Highland Families,

At the PTSA meeting this week one of our counselors, Jevita Baheriy, presented on the important steps Seniors take regarding college enrollment. This process can be a bit confusing and intimidating at times, so I strongly suggest that your child closely work with their guidance counselor along the way and not wait until the last minute. As parents, if you have questions, your child's counselor is also an excellent resource. If your child is not pursuing college after graduation connecting with their counselor for various career opportunities is also encouraged. Counselors have a number of important resources to share regarding life after high school be it college, careers or military service.

Highland Park Class of 2025 commencement ceremonies will be held at Roy Wilkins Auditorium on Wednesday, June 4th at 8:00pm.

Early Giving for Give to the Max Day begins Nov 1st! Donate Today! https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hpshgive

The Give to the Max Fundraiser provides direct $ to teachers, classroom and student clubs- last year we provided grants to 13 classrooms and student clubs

New this year: The PTSA is raising funds to replace the acoustic tiles in the auditorium, this capital fund investment will have a lasting impact on HP Students

We are still looking for a few parent volunteers to help organize.

Time commitment ranges from a single session to 1-2 hours per week. The best part is we finish everything by the end of November!

Volunteer for a task or two:

• Contact HP alumni groups to help promote

• Contact local business to provide matches and donations for the morning kick off

• Promote GTTM on social media and within the school

• Plan and staff GTTM kick off the morning of November 21 at HPSH

• Write thank you notes

• Organize a pizza party for coin collection contest winners in the classroom

Contact Bridget - bridgetaxelson@gmail.com if you have a few hours to help.

The school year has just started, however, Graduation will be here before we know it. Time to start planning the All Night Party.

This fun last event for our graduating seniors takes place the night after graduation, Wednesday, June 4th. Though this event happens at school and we do have administrators present, this All Night Party is planned and run completely by parents and can only happen with your support. We have many parents who were part of last year’s party already starting to plan this year’s party, however we are in need of many more to help. Please come to the information/kick off meeting and find out how you can be involved in making sure our kids have a fun and safe send off from high school. All families are welcome. Sophomore and Junior parents are needed on several of the committees. We are also in need of a Co-chair for this year’s party. This is a fun event to plan and the kids LOVE it.

Please join us for the kick off planning meeting for this year’s All Night Party. Tuesday November 12, 2024 in the school Library 6:00-7:30. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Thank you to everyone who attended last Tuesday's presentation: Post Secondary Planning Timeline.

Thank you especially to Ms. Baheriy, HPSH College & Career Resource Center Counselor, who created and led this valuable discussion, and our interpreters, Ms. Pinero-Placeres and Mr. Tesfai.

If you were unable to attend the meeting, but would like to view the 35 minute recording - here it is:

Post Secondary Planning Timeline.mov

The slide show is available, and linked here in English, Spanish, Somali, Karen and Hmong

The PTSA needs your help!

We have a very small group of volunteers who work hard to bring presentations like these to families, provide grants to teachers, coaches and club leaders, feed our hard-working teachers and support students as needs come up. We need help! If you have a few hours one time, or would like to do something more regularly, please complete this volunteer response form.

Thank you!

We had a spectacular showing with 7 members competing in 4 events as well as receiving a National 3 Star Chapter Award, the highest ranking a chapter can receive.

Spanish Creed:

Estrella Vail Perez, 7th individual and silver ranking

Agricultural Communications:

17th place team and silver ranking

Forest Lanza

Lillian Thuente

Molly Jones

Ash Reinhart

Employment Skills:

Trump Vang, silver ranking

Extemporaneous Speaking:

Constantine Dmitriy Mangal, bronze ranking

Highland Park FFA: 3 Star National Chapter Recipient

IB DP Spanish Immersion 12 students recently hosted their Second Grade pen pals from Adams Spanish Immersion for an exciting in-person meet-up after corresponding throughout the school year. This meaningful exchange aims to enhance Spanish language skills through authentic, intergenerational interaction while fostering a sense of community across the district’s Spanish Immersion programs. During this special meeting, students engaged in Día de Los Muertos-themed crafts, such as decorating sugar skulls, making tissue paper marigold (Cempasúchil) flowers, and face painting. These activities deepened their cultural knowledge as they practiced their Spanish together in a joyful, hands-on environment.

