Como Park Senior High Newsletter

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

March

18- CIS Field Day @ U of MN

18-22- MCJROTC Winter Cadet Leadership @ Golden, CO

19- Chamber Concert 6:00-9:00

20- No School (Professional Development)

24- Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:00-7:00

27- Bethel Health Care Course 9:00-1:00

31- SPPS Honors Concert @ the Ordway 12:15-8:00

31- Vision Screening for 9th grade

April

3- End of Quarter 3

6-10- No School (spring break)

14- Incoming Freshmen Night 5:00-7:00

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

School-Based Therapist

My name is Samantha, and I am a School-Based Therapist with the Wilder Foundation working in the Sembrando Program, a Latino culturally specific program. I am currently accepting new referrals and provide individual therapy for students, as well as family therapy in English and or in Spanish. My approach focuses on meeting students where they are, building strong relationships, and exploring how they experience and understand their world. My goal is to create a supportive space where students feel heard, understood, and empowered. I value culturally responsive work and continue learning from the diverse backgrounds of the students and families I support. Outside of work, I enjoy taking walks, cooking, and attending Minnesota United FC soccer games.

Hola! Mi nombre es Samantha y soy terapeuta escolar con la Fundación Wilder, trabajando en el programa Sembrando, un programa culturalmente específico para la comunidad Latina. Actualmente estoy aceptando nuevas referencias y ofrezco terapia individual para estudiantes y también terapia familiar en inglés y/o en español.

En mi trabajo me gusta conocer a los estudiantes tal como son y acompañarlos en el punto de su proceso de salud mental en el que se encuentran. Juntos exploramos formas de expresar sus pensamientos, emociones y experiencias, mientras construimos una relación de confianza y apoyo.

Mi meta es crear un espacio donde los estudiantes se sientan seguros, escuchados y comprendidos. Valoro mucho el trabajo culturalmente sensible y sigo aprendiendo de las experiencias y culturas de los estudiantes y las familias con las que trabajo.

Fuera del trabajo, disfruto salir a caminar, cocinar y asistir a los partidos de fútbol del Minnesota United FC.

Dear families,

We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming trips to Japan, The Alps & Mediterranean Coast and Spain 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://rsvp.eftours.com/vmyy5nw

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

March Question of the Month

What can we do to engage more families from our community? Please help us gather feedback by completing this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1yIY-i6tMRWSGAfp9WlygLh-HoKXQexks9iinpMUt_o8/edit

Looking for a way to give back to our students, staff, and school community? Donate to Donors Choose and help fund some projects for teachers!

https://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?keywords=como%20park%20high%20school

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!

Summer School Registration

Summer school registration is now open. A student that needs to make up credit(s) will be registered by their school counselor. Summer school will go from June 23rd to July 23rd through one of the options:

In-person at Como Park Senior High School from 8:45 a.m. To 2:45 p.m.

Online through Credit Recovery Network

School counselors will default to in-person unless you request online. You can put in the request by completing the survey: https://forms.gle/Wt5PPRFf6rwrXirw9 or emailing your student's school counselor:

Mrs. Moser, A-Fi, at holly.moser@spps.org

Mr. Lee, Fu-Ma, at shuepheng.lee@spps.org

Farah, Mc-Reh, at farah.abuqalbeen@spps.org

Mrs. Vang, Rei-Z, at choua2.vang@spps.org

You will get a confirmation on May 1st regarding which option the student will be participating over the summer.

SPRING SPORTS REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

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)

GET YOUR PROM TICKETS EARLY!

Prices are $50 per person until March 31st! After that, they go up to $60 per person.

Valleyfair Information

Last day to pay for Valleyfair is April 3rd!

Students can not drive on their own. They must ride the bus to and from Valleyfair. We will Leave school at 8:45am. Seniors are the face of the High School we are celebrating Greatness. Seniors will be excluded if concerning behaviors were/are being displayed leading up the trip with out refund.

*There will be two departure times from Valleyfair, choose your preference. Please be confident in your selection. This will be difficult to make last minute changes.

Load Bus at 5:30pm from Valleyfair and return to Como about 7pm (rush hour)

Load Bus @ 1:45pm and return by 2:45pm to catch school transportation or go home.

ATTENTION SENIORS! Class Meeting Coming Up!

Seniors,

Please plan to attend important class meeting on Wednesday March 18th during seminar( the date was changed out of respect for Eid al-Fitr).

Topics to include:

Graduation times and rehearsals
Ticket Requests/ accommodations
Speaking Role Auditions
Valleyfair Fees and more

Please attend!

Come support our talented students and get to know other families!

Tickets available until March 15th!!!

For more detailed information including the application, please click here.

COMO PARK ATHLETICS - WINTER 2025/2026 SEASON RECAP

Boys Swimming

The boys swim season was exceptional this year. For the first time in school history, we were first in Section 4A; additionally, we sent someone to the State Class A meet in every single event (also a school first)! We also won the St. Paul City Conference meet for the first time since the early 90s.

Led by team captains Joey Schumacher (12th) and Noah Williamson (11th), the team did a phenomenal job of rising to the occasion with their best selves at key moments, creating a new reality for Como swimming.

