The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
October 9, 2022
All translations are computer generated.
We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 — October 16
Success is its own reward, but failure is a great teacher too, and not to be feared.
— Sonia Sotomayor, American lawyer & jurist who serves as an
associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
Important Upcoming Dates
- Monday, 10/10: Flipside / EDL begins
- Tuesday, 10/11: Lifetouch Picture Day (see information below)
- Wednesday, 10/12: Mid-Quarter 1 Grades available on OneStop
- Thursday, 10/13: Student-Led Conferences— in Person; 4 — 7 p.m. (see information in Message from the Principal below)
- Thursday, 10/13: Annual Title I Meeting - in Person; 5 — 6 p.m. in auditorium
- Thursday, 10/13: No Flipside / EDL (because of conferences)
- Thu. 10/20 — Fri. 10/21: No School — Statewide Teacher Conferences
- Thursday, 10/27: Student-Led Conferences— Virtual; 4 — 7 p.m.
- Thursday, 10/27: No Flipside / EDL (because of conferences)
- Tuesday, 11/8: Digital Learning Day - Virtual Learning Day • no in-building classes
- Friday, 11/11: Last Day of Quarter 1
- Monday, 11/14: First Day of Quarter 2
Message From the Principal
We are half way through Quarter 1! Some items to share:
Mid-Quarter Grades & Conferences
- Mid-Quarter Grades and Conferences — Mid-quarter 1 grades will be posted on Campus through SPPS One Stop by this Wednesday, October 12. In-person, student-led conferences with Foundations teachers will follow on Thursday, October 13 from 4 — 7 p.m. Emails were sent last week for how to sign up for conferences with your student's Foundations teacher.
- Pre-Conference Staff Meal — It has been a tradition at Highland Park Middle School for parents bring a dish to share to help nourish staff for a pre-conference meal on one of the fall conference evenings. The pre-conference staff meal this year is on Thursday, October 13. The meal theme is a taco bar. Please go to https://signup.com/go/ObrnAYv to sign up to bring a dish or refreshment. Thank you for your consideration!
Scheduling a Meeting with an Administrator
We understand that sometimes it is important to meet with your student's assistant principal, or the principal, to discuss a specific issue. We welcome opportunities to meet with you! When possible, we ask that you make an appointment with your student's administrator in advance to ensure that they will be able to meet with you. For example, sometimes administrators are called to district meetings that take place outside of our building, or they are already meeting with someone, so it's best to connect with your assistant principal in advance to ensure they will be available. To set up an appointment, either contact the main office at (651) 293-8950, or email:
- Hibaq Mohamed • hibaq.mohamed@spps.org • assistant principal of Gr. 6 Eagles & all Gr. 7 students
- Luis Saenz • luis.saenz@spps.org • assistant principal of Gr. 6 Pumas & all Gr. 8 students
- John Andrastek • john.andrastek@spps.org • building principal.
Finally, when possible, we ask that you please avoid coming into the main office to speak to an administrator during school lunch hours, from 11:40 a.m. — 1:40 p.m. Administrators are needed during this time to monitor the cafeteria and be in other parts of the school building.
Regards,
John Andrastek ("Mr. A"), Principal
Lifetouch Picture Day – This Tue., Oct. 11
Order before picture day by going to mylifetouch.com and once there, entering wither the Picture Day ID: EVT7TDRKG.
Flipside • TeenVenture • Outward Bound
Flipside
Flipside after-school starts tomorrow Monday, Oct 10. Students should have received their schedules last Thursday and Friday from Ms. Nikol. If they did not and you have questions, please email her at nikol.gordon@spps.org. There is still room in Flipside if your child is interested in joining. Some classes have filled, but there is still lots of fun to be had.
