Como Park Senior High Newsletter

October

19- No School (MEA)

20- No School (MEA)

November

1- Picture Day

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

9- End of Quarter 1

23- No School (Thanksgiving Break)

24- No School (Thanksgiving Break)

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

Picture Day is coming up. We need volunteers! If interested in helping out, please contact Jamie Hoffman at 651-744-5529 or jamie.hoffman@spps.org.

When students get their picture taken through Lifetouch, they will also receive a student ID card. This card is important and used to get into dances and athletic events and may be helpful for job interviews. It is usually the only picture ID students may have until they get a driver's license or state ID.

Picture Day expectations:

-Avoid wearing Green.

-No sunglasses, or hats and hoodies that will cover your face.

-Bring order form on the day of your pictures and give it to the photographer OR order online.

Lifetouch flyer available in Español.

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.

School Expectations

*Students are expected to be in their assigned class at all times. This is how we can ensure students are safe and learning.

*PSEO, Self Directed, and Online Learning students will need to spend this time out of the building or in the library as we do not have enough staff to supervise students in these courses. It is a safety concern when students are not in their designated areas. If students do not adhere to their schedules, they will be given a class so they have a consistent schedule that they can manage.

*No outside food is allowed unless your child would like to bring lunch from home. Como Park Senior High School provides free breakfast and lunch everyday. No food will be accepted that is delivered from Door Dash, GrubHub, etc.

*It is getting colder outside! Please make sure your student is dressed accordingly. Students are not allowed to enter the school until 8:15 and they need to exit the school at 3:00 unless they are in a supervised activity.

October was first declared as National Bullying Prevention Month in 2006. Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge that bullying has devastating effects on children and families such as school avoidance, loss of self-esteem, increased anxiety, and depression. Wednesday, October 18th is national Unity Day, a day when we focus on preventing bullying and harassment.

What can you do? Recognize the warning signs for bullying and act on them. Wear orange on October 18th to symbolize you are a safe person for someone who is being bullied or harassed. For more resources, visit https://www.stopbullying.gov.

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?

October is College Knowledge Month in Minnesota and to celebrate, the colleges and universities of Minnesota State are waiving their application fees for the entire month.

That's what we call Minnesota State Month!

Minnesota State Month is a great time to explore the 33 colleges and universities that make up Minnesota State. Special campus visit events are planned at many of the Minnesota State campuses during the MEA break October 19-20, but you can also visit any other time during the month too. Just contact the colleges or universities you want to visit from the list below.

And you can apply for FREE to one or more of the 26 colleges and seven state universities at any time during the month—it’s a great way to save a few bucks and get started on your journey to your dream career!

All Minnesota State colleges and universities are waiving their application fee for the entire month of October.

• Check out our campuses and programs.
• Learn about Minnesota's new FREE college program, the North Star Promise Scholarship.
• Read about the tuition freeze in affect at all Minnesota State colleges and universities until spring 2025!

Apply Today

Updates from the Counseling Department and the Como Career & College Center (CCC)

If you have any questions or need support, please contact your student’s counselor:

Academy of Finance (AOF) 9th-12th - Ms. Kia Thao, kia.thao@spps.org, 651-744-8170 (https://calendly.com/msthao)

9th-12th (Alphabetical by last name):

A-Fe - Mrs. Holly Moser, holly.moser@spps.org, 651-744-4664, (https://calendly.com/holly-moser)

Fi-L - Ms. Natalee D'Amore, natalee.damore@spps.org, 651-744-1151 (https://calendly.com/natalee-damore)

M-Re - Mrs. Farah Abuqalbeen, farah.abuqalbeen@spps.org, 651-744-1141 (https://calendly.com/farah1)

Ri-Z - Mrs. Choua Vang, choua2.vang@spps.org(https://calendly.com/choua2-vang)

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”.

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).

