Category Archives: School Life

School Life

Four Seasons field trip

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Students at Highland Park Senior High (HPSH) were given a chance to spend the day with Four Seasons Elementary 4th graders on January 6th, 2017. Students that went on the field trip were from the school’s Newspaper and AVID classes.

When the students arrived at Four Seasons, they were instructed to put their belongings on the back wall of the gym. Every student was given a name tag and a button to show they were students from HPSH. The students were there to be “helpers” to the youth group leaders that were in charge for the day.

After checking in with everyone, the youth group leaders came and had the students stand in a circle. There were three leaders: Sebastian, Vanessa, and Sesay. While two of the leaders were setting up, the third taught the students what to do when the 4th graders arrived in the gym.

When the 4th graders arrived, the high school students paired up and went to choose a number for their small group. My partner and I chose number “4.” Every 4th grader with a number “4” by their name tag was in our small group. We met up near one of the walls of the gym and sat in a circle.

In our small group, we had around eight 4th graders. We went around the circle introducing ourselves. After that, we were ordered to follow the instructions on the back of the sheet of paper we were given. We talked about what were some of the bad things that happen at school. We listed them all. The one that came up the most was “spreading rumors around the school.” We then talked about ways to end these bad behaviors in school.

Soon after, everyone gathered up again and to play a few games with the leaders and other groups. The games played were: Ships Ahoy, Train Dance, and many more. After playing the games, we had story time. Sebastian told us stories about when he was faced with bullying and when he saw people being bullied. The stories were great and full of lessons.

After a while, we were sent back to our small groups and then talked some more. Lunch time came after the small group talk. We had to sit by our small groups for lunch. After lunch, we played a game kind of like Charades. Our group tried, but we only got 8 points.

Once the games were over, after lunch, everyone went back to the front and listened to the youth leaders. Everyone got up and we danced and danced, and at around 1:15, it was time to leave. The trip was fun; everyone seemed to enjoy the retreat.

Every 4th grader had a great time with us (hopefully). The kids really enjoyed the leaders, though some seemed to like them more than others.

Hopefully, we will get the chance to go go back next year to help with the students and upcoming retreats.

Editorials/Student Voice, School Life

Start times: How it will effect more than just high school

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Sleep deprivation. It’s a chronic health problem that’s affecting adolescents today, and to some, it all comes down to having to wake up as early as 5 a.m., just to get ready for school. Everyone knows school starts way too early and it’s been told time and time again that students need more sleep. Lately, school systems have been proposing to have high schools start at a later time, but here’s the catch: often times, this means that elementary school students have to start a lot earlier.

Research done by the National Sleep Foundation has shown time and time again that teens who start school at around 8:00 a.m. or earlier have a higher risk of not performing well in school, than those who start at around 9:00 a.m. If districts were to go forward with this change in start times, it would possibly mean a big change for elementary school students.

One of the biggest concerns parents and the districts have for their elementary students is time management and transportation. Some parents who have to work overnight, and don’t get home until 7:00 a.m., or get up in the early morning hours of the day to get to work, are concerned they won’t be able to supervise their child as they get ready, or be able to drive their child to school on time.

Most districts use the same busses to drop off their high school and elementary students, but if start time changes goes forward, it means the districts would probably have to hire more busses to take the younger children to school, otherwise, earlier school start times for elementary students would have to take effect.

If elementary schools were to start earlier, that means they would get out earlier than usual as well. As stated before, some parents have work during those hours so were would young students go during that time? After school activities would be an option for some, which could help out in the long run, but for the high school students, starting at a later time could lead to fewer or no after school activities.

It’s a debate to surely never end, but the biggest question here is really:

Is it worth it to have high school students start at a later time?

Editorials/Student Voice, School Life

Possible schedule changes for 2017-2018 school year

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The Saint Paul Public School Board is considering changing the schedule layout for the 2017-2018 school year. The board thinks that by changing the number of periods we have each day, and/or changing to trimesters, we as a district can save a significant amount of money per year. Here are some of the options the school board is considering.

  • Having a 5 period days over trimesters instead of semesters.
  • Having a 6 period day with 55 minute periods in semesters
  • Keeping a 7 period day with 47 minute periods in semesters
  • Having an alternating block schedule, “A days & B days”, with 4 periods of 75 minutes each period, in semesters.

Switching over to trimesters could have some benefits but also some complications. Trimesters would allow students to take more classes each year than they would under a 6 period day with semesters. Students could join a support class without risking graduation credits. Some complications with trimesters include a harder schedule to create. Also, any schedule change of the student may have multiple complications as counselors would have to schedule students 3 times per year instead of 2. Trimesters also would allow students to transition more often per year, so that could be good or bad depending on the student.

image2I asked 3 students their opinions on the possible schedule changes and they all had something a little different to say. Cecilia Velazco, a Sophmore, said she would like A days and B days “because it would be different everyday. I wouldn’t get bored all the time.” David Ramirez, a Junior, thinks “Having only 4 period days would get to be boring. Teachers can barely keep student attention how it is now. I cant imagine staying engaged all 75 minutes.” Mayte Rodriguez disagrees, she says “Having 5 period days would be nice. It would allow more time for teachers to thoroughly explain material.  And it might make our homework load lighter”.

Despite your feelings about the schedule change posibilities, in the 2017-2018 school year, it looks like we won’t have a 7 period day with quarters.

School Life

Give to the Max

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Every year our school holds a fundraiser to help raise money for supplies and equipment for the students of Highland Park Senior High. Give to the Max is the fundraiser’s name, and last year the school raised a total of $13,000.

On Thursday, November 17, our school did a parking lot rally! The school’s cheerleading team was there to help, along with parents and students who sold doughnuts and coffee, all while waving signs that reminded people to donate to the school. Along with the parking lot rally, the school also had a website up where you could go on and donate money to the school as well.  

Some of the things that the money will be going to are: school supplies, gift cards for students/families who are in positions of need, equipment for the athletic teams, demonstration materials for the math department, and so much more. With all of the online donations, and donations at the school, Highland Park Senior High raised a total of $13,382.50, though the amount may go up in the next couple of weeks. Highland is sure that the money will be put to good use, and that it will help make great things happen for its students.

Advice/How To, School Life

J.A.M. – How to pass your permit test

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Hello, this is Jane, Alandra,  and Michelle and we have recently received the question: “I’m about to take my permit test what will help me pass ?”

We have all gone through drivers ed, and have gotten our permits, so here are some great methods that can help you out. We would like to say that the permit test is fairly easy and mostly based on common sense, a few laws, and signs.

When teens go to driver’s ed, the first thing they receive is a manual. Many overlook this essential tool, tossing it on their bedside table and completely disregarding it. If you’re smart, you won’t do this though, as it’s like the study guide for your permit test, and along with notes taken in class, looking over your manual is key to acing your permit test. Reading helps information process thoroughly in our minds, helping the jumbled words from instructors come together to make sense. When looking over your manual, take it in as if it is a textbook for one of your academic classes, memorizing key points and phrases. The manual gives you headings, which helps you when taking your own notes. Use this valuable tool to your advantage.

Along with your manual, one thing that really helps is studying with good and specific notes. During drivers ed, you are supposed to be taking in everything the instructor tells you, so notes are really helpful. You should go over the notes you receive and highlight the important things (measurements, traffic laws, signs, and symbols). After you have highlighted what you think is important, then you should look over them, maybe make a game with them, have someone quiz you, and anything else that you will think will help.

Another method to use, besides reading, is observing things as you’re in the car with an experienced driver. It is extremely crucial to ask questions and get comfortable with certain signs, intersections, and proper driving etiquette. Many of the questions on the test are easier to remember once you have asked and/or discussed the laws and scenarios that come with driving. Talk with your parents, go over your quizzes from drivers ed, and you’ll be ready to get your permit!

Overall, the permit test isn’t something you should overthink. With these helpful strategies you’re basically guaranteed to pass. Once you arrive at the facility to take your test, stay calm and try remembering everything you’ve worked so hard to learn. If you’ve studied enough you’ll be out the door and ready to drive!