Celebrate Coach Emily Klatt's being named Cross Country Coach of the Year with a Klatt Burger at Tiffany's! It's available for the month of November.

Join us on Saturday, November 2nd at the University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf Course as your Scots compete in the MSHSL Cross Country State Championships! The girls race starts at 10:00am with the boy's race following at 10:45am. This is a ticketed event, so please make sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time at mshsl.org/tickets.

Good luck to both teams and go Scots!

Information

With the State Cross Country Meet 11/2 and the Nordic season just around the corner, we are excited to launch our Give to the Max campaign for the Highland Park Cross Country and Nordic Ski Booster Club (HP CCXC)!

This annual campaign is our largest fundraiser, with 100% of contributions benefiting the incredible students who make up our Cross-Country and Nordic teams. Your donation directly supports our “no-cut” policy, ensuring equitable access to essential equipment, transportation, and opportunities for every athlete. This year, we have 110 athletes on the Cross-Country team and 120 preparing for Nordic. While we receive some funding from the school district, it does not fully cover the incredible demand.

We aim to raise $10,000 during this campaign and have 100 unique donors! We hope you’ll consider contributing. Perhaps a dollar for each of the 110 cross-country team members or $180 for a Nordic race uniform? Even $18, one for each of the cc state qualifiers? Any amount you give will bring us closer to our target, and each person will bring us closer to our 100-donor goal. Donations can be made now through our Give to the Max CCXC donation page, linked here, or by sending a check to the address below.

Thank you for considering this request. Your support is vital to the growth and success of our dedicated student-athletes!

Sincerely,

The 2023 GTM team

HPCCXC Booster Club, C/O Treasurer, 1852 Eleanor Ave, St. Paul, MN 55116

Dear Families,

We are sharing an overview of our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Matrix of Expectations for student behavior. This matrix outlines the behavior we expect from students in various areas of the school, focusing on being respectful, responsible, and safe. It provides specific examples for each area, such as classrooms, hallways, and the cafeteria, to help guide students toward positive behavior.

We kindly ask you to review the matrix with your student to reinforce these expectations and support a positive school environment.

Thank you for your partnership.

When you welcome a high school exchange student into your family, you are not only fulfilling a young person's dream of studying English and attending a year of high school in America, you are giving your family and members of your community the opportunity to see the world from different perspectives! Hosting an exchange student gives you the chance to learn about new cultures, create lasting friendships and provide a cultural immersion that the student will treasure forever. Ready to Learn More and View Student Profiles? Open the attached file and connect with your local coordinator today!

Seniors and families,

We are now working with Jostens for this year's Yearbook.

If you would like to use your own photo for your Senior Portrait, please upload the photo through the attached QR code. (If you have your photo done professionally, the photographer can upload using this code as well. If you do not upload a photo, we will use the photo taken of you by Lifetouch.

We are also accepting baby pictures from all seniors. Please also upload those photos through the same QR code.

Deadlines for baby pictures and senior portraits is January 10th. (no exceptions)

If you would like to order a yearbook - please use the second QR code or go to

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1062108/Highland-Park-Senior-High-School/2025-Yearbook/2024082904282644366/CATALOG_SHOP/

If you have questions contact Nancy.michael@spps.org.

• Internships for students in grades 9-12 that pay between $13.50 - $15.50/hour
• Opportunities in a wide variety of industries, here are the list of positions:
• YJ1 Catalog
  
• YJ2 Catalog
  

• Application deadline is October 31st

• Juniors can also apply for a STEM internship with 3M. https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1215590O/3m-step-2.pdf

• CLICK HERE to apply

Click here to see the 10/25/24 CCRC Newsletter! This newsletter highlights upcoming college and career-related opportunities.

