In addition to re-implementing the mandatory mask policy at Hopkinton High School by a 3-2 vote, the School Committee discussed other issues at its meeting Thursday night. Special education costs rise Karen Zaleski, the student services district director, noted that...
Education
Divided School Committee votes to make masks mandatory at HHS due to surge in COVID-19 cases
The School Committee on Thursday voted 3-2 to re-institute the mandatory mask policy at Hopkinton High School beginning today after a nearly hour-long discussion. “Everyone, I’m sure, has been hearing about the school outbreak,” said Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh....
Superintendent: Hopkinton ‘monitoring’ threat to U.S. schools for Friday
Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh emailed the schools community on Thursday to address a widely shared post on the social media platform TikTok that refers to a threat to school safety "for every school in the USA, even elementary," on Friday (Dec. 17). "The post appears...
School Committee discusses budget with town leaders
The School Committee began its hybrid meeting Thursday night with a joint session with the Select Board and the Appropriation Committee to discuss the Fiscal Year 2023 school budget requests. “We really do have a very good idea of where we stand right now,”...
HPS winter concerts underway
The Hopkinton Public Schools Music Department winter concerts start tonight, with Grade 6 performing at 6:30 at the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium. The Grade 7 concert is next Monday (Dec. 13) at 6:30 at the HMS auditorium The Grade 8 concert is next Wednesday...
School Committee votes to institute another mask-optional trial period at HHS
Following the success of the mask-optional trial period for COVID-vaccinated students and staff at Hopkinton High School over the first three weeks in November, the School Committee voted 4-0-1 at Thursday’s meeting to implement a second trial period, running Dec....
Gingerbread house fundraiser at HHS Dec. 12
The Hopkinton High School Habitat for Humanity Club is hosting a gingerbread house fundraising event on Sunday, Dec. 12 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the HHS cafeteria. Admittance is $5 per person. Preregistration (by Dec. 9) is preferred but not required — walk-in...
HHS Rent a Raker supports Project Just Because
A group of Hopkinton High School students is organizing a Rent a Raker fundraiser, where the students will rake leaves for money that will be donated to Project Just Because. The fall cleanups will be held on the next two Saturdays, Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 (rain dates Nov....
HMS Drama Club presents ‘Sideways Stories from the Wayside School’ Dec. 3-4
After a two-year hiatus, the Hopkinton Middle School Drama Club is back, presenting "Sideways Stories from the Wayside School" featuring scenes from "School Daze." "Sideways Stories" is an adaptation of Louis Sachar's Wayside School novels, featuring characters such...
School Committee gets start on FY23 budget with department requests
The School Committee at its Thursday night meeting heard budget requests for Fiscal Year 2023, including the requests to accommodate the increasing need for services for students with disabilities. Karen Zaleski, the director of student services and child find...
HHS team earns spot on ‘Quiz Show’
A team from Hopkinton High School was selected to compete in Season 13 of “High School Quiz Show,” a televised academic tournament from Boston public media producer GBH. Hopkinton qualified by recording one of the 17 highest scores at a Super Sunday qualifying event....
School Committee approves MOA on HHS mask policy with teachers union
Following an executive session Tuesday night, the School Committee voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Hopkinton Teachers Association regarding the new mask-optional policy for vaccinated individuals at Hopkinton High School....
HHS Drama Ensemble back ‘Together Now’
“Curtain up, light the lights,” the Hopkinton High School Drama Ensemble is back offering its latest musical production, “All Together Now!” Nov. 12-14. Although the cast will not be performing “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” the source of the quote, the actors will...
School Committee debates mask policy for athletics, gets MCAS update
The School Committee at its Monday night meeting discussed two major issues: the policy regarding wearing masks at school athletic events as well as the district’s MCAS scores. Athletic Director Rich Cormier appeared before the committee to request its guidance about...
School system impacted by staffing shortages
Many school districts across the nation have experienced staff and supply shortages, and Hopkinton has been no exception. Schools Finance Director Susan Rothermich said there are three areas where employment needs are the greatest: bus drivers, cafeteria workers and...
School Committee chair: ‘Not an easy decision’ on unmasking
School Committee Chair Nancy Cavanaugh has received mixed feedback on the new policy allowing vaccinated individuals the choice to remove their masks at Hopkinton High School, although there was more public input before the decision was made. “With regard to [the Oct....
ESBC discusses plan for Elmwood’s future
The Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC), tasked with finding a solution to the constraints of the Elmwood School building, met Oct. 27 to receive progress updates on the partnership between the district and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)....
Day 1 of mask-optional policy at HHS: About half of students approved to show faces
For the first day of the lifting of the mask mandate, about half of the students attended Hopkinton High School with their masks on, according to Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh in an interview Monday afternoon. Before the implementation of the mask-optional policy for...
Superintendent explains what led to mask-optional trial period at HHS; teachers union still has concerns
The Hopkinton School Committee’s 3-2 vote to become the first Massachusetts community to lift the mask requirement for COVID-19 vaccinated students and staff for a three-week trial period in November has brought forth a range of opinions from both inside and outside...
Schools Notebook: Marathon School announces end to Halloween parade tradition; HHS debuts Fall Senior Transition Day
The annual Halloween costume parade for the town’s kindergartners and first grade is not being held this year, according to recent announcement from Marathon School. “We will not be celebrating Halloween at school with a Harvest Parade,” principal Lauren Dubeau wrote...