Como Park Senior High Newsletter
December 15, 2023
As we approach winter break, we would like to thank you for your ongoing support to our students and staff. While some days may be more challenging than others, we pride ourselves knowing that our families and school community look out for each other in caring ways that reflect grace, positivity and encouragement. Thank you for trusting us with your student each day and for working together to make this school year a wonderful experience for everyone. May you all have a safe, healthy, and relaxing holiday break. ⛄
Upcoming Dates
December
25-Jan. 5- No School (Winter Break)
January
8- Students Return to School
13- Robotics Fundraiser at Urban Growler 2-6 PM
15- No School (MLK)
17- Open House for Prospective Families 5-7 PM
18- Band and Orchestra Winter Concert 6-8 PM
22- Murray/Como Parent Forum 6:00 PM
24- Choir Winter Concert 6-7:30 PM
25- End of Quarter 2
26- No School (Grading Day)
Please check out our athletic events coming up: https://sppscomoparkhighschool.rschoolteams.com/
Dear Como Park Senior High School Families,
Yellow school bussing will return as the primary means of transportation for Como Park Senior High, starting on Monday, January 8th, when we return from winter break. Language Academy students will be assigned to new yellow bus routes and will likely have new bus stop locations and times. There will be no change to transportation for students currently using SPED or Project Reach transportation.
New bus route information is still being finalized, but all students will receive a postcard over winter break showing one of the following:
Their new bus information
Walk Zone (within 1 mile of Como Sr, not eligible for transportation)
Outside of Bus Zone (may be eligible for a Metro Transit card if they were already using one during first semester)
Outside of St Paul (not eligible for transportation)
We expect delays for anyone picking up students after school, and recommend all students use the provided means of transportation to reduce these delays. To accommodate yellow bussing, anyone picking up students after school must enter Rose Ave and pick up students in front of the football field then turn around in the parking lot and exit again using Rose Ave. If students are staying after school to participate in an extracurricular activity, they should check with their program if they have transportation questions. Some programs will have a limited number of bus tokens that they may be able to provide on a case by case basis.
All students should use their new transportation starting Monday, January 8th, but we have arranged for all existing Metro Transit cards to continue working through the week of January 8th so students can still get to school if they have questions about transportation during the transition.
SAVE THE DATE!!
Como Park's Annual Winter Snowball Semi-Formal Dinner and Dance will be held on Friday February 16th at Como from 7-10 PM. This dance is primarily for Freshmen and Sophomores and tickets will be $20 per person. Ticket sales will begin after Winter Break!
Attention students and parents,
English 12 and CIS Writing Studio students are in dire need of copies of Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. If you have a copy you forgot to return, or your friend, or a sibling, please return as soon as possible to room 1607. If you have a copy you already read, and would like to donate, we would be over the moon. We miss Trevor.
Thanks, Ms. Boyer, Ms. Janna, and Mr. Caulum.
Please use the Venmo below to purchase tickets to the Robotics fundraiser. Reference Como Robotics when buying tickets or donating to Como Robotics. You can also purchase them at the door.
LIBRARY NEWS!
This year 575 new books have already been added to the library! 🎉
Come check them out before winter break.
We also have 294 books overdue! See if you have an overdue book here:
Please look around for your books and turn them in.
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).
College Application Information: Many final deadlines are January 1st! Don’t worry there are more deadlines throughout the 23-24 school year. Students should figure out their college list, work on their essay (if required), and get organized (here’s a helpful spreadsheet for that)! If they are already working on the Common Application, use this guide to answer some frequently asked questions. Students should make an appointment with Ms. Aisha if they have not completed the senior survey or need support applying to college! COUNSELORS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE DURING WINTER BREAK!
IMPORTANT! University of Minnesota Twin Cities January 1 application deadline!!! If students have a January 1 application deadline (like for the University of Minnesota Twin Cities), they MUST request counselor forms, transcripts, and teacher recommendation letters via Xello by Friday, December 10. Requests made after December 10 are not guaranteed to be submitted by the January 1 deadline due to the upcoming winter break. THEY SHOULD NOT WAIT! Request your transcripts (video) and letters of recommendation (video) in Xello today!
FAFSA is not open yet - will open December 31st! 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!
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 Opens Nov 1 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
Accounting, economics, math, business, finance, marketing and more
3.0+ GPA
US Citizen, Permanent Resident or DACA Status
College Knowledge Night!: February 7th from 5:00 - 7:30 pm at Como Park Senior High School: Bring your friends and families for an important night of learning. From financial aid talks and FAFSA workshops to a panel of college admission counselors and college alumni - it will be a vibrant night of college knowledge! There will be a focus on completing your FAFSA, applying for scholarships and connecting with resources - so join us!
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
Hundreds of colleges and universities from the US and worldwide will be ready and waiting to talk with you at these upcoming NACAC College Fairs.
