The Scot's Scoop

Archived family newsletters for 2025-2026

Monday, January 19: No School - Martin Luther King, Jr holiday

Tuesday, January 20: No School for students/No Flipside

Wednesday, January 21: No School for students/No Flipside

Thursday, January 22 (A day):

• 4:45pm Knowledge Bowl at John Glenn Middle School

Friday, January 23 (B day)

Monday, January 26 (A day)

Tuesday, January 27 (B day)

Wednesday, January 28 (A day)

Thursday, January 29 (B day): End of quarter 2

Friday, January 30: No School - staff development

Monday, February 2 (A day): Start of Quarter 3

Tuesday, February 3 (B day)

Wednesday, February 4 (A day)

Thursday, February 5 (B day)

• 6:00-7:00pm Washington D.C. parent meeting

Friday, February 6 (A day): Team day is postponed

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.

Dear Families,

Because of the increased federal agent activity in the Twin Cities, SPPS is offering a temporary virtual learning option starting Thursday, January 22, for families who don't feel safe sending their kids to school.

The key things to know are:

• Deadline: You must fill out this registration form by 8p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 18. If you miss the deadline, you can still register but there may be a delay to start virtual learning.

• No School: There is no school on Monday, for MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 19), or Tuesday and Wednesday (Jan. 20-21) while teachers prepare.

• School Resumes: School starts back up for everyone (virtual or in-person) on Thursday, Jan. 22.

How it works:

• You don't lose your spot at your current school.

• Once you pick virtual, you have to stick with it for the duration of this temporary period. If you choose to switch back to in-person, there is a process for that through the district office and may cause delay to transfer back to in-person.

• Families whose students receive services will get a call from a teacher to discuss details.

• Those who registered to Online School should have received communication for how they can transfer back to HPMS Temporary Virtual Option. If not, please contact your school counselor.

If you are sending your kids in person, we have robust district protocols established to protect the well-being of every student on campus. These policies strictly prohibit any external law enforcement or outside agencies from entering our buildings or accessing students without a valid, signed judicial warrant. The district is working with the Mayor and Police to keep things safe. Doors are locked, and visitors are screened. If you keep your kids home but don't choose the virtual option, just report the absence like normal.

Other Important Reminders & Support for Families

Food Pantry

Highland community, and Every Meal are collaborating on efforts to provide food assistance to those needing the service. Please see the flyer below for more information on how to get these resources or help contribute to the efforts. In addition, the district will also do food drops once a week to families choosing the temporary virtual option.

Emergency Contacts
Make a list of important phone numbers, including family members, friends and local organizations that can provide assistance. Keep this list in an easily accessible place. Please contact your school or log into your Infinite Campus Parent Account to verify and update your information. If you have questions on this, you can email Heather.vasquez@spps.org for support.

Public Directory Information
Per school district policy, certain information about students is public (including name, date of birth, grade and school). Parents have the right to “opt out” and make this information private. Please contact Student Records at 651-632-3764 and visit spps.org/families/student-records/student-records-your-rights for more information.

Family Plan
Discuss and create a plan with your family. Decide on a safe place to meet and how to communicate if you are separated. We are happy to connect you with resources, so please reach out.

Important Documents
Keep copies of important documents (e.g., passports, birth certificates, medical records) in a safe and accessible place. Consider storing digital copies securely online.

Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA): A DOPA is a document that allows you to designate someone to take care of your children if you are unable to do so. This person can make decisions about your child's care, custody and property. The DOPA is effective as soon as it is signed and notarized and lasts for up to one year.

Local Resources
The following organizations provide free and low-cost services for families. Please reach out to them directly for assistance.

• City of Saint Paul Immigration Resources
  Phone: 651-266-8989 / Website: stpaul.gov/immigration-resources

• Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
  Watch a webinar in English and Spanish: stpaul.gov/news/know-your-rights-mid-minnesota-legal-aid

• Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  Phone: 877-696-6529 / Website: smrls.org

• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
  Phone: 651-641-1011 / Website: ​​ilcm.org

• Lutheran Social Services
  Phone: 612-879-5258 / Website: lssmn.org

• Law Help MN
  Website: lawhelpmn.org

• A list of private investigation attorney referral can be found here.

School staff are here to support you while you are at school. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to administration, social worker, school counselor or other trusted school staff member.

Please reach out to me 651-744-4929 if you’d like to discuss this option further.

In Partnership,

Hibaq Mohamed, Principal

Highland Park Middle School

SPANISH

Estimadas familias de Highland Park Middle School,

Debido al aumento de la actividad de los agentes federales en las ciudades (Twin Cities), el distrito escolar de St. Paul (SPPS) ofrece una opción temporal de aprendizaje virtual a partir del jueves 22 de enero para las familias que no se sientan seguras enviando a sus hijos a la escuela.

Los puntos clave que debes saber son:

Fecha límite: Debes completar este formulario de inscripción antes de las 8p.m. de este domingo 18 de enero. Si no lo haces a tiempo, aún podrás inscribirte, pero podría haber un retraso en el inicio del aprendizaje virtual.

No hay clases: No habrá clases el lunes, con motivo del Día de Martin Luther King Jr. (19 de enero), ni el martes y miércoles (20 y 21 de enero) mientras los maestros se preparan.

Reanudación de clases: Las clases se reanudan para todos (virtuales o presenciales) el jueves 22 de enero.

Cómo funciona:

• No perderá su lugar en su escuela actual.

• Una vez que elija la opción virtual, deberá mantenerla durante todo este período temporal. Si decide regresar a la modalidad presencial, deberá seguir un proceso a través de la oficina del distrito, lo que podría causar un retraso en el regreso a las clases presenciales.

• Las familias cuyos estudiantes reciben servicios recibirán una llamada de un maestro para hablar sobre los detalles.

• Quienes se inscribieron en la Escuela en Línea deberían haber recibido información sobre cómo pueden regresar a la Opción Virtual Temporal de HPMS. Si no la han recibido, comuníquese con la consejera escolar.

Si sus hijos asisten a la escuela en persona, contamos con sólidos protocolos distritales para proteger el bienestar de cada estudiante en el campus. Estas políticas prohíben estrictamente que cualquier agente del orden público o agencia externa ingrese a nuestros edificios o tenga acceso a los estudiantes sin una orden judicial válida y firmada. El distrito está trabajando con la alcaldesa y la policía para garantizar la seguridad. Las puertas permanecen cerradas con llave y se controla el acceso de los visitantes. Si sus hijos se quedan en casa pero no optan por la modalidad virtual, simplemente reporte la ausencia como de costumbre.

Otros recordatorios importantes y apoyo para las familias

Banco de alimentos

La comunidad de Highland y Every Meal están colaborando para brindar asistencia alimentaria a quienes la necesiten. Consulte el folleto a continuación para obtener más información sobre cómo acceder a estos recursos o cómo contribuir a esta iniciativa. Además, el distrito realizará entregas de alimentos una vez por semana a las familias que hayan optado por la modalidad virtual temporal.

Contactos de emergencia

Elabore una lista de números de teléfono importantes, incluyendo familiares, amigos y organizaciones locales que puedan brindarle asistencia. Guarde esta lista en un lugar de fácil acceso. Comuníquese con su escuela o inicie sesión en su cuenta de Infinite Campus para padres para verificar y actualizar su información. Si tiene alguna pregunta, puede enviar un correo electrónico a Heather.vasquez@spps.org para obtener ayuda.

Información del directorio público

Según la política del distrito escolar, cierta información sobre los estudiantes es pública (incluidos el nombre, la fecha de nacimiento, el grado y la escuela). Los padres tienen derecho a optar por que esta información sea privada. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con el Departamento de Registros Estudiantiles al 651-632-3764 o visite spps.org/families/student-records/student-records-your-rights.

Plan familiar

Hablen y elaboren un plan con su familia. Decidan un lugar seguro para reunirse y cómo comunicarse en caso de que se separen. Con gusto les brindaremos información sobre los recursos disponibles, así que no duden en contactarnos.

Documentos importantes

Guarde copias de documentos importantes (por ejemplo, pasaportes, certificados de nacimiento, historiales médicos) en un lugar seguro y accesible. Considere almacenar copias digitales de forma segura en línea.

Delegación de Autoridad Parental (DOPA): Una DOPA es un documento que le permite designar a una persona para que se haga cargo de sus hijos si usted no puede hacerlo. Esta persona puede tomar decisiones sobre el cuidado, la custodia y los bienes de sus hijos. La DOPA entra en vigor en cuanto se firma y se legaliza ante notario y tiene una validez de hasta un año.

Recursos locales

Las siguientes organizaciones brindan servicios gratuitos y de bajo costo para familias. Comuníquese directamente con ellas para obtener ayuda.

• Recursos de inmigración de la ciudad de Saint Paul

Teléfono: 651-266-8989 / Sitio web: stpaul.gov/immigration-resources

• Asistencia Legal de Mid-Minnesota, Vea un seminario web en inglés y español: stpaul.gov/news/know-your-rights-mid-minnesota-legal-aid

• Servicios Legales Regionales del Sur de Minnesota

Teléfono: 877-696-6529 / Sitio web: smrls.org

• Centro de Derecho para Inmigrantes de Minnesota

Teléfono: 651-641-1011 / Sitio web: ilcm.org

• Servicios Sociales Luteranos

Teléfono: 612-879-5258 / Sitio web: lssmn.org

• Law Help MN Sitio web: lawhelpmn.org

• Puede encontrar una lista de abogados de investigación privados aquí.

El personal escolar está aquí para apoyarte durante tu estancia en la escuela. Si tienes alguna pregunta o necesitas ayuda adicional, no dudes en comunicarte con la administración, el trabajador social, el consejero escolar o cualquier otro miembro del personal de la escuela en quien confíes.

Si desea hablar sobre esta opción con más detalle, comuníquese conmigo al 651-744-4929.

En colaboración,

Hibaq Mohamed, Directora

Escuela Secundaria Highland Park

ACCESS Testing for EL students at Highland Park Middle School will begin February 4th, 2026. Please use the links below to find important information about this test:

Family Announcement Letter - ACCESS Testing (English)

Family Announcement Letter - ACCESS Testing (Spanish)

Family Announcement Letter - ACCESS Testing (Somali)

Family Announcement Letter - ACCESS Testing (Hmong)

Family Announcement Letter - ACCESS Testing (Karen)

Dear Families,

I am writing to provide an official update regarding the staffing for your student's Physical Science class, with Ms. Timmer. We will officially fill the position, and a post of the open position has been posted this week. We will continue to work with Josh Groven, who will serve as the long-term substitute teacher for the remainder of this term and is collaborating daily with the other 8th grade science teacher.

You may have noticed that Josh has been out for a few days last week; however, we want to reassure you that he remains the dedicated long-term sub for this class. He will be back in the classroom and resuming instruction on Monday (January 12th).

The HP Chinese program logo features a bagpipe-playing panda and a quote from Confucius that says, "walking along with three people, my teacher is sure to be among them." (whether you notice good qualities or not, there's always something you can learn to follow or avoid)

You can order red t-shirts ($15), China blue long sleeve shirts ($25) and jade green crewneck sweatshirts ($35).

The short and long sleeve material is heavyweight 100% ring spun (SOFT!) US cotton.

The crewneck is 90/10 cotton/polyester.

Please select your size by Jan 20 with this form https://www.jotform.com/app/241437052757155

(Delivered early February, just in time for Chinese New Year!)

Thank you for supporting our Chinese program and local screen printing shop, Rebel Ink!

Dear Flipside Families, Students, and Staff,

Because of the schedule changes and everything currently happening, we will be postponing the Flipside Family Nights to a date in February. This includes all performances, plays, and showcases. Our students have worked so hard, and I want to make sure their efforts are celebrated. Postponing allows us to still come together and share their talents when the time is right.

Here are a few important updates:

• LEGO League Tournament
  As of now, the tournament is still scheduled for Saturday, January 24. After speaking with the coaches, they will hold a class/practice session on Thursday, January 22 to make up for lost time. Students who normally take the Monday/Wednesday bus will take that same bus on Thursday.
• Debate Tournament
  The tournament originally scheduled for Wednesday, January 21 moved to virtual, but we’re waiting to hear whether it will proceed or be canceled. Families will be updated as soon as we know more. You may also hear directly from Ms. Hartman.
• Knowledge Bowl
  A meet is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, and we are waiting for confirmation on whether it will continue as planned. We will let you know as soon as we receive information.
• Classes for Tuesday/Thursday Groups
  All Tuesday/Thursday classes will still meet on Thursday, January 22, unless we are told otherwise.
• Flipside Schedule for the Final Week of January
  Flipside will run only on Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27.
  There will be NO FLIPSIDE on Wednesday, January 28 or Thursday, January 29.
• Family Take-Home & Alternative Options
  We are working on family take-home kits and other options for students who may not feel safe attending Flipside in person. More information will be shared soon.
• Family Nights (January 21 & 22)
  Both nights will be rescheduled. I am currently working with teachers on new dates.

