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Greetings Fellow Scots,
Thank you for supporting us this week. Without your support, we cannot achieve our goals at HPHS.
This coming Wednesday, September 10, is College Night at Highland Park High School. We will have nearly 150 colleges and universities here at school on Wednesday evening, beginning at 6:00 PM. All HPHS students and parents are welcome to attend. There is more information regarding College Night, including a list of schools, coming in a News to Know later today.
We have College Representatives visiting our school every week. Students can sign up in Naviance, but they can also attend even if they are not signed up. Most college reps will be in the college center in the student commons, except for a few larger universities. There is a weekly calendar for reps, and information goes out during daily announcements. There is more information available regarding College Rep visits in this week’s Scots Weekly.
In accordance with new Texas Senate Bill 12, HPISD is required to collect annual parent consent for routine school-based health and counseling services. These services, provided by nurses, athletic trainers, and counselors, have not changed—only the requirement for yearly consent is new.
To complete the form, log in to Skyward Family Access, open “25-26 HPISD Notification & Consent for Services,” and indicate your consent for each child. For details, visit hpisd.org/ParentalConsent.
Thanks and Go Scots!
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PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIRED FOR CLUB PARTICIPATION
In accordance with Texas Senate Bill 12, Highland Park ISD is now required to collect annual parent consent for participation in school-sponsored clubs and organizations. These clubs, sponsored by HPHS faculty, remain the same as previous years. The only change is the new requirement for yearly consent.
| | | | Scottie Joe's is a successful partnership between the 18+ Transition students and the MAPS Business Design and Leadership students. Caroline Beverly, our Scottie Joe’s Barista, and her team are excited to serve up good coffee and good company. In addition to our great lineup of beverages, we now offer corny dogs and breakfast burritos. Scottie Joe’s original location is in MAPS on the 3rd floor. Look for new customer loyalty incentives and pop-up locations to better serve our HP community. Tuesday was our first day, and it was our best opening day yet! Go Scots! | |
PRE-OPEN HOUSE VIDEO! - ALL PARENTS INVITED | |
Student Council is excited to host a video showing of Chris Herren’s The First Day. Please join us on Monday, September 15, at 5:00, in the Learning Theater, EC228. The film is 47 minutes, and then we will release you to follow the night’s schedule for Open House. (We will need to start the film promptly at 5:00, so please allow time to park). This is a great opportunity and definitely opens up an opportunity to speak with your student, as sophomores, juniors, and seniors have had the opportunity to see Chris Herren live last March at an all-school assembly.
Chris Herren and Emmy Award Winning Director, Jonathan Hock, bring you The First Day, a film project and educational curricula presented by the Center on Addiction and Cigna, focusing on the struggles facing youth today. Through the power of storytelling, The First Day addresses issues that school systems, communities, and people across the country are impacted by, directly or indirectly, each day, including substance use, other harmful behaviors, and mental wellness. Chris Herren is able to tackle the most difficult issues with a unique connection that can be felt through the lens of the camera. His words resonate and make an impact with a focus on the beginning: The First Day.
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YEARBOOK MAKE-UP PORTRAITS
Students in grades 9–11 who missed their yearbook photo during summer registration can have make-up portraits taken on Tuesday, September 16, from 8:00 am–3:45 pm on the cafeteria stage.
Dress Tradition
- Boys: sport coat or suit jacket, dress shirt, and tie
- Girls: no halter tops or spaghetti strap tops
For questions, please contact Yearbook Lead Susanne Malins.
| | HPISD VISITOR/VOLUNTEER SECURITY PROCEDURES
HPISD is now using a new security system platform, Verkada, at all HPISD campuses.
Please review the sign-in and sign-out procedures before your first and future visits. We look forward to welcoming you to HPHS!
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SCOTS REWARDS
Scots Rewards - Put your dollars to work for HPHS!
Scots Rewards opportunities are retail loyalty programs that generate donations to fund HPHS needs. It’s free and easy to enroll in these programs, and you will generate money for HPHS every time you shop with one of our partners.
This is a great time of year to update your enrollment to benefit HPHS, especially if you no longer have kiddos at other schools.
Please enroll in at least ONE program!
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Tom Thumb: Tom Thumb will donate 1% of all sales linked to our Good Neighbor number, 13171.
To participate:
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Set up a Tom Thumb for U account through the app or website.
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Email Good.Neighbor@TomThumb.com and ask them to link your account to our #13171. Be sure to include your phone number and Good Neighbor number in your email.
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Kroger: Electronically link your Kroger Card to HPHS PTA. Register HERE
To participate:
- Create or sign into your Digital Account; Select ‘My Account’.
- Scroll down to the ‘Community Rewards’ section of your account page. Select ‘Enroll Now’ or ‘Change Organization’.