Highland Park CCRC - The CCRC is here to help students with college and career planning! The CCRC provides the following resources to students:

• College and Post-Secondary exploration tools

• Career Information

• College Admission, Career and Military Representative Visits

• College Admission test information such as ACT

• Resume Help

• Scholarships
• Financial Aid
• Summer and Community Opportunities
• And more!

CLICK HERE to check out the new CCRC website! This site will be updated throughout the year with important information, resources, and opportunities.

Please see attached flyers for information.

Prepare for the ACT with in-person instructors presenting test-taking strategies, critical review, and time management for all testing areas of the ACT. Great for those that are uneasy about their test-taking skills or unsatisfied with previous ACT results. Course consists of four, 3-hour classes. All class materials provided.

Class Details:

Open to all 10th -12th graders

Location- Humboldt High School

Dates- Every Saturday from November 2 - November 23

Time- 8:30am - 11:30am

Cost- $180 *Discounted prices available for families with financial need*

Click here to learn more and to apply!

Our 10th grade students are starting their IB MYP Personal Projects! The Personal Project is a student-centered and student-selected project and provides an opportunity for students to undertake an independent exploration into an area of personal interest. The projects are up to the students and should be challenging and engaging for the student. It is an expectation that all HPSH students will engage in this project as do all IB MYP students across the globe!

Some Key Details:

• Students will be engaging in some brainstorming lessons soon in advisory.

• Students will find out their Personal Project Advisor later this month. (Students meet with their Personal Project Advisors during 4 scheduled meetings).

• Finished projects include: a process journal, product/outcome, paper, and a showcase.

• The overall project (with journal and paper) should take about 25 hours to complete. The criteria for the project and paper are Planning, Applying Skills, and Reflecting -- these are very universal and will work with any topic.

• The paper will be explained in detail in December after the students have engaged further in their projects. The paper length requirement is 15 pages or less (this does include the title page, table of contents, evidence, bibliography). The paper aims to explain the process of the personal project, explain the impact of the project on the student and their learning, evaluate the product based on the success criteria the student created, and show reflection with detailed examples and evidence. Students will be provided with a rubric and prompts to help write the paper. The journal entries will be a great resource as students write the paper.

Please see the Schoology Personal Project Course for more details, documents, slideshow with examples, etc.

Thanks!

Marissa Bonk

IB MYP Coordinator

marissa.bonk@spps.org

Early next month your senior will receive a survey that lists the Direct Admissions colleges and universities that are ready to admit them based on their academic records! The survey will outline their next steps, so that they can secure admission to the right school.

Want to learn more? Click here for the Direct Admission Fact Sheet and click here for the Direct Admissions info video!

With the lack of rain in the past several weeks, the Facilities Department is reporting that the timeline for the completion of Highland’s athletic field in the stadium is on target to be done by the end of October, weather permitting. Artificial turf has started to be installed, which includes the detailing on the field (lines and school logo).

However, the stadium field will not be reopened until spring 2025. This timeline is due to needing to wait for the last phase of the 6-lane track installation that cannot be finished until after the field’s artificial turf installation, repair to the retaining wall, and the track’s final base layer is completed. The track’s final base layer needs a month to fully cure to be ready for the track’s final top layer to be installed. Temperatures in November/December are too cold to complete this final top layer, pushing track completion to spring 2025. These timelines are consistent with what was reported via email to families and staff on July 30.

As you may have observed, certain areas outside the athletic stadium have gotten new sod, which should be usable after a few weeks once it has been well established. The contractor has also made significant progress with the final painting of the dugouts and the site restoration of the baseball/softball fields having been completed this past week.

Originally, the completion for both the stadium field and track were set for August 2024, but due to the excessive rain this past spring/summer, the field’s reopening had to be pushed back to the spring, at which time there will be a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the opening. Some of the improvements include new artificial turf, resurfacing the track, and the replacement of eight baseball and softball field dugouts. (Please note that due to the land’s small footprint, we were limited to a 6-lane track.)