Clubs and Activities, School Life

Vikings Stadium fundraiser for HP

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This year, students have an opportunity to fundraise for their club by working at the new Minnesota Vikings stadium. The representatives of the new U.S. Bank Vikings Stadium came to our school and offered an opportunity to any sports team, club, or travel group, that needed help fundraising, by allowing the groups a opportunity to volunteer, to work a variety of jobs during a game at the Vikings Stadium.

Some of these jobs involved managing a dessert cart for a suite in the stadium. This meant that you and a group of people would take a big cart of many desserts and go to one of the suites assigned to your group, and offer those desserts to anyone who was interested.

Then, the other job in the stadium is being a runner. This is when a select few are chosen to help bring food supplies, items, and materials to many places around the stadium that request those things during a game.

img_2327Parents are also allowed to volunteer, and work a game as well, as when a single person works one game they raise $100 for themselves to put towards their group of choice. 

It’s a pretty cool experience to work in a place like the stadium because it gives you a chance to see the new interior from the inside, and when your group is on a break, you get to see some of the game from an entrance to the field.

When you work depends on when the Minnesota Vikings face another football team at U.S. Bank stadium, and sometimes, there will be other special events that you can volunteer to work at as well, like a monster truck rally, or a monster supercross, etc.

I have worked 2 games this season so far and I have raised over $200 for a couple of clubs and groups that all work together to help fundraise. I think this is a great way to help raise money for your group while working at the new U.S. Bank stadium.

Editorials/Student Voice, News, School Life

Trump mural is painted over

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Note: for this article we did a follow up on our previous Trump interview.

We conducted the exact same survey, we gave in the fall, about Donald Trump, except with one additional question. We wanted to see how people would react to the Trump mural after it was covered in spray paint, and how they feel about him post election. Answers ranged from strong political responses, to simply not caring at all. Every survey was anonymous and distributed to a large diverse group of students. The overall reason for this survey was to obtain a better understanding of how students feel at Highland Park Senior High.

We prompted our census takers (students aged 14-18), with the question regarding how they felt about Donald Trump and his election as president, and the responses were nearly identical across the board. The following are some that summed up the views of the census, but explained their thoughts rather than just “yuck” or “ew.”

“I hate him. He’s an egotistical, racist, sexist, homophobic, and Islamophobic moron who pretty much personifies everything wrong with America.”

“I think he is a horrible person. He is sexist, racist, and definitely not a person who should be leading anything, much less our country.”

“Considering my hispanic background and my identity in general, I fear a Trump presidency.”

“The very thought of him as president makes me sick.”

Following the question regarding their viewpoints on Donald Trump we asked if the painting on the third floor evoked any emotion from them. There was more variation in their answers to this question. Some students were neutral to the painting, as there was no ill intention behind it, while others were angered by the concept of such a controversial figure.

“It represents something different than when it was painted but it still makes me uncomfortable.”

“I dislike it but the artist did not have poor intentions.”

“If it makes people feel uncomfortable or unsafe it should be removed.”

“I feel very disgusted that a painting of him is on our third floor. A person like him should not be painted in our school as if it praises him.”

“I am not a fan, but I don’t think you should be able to restrict people from painting what they want.”

Recently the painting had been painted over with black paint, and though it is not known who the culprit is, many students have voiced their opinions on whether they agree with the individual or not. Out of our census the majority thought that even though they don’t like Trump, art shouldn’t be censored. Others believe that there should be something less controversial in that space.

“It doesn’t seem appropriate anymore. There is nothing wrong in painting over something that makes people feel unsafe or uncomfortable, especially in a school environment.”

“Although it would be considered vandalism to paint over someone else’s art work, in this case it makes me feel safer. I don’t feel comfortable with a picture of a disgusting man in our school.”

“He hasn’t acted on any of the terrible things he said, so there is no reason to censor it.”

“I understand they were trying to make a statement, and I appreciate that, but vandalism is illegal.”

We felt that it was necessary to do a follow up on our first Trump mural article because we wanted to give our Highland Park community a voice. We also wanted to see if their opinions changed since the mural’s vandalization occurred. We got an array of answers but not one that was pro Trump, which did not surprise us whatsoever.  

