Como Park Senior High Newsletter

February

27- Get Ready Augsburg Field Trip 9:00-12:50

27- AVID Field Trip to University of St. Thomas 9:30-1:00

29-Mar 2- Northern Lights 1st Robotics Competition in Duluth, MN

March

3-8- Close-Up Washington DC trip

6- Travelers Field Trip

7- Karenni Family Night 5:00-7:00 PM

12- ACT

13- CIS Field Day at U of MN 8:30-2:30

14- Spring Conferences 4:00-7:00 PM

15- Spring Play "Jungle Book" 7:00 PM

16- Spring Play "Jungle Book" 2:00 and 7:00 PM

19- Spring Conferences 4:00-7:00 PM

22- MSU@ Mankato Maverick's Day 8:15-12:15

28- End of Quarter 3

29- No School (Professional Development)

Please check out our athletic events coming up: https://sppscomoparkhighschool.rschoolteams.com/

Parent Advisory Council Meeting for March is canceled

Please join us for our next virtual meeting on Monday, April 1st...and no this is not an April Fool's joke 🤣

Please send me your thoughts, comments, questions, etc. you would like discussed at our meeting in April. Everyone may attend the meeting at any time throughout the school year. Thank you!

Education Pathway Classes for 2024/25 at Como

Como Education Pathway Slides

It's that time of year again where seniors need to verify the spelling of their full name. What they see in Campus will be what is printed on their diploma. Please show either a birth certificate or passport to Ms. Mills in the Counseling Office for any corrections by Friday, March 1st.

SPRING SPORTS REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Now you can register online for spring sports using this link: https://spps-ar.rschooltoday.com/

Spring sports are starting very soon! Does your child need an updated sports physical before the season starts? Your school’s Health Start clinic is the perfect place to get it done! We accept all insurance and there is never a copay. Students can stop by the clinic, located near the nurse’s office, anytime to get the necessary forms and make an appointment.

ATTENTION ALL JUNIORS AND ANY SENIOR WHO DID NOT TAKE THE ACT LAST YEAR AT COMO!

ACT registration will be held in the library during periods 2, 3, and 4 on Wednesday February 28th. Please come to the library at these times:

Last Name ending in A-H...9:55-10:25

Last Name ending in I-Q...11:10-11:55

Last Name ending in R-Z...1:45-2:15

Any questions? Ask Ms. Hoffman or email at jamie.hoffman@spps.org.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Thursday March 14th from 4:00-7:00pm

Tuesday March 19th from 4:00-7:00pm

Need transportation? Contact Jamie Hoffman at jamie.hoffman@spps.org or 651-744-5529 for more information. Interpreters will also be available.

Teacher Appreciation Sign Up Genius Link

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS!!

MCA & MTAS Testing 2023-2024

Each spring, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) or the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are provided to students in mathematics (grades 3-8 and 11), reading (grades 3-8 and 10), and science (grades 5, 8 and in high school upon completing biology). Most students take the MCA; however, some students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements take the MTAS. Both tests provide a snapshot of student learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards. The MCA and MTAS are used to meet federal and state legislative requirements. The Minnesota Department of Education and SPPS can use results to look across student groups, schools and districts to evaluate equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Assessments are designed to provide information about student learning, but there is no single assessment that can provide the full perspective of what a student has learned. These assessments provide one data point that should be considered in the context of additional evidence of student learning.

Students will take the MCA or MTAS between March 4 - May 10, 2024. If you have questions about your student’s participation in statewide assessments, reach out to your school’s school assessment coordinator.

For more information on the MCA and MTAS please go to:

• SPPS MCA/MTAS Family Testing Information website: spps.org/Page/46393

• MDE Family Testing Information website: education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/

Available in Hmong, Spanish, Karen, and Somali

Hello all! We love our Como Cougars. One of the ways the Como Booster Club can support the many activities at Como is to sell Como Spiritwear! We could use your help.

What will you do? Help sell spirit wear. You may also help set up or put away the spritwear during the time. It's a fun way to meet people in and around our Como community.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A48AAAF2DA4FB6-48051352-sell

If you do not want your 9th or 11th grader to participate in vision screening, please fill out the form below. Forms available in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, and Karen.

