Como Park Senior High Newsletter

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ကညီ, Soomaali, Hmoob, and Español

September

15- Booster Club Meeting 6:30 @ Como

16- Picture Day

18-19- MCJROTC Raider Competition @ Michigan City, IN

21- No School (Staff Development)

26- Homecoming 1:00-5:00 (Powder Puff game at 10:45)

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)

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.

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!

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTSCWGW9. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!

Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online on mylifetouch.com

All students need to get their picture taken. They will receive a student ID which will be used to get into sporting events, dances, etc.

Student Data Safety and Security:
As the only SOC 3 compliant partner in school photography, Lifetouch delivers unmatched protection for student and staff information - backed by third‑party verification and trusted by schools nationwide. Learn More.

Parent Engagement Meetings 26-27

All Parents are Invited

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

We meet every 1st Monday of the month. The Parent Advisory Council works together to provide input regarding school policies and school improvement. Parents are an integral part of developing our Family Engagement Plan, School Compact, and School Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP). For more information, contact Jamie Hoffman at jamie.hoffman@spps.org. or 651-744-5529.

Our first meeting is October 5th at 6:00 PM.

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, parents have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of their student’s classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. Parents who would like to receive this information should write to the Human Resource Department, Attn: ESSA Teacher Qualifications, Saint Paul Public Schools, 360 Colborne Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102-3299. You have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teacher(s).

• Information about whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
• Information about whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;
• Information about whether the teacher is teaching (subjects or content) in which proper certification is held by the teacher.
• Information about whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

Click here for other languages: Hmong, Somali, Spanish, Karen

The Minnesota Report Card gives you easy access to understandable district and school data. Please check out Como Park Senior High School's Report Card.

Our district has transitioned to a new online platform for all athletics programs. Here is the new link to find all results and schedules for our school:

https://www.gobound.com/mn/schools/stpaulcomopark.

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/

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 information to come soon.

COMO PARK TRAVEL ABROAD PROGRAM

Dear families,

We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming trips to Japan and The Alps & Mediterranean Coast and your student is invited! This life-changing experience will help students build confidence, independence, and global perspective.

We’re holding an informational meeting to share everything you need to know—and spots on this trip are limited:

👉 Find meeting info and RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4wUK2tv

Why attend?

- Learn how to save $200 with early enrollment.

- Get first access to limited spots.

- Learn about what we’ll see and do, academic opportunities, trip cost, and more.

In the meantime, please visit EF’s website to get answers to common parent questions. EF Tours is our trusted travel partner, and they have 60 years of experience helping students explore the world safely and affordably.

I hope to see you there and look forward to sharing how this trip can be a powerful and unforgettable chapter in your child’s life!

Best,

Leah Deiman

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!

CONGRATULATIONS TO COMO PARK ON DESIGNATION AS A MCRA & MARINE CORPS JROTC NAVAL HONOR SCHOOL (2nd Time in 31 Years)

Congratulations to the instructors, cadets, administration, and faculty of the Como Park High School Marine Corps JROTC program on the designation as a Marine Corps JROTC Naval Honor School and Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA) designation school. This highly prestigious recognition places our program in the top tier of all Marine Corps JROTC units nationwide. Achieving this status is an extraordinary feat, requiring uncompromising standards of excellence across rigorous annual inspections, cadet academic achievement, community service hours, and overall unit proficiency.

Our MCJROTC cadets had a very busy summer. Color Guard Camp, Cadet Leadership Camp Korkow Ranch South Dakota, Cadet Staff Development Leadership Camp, First Responders Leadership Camp, and three cadets attended the Virginia Military Academy College Workshop in Virginia for four weeks. Awesome!!! 🤠

MCJROTC extensive unselfishness as 50 cadets a day dialed in for seven days at the Minnesota State Fair. Picking, Pulling, Putting, and pushing trash. Awesome!

Como Park makes MPR News: https://share.google/qOEaJb3Lkfc2z5eIZ

CONGRATULATIONS MS. MCCOY! A WELL DESERVED HONOR!

Over 100 SPPS students across seven high schools marched in the MN State Fair Parade on September 1st. Eleven students represented Como in what was our first ever all-district marching band performance!