The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
January 29, 2023
All translations are computer generated.
We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
February is Black History Month
"History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own."
- Michelle Obama, American attorney, author, and former First Lady
Important Upcoming Dates
- Monday, January 30: First Day of Quarter 3
- Wednesday, February 1: Black Out Day (see article below for more information)
- Friday, February 3: SPPS Open Enrollment Deadline is TODAY (see article below for more information)
- Monday, February 6: ACCESS for ELLs testing begins (see article below for more information)
- Friday, February 10: Quarter 2 Final Grades Reported on Campus One Stop
- Monday, February 13: NAAPID (see article below for more information)
- Monday, February 20: No School • Presidents' Day Holiday
- Monday, February 27: FCC Meeting • 6 - 7 p.m. • Room 1314
HPMS Response to Trauma in our Community
In response to the recent instances of gun violence in our local community and around the nation, HPMS counselors, social workers and administrators are visiting classrooms to talk with students about school safety. We want students to feel safe and supported at school and are encouraging them to talk with a trusted adult at home/school if they have any school safety concerns.
Helpful tips for talking with your child about recent events:
it is ok to acknowledge what happened; keep information factual
reassure students that we have staff in the building/district whose job it is to keep us all safe
acknowledge that we all have different ways of coping with news and it is normal to see a range of emotions
if students have additional questions or needs, parents are encouraged to connect with school support staff
Support Staff
Elisabeth Mulvaney, School Counselor grade 6, 651-744-3399
Danielle Seifert, School Counselor grade 7, 651-744-7582
Nou Katzmarek, School Counselor grade 8, 651-744-3400
Katie Monroe, Gen Ed. School Social Worker, 651-744-4616
Emily Klatt, Special Education Social Worker, 651-744-6098
Amy Austin, Special Education Social Worker, 651-744-4785
Helpful Resources
If you have a child in crisis, please reach out to your school or call the Children’s Mental Health Crisis Line at 651-266-7878.
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.
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
Cell Phones, Earbuds, Electronics
Highland Park Middle School has a "No Cell Phone Policy" during school hours. Please read more about this policy at this link: https://www.smore.com/t7r1n.
Enrollment for High School (for current 8th Graders)
Open enrollment season is underway! By now, 8th grade families should have received a letter from the Placement Office, indicating which high school is their reserved seat for 9th grade. If you have an 8th grader, and have not received your letter, please contact the SPPS Placement Office at (651) 632-3760.
The high school enrollment process is as follows:
- Current 8th grade students/families receive a letter from the SPPS Placement Office, stating at which high school they already have a reserved seat.
- Current 8th graders who want to attend a different SPPS school other than the one they are automatically assigned to will need to apply online for their preferred high school by this Friday, February 3.
- In March, current 8th graders/families will receive a second letter, confirming the high school to which they are enrolled for the 2022-2023 school year.
- In the early/middle of April, high schools send a welcome letter to current 8th graders/families.
- In mid-to-late April, current 8th grade students register for their 2022-2023 high school classes with their high school counselors.
Some scheduled transition activities for our 8th graders will include classroom visits from high school AVID teachers and Highland Park Senior High school counselors who will talk to students about strategies for success in high school.
ACCESS for English Language Learners (ELL) testing in February
Minnesota students who are identified as English Language Learners (ELL) in grades K-12 will participate in the ACCESS for ELLS language proficiency test. The testing will take place during the school day during the weeks of February 6 — February 28. ACCESS for ELLs provides a standardized measurement of academic language proficiency for EL students in the areas of listening, reading, writing and speaking throughout the state of Minnesota and in other states. With this information, we will be able to monitor students' English language progress on an annual basis. Students who were identified for testing were given a letter with more detailed information to bring home. If you have questions about this test, please contact your child’s EL teacher or school counselor:
MariÁn Pradas-Ten, 6th grade Pumas and Eagles EL teacher, 651-293-8950
Elisabeth Mulvaney, school counselor, 6th grade , 651-744-3399
Danielle Seifert, school counselor, 7th grade, 651-744-47582
Camila Carroll, 7th grade Lobos and Jets EL teacher, 651-293-8950
Nou Katzmarek, school counselor, 8th grade, 651-744-3400
Hannah Filipiak, 8th grade Tecolotes and Sharks EL teacher, 651-293-8950
NAAPID Events
National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) is a day for all parents to come to their child's school, see what their day is like and to support their child's educational future. Some of the goals of NAAPID are to:
- Promote parent involvement in their child's education,
- Address the serious achievement gap facing African & African American students, &
- Promote & provide strategies for all parents and students to take full advantage of the educational process at all levels of the educational system (preschool through college).
