Highland Park Senior High News

Highland Families,

It is hard to believe that this is the last week of the third quarter grading period and that the quarter ends on Friday, April 3. Please connect with your child, review Schoology, and make sure they are caught up on any applicable missing assignments and assessment. Not everything can be made up depending on the due dates, but it is important that students complete all applicable assignments and assessments that apply so they can end the quarter on a strong note as we finish the third quarter and enjoy Spring Break. After the break we enter the fourth and final grading quarter which will be packed with a variety of fun and celebratory end of the school year events. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students and staff. Highland Scots Rock!

Friday, March 27

• IB DP Spring Art Show 5:00-7:00pm
• Benstock Performance in Auditorium 7:00-8:30pm

Friday, April 2

• Quarter 3 Ends

Monday, April 6 - Friday, April 10

• Spring Break - No School

Hello Parents and Supporters of Highland Park Senior High School:

Greetings and thank you for considering signing up to help monitor our IBO April/May 2026 exams at Highland Park Senior High! Invigilating, or proctoring, exams is a most essential part of the IB program at HP and your participation is very much appreciated! Please look over this schedule in the link below and consider signing up for more than one spot if you are able. This is not an exciting job; but community support really makes the exams run smoothly. Once you sign up, you will be contacted with more details.

Please sign up for HPSH IB Exam Proctoring 2026!

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on SignUp: https://signup.com/go/TMfwfiN
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on SignUp)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - SignUp will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!

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.

Highland Park Sr. High School Chinese department recently hosted a spectacular Chinese New Year celebration on Thursday, March 19th. Over 300 Chinese language students, including HPSH Middle schoolers, performed two successful shows featuring a variety of traditional and modern acts. Parents and guests also enjoyed an evening of delicious food and hands-on cultural booths. This student-led event was a resounding success. It was a beautiful tradition that truly highlighted the vibrance of our Chinese immersion and Chinese language program!

Is your student looking for college exploration at St Paul College and Century College? Check this out! We have multiple trips going to each school to help explore your options for after high school.

Fill this out!

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Each spring, Minnesota Public Schools are required to give the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) or the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) to enrolled students in specified grade levels and in specified areas. Most students take the MCA; however, some students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements take the MTAS or Alternate MCA.

These tests provide a snapshot of student learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards. The MCA and MTAS/Alt MCA are used to meet federal and state legislative requirements. The Minnesota Department of Education and SPPS can use results to look across student groups, schools and districts to evaluate equitable learning opportunities for all students. Assessments are designed to provide information about student learning, but there is no single assessment that can provide the full perspective of what a student has learned. These assessments provide one data point that should be considered in the context of additional evidence of student learning.

Highland Park Senior High School students will take the Reading MCA in grade 10 and the Math MCA in grade 11. Additionally, students who are enrolled in a general Biology course will take the Science MCA.

Testing Dates:

April 20 - Reading and Math

*Students will test in their Advisory from 8:30-11:00 (9th and 12th graders will have a study hall during this time). We will run a shortened class schedule for the remainder of the day. A make-up day will be provided on April 21st for students needing more time or those who are absent on day of testing.

April 23rd & 24th - Science

*Normal schedule (students will test in their Biology class).

For more information, visit SPPS MCA Family Information. Questions can be directed to lucia.taylor@spps.org.

Hmong-MCA Testing Announcement 2025-26.docx
Spanish MCA & MTAS Testing Announcement 2025-26
Karen_MCA & MTAS Testing Announcement 2025-26.docx
Somali MCA & MTAS Testing Announcement 2025-26.docx

Students from Highland Park's instrumental, vocal, theatre, media & visual arts programs are represented in this honorable recognition of the arts in Saint Paul for SPARC week! Come support our students, programs, and the amazing talent throughout the district by attending one of these events:

Tuesday, March 31 from 6pm-8pm Ordway Honors Concert and Art Exhibition ($5 tickets available at Ordway Box Office)

Wednesday, April 1 from 6pm-8pm Arts Alive at the Landmark Center (Free Event)

Thursday, April 2 from 6pm-8pm Live & Direct Showcase at the Landmark Center (Free Event)

Hello parents,

As we gear up for the Senior All Night Party, we’re reaching out for your help! We’re currently collecting donated prizes for a special game at the end of the night that all seniors will participate in.

