The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
March 26, 2023
All translations are computer generated.
We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
March is Women's History Month
"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.”
– Alice Walker • African-American novelist, short story writer, poet, & social activist
Important Upcoming Dates
- Monday, March 27: Iftar Potluck & Carnival • 5 - 9 p.m. at High School (see more information below)
- Wednesday, March 29: Flipside Family Showcase • 4 - 4:45 p.m. (see more information below)
- Friday, March 31: Last Day of Quarter 3
- Friday, March 31: Last Day for On-Line Registration for 2023-24 School Year Middle School courses (see more information below)
- Friday, March 31: Last Day to Register for HPMS Spring Sports (see more information below)
- Mon., April 3 - Fri., April 7: No School • Spring Break
- Monday, April 10: Beginning of Quarter 4
- Monday, April 10: Beginning of HPMS Spring Sports
- Mon., April 17 - Thu., April 20: MCA Testing • Science – 8th grade only
- Friday, April 21: No School • Staff Development Day
- Monday, May 29: No School • Memorial Day Holiday
- Wednesday, June 14: Last Day of School / End of Quarter 4
NOTE: No Scots' Scoop Next Week
Because of Spring Break, April 3 - 7, 2023, the Scots' Scoop will not be published on Sunday, April 2, 2023. The Scots' Scoop will continue its weekly publication on Sunday, April 10, 2023.
Iftar Potluck Tomorrow Evening • March 27
The Highland Park Senior High School Muslim Student Association is holding an Iftar Potluck and Carnival this Monday evening, March 27, 2021, 5 - 9 p.m., in the high school cafeteria. Bring your favorite dish to share with everyone!
Flipside Family Showcase March 29
On Wednesday, March 29th, from 4 - 4:45 p.m., Flipside will be having a Family Showcase. Come see what our students are doing in their classes. See our Theater class act, play games with our Board Game class, and test out some snacks from our Cooking Class. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Nikol at nikol.gordon@spps.org.
2023-24 Online Course Registration for Current Students Opens This Week
Current 6th and 7th graders were able to register for 2023-2024 classes beginning last week. Counselors visited classrooms and explained to students course selections and registration directions. The registration information is also available on our website (Counselors’ Corner) for parents' information.
Completed course selection options will be emailed to students once they submit their registration google form. Please review these selections with your student. Online registration forms are due Friday, March 31.
Contact your student’s counselor if you have any questions/concerns:
- Danielle Seifert (grade 7) danielle.seifert@spps.org, or
- Elisabeth Mulvaney (grade 6) elisabeth.mulvaney@spps.org.
Spring Sports Registration
The following spring sports are offered at Highland Park Middle School -- registration has already begun:
Girls’ Badminton
Boys’ Baseball
Girls’ Softball
Co-Ed Track
For more information about sports at Highland Park Middle School, including on–line registration and sports physical information, please go to https://highlandparkms.rschoolteams.com/.
Deadline for middle school sports spring sign-up is Friday, March 31. All middle school spring sports start on Monday, April 10.
If you are able to donate, then please click on this link: HPMS Needs an Upgrade!. Enter the code MARCH and your donation will be matched up to $50. Your donation is tax deductible. Thank you!
HPMS Yearbook Photo Submissions Requested
A new feature, called Community Upload, has made submitting pictures easier for everyone! Everyone means students, teachers, parents can submit pictures that they would like to see in this year's yearbook. The yearbook advisor (Ms. Wise) will double check that each & every submitted picture is appropriate.
Note: please be aware that just because you submitted a picture(s), does not guarantee that the picture(s) will be in the yearbook. We only have a limited number of pages in the yearbook and therefore not all pictures submitted will be used. Thank you for your understanding! You may have already received a link in your email. However, here is the link to submit a picture(s) for the yearbook as well: https://community.lifetouch.com/invite?code=HPMS2023-23
Volunteers Needed for Junior Achievement Trip
Dear 8th Grade families,
All 8th grade students will be attending a day-long field trip in April at Junior Achievement. We are looking for community volunteers to facilitate the trip. There are two separate days that the 8th grades are attending Junior Achievement:
- Sharks students' trip is April 17, 2023, and
- Chinese and Spanish Immersion students' trip is April 18, 2023.
Volunteers will need to get themselves to Junior Achievement Finance Park, located at 1745 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55104, by 9:00 AM on the day of the trip. Volunteers should plan on being at Junior Achievement Finance Park until 2:30 PM.
If you are able to make time to volunteer, then please fill out this Google Form. If you have any questions, please contact the trip coordinator, Mandi Jung, at mandi.jung@spps.org.
- Sharks Team - Adult Volunteer Interest Form (for April 17, 2023)
- Tecolotes and Chinese Immersion Adult Volunteer Interest Form (for April 18, 2023)
Thank you for your consideration.
AVID for Next Year's 9th Graders
Families,
The AVID program at Highland Park Senior High School is recruiting current 8th graders for next school year, 2023-24. This is an elective class at the high school. AVID applications are due March 31, 2023. Interviews will take place after spring break.
For more information, please see the photos below. If you have any questions, please call or email Ms. Katzmarek at 651-744-3400 or nou.katzmarek@spps.org.
SPPS Summer School Registration Open Now
SPPS Summer School registration is currently open, with priority registration closing Friday, April 15, 2023. After April 15th, you may still apply for Summer School, but your student may not get the course(s) they wish. All registration forms, in multiple languages, may be found at https://www.spps.org/summer.
From the High School IB Program • Help Needed
Middle School Families:
The IB Diploma Program at Highland Park Senior High School is inviting parents, guardians, and community members to volunteer to help monitor our IB Exams in May. The exams run each school day from May 2 to May 18.
This job is not glamorous, but it is an important aspect of our Diploma Program, and your help is most valuable and appreciated! Please go to the SignUp link below and consider registering for one or more spots. Encourage friends to sign up, too!
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
- Click this link to see our SignUp: https://signup.com/go/MAZfKxT
- Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like. Scroll down the page to see the available slots.
- Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.
Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.
Thanks so much for considering this opportunity to help our students at Highland Park Senior H.S.!
R. Lee Stagg, IB DP Coordinator
Highland Park MS Girls Soccer Camp this Summer
The Highland Park Girls Soccer team is running a soccer camp for girls going into 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. The camp is run by head coach Chris Steenberg and members of the girls varsity team. Please use this link for more details and learn how to register for the camp.
Contact Chris Steenberg if you have any questions at chris.steenberg@spps.org.
Students Selling Treats/Other Items is Prohibited
Students are not allowed to sell any items on school grounds. If found doing so, the items will be confiscated and a parent will be asked to pick the items up from school.
Please Leave These Items at Home
Please read more about what to leave at home here.
Reminders about Snack
We have seen an increase in students eating candy, chips, and pop throughout the day & in the hallways. However, snacks are to be eaten only during Foundations (11:16 - 11:41). Furthermore, pop and other sweetened drinks are not allowed during the school day outside of the cafeteria. Water is allowed throughout the school day.
TutorMe Free Online Homework Help
Please go to this link for information regarding TutorMe tutoring.
St. Paul Public Library Homework Centers
Please go to this link for information regarding free homework help for students.
Attendance Notes
REPORT STUDENT ABSENCES
Please call (651) 744-3393, the HPMS Attendance Line, or send an email to highlandmsattendance@spps.org, when your child is unable to come to school.
PICK UP STUDENTS EARLY
Please send a note with your students on the morning of the planned absence. The note should state the date, time and reason for the early dismissal. The student should bring the note to the office first thing in the morning. Office staff will give the student a pass to leave early and record their absence in the Campus system. At the time indicated on the pass, the student can leave and meet their ride at Door #20 (parking lot).
LATE ARRIVALS
No need to call the office if your student arrives to school late. Please send a note with your child. Have them check into the main office.and we will adjust the attendance.
About HPMS
At Highland Park Middle School, it 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