The Scot's Scoop

Greetings Highland Park Middle School families! The 2025-2026 school year is quickly approaching. We hope you continue to enjoy summer time and activities! We look forward to seeing everyone at the Open House on Thursday, August 28th. Please be sure to read this newsletter in entirety as there are important calendar dates and information below. Have a good week!

Thursday, August 28: 6th Grade Orientation & Open House *see section below with details

• 6th grade student orientation and parent information sessions 8:00 -11:00am
• Foundation classroom sessions for all 6-8th families 11:00-11:30am
• Open House for all grades 12:00-2:00pm

Monday, September 1: Labor Day - No School

Tuesday, September 2: First day of school

The Smore family newsletter, along with other school documents and notices, can be translated. For the newsletter, click on the button for translation and select the language preferred.

Please view Principal Mohamed's "2025-2026 Welcome Back Letter" by clicking here for English, and here for Spanish.

We are excited for Open House on August 28th, and especially excited to welcome all students back to school on Tuesday, September 2nd! Please read Principal Mohamed's letter carefully as there is much important information in it.

On June 19th, the HPMS Unified Group was selected to be the MN Lynx Jr. Dream Team this year. On that day, the students got to sign a 1-day contract, get customized jerseys, meet the head coach and practice with the Lynx. They were also recognized at the Lynx Game on August 8, being the only group in the whole state of MN to do so! Here are photos from the Lynx Game on August 8th.

Registration for fall sports for Highland Park Middle will open on September 1st. Please make sure your students' sports physical is up to date. Sports physicals can be completed through your pediatrician, or the Health Start program at Highland Park High School.

CLUES’ Youth in Action (YA!) Application for the 25-26 School Year Now Open

*for current 8th grade students*

CLUES is Minnesota’s largest Latino-led nonprofit organization, founded in 1981 by and for Latinos.

CLUES’ Youth in Action (YA!) is a year-round engagement program where students prepare for college and career through mentoring, leadership, fun activities and serviceYear-round engagement program where youth prepare for college and career through mentoring, leadership, fun activities and service. The YA! Program is open to Latinx high school students in and around Saint Paul and Minneapolis who are pursuing graduation and interested in college. Participation is free and transportation is provided for students living in or around the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Metro areas.

CLUES’ Youth in Action (YA!) Program supports and guides Latinx high school students as they work to achieve their hopes and dreams through group activities such as:

• Monthly Leadership Institutes held on a college campus

• Individual mentors, paired one-on-one with students, that are professionals in their field

• Academic support

• College preparation

• Community service-learning projects

• Fun activities and growth experience opportunities

• Educational sessions for parents

Programming is held year-round in alignment with the school year. Coaching Institutes held monthly September through June.

Now accepting applications for the 25-26 school year!

Students Apply Here

The application must be completed by the student and includes demographic information, reference contact information and an essay.

Questions? Please contact yaprogram@clues.org or call 612-403-7691.

At Highland Park Middle School, 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