We’re looking for new items that fit a post-graduation theme—things students can use as they head into college or independent living. Some ideas include:

• Dorm or apartment essentials

• Water bottles or everyday useful items

• Electronics or tech accessories

• Gift baskets

• Tickets to sporting or music events

• Company swag that teens would be excited about

If you have connections with companies (such as Apple, Aveda, Sun Country, or others) and could help secure discounted or donated items, we would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you for helping us make this a fun and memorable night for our seniors! Please reach out if you’re able to contribute or have any leads.anne.pavlis@gmail.com

COMPAS Juried art show with over $8000 in artist awards welcomed work Monday March 23rd from Highland Park senior Priya Anderson. Anderson's work exploring icons and works by other youth will be on display in the Landmark Center North Gallery April 2nd-May 7th. The Awards Ceremony is April 16th at 6:30. Can't make it to the EYA Juried Student Art Show? Come see it during building hours, visit landmarkcenter.org to confirm times.

Congratulations to semester one photography students Aaron Sosa, Tayehu (Sintayehu) Hanson, Sylvia Vowels, and Maeve Brady on representing HP Arts for being part of SPARC week at ARTS ALIVE day. And more art is still being added to the display!!

What: an event filled with preK-12th grade Visual Art Showcased and Art Making Activities

When: Wednesday, April 1st 6-8pm

Where: at the Landmark Center, 75 W 5th Street, Saint Paul.

Free for all: This juried event is free and open to the public. Come see student art from all over the cities!

Saint Paul Public Library has some cool things planned just for teens for the week of spring break (April 4-12). Temporary tattoos, micro gallery shadowboxes, polymer clay accessories, and more! Visit sppl.org/spring-break for specific dates, times and locations.

The Highland Park Senior High PTSA is looking for enthusiastic parent volunteers to join our team. When you volunteer with the PTSA, you help strengthen the vibrant school community that supports every student’s success. Whether you can share a little time or a lot, your energy and ideas truly make a difference—building connections, funding enrichment, providing mutual aid, and supporting the educators and students who make Highland great. Stay in the loop and get involved by joining our mailing list and discovering ways to lend your talents, your voice, and your spirit, to help HPSH thrive. The PTSA runs on volunteer power—your commitment can be as big or small as you choose. Please fill out this form and someone will follow up with more details: https://forms.gle/bMeZdSaKiVVRviB9A. Thank you!

The Plant Fundraiser has started! Highland Park FFA is fundraising by selling flowers, fruits, veggies, and more! Your purchase will support students, FFA competition registration, transportation, meetings and you get awesome plants! You can buy plants now until March 30th. This fundraiser is 100% all online, so all you have to do is click the link below and enter in the ID 932. Plants are delivered to Highland Park Senior High on April 29th.

Let me know if you need any help, thank you for your support.

https://www.gertensfundraising.com/.../highland-park-ffa...

Click here to see the 3/20/26 CCRC Newsletter This newsletter highlights upcoming college and career-related opportunities.

Highland Park CCRC - The CCRC is here to help students with college and career planning! The CCRC provides the following resources to students:

• College and Post-Secondary exploration tools

• Career Information

• College Admission, Career and Military Representative Visits

• College Admission test information such as ACT

• Resume Help

• Scholarships
• Financial Aid
• Summer and Community Opportunities

• And more!

CLICK HERE to check out the CCRC website! This site will be updated throughout the year with important information, resources, and opportunities.

