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HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 24 | No. 20 | October 11, 2023
School district ranked No. 1 in Massachusetts By Jerry Spar Managing Editor
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PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
he Hopkinton Public School district was ranked first in Niche’s 2024 Best Schools and Districts rankings for Massachusetts. Hopkinton also is ranked as being the best place to teach and as having the best teachers. “It’s really nice to have that first ranking across all three categories,” Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh said. “Administrators should feel proud, teachers should feel proud, everyone in our district should feel proud, because it takes a village.” Nationally, Hopkinton was ranked 30th of 10,932 districts, with the 22ndbest teachers. Hopkinton also was ranked No. 1 in the state in Niche’s 2021 list. “These No. 1 rankings reflect some really outstanding work being done by our educators and administrators,” shared School Committee chair Nancy Cavanaugh. “While different organizations rank
PORCHFEST
The Big Random plays in front of a house on Park Street, across from the Town Common, as part of the Ash-Hop Porchfest on Oct. 1 (pushed back a day because of rain).
District rank | 15
INSIDE
Scary thought: Wicked Weekend expands
NEWS
By Sidhi Dhanda Contributing Writer
Special Town Meeting, election dates set
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Wicked Weekend | 10
SCHOOLS
More decisions made on Hopkins addition project
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SPORTS
FILE PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO
ast year, the new addition to the Hopkinton Center for the Arts’ Wicked Weekend was the Haunted Trail that took place in the woods behind Hopkinton High School. “It was so popular and well received that we decided to make it bigger and better,” said Kelly Grill, executive director of the HCA. This year, for the seventh annual Wicked Weekend, the HCA is partnering with the MetroWest YMCA in Hopkinton to create “The Haunt,” which will take place in the woods and on the ropes course at the YMCA. The Haunt’s theme is Deadwoodville, defined as where people exist after they die. The experience is a guided tour through the town where characters will come to life. Visitors will learn who they are, what they do and how they live in the town. “The Haunt will truly be an experience filled with live, local actors, an entire haunted village taking place in, around and
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Individuals take part in the Trunk or Treat event at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts during last year’s Wicked Weekend.
HHS cross country teams race to strong seasons
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, , Don t get spooked by today s mortgage Summer is a busy season and rates. your time is valuable. Leave that to the HCA’s
Wicked Weekend!
FlashClose helps our clients spend less time at the closing table so you can enjoy more of your time! Ask me about FlashClose! See Deadtails at hopartscenter.org/wickedweekend
Bryan Brown Branch Manager O: (978) 870-7138 bryan.brown@rate.com Rate.com/BryanBrown
Equal Housing Lender Bryan Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Restrictions may apply, contact Guaranteed Rate for current rates and for more information. Brown NMLS ID #89425; MA - MLO89425 - MC2611, NH - NH89425 - 13931-MB, RI - Licensed | GR NMLS ID 2611 (National Mortgage Licensing System, www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) • MA - Guaranteed Rate, Inc. - Mortgage Lender & Mortgage Broker License MC 2611• NH - Guaranteed Rate, Inc. dba Guaranteed Rate of Delaware, licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department - Lic # 13931-MB • NH - Guaranteed Rate, Inc. dba Guaranteed Rate of Delaware, licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department - Lic # 13931-MB • RI - Rhode Island Licensed Lender Lic # 20102682LL, RI - Rhode Island Licensed Loan Broker Lic # 20102681LB