Como Park Senior High Newsletter

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.

ကညီ, Soomaali, Hmoob, and Español

September

25- Homecoming Dance @ Como gym 7:00-10:00

26- Homecoming 1:00-5:00 (Powder Puff game at 10:30)

26- MCJROTC GNATS Competition @ Harding HS

October

5- Parent Engagement Meeting 6:00

8- Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:00-7:00

9-10- MCJROTC Raider Competition @ Peoria, IL

15-16- No School (MEA)

22- Panera Fundraiser

23- MCJROTC Drill Competition @ North Branch HS

27- Picture Retakes

30- College Fair 8:30-10:30

Please check out our upcoming athletic events: https://www.gobound.com/mn/schools/stpaulcomopark

*School begins promptly at 8:30.

*Students are expected to be in their assigned class at all times. This is how we can ensure students are safe and learning.

*During school hours, students are not allowed to have food delivered to the school or leave the premises to get food. No food will be accepted that is delivered from Door Dash, GrubHub, Uber Eats, etc. This plan is crucial in maintaining a positive learning environment, as it prioritizes student safety and minimizes disruptions during school hours. Outside food conflicts with SPPS Nutrition Services pledges to focus on providing reliable and convenient access to no-cost meals for all children in Saint Paul. We appreciate your collaboration and patience.

*Cell Phone/Personal Electronic Device Expectations

• Instructional Time Expectations: Personal electronic devices must be put away and out of sight during all class periods from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

• Covered Devices: Personal electronic devices include, but are not limited to, cell phones, personal iPads, Bluetooth devices, and earbuds.

• Permitted Times: Students may use their personal electronic devices before school, after school, during passing times, and during their lunch period.

• Policy Enforcement:

• First Incident: The student will receive a verbal reminder to put the device away.

• Subsequent Incidents: The personal electronic device will be collected and kept in a safe, secure location until the end of the school day.

We kindly ask parents and guardians to partner with us by encouraging students to keep their personal electronic devices turned off or put away during instructional learning time. Thank you for your continued support in helping our students stay focused and successful!

Personal Electronic Device Policy

Please make sure to always report your student's absence by 9:30 AM. You can do this online by filling out an Absence Request in Campus Parent or by calling the Attendance Line at 651-744-5343. If no contact has been made by a parent/guardian regarding your student's absence, please send a note with the reason for the absence with your student when they return to school. Please contact the main office 651-293-8800 for the process to follow when taking an extended trip.

Any student that comes to class after the bell is "tardy."

Any student that comes to class after 30 minutes is "absent."

If you will be driving to school this year, please see Ms. Lor in the main office for a parking permit. Be sure your vehicle is displaying your permit sticker. Student parking is the area closest to Como Lake across from the football field. All students should stay out of reserved and visitor parking spaces. The parking area will be monitored, so please follow the rules or violators may be towed. Thank you for your cooperation.

Dear families,
School pictures are now available!

To see if your child's pictures are available to view, please log in to your account at mylifetouch.com. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one using your email address.

To locate your child's photos, you'll need their Student ID or Portrait ID and Access Code. If you don't have this information, you can:

• Check your inbox for an email from Lifetouch that may contain your access credentials and a direct link to your child's images.
• Contact the Lifetouch Help Center for assistance

Please note that pictures may not become available for all students at the same time, so check back later if you don't see your child's images yet.

We’re excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor the rich contributions, cultures, and histories of our Hispanic and Latino communities.

We are also excited to share that Nutrition Services, in collaboration with the Latino Consent Decree Parent Advisory Council (LCD PAC), will be serving a Hispanic/Latino-inspired lunch at our schools during Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a great opportunity for our students and staff to learn about and celebrate Hispanic and Latino cultures!

The Hispanic Heritage Month meal will be served on Monday, September 28!