Get Ready Field Trips

• U of M, Rochester - Tuesday, October 24, 2023 (A-Day - from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm)

• MSU Mankato STEM Academics Day - Monday, November 6, 2023 (B-Day - from 8:15 am - 3:00 pm)

• Get Ready Senior College Conference - Tuesday, November 28, 2023 (B-Day - from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm)

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 2025! 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!

XELLO - Xello is the career & college planning tool that every student has access to and will get lessons on various topics throughout the year. This year seniors will use the Xello platform to:

• Research Careers, Colleges and Majors

• Build Their List of Colleges

• Send Transcripts to Colleges

• Request Letters of Recommendation

Check out the XELLO HELP page on the CPC Website for instructions on logging in and performing the tasks listed above. *Note: If your student is applying through the CommonApp, they must link their Common App and Xello Accounts. Please reach out to counselors or Ms. Aisha to help with this process.

Reporting ACT Score Requests - Many colleges are still not requiring students to report their ACT/SAT scores, however some schools still need ACT scores. Juniors will be taking the ACT offered at school in the spring but if Seniors would like to take it again they can follow up with Ms. Aisha for a fee waiver. If your senior wants to report their test scores to colleges via their transcript, they must email the following counselor after making the transcript request in Xello:

• Non-Common App Transcript Requests: Ms. Aisha Mohamed (amohamed.ach@spps.org)

• Common App Schools (non-AOF students): their respective counselor based on last name.

• Common App Schools (AOF students): Ms. Thao - kia.thao@spps.org

***Check out this video on requesting your transcript in Xello.

***You can also send your ACT scores directly to the colleges through your MyACT.org account.

PAYING FOR COLLEGE

MN Office of Higher Education Downloadable Guides (available in various languages)

Many colleges waive their applications through this month so apply now! As well, Ms. Aisha and Ms. Mai Chue have fee waivers for college applications available so please connect with them.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Find Scholarships in your Xello Account!

Log into Xello > Click Goals and Plans > Click College Planning > Click "Local Scholarships"

MEA BREAK - THINGS TO DO!

• Check out colleges as many of them have opportunities for campus tours and connecting with admission representatives.

• Have your student check out Schoology for opportunities (Hint: Right Track is open for spring applications with one opportunity being 3M STEP an internship through the summer for juniors working at 3M!)

• Apply to colleges and reach out to Ms. Aisha if there is not a fee waiver available.

• Catch up on coursework - finals are right around the corner as the quarter comes to an end.

• REST! Take a break and check in with your friends, families and loved ones.

FAFSA - The 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (2021-22 FAFSA) will open December 1. FAFSA is going through changes this year and we will be sharing the updated information in November. Be on the lookout for that information!

Email Ms. Aisha (amohamed.ach@spps.org) or sign up for an appointment if you have any questions with the FAFSA application process.

MN DREAM ACT - If your student is not a US citizen, you’ll complete the MN Dream Act instead of the FAFSA. Check out the Paying for College page on the CPC website for a step-by-step video on completing the application. Heads up - this is an older walkthrough, but very little has changed (except you'll use 2022 tax info)!

Email Ms. Aisha (amohamed.ach@spps.org) or sign up for an appointment if you have any questions with about the MN Dream Act application process.

Paid internships are possible for ALL STUDENTS at Como Park Sr. High School!

The internships take place next semester, but applications are due by October 31! Some of the many internship sites include the following, Twelve Plus Film Collective & Creative Alliance, Hamline University Athletics, Lynblomsten Health Care, TopLine Financial Credit Union and Como Park Elementary School.

Please read below for more details and to scan the QR code which will take you to the application page, which is also linked here: Right Track Youth Application

Another fantastic opportunity is available to juniors at Como Senior, through the 3M STEP program. If your student is interested in STEM, then getting paid $20/hour while working at 3M, will surely be a good match! As with the internships, students will need to set up an account with Right Track.