TeenVenture
Over the weekend of MEA (October 20 -21), Flipside will be sponsoring our first TeenVenture excursions. TeenVenture is a non-school day College and Career Exploration program. Students will choose from a fun educational career centered fieldtrip in the morning and then all will head to an afternoon of excitement such as waterparks, snow tubing, and trampoline parks. There are two TeenVenture trips planned for Oct. 20 and Oct .21. There are limited spots available for each middle school and you cannot register online. There will be paper registration forms in the main office, Ms. Nikol's office and outside the door hanging on the wall of Ms. Nikol's office. Questions? Email Ms. Nikol nikol.gordon@spps.org.
Outward Bound - 8th Graders Only
If you are an 8th grader with good grades, good attendance and are interested in student leadership and outdoor adventure, look no further than Outward Bound. Flipside has teamed up with Outward Bound and some of our Flipside sites. Outward bound is 6 single day outdoor adventures that will explore your strengths and build your skills. Outdoor adventures include the following:
- Thursday, October 20, 2022 • 9:30 a.m.— 2:30 p.m. • Canoeing
- Thursday, November 17, 2022 • 9:30 a.m.— 2:30 p.m.• Orienteering
- Monday, December 19, 2022 • 9:30 a.m.— 2:30 p.m. • Rock Climbing (Indoor)
- Monday, January 16, 2023 • 9:30 a.m.— 2:30 p.m. • Snow Skills
- Monday, February 20, 2023 • 9:30 a.m.— 2:30 p.m. • Skiing
- Friday, April 21, 2023 • 9:30 a.m.— 2:30 p.m. • Rock Climbing (outdoors)
Most adventures are on non-school days, but there are a couple that will take place during school hours. For this reason, students involved must maintain good grades, good attendance, and maintain HPMS conduct. If your student is interested, please contact Ms. Nikol. This program is very limited to registration and will only allow each school involved, 10 spots. Registration is due before Oct 14th. Questions? Email Ms. Nikol nikol.gordon@spps.org.
Spanish Immersion 8th Gr. Eagle Bluff Trip
Hey 8th grade Spanish Immersion families!
We are so excited to share information about our big overnight field trip to Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center! Students received paperwork at school this week (see attachment).
- When? November 30 - December 2, 2022
- Where? Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, MN
- Why? This is our team trip for building community, celebrating student accomplishments as their last year in middle school and getting new experiences outside of school! We want ALL students on the team to attend the trip!
- What do we do on the trip? During the 3 days, students participate in challenging activities such as the high ropes course, rock climbing, team building exercises, archery, hands-on environmental science labs, historical activities about MN, night hikes, a bonfire and so many other fun activities.
- How much? $150 (this includes food, lodging, transportation and activities for 3 days)
- In order to register, please sign the form and send a deposit of $30.
- Pay online: tinyurl.com/eaglebluff2022
If the price is an issue, please communicate with us! There are scholarships available. Our goal is for ALL students to attend!
Fundraising opportunities will also be available. More info to come!
Questions? Contact Dan Bettino (Immersion Social Studies teacher) Email: daniel.bettino@spps.org; text / phone: (612) 548-1490.
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¡Hola, familias de inmersión en español de octavo grado!
¡Estamos muy emocionados de compartir información sobre nuestra gran excursión al Centro de Aprendizaje Ambiental Eagle Bluff! Los estudiantes recibieron información en la escuela esta semana (ver archivo adjunto).
- ¿Cuándo? 30 de Noviembre - 2 de Diciembre, 2022
- ¿Dónde? Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center en Lanesboro, MN
- ¿Por qué? ¡Este es nuestro viaje de equipo para construir una comunidad, celebrar los logros de los estudiantes como su último año en middle school y obtener nuevas experiencias fuera de la escuela! ¡Queremos que TODOS los estudiantes del equipo asistan al viaje!
- ¿Qué hacemos en el viaje? Durante los 3 días, los estudiantes participan en actividades desafiantes como el circuito de cuerdas, escalada de rocas, ejercicios de equipos, arquería, actividades de ciencias ambientales e historia sobre MN, caminatas nocturnas, fogatas y muchas más actividades.
- ¿Cuánto? $150 (incluye alimentación, alojamiento, transporte y actividades durante 3 días)
- Para registrarse, por favor firme el papel y envíe un depósito de $30.
- Pagar en línea: tinyurl.com/eaglebluff2022
Por favor considere donar $$ extra para ayudar a pagar el viaje de otros estudiantes :)
Si el costo del viaje es un problema, ¡comuníquese con nosotros! Hay becas disponibles.¡Nuestra meta es que TODOS los estudiantes asistan!
Las oportunidades de recaudación de fondos estarán disponibles. ¡Más información la próxima semana!
¿Preguntas? Contacta a Dan Bettino (Immersion Social Studies teacher) Email: daniel.bettino@spps.org; text / phone: (612) 548-1490.
No Cell Phones, Earbuds, & Electronic Devices During the School Day
HPMS Families:
Highland Park Middle School does NOT allow cell phones, earbuds, and other personal electronic devices during school hours between 8:30 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
If your student needs headphones for use in the classroom, teachers have headphones available for use.
Since the beginning of the year, a number of students have lost their earbuds & have spent the rest of the day, understandably so, worried & concerned, with some students missing time out of class looking for the lost earbuds. When at all possible, please have your child keep items like earbuds at home. They are expensive, small, and not easy to recover. That being said, Highland Park Middle School is NOT responsible for students' personal electronic devices if they go missing during the day.
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.
Parents/Guardians Must Check In at the Main Office
We always want our families to feel welcome. If you are asked who you are while you are in the building, please know that we must do this to keep our/your students and staff safe.
Aldi Gift Cards Needed for Transitional Life Skills Class
In addition, if you have reusable cloth bags for donation, we would gladly receive those, as well.
If you would like to contribute, please send your items to the HPMS Main Office labeled "Life Skills." Thank you for your support!
October is Bullying Prevention Month
October is Bullying Prevention Month. At Highland Park Middle School we are showing our support in creating a safe and welcoming school environment through a series of Foundations activities. Students will learn about the effects of bullying, how to be an upstander and how to get help from adults when necessary.
We also will be participating in the national recognition of "Unity Day" on Wednesday, October 19. Students and staff are encouraged to show support for kind and welcoming behavior by wearing orange and/or displaying a virtual "Unity Day" icon on their iPad. It is important that we stand united and support our school community-together we can do this!
To learn more about what parents can do to support their children click here: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/parents/helping-your-child.asp
If you have any concerns about bullying behaviors during the school year, please contact your child's school counselor: Danielle Seifert, danielle.seifert@spps.org (grade 7); Nou Katzmarek, nou.katzmarek@spps.org (grade 8); or Elisabeth Mulvaney, elisabeth.mulvaney@spps.org (grade 6).
Application for Educational Benefits/Free or Reduced Price Meals
In Need of Special Education Paraprofessionals
Pick Up Students After Sports Practices
If your student has a sports team practice after school, please be at school in a timely fashion to pick up your student after practices have ended. We have had a growing number of students who are waiting long after practices are over for a ride home. This creates an unsafe situation. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter!
COVID-19 Guidelines
Families should familiarize themselves with SPPS’s COVID-19 Student and Family Guidelines, which cover prevention strategies, health screening and monitoring, and isolation guidelines.
Face masks are optional in all SPPS buildings and on school transportation when community levels of COVID-19 are low or medium in Ramsey County. Masks are required when community levels are high. This applies to all staff, students and visitors (ages 2 and older), regardless of a person’s vaccine status, unless a student has a qualifying exemption. SPPS will notify families and staff if COVID-19 levels are high and masks become required.
If your child is exhibiting any symptoms, do not send them to school, even if they are fully vaccinated. Report the absence to the school’s front office and submit a report to the COVID-19 Reporting System the same day for next steps.
Find more information on COVID-19 guidelines for the 2022-23 school year, including vaccines, COVID-19 tests available to students, field trips and more at spps.org/covid.
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