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.

For ကညီ, Soomaali, Hmoob, and Español, click here.

January

29- End of Quarter 2

30- No School (Grading Day)

30- HOSA Field Trip to Luther College, Decorah, IA

February

6- MCJROTC Drill Competition at Cretin Durham Hall HS

9- NAAPID (National African American Parent Involvement Day)

11- 10th grade 3DE Field Trip to University of St, Thomas

11- Construct Tomorrow Field Trip 9:10-11:15

13- Red Cross Blood Drive

16- No School (President's Day)

17- 9th Grade 3DE Field Trip

18- 3DE Culminating Event

18- Ice Fishing Field Trip at Como Lake 8:30-10:30 (rescheduled)

18- CPSHS Showcase 5:00-7:00 (rescheduled)

24- POPLI GTA & BOH CollegeTour at Dunwoody College 9:30-1:30

Please check out our upcoming athletic events: https://www.comoparkcougarsathletics.com/

Thank you to our wonderful Como community including parents, families, neighbors, friends, and staff members who have donated gift cards, gave their time for shopping, delivered groceries to Como, and helped keep our students safe outside of our school. Our Como community is amazing and your efforts do not go unnoticed. You have helped immensely to improve the living situations of our students and families and we are so humbled and grateful for your kindness, love and support.

Dear Como Park Senior High School Families and Guardians,

As we continue to see, hear and experience fear, harm and actions that are impacting our students, families and colleagues in multiple ways, the staff at Como Park Senior High School want you to know that you are valued and are an essential member of our community. We are dedicated to supporting and uplifting every member of our community, fostering a place where unity and belonging are paramount.

The Mental Health Team and Administration at Como Park Senior High School want you to know that we are here for you. We are dedicated and committed to creating a space of welcoming, belonging, and dignity. Schools remain one of the safest places for young people to be during the day.

If your teenager is experiencing increased fear, worries, sadness or feelings of compromised safety, please reach out to our team for support and/or complete the following How We Can Help You Form. The following staff are available to support your child(ren) and families in this difficult time:

Ms. Christy McCoy, School Social Worker all grades; christy.mccoy@spps.org

Mr. Patrick Cunningham, School Social Worker grade 9; patrickcunningham@spps.org

Ms. Lucia Rowe, School Social Worker grade 10; lucia.rowe@spps.org

Ms. Jenna Booher, School Social Worker grades 11 and 12; jenna.booher@spps.org

Ms. Lynda Tayor, School Social Worker; lynda.taylor@spps.org

Ms. Holly Moser, School Counselor last names A-Fr; holly.moser@spps.org

Mr. Shuepheng Lee, School Counselor last names Fu-Ma; shuepheng.lee@spps.org

Ms. Farah Abuqalbeen, School Counselor Mc-Reh; farah.abuqalbeen@spps.org

Ms. Choua Vang, School Counselor last names Rei-Z; choua.vang@spps.org

Mr. David Scheller, School Psychologist, david.scheller@spps.org

Please know there are also district-level resources available for our families, and policies in place to protect our students and families. Please read the linked following document in multiple languages for more information. https://drive.google.com/file/d/12kwGdB8JjBQmN-77_hbqGP0O_95Lfn_Y/view?usp=sharing

In partnership, Como Park Administration and Mental Health Team

Como Community,

CPHS's Robotics Team BEASTBOT is expanding, improving and getting more and better tools and equipment for its shop. We need some medium to small metal or wooden shelves to store parts on. Imagine a shelf in a car parts store. If you are cleaning out your garage or basement and found the shelves that grandpa stored nuts and bolts on and would like to donate this to Como Robotics please email michael.fischer@spps.org or call 651-744-1919 to arrange for us to pick up the shelves. Looking for smaller shelves not the large shelving to store storage bins. Thank you.

January- Question of the Month

Hello Como families! We would love your feedback on our question of the month: What is most important in your child's education right now? https://forms.gle/9BqWTyz4zwqkJRg37

2025-2026 WIDA ACCESS Test

State and federal laws require that all English Learner (EL) students are assessed yearly to measure their English reading, writing, listening and speaking progress.

