Grove.

Her stories were both heart-breaking and inspiring, as she interacted with Hopkinton parents, students and community members.  Everyone enjoyed her visit and appreciated her involvement in world peace.  We hope to see her again next year.

Article by Natalie Harris

 

Hopkins School, The Runner