At Highland Middle School, we are planning the following activities:
- Wed., 2/1: Black Out Day — students & staff wear something black to support Black History Month
- Fri., 2/10: Kick Off of Black History Month Trivia Contest — students will have to find clues all around the building to help them answer the questions (this contest will run until 2/28).
- Mon., 2/13 - NAAPID (National African American Parent Involvement Day) — parents will be served a continental breakfast & they can go and visit their child(ren) in class thereafter. In addition, there will be a BSU presentation in the auditorium. All programming will be completed by noon.
'Every Meal' Free Weekend Meal Program
Athletic Event Policies
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 at all times - this includes at both High School AND Middle School sporting events.
• IDs
- Students from the hosting school and visiting school are welcome with student ID. No student ID, no entry.
- Students from any other schools/non-participating schools must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
• Re-entry Policy
- Fans will not be allowed re-entry once they have exited the building/venue.
- Exception will only apply in which restrooms or concessions are not within the venue.
• Home/Visitor seating
- Fans are expected to be in their designated school’s section.
• Backpacks
- Backpacks are not allowed.
• No outside food or drink allowed if concessions are sold on site.
• SPPS Prohibits the following at School Events:
- Weapons
- Alcoholic Beverages
- E Cigarettes / Vaping
- Tobacco
- Controlled Substances
**Those suspected of being under the influence will not be admitted and are subject to removal from the event.
- Spectators are prohibited from bringing balls into an event.
- Only hand-held signs are allowed. Signs must be positive, appropriate, promote the participants, and not be distracting or block the view of others.
- Artificial noise makers are prohibited.
- Only authorized personnel will be admitted onto the playing surface.
- Animals, other than service animals, are not permitted in the event.
Persons who violate these rules may be ejected without refund.
Follow the rules, regulations, or directions from school staff, stadium personnel, police, or security staff. Inability to do so may result in removal from the event.
SPPS athletic events are governed by the Minnesota State High School League.
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
TutorMe Free Online Homework Help
TutorMe, a Free Online Homework Help is Now Available on school iPads for All SPPS Students!
TutorMe is an online tutoring platform that allows students to connect with a live tutor 24 hours a day in over 300 subjects, which is now available on students' iPads. Their network of over 10,000 verified tutors is ready to help with 1:1 live tutoring sessions. With TutorMe, your child can even submit papers and receive in-depth feedback from academic writing experts within hours, helping them polish their written assignments and hone their writing skills.
All HPMS students in grades 6-8 will be introduced to the TutorMe app in the next few weeks during foundations.
To access TutorMe, students should log on to Clever and click on the TutorMe icon to begin engaging with a live tutor.
Check out this quick video to learn more about TutorMe. For more information on TutorMe, check out this link.
College Access Opportunity!
6th Grade Breakthrough Twin Cities Application Now Open
Breakthrough Twin Cities (BTC) is a six-year, free academic enrichment and college preparatory program that helps under-resourced students prepare for college success. Students (and their families) enrolling in Breakthrough Twin Cities make a six-year commitment. While it does not cost anything to participate, students and families “pay” for the experience with their hard work and commitment.
The Application Deadline is FEBRUARY 28TH, 2023.
Please visit our website for more information at https://www.breakthroughtwincities.org/student-application/. Click on this video link to watch the Breakthrough Twin Cities video about the program.
To apply, please visit our online application here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4869088
If you have questions, please contact Elisabeth Mulvaney, HPMS 6th grade counselor at 651-744-3399 or email at elisabeth.mulvaney@spps.org.
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