Como Park Senior High Newsletter
May 14, 2026
Prefer a language other than English? You can open the newsletter link and click the button on the top to have it translated into many different languages. Please know that the translation function may be inaccurate or incomplete. If you have any questions, please call us at 651-293-8800.
For ကညီ, Soomaali, Hmoob, and Español, click here.
UPCOMING DATES
May
15- Senior Prom 7:00-11:00
15- Bike Club 9:50-11:50
19- Band & Orchestra Concert 7:00-9:00
19- Unified Special Olympics 10:15-2:15
21- Seniors Honors Night 6:00-9:00
22- Seniors Last Day
25- No School (Memorial Day)
26-27- No School
27- Red Cross Blood Drive
28- Seniors ValleyFair Trip
28- Know Your Rights Workshop @ Science Museum 9:00-12:00
29- 3DE Culminating Event 9.6
29- MCJROTC Loaves & Fishes Community Service
29- Senior Picnic & Cap/Gown/Ticket Handout 11:00-2:00
June
3- Graduation Rehearsal @ Roy Wilkins Auditorium 9:30
3- Graduation @ Roy Wilkins Auditorium 6:00-8:00
3- Senior all-night party 9:00 PM- 5:00 AM
4-8- MCJROTC Leadership Camp in SD
5- Bike Club Field Trip 8:45-2:30
8- ELL EOY Picnic 8:45-1:45
11- Last Day of School for students 9-11th grade
Please check out our upcoming athletic events: https://www.comoparkcougarsathletics.com/
Como Park Band/Orchestra Spring Concert
Tuesday, May 19, 7:00-9:00pm
Como Auditorium
Admission is free!
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the musical sensations of our talented students 😊
An Important Message from Our Principal, Dr. Brown
Subject: Important Safety Reminder: Toy Weapons and School Policy
Dear Families,
At Como Park Senior High School, our most fundamental responsibility is to provide a learning environment where every student feels safe, secure, and focused on their education. To maintain this environment, we are writing to clarify our strict policy regarding prohibited items on school grounds.
We want to remind all families that toy guns (including water pistols, Nerf guns, "cap" guns, or any item that resembles a firearm) are strictly prohibited at school, on school buses, and at all school-sponsored events.
Policy & Consequences
According to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, the possession of look-alike weapons is a serious violation of school safety protocols. We want to be very clear about the potential outcomes of bringing these items to campus:
Zero Tolerance: Any student found in possession of a toy or look-alike weapon will be subject to immediate disciplinary action.
Severe Consequences: Per our district guidelines, violations of this nature can lead to significant consequences, up to and including a recommendation for expulsion.
Law Enforcement: In certain circumstances, the recovery of look-alike weapons may require the involvement of local law enforcement to ensure the safety of the building.
How You Can Help
We ask that you take a moment this evening to speak with your child about the importance of keeping toys, especially those that resemble weapons, at home. Please check your child’s backpack periodically to ensure that only school-appropriate materials are being brought to school.
We are incredibly proud of the focus our students show every day in their classrooms. By working together to keep these prohibited items out of our school, we ensure that our students' determination remain focused on their learning and their future.
Thank you for your cooperation and for your partnership in keeping our school safe for everyone.
Sincerely,
Dr. Diana Brown
Looking for a way to give back to our students, staff, and school community? Donate to Donors Choose and help fund some projects for teachers, Mrs. Mathieu and Mr. Fischbach!
https://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?keywords=como%20park%20high%20school
Is Mrs. Vang your student's counselor?
Beginning April 13th until the end of the school year, Mrs.Vang will be out on Mondays and Fridays. Other counselors will be available to support any students on her caseload when she is not present but Mrs. Vang can still make appointments Tuesday-Thursdays. She will respond to emails on days she is in the office.
Did you take the ACT this past March at Como?