All in all, this article was done as a piece that not only Alandra, Michelle and Jane wrote, but also our peers from Highland.

Editorials/Student Voice, School Life

6 period school days

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While the St. Paul Public School Board is still deciding whether to change the school start times, a motion for days to be cut down to 6 periods is already in motion. The current school day at Highland Park Senior High consists of 7 classes spanning about 45 min each with a lunch of 20 min in the middle of the day. This new format would have 6 classes spanning about an hour each and with the same lunch time of 20 min. This system, much like the the school start times, could benefit students and hinder them at the same time.

Many students will have one type of class that they enjoy taking, and they will take that type of class every year. For example, many students like band, orchestra, art classes, and PLTW technology and engineering classes, and they will take one of these classes each year. This can benefit the students in a few ways. They can learn more about things that interest them, and colleges will give thousands of dollars in scholarship money to students who take these classes each year. When the school changes from a 7 period to 6 period day, students will no longer have that extra period to take a class of their choice. They would likely need to take a specific class to earn the correct credits.

A benefit of a six period day is that it will give more focus on the core classes of: math, science, English and history. This can be good because some classes like study hall have the same amount of time as science or English classes. This will limit the number of classes that don’t pose much benefit, such as study hall. Giving more time to the classes that need more time to learn will make it easier on students and teachers.This will allow teachers to not rush classes or deadlines because of the short time students have in class. This might limit homework with more time in class to work on assignments.

In the end, the change to 6 periods can benefit some people more than others. Some people, such as the people who always take an elective of their choice, will be rather hindered by this change. However, people that take all sorts of classes, and do not prefer to take one specific type of class, may benefit more by the change.

School Life

HPSH Student Election 2016

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On Tuesday, November 8th, we had our HPSH presidential election. 43 other Saint Paul Public Schools also participated in a mock election.

As students of HPSH, we were able to vote for more than just the presidential nominees. On the ballet, students voted for who they wanted to be President but also who they wanted to represent them as a U.S. Representative, State Representative, and State Senator along with a few other things including whether or not state politicians should set their own salaries.

All  students participated in the election. During students’ social studies classes, they were brought down to the library to sign in and fill out their ballets. The next day, during the afternoon announcements, they announced the school results. Hillary Clinton won the presidential election by 70%, Betty McCollum won as U.S. Representative, Dave Pinto won as State Representative and Richard Cohen won as State Senator. HPHS also voted no, they didn’t think state politicians should set their own salary.

Student elections in schools is a good way to get kids used to the voting process. It also helps them understand that voting is a privilege that we have as citizens of the United States. Next election, almost every Highland student, that is a Senior right now, will be able to officially vote.

School Life

Highland Park Senior High School Student & Staff Experience

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Ever since freshman year, I have learned many things about Highland Park Senior High and have met lots of teachers who work hard to provide the right education for all students of the school.

Highland Park Senior High has grown into a bigger and broader place for students of different ethnicities and cultures to come and be a part of a student body where you meet new people and experience all sorts of new things.

There are many teachers in the school that have been around for quite some time, and all of them work with the students to help them in any way be successful and confident in school.

I talked to one teacher who has been at Highland Park Senior High for nearly a decade

Kathryn Menke:

“I am a teacher here at HPSH – I currently teach Health but have also taught Human Geo, World History and Health Careers. I have been teaching at HPSH approximately 10 years. I appreciate the community here at HPSH.  I admire the dedication, commitment, hard work, and willingness by staff, students, families, and administration to work together to create a strong, successful, and supportive environment here at HPSH for all.”

Students of Highland Park Senior High are very polite and friendly when meeting others, and lots of people meet mostly through the various clubs and activities Highland Park has to offer to its students. One thing that people suggest when in high school is to get involved

, and meet new people. For me, I have done just that because I have met lots of teachers who I get along with very well outside of class, and friends who I met during my freshman and sophomore year. I’ve been getting involved with many new things since freshman year like archery club, and FFA, and Robotics, etc.

As a junior, I have experienced many things at Highland Park Senior High, and I still have a lot to do before senior year, but I am glad to have been involved in lots of clubs and activities throughout my time so far in high school.