Thursday, March 6, 2008

Parent Feedback Survey: Now Online!

If you are a parent of a student (or students) at H.I.S., and if you have not yet filled out the paper version of the survey (available since February in the school's lobby), please take a moment to help us make our programs and services even better:




The results of this online survey are anonymous, although you do have the option of signing your name at the end of the survey.

Thanks to all the parents who have responded so far, and thanks in advance to all our online survey respondents.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Parent-Teacher Forum: March 4, 2008

Despite wet wintry weather, the PTF met on Tuesday night. Discussion topics included:

School Wide News March 2008

Welcome Back Everyone! I hope you all have had a restful week off from school. As we look ahead at the next few weeks, we look forward to Spring and to a variety of fun happenings around school.

Parent Teacher Forum: Please join us on Tuesday, March 4th for a short discussion of Raising Children Who Care. We’ll also discuss class configurations for next year and share the most recent version of the strategic plan. We’ll share an update with you on the status of the Head of School search and on our Twentieth Year Celebration. Child care will be provided and we’ll have light snacks available.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Tickets are available at the office. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be loads of fun for the whole family! Come see our very own Beech Hill Players, Elizabeth and Reuben! Tickets are $7 each; Shows are 7 pm Friday and Saturday night (March 7th & 8th); 2 pm matinee on Sunday (March 9th).

Tuition Discounts: We’re finishing up a matrix that outlines proposed discounts for families with multiple children who have/will attend multiple years. It will be available by Friday, March 7th to go home with classroom newsletters. We welcome your feedback on this new discount. And we remind all families of the $750 tuition reduction when you introduce a new enrollee to our school.

School Surveys: Thank you to those who filled out and returned school surveys. The information you gave is important and helps us to assess our strengths and weaknesses. If you haven’t already done so, please pick up a survey in the front foyer, or take the survey online. And as always, please know my door is open should you have any questions or concerns.

Mount Sunapee Ski Makeup Day: We’re aiming for Monday, March 10th as a ski make up day. And we’re hoping for sunny, spring conditions! However, please be sure to dress your children for winter mountain weather. Parent chaperones should confirm their availability with Lisa in the front office. And a hearty “thank you” to our ski chaperones: Marilyn Knapp, Deb and Bud Marcou, Trish Collins, and Terry Wilcox. It’s amazing to see how far the children have come in just a few weeks.

Winter Carnival: With luck and good weather, Monadnock and Soonipi students will present a special Winter Carnival Rodeo later this month. Details will be forthcoming. Please be sure to dress your children warmly as we will be outside for much of this time. Boots, snow pants, hats, mittens, and warm jackets are a must everyday, but especially this Friday for children to be able to participate.

Yoga Classes: Students in Kindergarten through grade 8 will begin yoga classes on March 19. We’ll get more details to you soon.

NECAP Tests: Congratulations to our middle school students who had stellar performances on their NECAP tests!

Friday, February 29, 2008

March Pizza Order

Pizza forms are due by March 4, 2008.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

HIS Science Fair in the Bow Times


The Bow Times covered our Science Fair 2008.


Thursday, February 14, 2008

Science Fair 2008

We had an exciting and data-packed Science Fair on Thursday! Over 40 students presented their class, group, and individual experiments to a packed house of family members, friends, and Science Fair Officials. While our Officials circulated and interviewed each young scientist, the rest of us enjoyed an afternoon of discussing the various science experiments we've all worked so hard to complete over the past month.

Student presentations demonstrated the Scientific Method, which was this year's Science Fair theme. All students practiced the Scientific Method to investigate a chosen question.
Preschool and Kindergarten students presented class projects, while Elementary Grades students partnered up to design, conduct, and present their experiments. Each Upper Grades student designed and conducted an individual experiment, and presented the results in a detailed lab report.
Here are some photographs from our afternoon:





We invited a panel of four scientific experts from our school community to come and evaluate our projects. With the official approval of our Science Fair Officials, each student received a certificate of recognition. Congratulations to all our Special Recognition recipients!

Several students also received Certificates of Special Recognition for categories such as "Most Creative Concept," "Most Complete Data," or "Most Useful Application."


These Amoskeag students are getting into the spirit of the Science Fair by demonstrating their balloon propulsion experiment!

We would like to thank our panel of Science Fair Officials for coming and evaluating our projects:
  • Joe Brancato (psychology)
  • Eric Swanson (electrical engineering)
  • Mark Dickson (science education)
  • Lindsay Vincent (education)
These officials expressed their interest in our studies and enthusiasm for science by spending the afternoon with us, questioning and exploring our scientific work. We appreciate their commitment, considerate advice, and thoughtful feedback.
We also thank all our parents and families who supported our scientific work this year. Finally, thanks to Marilyn Knapp for valuable assitance in orchestrating the event.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Press Release: Students Study Careers

Download the press release: "Hopkinton Independent School Students Study Local Careers"

This press release included two photos from the field trip: