5 March, 2011
Press Release from the HPTA
The Hopkinton Parent Teacher Association (HPTA) voted at a special general meeting on January 31, 2011 to support publicly the building of the new K-5 Elementary School on Fruit Street. The HPTA encourages residents to stay informed about this issue, to attend Special Town Meeting on March 21, and to vote in the Special Town Ballot on March 28. In keeping with tradition, the HPTA will offer free babysitting at Special Town Meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. at Hopkinton High School. For planning purposes, please contact Beth D’Alleva at secretary@hptaonline.com or 508-435-7393 with the ages and number of children attending.
At its September 14, 2010 Board Meeting, the HPTA Executive Board voted unanimously to remain a town-wide PTA even if the Hopkinton Public Schools move to a neighborhood elementary school system. The Board felt that the HPTA would continue to be the most effective in its current town-wide structure.
If the town moves to a neighborhood elementary school model, the HPTA would continue to have school-based Vice-Presidents and school-based board members, but centralized fundraising and budgeting. The Board also felt that it wanted to be able to equitably distribute funds among the three neighborhood schools, rather than potentially have a situation where one school was able to raise more funds than the other schools.
“The HPTA remains committed to supporting ALL the Hopkinton Public Schools, no matter what grade configuration our elementary schools have,” said HPTA Board member Amy Ritterbusch.
The HPTA has committed to looking carefully at how to best adjust its elementary school programs, such as enrichment and extracurricular classes, if the town moves to a different grade configuration model.
“The HPTA will make every effort to ensure consistency amongst all three elementary schools with all enrichment programs, extracurricular offerings, luncheons, etc.,” said Cindy Bernardo, HPTA president.
Feedback from parents and community members is always welcome. For any questions about how the K-5 neighborhood school model will impact the HPTA, please contact Cindy Bernardo at president@hptaonline.com or 508-497-9458. For those wishing to get involved, the HPTA Nominating Committee is currently filling Board positions for the 2011-12 school year. Please see the HPTA website for more information.
