Monthly Archives: November 2018

Editorials/Student Voice, School Life

The first senior class field trip of 2018

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On November 2, the class of 2019 had their first senior class field trip. The senior class field trips are planned by the senior class counsel. Usually, there are about three trips a year, and they are used to promote bonding within the graduating class. This year’s first field trip was to Grand Slam.

The field trip sounded fun, a day full of mini gulf and lazer tag, but that wasn’t the part some people were upset about.

The field trip was announced just several days before the field trip was to take place. People were upset by the short notice of the trip, and some people felt that the trip wasn’t advertised enough. Some people didn’t even know the trip was happening.

I asked a senior, in my math class, if she was excited about our first senior field trip of the year, and she looked at me with a very confused look. She told me, “I didn’t even know we had a senior field trip planned. When is it?” When I told her it was the upcoming Friday (given I had this conversation on Tuesday, the 30th of October), her confusion turned to irritation. “How are we supposed to find out anything when it’s all last minute?”

She was not the only one feeling this way. When the whole field trip was announced, students only had a couple of days to get the slip and return it back to the counselor’s office before the deadline.

Even though I do see where all the frustration came from, I think we should’ve cut the council some slack. According to one of the council members, the trip was more difficult to plan than anticipated. They were trying to find other places to have the field trip, but all those places didn’t work out.

Our next field trip will be during the winter and is probably going to involve a lot of snow. With all the constructive critisism they recived, I believe the senior class council will try to communicate dates and events more efficiently.

Movies/TV/Theaters

Does T.V. rot your brain?

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Most people, if they have ever looked at a T.V. for too long, have been told that it would rot their brain. But does it really rot it? Well, it turns out your brain isn’t going to rot like a fruit, but there is evidence of it being harmful to your brain when you are young.

According to an article on Scientificamerican.com  watching T.V. at a young age, for prolonged amounts of time, can increase the chance of the child being more antisocial, obese and of having mental health problems. Also, “Previous studies have shown that for each additional hour of television watched in childhood, the odds of developing symptoms of depression increase by 8 percent and the odds of being convicted of a crime increase by 27 percent. And other findings suggest that for every two hours watched in one’s youth, the odds of developing type 2 diabetes increase by 20 percent.”

So, it does seem like watching too much T.V. can lead to some major problems later on in life, but in a recent study they tested pairs of siblings to see any genetic correlation between a person and T.V. The test showed that there seems to be a correlation between people’s genetics and T.V. In the article, they said, “Children with increased predisposition toward aggressive behavior may be more drawn to TV.”

“Similarly, those who are genetically inclined to depression or obesity may be more likely to spend their free time watching T.V. in the family room rather than shooting hoops on the basketball court.”

So, there’s evidence that the problems found in the original research would have happened anyway because that’s in their genetics.

The answer to the question of if T.V. rots your brain or not, seems to be that T.V. can have harmful effects on your brain if you watch it for too long at a young age, but also whatever might happen to you because of watching T.V. might happen to you anyway.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-tv-rot-your-brain/

Local, School Life

Give to the Max Day 2018

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Give to The Max Day (GTTMD) is a day across Minnesota where people are encouraged to donate to non-profits and schools all over MN.

This year, Give to The Max Day is on November 15th.

GTTMD was first started in 2009. When Give MN, a group dedicated to making Minnesota a better place to live, launched in 2009, GTTMD was an idea they came up with to promote their launch. In the first 24 hours of their first GTTMD they raised $14 million dollars. Ever since then, GTTMD had been an annual tradition.

People interested in donating can visit GiveMN.org.  They can search for the non-profit of their choice, or look for different causes to find a non-profit or school doing work they want to support. The minimum donation amount is $10.

The site is up and available for organizations and donors to use all year long, but on November 15th, Give to the Max Day, people are encouraged to make their annual donation to help their favorite non-profits or schools win prizes. The 24-hour giving period also serves to raise awareness of the benefits of charity and raise the spirit of community giving.

One way you, or your family, can support Highland Park Senior High, is to look up “Highland Park Senior High School” on GiveMN.org and donate directly to Highland.

Another way for students to donate, is through the school directly. Here at Highland, the PTSA is trying to get students involved in GTTMD by hosting a fundraiser in all first period classes. Students are encouraged to donate money, and whichever class donates the most by Monday, November 20th, will receive bagels the following Monday.

On November 15th, to help remind people about the event, people are encouraged to wear the color green.

If you or anyone you know is interested in participating, visit the GiveMN website to make a donation.

Movies/TV/Theaters

Exciting new Netflix shows and movies!!!!

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By: Daniela Fernandez, and Maddie Baggenstoss

Every month, Netflix releases tons of new shows and movies. That includes both Netflix originals and lots of other shows for your on-demand viewing pleasure. This month, Netflix has an awesome new lineup of shows and movies.

