Dawn Smith of Oasis Financial Services speaks to Hopkinton High School students about financial literacy at the school’s Fall Senior Transition Day on Oct. 15.

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 in an email to school families. “This was a parade held on or around Halloween in which students and staff dressed in costumes. We will not be dressing up or parading at Marathon this year.

“I recognize that this change will upset many. Critical reflection on the purpose of the Harvest Parade in school resulted in this change.”

Dubeau explained that the school is continually working toward “increased culturally responsive practices,” and “our approaches to instruction and activities may change from past practices. Working to do better regarding anti-bias practice is ongoing. We strive to respect the varied traditions, backgrounds and differences that comprise the Marathon community.”

Added Dubeau: “Families will choose how to celebrate Halloween as is best for their family. At school, we will continue to learn about each other’s holidays and traditions, expanding understanding while promoting an environment in which all feel welcome.”

HHS inducts 38 National Art Honor Society members

Hopkinton High School inducted its fourth new cohort of National Art Honor Society members on Oct. 12 in a ceremony at the school gymnasium. These 38 students were inducted alongside their peers who were being inducted into the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society:

Marisa Alicandro, William Baker, Eleanor Benge, Morgan Burnie, Garima Chauhan, Olivia Chen, Emma DiNicola, Kara Diune, Gwennyth Dyer, Alveena Ehsan, Alexa Feldmann, Owen Fitzpatrick, Emily Graeber, Emily Hayward, Spencer Horgan, Cade Houlihan, Shelby Jones, Carolyn Kiszla, Piyusha Majgaonkar, Nicole Mousad, Alex Munn, Bianca Pal, Charlotte Parrow, Ashleigh Pepin, Hansika Pitchuka, Ian Plasterer, Dylan Prefontaine, Rabiya Fathima Quadri, Anjali Ramesh, Madeleine Ritterbusch, Vienna Rivard, Isabella Scalora, Yasiyn Silva, Maeve Swab, Carmen Thomas, Izael Thomas, Kyra Torgerson and Autumn Tumbleton.

NAHS is sponsored by the National Art Education Association and began in 1978 to inspire and recognize students who have shown an outstanding ability and interest in art. The program supports members in their efforts to attain the highest standards in art scholarship, character, and service, and to bring art education to the attention of the school and community.

HHS debuts Fall Senior Transition Day

Hopkinton High School held its first-ever Fall Senior Transition Day on Oct. 15. A similar event is held annually on the last day of school for seniors in May, but HHS Principal Evan Bishop indicated that recent feedback from school alumni made administrators decide to add another option in the fall.

The event included workshops in which students could get assistance on their college essays and applications, an alumni student panel that discussed future options (military, gap year, community college, etc.), a mental health awareness workshop, and a money management/financial literacy session led by representatives from Hopkinton’s Oasis Financial Services.

HHS 10th in latest U.S. News rankings

Hopkinton High School slotted 10th in the state and 334th nationally in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The school rated seventh in the state in college readiness index, sixth in college curriculum breadth index, 18th in math and reading proficiency, 77th in math and reading performance and tied for 22nd in graduation rate.

Music Association seeks members

The Hopkinton Music Association is actively seeking new board members for the 2021-22 school year. The volunteer organization’s mission is to promote, support and advocate for exceptional music education for all students in the Hopkinton Public Schools. The board meets monthly. Members assist at concerts, fit concert attire for students, and organize/run the MICCA Festival and Pops Concert weekend spring events. For more information, visit hopkintonmusicasso.wixsite.com/hopkintonmusic or email ktbograd@gmail.com.