The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
November 20, 2022
All translations are computer generated.
We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
November is Native American Heritage Month
— N. Scott Momaday, is a Kiowa novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Monday, November 21: Winter 1 Sports — Girls' Basketball & Wrestling — begin (see more information in article below)
- Thu., Nov. 24 — Fri., Nov. 25: No School — Thanksgiving Day Holiday
- Monday, November 28: FCC Meeting, In-Person, 6 - 7 p.m, Room 1314 (see more information in article below)
- Tuesday, November 29: Students' Quarter 1 Final Grades available on SPPS One-Stop
- Thursday, December 8: Student-Led Conferences • In-Person, 4 - 7 p.m.
- Mon., Dec. 19 - Mon, Jan. 2: No School — Winter Break
- Tuesday, January 3, 2023: First Day back from Winter Break
HPMS Winter Sports Begin November 21
Winter 1 sports start Monday November 21st. All registered participants should have received an email letting them know they are fully registered. If you were missing any forms, you should have received an email letting you know what you need.
- Girls' Basketball will meet in the main gym at 3:15. If a large number of players attend there will be tryouts/cuts. Practice/Tryouts is over at 4:45. Bring athletic clothing and basketball shoes. Do not bring a basketball.
- Wrestling will meet in the lower gym at 3:15. There will not be tryouts/cuts for wrestling. Practice is over at 4:45. Bring athletic clothing, head gear, and wrestling shoes.
NOTE: Middle school boys' basketball begins AFTER the girls' basketball season ends.
Please contact the athletic director if you have any questions. chris.steenberg@spps.org.
FCC Meeting
Agenda
- Introductions / Introducciones
Principal’s Update
Schoology
SCIP - Mid Year Implementation Update
Update from our counselors
Update on Give the Max
Questions / Preguntas
We look forward to seeing you there!
Monday, Nov 28, 2022, 06:00 PM
Room 1314, Highland Park Middle School
Project Reach Toy and Coat Drive
Project REACH is a Saint Paul Public Schools shelter and street-based program that promotes school stability and academic success of homeless children and youth. This winter they are doing a toy and coat drive, hoping to provide our families with some resources for holiday gift giving. Click here for Project REACH's wish list and consider making a purchase if possible. Thank you for supporting our HPMS and SPPS community!
Resources for Families in Need
Know of anyone who needs extra resources for the upcoming holiday season? Below are links to two organizations that can assist with food and/or gifts:
Tecolotes Team Eagle Bluff Trip
The Tecolotes' Eagle Bluff trip is less than 2 weeks away! We are super excited!
On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, students need to be dropped off at HPMS by 7:45 a.m. Bring all of your luggage and meet in the cafeteria.
Please visit this website for more important information and instructions:
https://sites.google.com/stpaul.k12.mn.us/hpms-eagle-bluff/home
—The Tecolotes Team Teachers
College Access Opportunity!
6th Grade Breakthrough Twin Cities Application Now Open
Breakthrough Twin Cities (BTC) 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.
BTC is currently in the process of recruiting 6th graders across Saint Paul and is presenting in classes to 6th grade Pumas and Eagles on Monday and Tuesday (November 14 and 15). The Application Deadline is FEBRUARY 28TH, 2023.
Please visit our website for more information at https://www.breakthroughtwincities.org/student-application/. Click on this 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 have questions, please contact Elisabeth Mulvaney, HPMS 6th grade counselor at 651-744-3399 or email at elisabeth.mulvaney@spps.org.
Thank You • Give to the Max HPMS!
Because of your generosity, we surpassed our fundraising goal through Give to the Max (GTTM) by raising $8,037! Thank you! Proceeds from GTTM will go to support various school programming needs.
If you have not had a chance to donate, you may still do so at https://www.givemn.org/organization/Highland-Park-Middle.
Congratulations to HPMS Knowledge Bowl Team
The students above are one of tour Knowledge Bowl teams. They are (L-R): Cooper J., Elias E., Audrey E., and Syd W.; missing from the photo: Ruby H.
HPMS’ Knowledge Bowl Team hosted a Knowledge Bowl competition here at HPMS on Tuesday evening, November 15, night. HPMS is the only SPPS middle school that has a knowledge bowl team. Many schools from around the metro came to compete.
The students in the photo above won the "Movin' on Up" award. This means they moved up the most rooms (difficulty levels) throughout the night. They started in the lowest level room and ended up in the third highest — this is award is about not giving up! In addition, one of our other Knowledge Bowl teams placed 6th overall!
Congratulations to all who participated, & to their coach, Mandi Jung (also a 7th grade science teacher at HPMS), who organized the event. Thank you also to all of the HPMS parents who volunteered their time, and to Nikol Gordon, our Flipside Coordinator who helped with coordination.
Congratulations Highland Park Cross-Country Girls' Team!
Congratulations to the Highland Park girls' cross country team! After being ranked first all season, junior Luna Scorzelli won the individual title, and the team won the state championship for the second year in a row. The boys team placed 6th in a very competitive field. Cross country is a co-ed sport that is open to 7th-12th graders. If you'd like to join the fun next year, talk to Coach Klatt or Coach Moening and check out the website!
Finally, congratulations also to Minnesota State Assistant Cross Country Coach of the Year, Coach Klatt, who is also one of HPMS's school social workers!
Photo Above:
Front (L-R): Madeleine Klevay, Chloe Koch, Delia Johnson, Luna Scorzelli, Ingrid Haaland
Back (L-R): Coach Klatt, Ziva Westreich, Sam Palm, Amelie Isom, Hanna Koch, Ellie Moore, Grace Lewis-Mosher, Coach Moening
Transitional Life Skills Class Needs
This year, the special education transitional life skills class is taking community outings to Aldi's in order to learn cooking and social skills. Thanks to many wonderful families, we are no longer in need of reusable grocery bags (thank you all!).
We are still in need of:
- $5 or $10 gift cards to Aldi's, Target, Lunds, and McDonalds.
There are two ways to contribute:
- Drop off gift cards at the main office, or
- Make a monetary donation at this website: https://tinyurl.com/HPMSLifeSkills
Thank you for your support!
Thank You!
The nurse's wish list to re-stock the nurse's office has been CLEARED! We wish to sincerely thank you for your generous donations and support our students and the nurse's office!
Application for Educational Benefits/Free or Reduced Price Meals
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