Please call or email Work Based Learning Coordinator, Mike Zamacona, if you have any questions: 651-744-3215, Mike.Zamacona@spps.org

Please welcome our new Spanish teacher, Ms. Leah Deiman

My name is Leah Deiman and I teach Spanish here at Como High School. This is my 15th year teaching.

I have lots of hobbies and generally think everything is interesting. Lately I have been riding my bike a lot, learning to embroider, and wondering about Dark Energy and Dark Matter. Please! Quantum-Physicists of the world! Figure out what is going on out there and then explain it in a way I can understand!

My lifelong passions include farming, raising animals, beekeeping, food preservation, and continuing to learn and grow. I've lived abroad and continue to seek out opportunities to travel.

I LOVE being at Como. It means a lot to me to be a part of this community, Como is my neighborhood school and eventually my own kids will go here. If you see me out and about, say hi!

Please welcome our new Special Education teacher, Ms. Elizabeth McDowell

I'm a first year teacher at Como Senior High and I couldn't be more excited and honored to be here. I am a Special Education Teacher specializing in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. I have worked with Special Education students since 2001, with my first teaching experience in Vadodara, India. It changed my life, and helped me see the rewarding and enriching experience of teaching students.

I love music and playing piano, movies, and I also love to cook and continue learning more about my own Korean heritage. I love to travel and I have been to Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, volunteered with an environmental project in Kefalonia, and lived in Italy for over 10 years teaching.

What I've seen so far at Como has really made me understand why I do what I do, and why I'm so happy to be able to join the amazing staff at Como. It is such a great place to teach and to learn myself!

Come and join Karen club! We do a variety of things!

We are here Tuesday & Thursdays 3:00-5:00 (transportation provided)

Learn more about Karen History and culture, connect with your community

Weaving – Muay Thai – Karen Dancing and more

Funday Friday, each month we go to a field trip of students choice, past field trips:

Snow Tubing; Valley Fair; Paintball; Waterparks; Rock Climbing; Airsoft

Come to What’s Next!

We are here Monday & Wednesdays 3:00-5:00 (transportation provided)

We offer career pathway training, FREE Drivers Ed, and tour and explore different colleges

We also help get students into Trade or jobs such as CDL or CNA

Funday Friday, each month we go to a field trip of students choice, past field trips:

Snow Tubing; Valley Fair; Paintball; Waterparks; Rock Climbing; Airsoft

Please make an appointment at the Health Office.

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

Como Park's Homecoming was definitely a success! Our MCs did a fantastic job of getting the crowd pumped up for the dance that night and the football and soccer games the next day. So much fun with tug-o-war and battle between the cheerleaders and staff at our pep fest. Look at that score...teamwork makes the dream work! Way to go Cougars! Enjoy a couple short pep fest video clips here.

Cougar girls keep Mayor’s Cup!

Homecoming Saturday concluded with a thrilling girls' soccer game.

Having a penalty kick shootout to decide a game in the regular season is not the standard procedure. The 1-1 tie between the Cougars and Hawks would usually be the final result. But for the special occasion of the Mayor's Cup, everyone from the players, fans, and officials know – a winner must be determined!

To secure the win, penalty kicks were converted by Giselle Sanchez-Esparza, Ava Lopez, Lucy Dietz, and Kora Becker. Senior goalkeeper SaySay Hinton made two saves in the shootout (and saved one penalty kick in regulation). When Hinton caught Humboldt’s final attempt, an emotional celebration ensued as the players jumped for joy. It was a good day to be a Cougar!

Photo caption: The Cougar girls’ soccer team celebrated their thrilling win over Humboldt with the Mayor’s Cup. (Justin Oakman Photography)

OOH RAH! Champions! The MCJROTC cadets have kicked started their competitive school year by clinching a victory at their first competition of the school year. A sweet victory since that after fourteen years of chasing the coveted Harding High School Great Northern All Team Sport (GNATS) Blowout Busted Ball Traveling Trophy, it was finally brought to Como Park's Marines Corp JROTC. It was forty-five of our cadets that made it happen on Saturday 7 October 2023.

