Highland Park Senior High Headliner
January 19, 2024
Message from Principal Dr. Winston Tucker
Highland Families,
The end of the second quarter grading period is coming fast. The last day of the grading period is Thursday, January 25. Please continue to help make sure your child is current with assignments and preparing for all assessments. The third quarter starts on Monday, January 29. That is also the start of the second semester and students will have some new elective classes since most elective classes are only half a year long. As always please reach out with any questions or concerns and thanks for all of our support.
Mark Your Calendars!
Friday, January 19, 2024
- One Act Plays 7:00pm
Saturday, January 20, 2024
- One Act Plays 2:00/7:00pm
Monday, January 22, 2024
- PTSA Meeting via zoom (link below) 7:00-8:30
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
- FAFSA/MN Dream Act Night in Library 5:30-7:30pm
Thursday, January 25, 2024
- End of Quarter 2
Friday, January 26, 2024
- Grading Day - No School
- One Act Plays 7:00pm
Saturday, January 27, 2024
- One Act Plays 2:00/7:00pm
Monday, January 29, 2024
- Start of 2nd semester/3rd quarter grading period
PTSA Meeting - Monday, January 22, 7:00pm
Monday, January 22, 7:00 PM: PTSA Meeting and Presentation - Vaping and Cannabis Use in Teens - Online
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/95206197836?pwd=TGw4cHlvdjFQWFhvenBaMitPM21Vdz09
7:00-7:20 School News and Updates
7:20-8:00 Presentation: Vaping and Cannabis Use in Teens (MN Attorney General's Office)
8:00-8:30 Q/A, Discussion
Please join us at 7:00 PM on January 22 to hear school news and updates, as well as a presentation by the Minnesota Attorney General's Office on vaping and cannabis use in teens. The Attorney General's Office is visiting schools across the state to share information and facilitate discussions among students, families and community members on vaping/cannabis use in teens. This will be your opportunity to learn more and provide your feedback on this important topic.
Hope to see you there!
Donation Request: Purchasing Meals for Parent-Teacher Conferences
In past years, Highland's PTSA has shown appreciation for our teachers by hosting a potluck where parents contributed homemade dishes. However, recognizing time constraints faced by many busy parents and volunteers, we have shifted to having a light meal catered for teachers. Teachers only have an hour between the end of the school day and conferences, so having a meal provided from 3:00-4:00 is important to their well-being.
We recently learned that our largest fundraising opportunity, working at Allianz Field, is no longer available. Because of this we need to reexamine recurring expenses, including these conference meals. We definitely want to continue to provide these meals for the staff, and they really appreciate it!
This is where we're asking for your help. We are seeking monetary donations to help cover the cost of food for our hard-working teachers. Your contribution, regardless of the amount, will go a long way in expressing our gratitude for their continuous commitment to our students.
Conferences are February 29. If you are able to make a donation, please do so by February 22nd, if possible.
Donations can be made by:
Cash or Check - made out to Highland PTSA and dropped off or mailed to the office: 1015 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116. Please label all donations with "Teacher Conference Meals."
Venmo: (pending set up- will be available by next newsletter!)
We are always looking for help with set up and clean up as well. If you're interested, please contact us at hpshptsa@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your consideration and continued support!
PTSA Update: Looking for Fundraising Opportunities
We've recently learned that our fundraising opportunity at Allianz Field will not be available this year. This is disappointing news, as it was a fun and lucrative way for groups to bond and make money for their organizations.
We're looking for other fundraising options to share with athletic teams, school groups and clubs. If you have any ideas or contacts for other fundraising possibilities, please let us know! We are also looking for one or two people who would like to help coordinate this area for the PTSA.
If you have any ideas or interest in this, please contact us at hpshptsa@gmail.com
Thank you!
Teacher Wish List
There are two ways to support our terrific Highland Park teachers and staff:
- By purchasing requested items from this Wish List This list is always being updated—check with individual teachers if you want more information.
- By purchasing general school supplies—Kleenex, hand sanitizer, pencils, pens, highlighters, dry erase markers, post-its and snacks. General supplies can be brought to the school office any time.
At this point in the school year, teachers are running low on Kleenex, hand sanitizer and other basic school supplies, and have to restock them with their own money or go without. Anything you can contribute will have a positive impact on our students, our teachers and our school!
Thank you from the Highland Park PTSA.
Quarter 3 & 4 Schedule Information
Quarter three starts Monday, January 29th. All students should already have a full schedule for the second half of the year. If you find any errors with required classes, please have your student contact their counselor on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday next week. We will not be making schedule changes after Friday, January 19th.
A note will be posted for students on Tuesday morning with this same information.