This is a message our district has received from the ACT:
Based on its continual evaluation of scores, ACT has informed us that it needs to reissue scores for students who took the ACT online during the school day this spring. If you are among those students, your current score will be removed from your MyACT account on Wednesday, May 13. When scores are available again (no later than June 2), your Composite score and section scores will remain the same OR go up slightly based on your individual performance. Your scores will NOT be lower than what was previously released. There is no action you need to take. ACT will post revised scores on MyACT and will be resending scores to your school. If you previously opted to send scores via ACT to a college, university, or scholarship-awarding organization, they, too, will be sent any updated scores.
Como Tennis Club
Koua and Brandon, our athletic director and asst. athletic director, cofounded this tennis program along side a Como Park alum, Matt Olson. Training takes place all summer long right here at Como, and is open to kiddos aged 5-18. If you have young folks in your family, or friends that are interested, you can have them connect with us. Interested families with financial barriers can connect with Koua or Brandon directly.
Check out the attached flyer for more info, or visit our website at comotennisclub.com.
SENIOR INFORMATION
ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS
Be informed about your senior student! Check out these slides regarding graduation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CJ0o1DbfDO4ucCI_7wr-O6eMby6K1xZK8cjpvAvromc/edit?usp=sharing
Valleyfair Trip
Senior Graduation Link
Use this link to find the livestream links, parking information and more. spps.org/graduation
Cultural, Special Education & LGBTQ+ Senior Celebrations 2026
*Some groups are planning in-person events and some are delivering recognition gifts.
Office of Family Engagement & Community Partnerships (OFECP);
More information on the SPPS Parent Advisory Councils
LGBTQ+ Senior Pride Recognition
Lead: Jackie Kelly, OFECP
The Gender Sexuality and Diversity Parent Advisory Council (GSPDPAC) will be gifting seniors with a rainbow tassel and card to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ graduates to the following schools: AGAPE, Gateway to College, Central, Como Park Senior, CASS, Focus Beyond, Gordon Parks, Harding, Highland Park, Humboldt, Johnson, Journeys, LEAP, OWL, Online High School, Washington Tech
American Indian Senior Recognition & Eagle Feather Ceremony
Lead: Regan Kluver, Director, American Indian Education
5/19/26
Minnesota Historical Society
The Office of American Indian Education will be gifting SPPS seniors with eagle feathers at the Senior Recognition ceremony on Tuesday, May 19. At this ceremony, they will receive their blessed feathers, a reversible black stole with either Ojibwe florals or white otter tracks, and a medicine bag. This will be for all American Indian students district wide with the intention to wear their culture proudly at student’s respective graduations and aligns with Minnesota State Statute 124D.792 GRADUATION CEREMONIES; TRIBAL REGALIA AND OBJECTS OF CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE; DRUMMING AND CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES.
Karen Parent Advisory Committee (KPAC) Senior Recognition Ceremony
Lead: Saw Sunshine Timothy, OFECP
Washington Technology High School
05/15/2026
5:30 - 8 p.m
Hmong Parent Advisory Council (HPAC) Senior Recognition Ceremony and Gift
Lead: Mai Nhia Vang, OFECP
Washington Technology High School
5/21/2026
5:30-7 p.m.
Latino Consent Decree (LCD) Program Latino Senior Recognition Ceremony
Lead: Adriana Rios Dessalet, OFECP
360 Colborne St.
5/29/26
5:30-7 p.m.
Somali Parent Advisory Council (SPAC) Senior Recognition
Mohamed Hadi, OFECP
Will distribute gifts and certificates during school events.
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Senior Recognition
Lead: Jackie Kelly, OFECP
Special Education will deliver gifts to the following identified schools: Bridge View, Focus Beyond, Journeys, Rivereast
Parents of African American Students Action Committee (PAASAC) Senior Recognition
Lead: Dana Abrams, OFECP
TBD: 360 Colborne St. or Looking into Washington Technology High School
5/18/26
5:30-7 p.m.
Senior Timeline
Senior All-Night Party
Hello Como community! Help support our student-led senior all-night party committee by donating funds to the cause. Seniors at Como have not been able to have an all-night party for years and are wanting to share a memorable experience with their classmates.
