Highland Park Senior High Headliner
December 22, 2023
Message from Principal Dr. Winston Tucker
Highland Families,
I am writing to wish all of our Highland families a safe and relaxing winter break. No matter your plans I hope you find some special time with your family, loved ones and friends. It is hard to believe that when we return from break it is 2024 already. Due to the lack of snow, it does not quite feel like the normal winter season. Please note that January 25 it is the last day of the second quarter grading period and on January 29 we start the third quarter grading period. At the start of the third quarter students will be starting new elective classes which span the third and fourth quarter grading periods. Thank you for the continued support and we wish all of our students and families the very best and we will see you in 2024. Happy New Year !
Mark Your Calendars!
December 25-January 5
- Winter Break - No School
Monday, January 8, 2024
- Classes Resume
10th Grade Families and IB MYP Personal Project Students!
It has been exciting to hear the variety of topics students are working on for their IB MYP Personal Projects! The main items that students should be working on now are…
Journal (any format and prompts are in the Personal Project Course on Schoology)
Research (at least 5 sources - websites, databases, ebooks, books, manuals, interviews, “how to” videos, etc.)
Project (designing, creating, making, building, etc.)
The next Personal Project Meeting for students to connect with their Personal Project Advisors is on Tuesday, January 9th. Students also can email or stop by to talk with advisors anytime for support, and materials are also available in their IB MYP Personal Project course on Schoology.
The Personal Project Paper details were explained on Tuesday, December 19th. Students will have plenty of time in February to write the paper (the paper is due March 1st). 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 if "P" (pass) is recorded on their transcript. If a student chooses to not do it, then a "N" (no pass) is recorded on their transcript. Earning this credit is super possible, and if your student has any concerns, please have them reach out to me.
Thank you for supporting your student in this process! Let me know if you have any questions!
Marissa Bonk - marissa.bonk@spps.org
Parents of 11th and 12th Grade IB Exam Students
FFA Results
Congratulations to the following students who competed last Thursday!
Agricultural Communications – STATE CHAMPIONS! National Qualifiers.
This is the first state winning team in Highland Park and SPPS history! Students have qualified to compete at Nationals in October. Students completed an editing quiz along with communications practicums including writing a journalistic article, an opinion piece, creating a website, and producing a video.
- August Kruszka (3rd)
- Ash Reinhart (6th)
- Ren King (8th)
- Forest Lanza
UMN Invititation is a practice event – These students will compete later at Regions and State if they qualify.
Prepared Public Speaking – 2nd Place at UMN Invite
Elsa wrote and presented an 8-minute speech on an agricultural topic. This year, Elsa chose noenicitinoids and their impact on bees.
- Elsa Houge
Parliamentary Procedure – 3rd Place at UMN Invite
Students complete a 15 minute demonstration of a mock meeting using proper parliamentary procedure techniques. Each student completes 2 motions and 4 debates.
- Elsa Houge
- Valeria Orozco
- Trump Vang
- Maya Vossen-Nelson
- Rosemary Egberg
- Allegra Larson
Extemporaneous Speaking – 5th Place at UMN Invite
Dmitriy drew a random agricultural topic and had 30 minutes to write a 6-minute speech then present that speech to a panel of judges. Judges commented on his incredible poise and presence during the speech.
- Dmitriy Mangal
Creed Speaking
This contest is for 9th grade students who memorize the 5 paragraph FFA creed and presented it to a panel of judges, then respond to questions about the importance of agriculture and the creed.
- Molly Jones - 4th Place at UMN Invite
- Stephanie Rodriguez-Vela – 7th Place at UMN Invite
Best Informed Greenhand
9th grade students study trivia related to FFA, agricultural education, and parliamentary procedure, then take a 100 question quiz.
- Dana Andraca-Gutierrez
- Mekael Getahun
- Rihana Abdi
- Carmina Stensland
- Adwoa Frempong
- Sienna Lee
- Ava Gaw
- Julia Yang
- Halima Adam
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
Teacher Conference Meal - Thank you, Boca Chica!
Huge thanks to Jose Frias, HPSH parent and owner of Boca Chica Mexican Restaurant. Mr. Frias offered the PTSA a generous discount, which made it possible to provide a full meal for teachers and staff before conferences. Thank you, Mr. Frias and Boca Chica staff! We appreciate you!