NEW COMO PARK SPIRIT WEAR ITEM!!

MEN'S & WOMEN'S FLANNEL PANT WITH POCKETS IN BLACK/GOLD WITH COUGARS LOGO ON LEG. See order form below or pay with Venmo.

Apply now for Summer Jobs, through Right Track!! Available for ages 14-21!

Scan the QR Code in the attached poster and/or see Mr. Zamacona, in room #1603, if you have any questions

Updates from the Counseling Department and the Career Pathway Center (CPC)

The CPC is Open! The Career Pathway Center (CPC) at Como is open Monday-Thursday from 9:00am-4:00pm in room 1304 (across from the Counselor’s Office). Students can email Ms. Aisha (amohamed.ach@spps.org), check out the Career Pathway Center website, drop into the CPC, or sign up for an appointment for information on student career opportunities, college planning, and scholarships and check out the Como Park page under “Student” and then “Career Pathway Center”. Also look through the student newsletter (Como CPC Update)!

Get Ready: Postsecondary Support for 10th-12th Grade For juniors, and seniors seeking postsecondary support, please contact Get Ready Pathways Coordinator Mai Chue Moua (mmoua.getr@spps.org) and Ka Siab Yang (kyang@getready.k12.mn.us).

NACAC's Spring 2024 National College Fairs start in January! Register now for the opportunity for you and your students to connect with hundreds of colleges and universities all in one place, as well as take advantage of our free College MatchMaking™ program that matches students with the schools that meet their criteria. 2024 Schedule and Registration Information

In-Person National College Fairs

NACAC is offering 22 in-person National College Fairs this spring, with hundreds of colleges and universities from across the globe already signed up to exhibit. Have students interested in studying STEM or the performing and visual arts? NACAC will be offering special areas focused on STEM and performing and visual arts at our college fairs in greater Los Angeles, New Jersey, Houston, and Boston.

Virtual College Fairs

NACAC Virtual College Fairs are a great opportunity to connect with colleges and universities from the comfort of your own home. Have a quick video chat with a rep, drop-in on a virtual presentation, send a question through the chat — make a connection your way.

FAFSA is finally OPEN! The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is being postponed and will open December 1st and is for students planning to attend college next year. Check out the Paying for College page on the CPC website to learn more about how to complete the FAFSA. Make an appointment with Ms. Aisha if you need support starting your FAFSA - there will be workshops before and after school available to families and students (email to schedule a time). Check out the 2024-25 FAFSA FAQ YouTube Series to answer questions about the changes.

Email Ms. Aisha (amohamed.ach@spps.org) or sign up for an appointment if you have any questions with the FAFSA application process.

Juniors! ACT Prep All juniors will take a FREE ACT in March -- start preparing today! There are resources available on the act.org website and free prep material in the Career Pathway Center!

Seniors! Wallin Scholarship Due February 1st The Wallin Scholarship program offers $4,000/year ($16,000 over four years!), targeted advising, and paid internship opportunities. CLICK HERE to check out a 1-min video, review eligibility requirements, and to APPLY starting November 1! Contact Ms. Aisha (amohamed.ach@spps.org) with any questions.

COMO SCHOLARSHIP! Travelers EDGE Program: $12,500 (if attending a four-year college) $6,250 (if attending a two-year college). 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.

• Planning to attend Augsburg, Metropolitan State, or St. Paul College
• Plan to enroll in a course of study relevant to insurance and financial services

o Accounting, economics, math, business, finance, marketing and more

o 3.0+ GPA

o US Citizen, Permanent Resident or DACA Status

Click HERE for more information on College Resources + Events, Student Career Resources, Family Resources, and Paying for College

Also check out the CPC Update sent to all class years weekly!

CONTACT US

Counseling Department Website

Como Park Career Pathway Center Website

ATTENTION CLASS OF 2024!

