POLL: Should the State Ban School Bake Sales?

State health officials want to put restrictions on school bake sales to discourage unhealthy eating habits, but will this hurt fundraising efforts?

  Massachusetts state health officials recently recently approved regulations that would prevent bake sales from being held during school and in the 30 minutes before and after school to discourage unhealthy eating habits. Gov. Deval Patrick has backed down on the regulations after criticism from parents and organizations that say putting restrictions on bake sales would negatively impact fundraising efforts for the schools and nonprofit groups, according to USA Today. Legislation passed in 2010 will still require schools serve healthy snack options in the cafeterias and limit sugary foods. In today's poll question, we're asking: Do you think Gov. Deval Patrick should enforce the bake sale ban to help encourage Massachusetts youth to have …

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Tara Spiegelman

8:50 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Ironically the most popular "Bake Sales" in Milford are the ones the political candidates have to raise money for their campaigns.   more ›

Community Leaders React to High School Ranking

This week Hopkinton High School was announced as the number three high school in the state. We spoke to community leaders and put together what they had to say.

Earlier this week we announced that Hopkinton High School was selected by US News & World Report as the number three high school in Massachusetts. Over the past couple days we’ve talked to various people around town that have a stake in the schools; here’s what they had to say. Superintendent of Schools Jonathan Landman: “Results like these are a tribute to the skilled, dedicated faculty and administrators at Hopkinton High School. They are also the product of outstanding, consistent community support for education, family support for our youth, hard-working students and a strong school system populated at every level by dedicated, expert, caring educators. There’s plenty of credit to go around.” State Representative Carolyn Dykema (D – …

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Letter To The Editor

LETTER: Bertschmann's Knowledge Makes Choice Easy

With just over two weeks left before the May 21 town election, one residents submitted this letter to the editor in support of Jean Bertschmann for School Committee.

Submitted by Kim Pucci I am supporting Jean Bertschmann for School Committee because of her proven commitment to excellence in the Hopkinton Schools. I have worked with Jean in multiple capacities over the past 10 years including serving under her leadership on the Superintendent Steering Committee, co-chairing school fundraising events, and collaborating when our tenures of president of the HPTA and Education Foundation overlapped. I have been impressed with her knowledge of the schools, ability to build consensus, and efficiency in managing tasks. With the challenges of the current economy and facilities decisions ahead, it is crucial that we continue to explore creative options to maintain excellence in our schools and plan for the …

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High School Seniors Opt for Online Courses

As technology increases in the schools and across the town, students are trending toward various types of non-traditional classroom experiences.

By Kayla Sullivan
, HHS Press A typical day in the seven-day HHS rotation consists of five class periods, all one hour long with the exception of fourth period lunch block, which is an hour and a half.  Senior Sean Carnes’ schedule, however, does not at all require him to spend those five periods in school each day.  In fact, some days Carnes is only required to be present in school for two out of the five class periods.  In addition to Honors Calculus, Honors Multicultural Literature, AP US Government & Politics, and AP Psychology, Sean is enrolled in Honors Online Physics and Virtual High School’s (VHS) Investing, the latter two being completely online courses. Carnes’ schedule consists of 15 study periods that take the place of what …

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Hopkinton High Named Ranked Number Three in Massachusetts

An annual report by US News & World Report ranked Hopkinton High School just below Boston Latin School and Sturgis Charter School in Hyannis.

In the annual report released by US News & World Report Hopkinton High School was picked as the third best public school in Massachusetts and ranked number 89 nationally. According to the website the 1,021 students in the high school have a 94 percent English proficiency and a 95 percent proficiency in math. "Hopkinton High School is ranked 3rd within Massachusetts. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Hopkinton High School is 82 percent. The student body makeup is 50 percent male and 50 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 4 percent. Hopkinton High School is the only high school in the Hopkinton," the overview says. Chairman of the School Committee …

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High School Drug Use Prompts K9 Search

For the second time this year the High School went in to lockdown so k9 units could search the building illegal substance.

Today Hopkinton High School principal Alyson Geary sent out an email to parents to let them know about a drug sweep through the building. This is the second sweep of the building this year, no illegal substances were found during this search. This year health officials at the schools have been particularly concerned about the marijuana use by students in the High School. In December Youth Services Coordinator Jean Vazza presented the findings of the MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey to the School Committee. The results showed that in the past four years marijuana use has gone up 6 percent. "Some reasons for the increase may include decriminalization along with the faulty thinking that marijuana is not addictive and is not a gateway drug…

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GALLERY: Oliver! is Coming to Town

Get ready for this weekend's Middle School performance of the classic Charles Dickens Story.

As the school year comes to a close everyone is finishing off their projects and getting ready to display their talents. Included in this group are students involved in the Middle School drama program who have been working hard on their production of Oliver! Check out some publicity shots in the gallery and be sure to get your tickets to this weekend's performances. Show times are at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 29 in the Hopkinton Middle School auditorium. The full ticket price is $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. The Project Just Because donation must be made at the time of purchase to get the $2 discount. Tickets will be available at the Middle School office or at the …

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Whiz Kids

High School Artist Awarded Silver Medal

Olivia Canestrari and her art teacher at the high school submitted her striped double drape mold ceramic creation to a state level art competition before getting escalated up to the national level.

Name: Olivia Canestrari School:  Hopkinton High Accomplishment:  As a part of Canestrari's ceramic art class she created a double drape mold sculpture. Canestrari's sculpture was submitted to the state Scholastic Art Awards where she won gold key recognation. After that the sculpture was submitted to the natioanl Scholast Art Awards where she won a silver medal. Canestrari's piece is on display at the Massachusetts State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza in Boston, and will be on display with other national award winners in New York City this summer. Motivation: For Canestrari this started out as a simple class project but turned into something bigger than that. “It really just started out as an experiment,” she said. “I wasn’t crazy …

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