The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
February 6, 2022
Translations
All translations are computer generated. We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
February is Black History Month
"I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better."
- Maya Angelou - American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist
Upcoming Important Dates
Mon, Feb. 7 - 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
Friday, March 4: No School - District Professional Development
FCC Meeting
FCC Meeting
Topics:
- Next year's new school day schedule
- 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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'Every Meal' Free Weekend Meal Program
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Healthy eating is so important for children. At Highland Park Middle School, we work hard to ensure students receive a healthy breakfast and lunch each day to support students' developing brains and bodies. Research shows that children who eat regular, nutritious meals are more likely to attend school and be engaged in learning.
We are excited to partner with Every Meal to offer a free weekend food program to all our students. Every Meal is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to fight child hunger through community and school partnerships. They strive to make a difference in children's lives by focusing on food gaps like weekends, school breaks, and summer when they can't receive food in school.
- Free for all families
- No qualifications required for enrollment
- Students enrolled in the program will receive a 4-5 pound bag of nutritious, nonperishable food each week
- Every Meal does not collect information from families; privacy is protected
- Families may enroll in the program anytime throughout the school year
- Families may choose from a variety of different weekend meal bag options
No Parking in Bus Zones Before or After School
School Bus Route Challenges
Please go to this link to read about school bus information: https://www.smore.com/b1xez.
Schedule Change for 2022-23 School Year
Please see this link for information regarding next year's schedule changes: https://www.smore.com/e9fxc.
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.
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