Save the date for the senior picnic on May 31st from 11:00-2:00. You won't want to miss the last chance to hang with all of your high school classmates at once. There will be plenty of food, drinks and outdoor activities. It will be a moment to remember😊

The Student Council is collaborating with the Ronald McDonald House Charities to provide a charity opportunity to the Como Community. Below you will see a number of items that the Ronald McDonald House Charities needs donated to their houses. Please feel free to bring a bag of the items to the front office and have it be brought to Ms. Mohamed's room in 2728. You are also welcome to donate money directly to the charity to support all their needs through the QR code in the flyer below. Our students at Como Park will also be participating in providing these products to the charity as well and you are welcome to drop off donations with them. Thank you for your support in providing food for the Ronald McDonald House Charities! Please donate or drop off items by March 1st! Note: All proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

Congratulations Como Boys Swim team! They broke the 26-year, 200 Medley Relay Conference record. Congratulations Oskar Helgen, Kai Sackreiter, Kyle Kosiak and Joey Schumacher!

Old time 1:42.07 1998

New record 1:40.64 2024

We were honored to have Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard and St. Paul Mayor, Melvin Carter join our NAAPID (National African American Parent Involvement Day) celebration on Monday February 12th. Families, community members, staff and students enjoyed a full program consisting of guest speakers, Como Choir and Cheer Squad, Student performances, and an educational piece by our African American Studies teacher, Mr. Mann. It was wonderful to see our auditorium packed during this special event.

Congratulations to the MCJROTC Cadet Cougar Staff Noncommissioned Officers (SNCOs) and Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) Promotions this month.

Cadet Staff Sergeant Emily Kue

Cadet Staff Sergeant Soe Thoo

Cadet Staff Sergeant Sumalee Reh

Cadet Staff Sergeant Rihanna Said

Cadet Sergeant Nally See

Cadet Sergeant Providence Mwakana

Cadet Sergeant Roman Rivers

Cadet Corporal Wyatt Ambriz

Our Como Park MCJROTC cadets support the Ben E. Mays IB World School Bulldogs tonight at their NAAPID Gala. A great night supporting the event's special speakers, music, food, and dancing. Cadets look sharp!

On Friday 02/09, advanced band musicians at Murray MS joined the Como Park pep band in the stands to play music for the girls' varsity basketball game! Fun was had by all. Thank you to the Murray students who were brave enough to play and meet some high school band members (some of which will become classmates next year!)

The Cloud Coach program is a mentoring program in which every 9th grade student at Como is either paired with a professional mentor from Thomson Reuters or Travelers. In this 8 week mentoring program the pair will message weekly to discuss the students interests, hobbies, current goals, and future aspirations. The hope is to get the students to take some practical steps to act now and think forward.

Every student who writes that assigned week is qualified for a snack box. There will be a total of 8 winners each week for the 8 different classes. Also, winners cannot repeat. Here is a list of the first 8 students who earned a snack box:

Mariah Miller, All Lay, Naimo Saed, Dee S. Paw, John Murray, Christopher Pittman, Phuong Vo, Henry Hannu

During Spirit Week, students and staff had some fun experimenting with outfits. We also had a pep fest where we acknowledged our winter sports' athletes and accomplishments. Students participated in powder ball and a free throw contest, and enjoyed watching the teacher edition of musical chairs.

Families, community members, staff and students painted a mural drawn by our art teacher, Ms. Veszi. What a fun and therapeutic way to "paint by number." Our youngest painter was 3 years old and a future Como student. 😊

Key highlights of our upcoming OurStories performing arts workshop for high school students:

- 5 immersive sessions exploring dance, spoken word, music, and a moment of sharing to close the event. Throughout the experience, there will be community visual art creation
- Professional teaching artists leading each discipline
- Focused on storytelling and self-expression
- Collaborative activities fostering community
- Movement and dance to unlock creative potential
- Crafting and performing powerful spoken word pieces
- Playing percussion instruments and collaborative rhythms
- Creating a community visual artwork
- "Praise Break" bonding moments to uplift participants
- "Moment of sharing" presentations to inspire others
- Culminating showcase to exhibit student creations
- Valuable skills gained: communication, confidence, focus
- Supportive environment for creative risk-taking
- Unique performing arts experience before spring break

This program provides an inspiring opportunity for students to develop their talents and voice in a judgment-free creative space.
Registration

Internship or Volunteer Opportunity

Looking Ahead...

On Thursday, May 9, 6:30 - 8:00pm, Saint Anthony Park Branch Library Association is hosting a neighborhood author, Mia Nosanow and her new book:

Flyer available in Español, Amharic, Hmong, and Karen. Click here for multiple languages.