The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
February 12, 2023
All translations are computer generated.
We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
February is Black History Month
"Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations."
— Dr. Mae Jemison • American engineer, physician, and
former NASA astronaut
Important Upcoming Dates
- Monday, February 13: NAAPID (see article below for more information)
- Thursday, February 17: Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration (at High School - see article below for more information)
- Monday, February 20: No School • Presidents' Day Holiday
- Wed., Feb. 22 - Fri., Feb 24: HPMS SLAB Books for Africa event (see article below for more information)
- Monday, February 27: FCC Meeting • 6 - 7 p.m. • Room 1314
- Friday, March 10: No School • Staff Development Day
Message from the Principal
Dear HPMS Community,
I’m sure you have heard about the terrible tragedy that occurred at Harding High School on Friday, resulting in a student’s death. If you have not read or watched Superintendent Gothard’s message about this tragic event, you can find it here.
Your children may have also heard the news or you may have already discussed it with them at home. We know that students will come to school tomorrow with a range of emotions and different amounts of information. Please know that we will provide space for students to process whatever they may be feeling in ways that are developmentally appropriate for each individual student.
Our activities for NAAPID tomorrow will continue as planned. We look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow. Even in times of tragedy, it is important to find joy and celebrate your students’ accomplishments.
Please know that support will be available for any students who need it (please see the next article below, "HPMS Response to Trauma in our Community"). Our mental health staff are trained to work with students in times of crisis. If you need resources you can use at home, please refer to this information from the SPPS Office of School Support: spps.org/Domain/14350
If you have any concerns or questions and need to contact the school, please call (651) 293-8950 during school hours. For emergencies outside of school hours you can call Ramsey County’s children’s crisis line at (651) 266-7878.
Regards,
John Andrastek / "Mr. A"
HPMS Response to Trauma in our Community
In response to the recent instances of 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.
NAAPID Events Tomorrow, Feb. 13
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).
NAAPID Events Tomorrow, Monday, February 13
- 8:45 - 10: 45 a.m.: We will provide a light breakfast, followed by a short school tour & classroom visits.
- 10:50 - 11:40 a.m.: Ms. Wise’s Black Student Union (BSU) group have put together student-led performances and presentations that celebrates and connects to black culture which will take place in the auditorium.
Valentine's Sales for Student Council
- Photo Booth, $2.25 per picture: Have a student council member take a polaroid picture of you with a friend or two,
- Candy Grams, $1.00 per candy gram: Send a nice message with a piece of candy to a friend or a "special someone,"
- Candy Jar Guess, $0.50 per guess: Guess how many candies are in a candy jar.
All proceeds go to support Student Council.
Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration at High School, Feb. 17
Here is the agenda for the evening:
- 5:00 pm: Fashion show, & Chinese music.
- 6:00-7:00 pm: Chinese dinner will be provided.
- 6:30-8:00 pm: Hands on activity booths.
Tickets cover all events, including the performance, food & cultural hands on activities! Cost for tickets are:
- $5 for students and seniors, and
- $8 for adults, or
- $20 for family tickets that cover 2 adults & 2 kids (5 years old above).
- Children under age 5 are free!
The tickets will be for sale at the Highland Park Sr. High school entrance, too, however, it would be most helpful if tickets are purchased in advance in order to prepare enough food for everyone. Thank you!
Books for Africa Event, Feb. 22 - 24
February is “I Love to Read Month,” and we are celebrating reading. The HPMS Student Library Advisory Board (SLAB) is inviting you to share your love of books with students and families in Africa! We are hosting a book drive for the local charity Books for Africa. Each Foundations class that collects at least 20 books will be entered in a raffle for a prize.
When: February 22-24
Where: Students can bring books to their Foundations class. SLAB students will pick up donations in Foundations classes on the collection days. Students may also drop off books on the 23rd and 24th at a table by door 20, where SLAB students will be waiting to receive them. Please label any bags with the student's Foundations' teacher's name.
