The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
April 28, 2024: News and Updates
Greetings HPMS families,
We hope you are enjoying the Spring weather! Please find important dates and events listed below. Have a great week!
The Scots' Scoop is Highland Park Middle School's newsletter to families and goes out every Sunday at 6pm. Be sure to read it weekly for important news and updates.
Important Upcoming Dates
- April 23, 24, 25, 30: MCA Science Assessment for 8th grade / Evaluación de Ciencias MCA para 8.º grado (de Minnesota)
- Wednesday, May 1: 6th grade registration at HPMS Library at 3:30-5:30pm / Inscripción de 6to grado en la Biblioteca HPMS a las 3:30-5:30pm
- Wednesday, May 1: HPMS Baseball vs Hidden River Middle School at 3:30-5:30 at HPMS / Béisbol de HPMS contra la escuela secundaria Hidden River de 3:30 a 5:30 en HPMS
- Monday, May 6: HPMS Baseball vs Farnsworth Aerospace School at 4:30-6:30 at HPMS / HPMS Baseball vs Farnsworth Aerospace School a las 4:30-6:30 en HPMS
- Tuesday, May 7: Pumas Team Day / Día del Equipo Pumas
- Thursday, May 9 & Friday, May 10: HPMS Honors Ceremony at 8:45-9:30am *more details to come / Ceremonia de honores de HPMS de 8:45 a 9:30 a. m. *más detalles próximamente
- Monday, May 13: HPMS Baseball vs E-STEM School at 4:30-6:30 at HPMS / HPMS Béisbol vs Escuela E-STEM de 4:30 a 6:30 en HPMS
- Thursday, May 16: Meet and Greet at 4:00-6:30pm / Conoce y saluda a las 4:00-6:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 20: FCC (Family Communication Committee) in room 1312 at 6:00-7:00pm / FCC (Comité de Comunicación Familiar) en el salón 1312 de 6:00 a 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 21: Latino Decree Parent Advisory Council meeting at 5:30pm at 360 Colborne Street in St. Paul / Reunión del Consejo Asesor de Padres del Decreto Latino a las 5:30 p.m. en 360 Colborne Street en St. Paul
- Wednesday, May 22: Band/Orchestra Spring Concert in the auditorium at 6:00-7:30pm / Concierto de primavera de banda/orquesta en el auditorio de 6:00 a 7:30 p. m.
- Monday, May 27: No School - Memorial Day / No hay clases - Día de los Caídos
- Tuesday, May 28: HPMS Baseball vs Battle Creek Middle School at 4:30-6:30 at Battle Creek Middle School / Béisbol HPMS vs Escuela Intermedia Battle Creek de 4:30 a 6:30 en la Escuela Intermedia Battle Creek
Reserva la fecha: ¡Celebra el Cinco de Mayo con el Programa de inmersión en español!
Júntense con nosotros para el Desfile del Cinco de Mayo en St. Paul el 4 de mayo de 10am a 12pm. ¡HPMS tendrá una carroza en el desfile este año, y nos encantaría que caminen con nosotros para celebrar y repartir dulces! Nos reuniremos en Humboldt Ave para alinearnos para el desfile entre las 9 y las 9:30 de la mañana. (Más información sobre el itinerario del desfile y la ubicación exacta de la reunión durante la semana del desfile). La ruta del desfile comenzará en Wabasha/César Chávez y terminará en César Chávez/Ava St.
¡Todas las edades son bienvenidas, pero un adulto debe supervisar a los niños en todo momento! ¡NO SE PERMITEN mascotas y todos los dulces deben SER ENTREGADOS y no tirados!
Si tiene preguntas o si le gustaría donar dulces para el evento, por favor contacte a Rachel Hoheisel (rachel.hoheisel@spps.org).
Save the Date: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Spanish Immersion Program!
Please join us for St. Paul’s Cinco de Mayo Parade on the west side on May 4th from 10am-12pm. HPMS will have a float in the parade this year, and we’d love for you to walk with us to hand out candy! We will meet on Humboldt Ave to line up for the parade between 9-9:30. (More information on parade lineup and exact meetup location on the week of the parade). The parade route will begin at Wabasha/Cesar Chavez and ends as Cesar Chavez/Ava St.
All ages are welcome, but an adult must supervise children at all times! Pets are NOT ALLOWED, and all candy must be HANDED OUT and not thrown.
If you have questions or if you’d like to donate candy for the event please contact Rachel Hoheisel at rachel.hoheisel@spps.org
Exam proctor volunteers needed!
Hello, Parents, Guardians, and Supporters of Highland Park Senior High!
Our IB DP Exams for April and May are just around the corner!
We currently have 57% of our exam volunteer slots filled! That’s the good news.