On behalf of the PTSA, Have a Safe and Restful Winter Break!
Highland IB Art Students Present Research on Global Arts At the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA)
Year One and Year Two IB Visual Art and Design students shared their own Docent Notes with each other as they explored arts from across the globe and through time periods. Each student selected a work currently on display using the Mia's interactive website and then developed guiding questions and informational content to present. Peers asked great follow up questions, and all really impressed our three generous parent chaperons who helped with the trip! Thanks so much to both students and parents!! Students next will be refining or beginning their Comparative Studies, 20% of the IB Art Exam.
Open to All: The IB Art class is a weighted grade class open to all 11th and 12th graders interested in learning more about art and art history. For more information about the IB Visual Arts program at Highland, check out our
• department website https://www.spps.org/domain/814 ,
• slide show https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1pd6loJx7LGIPKR2DGxGT8vPillS8Pv_sFoCQxiMMgc4/edit#slide=id.p,
• or email teacher Keri.Schultz@spps.org
IB Geography Fieldtrip
IB Geography students conducted geographical fieldwork investigating how immigration has shaped urban areas for their Internal Assessment or "IA". Students began their fieldwork at the Borchert Map Library on the University of Minnesota campus.
Thanks to all the community members who make this fieldwork possible!
Unified Physical Education Field Trip
We are thrilled to share the success of our recent Unified Physical Education class field trip to the bowling alley! The event brought together students from diverse backgrounds, and we couldn't be prouder of everyone involved. This opportunity provided a great experience for everyone
involved.
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
Financial Aid Info Session Resources
Here is where you can find the presentation & resources that Mr. Carlson went over during the Financial Aid Info Session on December 14th. The presentation includes information about how students/families can prepare for the FAFSA and important resources to review throughout the financial aid process.
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.
Seeking Volunteers for PTSA Grant Allocation Committee
The PTSA needs volunteers to serve on the Grant Committee. All meetings will be on Zoom and most tasks can be completed on your laptop or computer. Grant Allocation Committee volunteers meet to review the grant requests, seek information as needed, and propose how the PTSA funds will be distributed. Your participation in this process is essential for a balanced proposal. Along with parents, grandparents, and guardians, we especially need at least two more additional students to participate. Please contact Mary Frankson at mcneff.frankson@gmail.com
PTSA - Give to the Max Announcement
Congratulations to the Advisory Classrooms of Mr. McKinney and Mr. Moreno - they won the coin collection contest and will each enjoy a pizza party after winter break. This year students raised $300 which will be used to support PTSA grants to classrooms and clubs.
If you are a HPHS student and interested in sitting on the PTSA grant committee this year please reach out to Sherry: sherrykhighlandptsa@gmail.com.
The Give to the Max Fundraiser raised over $10,000 this year but it isn't too late for end of year donations. https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hpshgive
Don't forget to submit donations to your employer if they offer matching funds.
Thank you for your support!
Highland Park PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association)
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.
Give to the Max!
Thank you to everyone that participated and donated to the Highland Park PTSA fundraiser on Thursday! We enjoyed great music by the student band Rock Melon, donuts and sunshine in the parking lot. We are over halfway to our goal but it's not too late to help us reach our goal of $18,000. Give to the Max Funds play an essential role in supporting teachers and students both in and out of the classroom. These funds are distributed by grants to clubs, classrooms, and programs that provide enrichment to the diverse student body at Highland Park.
Donations accepted on the website or by check
https://www.givemn.org/organization/Hpshgive
1015 Snelling Ave S
St. Paul, Minnesota 55116
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.
Teacher Wish List
As the school year begins, there are two ways to support our terrific Highland Park teachers and staff:
- By purchasing items on the Wish List for use in the classroom: Wish List This list is always being updated—teachers are in the process of adding their lists for this school year.
- 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.
The PTSA will also be collecting Kleenex, hand sanitizer and general school supplies at the Open House event—if you can bring even one box of Kleenex, it will have a positive impact! It is the number one requested item from teachers and staff!
Thank you from the Highland Park PTSA.
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