As was previously reported, this delay has meant that football and varsity level boys’ and girls’ soccer games are taking place on fields at other schools or locations. Please connect with coaches for specific schedules and locations.

Thank you for your ongoing patience during this project and for your support of Highland students. Once the project is complete, the Highland Park School communities will be able to enjoy a brand new athletic field for years to come.

Meanwhile, please continue to send questions or concerns to facilities@spps.org.

Parents please remind your student that no outside food deliveries are allowed during school hours. Any food that is delivered to students during school hours will be confiscated and returned to the student at 3pm. Breakfast and lunch are served free to all students each day so they have the opportunity for a healthy and nutritious meal.

Highland Park Senior High has both a Facebook and Instagram! Follow us to receive important reminders and to see what our Highland Scotties are up to, both at school and in the community. Follow us at @highlandparksr.scots.pride on Instagram and Highland Park Senior High on Facebook.

Recent state legislation requires all school districts to implement a cell phone policy. Highland Park Senior High requires cell phones to be put away and out of sight in classrooms during instructional time. Students may use their cell phones between classes and at lunch. Highland Park Senior High and Saint Paul Public Schools are not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones, Airpods, and other accessories. Please review these expectations and support your student by not texting or contacting them during the school day. In the event of an emergency, please call the main office, 651-293-8940, and we will get a message to your student as soon as possible. If a student needs to contact a parent, they can use the phone in the main office. For more information, please reference the complete Highland Park Senior High cell phone policy.

Due to construction at the middle school, the parking lot access between the middle school and high school is closed and will not be available until late Fall. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time if you are transporting your child.

Use Parent Portal and see your child’s attendance, homework assignments, grades and more. Log on to spps.org/onestop. This valuable tool will provide both information on your student and a means of communicating with your student’s teachers. Report cards are not mailed to homes.

For access, please contact the main office at 651-293-8940.

To report a student absent, please call 651-744-3803 to leave a message or email us at highlandparksenior.attendance@spps.org

Once enrolled in a public school, a child 5-17 years old must attend school every day, every class, on time, unless lawfully excused.

LAWFULLY EXCUSED ABSENCES

• Sickness - too sick to be in school
• Medical/ Mental Health/ Dental Appointments (when possible, schedule outside of the school day and attend school before or after appointment)
• Religious Holidays
• Extreme Family Emergencies (house fire, death, etc.)

EXAMPLES OF UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

• Travel/Vacation
• Tired from work/travel
• Weather: Too hot/cold
• Babysitting
• Car Trouble
• Missed Bus
• Overslept
• Not immunized
• Needed at Home

EARLY STUDENT PICKUP

• On those rare occasions/emergencies when you must pick up your child early please follow these procedures:

If a student is being picked up for early dismissal it must be done before 2:30 PM. Once you arrive, stop in the school office and school personnel will contact your child’s classroom. All students must be signed out in the office before leaving the building. Unless these procedures are followed, students will proceed to their regular dismissal.

• Please send a note with your child or call the school as soon as possible to inform us if you plan to pick up your child early.

• The school will not accept dismissal changes from a student.

• Students’ instructional day ends at 3:00 PM and attendance is taken through the end of the last period.

• Repeated early dismissal can directly affect your student’s academic success and result in truancy concerns.

While all in-person students will receive free breakfast and lunch under Minnesota’s Free School Meals program, it remains critical that all families complete an Application for Educational Benefits each school year. These applications determine how much funding your child’s school receives for educational programs and supports. Additionally, eligible families can qualify for other benefits. The application can be completed online at schoolcafe.com/spps. Paper applications are available at your child's school.

SPPS strives to create welcoming schools where each and every student is seen, known, and valued. There are rights students are guaranteed when they are at school as well as responsibilities that accompany those rights. Both are summarized in the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. In addition, the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook outlines the work SPPS is doing to build a positive school culture and hold students accountable for behavior that is not appropriate.

Website: https://www.spps.org/highlandsr
Location: 1015 Snelling Avenue South, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-293-8940