The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
November 27, 2022
All translations are computer generated.
We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
November is Native American Heritage Month
"It does not require many words to speak the truth."
— Chief Joseph, leader — Wallowa band of Nez Perce
Important Upcoming Dates
- Monday, November 28: FCC Meeting, In-Person, 6 - 7 p.m, Room 1314 (see more information in article below)
- Tuesday, November 29: Students' Quarter 1 Final Grades Available on SPPS One-Stop
- Wednesday, November 30: Tecolotes' Eagle Bluff Trip meet in SPPS Cafeteria by 7:45 a.m. (see more information in article below)
- Wed., Nov. 30 — Fri., Dec. 2: Tecolotes' Team Trip to Eagle Bluff
- Thursday, December 8: No Flipside after school
- Thursday, December 8: Student-Led Conferences • In-Person, 4 - 7 p.m. (see more information in "Message from the Principal" below)
- Saturday, December 10: SPPS Student Choice Fair, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at RiverCenter, Downtown St. Paul (see more information in article below)
- Thursday, December 15: 7th Grade Honor Roll, in Auditorium, 8:45 a.m.
- Thursday, December 15: Band/Orchestra Concert, in Auditorium, 6 - 7 p.m.
- Friday, December 16: 8th Grade Honor Roll, in Auditorium, 8:45 a.m.
- Mon., Dec. 19 — Mon., Jan. 2, 2023: No School • Winter Break
- Tuesday, January 3: First Day back from Winter Break
Message from the Principal
It's amazing to think, but we are already entering the last 3 weeks of school before Winter Break!
On Thursday, December 8, from 4 -7 p.m., will be holding in-person Student-Led Conferences. Teachers will be emailing out available sign-up times, as conferences are scheduled by appointment only. Please check your emails for this information in the coming days.
The student-led conference is an important Middle School practice, as it gets students to self-advocate for and have ownership of their own learning -- an important aspect of middle-school student development. So, it is important that your child be present for the conference.
Finally, I want to thank those who drop off and/or pick up your students after school and continue to be careful and considerate in the school parking lot. For example, we thank those families who continue to have their students exit only at the curb near Door 20, and not along side the tennis courts. This helps keep things safe for everyone.
As always, thank you for your partnership and support!
Sincerely,
Principal John Andrastek
FCC Meeting
Agenda
- Introductions / Introducciones
Principal’s Update
Schoology
SCIP
Update from our counselors
Update on Give the Max
Questions / Preguntas
We look forward to seeing you there!
Monday, Nov 28, 2022, 06:00 PM
Room 1314, Highland Park Middle School
Tecolotes Team Eagle Bluff Trip
The Tecolotes' Eagle Bluff trip is this week! We are super excited!
On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, students need to be dropped off at HPMS by 7:45 a.m. Bring all of your luggage and meet in the cafeteria.
Please visit this website for more important information and instructions:
https://sites.google.com/stpaul.k12.mn.us/hpms-eagle-bluff/home
—The Tecolotes Team Teachers
SPPS Student Choice Fair at RiverCenter is Sat., Dec. 10
No Selling of Candy, Chips, etc.
Project Reach Toy and Coat Drive
Project REACH is a Saint Paul Public Schools shelter and street-based program that promotes school stability and academic success of homeless children and youth. This winter they are doing a toy and coat drive, hoping to provide our families with some resources for holiday gift giving. Click here for Project REACH's wish list and consider making a purchase if possible. Thank you for supporting our HPMS and SPPS community!
Resources for Families in Need
Know of anyone who needs extra resources for the upcoming holiday season? Below are links to two organizations that can assist with food and/or gifts:
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.
BTC is currently in the process of recruiting 6th graders across Saint Paul and is presenting in classes to 6th grade Pumas and Eagles on Monday and Tuesday (November 14 and 15). 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.
Transitional Life Skills Class Needs
This year, the special education transitional life skills class is taking community outings to Aldi's in order to learn cooking and social skills. Thanks to many wonderful families, we are no longer in need of reusable grocery bags (thank you all!).
We are still in need of:
- $5 or $10 gift cards to Aldi's, Target, Lunds, and McDonalds.
There are two ways to contribute:
- Drop off gift cards at the main office, or
- Make a monetary donation at this website: https://tinyurl.com/HPMSLifeSkills
Thank you for your support!
Application for Educational Benefits/Free or Reduced Price Meals
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