The Outlaw King is coming out on November 9th. This TV show is about Robert the Bruce, who was the King of Scotland. House of Cards season 6 came out on November 2nd. Brainchild also came out on November 2nd, and is a science show directed to kids. Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj started on November 4, and has new episodes every week. This show is a comedy about current events. Westside is a reality TV show about aspiring musicians, and it comes out on November 9th. She-Ra, Princess of Power comes out on November 16th, and is a reboot of the original from the 1980’s.

All you holiday lovers get ready for some holiday movies! One of the movies is The Christmas Chronicles on November 22nd. The movie tells the story of 2 kids trying to capture Santa, but who end up having to accompany him and his elves as they try to save Christmas. Another holiday movie is The Holiday Calendar, which was released on November 2nd. It is about a magical calendar that grants wishes. The next holiday movie is The Princess Switch, and it comes out on November 16th. This movie is about two identical girls trading places. Another holiday movie is A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding which will come out on November 30th, and is the sequel to A Christmas Prince. The final Christmas movie of this month is the Netflix original Angela’s Christmas which was released on the 1st. And for those of you who are not quite ready to say goodbye to the spooky season, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is bringing a twist on the original story to Netflix. It was also released on November 1st.

The classic Sixteen Candles is also making its debut on Netflix and came out on November 1st. It follows a day in the life of Samantha, whose parents forgot her 16th birthday. The second season of Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Gauntlet is coming out on November 22nd. A good pick for Marvel fans this month is Doctor Strange, released on November 1st. On November 4th, Netflix is adding Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, the third installment in the series. If you’re into documentaries, Jiro Dreams Of Sushi tells the story of a sushi restaurant that aims for perfection. It comes out on November 22nd.

Advice/How To

How to destress from college applications

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It’s that time of year where senior’s are the busiest with college applications. This is the time when you get to apply to those schools you have been dreaming to get into, and it can be exciting but, it is a long process and can get very stressful. We have to remind ourselves that we need to take some time for ourselves to destress a little. Here are some tips on how to do that:

Take breaks. After working for several of hours, you can get tired and you’re most likely not understanding what your reading. It’s good to take breaks because you can have that time to just destress and step away from the computer screen. This is a time when you can really just close your eyes and really focus on your breathing.

Be yourself. I know that when writing college essays, it can be be hard because you want to write a good college essay, but sometimes, students write college essays that they think colleges want to hear. A lot of the times, they just want to get to know you and that’s why it’s important to be yourself when writing these essays. They want to hear what you went through  and how it made you the person you are today, and you just need to remember that.

Ask for help. Sometimes, you can be in over your head and you don’t think you’re doing things right. It can be helpful to have one look over things for you just to make sure you’re on the right track. This can be beneficial to you because you can get feedback and notes and can make changes before you hit that submit button.

 

School Life

PBE matrix

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The PBE matrix, or Positive Behavior Expectations matrix, for HPSH can be found in, if all, most classrooms. It is separated into 8 columns: Before school, Classroom, Halls, Cafeteria/courtyard, Bathrooms/locker room, Event/assemblies, Bus/parking lot, and After school.

Recently, the administration has made it a goal to reinforce the matrix, which was introduced to students at the beginning of the year grade level meetings.

The Before school expectations include: being timely to classes, following dress code, using appropriate language, coming to school prepared, being alcohol/drug free, and respecting others.

The Classroom expectations also include: being timely, being respectful, using appropriate language, and being alcohol/drug free. Along with this, students are expected to be engaged in class, listening and following instruction, being prepared, turning in work by deadline, and having electronics put away (directed by staff).

The Hallway expectations include: appropriate language, being respectful, walking/talking, being alcohol/drug free, and arriving to class on time. Students should otherwise be in possession of a hallway pass.

The Cafeteria/courtyard expectations include: appropriate language use, being respectful, and being alcohol/drug free. In addition, to these expectations students are also expected to walk, throw garbage away, and follow staff directions.

The Bathrooms/locker room expectations also include: appropriate language, being respectful of privacy, and being alcohol/drug free. In addition, students should use bathrooms at passing time, or return promptly to class. They should put away electronics, wash hands, flush, and respect others personal property.

The Events/assemblies expectations include: appropriate language, being timely, and being alcohol/drug free. Students should be attentive/engaged, sit in assigned area, silence electronics, follow staff directions and enter/exit as directed.

The Bus/parking lot expectations include: using appropriate language, cleaning up, following alcohol/drug free expectations, following road signs, bus safety rules, and listening to bus driver’s expectations.

After school expectations include: using appropriate language, following staff instruction, going to adult led activities (directly), following all after school policies, keeping track of Schoology, Campus, and email, and respecting others, along with being alcohol/drug free.

The hope is that students will feel more comfortable in school if they follow the matrix as everyone would be doing what they should be doing. Following the matrix would also hopefully help students be more productive, because there would not a lot of extra distractions.