Have a wonderful weekend!
The Counseling Department
10th Grade Personal Project Students and Families!
Helping the community, painting, cooking, exercising, sewing, creating games, exploring music, researching... So many great IB MYP Personal Projects are in process!
I wanted to send a quick message to remind students to keep working on their journals and projects, and to start writing their Personal Project Papers in February. This will allow plenty of time to write, process/reflect, edit, and ask questions before the paper is due on 3/1. (Students will also meet with their Personal Project Advisors on 2/6 and have work time scheduled during advisory).
Please see the Personal Project Course on Schoology for Paper Details (requirements, directions, outline, and sample papers).
Students earn a credit for successfully completing their Personal Project Paper. By doing the Personal Project Paper and earning a score of 3 or higher, a score of "P" (pass) is recorded on the student transcript. If a student chooses to not do it, or earns a score of 2 or less, then a "N" (no pass) is recorded on the transcript. Earning this credit is super possible, and if your student has any concerns, please have them reach out to me.
Please let me know if you have any questions! I am enjoying hearing about all the fun projects!
Marissa Bonk
IB MYP Coordinator
FAFSA/MN Dream Act Night – Tuesday, January 23rd
Join Highland Park counselors, college access staff and financial aid representatives for FAFSA/MN Dream Act Night!
When: Tuesday, January 23rd from 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Where: Highland Park Senior High Library
For what: To complete your FAFSA or MN Dream Act! Any senior who plans on attending college MUST complete the FAFSA or MN Dream Act to be eligible for federal and/or state financial aid.
What to bring:
- 2022 Federal Income Tax Return (if you filed taxes) for parents and student
- 2022 W-2 Forms for parents and student
- Records of untaxed income, such as child support received, interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits
- Investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate and business and farm assets
St Paul College Field Trip
33 Students visited Saint Paul College and the SPPS auto program with Mr. Carlson and Mr. Giles to learn more about current class offerings in the auto industry, while also stopping by the medical and cosmetology programs. Students enjoyed getting into Semi Truck cabs and learning more about the engine repair program as well as other aspects to the auto program and many had a great visit to Mr. Rybicka and Mr. Velasquez and are interested in taking the SPPS auto program located at 810 Palace in Saint Paul (which was the goal of the field trip!). Thanks for your support and reach out to Nate Giles nate.giles@spps.org if you have any questions about your student and possible opportunities for taking auto class here at Highland!
ENPOINTE Field Trip
Mr. Gullickson and Mr. Giles took 7 students interested in the printing process to visit ENPOINTE, a business based in the Twin Cities that specializes in producing over 200 million of pieces of printed items ever year for customers in almost every major industry in the United States. Students visited many different parts of the production process seeing pieces of equipment of very high productivity and value. Thanks for your support for opportunities like these for our students here at Highland!
Scot-a-Palooza 2024
The Highland Park High School Band and Orchestra Would like to Invite you to Scotapalooza 2024. Scotapalooza is a fun and informal event that is a fundraiser for the Instrumental Music Department at HPSH. It will feature the Highland Park Jazz Band, Orchestra, Pep Band, student soloists and groups, and a couple surprise guests. It will be held at Mancini's Char House (531 West 7th Street) from 12-3 on Sunday, February 4. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for Students. All proceeds will go for Highland Park Instrumental music needs including: instruments, repairs, supplies, composer commissions, and trip scholarships.
Advanced Tickets can be purchased through the QR code on the attached poster or by clicking this link. Scotapalooza Tickets.
Check out the Scotapalooza Facebook Event https://www.facebook.com/events/717578686850423?ref=newsfeed
Thanks for your support. Looking forward to seeing you at Scotapalooza!
Mr. Matuzak
HPSH Band and Orchestra
PTSA News
Gift Card Drive: Families Helping Families
Families Helping Families is a gift card drive that runs from now through the end of January. During this season of giving, we all have extra expenses. Gifts, warm clothing, heating bills, lunches during school breaks...all of these can pose financial challenges for many families. In response, the PTSA is collecting gift cards that will go to the school counselors and social workers, who will provide them to students and families as the need arises.
What: Gift Cards from Target, Aldi or Cub Foods
How Much: $25 or less
Where: Drop them off in the office
When: December 18 - January 31
For More Information: email us at hpshptsa@gmail.com
Library News
After School Hours
The HP school library is open after school Monday-Thursday until 4:30.
Homework Help Resources
Did you know? Homework help is available throughout the school year at the Saint Paul Public Library. Click here for information on their Homework Centers hours and locations as well as the Online Homework Help service.
Yearbook Ordering Information
Athletic Events Schedule
Families of 9th graders!
