Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

HYFS provides insight on dealing with grief during the holiday season

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

The holidays are a time to spend with love ones, but they also can be a painful reminder of those who are no longer here.

Coping with that grief can be difficult, but the right supports and strategies can help. In its latest newsletter, Hopkinton Youth & Family Services provides actionable steps to both honor lost loved ones and manage the grief that accompanies those losses.

“Acknowledging your grief rather than pretending it doesn’t exist is important,” the newsletter reads.

“Grief, though painful, is also a reflection of love,” it continues.

Personal check-ins, setting boundaries and being vocal about grief are some of the strategies the newsletter highlights. It also provides ways of combating loneliness, which sometimes can accompany grief.

Those looking for additional information and support can stop by the HYFS office on the second floor of Town Hall. More grief coping mechanisms can be found by reading the newsletter on HYFS’ website or visiting this resource from Mass General Brigham.

Latest News

The School Committee on Thursday selected the New England School Development Council as its consultant in the search for a new superintendent to replace Carol Cavanaugh, who is retiring in June 2025.

Principals from the school district asked for increases in the substitute account and highlighted personnel and expense requests in budget presentations to the School Committee.

Open Space Preservation Commission chair Ed Harrow informed members Thursday night of a stone wall on Winter Street that potentially encroaches on town land under the OSPC’s jurisdiction.

Dagle Electric will continue service cut-overs on the east side of Main Street this week.

Town meetings tonight include the Board of Health (5:30) and the Sustainable Green Committee (6).

Photo of the Day

A child watches on as another youngster meets Santa during the annual Holiday Stroll on the Town Common Saturday. Click here for more photos.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO