88 Hayden Rowe St | Hopkinton | MA 01748 | Phone: 508-497-9830 | Fax: 508-497-9803

FAQ

WHAT IF I NEED TO CONTACT MY PARENTS?

There are telephones in the main office and guidance suite designated for student use. Except in cases of emergency, the telephone can only be used before school, during a student’s lunch shift, or after school. There should be only one student at a time in the office or guidance suite to use the phone. Students must get permission from their teachers to use the telephone.

WHAT IF I GET SICK OR INJURED DURING SCHOOL TIME?

Students should ask a teacher for permission to see the school nurse immediately. The nurse will decide if there is need to leave school or to seek further medical attention. In these cases, parents will be notified. The nurse will arrange to have a student picked up from school if it is necessary for the student to go home. Students may not call or text parents to be dismissed on their own.

WHAT IF I WANT TO BRING A CELL PHONE TO SCHOOL?

You may bring a cell phone to school. However, cell phones are to be used only before and after school and MUST BE TURNED OFF during the day or secured in lockers. Cell phone use during the day, including texting, is not permitted. If used during the school day, phones will be taken and forwarded to the Office. The school is not responsible for any phone that is lost or stolen.

WHAT IF I BRING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO SCHOOL?

Use of electronic devices is not permitted during the school day. If these devices are used while traveling to and from school, they should be secured in lockers during the day. If used during the school day, they will be taken and forwarded to the Office. Pagers and laser pointers are prohibited at the Middle School. Violations may result in appropriate action being taken by the Assistant Principal or the Principal as  described in the General School Discipline section of this Handbook. The school is not responsible for any electronic device lost or stolen.

WHAT IF I FORGET MY HOMEWORK, A PROJECT OR MY LUNCH?

Parents must drop off homework, projects, lunches, or  they must email/fax messages, etc.  In order to keep classroom disruptions to a minimum, students' names will be displayed on the TV monitor in the foyer outside the Main Office. Announcements after 1:50 p.m. cannot be made when the Pre-school is still in session, except in case of an emergency.

WHAT IF I NEED TO BE DISMISSED FROM SCHOOL?

Students must bring a note from their parents to give to the Main Office before school in the morning. The note must explain the reason for dismissal, i.e., orthodontist, doctor’s appointment. Students’ names will be listed on the dismissal portion of the attendance sheet to inform teachers. Please note that we will not call students being dismissed early to the office, as this is a disruption to classes. Students simply need to meet the parent at the office. Please note:  Even if a student can walk to a scheduled appointment, when the student is being dismissed during school hours, an authorized adult must meet the student at school for dismissal.

WHAT IF MY PARENT NEEDS TO GET A MESSAGE TO ME?

All messages regarding changes in dismissal and/or in pick-up, etc. must be received by the Middle School Office by fax (508-497-9803) or through e-mail to msoffice@hopkinton.k12.ma.us.  Messages will be placed on the table located in the Main Office. Please do not phone in these messages. Phone-in messages are for emergency purposes (i.e., serious injury or illness, death in the family) only.

WHAT IF I AM ASSIGNED A DETENTION OR COMMUNITY SERVICE?

A teacher, the Assistant Principal, or the Principal may assign a classroom detention. Detentions are often assigned because of misbehavior, lack of respect, repeatedly coming to class unprepared, etc. Community Service is often used as an alternative and may be deemed appropriate in many cases. The purpose of assigning Community Service is to allow the student the opportunity to give back to the school or community in a positive way if his/her conduct or behavior interfered with the safety or daily operation of the school. Students will stay on the day the teacher, the Assistant Principal, or the Principal assigns.
WHAT DO I DO IF I FORGET MY LUNCH OR LUNCH MONEY?

Student lunches are $2.25 for regular and $2.75 for premium. Although students are not allowed to charge lunches in the Cafeteria except in an emergency, they can prepay for their lunches. A check should be made payable to Hopkinton School Lunch for any amount. When the student buys lunch, which includes milk, the cost of the lunch will be deducted from that total. When the funds are running low (usually at the $10.00 level), the cafeteria staff will notify the student should he/she want to replenish the funds.  Parents can upload funds directly to the student’s account by going to the Middle School website>Parents>Food Service, and then clicking on the Hopkinton Public Schools Secure On-Line Payments link.
WHAT IF I AM ABSENT ON THE DAY OF A SCHOOL SPONSORED EVENT?

When a student is absent from school, he or she may not attend any school function. These include, but are not limited to, dances, theater productions, field trips, concerts, athletic events, etc., on that day or evening. Students must attend school for a minimum of three hours and fifteen minutes in order to be considered present.
WHAT IF I WANT TO DECORATE MY LOCKER OR A FRIEND’S LOCKER WITH BALLOONS?

No balloons are allowed in school because of the potential risk to students and staff with latex allergies or sensitivities.
WHAT IF I WANT TO BRING MY SKATEBOARD TO SCHOOL?

Students may bring skateboards to school. However, upon arriving to school, students must store skateboards in the Main Office. Skateboarding is strictly prohibited on school grounds, and violations will result in appropriate action by HMS staff.
ARE FLOWER, GIFT, AND/OR BALLOON DELIVERIES ALLOWED AT SCHOOL?

There are absolutely no flower/gifts/balloon deliveries allowed for students.
WHERE DO I GO IF I LOSE SOMETHING?

There is a “lost and found” area outside the Middle School auditorium. There is also a “lost and found” area behind the counter in the Main Office where students may check for missing items. The school is not responsible for lost items. 
IF MY PARENT DRIVES ME TO SCHOOL, WHERE DO I GET DROPPED OFF IN THE MORNING?

All students MUST be dropped off at the water tower/Brown Gym parking lot in the mornings. Please do not drop your student off in front of the Middle School building at the front entrance. Dropping off at the front entrance near the Main Office is ONLY for late drop offs AFTER 7:30a.m. when the building is locked. For the safety of our students and staff, there should be no traffic in front of the Middle School building BEFORE 7:30a.m.
WHERE DO I GET PICKED UP FOR DISMISSAL?

When a student is being dismissed from school during the school day, before 1:50 p.m., a parent/authorized adult must come into the Middle School building before a student can be dismissed. Parents must not park in the "handicapped drop-off only" area but should park in the front entrance parking lot. After 1:50 p.m., the student should proceed to the water tower/Brown Gym lot to be picked up. Please do not pick up at the Main Office entrance.