page background
page background

Highland Park Senior High News

Back to School Edition - August 20, 2024

Highland ParkSenior High NewsBack to School Edition - August 20, 2024

Message from Principal Dr. Winston Tucker

Highland Park Senior High School Students, Parents, and Family Members,


Happy New School Year! We hope your summer was joyous. We at Highland Park Senior High School are excited for the start of school. A new school year brings many exciting opportunities for student achievement and involvement. We are excited to meet and greet our new freshman students as they participate in orientation, connect with their freshman classmates, and meet their upper-class mentors. We also look forward to reconnecting with our returning students as they continue their education while we prepare all students for college and careers.


At Highland Park we work diligently to prepare our students to graduate as global citizens prepared for the future. The education of our students is a shared responsibility among the school, parents & guardians, and family and community members. Be sure to stay connected with your child regarding their academic status and social/emotional needs. Encourage your child to connect with their counselor if needed for academic, emotional or career counseling. There are numerous clubs and sports at Highland Senior for students to be involved. Being involved in high school life beyond academics makes for a more rewarding experience. We look forward to an awesome school year and working in collaboration to help our students do their very best academically, socially, and emotionally. Go Highland Scots!

New Student Course Selection Dates

The counseling team will be in on the following dates and times to assist with NEW student registration. Please report to the Main Office for directions upon arrival.


Wednesday, August 21, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Thursday, August 22, 11:00am - 2:00pm

9th grade Student Orientation

We are excited to welcome our incoming 9th grade students to Highland Park Senior High School. The transition to high school is an important step in the life of a student. Please be sure your child attends the orientation on August 29: 9th Grade Orientation from 9am-12 pm. Students will learn their way around Highland and know their class schedule, build community, and meet with their 11th and 12th grade student leaders. Parents are responsible for transportation to and from school for this event. Students should be dropped off at the main entrance in the parking lot and picked up in the same location after the event. This event is for students only.

New Student Orientation: 10th, 11th and 12 grade

We are excited to welcome our NEW 10th, 11th and 12th grade students who are brand new to Highland Park Senior High School. Students will receive their schedule and have the opportunity to go on a building tour. Please be sure your child attends this event on August 29 from 1pm-2pm. Please report to the main office. Parents are welcome to attend this event.

September 3: First Day of School & Bus Transportation

School starts at 8:30 am and ends at 3:00 pm. For students taking a school bus, the transportation department will mail the bus details prior to the start of school. Please arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick up your child. Track the status of your child’s bus on your school’s website or the Bus Status app.

If you believe your student is taking the bus, but did not receive a postcard, please call Transportation at 651-696-9600 as soon as possible. Students who are familiar with using student Campus will be able to look up their class schedule in advance. Students will also be instructed how to look up their class schedule during the first period. For more information about preparing for Back to School, please visit https://www.spps.org/backtoschool.

School Supply List

  • Student Planner or use electronic organizer

  • 8 Notebooks

  • 8 Folders

  • Pencils

  • Erasers

  • Pens (non gel)

  • Highlighters

  • Ruler

  • Calculator (teacher will recommend model)

Mark Your Calendars!

Friday, August 23, 2024

  • Student schedules viewable in Campus

Thursday, August 29, 2024

  • 9th Grade Orientation with Scots Squad 9:00 am-12:00 pm

  • 10th - 12th Grade New Student Orientation 1:00-2:00 pm

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

  • First Day of School at 8:30 am

Thursday, September 12, 2024

  • Highland Park Senior High All Grades Open House 6:00-7:30 pm

Friday, September 20, 2024

  • Homecoming Dance 7:00-10:00 pm

Saturday, September 21

  • Homecoming Tailgating and Football Game

Thursday, October 3, 2024

  • No School - Professional Development

Highland Park Senior High Cell Phone Policy

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.

Complete Back-to-School Forms

Parents and guardians in primary households can now complete 2024 Back-to-School Forms. Update contact information, complete required forms and verify your address for transportation at spps.org/families.

Parking Lot Access

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.

Parking Permits for Seniors Only

Parking permits will be sold in a lottery system to seniors only. Lottery forms can be picked up in the main office on the first day of school. Lottery forms will be due to the office by Friday, September 13. A drawing will be held and students will be notified if they are awarded a parking spot. Spaces will be limited to 30 reserved parking spots and students may only park in the designated student parking spots and must display a parking permit. Any student vehicles parked in the lot without a permit during school hours will be towed at the owner's expense.

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. 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.

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: $3.00

  • Student Second Lunch: $5.25

  • 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.

SPPS Back to School Basics

The first day of school is exciting for students, families and staff alike. It can also be overwhelming. Here are a few things to know so you can help your students be ready for the first day. https://www.spps.org/backtoschool

Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for Students and Families

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.

Shawn Vennemann
Shawn is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters