Highland Park Senior High News

Highland Families,

It has been a great kick off to the new school year. The temperatures are finally cooling off, so the building temperature is getting much more reasonable. It was certainly hot and humid to start the school year. This week we hosted grade level assemblies during advisory in which we went over the school expectations, introduced new staff, reminded them of the various resources that are available to them, and discussed strategies for school success. In addition, the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) hosted the first meeting in which a variety of important topics were discussed. We also hosted the annual Open House so parents can meet their children's teachers and other support staff. Thanks for the continued support for a great start to the new school year. Scots Rock !

JERSEY MIKE'S

Enjoy a great sub and support HPSH Boys Soccer!

Visit the Jersey Mike's store in Highland Village or order on the app (using promo code JMGIVES)

and Jersey Mike's will donate 50% of your sale in support of the program!

WHEN: September 19th (ALL DAY) - September 20th (ALL DAY)
VALID ONLY AT: Jersey Mike's, 2112a Ford Parkway • St. Paul, MN • 651-418-0453
IMPORTANT: Valid in app with promo code JMGIVES or mention this fundraiser in store.

Mention the promo when you order to make sure the program receives your support - and thank you!

CAR WASH

Let the HPSH Boys Soccer Players help get your car looking good for fall with a CAR WASH!

WHEN: September 20th from 2 PM-4 PM

WHERE: Parking lot of Gloria Dei, 700 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116

Suggested donation amount of $10, which goes directly to supporting the players and program!

GO SCOTS!

This year Jostens joins us as our official picture day photographers.

Each student will be given a flyer telling how to order pictures. About a week after picture day, each family will be notified that their photos are ready to order. From there you will be able to customize and order your students' photos online at jostenspix.com/shop. Orders will be shipped directly to your home.

We will put a reminder in the newsletter with information on how to order your students' portraits.

Picture Re-take day will be October 27th.

Questions - Nancy Michael - nancy.michael@spps.org.

Please submit your student's senior photo and baby picture no later than January 8th.

Make sure your student's name is in the submission - especially for baby pictures.

FYI - the best senior portraits are head and shoulder or upper body. Full body portraits with more background than student are harder to see well when printed.

Baby photos be pictures of an existing picture - just make sure there is no glare on the image you submit.

You may have your photographer upload the photos or upload them yourself with this link.

UPLOAD PHOTOS HERE

Questions? Contact Nancy Michael - nancy.michael@spps.org.

The PSAT/NMSQT will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. This test is for Juniors only.

• The test will take the up the majority of 1st, 2nd hour and some of 3rd hour so you will need to be available for that day.

• There is not a cost for the test, but space is limited so please sign up if you would like to take it.

• Students can sign up on Monday, September, 21st through Schoology.

• The PSAT The PSAT/NMSQT takes 2 hours and 14 minutes and consists of 2 sections:

• (1) the Reading and Writing Section

• (2) the Math Section.

• Most of the questions are multiple choice, though some math questions ask you to write in the answer rather than select it.

• More information about how to prepare for the test can be found at:https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/in-school-assessments/whats-on-the-test/psat-nmsqt

• PSAT scores are not reported on your transcript and do not impact your grades at Highland Park Senior High.

Highland is pleased to celebrate the following students for being recognized for the College Board National Program Award for their academic accomplishments:

Maxwell Andresen

Amelia Matthes

Henry Nesje

Joseph Nhkum

Maxwell Andresen also had a perfect score on the PSAT last fall and is our only National Merit Semi Finalist this year! Big congrats to him!

Dear Highland Park Senior High School Community,

We are excited to celebrate our annual Homecoming event this school year starting on Monday, September 28 and culminating on Saturday, October 3. As part of Homecoming, we celebrate the following school and community events:

Spirit Week Daily Themes

Pep Fest

Homecoming Court

Homecoming Dance

Power Puff Football Game

Tailgating prior to the Football Game

Homecoming Football Game

While there are many positive aspects of Homecoming, unfortunately every school year there is a group of students who engage in destructive mischief late in the evening in the community during Homecoming Week. Activities include but are not limited to throwing toilet paper in trees, dumping garbage on lawns, throwing eggs at houses and much more. These activities are usually between juniors and seniors who generally know each other. Some students and parents view these as harmless pranks. They are not harmless and tarnish the positive aspects of Homecoming despite not being affiliated with Highland nor Homecoming. I am respectfully requesting that parents carefully monitor the whereabouts of their children during Homecoming week and not allow students to participate in any negative activities.

Thank you for your continued support of Highland Park Senior High School and for helping to keep our community safe and helping our students make wise and positive choices.

This is a paid youth leadership opportunity for students in 9-12 grades! This year’s focus is on Teen Health Literacy. You will build leadership, advocacy and communication skills, help develop and lead a statewide Teen Health Literacy campaign, Use your voice to improve teen health across Minnesota, and get paid for your time! There are two meetings a month (virtual) on Saturdays starting Oct. 17. You will also go to the Minnesota School Based Health Summit on Thursday, Oct. 29 at St. Kate’s University. Here is the application. If you apply be sure to check your email and set up a virtual interview time.

