The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Newsletter
January 23, 2022
Translations
All translations are computer generated. We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
Upcoming Important Dates
Wed., Jan. 26 & Thu., Jan. 27: HPMS Virtual Zoo Engineering Exhibition - during day
- Thursday, January 27: Spelling Bee, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday, January 27: Last Day of Quarter 2
Friday, January 28: No School - Teacher Grading Day
Monday, January 31: Quarter 3 Begins
Fri., Feb. 4 - Mon., Feb. 28: ACCESS Testing for ELL Students (on-going)
Tuesday, February 8: FCC Meeting, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. via Zoom (See Zoom address & meeting topic below)
Friday, February 11: Quarter 2 Student Final Grades available on-line at Campus One-Stop
Monday, February 14: National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) - Virtual
Monday, February 21: No School - Presidents' Day
FCC Meeting
FCC Meeting
Topic: Middle School to High School Student Transitions
Topic: FCC Meeting
Time: Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 8:30 - 9:30 AM
Join Zoom Meeting
- Meeting ID: 815 0978 8446
Tuesday, Feb 8, 2022, 08:30 AM
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HPMS Team Day CANCELLED for Friday, February 4, 2022
Dear HPMS Families,
The Saint Paul Public School District has cancelled all field trips through February 18, 2022, due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. A a result, HPMS Team Day - originally planned for February 4 - is now cancelled, as many teams had planned to go on a field trip on Team Day.
If your student's team had a field trip planned on Team Day, and if you have already paid in advance for the field trip costs for that day, you will soon be receiving a reimbursement on-line if an on-line payment was made, or a cash refund if paid in cash.
We hope to be rescheduling a new date for Team Day in the near future as and when COVID-19 numbers fall to a lower level.
We thank you for your patience during this time.
School Bus Route Challenges
Dear Highland Park Middle School Students & Families,
We realize the number of unique challenges students, staff, & families have experienced this year. A top concern lately is school bus transportation. For the most part, all buses run on time daily. However, since the beginning of January, some bus drivers have become sick with COVID, resulting in an immediate cancellation of a bus route. When this occurs, the district notifies the schools affected by the cancelled bus routes immediately. However, this notification may not occur until late in the afternoon.
At HPMS, once we receive information from the district that a bus route has been cancelled, we immediately connect with all students affected by the cancelled school bus route & then have them contact a family member to discuss an alternate way to get home after school.
Hence, if your family relies on school bus transportation to and from school, we encourage you to have an alternative option for your student to get to school or home in the event of a cancelled bus route.
Finally, Metro Transit has several bus stops & routes near HPMS & the Highland Complex. To find a bus route on Metro Transit, go to https://www.metrotransit.org/trip-planner to map out a route to your home, if needed.
Thank you for your flexibility & understanding during these times.
No Parking in Bus Zones Before or After School
Schedule Change for 2022-23 School Year
Dear Highland Park Middle School Students & Families,
We are writing to share some news about our school’s schedule for next year. The district is implementing an 8/2 block schedule at all of our secondary schools beginning in the 2022- 23 school year. This means our schedule will change from its current 7-period A/B schedule to the 8/2 block schedule. The structure of the 8/2 block is a daily Foundations class followed by four of a student’s eight classes. For example: Monday’s schedule would be Foundations followed by periods 1-4. Tuesday’s schedule would be Foundations followed by periods 5-8.
The reasons behind implementing the 8/2 block schedule districtwide are many, and we believe this change will provide an improved and more equitable experience for our secondary students and staff.
Some of the primary benefits of implementing this schedule are:
- Fewer transitions per day for students,
- Longer classes allow for more time to build relationships and create culturally responsive educational experiences,
- Opportunity for students to access to more supplemental coursework
- A Foundations period that meets daily,
- If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your support during this transition.