I want all of our families, staff, and students to know how much I appreciate you. You are in my thoughts constantly. Flipside is built on belonging, and each one of you is an important part of our community. Please know you can always reach out if you need anything—I may not have every answer yet, but I am working on them, and I ask for your continued patience as we prioritize everyone’s safety and well-being.

Thank you for being the heart of Flipside.

Warmly,
Nikol

Each of the 6 teams at HPMS have a monthly newsletter for families. Teachers share what students are learning in their classes for the month, and other important information. You can view your child's team monthly newsletter by clicking on the team below:

6th grade:

Eagles

6th Grade Immersion

7th grade:

Jets

Lobos

8th grade:

Sharks

Tecolotes

We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is essential for student success. Join us for our monthly Family Community Connection meetings!

10/27/25 6:00pm - Slides presentation from 10/27/25 FCC meeting

11/24/25 8:00am - Slides presentation from 11/24/25 FCC meeting

1/12/26 8:00am - Slides presentation from 1/12/26 FCC meeting

2/9/26 8:00am

3/16/26 8:00am

4/20/26 6:00pm

5/18/26 6:00pm

Know your child's Grade Level Norms & Practices and review them together!

These slides can be found below. We kindly ask that you take a few moments to review them with your student. This will help reinforce what was discussed at school and ensure we are all on the same page as we move forward together.

6th grade Slides

7th Grade slides

8th Grade slides

HPMS families,

A few important reminders:

• Calendar Updates: Please check "The Scoop" and our website for the latest calendar updates. We have several upcoming events for incoming 6th graders, including the Showcase and school tours.

• Cold Weather Gear: Please encourage your students to dress warmly. We will continue to hold recess outdoors daily unless otherwise advised by district guidelines.

• Grading Timeline: The final day of Quarter 2 is January 28th. Please check Schoology for the most up-to-date information on student progress. Final grades will be posted to Campus on February 4th.

• FCC Meeting: Mark your calendar and join us for our Family Community Connection (FCC) meeting in person on January 12th at 8:00 AM. The meeting will be led by HPMS counselors and district leads. Topics will include counselor updates and Xello (our academic and career success planning tool). We will be in the library and there will be light refreshments.

• Feed Back for Winter Conference: Finally, I want to thank everyone who attended our Winter Conferences on December 11th. Based on your feedback from the fall, we made several adjustments to better meet the needs of our community, and we want to know how we did. Please take 2 minutes to fill out this survey to help us continue to improve. Your insights are vital to making these experiences meaningful for your students.

  
  

Thank you for your continued partnership!

Best regards, Principal Hibaq Mohamed

Families are encouraged to monitor their student’s clothing selections to make sure they are appropriately dressed for cold weather. Students who do not have the appropriate winter clothing will not be able to participate in outdoor recess.

Per the district clothing guidelines for winter weather, below you will find the "feels like" temperature and clothing appropriate for it:

Under 15 degrees to 30 degrees: Dress in layers

All SPPS students in grades K-12 use an iPad app called Xello to create their Personal Learning Plans (PLP). The app helps students identify their strengths and interests, plan for the future, and explore different careers.

Parents can view the activities and plans their students are working on in class and with counselors though Xello Family. Parents and guardians should have received an email from Xello to activate your Xello Family account on Friday, January 9.

Your Xello Family account will automatically connect you to your student’s Xello accounts when you log in. Visit https://www.spps.org/academics/college-and-career-readiness/xello-family for more information about the program.

If you did not receive an email from Xello to set up an account or need assistance, please contact your child’s school counselor:

Grade 6-Elisabeth Mulvaney 651-744-3399 elisabeth.mulvaney@spps.org

Grade 7-Danielle Seifert 651-744-7582 danielle.seifert@spps.org

Grade 8-Nou Katzmarek 651-744-3400 nou.katzmarek@spps.org

As winter weather sets in, bus routes may experience delays or changes.

Here’s how to quickly check if your student’s bus is running late.

Download the 'Versatrans My Stop' app to your mobile phone in the Apple Store or Google Play. My Stop login information is available in Campus Parent.

Log in to Campus Parent and click on the student’s name you would like to look up. Then click “More” in the left-hand menu and then click “Transportation” to see all of your student bus information, including your My Stop login information. Watch the Transportation Video Tutorial to learn how to look up your student's transportation/bus information, including how parents and guardians can find their My Stop account username and password in Campus Parent.