The menu will include:

• Chicken and Cuban Black Bean Bowl
• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Fried Plantain
• Chilero
• Salsa Verde and Red Salsa
• Limes

Greetings Como families,

Each year our school strives to provide the best in educational and extra-curricular resources to our students. To achieve our goals, we rely on fundraisers and the support of generous donations throughout the school year. We are reaching out to our Como families for your help and generosity. We need donations that will help support things such as:

• Supplies for teachers
• Transportation costs for field trips
• Community Engagement events such as: Family Fun Night, various cultural nights, NAAPID, Homecoming activities, senior celebrations and dedication night, etc.
• Funding costs for clubs and extracurricular activities

We are asking families for a one-time yearly donation per student for the 26-27 school year. Your donation will help provide more resources and a more conducive learning environment where students can thrive and have the best high school experience.

https://spps.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getclass/category_id/628/program_id/16

Thank you for your consideration in helping our school raise money to support our students.
Go Cougars!

Parent Engagement Meeting

All Parents are Invited

Come learn more about what Como has to offer and provide feedback!

When: Monday October 5th

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Como Park HS Room 1208

Agenda:

Start Up Reflections ( Comments, concerns, questions about first month of school)

Volunteer Opportunities

Grading (Late work, Schoology, etc)

3DE for 9-11th grade

HealthStart

If you need a ride, we can set you up with a Lyft! Contact Jamie Hoffman for more information.

We need volunteers for Homecoming!

Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4EACA822AB9-65704597-como#/

Q: What do zebras and cougars have in common?

A: Stripes!

New for 2026: black and yellow striped bibs! Order by September 15 for delivery by homecoming.

https://bib-pre-order.square.site/

Link to our limited stock of spirit wear, priced to sell!

https://como-merch.square.site/

Manny Whiteagle, Intervention Specialist
Hello/Aho/Boozhoo/Hau
My name is Manners Whiteagle. I'm from Madison, Wisconsin, and I’m an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and also on my paternal side of the family is enrolled at Leech Lake. I’m a Cultural Specialist overseeing the Four Clouds Preventive Studies program. The Four Clouds Preventive Studies is an 11-week program that focuses on the dangers of drugs and alcohol in today’s world.

Nicole Other Medicine, Indian Education School Social Worker
Boozhoo, I am a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. I am the Indian Education School Social Worker assigned to support our high school students. I will be focusing on attendance, advocacy, and supporting our students receiving SpEd services.

Anjanette Parisien, College & Career Specialist
Boozhoo/Aniin/Hau.
I am Anjanette, a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt, North Dakota. I am the new College & Career Pathways Specialist for the Office of American Indian Education. I am excited to collaborate with schools to support our State Identified American Indian Students and build relationships with school counselors, College/Career Specialists, and other building professionals as students explore their plans.

Amaya Grant, Cultural Specialist
Boozhoo/Aniin/Hau.
I am Amaya Grant and I am enrolled at the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in Belcourt, North Dakota. However, I am both Ojibway and Omaha; inspiring me to advocate for the intersectionality of Indigenous people. I have a great passion in Indigenizing educational spaces and hobbies (writing, art, films, music, etc.). I am one of the Indian Education Cultural Specialists for our high schools. I have a background in Psychology and Indigenous Studies; I am currently obtaining licensure for Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

The PSAT is an optional test that is administered to any junior or sophomore. SPPS covers the cost for the test for any junior, but sophomores will need to pay the $18 fee. Only juniors who take the test may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship.

Practice test information may be found at: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/practice/practice-tests/paper

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN THROUGH OCTOBER 6TH. Students can sign up in Schoology.

Supporting Como Park High School will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms. Give students what they need most right now.

https://www.donorschoose.org/schools/minnesota/saint-paul-public-schools/como-park-senior-high-school/76094

Interested in healthcare, medicine, or even making a difference in your community? Join Como Park HOSA! Students get opportunities to explore health careers, develop leadership skills, participate in competitions, and connect with other students in the health field!

More information about our first meeting and how to join will be shared soon. Students interested in joining will receive an email with information about our first meeting! More details about meetings will also be shared through morning announcements!

We hope to see you there!

Did you know…?

