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

October

23- MCJROTC Drill Competition @ North Branch HS

26- 10th grade 3DE Field Trip to St. Thomas

27- Picture Retakes

29- College Fair 8:30-10:30

November

2- Parent Engagement Meeting 6:00

12- End of Quarter 1

13- No School (Staff Development)

19- AP/CIS/PSEO Night 6:30

20- K'Nyaw Night 4:30-7:00

24- Red Cross Blood Drive 7:00-3:00

26-27- No School (Thanksgiving Break)

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

Español, Hmoob, Soomaali, ကညီ

*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

Personal Electronic Device Policy

When: November 2nd

Time: 6:00 PM

Where: Room 1208

Agenda

Upcoming Dates

Title I Information

College and Career Information

PBIS (Positive Behavior intervention and Supports)

Capti ReadBasix for all students

Come learn more about Como! It's also a good time to ask questions, make suggestions, and address concerns.

Wait...Did Someone Say Taco Bar?

Join us at Cozy's Pub on November 6th to help support our student athletes. It's a good time for a great cause. You don't want to miss it!

To register, go to gobound.com and sign in or create an account.

If you are a new user to this platform, here are instructions to register: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D2e8JKxJssMlnza4XxDqr1FuZt3qwllZ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111352336796782835865&rtpof=true&sd=true

Volunteers are needed for this event. Please sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4AA9AD2DA4FA7-67020432-winter

The Square store is open, and orders can be ready for pickup very quickly! Quantities are limited. https://como-merch.square.site/

Student Council is starting our annual food drive again. This year we are partnering with Open Hands Midway Food Shelf, a non-profit organization located in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul. Open Hands provides free emergency food and toiletry items, fresh produce, and weekly community meals. If you would like to assist your student in making donations, please send them with any items listed in the flyer. Otherwise, families and community members can make donations to be collected in the office. Last day to donate will be Thursday, November 19th as we will be sending the donations over on Friday, November 20th!"

Picture retakes are Tuesday October 27th from 8:30-12:00. All students need to get a picture taken through Lifetouch to receive a student ID. Picture ordering is available online at mylifetouch.com. Create an account or login with your Picture Day ID: EVTTGFG9H.

Please respond to the following two topics:

-Question of the Month

-Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS)

The forms are short and anonymous and needed to help us improve our communication and our building safety and behaviors. Thank you for helping us!

Get Your Yearbook Now! The Price Will Go Up!

12th grade students should look for their Direct Admissions Survey in their Saint Paul Public School’s email. The email will be from @state.mn.us. For more information about Direct Admissions, visit the Direct Admissions Student Center Website.

1. Look through the colleges listed in the survey to see which ones you are interested in.

2. Select the colleges you will be applying to by selecting them from the schools in the survey.

3. Complete the college applications for the schools you selected and want to attend. Please note that there is no charge to request information or to apply for the colleges on this list! You do not need to reapply if you have already applied to any of the colleges on this list. You must complete all of the admissions steps required by the college, by the dates listed on their website, in order to secure your spot.

4. After applying for the colleges you select, make sure to add the application in Xello and request your transcript in Xello to be sent to the college.

If you have any questions about the Direct Admissions form, please contact your child's school counselor.

ကညီ

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

SAVE THE DATES!

Show dates are:

Friday and Saturday December 11th and 12th at 7pm

Sunday December 13th at 12pm

*Pay what you can or a suggested donation of $5 per adult!

It is a fun wacky take on a holiday classic!

Would you like to support our Unified Program (Special Olympics inclusive education and sports intiative)? Buy a t-shirt that says Everyone Belongs Here.

Please Venmo our Special Education Lead, Heather O'Leary, and put Unified, student name, and size in subject line. T-shirts will be delivered to Como Park. The deadline to order is November 28th. Thank you!

XS , S , M , L , XL - $15

2XL - $17

3XL - $18

4XL - $19

5XL - $20

COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE MONTH: FREE APPLICATIONS!!!

During college knowledge month, there are free application opportunities at Minnesota Colleges and Universities for seniors applying to college/university. Here is a list of schools that will be free during this month:

HERE IS A COMPLETE LIST OF FREE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS MONTH AND ALL YEAR

FAFSA IS OPEN!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open for seniors and current college students planning to attend college next school year. Students can make an appointment with Phia if they need support starting or completing their FAFSA. Parents/Guardians will also need to complete the contributor section for their student to receive student aid.

Check out this FSA ID Creation Guide to create your account

Check out this FAFSA walk-through to see how to complete your FAFSA!

Please email pyang.ach@spps.org for any questions about the FAFSA.

COLLEGE FAIR AT COMO OCT 29!

The college fair will be taking place at Como October 29th! Over 40 Minnesota colleges will be visiting Como during the morning. Students will come down with their classes to meet, chat, and learn more about their post-secondary school options!