Feel free to review slides from opening meeting.

This will help you with next steps and getting scholarships. Click here!

CCRC Newsletter

This newsletter will go out every other Friday and will include information/resources related to college & career planning! It's important that students are reviewing it so that they can stay informed about opportunities they might be interested in or resources that they could use to support their college & career planning.

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. You may also reach out to the PTSA directly at: hpshptsa@gmail.com. Thank you!

Highland Park Fall Sports is in full swing, with our student-athletes competing and representing the Scots across the Twin Cities. From home contests to invitationals and conference competition, our fall programs are off to a great start.

Cross Country hosted its annual Cross Country Preview in late August and competed in its first official meet of the season in Rosemount, battling both strong competition and Minnesota humidity. The team will host the annual St. Paul City 2-Mile Race on Friday, September 11, welcoming runners from across the city to Highland Park. Check out the Bound website for more upcoming races.

Football opened the season with two home varsity games, including an impressive victory over Richfield. The Scots are on the road next week at Harding. Be sure to check the Bound website below for schedules, results, and updates for all levels of play.

The Sparks Girls' Swim & Dive Team, a co-op team with Saint Paul Academy, made a splash to start the season by competing in the St. Paul Preview and hosting their own meet at Macalester College against Mounds Park Academy. The team will compete this Saturday at the Laker Invite hosted by St. Catherine University as they continue to build momentum early in the season. Follow the season schedule on the Bound website linked below.

Girls' Tennis has been busy on the courts and recently opened conference play. The team has earned some impressive wins and will compete in a triangular meet on Saturday, September 12, in Cottage Grove against Tartan and Park. Be sure to check out the Bound website linked below to follow both the Varsity and JV teams throughout the season.

Girls' Soccer picked up a strong victory over St. Agnes and looks forward to its next home match against Richfield on Monday, September 14. It will be a soccer doubleheader featuring both the Boys and Girls Soccer programs, providing a great opportunity to support Highland Park Soccer. Be sure to check out the Bound website linked below to follow both the Varsity and JV teams throughout the season.

Boys' Soccer opened its home schedule with an impressive 2-1 victory over Cretin-Derham Hall. The Scots return to action at home on Monday, September 14. They also begin conference play next week. Be sure to follow all levels of play on the Bound website linked below.

Girls' Volleyball opened its season with a strong showing at the Simley Varsity Tournament and hosted its home opener last week against Nova Classical Academy. The program opens conference play next week when the Scots travel to take on the Harding Knights. Check out the Bound website linked below to follow all levels of play.

For schedules, results, rosters, and team updates throughout the season, visit the official Highland Park Athletics Bound website:

Highland Park Athletics Bound Website

Tuesday, November 10, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. via Zoom

https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/93949424557; Meeting ID: 939 4942 4557

TOPIC: International Baccalaureate (IB), Immersion Programs, PSEO

Tuesday, February 16, from 7 – 8 p.m. via Zoom

TOPIC: Career & College Readiness 101, HPSH CCRC Coordinator

https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/95932322733; Meeting ID: 959 3232 2733

*Tuesday, April 27, from 7 – 8 p.m. via Zoom

TOPIC: HPSH Budget Meeting

*This date is tentative and depends on the SPPS budget cycle.

https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/92137737938; Meeting ID: 921 3773 7938

Thursday, May 13, from 7 – 8 p.m. in-person (hybrid: in-person & Zoom)

TOPIC: Elections – PTSA & Site Council

https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/91524808965; Meeting ID: 915 2480 8965

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.

You can now report student absences in advance through the Absence Request tool in Infinite Campus Parent. Review this step-by-step guide and video for instructions.

Communication between home and school is vital to a positive school experience. More information about consistent attendance can be found at spps.org/attendance.

• Student Second Breakfast: $3.50
• Student Second Lunch: $5.75
• Milk Only: $0.50
• For a complete list of prices, visit spps.org/ns.
  
  

Visit schoolcafe.com/spps to manage your student’s meal account, view menus, ingredients and nutritional information, and complete the Application for Educational Benefits.

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.

Parking permits will be distributed in a lottery system to seniors only. Lottery forms can be picked up in the main office on the first day of school. Lottery forms will be due to the office by Friday, September 11. A drawing will be held and students will be notified if they are awarded a parking spot. Spaces will be limited to 30 reserved parking spots and students may only park in the designated student parking spots and must display a parking permit. Any student vehicles parked in the lot without a permit during school hours will be towed at the owner's expense.

Safety is a top priority at our schools. Highland Park Senior High has an Emergency Operations Plan that is created specifically for our school and regularly reviewed. Families receive communication home when an incident directly impacts their students, such as a lockdown. Please review our Standard Response Protocol language, which differentiates safety situations. Exterior doors are always locked and all visitors must sign in.

Families, students and staff can “Send a Tip” at spps.org/safety to confidentially report unsafe behaviors to SPPS Security and Emergency Management. Every tip is taken seriously and investigated right away.

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