The first volume of the “Hopedale Memorial Gazette” has been published thanks to the efforts of a hard-working and creative group of 10 Memorial School students. This motivated student group met with Administration in June of 2025 to share their idea for a school newspaper to be published starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Preparations were underway soon after the start of this school year which led to the publication of the very first volume.

Starting in September, the students, ranging from the 3rd to 5th grades, held afterschool planning meetings to organize the construct for the newspaper, which resulted in a wide variety of articles, games, puzzles, comics and interest polls. The majority of their work was completed outside of school hours and stretched beyond their classroom responsibilities.  

Students reported on school renovations, such as the completion of the playground and the creation of our Center for Innovation, Research and Creativity (CIRC). Also included were articles about the Hopedale Youth Baseball, the MES Winter Concert, Hopedale History, December Holiday Traditions and a “Teacher Feature” celebrating Mr. Bourgery, “Coach B.,” as he prepares for retirement at the end of January.

The Gazette staff also included two student interest polls: one related to school lunch dessert offerings and a second in which students are asked to note their preference for either a “Jellycat” or a “Labubu.”  Students will be submitting their opinions by classroom and results will be obtained after all of the votes are tallied!  

“We were excited to use the large format printer in CIRC to produce large copies of our first volume, which is proudly displayed in the hallway for students, staff and visitors to view.  Copies have also been shared with all classrooms and offices throughout Memorial and electronically shared with MES families,” said Brian Miller, principal of Memorial Elementary. “Thank you and congratulations to the Gazette staff: Maddox, Ciaran, Nathan, Andrew, Malerie, Lia, James, Thomas, Alexa and Jayson; and special thanks to Mrs. Pierce as well for her contributions toward the first volume.”  

Stay tuned as the staff is working on the second volume with intentions to publish this spring!

Submitted by Hopedale Public Schools