Students should pre-register through Strivescan to keep in contact with the colleges/universities! Please remind your students to pre-register with strivescan. Here is the link for students to pre-register: https://app.strivescan.com/registration

Students will receive a barcode after pre-registering and use it when meeting college representatives at the fair. It will get scanned and logged that there was an interaction at this fair! Students will need this barcode saved on their school Ipads. School phone policy will be followed- phones will not be permitted to be used during the fair for the barcode scan.

Travelers EDGE Scholarship Program INFORMATION SESSION October 29:

Travelers EDGE® – Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment – is an innovative educational opportunity developed by Travelers. The program provides college students with financial, academic, professional development and mentoring support while preparing students for a career at Travelers or the insurance and financial services industry.

An information session for this scholarship program will be held after the college fair! Students interested in business related majors through Metropolitan State University, Augsburg University, or Saint Paul College are encouraged to attend the information session to find out how to apply!

Please encourage and remind students to sign up for the session to get a pass!!

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdI3-Jyk448MnuiV-yJi1DK3c88kcASPWjvdfG9dy7s9sGiTg/viewform

Saint Paul College will be hosting a CTE/PSEO Information Session on Wednesday, November 18, from 3:30–5:30 p.m., and I wanted to reach out to see if you have students who may be interested in attending. Parents and family members are also encouraged to attend with their students.

This session is designed to help students and families explore Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities through PSEO. We will cover the PSEO process, eligibility and enrollment, what students can expect as CTE/PSEO students, and how to get started.

Students and families will also learn more about several of our CTE programs, including Welding, Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Technician, Cabinetmaking, Electrical Mechanical Automation Systems, and Pharmacy Technician.

Following the presentation, attendees will participate in a guided tour of our CTE learning spaces and labs, with opportunities to see program equipment and facilities and, when available, connect with faculty to learn more about programs and related career pathways.

Event Details
Date: Wednesday, November 18
Time: 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Location: Saint Paul College
Who: Prospective students, parents, and families

Students and families can register here:
Register for the CTE/PSEO Information Session

The Como Girls flag football team took a significant step forward in their program development this evening, with 16 student athletes competing at US Bank Stadium for the first time in SPPS flag football (Her)story.

The Cougars' offensive standouts included Re'niyah Boston, Alayla Salas, Sofia Mortensen, and Kenia Arnold, supported by strong quarterback play from Ahmani Crump. On the defensive side, Adeline Power-Theisen, Maeve Callahan Schreiber, Nora Simmons and Khloe Baker led the way with multiple tackles throughout the game.

I could not be prouder of this team. We are building our program in the right direction. A huge thank you to all of the family and friends that came to watch! (P.S. Thank you Coach Olonda for the Jerseys)

The Como athletics program extends congratulations to all student athletes for their outstanding effort and for representing Saint Paul Public Schools with excellence at US Bank Stadium.

Go Cougars!

The National Honor Society participated in an amazing volunteering opportunity at the Twin Cities Marathon on October 4th. Students assisted in handing out fluids to passing runners, engaging with the community, and helping maintain supplies for the other volunteers.

Congratulations to seniors Lukas Ahlberg, Bella Hansen and Saana Price for performing in the University of Saint Thomas High School Honor Band on October 19th! They spent the day learning from St. Thomas faculty and rehearsing with students from 32 different high schools, ending with an evening concert in the student center. Way to represent Como!

Brutal. Lodged at Whispering Pines again. Richwoods showed Como Park Raiders how it’s done today. 10 Miles, Weighted Vests, A lot of Burpees, Leg Blasters, 1-Mile Fireman carry, a lot of Ranger Pushups, a lot of weighted pack above head squats, more Lunges, a lot of flutter kicks, a lot of squats and lunges, and more running. Thanks Richwoods A-Team smoked all of us and our sincere gratitude to the instructors and Richwood cadets for hosting Como Park's first Elbow to Elbow Raider for SY26-27. Ooh Rah.🤠

Cadet Lance Corporal Walrath competed in Duluth this weekend with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Team A, at the MLEEA Duluth Conference. Out of 6 events, his team secured placement in 5 of them.

🥇1st Place - Burglary Response
🥈2nd Place - Domestic Crisis Intervention
🥈2nd Place - Traffic Stop
🥉3rd Place - Crime Scene Investigation
🥉3rd Place - Traffic Crash Reconstruction. Great job!

The Cadets provided a Color Guard Team and enjoyed a decent meal on Sunday evening with the (AMVETS) American Veterans Post #1. An awesome JROTC brief to the veterans in the room by the programs CO, XO, LOGO, and Cadet Sergeant Major. And let’s not forget about Bob. Ooh Rah. Thank you AMVETS for all that you do. Our sincere gratitude for the donations.

Ramsey County is hosting a FREE Lead Testing and Community Resource Fair in recognition of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. The event will provide education, resources, household item lead testing, and blood lead testing for community members.

• Wednesday, October 28

• 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Phalen Recreation Center

• 1000 E. Wheelock Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55106

Community members will be able to:

• Receive a free blood lead test

• Bring household items for lead testing and receive immediate results

• Learn about ways to reduce lead exposure at home

• Connect with local organizations and community resources

• Learn about free home lead checks and available hazard reduction resources for qualifying homes