The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
April 9, 2023
All translations are computer generated.
We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Monday, April 10: Beginning of Quarter 4
- Monday, April 10: Beginning of HPMS Spring Sports
- Friday, April 14: Day of Silence (see more information in article below)
- Mon., April 17 - Thu., April 20: MCA Testing • Science – 8th grade only
- Friday, April 21: No School • Staff Development Day
- Friday, April 21: Quarter 3 Final Grades available on One-Stop
- Monday, May 29: No School • Memorial Day Holiday
- Wednesday, June 14: Last Day of School / End of Quarter 4
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 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.
Day of Silence- Friday, April 14 2023
HPMS Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is planning their participation in Day of Silence, which falls on Friday, April 14.
Day of Silence is a student-led, national event. It is a day where LGBTQ+ students and allies around the nation take a vow of silence to protest the harassment, bullying and silencing of our LGBTQ+ school community members.
This year, our GSA will be participating in the following activities throughout the week of April 10-April 14: Day of Silence posters, I am Silent For pictures and slideshow, announcements and informing the HPMS school community about taking a vow of silence on Friday, April 14.
Order a 2022-23 Yearbook TODAY!
HPMS Families:
Order your Highland Park Middle School yearbook NOW! The deadline to order a Highland Park M.S. yearbook is this Thursday, April 16, 2023. Order now to ensure that your student will have a yearbook before they leave for summer! The cost for a yearbook is $20.
Last year, there were so many students who wanted to buy a yearbook – in person at school – that we ran out! Therefore, it is much easier to guarantee a yearbook by clicking the link below, rather than waiting in June to purchase one – as there will be a few to purchase on site – then sending money with your student to buy one at school, only to be disappointed that there are none left.
To guarantee your student a copy, here's the link to purchase a yearbook in advance: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/order/LookupJob?jobNumber=14645323.
Volunteers Needed for Junior Achievement Trip
Dear 8th Grade families,
All 8th grade students will be attending a day-long field trip in April at Junior Achievement. We are looking for community volunteers to facilitate the trip. There are two separate days that the 8th grades are attending Junior Achievement:
- Sharks students' trip is April 17, 2023, and
- Chinese and Spanish Immersion students' trip is April 18, 2023.
Volunteers will need to get themselves to Junior Achievement Finance Park, located at 1745 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55104, by 9:00 AM on the day of the trip. Volunteers should plan on being at Junior Achievement Finance Park until 2:30 PM.
If you are able to make time to volunteer, then please fill out this Google Form. If you have any questions, please contact the trip coordinator, Mandi Jung, at mandi.jung@spps.org.
- Sharks Team - Adult Volunteer Interest Form (for April 17, 2023)
- Tecolotes and Chinese Immersion Adult Volunteer Interest Form (for April 18, 2023)
Thank you for your consideration.
DonorsChoose Project Fully Funded –Thank You!
Thank you to all of you who contributed to funding the DonorsChoose Fundraising Project. Items that were purchased because of your generosity include:
- 300 composition notebooks
- 150 Post-it notes
- 4 sets of Latin American countries flags banners
- Tons of classroom posters in Spanish
- 1 portable power station
- 40 scientific calculators
- 30 new lab goggles
- 12 microfiber cloths
- 22 pairs of dissecting scissors
- 12 Post-it Easel Pads
- 150 spiral notebooks
- Several gallons of Dawn dish soap
- 60 sponges
- 1000 wax paper bags
- 18 lbs. of laundry detergent
- 200 compostable to-go containers
- 200 pieces of parchment paper
- 84 cotton aprons
- Disposable dinnerware
We are so grateful for the support of our HPMS community!
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.
SPPS Summer School Registration Open Now
SPPS Summer School registration is currently open, with priority registration closing this Saturday, April 15, 2023. After April 15th, you may still apply for Summer School, but your student may not get the course(s) they wish. All registration forms, in multiple languages, may be found at https://www.spps.org/summer.
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.
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