Como Park Senior High Newsletter

November

6- Parent Advisory Council (PAC) 6:00 PM

9- End of Quarter 1

15- AVID 9 College Visit to Eau Claire

16- Accelerated Programs Info Night 6:30 PM

16- CPSHS Fundraiser at Noodles and Company 4-8 PM

20- AVID 11 College Visit to Augsburg

23- No School (Thanksgiving Break)

24- No School (Thanksgiving Break)

29- Picture Retakes

29- AVID 10 College Visit to Mankato

December

4- Parent Advisory Council (PAC) 6:00 PM

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

Students will receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day under Minnesota's Free School Meals program. However, it is critical that all families complete an Application for Educational Benefits each school year.

Click here to apply online

Application for Educational Benefits determine how much funding your child's school receive for educational programs, supports and technology. Additionally, eligible families and students can qualify for these benefits.

When: Wednesday June 5, 2024

Time: 8:00 PM

Where: Roy Wilkins Auditorium

Como families, we need your help!

Como staff wants to make sure we are addressing the concerns and issues that are important to students and families. Please complete this short form and let us know what you would like to see communicated at staff professional development trainings. Thank you!

Tell your neighbors and friends to attend Como's Accelerated Programs Night!

Spread the word so prospective families can learn about educational opportunities here at Como! Current Como families are welcome to attend as well. Learn more about AP, CIS, and PSEO!

The Como Nordic Ski Team is looking forward to an awesome winter! We have cross country skiing plans for everyone—beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers! There is rental equipment available. For students and parents interested in learning more about the upcoming Nordic opportunities, and for families and students returning to the program, we will be having a parent-athlete meeting on November 8th from 7-8pm, in Classroom 1216 at Como Park HS (this room is located in the biology wing). Please come with questions and to learn more about cross-country skiing at Como Park HS! (If you can't make the meeting, don't hesitate to reach out to Coach Heather Norton-Bower at heather.norton-bower@spps.org.)

Do you want to collaborate on a project with your student and other families in our Como community? Do you want to be a part of Como's history?

The Family Engagement Team at Como is putting together a fundraiser to create a mural for the school. (mural will be done after winter break). Please click the link to learn more and consider contributing to our Donors Choose project. CPSH Community Mural!

COMO PARK HIGH SCHOOL BOOSTER CLUB

is participating in

Give to the Max November 1-16

The Give to the Max giving event has started now! Give to the Max is a statewide giving event that raises millions each year for more than 6,000 causes across Minnesota and beyond.

Help the Como Park High School Booster Club reach our goal of raising $15,000 to $20,000 this year to support student-led activities, teams, and clubs.

To participate in Give to the Max:

1) Go to this link:

Como Park High School Booster Club | Donate | GiveMN

OR

2) Visit GiveMN.org, click on the Donate button, and search for Como Park Booster Club

Each donation made through GiveMN.org qualifies Como Park High School Booster Club for additional grants from the Give to the Max prize pool. GiveMN will award:

· $500 Early Giving Golden Ticket prizes daily Nov. 1-16

· $500 Golden Ticket prizes every 15 minutes on Nov. 16

· $1,000 Hourly Golden Ticket prizes every hour on Nov. 16

· $10,000 Super-Sized Golden Ticket from all donations made through GiveMN.org Nov. 1-16

Thank you for your support of the Como Park Senior High Community!

Order your 2023-24 yearbook today!

The cost is $50.00

Yearbook code is: 14933024

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 Admission Rep Visits The Career Pathway Center (CPC) is hosting dozens of college admissions reps this fall. This is an opportunity for ALL students to hear about various colleges and get their questions answered. Check out the CPC Event Calendar to see the full list of upcoming college rep visits.

Juniors! Apply for College Possible Want to earn a college degree? Looking for free support and personalized coaching? Applications are open for the College Possible high school class of 2023! College Possible is a national college access and success organization with over 20 years of experience supporting students as they earn their college degrees. Interested? Learn more about the program and apply at collegepossible.org/join by October 31!

Freshman! TRIO/Upward Bound Upward Bound is a FREE college access program - helping students get into college with four years of service and support with lots of fun along the way! Learn more here and apply today! In order for students to be eligible for TRIO UB they must be:

• a U.S citizen or Permanent Resident
• Identify as a First-Generation student and/or limited household income (they can be one or both)
• Currently has a 2.5 GPA or higher
• In need of academic support
• Has a desire to attend post-secondary education after high school

Get a paper application from TRIO/Upward Bound in Room 2618 or from the counseling office - there is also a QR code available for the online application.

