Involvement
You can make a difference in our schools — join us!
There are many ways to get involved with Hopkins Public Schools. Whether you are looking to build community by collaborating towards a common purpose, become more informed about district programs and services, or form a quality mentoring relationship with a Hopkins scholar, you have taken the first step to getting involved.
Please see below to learn more about the current opportunities for involvement.
Ways to Get Involved
Family Involvement
Parents are one of the most important factors for a child's successful school year. Staff are available to work with parents, teachers, and community groups to increase and strengthen involvement in children's learning.
Parents are encouraged to be involved with programs and activities at their school. There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities — let us help you get involved in our schools!
School Contact Information:
- Harley Hopkins: 952-988-5000
- Alice Smith: 952-988-4200
- Eisenhower: 952-988-4300
- Gatewood: 952-988-5250
- Glen Lake: 952-988-5200
- Meadowbrook: 952-988-5100
- Tanglen: 952-988-4900
- North Middle School: 952-988-4800
- West Middle School: 952-988-4400
- Hopkins High School: 952-988-4500
- VirtualEDU: 952-988-4050
Committees
- Educational Services Advisory Committee (ESAC)
- Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
- Schools and Communities in Partnership (SCIP) / Community Education Advisory Council
- Policy Monitoring Committee
- Citizen’s Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC)
Educational Services Advisory Committee (ESAC)
Educational Services Advisory Committee (ESAC): Provides advice, guidance, and support to the District regarding the design, implementation and evaluation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
Meeting Dates
Jan 16th - (Literacy)
Feb 20th - (Literacy)
Mar 20th - (Math)
NEW DATE! May 1st - (Math)
All meetings will be from 5:30 p.m. till 7 p.m. in the Eisenhower Community Center Boardroom.
Contact: Ann Ertl, Director of Innovation Design and Learning at Ann.ertl@hopkinsschools.org
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC):
Makes recommendations regarding local special education policy and program improvement.
Contact: Fhonda Contreras, Director of Special Services at fhonda.contreras@hopkinsschools.org.
Schools and Communities in Partnership (SCIP) / Community Education Advisory Council
Shares information and looks for opportunities to improve the community by working together to solve community problems that are beyond the scope of any single organization. Through this work, facilitates efficient and effective operation of the Hopkins Community Education Department.
Combined CEAC & SCIP committee meetings take place on:
- Thursday, September 26 - 1:30-3:00pm, Hopkins High School Cafeteria
- Thursday, December 12 - 1:30-3:00pm, Hopkins High School Cafeteria
- Thursday, March 20 - 1:30-3:00pm, Hopkins High School Cafeteria
(Student Resource Fair Activities) - Thursday, May 29 - 1:30-3:00pm, Hopkins High School Cafeteria
(Student Resource Fair Activities)
Lindsey Leseman (She/Her)
Lindsey.Leseman@HopkinsSchools.org
952-988-4417
Policy Monitoring Committee
The Policy Monitoring Committee meets every other week during the Board calendar. The School Board Vice Chair facilitates the Committee, and the Assistant Superintendent provides the Cabinet-level support.
The Committee is charged with facilitating the Board Policy review and recommendation process. Contact Nik Lightfoot at Nik.Lightfoot@hopkinsschools.org for more information.
Citizen’s Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC)
Prepares financial projections and make recommendations concerning future budget parameters.
The Committee meets about 6 times per year and currently have 5 community members. Contact Scott Lesage, Finance Consultant CFO at scott.lesage@theceso.com
Early Childhood Volunteer Options
Volunteer with ECFE
Hopkins Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) welcomes you to become involved in the program! There are a number of ways you can choose to be involved in ECFE or in your child's school. You can choose to be a volunteer for ECFE, or you may want to explore decision-making opportunities as part of the Early Childhood PTO. Call the Harley Hopkins Family Center office at 952-988-5000 to get involved!
- Early Childhood PTO — advise the ECFE coordinator on registration, classes, fundraising, etc.
- The Lending Closet (TLC) — check in toys and books, help keep TLC organized, assist with inventory in the spring.
- Baby Brigade — help stuff envelopes with ECFE and parenting information to be mailed to families with new babies in the Hopkins School District.
- Plates & Mugs — assist with the checking out of take-home packets for families to create their own plates or mugs.
- Classroom Assistance — help teachers and child care staff as an extra set of hands to comfort, play, or help with separation.
- Clerical — assist teachers and/or office staff with mass mailings, labeling, word processing, and other projects.
- Green Thumbs — help maintain gardens around the building, including the new Sensory Garden.
- Fundraising — help to plan and carry out fundraising events.
- Interpreter — assist with written and verbal communications in Spanish, Somali, or other languages
- Legislation — advocate on behalf of children and families with city, school, and state officials.
- Community Connection — be a link with the community by dropping ECFE flyers at a specific location throughout the school year (your choice: i.e. library, health club, coffee shop)
- Early Childhood Screening — help register children, get height and weight, and perform vision and hearing screening (training provided).
Early Childhood PTO
Our PTO fosters relationships between our staff and families. We review policies, procedures, and program offerings in an attempt to reflect the community's needs. The PTO also facilitates a variety of volunteer opportunities for parents within the program. We look forward to working with you!
Hopkins Early Childhood PTO Mission
Hopkins Early Childhood PTO is organized for the purpose of supporting the education of children by fostering relationships among parents/caregivers and staff. We will advise and advocate on behalf of all Hopkins Early Childhood Programs which include: Early Childhood Family Education, Early Childhood Screening, Preschool, and Early Childhood Special Education, with inclusion for all.
Want to Join?
Please contact Early Learning Assistant Director Sara Chovan, 952-988-5003.
Volunteer
Parents and community members are invited to volunteer in the Hopkins School District. Our students range in age from preschoolers through adult, and we match your interests and skills with individual school and teacher needs. We need volunteers to serve in many ways — helping all of our community's learners.
Program Needs and Highlights
- Tutor students preschool through adult
- Advisory committee volunteers
- Academic mentor
- Assist with classroom and school activities
- Career internships
- Homework helper opportunities
- Youth service opportunities in the community
- Support the Empty Bowls fundraiser event
If you are interested in volunteering for Hopkins Public Schools, please fill out our Volunteer Application and email it to Lindsey Leseman at Lindsey.Leseman@hopkinsschools.org, or call 952-988-4417.