Minnesota uses the WIDA ACCESS test as its annual assessment. EL students who receive special education services and who meet certain guidelines may take the WIDA Alternate ACCESS test instead.

These tests are used to see if students meet the WIDA English Language Development Standards and if a student is ready to exit from SPPS’s EL program.

All SPPS EL students in grades K-12 will be given the WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS tests between January 26 - March 19, 2026.

If you have questions about your student’s participation, please reach out to your child’s principal.

For more information on English language proficiency assessments and the MDE Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal form, please go to:

ACCESS Family Test Information website: spps.org/about/departments/research-evaluation-assessment/test-coordination/access-family-information
MDE Family Testing Information website: education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/

Please reach out to Jamie Hoffman if you have any questions at jamie.hoffman@spps.org.

Español, Hmoob, Soomaali, ကညီ

Your Adventure Awaits—Don’t Miss Out!

We’d love for you to be part of this incredible journey! But here’s something important: tour prices will increase on January 1st. Enrolling now means:

Locking in the current lower price before the increase
More time to pay, making monthly payments easier
Utilize the holidays to help pay off your tour balance!

The holidays are the perfect time to make this happen—share your fundraising page with family and friends and let them help you give yourself the ultimate gift: travel and adventure. Instead of physical presents, invite loved ones to contribute toward your dream trip!

Don’t wait—prices go up soon, and spots are filling fast. Enroll today!

Spain 2026: www.eftours.com/2786073EZ

The Alps and the Mediterranean Coast 2027: www.eftours.com/2945484TC

Hello Como families! If you know a family looking for a high school for their child, tell them to look no further than Como Park Senior High School! Deadline to apply is February 20th.

FAFSA!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is 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 dependent student(s) 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!

Student Scholarship Opportunities Spotlight:

Wallin Education Partners Wallin Education Partners selects students with high potential and financial need to receive a combination of financial aid and scholar services. This unique program results in over 90% of scholars graduating from college. Not only do you get money for college, but the tools and resources to help you make the most of the experience.

***Can only be used at colleges in MN, WI, IA, ND, SD, or HBCUs

Due February 2, 2026

Travelers EDGE Program: 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.

Due January 16, 2026

PSEO WORKSHOP

Students are you interested in learning more about PSEO and how you can earn free college credit? Please join the counselors on February 18th during club in the library for a PSEO workshop.

Español, Hmoob, Soomaali, ကညီ

Registration for the Bilingual Seals Assessment has been extended to February 5th!!

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams May 4- May 15

Remember...

Arrive on time
No leaving early
NO PHONES OR YOUR SCORE WILL BE CANCELLED

Direct any questions you have to your student's AP teacher or the AP coordinator (amelia.feest@spps.org)

Some good news. Dual Enrollment/Crossdeckers/Reservists. A pilot program this year for Como Park MCJROTC allows us to accept 8th-12th graders enrollment into our Como Park MCJROTC program from other schools missing a JROTC in their school in and around the Twin Cities area. This year we have accepted these four motivators; Cecelia Davis (12) - Minneapolis Southwest High school, Rashad Claudio (9) - Apple Valley Eastview High school, Baek Martin-Kohls (9)- Saint Paul Avalon Charter School, and Connor Nelson (8) - Highland Park Middle School. Today was a busy Saturday for them. Uniform Inspection, Core Knowledge Questions, Physical Fitness, Close Order Drill, MCJROTC Academic classes, and quarter 2 project prep time. All of them led throughout the day by the Battalions Executive Officer. They will all return to do it all again on Saturday, 31 January 2026. Great job you four - OOH RAH!

Our Unarmed Color Guard Team in action today supporting a Minnesota Pickle Ball Tournament. Cadet Sergeant John Yang and his team traveled to Lifetime Fitness in Lakeville, Minnesota. An awesome job.

Free Dental Care for Kids 18 and Under

Give Kids a Smile is offering free dental care for kids 18 and under on February 6th and 7th. Please check out this website to sign up! https://www.mndental.org/events/give-kids-a-smile/find-a-participating-clinic/