The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
May 7, 2023
All translations are computer generated.
We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
“To live an ethical life is to be held accountable for history.”
― Cathy Park Hong, Korean American poet, writer, and professor
Important Upcoming Dates
- Mon., May 8 - Fri., May 12: Teacher Appreciation Week
- Wednesday, May 10: Last Day of Flipside (See article below for more information)
- Thursday, May 11: Junior National Honor Society Ceremony, 6:30 p.m., in Auditorium
- Friday, May 12: Spirit Day • Multiples Day (See article below for more information)
- Monday, May 15: Mid-Quarter 4 Grades available on One-Stop
- Tuesday, May 16: 7th Grade Honor Roll & 6th & 7th Grade Rising Stars, 8:45 a.m., in Auditorium
- Wednesday, May 17: 8th Grade Honor Roll & 8th Grade Rising Stars, 8:45 a.m., in Auditorium
- Friday, May 19: Spirit Day • Cowboy/Cowgirl Day
- Monday, May 22: FCC Meeting, 6 - 7 p.m., in Room 1314
- Thursday, May 25: Band/Orchestra Spring Concert. 6 - 7:15 p.m., in Auditorium
- Friday, May 26: Spirit Day • Fancy Day
- Monday, May 29: No School • Memorial Day Holiday
- Thursday, June 1: Arts Showcase, 5 - 7 p.m., 1st Floor Lobby & Hallways
- Friday, June 2: Spirit Day • Jersey Day
- Friday, June 9: Spirit Day • Color Day
- Friday, June 9: Team Day • various trips/events • (more information in upcoming Scots' Scoops)
- Monday, June 12: 8th Grade Sharks Recognition, 2 - 3 p.m., in Auditorium
- Tuesday, June 13: 8th Grade Tecolotes Recognition, 2 - 3 p.m., in Auditorium
- Wednesday, June 14: Last Day of School / End of Quarter 4
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness month! By acknowledging and bringing awareness to mental health, we fight stigma and provide support for the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness.
We are inviting students and staff to wear green on Tuesday, May 16. Green is the color of Mental Health Awareness, and by wearing green we hope to promote taking the time to learn more about mental wellness.
More information about Mental Health Awareness month can be found here.
Flipside • Last Day May 10
Flipside classes end this Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Flipside students have enjoyed a wonderful year of Flipside! We are all looking forward to Flipside Summer Camps and Flipside programming next school year.
If you receive an email with a survey regarding Flipside, please take the time to fill out the survey. Funding for the Flipside program is contingent upon parent and student responses and the importance and need for the program. Please let us know how you like the program. Thank you!
Free Flipside Camps for this Summer!
FREE Flipside Summer Camps are here:
Camp A: June 20 - 23 & June 27 - 30;
Camp B: July 10 - 13 & July 17 - 20; &
Camp C: July 24 - 27 & July 31 - Aug. 3.
Camps are all field trip based; space is limited. See Ms. Nikol for more information and registration forms.
All registration ends on May 19th. Ms. Nikol has registration forms in English, Spanish, Hmong, Karen and Somali. There is a downloadable copy of the Summer Camps flyer below. You may also email Ms. Nikol for more information at nikol.gordon@spps.org.
Summer Spark
Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) Summer Spark runs between June and August each year. The goal of this program is to encourage young people to have fun, stay active, and keep learning all summer long. Families visit neighborhood libraries for giveaway books. Libraries host a variety of drop in performers and ongoing programs.
Additionally, librarians provide specific literacy-based resources like recommended booklists and interactive story strolls to promote summer reading. Students complete a combination of reading and activities to earn prizes. Find details at sppl.org/summer.
No Food Deliveries at Highland Park Middle School
We have recently seen an increase in fast food either being dropped off for students for lunch, or in some cases, being delivered by a food delivery service such as DoorDash, GrubHub, etc. Fast food lunches, coffee drinks, etc., delivered to students by family or by any delivery service is NOT ALLOWED. The reasons for this include the fact that fast foods are not healthy for students. As importantly, however, is that we are always attempting to reduce the amount of traffic entering our secured doors, as safety is a priority at HPMS. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Spirit Day • Each Friday
HPMS Student Council is sponsoring Spirit Day each Friday through June 9. We are asking that students dress up in the following themes on these days:
- May 12 • Multiples Days • Dress up just like someone else as if you were twins, or triplets.
- May 19 • Cowboy/Cowgirl Day • Dress up is western gear (remember, now toy guns or holsters).
- May 26 • Fancy Day • Dress up in your best clothes.
- June 2 • Jersey Day • Dress up representing your favorite team.
- June 9 • Color Day
- 8th Grade: White
- 7th Grade: Blue
- 6th Grade: Red
Let's do our best to have great HPMS Spirit, and please dress with respect!
Lost & Found Overflowing!
Attention Families! Our Lost & Found area is continues to overflow.
Do you recognize any of the items in the photos above? We've featured some very nice jackets that we would love to return to the owners. If these look familiar, please have your student retrieve the item, or you may come in yourself at the end of a school day to retrieve it, as well. Thank you!
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