Dually licensed by the Minnesota Board of Social Work (BOSW) and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB), school social workers are trained mental health professionals and practitioners who bring a variety of skills and evidence-based practices to the school setting. School social workers can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic, and classroom support, consult with teachers, parents, and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy to support students' academic, social, emotional and behavioral success at school. Social work services are available for ALL students. By partnering directly with families, educators, students, administrators, and our communities, school social workers provide a holistic approach to address and overcome barriers to academic achievement and personnel well-being.

As that “link” between home, school, and community, school social workers may provide services directly to students, parents, families, school personnel, and the school district. They also work with community programs and agencies to gather resources and support for students in need. Social work services are provided in individual, small group and classroom-based settings. These services include:

• Social, emotional and behavioral support for students

• Assessment of student strengths & needs through observation, interviews & testing

• Resource information & referral for families

• Collaboration with school staff to develop & implement classroom-based interventions

• Consultation with community agencies & other professionals

• Crisis intervention

• Advocacy

If you or your student have questions or are looking for support in these areas, please contact one of Como High School's school social workers.

Jenna Booher, MSW LICSW - Jenna joined the Como Park Senior High team last school year as a school social worker. This is Jenna’s second year working in the Saint Paul Public School District. Previously, Jenna worked at Stillwater Area High School as their school social worker. Jenna grew up in Saint Paul and is excited to be back in the area. You can contact her at jenna.booher@spps.org or by phone at 651-744-9108.

Patrick Cunningham, MSW LISW - Patrick has been a part of the St. Paul Public School District and private sector for over 20 years, serving in various roles. His experience includes work at Wilder Foundation's school-based mental health program (Project Kofi), the district office, elementary schools, middle schools, and currently at Como High School. He enjoys collaborating with the school community to support the needs of both students and staff. You can contact him at patrick.cunningham@spps.org or by phone at 651-744-7377.

Christy McCoy MSW LICSW - Christy McCoy MSW LICSW has been a School Social Worker for 24 years for St. Paul Public Schools but has worked in education for 30 years. In her role as a School Social Worker, she has provided direct support to youth in alternative educational settings and joined Como Park High School in 2022. She has been actively involved with the Minnesota School Social Work Association since 2002 serving in several leadership roles and served on the Board of Directors for the School Social Work Association of America. She offers a variety of support groups and values partnering with students, families, staff and the community to enhance the well-being of all students. christy.mccoy@spps.org or 651-744-7983.

Lucia Rowe MSW LICSW- Lucia joined the Como Park Senior High staff during the 25-26 school year as a School Social Worker after moving to Minnesota in the summer of 2025. They bring 11 years of experience in education from Louisiana and Colorado. Their career began as a special education teacher, and most recently, they worked as a school-based therapist. They transitioned back into the School Social Worker role joining the Como Park School Social Work Department last school year and they look forward to the start of the new school year. lucia.rowe@spps.org or 651-744-8205.

Lynda Taylor, MSW, LISW - Lynda has been a Social Worker in SPPS since 1994. She was at Murray Middle School for 18 years and then has been at Como HS since. Lynda supports Special Education students at Como HS. Her interests include: reading, baking, volleyball, and traveling. lynda.taylor@spps.org or 651-744-5230.

English Version

Our own history teacher, Eric Erickson, spoke with KSTP Eyewitness News about 9/11. Watch video: https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/they-werent-even-born-the-new-challenge-of-teaching-9-11/

Never forget. Como Park Color Guard Honorable marching for the 25th annual Eden Prairie Lemonade/Cookie 911 stand. Great job. Also pictured with the Eden Prairie Mayor. And on Kare11 news. Very honorable.🫡

Our Como MCJROTC is dialed in and training for their next competition at Richwoods High School MCJROTC in Peoria, IL. Get Some!!!

What a terrific family turnout at boys soccer senior night! Thanks so much for showing up for our students and for being an intricate part of our boys soccer program.

Español, Hmoob, Soomaali, ကညီ

100 Black Men Twin Cities Free Mentoring Event for Students ages 12-17