We are enjoying working with your 9th grader in Scots’ Strategies! After acquainting students with Highland, doing community-building activities, and highlighting opportunities available in our community, we worked on the following skills during quarter 1:
• organization (keeping a weekly planner, making a plan for improving grades if necessary, filing digital documents, cleaning out backpacks, etc.)
• self-advocacy (communicating with adults via email, asking questions, saying what you need, etc.)
• setting SMART goals (defining a specific goal that is measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound)
• focused note-taking (how to use notes in a way that deepens thinking and increases understanding of the topic)
• asking higher level questions (using Costa’s Levels of Questions to enhance comprehension, create connections, and apply learning)
• discourse / speaking strategies (exploring debate vs. dialogue and listening to different perspectives on a topic to gain a greater understanding)
Students also have an average of 30 minutes of guided study time each class period to do work for any class. During this time, teachers check in with students and help them make a plan for completing work. Additionally, ninth graders have 90 minutes of total work time (on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays) during Advisory to complete assignments.
In quarter 2 we have continued developing the aforementioned skills while talking about well-being. Those discussions included digital well-being, healthy sleep habits, and managing stress. Students reflected on their habits and identified tools they can use to remain healthy or be healthier.
During 2nd semester we will continue working on and applying the critical thinking strategies we practiced during 1st semester. We are also excited about the following topics and believe students will find them relevant and engaging:
• getting a job (available opportunities, applying for a job, writing a resume, interviewing, etc.)
• career preparation (guiding students to think about their personality traits, skills, values, and plans for after high school)
• introduction to financial literacy (banking, saving and compound interest, credit, paying for college, etc.)
• leadership (what leadership can look like, leadership styles, opportunities for leadership, etc.)
We appreciate all that you are doing to encourage your teen during their transition to high school! Please feel free to contact Julie Eddy or Kathrine Walter with questions about the overall curriculum. For questions regarding your child’s progress, please contact their Scots’ Strategies teacher directly.
Sincerely,
Julie Eddy - julie.eddy-boudet@spps.org
Kathrine Walter - kathrine.walter@spps.org
and the Scots’ Strategies Team
CCRC News
Click here to see the latest 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:
- Interests and skills exploration tools
- Career Information
- Resume Help
- College and Post-Secondary exploration tools
- College Admission, Career and Military Representative Visits
- College Admission test information such as ACT and Accuplacer
- 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.
ACT Test Prep with Xello!
FREE ACT Prep programming is offered to all Saint Paul Public School 11th graders! The Methodize ACT Prep program is available to students on Xello.
Methodize is a self-paced online ACT prep program that offers full length practice tests, vocabulary builders and evaluation tests. These resources allow students to better understand what areas they may need more practice with when taking the ACT.
Using Methodize can improve your ACT score and build your testing confidence. We highly encourage all students who are planning to take the ACT to do ACT prep through Methodize or other out of district programming.
Click here to view Ms. Baheriy’s ACT test prep and Methodize presentation.
New Social Media Connection
Check out what our awesome Scots are up to by following Highland Park Senior High on Facebook and highlandparksr.scots.pride on Instagram.
SPPS Grading
There will be some positive changes to grading practices at all SPPS high schools beginning in the 2023-24 school year. SPPS is shifting to more consistent and equitable grading practices across all high schools to ensure that students’ grades truly reflect what they’ve learned. Visit the Grading Practices FAQ webpage for more information. More details will be provided this fall, including information sessions with language support for families.
Nutrition Services
In-person students will receive free breakfast and lunch under the Minnesota Free School Meals program. All students are eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day. Second meals, incomplete meals and single item purchases, such as milk only, must be purchased.
- Student Second Breakfast: $2.85
- Student Second Lunch: $5
- Milk Only: $0.50
- For a complete list of prices, visit spps.org/ns.
Visit schoolcafe.com/spps to manage your student’s meal account, view menus, ingredients and nutritional information, and complete the Application for Educational Benefits.
A Message from Saint Paul Public Schools Nutrition Services
- 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.
Parent Portal - Access Your Student's Progress
Use Parent Portal and see your child’s attendance, homework assignments, grades and more. Log on to spps.org/onestop and click on “parent portal”. 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.
MTC Unlimited Transit Pass Available for Purchase
MTC Bus Pass Quarter Dates
1/15/2024 to 3/31/2024 payment due by Monday, January 8, 2024
4/1/2024 to 6/14/2024 payment due by Monday, March 25, 2024
Highland Park Senior High School
Website: https://www.spps.org/highlandsr
Location: 1015 Snelling Avenue South, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-293-8940