Don’t miss these free, one-day events for high school students, transfer students, and families. Go to nacacattend.org/fairs to register for each program and to see the list of participating colleges. Then log in on any fair date to attend sessions, chat your questions, download informational resources, and demonstrate interest… all without leaving home. It’s a great way to connect with hundreds of colleges in a short amount of time to learn about majors, scholarships, and more.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Please welcome our new Health Assistant, Va Yang
I graduated from Johnson Senior High School and got my undergrad degree from Metropolitan State University. Before becoming a health assistant, I was a mental health counselor at Radias Health.
My hobbies consist of traveling, playing soccer, and working out. If I'm not saving to travel, I'm trying to build my project car which is a Lexus RC350 F-Sport.
I love the demographic and the community at Como. I wouldn't trade this experience to work at any other St Paul public school!
Please welcome our new Special Education teacher, Sophia Liebelt
Hello! I am one of the special education teachers, I teach Reading Standards and Skills for College and Career Readiness courses. This is my 7th year teaching and 4th year teaching special education I have taught in elementary, middle and high school.
I have two kids of my own (3.5 and 2 years old), who keep me pretty busy day to day. When I have some free time I enjoy baking, running, crafting, and reading (for fun). I am an avid sports fan, mostly keeping up with the Green Bay Packers, Timberwolves, and Lynx.
I grew up in Como Park and graduated from Como Park High School in 2012. I am excited to be back and look forward to getting to know the community and school on the staff side of things.
Great Things Happening at Como
DID YOU KNOW?
Como Park Senior High School had the highest number of students taking CIS (College in the Schools) classes from the U of MN in 2022-23 than any other high school in the district?
164 students- Como Park Senior High
128 students- Washington Tech Secondary Magnet
127 students- Johnson Senior High
67 students- Central Senior High
54 students- Humboldt High School
50 students- Highland Park Senior High
18 students- Harding Senior High
Students at Como Park registered for 225 CIS courses resulting in 780 college credits earned!! At $538.70 a credit at the U of MN, that is a lot of FREE college credits!! Learn more about CIS courses here and how to earn FREE college credits while remaining at Como Park.
These Educators Definitely Put the "Fun" in Fundraiser
Six staff at Como volunteered to get pied in the face to help the Student Council raise money. Ms. Jackson (Assistant Principal), Ms. Pin (Social Studies teacher), Mr. Fields (Special Education teacher), Mr. Williams Sr. (Intervention Specialist), Mr. Williams Jr. (Intervention Specialist), and Mr. Davis (Restorative Practices Coordinator) all agreed to get a little messy for a good cause. Student Council raised over $300! Fun and laughs were had by all in the auditorium during Seminar.
Como High School has founded Saint Paul Public Schools' first HOSA chapter, an organization dedicated to developing the next generation of health care professionals. Our chapter meets on Wednesdays during seminar. We explore a variety of careers in the health care industry. We have welcomed several guest speakers so far this fall, including a chiropractic radiologist, an optometrist, a midwife, a lab technician, and a school nurse. Many more guest speakers are lined up for the rest of the school year. Our chapter will also engage in community service activities and can compete in healthcare competitions. If you are interested in a career in health care please come and join our HOSA! See Dr. Norton-Bower or Gail Grogan for more information!
In JROTC News, our cadets pulled it off again. Devil Dog23! Clinching huge success at the Home Devil Dog Drill Competition, Eight JROTC's competed within 10 drill events over 10 hours this past Saturday. Como Park JROTC was not only great at competing but honorable ambassadors to more than 350 guests to Como Park High School. Cougar Pride is alive! A super shout out to the custodial staff who kept all things clean and smoothing sailing. And to Basketball Coach Olonda Englands Taco's in Bag concessions. Cadets now set their sights on the next big one in Indiana. Ooh Rah!
Community Service
Cadets community service at the Palace Recreation Center to celebrate holiday festivities. Led by Junior Cadet Eh Chri Paw. Good times.
Building Comradery
Cadets in action again doing what they do. 99's! Enjoying nachos for lunch!
Great job to all the MCJROTC Junior Class Leadership. They made another traditional JROTC Winter Festival a fantastic event for all to enjoy. Happy Holidays.
Mr. Hiers and his AVID class of 10th graders enjoyed a field trip to Minnesota State Mankato. They got a presentation about the school, got to talk to current students, and were able to go on a tour of the school. They ended the day eating at the University dining hall, which was everyone's favorite part!
Community Resources for Families
FOOD RESOURCES
- Minnesota Food Helpline Call 888-711-1151 for assistance, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Ramsey County Food Resources
- Interactive Food Locations (food shelves, groceries at low or no-cost, farmer's markets, meals at no-cost)
Customer Contact Center 651-266-8500 (Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm)
NEW! Compassion Roseville HEALTH CLINIC, location: 1910 County Road B West, Roseville MN 55113, Services provided at no cost, first come first served, Services: Dental: Fillings, Extractions, Cleanings, Medical Exams: Kids and adults, Vision: Checks and Free Glasses, Social Services, and Physical Therapy
NEW! Merrick Community Services Holiday Share Program registration opens November 6th. Go to Merrick’s link: https://merrickcs.org/holidayshare/
Flyer available in Español, Amharic, Hmong, and Karen. Click here for multiple languages.