Como Park Senior High Newsletter
January 12, 2024
Upcoming Dates
January
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)
February
5- Parent Advisory Council Meeting 6:00 PM
7- Financial Aid Night 4:30-7:00 PM
12- NAAPID (National African American Parent Involvement Day) 9:30 AM- 11:15 AM
16- Winter Semi-Formal Dance 7:00-10:00 PM
Please check out our athletic events coming up: https://sppscomoparkhighschool.rschoolteams.com/
Yellow buses are back! We would like to thank everyone for their patience during the transition back to yellow buses. We have 15 new routes that are regularly arriving on time in the morning and the afternoon. We made the adjustment to bring families picking up in the afternoon through the parking lot and out to Grotto and Maryland. Please remember to drive slowly at all times and watch for pedestrians. If you have any questions about bussing, please contact the office, 651-293-8800.
COMO PARK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
When: Wednesday January 17th
Time: 5:00-7:00 PM
Help spread the word to prospective Como families so they can see how awesome Como Park is!
PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
When: Monday February 5th
Time: 6:00 PM
Where: Virtual through Google Meet...(more info to come)
We would like to hear from you!! Please email me with suggestions, topics, concerns, or questions to be discussed at the next PAC meeting...jamie.hoffman@spps.org.
Do you speak more than one language? It is time to be recognized and earn up to 20 FREE semester college credits per language!
What? A Bilingual Seals assessment is a language proficiency test. The test includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Earn your Minnesota Bilingual Seal or Certificate with a qualifying score!
Where? Como Park High School
When? April 30, May 1 & 2, 2024 (calendar link)
Curious? Have a look at a sample test HERE.
Register today! Registration ends January 31, 2024.
WINTER BAND CONCERT
WHEN: Thursday January 18th
TIME: 6:00 PM
WHERE: Como Park Senior High School Auditorium
Join us for our Winter Choir Concert including concert bands, orchestra, and jazz band. Come support our students and witness the wonderfully talented students we have here at Como!
Winter Choir Concert
2023-2024 ACCESS Test for English Learners
State and federal laws require that all English Learner (EL) students are assessed annually to measure their proficiency and progress in reading, writing, listening and speaking in English.
Minnesota uses the ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State) 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 are meeting the WIDA English Language Development Standards and determine if a student is ready to exit from SPPS’s EL program.
All SPPS EL students in grades K-12 will be administered the ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA Alternate ACCESS tests between January 29 - March 22, 2024.
If you have questions about your student’s participation, please reach out to Jamie Hoffman at jamie.hoffman@spps.org.
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/Page/46590
MDE Family Testing Information website: education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/
Please reach out to Jamie Hoffman at jamie.hoffman@spps.org or 651-744-5529 if you have any questions.
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.
Class of 2024 families- here is the corrected link to submit senior photos
https://forms.gle/KK7Hkuswvi1WXo3D6
Deadline for submission is 1/26/24
LIBRARY NEWS!
This year 575 new books have already been added to the library!
We also have 294 books overdue! See if you have an overdue book here:
Overdue Library Book List (by student number)
Please look around for your books and turn them in.
Attention Juniors and your families! Please see the attached flier for a wonderful paid internship opportunity with GenesysWorks!
GenesysWorks cont...
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
College Knowledge Night!: February 7th from 5:00 - 7:30 pm at Como Park Senior High School
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
For field trip form, click here.
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 Teaching Assistant, Charvaye Williams
My current position at Como park is a TA 2. This is my first year at Como, but I am a Como alum. Class of 2019!!!!!!!
When I'm not here working, I'm at Walgreens working as a manager. I am also currently studying at Concordia University. When I do find time for hobbies that don't consist of work you can find me practicing my photography skills, playing my beloved Sims game, and I recently just started to learn how to crochet. I'm so happy to be back at Como... The community that filled my heart with so much joy, encouragement and strength from the staff members to the students that walked the halls with me every day as a high school student. I hope that now that I am back, I can share and give back to the Como community what Como gave to me as a student.
Great Things Happening at Como
A great night of basketball for the Como Park Girls Basketball Program vs Highland Park. We even had a special guest from our Saint Paul Park and Recreation teams that came and played at halftime. Thanks so much to Principal Minus of the Westside Boosters 12U and Lashay Holt with the Lady Legends. The nest up and coming of girls basketball!!
Toy for Tots Community Service. 62 cadets volunteered their time and effort to give back so many in need. Pictured at Mall of America near the Toy for Tots Warehouse.
Close Order Drill Practice the Cadets to get qualified for Marine Corps Nationals - - -
The New Year brings fresh fallen flakes and puts MCJROTC back in the saddle again and ready for a very busy competitive 2024. All four MCJROTC companies endured four count snow angels and even more outdoor cardio "PT" this week after a long holiday break.
Juniors
Freshmen
Seniors
Sophomores
Nga Boe, Como alum and current Bilingual EA, hosted Como Sr’s first Karenni family night. During this time, Nga Boe, Jeff Caulum, Kia Thao, Farah Abuqalbeen, and Dr. Brown, were able to help parents and families gain access to Campus and Schoology so that they are able to support their learners at home. They also were able to dialogue around attendance, school safety, the graduation process, and credits. Approximately 20 families attended. Families enjoyed sambusas, egg rolls, and beverages. The next Karenni night will be in February. We are looking forward to it and hope even more families will attend!
MONDAY- Twin Day
TUESDAY- Dress like your favorite celebrity
WEDNESDAY- Students dress like a teacher/Staff dress like a student
THURSDAY- Culture Day
FRIDAY- Spirit Day
Whether we are celebrating an upcoming school break, the end of the calendar year, or coming together as a school community, Como students and staff love to mix it up and participate in the spirit week festivities. The week ended with a battle of the classes futsal tournament involving students and staff. Freshmen were the champs and dominated the other classes and the staff, of course:)
Community Resources for Families
For Español, click here.
Face to Face
Ashley Bauer-Yuen, Community Engagement Coordinator
bauer-yuena@face2face.org or volunteer@face2face.org
Office: 651-772-5591
Mobile: 651-230-1326
Face to Face Health Clinic & Admin Offices
1165 Arcade Street (Arcade near Maryland)
Saint Paul, MN 55106
Safe Zone Drop in Center
130 East 7th Street (on 7th near Roberts, downtown)
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Face to Face services for 11 – 24 year old youth include:
- · Medical health clinic
- · Mental health clinic
- · Community health
- · Youth justice diversion program
- · Employment education
· Safe Zone – Drop in center
- · Clients seen with our without insurance
- · MNSure Navigators on site can help with health care access
- · Mental health clients can receive walk in services
- · Close partnerships with nearby dental and eye health service providers
- · Some languages represented on staff and others available through translation services
Please contact Ashely Bauer-Yuen ( bauer-yuena@face2face.org )
· To tour their spaces
· With more questions about Face to Face services
Flyer available in Español, Amharic, Hmong, and Karen. Click here for multiple languages.