Nordic Ski Racing

The St. Paul Como Nordic Ski Team had a memorable and historic season marked by growth, new athletes, and record-setting performances. This year’s roster was the largest in program history, with a surge of junior high skiers and many athletes trying Nordic skiing for the very first time. The team’s energy and enthusiasm were evident throughout the season as new skiers learned the sport and veteran athletes stepped into leadership roles. The program also celebrated its largest women’s team ever, a sign of the continued momentum and excitement surrounding Nordic skiing at Como.

The boys’ team delivered one of the strongest performances the program has ever seen. At the Section 4 meet, the boys placed 3rd overall, the highest finish in school history. The team’s depth and hard work throughout the season paid off as multiple skiers contributed strong results across both classic and skate races. The result reflected not only individual effort but also the growing strength of the program as more athletes continue to develop each year.

One of the biggest highlights of the season came from seniors Henry Simmons and Colin Johnson, who won the conference championship in the classic sprint relay. They followed this up at the Section 4 championship and qualified for the Minnesota State Nordic Ski Championships, marking the first time in program history that Como sent a relay team to the state meet. Their accomplishment was a fitting milestone for a season defined by growth, perseverance, and team spirit, and it sets an exciting foundation for the future of Como Nordic skiing.

Girls Basketball

Como Girls Basketball had a season of highs and lows, but of course the lows helped these young ladies fight a little harder each game. The highs were the most important as there was a lot of progress skill wise. Having our 9th grader, Alayla Salas come into a new system and able to hold her own playing varsity and being the second leading scorer on the team, and in some games carrying us to a victory. Ahmani Crump has shown great progress and has shown that she is quite the scorer, finishing her season with four 30 point games and now 77 points away from scoring 1,000 points.

Many know that we are now conference champs 13 years consecutively and holding it down for those before them, is an amazing accomplishment. This year we will graduate 5 seniors; Samya Denman, Aaliyah Miller, Diamonique Whitt, Destiny Cannon, and Tylena Davis, with 3 out of 5 of them having college offers to play at the next level and wish them nothing but the best. We will miss the seniors! As we know the ball must continue to bounce and the girls returning and coming in to join the program will make us proud. Our 11-13 record will never define how happy we are as a coaching staff to be able to continue to change lives and help create great young ladies. Keep an eye out for these young ladies and thank you to all that have supported this program. Go COUGARS!!

Boys Basketball

The Como Park Boys Basketball season came to an end after a strong performance against South Saint Paul in the first round of the section tournament. The Cougars battled hard and continued to show the growth and resilience that defined their season.

The team finished tied for third place in the St. Paul City Conference with a 6–6 conference record, marking a competitive year and an encouraging step forward for the program.

We would like to extend a special thank you to our nine seniors, whose leadership and commitment helped lay an important foundation for the future of Como Park basketball.

Congratulations as well to Contrell Jenkins, Hezekiah Brandshaw, and Kavaughn Lissimore on being selected to the All-Conference Team, and to Jonas Tetevi for earning Honorable Mention All-Conference honors. Their hard work and dedication throughout the season were instrumental to the team’s success.

Wrestling

Notable Season Stats

Boys

Boe Reh - All Conference

Ler Moo - All Conference

Johnny Hudson - All Conference

La Soe - All Conference

Jere' Maiah Saw - All Conference

Achillies Yang - All Conference

Montez Adams - All Conference

Girls

2-2 in Duals and two 3rd place finish First Place in Girls Conference.

Kmwe Soe - Twin Cities Champ

Joyce Kamalandua - All Conference St. Paul Champ, Twin Cities Champ

Eden Williams - 4th Section Place, Twin Cities Placer

Sarah Dar - All Conference, St. Paul Champ, Twin Cities Champ (First Girl in School History with 55 Career wins and twenty five pins

Noreah Champman - All Conference, St. Paul Champ, Twin Cities Champ 4th Section Place

Makiyah Adams - St. Paul Champ, Twin Cities Champ, 4th Section Place

Makiyah May - St. Paul Champ, Twin Cities Champ Section Champ 2x state entrant

Brrrrrrr. ❄️ Eight MCJROTC Cadets, five school staffers, and the Cougar Mascot took the 2026 Minneapolis Cool School Polar Plunge at Lake Nakomis on Thursday, 5 March. A major fundraising event where hundreds of students from numerous schools raise money for Special Olympics Minnesota by jumping into icy waters. Thank you, our Polar Plunging Cougars. OOH RAH!

Female Wrestler and MCJROTC Cadet Color Sergeant Noreah Chatman performs with her CG team for the final day of the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament at the Saint Paul Excel Energy Center.

Please give a high five to Anna Peltier who won the First Robotics Leadership Award this weekend at the Northern Lights First Robotics competition in Duluth. She will represent Como Park at the First Robotics World Competition in Houston this spring. Go Anna!

Washington D.C. Close Up experience

20 seniors who studied the University of Minnesota – College in the Schools (CIS) Government course offered at Como spent the first week of March in Washington D.C. as participants in the national Close Up program.

Check out the photos, including what Congresswoman McCollum shared in her newsletter to all the constituents of our congressional district!

Como Park High Pivots to Provide Mutual Aid to Those in Need

Please read this article by Eric Erickson, celebrating the good our Como Park community did in response to crisis: https://parkbugle.org/192860/school/como-park-high-pivots-to-provide-mutual-aid-to-those-in-need/

NAMI Minnesota and Saint Paul Public Schools invite families to participate in a series of Virtual Mental Health Sessions for Spanish-Speaking Families. Flyer is attached.

Dates: Tuesdays, March 17, 24, and 31
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Topics will include: