The Scots' Scoop
Highland Park Middle School's Weekly Family Newsletter
March 20, 2022
All translations are computer generated.
We apologize in advance for any unintended errors.
March is Women's History Month
"One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.”
- Michelle Obama • American attorney and author & former First Lady of the U.S.
Upcoming Important Dates
Mon., Mar. 21 - Fri., Mar. 25: MCA Reading Test (see article below, "MCA Testing March & April")
Thursday, March 24: Spring Conferences • VIRTUAL • 4 - 7 p.m. (see article below)
Friday, April 1: End of Quarter 3
Mon., Apr. 4 - Fri., Apr. 8: • No School • Spring Break
Monday, April 11: Classes resume; Beginning of Quarter 4
Friday, April 15: E-Learning Day • no in-school classes
Mon., Apr. 18 - Fri., Apr 22: MCA Math Test
Friday, April 22: Quarter 3 Final Grades Posted on Campus One-Stop
Mon., Apr 25 - Thu., Apr. 28: MCA Science Test - 8th Grade Only
Spring Conferences March 24
Spring Conferences will be held virtually this Thursday, March 24, 4 - 7 p.m. Conferences are held with your student's Foundations teacher. Families should have received an email regarding conference sign-up in the past weeks.
If you did not receive an email about virtual conferences, please contact melissa.robl@spps.org to sign up for a virtual conference time.
Pre-Conference Meal Sign-Up
MCA Testing March & April
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) tests will be administered in grades 6-8 in this week and in April. All students are scheduled to take the reading and math MCAs; eighth graders also take the science MCAs. Please encourage your child to get a good night's sleep before the testing dates. Here are the proposed dates for testing:
- March 21 - 25 (this week!): Reading Test (in Reader's and ELA classes)
- April 18 - 22: Math Test (taken in math classes)
- April 25 - 28: Science Test (grade 8 only; in science classes)
If you do NOT want your student to take the MCA tests this spring ... If you plan to opt your child out of the MCA testing please email the HPMS principal at charlene.hoff@spps.org, or complete and sign the MCA opt out form: https://www.spps.org/Domain/17563 from the Minnesota Department of Education's website. When emailing or writing an opt out note, please include the date the letter is written, your child's full name, your full name & signature, indicate which test(s) your student is opting out of (for example, Math, Reading, and/or Science). Students who opt out of testing will use the testing time to work on coursework, so the students should come prepared with work to do on the above dates.
If you have questions about MCA testing please contact your child's school counselor:
- danielle.seifert@spps.org (grade 6),
- nou.katzmarek@spps.org (grade 7), or
- elisabeth.mulvaney@spps.org (grade 8).
Masks
Dress Code Expectations
Volunteer(s) Needed for Lost & Found
We are also looking for a volunteer(s) who could organize the lost and found, for example, once a month. If you would be interested in volunteering, again, please contact tami.swenson@spps.org.
Volunteer Opportunity / Field Trip Chaperones Needed
Our 8th grade students and teachers have been preparing for the Junior Achievement activity to take place on March 28th (for the Sharks Team) and on March 31st (for the Tecolotes Team), both dates at the Junior Achievement (JA) Finance Park, located at 1745 University Ave., W., St. Paul, MN 55104.
We are looking for 20 adult chaperones for each day. Volunteers meet at Junior Achievement (JA) Finance Park, located at 1745 University Ave West St. Paul, MN 55104 by 8:30 a.m. for training for one hour before the students arrive.
If you are interested in accompanying the Junior Achievement field trip, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form located on the Families section of the Highland Park MS website or contact Rachel Propson | rachel.propson@spps.org.
Lost & Found: Glasses & Retainers
HPMS Yearbook on Sale Now!
- "Order Your Lifetouch Yearbook" & then underneath:
- "Enter your school’s Yearbook ID code or search for your Yearbook ID code below."
- Then, in the space provided underneath the last message, where it says, "Yearbook ID code," enter the code for Highland Park Middle School, which is: 14645322.
- Then, click "Next" & follow the prompts.
The cost for a yearbook is $20. We thank Ms. Wise for the coordination of this year's HPMS Yearbook!
'Every Meal' Free Weekend Meal Program
Tardy Concerns
If you drive your student to school, & your student is late for the beginning of the day, your student MUST report to the main office first before going to their class so the main office can mark your student tardy (TUN). Otherwise, if your student goes directly to their class from the drop off & not first to the office, they may already be marked absent by their teacher & runs the risk of being charged an unexcused absence (AUN).
If you are dropping your child off at school in the mornings, please make ample time to do so. Our parking lot gets very busy by 8:15 a.m., so please make a point to leave a little earlier so your child is in the building by 8:25 a.m., to get to class on-time by 8:30 a.m. Finally, check your Campus One Stop regularly to keep abreast of your child's attendance.
Please Leave These Items at Home
Cell Phones, Earbuds, Electronics
Highland Park Middle School has a "No Cell Phone Policy" during school hours. Please read more about this policy at this link: https://www.smore.com/pz8km.
Other Items
We are seeing more students bringing stuffed animals (e.g., Squishmallows) and blankets to school. These items are not only distracting, but can become unsafe in a school setting. Please leave these, and other items like them, at home.
Current 8th Graders: AVID for Next Year's 9th Graders
During the past weeks, the AVID coordinator from Highland Park Senior High visited our 8th grade classes to talk about AVID, and how the program might be helpful in the transition to high school and in preparing for college. AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college-readiness program designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in college. Students learn valuable skills in the areas of writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading. AVID is a scheduled class that takes place of an elective.
Students who are interested in entering AVID at any of the SPPS high schools need to complete this application by April 1. If you have questions about AVID, please email Ms. Mulvaney (8th grade school counselor) at elisabeth.mulvaney@spps.org or Mr. Lunning (high school AVID coordinator) at chance.lunning@spps.org.
Schedule Change for 2022-23 School Year
Please see this link for information regarding next year's schedule changes: https://www.smore.com/e9fxc.
COVID-19 Vaccines Available Ages 5 - 17
Experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms?
Please review this updated illness guidance for what to do if your child gets sick or tests positive for COVID-19. The 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.
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
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