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.

CONTACT US

Counseling Department Website

Como Park Career Pathway Center Website

FSA ID Family Workshop

Do you have a Como senior this year? Are they planning to pursue a trade/vocational/tech program, a 2-year degree, or a 4-year degree at an accredited college or university? If so, you'll want to make sure that you are prepared to file your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by creating your FSA ID (Federal Student Aid Identification)! Join Get Ready and Achieve Twin Cities in the Como Career Pathways Center (room 1304) on Tuesday, November 14th OR Thursday, November 15th for assistance in creating your parent and/or student FSA ID. Take the opportunity to also connect with Ms. Aisha, the Achieve Twin Cities/CPC Coordinator, or Ms. Mai Chue with the Get Ready/GEAR UP office to get your personal financial aid questions and concerns answered.

Pick up permission slips from the Get Ready Office in room 2614.

Please welcome our new chemistry teacher, Mr. Ted Reiff

Hello - My name is Ted Reiff and I am teaching chemistry to our Como Park students this year. I am in my 25th year of teaching and my 8th year of teaching in St Paul Public Schools. I made a transfer from Washington Technology so I could teach chemistry, which is one of my favorite classes to teach. I am originally from Wisconsin and went to the University of Wisconsin - Madison. I have two children who are currently in college. I enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors during my free time. I also foster rare parakeets and small birds when time permits.

Como Park has been incredibly welcoming to me and I am excited to be a part of this wonderful community.

Please welcome our new social worker, Ms. Sara Lovat

Hello! My name is Sara Lovat. I am excited to join the Como Park Senior High School community for the 2023-24 school year. My favorite part of my job is working with students! Their energy, ideas, and passion teach me new things every day. This school year I’ll be working with students who receive special education services in the areas of social/emotional learning, mental health, trauma support, and crisis intervention. I also serve on multiple teams in the building. I appreciate the warm welcome to Como from students and staff.

I’ve worked as a School Social Worker for St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) for 15+ years. I attended SPPS from kindergarten through 12th grade. I have two children in high school, one attends Como and one attends Roseville Area High School. My husband is also a social worker for SPPS. Outside of work I enjoy being outdoors, reading, and juggling all the mom things.

I look forward to connecting and collaborating with students and families. You can reach me at Como via email at sara.lovat@spps.org, via phone at 651-793-7334 (office), phone/text at 612-568-2213 (Google Voice/text) or stop by room 1212.

Mark your calendars for 4:00-8:00 PM on November 16th! Help support Como Park's annual Family Fun Night.

Busy MEA Break for the cadets. Their sacrifice + unselfishness = Leadership over these days off preparing for our upcoming competitions. Drill, Raiders, Academics and Cyber team's forge on! Ooh Rah

Thank those nine MCJROTC cadets who helped honor the 40th anniversary of the Beirut Bombing on October 23rd, 1983. Two suicide truck bombs struck our American Embassy compound killing 240 military service members. Cadets gathered with our community to remember them all at Fort Snelling Cemetery.

Congratulations Raiders. Accolades on your second competition and 2nd place overall win against 7 other tough Midwestern Schools. After completing several physical fitness challenges at the Michigan City High School Raider meet in Indiana, we humbly collected our hardware and made that 8-hour trek home to Minnesota. Raiders will now set their sights on our next competition in Northern Minnesota in February. Brrrrr. Ooh Rah!

U of M, Rochester College Visit Recap

Como students were able to participate in the Get Ready college visit field trip to the U of M, Rochester on 10/24/23. U of M, Rochester, which is well known for your health science majors and their partnership with the renown Mayo Clinic is located in the heart of Downtown Rochester. Students thoroughly enjoyed the campus tour, gained insightful knowledge from the informative presentation by the admission office staff, and had an opportunity to engage in a meet and greet with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success, Engagement, and Equity, Javier Gutierez. Many seniors voiced their interest in applying to the university to pursue a career in health science after visiting the university. Click HERE to see photos from our visit.

Over the weekend, students in choir, band, and orchestra came together for some outdoor fun, bonding over games of kickball, ultimate frisbee, and flag football. While it was chilly, we stayed warm and spirits were high!