Who: Seniors (and parents of all grades)

When: 10 pm-5 am (after graduation at U of St. Thomas, Lee and Penny Anderson Arena, 6:30-8:00 pm) Starting June 1 through to the morning of June 2

What: Free food, free coffee drinks, pool party, DJ and karaoke, video games, team sports, yard games, hair styling, henna, massage, a fun group show to close, and MORE!

Where: at Highland Park Senior High School

Why: say goodbye to classmates and celebrate

Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior Parents:

1. Please plan ahead to volunteer. Mark your calendar! Help decorate on Sunday, May 31st, 3 pm-7 pm - dinner served for volunteers!

2. ***We especially need Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior parents while Senior parents are at Graduation on June 1 to help decorate and set up.*** We also need volunteers from 10 pm to 5 am during the event and for cleanup until 7 am, starting on June 1 and continuing into June 2.

3. Please donate to the event at hpgradparty.com starting today!

Some options after high school! Click here.

Click here for a list of camps!

Camps look great on resumes, college applications, etc

Highland Students and Families,

Please know that there is ban on all overnight parking on Saint Paul Public School properties during the snow-clearing season of November 1 through April 1, staff, students, and the community are reminded that no overnight parking is allowed at any SPPS site. Any vehicle left overnight will be towed at the owner's expense. Please note that signs provided by Absolute Towing (651-337-2149) are installed by all entrances at District lots. Through both on-demand and proactive parking lot monitoring our goal is to ensure safe and efficient access to our sites for staff, students, and community alike. Please see the link to the district policy below.

Monday, June 1, 2026 - 6:30pm, University of St. Thomas - Lee & Penny Anderson Arena

Doors will open for families and guest at 5:30pm.

Looking for ways to say "Thank You" and offer support to the HPSH Teachers and Counseling Department?! The PTSA wants to offer one way to make that easier. Check out this Wish List! If you have any questions, please email: hpshptsa@gmail.com

Feel free to reference this handbook as it pertains directly to Highland Park Senior High.

Parents/Guardians are a valuable resource at HPSH! We want you to have the information and support you need in our joint endeavor of education. Please make note of our school policies, located on our website, which include information on cell phone use, academic honesty, and AI: HPSH Policies. We welcome your questions and feedback; please contact our Principal, Dr. Winston Tucker, for support throughout the school year.

We understand that cell phones are a very important part of our daily lives; however, academic success for our students is most important while they are at school. In alignment with Minnesota State Statute 121A.73 and Saint Paul Public Schools Board Policy 550, Highland Park Senior does not allow cell phone use in classrooms. Cell phone use is only permitted at lunches and during passing time.

Please review the policy with your student to assist in enforcing these expectations.

Daily attendance is an important part of student success. If your student is ill, check SPPS’s illness guidelines at spps.org/studentwellness. Please notify us at 651-744-3803 or email highlandparksenior.attendance@spps.org as early as possible if your child will be absent. Communication between home and school is vital to a positive school experience. More information about consistent attendance can be found at spps.org/attendance.

Use Parent Portal and see your child’s attendance, homework assignments, grades and more. Log on to spps.org/onestop. This valuable tool will provide both information on your student and a means of communicating with your student’s teachers. Report cards are not mailed to homes.

For access, please contact the main office at 651-293-8940.

In-person students may receive one breakfast and one lunch for free each school day under the Minnesota Free School Meals program. As students arrive at school, they can grab their breakfast and eat in class. Hot and cold breakfast options are available.

To qualify as a free school meal, students must take a complete meal, including a fruit or vegetable. If a student does not take a complete meal, their meal account will be charged for the items individually.

• Student Second Breakfast: $3.25

• Student Second Lunch: $5.50

• Milk Only: $0.50

• For a complete list of prices, visit spps.org/ns.

SPPS strives to create welcoming schools where each and every student is seen, known and valued. There are rights students are guaranteed when they are at school as well as responsibilities that accompany those rights. Families are strongly encouraged to review the Rights & Responsibilities Handbook.

Website: https://www.spps.org/highlandsr
Location: 1015 Snelling Avenue South, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-293-8940