Coming Together: A Busy Fall for the Hopkins Parent Community

Hopkins has the largest geographic representation of families in the state, and the Hopkins Parent Association (HPA) has been working hard this year to bring parents together and create a robust, welcoming community both on and off campus.

The year began with gatherings held across Connecticut. Returning families opened their homes to welcome new community members at events for parents and children before the school year started.

In September, the HPA grade representatives hosted coffees, hikes, and get-togethers to help parents in the same grade connect. The first All-Parent Breakfast of the year had record attendance, with over 115 people gathered in the Heath Commons Dining Room to hear from Matt Glendinning, learn about volunteer opportunities, and enjoy a light breakfast.

The first-ever Fall Festival, held on the eve of Homecoming on October 18, was a celebration made possible by parent volunteers. Also in October, the HPA Outing Chairs organized a behind-the-scenes tour at a local brewery and an educational evening at the Fairfield University Art Galleries, which included a talk by Dr. Michelle DiMarzo.

In October and November, the HPA Community Service Committee brought Hopkins parents and students to Habitat for Humanity build sites, supported a successful blood drive with the Red Cross, provided several meals for HangTime (an organization supporting ex-offenders), and baked over 100 pies to bring joy to those less fortunate during Thanksgiving.

In partnership with Hopkins' fall coaches, Team Parents worked hard to provide dinners, celebrate athletes, and bring school spirit to the sidelines of every game, race, and match throughout the fall season. Alongside faculty and the admission team, parents gave directions, answered questions, shared experiences, and welcomed over 1,000 visitors to campus at Hopkins’ annual Admission Open House.

Most recently, the HPA helped furnish the dining hall with a full suite of furniture using proceeds from last spring’s 2024 HPA Auction, Celebrate Spring on the Hill. Students, faculty, and staff have all enjoyed this incredible addition.

A school community is often defined as the students, faculty, and staff who spend their days on campus. At Hopkins, the community is defined as something more: the students, their parents, the faculty, and the staff.