Great job JROTC Raiders who traveled this weekend to Richwoods High School in Peoria, Illinois to compete in their new, first ever Raider Competition. A grueling 6-hour physical fitness tough Mudder type of event under arduous conditions. Their mixed team of male and female cadets secured two second place wins out of the five they competed in. Out of the eight Marine Corps and Army Schools that participated on Saturday, our Como Park JROTC Raiders put up a good fight. Congratulations Richwoods High School MCJROTC on their overall win. Our next Cougar Raider meet is in Calumet, Michigan in February. OOH RAH.

Como Park students attended the 32nd Annual University of MN Future Farmers Association Invitational. Pictured are students from the Dairy and Soils Team. What a great learning experience!

On Wednesday, October 4th, AVID 9 students took part in a field trip to Lake Phalen. The field trip was led by district AVID teachers and Wilderness Inquiry, a local non-profit organization that focuses on outdoor activities and experiences. Students went canoeing, went on a nature hike, and learned how to make a campfire (and smores!).

Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) is committed to making budget decisions that are driven by data and reflect our community’s values. This is especially important as we face significant impacts to our FY25 budget due to the expiration of American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) federal funding in September 2024.

SPPS students, families, staff and community members are invited to attend one of three public engagement sessions that will take place between Oct. 17-25. Dinner and childcare will be provided.

In addition to providing a basic understanding of district/school budgeting, feedback gathered from these sessions will be used to inform future district budget decisions.

The meetings will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:

• October 17, 2023 - East African Elementary Magnet School (437 Edmund Ave. W., Saint Paul, MN 55103)
• October 23, 2023 - American Indian Magnet School (1075 Third St E., Saint Paul, MN 55106)
• October 25, 2023 - Como Park Senior High School (740 Rose Ave. W, Saint Paul, MN 55117)

These meetings will be conducted in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali and Karen.

Additional languages are available by request only: Amharic, Arabic, ASL, French, Oromo, Swahili, Tigrinya, Urdu and Vietnamese.

While registration is not required, it is strongly encouraged. To register, please visit spps.org/budget-engagement.

If you cannot attend one of these meetings, there will be opportunities to provide your input via online survey. Please watch for additional information in the coming weeks.

For Hmong, Español, Somali, or Karen, click here.

You can access the fliers in 11 languages here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KxUqKFdv_92CTI6LhypxGWlLDR7hJTU0?usp=drive_link

Family Center

Family Centers are site-based offices for Neighborhood House located at:

· Bruce Vento Elementary (East Side: 409 Case Ave E, St Paul, MN 55130)

· Dayton’s Bluff Elementary (East Side: 262 Bates Ave, St Paul, MN 55106)

· John A. Johnson Elementary (East Side: 740 York Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55106)

· St. Paul Music Academy (North End: 27 Geranium Ave. East, Saint Paul, MN 55117)

· The Wellstone Center (West St Paul)

· Highland / Sibley Manor (West 7th)

Neighborhood House is “a full-service hub for those seeking assistance with basic needs, from food to housing, as well as helping create future opportunities through family coaching and education programming.”

To contact Family Center for all services:

· Visit a Family Center in person

· Contact Neighborhood House Service Connect: 651-789-3602

Family Center services/resources available include:

· Diapers, clothes, food, housing

· County service navigation

· Internet connectivity

· Bridging/My Very Own Bed

· PSOP (Parent Support Outreach Program)

· Referral for all other Neighborhood House services (youth programming, Latino Leadership, parent and early childhood education, adult education…)

Eligibility:

· Family Center is open to all – students/families in their home-base schools AND families from the community

· For most direct needs (food, clothing, diapers…), Family Center collects very little information – mainly only recording data to account for resources in and out (not family information)

· Other longer-term services and some of those offered through government funding do call for additional family information; Family Center staff will help families work through these questions to see if the services are a good fit