- Enter KT815 or search for Highland Park High School Parent Teacher Assoc.
- Select it and click on ‘Enroll’.
| | | BROTHER BILL'S HELPING HAND SERVICE OPPORTUNITY | | |
ERB WRITING ASSESSMENT
Students in grades (4, 7, 11) will participate in the ERB Writing Assessment (WrAP) in their language arts class during the upcoming testing window (September 8-October 3). As part of the district commitment to develop the best writers in the state, we have adopted this assessment to gather information to guide instructional improvements for our students. The assessment will take place in class over two days. On day one, students receive a reading passage and prompt with an opportunity for planning and drafting. On day two, students revise and submit their final writing. The assessment is scored externally with a rubric based on content and mechanics. Teachers and families will receive an individual score report on each student in November, identifying areas of strength and areas for improvement. Additional information on the assessment is available on the HPISD Assessment webpage. Please contact your student's language arts teacher or school counselor if you have additional questions about assessments or your student's progress.
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TEA REPORT CARD
Attached you will find a copy of the State of Texas 2022-23 School Report Card for Highland Park High School. This report is required by the Texas Legislature and prepared by the Texas Education Agency. It is sent to the family of every child enrolled in a Texas public school. The report provides information concerning student performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), College, Career, and Military Readiness, as well as information on student enrollment, class size averages, and financial expenditures. Due to judicial proceedings, the release of the 2023 School Report Card was significantly delayed. Alongside our 2023 School Report Card, we encourage you to visit TXschools.gov to learn more about our school's performance in the 2024-25 school year. Please contact me if you have any questions concerning this report card. Thank you for your continued support of Highland Park High School.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin Hunt
HIGHLAND PARK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Principal – Highland Park High School
huntk@hpisd.org | 214-780-3700
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COLLEGE REP VISITS
Juniors & Seniors: Colleges continue to add Rep Visits dates to our College Center Calendar! Check it out and register in Naviance!
What is a College Rep Visit? Click here for more information.
| | | SCHOLARSHIP & FINANCIAL AID SEMINAR | | |
The HPHS Counseling Office will offer a Scholarship and Financial Aid Seminar on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 6:00pm in the HPHS Auditorium.
We are pleased to welcome our presenter Robert Fishkind--Director of Financial Aid Services, Southern Methodist University.
Parents of sophomores, juniors and seniors are invited to attend, as Mr. Fishkind will cover the following information:
- Illustrating each step in the process of applying for financial aid
- Explaining the federal grant and federal loan programs
- Translating financial aid jargon into easy-to-understand concepts
- Clarifying how your family's 'need' is measured and how your 'need' is met
- Staying on top of timelines and deadlines
- Providing a framework to efficiently search for scholarships
- Discussing options and alternatives if your entire need is not met
**If you have specific questions or topics that you would like addressed during the session, please feel free to submit them using the link below by Friday, September 12th.**
Financial Aid Seminar Questions
After the event, a copy of the presentation will be posted on the Counseling page of the HPISD website for those who are unable to attend.
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Fall 2025 PSAT Workshop
The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It is designed to help you practice for the SAT, qualify for scholarships, and stand out to colleges.
All juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 and we want to help you prepare! Our in-house PSAT Prep Workshop will teach you tips, tricks and strategies to help you reach your PSAT Goals.
Our outstanding instructors, Scott Fortier (Mathematics) and
Becky Adams (English) will teach students the structure and content of the test so they can develop a system for attacking each question and boost their scores. We will practice all question types in timed settings and offer individualized feedback so students feel confident and relaxed on test day.
Prepping for the PSAT helps get you ready for the SAT, but did you know that a high score can qualify you for National Merit Scholarships and other awards? Gain an even greater advantage toward your Top-choice school.
Click here for registration: Fall 2025 PSAT Workshop
| | BLUE OUT SHIRT SALE EXTENDED | | |
BLUE OUT GAME Oct 3rd – Last chance to purchase a Blue Out Shirt!
The Blue Out Game is Friday, October 3rd, and it has been a long tradition of the Highlander Band to Blue Out the Stadium. We are playing against Red Oak, a big district rival! Show your support for the Scots and help the Highlander Band raise funds!
Blue Out shirts will be available for purchase until 5 pm on Monday, September 8! You can purchase your shirt HERE.
| | MEN'S SOCCER PARENT MEETING | | |
2025-2026 HP Men's Soccer Parent Meeting:
- Thursday, September 11th
- 6:00 - 7:00 pm
- HPHS Learning Theater EC228
Meeting is for the parents of current players, as well as anyone who is interested and wants additional information about becoming part of the program.
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HOMECOMING THEME ANNOUNCED
Student Council is excited to announce this year's homecoming theme!
Scotties Strike Back: A Star Wars Homecoming
More details will follow about the homecoming dance, which is Saturday, October 25.
