The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
April 30, 2023
All translations are computer generated.
We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
“You change the world by being yourself.”
― Yoko Ono, Japanese multimedia artist,
singer, songwriter, and peace activist
Important Upcoming Dates
- Friday, May 5: Spirit Day • Cultural Day (See article below for more information)
- Mon., May 8 - Fri., May 12: Teacher Appreciation Week (See article below for more information)
- Friday, May 12: Spirit Day • Multiples Day
- Monday, May 15: Mid-Quarter 4 Grades available on One-Stop
- Tuesday, May 16: 7th Grade Honors, 8:45 a.m., in Auditorium
- Wednesday, May 17: 8th Grade Honors, 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
- Friday, May 26: Spirit Day • Fancy Day
- Monday, May 29: No School • Memorial Day Holiday
- 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
Teacher Appreciation Week • May 8 - 12
Hello Highland Park Middle School Families,
Next week, May 8 - May 12, is TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. I am reaching out to ask for your assistance in recognizing the AMAZING teachers of Highland Park Middle School. I will be planning treats, small gifts, games, and a PIZZA PARTY! Schools are not allowed to use district funds to provide meals for staff, so we rely on the generosity of families like you.
If you would like to donate to the TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK festivities, please click on the link HERE. You can also bring cash or check donations to the middle school office before May 1st.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Please contact me with any questions.
Tami |651-744-3394 | tami.swenson@spps.org
----------
Note: The dates for Teacher Appreciation Week were mistakenly listed as May 1- 5 in the April 26 Scots' Scoop Extra . The correct dates for Teacher Appreciation Week are May 8 - 12.
Spirit Day • Each Friday • Beginning May 5
HPMS Student Council is sponsoring Spirit Day each Friday, beginning this Friday, May 5, through June 9. We are asking that students dress up in the following themes on these days:
- May 5 • Cultural Day • Dress in clothing that bests represents your culture.
- 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!
Summer Choice Fair • May 7
What: Families are invited to the Conway Dome to learn about exciting summer programs offered by organizations all across Saint Paul. Food and fun will be served.
- Where: Conway Community Center, 2080 Conway St. Saint Paul, MN 55119
- When: Sunday, May 7, 12-3 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Download the flyer and share it with families in your school newsletter or in backpacks. Share the Facebook event and visit the Summer Choice Fair website for more information.
Lost & Found Overflowing!
Attention Families! Our Lost & Found area is overflowing ... AGAIN!
Do you recognize any of the items in the photos? 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!
WEB applications are now available for 7th graders!
Seventh graders can now apply to be a WEB ("Where Everybody Belongs" program) leader for the 2023-24 school year. WEB is a middle school transition program that prepares 8th graders to be student leaders and mentors to the incoming sixth graders. We are looking for kind and caring seventh graders who are willing to help 6th graders with their transition to Highland Park Middle School. Please complete the WEB application by Friday, May 5th in order to be considered. Seventh graders can find the WEB application in the 7th grade Schoology group.
WEB leaders must be available for in-person training dates in late August (dates are included on the application). If you have any questions about the application process, please contact danielle.seifert@spps.org or elisabeth.mulvaney@spps.org.
Any questions? See any of the WEB advisors: Beth Swanberg, Julie Elliott, Amanda Sell, Andrew Bacskai, Greg Boesel, Charlotte Sivanich, or Elisabeth Mulvaney.
Thank you for considering WEB!!
Free Weekend Food Program
The 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.
About Every Meal:
- 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, and
- Families may choose from a variety of different weekend meal bag options.
Please complete the enrollment form here or contact Katie Monroe (kathryn.monroe@spps.org) to enroll your child.
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.
From the High School IB Program • Help Needed
Middle School Families:
The IB Diploma Program at Highland Park Senior High School is inviting parents, guardians, and community members to volunteer to help monitor our IB Exams in May. The exams run each school day from May 2 to May 18.
This job is not glamorous, but it is an important aspect of our Diploma Program, and your help is most valuable and appreciated! Please go to the SignUp link below and consider registering for one or more spots. Encourage friends to sign up, too!
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
- Click this link to see our SignUp: https://signup.com/go/MAZfKxT
- Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like. Scroll down the page to see the available slots.
- Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.
Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.
Thanks so much for considering this opportunity to help our students at Highland Park Senior H.S.!
R. Lee Stagg, IB DP Coordinator
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.
No Fast-Food 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.
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