But we have just over three weeks – counting Spring Break – until exams start on April 25. Before we go into Spring Break, we’d like to have closer to 80% (or more) of the slots filled. This will ensure we have enough people to proctor a successful exam session and will help our students succeed!
So, if you will, please consider volunteering for one or more slots, and/or reaching out to some friends, HP supporters, and/or former graduates to encourage them to grab a spot or two, as well!
This community effort is very much necessary and appreciated!
Link to SignUps:
Regards,
-Lee Stagg
IB DP Coordinator
HPSH"
Summer Learning Programs
There are many great Summer Learning Programs (SLP) available this year! Visit SPPS Summer Website for detailed SLP information. Summer registration will begin on Friday, March 15, 2024. Any and ALL students are welcome to register for a SLP.
SPPS families should select ONE of the following ways to register:
- Register online through Campus Parent Portal (online is the preferred method of registration)
or
- Paper forms are with the Lead Clerk at the front office at school, and will be available online 3/15/24:
- Mail a completed paper form to: Summer Registration, Student Placement Center, 2102 University Ave. West, Saint Paul, MN 55114.
- Email a completed paper form to: spc@spps.org
Flipside Afterschool Homework Help
Flipside homework help is now a class. Drop-in homework help is no longer available. If a student would like to attend homework help, they must be registered as a Flipside student. The class will be: Homework Help/Board Games. If registering online, you will need to write Homework Help/Board Games in the "Other" category. Paper registrations will also be available in the office or with Ms. Nikol. Homework Help/Board Games will only run on Monday and Wednesday.
Cell Phone, Earbuds, & Electronic Devices
This is a reminder that cell phones, earbuds, air pods, and personal electronic devices should be turned off and put away during school hours, 8:30am-3:00pm. Students are not permitted to use these items during school hours, or they will be confiscated and either student will have to pick them up at the end of the school day (if it's the first time for confiscation) or picked up by a parent (if it's the 2nd time for confiscation).
Please see this link to our school policy pertaining to cell phones, earbuds, and electronic devices.
We do not recommend that you bring any valuable personal items to school . The school is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items.
Do you want to give your child the opportunity of a lifetime?
There is an awesome and unique learning experience available to 8th grade students at Highland Park Middle School!!!
We are currently opening registration to our 7th grade students for next year's trip.
Highland Park Middle School has had the privilege and special opportunity for the last 20 years to take students on a 4-day educational study program to Washington, D.C. American History for your child is enhanced through this on-site, interactive experience that allows us to see first hand what a dynamic history we have. The opportunity is open to any interested 8th grader to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The 4-day trip focuses on some of the national treasures, the U.S. Capitol, the Holocaust Museum, and all of the war memorials and presidential monuments. The students are challenged to analyze historic events, turning points and heroes of our past with Washington, D.C. and Virginia as the stage. The trip provides students with a deeper understanding of our history, consequences of choice and the student’s role in the future of America.
If you have any questions regarding the trip please contact Ms. King at (651) 293–8950 or at kristin.king@spps.org (Si habla español contacte a Ms. Carroll a camila.carroll@spps.org)
8th Grade Students and Families: Earn as You Learn Program
The Earn as You Learn program provides SPPS 8th grade and high school students the opportunity to earn a $300 stipend to learn financial literacy skills, earn a certificate and/or credential to show work readiness.
Students can earn $300 working from home, explore career pathways they may be interested in, learn financial literacy skills, learn how to interview and other employability skills or earn certifications to put on their resume and help them get a job.
Certificates include:
Microsoft (Word, PowerPoint and/or Excel)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
CPR/First Aid/AED
Customer Sales and Service
And many more!
For more information and questions:
Visit the SPPS Earn as you Learn website
Students should see Ms. Seifert and parents/guardians should email EarnAsYouLearn@spps.org
Time Commitment: 30-50 hours
Registration: Students can sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/cmem6ukn
Athletic Events Safety Practices
SPPS athletic events are governed by the Minnesota State High School League. SPPS student conduct at school and district events is governed by the SPPS Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
Event Policies - Middle School Students
· Middle school students and younger must be accompanied by an adult chaperone (over 21 years-old) at all times - this includes at both High School AND Middle School sporting events.
Students who violate this rule will result in removal from the event, as well as a ban from attending any other sporting events for the remainder of the school year.
SPPS athletic events are governed by the Minnesota State High School League.
Essential supplies needed for the HPMS community
Support our vibrant school community by providing essential supplies like pencils, paper, glue sticks, and masking tape. These simple tools are the magic behind creative learning. Your contribution sparks creativity, empowers students, and makes a lasting impact on our school's educational journey. Join us and help "Spark the Future" for the next generation of thinkers and dreamers!