In the end, without the matrix, school would be a lot less structured, and there would be a lot more chaos.

Advice/How To

How to have a better relationship with your teachers

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When beginning school, everyone has the mindset that they want to start school off strong, and do well, and finish off that year. It will be hard, but there are tips and tricks that will help you figure out how to do your best. Teachers play a big role in this because they will be the ones helping you make sure you try and get the best possible grade, but that’s only if you let them help you.

 Starting off my freshamn year, I went into high school thinking that I would be able to do things on my own and be independent. I really just wanted to prove to myself and others that I was able to do things without any help.

Things started off great at first but I eventually started to feel hopeless and felt like I wasn’t doing anything right.

By quarter 2, things started to get harder as we were getting to learn new things. I would always just tell myself that I didn’t need to ask the teacher for help, and i would just figure it out on my own, but then I saw that my grades began to slip.

My self confidence in myself began slip, and I knew that it was time to ask my teachers for help.

When I decided to ask for help, I realized that I didn’t need to be alone, and I had wonderful teachers to help me out. As I started to ask for help, I realized that I got to become closer to these teachers, and I realized that we got along pretty well.

One techer in particular became one of my favorites and I ended being in her class all four years of high school whether that was taking a coure of becoming a TA.

Now, I have realized that asking teachers for help is a good way in helping you become closer with teachers, because they really do help, and you can spark a realtionship with them that you will get to look at later in life.

Adapted Soccer, Basketball, Gymnastics, Hockey, Scoreboard/Schedule

Sports schedule for: Nov 12-18

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MONDAY DATE:  November 12, 2018
TIME BUS DEPART EVENT DETAILS BUS RETURN
TBD Basketball: Girls JV Practice Begins vs. Central, Como Park, Harding, Humboldt, Johnson, Washington Middle School
TBD Gymnastics: Girls Varsity Practice Begins vs. Central, Como Park, Johnson
4:00 pm Basketball:  Girls C Squad Practice Begins vs. Central, Como Park, Harding, Humboldt, Johnson, Washington Middle School
7:00 pm Basketball:  Girls Varsity Practice Begins vs. Central, Como Park, Harding, Humboldt, Johnson, Washington Middle School
TUESDAY DATE:  November 13, 2018
TIME BUS DEPART EVENT DETAILS BUS RETURN
7:00 pm Hockey: Girls Varsity Game St. Paul/Henry Sibley Riveters vs Minnehaha Academy @ Minnehaha Ice Arena
WEDNESDAY DATE:  November 14, 2018

 
TIME BUS DEPART EVENT DETAILS BUS RETURN
THURSDAY DATE:   November 15, 2018
TIME BUS DEPART EVENT DETAILS BUS RETURN
FRIDAY DATE:   November 16, 2018
TIME BUS DEPART EVENT DETAILS BUS RETURN
5:00 pm Hockey: Girls JV Game Eveleth-Gilbert vs St Paul/Henry Sibley Riveters @ West St Paul Ice Arena
6:30 pm Adapted Soccer – PI: Varsity State Tournament Mounds View vs. St. Paul Humboldt Hawks @ Stillwater H.S.
7:00 pm Hockey:  Girls Varsity game Eveleth-Gilbert vs. St.  Paul/Henry Sibley Riveters @ West St. Paul Ice Arena
SATURDAY, SUNDAY DATE:  November 17 and 18, 2018 – NO ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED
Fashion/Make-Up

Morphe grand opening

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Morphe (a brand of makeup) just had its biggest in-store launch at the Mall of America on Nov. 3rd. To celebrate the grand opening, makeup artist and beauty blogger, James Charles, made an appearance at the ribbon cutting, and also announced his first collaboration with the beauty brand.

There was also a meet and greet, on a first come first serve basis, and only the first 250 people received a wristband allowing them to join the festivities.

Some of the festivities included getting autographs, taking pictures with Charles, and getting some makeup advice from him.

The store in the Mall of America is the first brick and mortar mall store for Morphe. They started as an online company, and had one stand alone location in California. So the opening of this store was kind of a big deal.

Charles, is well known as the first male cover model, and he has used that fame to start a Youtube channel with over 5 million subscribers. He is known for his makeup tips and tutorials.

Advice/How To

End of the 1st quarter

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By:Maggie Alarcon

When it’s close to the end of the quarter, people tend to start panicking and stressing out about turning in their work on time. Most students leave their work to do, or to turn in, until the last minute and end up getting a bad grade.

Although some teachers are flexible,and extend the due date, or let you turn it in later, you still won’t get the grade that you wanted.

During the end of the quarter, you usually get a summative assignment: either a test, or project, or just work.

Your grade depends on how well you do on the summative and how well you prepare yourself for it. It goes easier for you if you actually put in time and study for it.

The whole week of the end of the quarter is very stressful, and you have a lot of pressure to have everything turned in, making sure your grades are good and everything is in order.