We are asking for the following items for students to win through our raffle and games:
College related items that seniors can take with them in the fall (mini fridge, bean bag chairs, college items gift baskets).
Gift baskets of random items that you think seniors will enjoy. Can be college related, summer fun, care baskets for accomplishing high school graduation.
Gift cards of any amount to any establishment.
Cool games and electronics.
MARYLAND AVE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Need this translated? Call us at 651-266-6100.
¿Necesita esta traducción? Comuníquese con nosotros al 651-266-6100.
Ma u baahan tahay tarjamadaan? Naga soo wac 651-266-6100.
Xav tau qhov no txhais los? Hu rau peb ntawm 651-266-6100.
INTERNSHIPS, JOB OPPORTUNITIES, AND COLLEGE & CAREER PREP
For more detailed information including the application, please click here.
GREAT THINGS HAPPENING AT COMO
Great job! The Como Park cadets have spent the past two days in May with the Regional Director (Major Wright) to conduct the annual Compliance Inspection. The CI is a graded and very detailed seven-page list of things every MCJROTC program is required to be compliant in. This inspection will be used to gauge and enhance the effectiveness of the unit. The purpose of the inspections will be to ensure the cadets and the instructors conduct themselves appropriately and professionally in a JROTC environment at their host school. The philosophy of the inspection will be to train, evaluate, and assist the inspected unit. Como Park's cadets took a great deal of pride in getting ready and representing the Como Park cougars. Semper fi!
Warriors night a success. Lead and orchestrated by all the Juniors. Billets announced and the ship is sailing under new leadership now. Good luck Juniors!
Blast from past Ol' Cadet SgtMaj Sophia (Moore) Johnson. Several cadets joined her today at the Jehova Lutheran Church Pancake 🥞 Breakfast. And grounds beautification. Led by Junior Cadet Corporal Taylor-Marino. Very cool!
Como Park hosted a state department-sponsored exchange student from India. Ayesha received a certificate of completion of her YES program exchange year. We loved having you at Como, Ayesha!
Interested in Hosting a Foreign Exchange Student?
Host an International Exchange Student
Como Park families are invited to consider hosting an international student through the U.S. Department of State–funded FLEX or UUTI merit-based, scholarship programs, administered by American Councils for International Education. Hosting is a meaningful way to engage in citizen diplomacy, support cultural exchange, and global understanding.
Learn more about becoming a host family:
Available Students | American Councils Inbound
FAQs | American Councils Inbound
American high school students are eligible for fully funded international exchange and language immersion programs through the U.S. Department of State, administered by American Councils for International Education:
NSLI‑Y (National Security Language Initiative for Youth)
Offers summer, academic‑year, and virtual scholarships for immersive study of critical languages including Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, and Russian. No prior language study required.
Learn more: https://www.nsliforyouth.org/FLEX Abroad (Future Leaders Exchange Abroad)
Provides American high school students with the opportunity to study and live abroad for an academic year with host families while attending local schools.
Learn more: https://www.discoverflex.org/flex-abroad
These competitive, merit‑based programs promote global understanding, language learning, and leadership development.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Heidi Elder Ropa
Program Officer
International Student Support Team
T: 202-697-5513
CTE Field Trip
Dr. Norton-Bower took several students to Century College where students learned about careers such as EMT/firefighting and medical assisting.
They also got to rotate through dental assisting and learn about prosthetics and hear testimonials from people w prosthetics!
Tennis Team Takes Conference Title
The Como boys won the St. Paul City Conference championship for the first time since 2006. After many years of steady improvement gained through commitment and hard work, the team emerged at the top of the standings with an undefeated conference record and convincing victories against city rivals.
The last time the Cougars won the conference was when legendary coach Kathy Dumas still guided the program. Twenty years later, the team clinched the title on the courts she donated before her passing last fall, beating Johnson in the rivalry match for the Dumas Cup on May 4. It was a special, full-circle moment for Cougar coaches, alumni, and the current players who wear her signature on their uniforms.