Student Schedules
Student schedules can be viewed in the Student Portal on Campus, as well as in the Campus Parent app (be sure to download this app if you have not already!). Please direct any questions about student schedules to HPMS' school counselors:
- Nou Katzmarek, Grade 6 nou.katzmarek@spps.org (651) 744-3400
- Elisabeth Mulvaney, Grade 7 elisabeth.mulvaney@spps.org (651) 744-3399
- Danielle Seifert, Grade 8 danielle.seifert@spps.org (651) 744-7582
Drop-Off and Pick-Up
School Drop-off
Please enter the parking lot off Montreal Avenue and proceed to Door 20. Once you are in front of Door 20, please have your student exit the vehicle immediately. We experience a lot of car traffic in the morning at drop-off, so we need to be as efficient and safe as possible.
Please do not drop off your student in the parking lot at any point until your car gets closest to the school building, nearest to the sidewalk to Door 20. We want students to be safe. Dropping off students in non-designated areas creates an unsafe environment.
During the morning at drop-off, feel free to drop off your student along Montreal Avenue, with your car facing east (school building side of the street) as there is a sidewalk, and students may walk to Door 20 via the sidewalk that runs along the parking lot curb to enter the building.
Upon leaving the parking lot, you may only turn right onto Montreal Avenue, as the line of cars leaving with you backs up very quickly.
You may not drop off your student along Snelling Avenue at any time, as this is a busy bus zone for both morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
School Pick-up
Follow the same procedures as listed above. However, you may not park on Montreal Avenue at the end of the day, as Montreal Avenue becomes a bus zone for our school buses.
Outside food and drinks
Students may bring a bottle of water and bag lunch from home. However, food and drinks from, or brought to students, from establishments and food services (e.g. restaurants, DoorDash) are NOT permitted.
Only water is permitted in bottles. Other beverages are NOT permitted.
*If your student brings a beverage from a coffee shop, juice bar, etc., it must be finished by the time the student goes to class, as we are trying to minimize pest issues in the building.
Meals & Application for Educational Benefits
Application for Educational Benefits
The Minnesota Free School Meals Program provides all students with ONE FREE BREAKFAST and ONE FREE LUNCH per school day. *Students will be charged for single item purchases, such as milk and second meals. The prices for single item purchases can be found at here and on the website at spps.org/ns.
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 school.
Daily, weekly, and monthly breakfast and lunch menus are available online at Nutrition Services spps.org/ns.
Every Meal Program
Healthy eating is so important for children. At HPMS, we work hard to ensure students receive a healthy breakfast and lunch each day to support their developing brains and bodies. Research shows that children who eat regular, nutritious meals are more likely to attend school and be engaged in learning.
We are excited to partner with Every Meal to offer a free weekend meal program to all our students.
Every Meal is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to fight child hunger through community and school partnerships. They strive to make a difference in children’s lives by focusing on food gaps like weekends, school breaks, and summer when they can’t receive food in school.
- Free for all families
- No qualifications required
- Students enrolled in the program will receive a 4-5 pound bag of nutritious, nonperishable food each week
- Every Meal does not collect information from families; privacy is protected
- Families may choose to participate in the program anytime throughout the school year
- Families may choose from a variety of different weekend food bag options
If you wish to participate, please fill out our enrollment form which can be found here. Or feel free to reach out to Katie Monroe, one of our social workers, at kathryn.monroe@spps.org or 651.744.4616.
S.H.I.N.E. - Bi-weekly After-school Opportunity for Girls
We are thrilled to announce open enrollment for the SHINE Girls Group program for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year! Flier linked here
At SHINE, we are dedicated to providing a supportive and empowering environment for 6th-12th grade girls to grow, thrive, and shine. Our bi-weekly gatherings offer opportunities to have fun, make new friends, connect with peers, and acquire essential life skills through engaging lessons and community involvement.
Our program focuses on nurturing self-confidence, promoting community engagement, and helping girls explore their future goals and aspirations. We believe in instilling crucial social and emotional skills during this pivotal stage of development.
Don't miss this chance to be part of SHINE Girls Group! For enrollment visit http://www.weshinetogether.org for more information and registration details (interest form at the bottom of this page: https://www.weshinetogether.org/programs)
Volunteering at HPMS
About HPMS
At Highland Park Middle School, our mission is to:
- Provide our students with a sense of community and global perception in a nurturing and caring learning environment,
- Help students acquire the skills necessary to value themselves, and take pride in their accomplishments, and
- Develop respect and understanding of other people and their cultures.
Website: https://www.spps.org/highlandms
Location: 975 Snelling Ave S, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: (651) 293-8950