Thank you,
Charlene Hoff, Principal
John Andrastek, Assistant Principal
Hibaq Mohamed, Assistant Principal
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 4 - 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:
- Camila Carroll, 7th grade Lobos and 8th grade Tecolotes EL teacher, (651) 293-8950;
- Hannah Filipiak, 7th grade Jets and 8th grade Sharks EL teacher, (651) 293-8950;
- MariAn Pradas-Ten, 6th grade EL teacher, (651) 293-8950;
- Elisabeth Mulvaney, school counselor, 8th grade, (651) 744-3399;
- Nou Katzmarek, school counselor, 7th grade, (651) 744-3400;
- Danielle Seifert, school counselor, 6th grade, (651) 744-47582.
8th Grade IB Lit & Lang Donation Request
Greetings Highland Park Middle School 8th Grade Families,
Your 8th grade team of IB Lit & Lang 8 teachers are excited to begin our Dystopian Genre Unit of Study in Quarter 3. We will be studying the Young Adult novel Scythe by Neal Shusterman, along with other student selected Young Adult Dystopian titles.
Reading a book together creates a particular kind of community. We can’t wait to read, discuss, and enjoy a common text with your students. Due to the unprecedented challenges our 8th graders have had to face, we would like to do something special for them. We will be purchasing a copy of Scythe for all 8th graders at Highland Park that they can keep.
To help facilitate this gift, we ask that you donate what you can towards the purchase of these books. Currently, a single copy sells for about $6. Donations between $5-$20, or whatever you are able, are greatly appreciated!
Your student may also choose to provide their own copy, either by purchasing one independently or using one you already own. In this case, your student will need to bring their copy (or proof that one has been ordered) to school to show their teacher by Friday, January 21st. All students will receive a copy regardless of their ability to pay.
Donations can be delivered to teachers or paid online here. Donations will be collected up until Friday, January 21st.
Thank you very much for your support. We look forward to reading together!
COVID-19 Vaccines Available Ages 5 - 17
Important COVID-19 Message from SPPS
This message from Saint Paul Public Schools was originally emailed to families on January 5, 2022.
Dear Saint Paul Public Schools Families,
COVID-19 case rates continue to be high across Minnesota and in SPPS and seasonal flu symptoms are also becoming more prevalent. Please help your students take care of themselves and others by having them stay home when they are sick.
Please review this updated illness guidance for what to do if your child gets sick or tests positive for COVID-19. Our SPPS COVID-19 Team continues to provide information to families who report positive cases to the SPPS COVID-19 Reporting System. If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please notify your child's school and activities with absences and return dates that are determined when making a report or by the COVID-19 Team.
Thank you for staying safe and helping those around you do the same.
Experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms?
Common COVID-19 symptoms include: fever greater than or equal to 100.4° F, new onset and/or worsening cough, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell OR at least 2 of the following: sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, muscle pain, excessive fatigue, new onset of severe headache, new onset of nasal congestion or runny nose.
If you or your child are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please do the following:
Go to the SPPS COVID-19 Reporting System Website: https://commedspps.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9G0WvcJlWfuqwlL & follow the instructions there, then
Call the HPMS Attendance Line at (651) 744-3393, or email highlandmsattendance@spps.org to notify the school if you will be keeping your child home from school.
Athletic Events Safety Practices
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.
• In addition...- 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.
6th Grade Breakthrough Twin Cities Application Now Open
Breakthrough Twin Cities 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.
Both transportation and breakfast/lunch meals are provided for students that live in Saint Paul during our summer and in school programs. We are currently in the process of recruiting 6th graders across Saint Paul. Our Application Deadline is FEBRUARY 10TH, 2022. Our summer program then begins on Wednesday, June 29th and ends on August 5th, 2022!
Please visit our website for more information at breakthroughtwincities.org. Click on the 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 need assistance with completing the application or need a paper copy please contact Danielle Seifert, 6th Grade Counselor at Highland Park Middle School at 651-744-7582 or email at danielle.seifert@spps.org.
Homework Help at Highland Park Public Library
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 4 - 7 p.m., the Highland Park Public Library has a homework help center! The library has volunteers available to help with homework assigned to anyone from kindergarteners to college students. They also have school supplies and internet access.
The Highland Park Public Library is located at 1974 Ford Parkway. For more information, you may call the library at (651) 695-3700, or visit the Saint Paul Public Library calendar of events online at www.sppl.org/calendar. Please have your student take advantage of this free service!
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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