Click here to view the counselor newsletter for November/December.

Dear Highland Families,

At Highland, it is essential that learning expectations for students are clear and achievable. While we shared this information during opening week and FCC meetings, we would like to reshare the changes to the way we evaluate students’ academic progress this school year, as we close out the quarter. Our school is implementing a research-based grading strategy called Standards-Based Learning and Grading. Highland was selected as a pilot site this school year, in preparation for district-wide implementation for all 6-8 schools starting in the fall of 26-27.

This means we are moving towards consistent grading practices across SPPS middle schools, making it easier for students and families to understand student learning and progress. As an MYP school, this isn’t a huge move for us. However, there are a few changes to consider.

Standards-Based Learning and Grading uses a grading scale of 0-4. As MYP, students are graded on an 8-point scale. We’ve created an adjustment that ensures both metrics are honored. The number corresponds with a description of how well a student understands specific content, ranging from “0 - Insufficient Evidence of Proficiency” to “4 - Extending Proficiency”. Please review the Middle School Standards-Based Grading scale we will be using below.

Things to look for:

• All classes at Highland will use the same rubric template to communicate what students have learned.

• Teachers will use improved criteria to clearly identify the skills and knowledge students are expected to learn in each content area.

• Students will have a better understanding of what content they know and areas where they need additional support.

• Students will have multiple opportunities to improve and demonstrate their learning by retaking assessments. Our goal is to help students recognize their growth.

• Students' grades will be based on 20% formative (homework, classroom practice, etc) and 80% summative (final projects, examination, etc). * See the PowerPoint linked below for more details.

During our FCC Meeting on October 27, Andrew Bacskai, the MYP coordinator, went over this with families. Please see this PowerPoint from the last FCC meeting for more details, or set up a meeting with our MYP coordinator, Mr. Bacskai, at Andrew.Bacskai@spps.org or email individual teachers if you have questions about specific rubrics.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to your students’ learning throughout this school year.

Sincerely,

Hibaq Mohamed, Principal

Registration is now open for the 2027 Washington, D.C. trip!
Seventh-grade families can now sign up their students for this unforgettable educational experience—exploring our nation’s history, visiting iconic landmarks, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Don’t miss out! Learn more and register today at highlandms.spps.org/activities/washington-dc-field-trip.

Breakthrough Twin Cities (BTC) is a six-year, tuition-free academic enrichment and college preparatory program that helps students prepare for college success. Breakthrough supports 6th graders on their journey to college with an awesome summer program, school year advisor support and college counseling.

To apply, please visit the online application here. Early Action Applications are due January 2, 2026. Regular decision deadline is March 20th, 2026.

Have more questions- please contact BTC Program Manager, Simon Lee, at slee@breakthroughtwincities.org.

To have your student attend, please reach out to please contact Elisabeth Mulvaney, HPMS 6th grade counselor at 651-744-3399 or email at elisabeth.mulvaney@spps.org.

Healthy eating is so important for children. At HPMS, we work hard to ensure students receive a healthy breakfast and lunch each day to support their developing brains and bodies. Research shows that children who eat regular, nutritious meals are more likely to attend school and be engaged in learning.

We are excited to partner with Every Meal again to offer a free weekend meal program to all our students.

Every Meal is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to fight child hunger through community and school partnerships. They strive to make a difference in children’s lives by focusing on food gaps like weekends, school breaks, and summer when they can’t receive food in school.

• Free for all families
• No qualifications required
• Students enrolled in the program will receive a 4-5 pound bag of nutritious, nonperishable food each week
• Every Meal does not collect information from families; privacy is protected
• Families may choose to participate in the program anytime throughout the school year
• Families may choose from a variety of different weekend foodbag options

If you wish to participate, please fill out our enrollment form which can be found here. Or feel free to reach out to Katie Monroe, one of our social workers, at kathryn.monroe@spps.org or 651.744.4616.

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, parents have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of their student’s classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. Parents who would like to receive this information should write to the Human Resource Department, Attn: ESSA Teacher Qualifications, Saint Paul Public Schools, 360 Colborne Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102-3299. You have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teacher(s).

• Information about whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
• Information about whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;
• Information about whether the teacher is teaching (subjects or content) in which proper certification is held by the teacher.
• Information about whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

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