Como Park Senior High Newsletter
November 7, 2024
Attention Como families! We need your feedback!
Como staff want to make sure we are addressing the concerns and issues that are important to students and families. Please fill out this short form and check the boxes of the topics you would like to see communicated at staff professional development trainings.
Parent Absence Request Tool Starts November 11th!
Hello Parent/Guardian,
Como Park Senior High School is excited to announce the release of a new feature for your Parent Portal! The Parent Absence Request tool is being piloted at a few schools in the district and we will be opening it for use. Soon, you’ll have the ability to submit a request that informs the school office in advance when your child is not going to be in school directly from the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Examples include:
Child wakes up sick
Child has a doctor appointment
Child will miss school because of a family event
These requests are processed by the office staff and an attendance record is created on the student’s attendance record.
For Karen, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong, click here.
Resources to support examinees:
● ACT.org Information for Examinees
● MyACT
● SPPS: College and Career Readiness
- Free ACT test prep with Xello:
- ■ Open the Clever app or go to www.clever.com/in/SPPS.
- ■ Click 'Log in with Active Directory.
- ■ Enter your Active Directory username and password.
- ■ Click on the Xello app.
- ■ In the ‘Links & Resources’ section, select ‘Methodize’. The program will open in a new tab SPPS offers ACT without Writing. ACT with Writing is available at National ACT test centers
Are you in an Advanced Placement (AP) class?! Have you registered for your AP exam?
Make sure to get registered for your AP exam no later than November 15th!
If you need assistance with registration please contact your AP teacher or the AP Coordinator Amelia Feest (amelia.feest@spps.org) as soon as possible!
Dear Como families,
Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures
ENJOY 10% OFF
your order!
CODE: F202410OFF
EXPIRES: July 31, 2025
Don’t forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card! More about the Smilesafe program here.
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number.
Districtwide Career Pathways Program at the 3M Advanced Training Center
Are you an SPPS student interested in taking college courses that match your interests and career goals? We invite you to review the course offerings and signup during your high school's course registration process. Students enrolled in this program are exploring high demand, high wage careers. They will spend mornings at their home high school and afternoons at the Districtwide Career Pathway Center, located on the campus of Saint Paul College, completing career-related college courses. Students need to meet the college eligibility requirement for the PSEO course(s) of interest.
*Note - Counselor's approval is needed for final enrollment into the program to ensure students can stay on-track to graduate.
Course Descriptions and Schedule: SPPS Districtwide Career Pathways Program
Hello! My name is Patrick Cunningham, and I’m your new social worker at Como Park Senior High. I grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, one of the original Twin Cities. I moved to Minnesota thirty years ago from Ohio, where I played college football and earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Central State University.
I am a husband and a father of four children—three girls and one boy. In 2010, I earned my Master's in Social Work from the University of St. Thomas. I have over thirty years of experience working in both public and private organizations, including eighteen years with St. Paul Public Schools, where I provide services to support the well-being of students in their schools, communities, and homes.
As an African American male social worker, I am passionate about empowering students to reach their potential and embrace their individuality. I also continue to practice as an artist throughout the Twin Cities. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling internationally, in my art studio and engaging in community service.
Would you like to know what is happening around the Como Park neighborhood? Click the link for the latest news and updates from your District 10 Como Community Council. View this email as a webpage
Keystone Community Services
1800 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55104
651-917-3792
Georgi Nguyen, Director of Basic Needs 651-504-4463; GNguyen@keystoneservices.org
Food Shelf (1800 Univ Ave – University and Fairview Aves, near the University Ave YMCA)
· Veggie/Fruits, canned goods, meats, dairy…
· Choice style for visitors to choose what they need
· Available to ALL who need
· 1 visit per month (+ some additional in emergency situations)
· Hours
- Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri: 10am – 12noon; 2pm – 4pm
- Wed: 4 – 7pm
Keystone Food Mobile is also stationed around the city on a regular basis; check the website for more information on times and locations
Food Delivery is available for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities; call Keystone for more information
Other food programs: Keystone also runs a Meals on Wheels program, SNAP outreach and navigation, fresh produce distribution (farmers market style) around the city in the summer/early fall (done for 2024)
Other service areas
· Financial Assistance available to help families with rent, deposit, utilities, car repair…
- Assistance funds are limited and must “resolve the situation” (ie: the amount should end the problem for the family – not simply reduce the problem)
· Teen Tutoring – volunteer teens tutoring K – 5 graders living in the McDonough Homes Community
· Best Buy Teen Tech Center (Lexington/Hamline neighborhood) – program designed for 13 – 19 year olds to learn and practice a wide variety of tech skills
· Senior Services – activities, in-home help, care management