What kinds of books will be collected? Books for Africa has a strong need for children’s books and current textbooks. Books for Africa will only accept the following types of books:
Books published in the last 15 years
Books that are in good condition (no spine damage, excessive markings, torn or missing pages or covers)
Note: The following types of books will NOT be accepted by Books For Africa
Western-centric books (books about holidays celebrated only in the U.S. or Europe, like the 4th of July or Presidents Day; books on U.S. history, or historical figures)
Books about witches or magic (like the Harry Potter series)
Books with the words kill, murder, or death in the title
Encyclopedia sets
Magazines
Cookbooks
Foreign language books (books in French are okay)
K-12 music books
We will bring the collected books to the local Books For Africa collection site where they will be sorted and shipped to Africa. Questions? Please reach out to the librarian, Ms. Andrews, at Adayle.Andrews@spps.org. Thank you for your support!
Congratulations HPMS Knowledge Bowl!
The HPMS Knowledge Bowl team had their final meet of the season on February 7 at Northdale Middle School, and it was one for the record books. Fifty teams from 18 schools competed, and HPMS took home two awards!
Congratulations to the HPMS "Bose-Einstein Condensate" an 8th grade team, who took 2nd place overall at the meet! They are: Ian L. (their fearless leader), Karl S., Cameron Q., Leo R., Andre J.-S., and London R.
In addition, 7th Graders Ruby H. and Audrey E. also took home a prestigious award. Their team, "Here for the Pizza", won the Current Events award. This means they answered the most current events questions correctly of any team at the meet.
A huge congratulations to the whole team. It has been an amazing season! Special thanks to HPMS science teacher Mandi Jung who has been the Knowledge Bowl coach! Great job to all!
Right Track for 8th Graders
Families of current 8th Graders:
Is your student interested in a summer job? Right Track might be the perfect fit for them! In order to apply for Right Track, your child must:
- be 14 years old by June 1
- Live in the city of St. Paul
- meet income requirements or have a barrier to employment
- apply between Feb. 1-Feb 28
To apply, visit following website; https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/right-track/youth/yj1.
Contact Ms. Katzmarek, 8th grade counselor, at 651-744-3400, or email at nou.katsmarek@spps.org if you have any questions.
D.C. Trip On for 2023-24 School Year -- On-Line Meeting Feb. 21
Do you want to give your child the opportunity of a lifetime?
There is an awesome and unique learning experience available to next year's 8th grade students at Highland Park Middle School!!!
Beginning again in 2023-2024, we are excited to reopen our Washington, D.C. program. We are currently opening registration to our 7th grade students (next year's 8th graders) for next year's trip.
Highland Park Middle School has had the privilege and special opportunity for the last 20 years to take students on a 4-day educational study program to Washington, D.C. American History for your child is enhanced through this on-site, interactive experience that allows us to see first hand what a dynamic history we have. The opportunity is open to any interested 8th grader to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The 4-day trip focuses on some of the national treasures, the U.S. Capitol, the Holocaust Museum, and all of the war memorials and presidential monuments. The students are challenged to analyze historic events, turning points and heroes of our past with Washington, D.C. and Virginia as the stage. The trip provides students with a deeper understanding of our history, consequences of choice and the student’s role in the future of America.
Want to know more?
Click here to let us know you're interested in learning more. You can also let us know if you can join us at the virtual family information session on February 21st, 2023 @ 7pm. If not, we'll be sure to connect with you to share key details as you consider whether this opportunity is right for your student.
If you have any questions regarding the trip please contact Ms. King at (651) 293–8950 or at kristin.king@spps.org.
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.
Sprayed Perfumes and Deodorants
- We have experienced an increase in students bringing sprayed perfumes and deodorants to school. Please have your students keep these at home. Sprayed perfumes and deodorants may cause serious allergic reactions to others.
Lasers/Shockers
- On our last Team Day, students chose to purchase a toy that has a laser on one end and a a button on the other end that gives a person a shock. Those items need to stay home.
In all cases, if a student brings any of the above items to school, they will be asked to give over the item to a staff member upon request, and the item may have to be picked up by a parent at the end of the 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.
Afterschool Pick-Up Reminder
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.
ACCESS for English Language Learners (ELL) Testing Has Begun
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 takes place during the school day through 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
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