Team Hoyt Statue Unveiled at Center School

Rick and Dick Hoyt joined members of John Hancock, the Boston Athletic Association and the Hopkinton Community to unveil the statue.

Anyone familiar with the Boston Marathon has without a doubt heard the story of Dick and Rick Hoyt, the father who has pushed his son in the Boston Marathon 30 times. The John Hancock company has decided to honor Team Hoyt by placing a statue of them outside the Center School, just feet from the starting line.

• Photos (9)

Updated: Suspension Overturned AfterFake Gun Incident at Center School

The child reportedly brought a toy gun to class to show other students.

Updated March 22, 2 p.m.: WCVB is reporting that the boy's suspension has been overturned after a meeting between his mom and school administrators. ------------------------- Original Story: According to a report on WCVB Channel 5's website, a Hopkinton kindergartener is facing in school suspension after bringing a toy gun to school. According to their report, the boy's mother said she often sends her son to school with his pockets full of toys. The boy's mother is reportedly appealing the suspension arguing that there is nowhere in the handbook that prohibits toy guns. Superintendent Stephen Hiersche and Interim Principal Milly Katzman were unable to comment when contacted by Patch. Both cited student confidentiality. Do you think the …

•  50 Comments
• Photos (1)

Brian Macker

5:35 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2013

I did stay in the backpack, and only came out for the bus ride home. How are kids supposed to learn about property rights and ownership if they can't keep things they own with them. Teachers go out of their way with lessons about caring for a baby by having kids lug around raw eggs. Not sure why they should learn about concealed carry by having a toy gun. My schools let you have whatever just so …   more ›

Team Hoyt Sculpture on Display at Hopkinton Library

Work is still underway at Center School, but running enthusiasts can get a preview of the statue now.

For running enthusiasts in Massachusetts and across the world, Hopkinton is the center of the universe for a few hours once a year. One of the key aspects of that Boston Marathon Day for the past three decades has been, and still is, the father-son marathoning duo of Rick and Dick Hoyt. Through snow, rain and heat Dick has pushed his son Rick's wheelchair 26.2 miles into on Patiots Day. Now, the duo is going to be in Hopkinton year-round. A full size sculpture of was commisioned John Hancock Financial and will be unveiled April 8 at the Center School. For the time being, a scale model is on display in Hopkinton Public Library.  "The Library is quite honored to display this dramatic work of art and we welcome you to stop by to see the …

• Photos (1)

Christopher Kennedy to Resign Effective in January

The Center School principal will be leaving the Hopkinton Public School District after only 18 months on the job.

In a letter to the Hopkinton community today Center School Principal Christopher Kennedy announced his resignation from the position he has held for a year and a half. "I have recently been offered a position as the Senior English Language Arts Specialist with United Providence, working with several of the City’s most under-performing elementary, middle, and high schools," his letter said. "In this role, I will have the opportunity to engage in turnaround work by coaching school principals and instructional leadership teams around high quality ELA practices and pedagogy, in both English and Spanish." Kennedy was selected to lead the school in July 2011, and is the third administrator to announce their resignation in the past six months…

• Photos (1)

School Committee Candidates Respond to Center School Problems

More than a year has passed since the town voted against a plan for districted schools, including a new building on Fruit Street. Today we asked candidates what they look for in a solution to the town's elementary school woes.

This week on Patch we wanted to help Hopkinton voters get to know what makes the School Committee candidates tick and where they stand on various issues. To do this we asked each candidate to respond to four questions from Tuesday, May 15 through Friday, May 18 we will feature all of the candidates' responses to one question. All four candidates are running for two open positions in the election. The first question we asked the candidates focused on the basic reasons for why they would be a good selection to be on the committee. The second question focused on what they see as a solution to the problems at the Center School that have been plaguing the town for years. 2.) Last year Hopkinton voters turned down a proposed solution to the …

• Photos (1)

Patch Facts

5 Things Hopkinton Wants for Christmas

We think we know what Hopkinton wants for Christmas; here are our ideas.

The Christmas season is a time of the year where people focus on giving back to the community and giving gifts to other people. Today however, we’re focusing on what the town of Hopkinton should be receiving. Here’s a list of five things Hopkinton wants under its Christmas tree. 1. An updated Center School. Hopkinton residents have been working on repairing/replacing the Center School for more than 10 years. The changes looked like they were going to happen in March but for various reasons the town voted the plan down. Now the School Committee is working with Superintendent Jonathan Landman to create a plan that will solve the problems associated with the old building and allow students to receive the best education Hopkinton can offer. 2…

• Photos (1)

Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 6

If your house is looking fly, you can win $100,000 for Hopkinton schools.

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Today is the last day to participate in the Elementary School Planning Survey. The results will be looked at by the School Committee to help develop a plan moving forward with the Center School project. 2. The Board of Selectmen will meet tonight to discuss the renewal of all of the town's liquor licenses. NStar representatives are also expected to be at the meeting to discuss their response to Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm. The meeting is at 7 p.m. in Hopkinton Town Hall. 3. Hopkinton Patch is looking for suggestions on who we should chose as our …

• Photos (1)

Patch Facts

UPDATED: 5 Things You Need to Know Today: Nov. 29

Teens will learn how to control stress through sleep this week.

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. *This even has been canceled* The Hopkinton Library will be having a coping with stress seminar designed to help teens learn the importance of sleep in their life. Hopkinton youth services coordinator Jean Vazza will be presenting. 2. Weston Nurseries will be having a Girls Night Out. This will be an opportunity for all of the ladies in Hopkinton to make a great holiday decoration and spend some time with other women from town. The $35 cost includes all the materials for the boxwood tree as well as refreshments. Reservations can be made by calling the store at 508-…

• Photos (1)

Center School Planning Survey Available

The School Committee wants to know what residents want out of the Center School project.

The Hopkinton School Committee sent out a survey to residents last week, asking for feedback on the idea for a new elementary school. According to a press release, the point of the survey is to collect as many opinions about the elementary school building as possible. The results will be used to help update the statement of interest for the Center School, which will be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority. “By collecting opinion from the spectrum of voters the School Committee hopes to gain some clarity regarding what the town would support as a future project,” the committee said in the release. This survey is one of many ways the School Committee has sought out feedback since the vote for a new school on Fruit Street …

• Photos (1)

What We Learned on Patch

Missing Dog is Number One on Patch This Week

Baypath Humane Society's search for Romie is on top along with the ongoing discussion around the Center School.

1. Volunteers at Baypath Humane Search for Skittish Dog was the most read and tweeted article on Patch this week. The follow-up, Runaway Beagle Continues to Evade Volunteers, was also very popular. It's great to see how much residents respond when animals are involved. 2. Residents Weigh in on School Districting was the number two most popular story this week. The ongoing discussion about the Center School is definitely a huge topic around town. 3. The third best-received story this week was 5 Things You Missed at Selectmen Last Night. Among the topics selectmen discussed was changing the town's tax classifications. As with every week, the Police Log posts continue to be high draws. Next week we will be featuring an Athlete of the Week …

• Photos (1)