Positive Changes Afoot at John Hopkins Middle

Exciting changes are underway at John Hopkins Middle School inside and out. Our school is already preparing for the launch of our newest choice program, International Studies, for the 2015-16 school year. We know this highly popular choice program is going to have a positive impact on our students, our school and our community.

Pinellas County Schools has a proven track record of success with its International Studies programs. James B. Sanderlin International Baccalaureate World School is world renowned for its programming and leadership and has paved the way for other International Studies programs in the district and beyond. In addition to Sanderlin, the district offers IB programs at three high schools. In 2015-16, the district will offer International Studies at two middle schools and one elementary school, which will prepare students for rigorous high school IB programs, Cambridge AICE, AP courses and other advanced options at the high school level. At all levels, the program provides students with an intellectually challenging environment that encourages students to become critical and reflective thinkers. Our program will help students prepare for the journey ahead in high school, college and career. All students at John Hopkins Middle can take advantage of the opportunities for enrichment International Studies has to offer. Students need not be a part of the magnet program to reap its rewards.

As the school year comes to a close, I wanted to update you on some of the outstanding work going on at John Hopkins Middle. Our Center for the Arts has received numerous accolades this year. Our art students won a record-breaking 49 awards at the Scholastic Art Exhibition held at Gibbs High School this winter. As a result, eight Gold Key recipients’ artwork had the opportunity to compete in Scholastic’s national art competition in New York. Our music students have ended the school year on a high note. Our beginning and advanced orchestras received straight superior ratings during their music performance assessments this spring. For the second year in a row, our steel drum band, JHOP Steel, comprised of advanced and beginner steel band members earned a superior rating at the Florida Music Educators’ Association Festival. Our Center for Journalism and Multimedia’s newspaper, the JHOP Times, was a national finalist for the National Student Press Association’s Pacemaker award. In 2014, our school won the Pacemaker Award for Best School newspaper. These high distinctions are a testament to our school’s commitment to the arts and journalism, as well as a reflection of our talented students and staff.

We are also making impressive improvements to our school’s exterior. New landscaping has been added to the front facade. A new JHMS illuminated logo sign can be found out front and our school will receive a fresh coat of paint just in time for the new school year. What’s old is new again; we recently discovered a vintage six-foot circular Trojan head sign, circa 1964, uncovered in a school storage closet. The sign is a symbol of our school’s past, when it was 16th Street Middle School. Our art students have lovingly refurbished the piece—restoring it to its old glory. It now proudly hangs in front of our school, reflecting our heritage and bright future.

If you and your child would like to explore our new academically rigorous International Studies program further, join us for an open house on Wed., May 20 at 6 p.m. in our school auditorium, 701 16th Street South, St. Petersburg. In the meantime, if you have questions or would like more information, please email program coordinator Robert Florio at FlorioR@pcsb.org or contact the district’s Student Assignment office at 727-588-6210. You can also register your child for the John Hopkins three choice programs by visiting www.pcsb.org/registration.

Robert Florio oversees John Hopkins Middle School’s three magnet programs: The Center for the Arts, Center for Journalism and Multimedia and International Studies starting in 2015-16.