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HP CENTENNIAL DANCE
The HP Centennial Dance Committee had a great meeting yesterday!
A select number of underwriting tickets will go on sale TODAY at hpcentennialdance.org for $250 each. These tickets include a t-shirt with purchase. If room remains after all underwriting tickets are sold, regular tickets will go on sale on September 26th for $150 each.
The dance is Saturday, November 15, from 8-10:30 pm at Edison’s.
Get your ticket today!
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Our Scots Varsity Volleyball fought hard this past Friday against Aledo. In a nail-biting best 3 out of 5 sets, our Varsity players didn’t give up after losing the first two sets. Instead, they rallied together for an unforgettable comeback in the third and fourth sets, tying the match 2-2. Although the scoreboard didn’t swing in our favor in the end, the team left it all on the court with a performance packed with high energy and passion.
Then in another thrilling match, the JV1 team battled their way after a tie to play their 3rd and final set against Aledo. The team dug deep and came out on top with an incredible win.
On Tuesday, the JV2 team won 2-0 against Lake Highlands. The team played very scrappily throughout the entire match. On Friday, the JV2 lost 2-0 to a very tough Aledo team. The girls did a great job competing and adapting in the match. Weezie Stensrud and Emily Thornton were named player of the game, respectively.
Make sure to cheer for all these great volleyball players throughout this week as they face Creekview and Lonestar. Go Scots!
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LADY SCOTS CROSS COUNTRY
Lady Scots Cross Country Results
On Saturday, September 6th, the Lady Scots Cross Country Team competed very well at the McKinney Boyd Bronco Stampede. The meet was held at Myers Park in McKinney, where the District 12-5A Championships will be held on October 9th. The course was very challenging due to the athletes climbing over 1000 meters in hills.
In the Elite Varsity Division, the team placed 3rd with 86 points. There were 15 teams and 127 runners in this division. Junior Ryan Sontag led the team with a 3rd place finish with a time of 18:43, sophomore Paisley Bassett placed 6th with a time of 18:46, and sophomore Finley Heckler placed 17th with a time of 19:39. The other team members were senior Presley Pate, freshman Stella Pruett, junior Annie Cooper, and senior captain Maddie Heckler.
In the Open Varsity Division, the team placed 3rd with 88 points. There were 11 teams and 106 runners in this division. Senior Addie Perritt was the lead runner for the Lady Scots. She placed 13th with a time of 21:15 and junior Campbell Ragan placed 19th with a time of 21:34. The other team members were senior captain Julia Berlin, seniors Ava Thropp and Campbell Dean, sophomore Kate Furgeson, and junior Jenna McCombs.
In the JV Division, the Lady Scots placed 6th with 139 points. There were 18 teams and 184 runners. The top runner for the JV was sophomore Katelyn Baumgartner. She placed 16th with a time of 23:29. The other top six team members were sophomore Anna Odom, juniors Ellie Chong and Emery Paulsen, senior captain Gracie Golden, sophomore Hannah Orvananos Cardenas, and freshman Lily Langton.
Results
The next meet for the Lady Scots will be the Lovejoy XC Fall Festival at Myers Park in McKinney on Saturday, September 13th. The first race starts at 7:15 a.m.
Go Scots!
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Lady Scots Cross Country – Runners of the Week
Congratulations to the Lady Scots Cross Country Team’s Runners of the Week for the Marcus Coach T Invitational – freshman Stella Pruett, sophomore Finley Heckler, junior Ryan Sontag, sophomore Paisley Bassett, junior Annie Cooper, senior Presley Pate, and junior Claire Deeken.
Go Scots!
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CROSS COUNTRY
The Running Scots competed well at the Gerald Richey UTA XC Invitational on Friday at Harold Patterson Sports Complex in Arlington.
The Varsity team finished first overall with a team time of 17:16. The Running Scots were led by Spencer Haag who had an outstanding performance finishing 3rd overall. Luke Hall finished 8th overall and the team had four runners in the top 13 to help bring home the win.
The Junior Varsity turned in a 3rd place finish and were led by Ranger Walsh and Drake Soukup who finished 5th and 7th overall. The team had four runners finish in the top 17.
Runners of the week for both Varsity and JV are Spencer Haag and Samarjeet Singh.
The team will compete next Saturday at the Lovejoy XC Fall Festival at Myers Park in McKinney.
Go Scots!!
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TENNIS
Varsity Tennis is still ranked #3 in Texas! Players of the Week are senior Will Robertson, junior Roberto Newell, freshman Grace Bland and sophomore Elizabeth Dao for great wins against Southlake!
HP takes on 4th ranked Frisco Wakeland at home on Tuesday at 4:30. Please come out to support the Scotties!
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FOOTBALL - JV BLUE
Highland Park JV Blue won 34 -0 over the Lovejoy Leopards this past Thursday! Players of the game:
- OFFENSE- Gavin Thornfield and Max Green
- DEFENSE- Hudson Beall and Jackson Helms
- SPECIAL TEAMS- Pudge Henson
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WATER POLO
The Girls Scots Water Polo Team played their first district game against Keller on Tuesday, September 2nd. The Scots held a lead throughout the game, working well together towards a victory. Last week’s player of the week, Izzy Arnold, played an amazing match in goal, with many great saves. Captain Kaylee Schmidt had several key plays on offense, scoring multiple goals. Freshmen Rita Martins, Aleksa Zivaljevic, and Taylor Ramo also continued their strong start to the season, contributing greatly to the final score of 14-9. The Lady Scots played an amazing game to start the season!
The Boys Scots Water Polo Team also faced off against Keller on Tuesday in a nail-biting match that came down to the final minutes. Both teams traded goals throughout, keeping the score tight and the energy high. Chris Mader had an amazing match as goalkeeper by making key defensive stops that kept the Scots in the game. Following his player of the week award last week, Beau Kohl also had several key plays on offense. In the fourth quarter, Aidan Zahodnik came through with a clutch assist to Savva Walker that gave the Scots the edge. Thanks to strong teamwork and composure under pressure, the Scots pulled away late and secured a hard-fought victory with a final score of 12-9. Go Scots!
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We are so grateful to Allison Parks and Charlotte Nelson for overseeing the delivery of Scots Challenge signs to families who met our donation challenge. A big thank-you as well to all of the students who helped get the signs to their new homes!
The Student Club Fair was buzzing last week! A big thank-you to Mr. John Hinton and all our amazing teacher club sponsors for supporting students as they lead clubs that build skills and make a lasting impact in our community. And thank you to all the students who joined!
Our Caring Scots team—Stacey Beck, Tanya Benbow, Natalie Guerry, and Ali Watkins—have been spreading sunshine to families, students, and teachers. Thank you for brightening so many days.
Thank you to Jennifer Lancashire, Scots Challenge Chair, and Scots Challenge committee members Vicky Campbell, Amy McNulty, and Jean Schendle for hosting a wonderful breakfast and school tour for our generous donors. We also appreciate Dr. Hunt for joining us!
Shout-out to Hallie Lawrence on our Scots Challenge Committee for creating the ultimate donor spreadsheet, and to Kelley Curtin, Treasurer-Elect, for expertly managing all of our deposits! Your hard work keeps Scots Challenge running smoothly—thank you! We appreciate Suzie Forsberg for diligently following up on all of our corporate matching donations—your dedication helps maximize every contribution!
Amy Barker, our Late BSSU Chair, for her work accepting the many Late BSSU forms we have received, and Gina Grove, for all her work entering DirectorySpot changes!
The pep rally livestream is powered by HP Media—Highland Park High School students from our Media and AV Production classes. They bring our productions to life. and we enjoy watching them!
Our counselors for hosting an informative Senior Parent Night this week! It’s an exciting and busy time for our seniors!
Thanks to all who helped keep our cafeteria running smoothly this week—you made lunchtime extra special! Carolyn Heinrich, Robyn Gray, Mary Mason, Carli Hyatt, Carrie Rosamond, Heidi Cruz, Cynthia Fitzmartin, Mary Houston, Viviana Ortiz, Surabi Shetty, Leigh Anne Haugh, Jess Drennan, Jessica Klein, Clay Stapp, Maggie Kipp, Cassandra Wright, Ryan Scripps, Lisa Bedford, Cathy Amos, Mark Stanley, Alaine Bickel, Gretchen McMullin, Heather Deuillet, Cara Kerr, Evelyn Sun, Amy Moore, Sophiya Zhang, Dawn Harris, Jessica Marshall, Marisa Stockwood, Gina Wright, Liz Zantop, Doug Trotman, Rex Moxley, Cookie Adams, Kristina Bielecki, and Melissa Rowling.
A big thank-you to our Supply Shop volunteers for helping our kiddos with supplies, books, and snacks! Sloane Phillips, Lindsey Hutchinson, Audrey Robertson, Beth Ann Harper,Tracy Port Melech, April Bigby, Deanna Carrell, Alaina Brooks, Charlotte Nelson, Jenni Petty, Holly Lawrence, Jenny Kearns, and Mary Houston.
| | Archived Editions of the Scots Weekly | | |
News to Share?
Didn't see a school-related shout-out, blurb or mention this week? We want to hear about it so please email ScotsWeekly@hphspta.org the details and up to four (4) pictures! Deadline for submissions is each Wednesday by 5 pm - FIRM DEADLINE to make it into the Monday newsletter. If submitted late, it will go in the next week's newsletter.
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4220 Emerson Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75205
Phone: 214-780-3700
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