Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

“I’m a mother of five grown children. At the heart of my job is taking care of our children. When I step into my role as a principal, I am very aware that each of these students is someone’s child,” said Central High School principal Christine Vang. (Photo submitted)

Central High School’s principal focuses on closing opportunity gap

In the summer of 2020, Christine Vang was selected as the new principal of Central High School – the first Hmong-American ever to fill that position. What ensued was a year like no other, with … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 9/16/21

Assistant principal focuses on building authentic relationships

When the 2,000+ students of St. Paul Central High School returned on Sept. 8, 2021, dozens of staff members lined the front steps to welcome them back. The freshmen class was brand new to the … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 9/16/21

Sejong moves into historic Iris Park building off University Ave.

Sejong Academy recently moved to a new location off of University Ave. into the historic Iris Park building (1885 University) and is excited to be part of the Midway neighborhood. A ribbon cutting … more

9/16/21

Como Park Senior High School Pirncipal Kirk Morris is looking forward to a new school year.

Como Principal Kirk Morris looking forward to his second year

With a new academic year set to begin in September, Como Park Senior High School Principal Kirk Morris is planning and preparing for what everyone hopes is a more “normal” school … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 8/12/21

Hamline University requires COVID-19 vaccination

In order to ensure a full educational experience in the fall 2021 semester, Hamline University will require all students and employees to complete a COVID-19 vaccination series by Aug. 15, 2021. … more

8/12/21

SPPS may require masks

Superintendent Joe Gothard was expected to introduce a resolution requiring masks for all children ages two and older, staff and visitors at the Committee of the Board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 10, to … more

8/12/21

Community members officially cut the ribbon to open Midway Peace Park on June 15, 2021.

Students, residents at Skyline Tower made their vision happen

Located in the Midway Area, Midway Peace Park (416 N Griggs St.) is the newest completed component of the city of Saint Paul’s vision to create vibrant outdoor gathering spaces that strengthen … more

7/23/21

Sophia Moore, Alex Le, Jesiah Mason, and Kimberly Sanchez-Mendez (left to righ) qualified for the JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl Championship in Washington D.C.

JROTC Academic Team heading to championships

The JROTC Academic Team composed of Jesiah Mason, Sophia Moore, Kimberly Sanchez-Mendez, and team captain Alex Le is heading to Washington, D.C. to compete in the JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 7/23/21

School supply drive July 26-Aug. 1

Teachers dedicated to serving students in under-resourced schools often purchase much-needed supplies for children out of their own pocket. Join us in supporting these educators and students by … more

7/21/21

Diverse, record breaking classes at Augsburg

Augsburg University has become one of the most diverse universities in the nation.In the fall of 2019, 65% of the entering class identified as BIPOC students. It was also the university’s … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 6/9/21

(L to R) Alice Wagner-Hemstad, Kai Sackreiter, Soren Sackreiter, and Zach Bollman advanced to National History Day for their website detailing the origin of modern educational technology.

National History Day Qualifiers

Como students and their History Day research projects have advanced from St. Paul regional competition, to State History Day, and now to the National History Day Finals.Kai Sackreiter, Soren … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 5/12/21

People support St. Peter Claver Catholic School

Is it possible for St. Peter Claver Catholic School to conduct successful fundraising campaign in the middle of a pandemic, when many Catholic churches are closed and door-to-door fundraising methods … more

5/12/21

Raie Gessesse Awarded Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship

Hamline University alumna Raie Gessesse ’20 has been awarded a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans. Chosen from a pool of 2,445 applicants, Gessesse is one of 30 outstanding … more

5/12/21

Como’s State Swim Meet qualifiers at the U of M (left to right): Kai Sackreiter, Ethan Napierala, Gabe Napierala, Sig Isaacson, Soren Sackreiter, and Mark Remuto.

Successful winter sports seasons

As students returned to in-person learning on April 14, the spring sports season was already entering its third week. During distance learning, Como winter sports teams kept competing with many … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 4/14/21

HOPE breaks ground

HOPE Community Academy and Hmong community leaders broke ground on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 on a 60,000-square-foot building expansion at 720 Payne Ave. HOPE is expanding from a K-8 format to include … more

2/11/21

Debate to State!

The Como Park debating duo of Chikamso Chijioke and Sam Skinner concluded their junior year of competition as participants in the Minnesota State High School League Tournament. They’ve made … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 2/11/21

Student Engagement and Advisory Board Member Kalid Ali said, “I take every opportunity that comes my way as if it were the last one, for the betterment of myself and for others.” (Photo submitted)

Achievement gap growing

The first quarter grades for this year are in for St. Paul Public School students, and it appears that racial disparities are growing worse with distance learning.In 2019, Minnesota ranked 50th when … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/14/21

Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria with wife Nubia Espara and children Isabelle, Giselle and Santiago Sanchez-Espara. (Photo submitted)

Up close with local families

ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL Meet Seng Fields and her family. She’s a nurse at Abbott Northwestern who works four days a week, while her husband teaches for St. Paul Public Schools and has … more

Compiled by Tesha M. Christensen | 1/14/21

Como seniors Kalid Ali has taken an active role in promoting political participation as interns with the League of Women Voters. (Photo submitted by Eric Erickson)

Teens serve as election judges

During the intensity of the 2020 General Election, many Como students took it upon themselves to participate in our democracy. Very few high school students are eligible voters, the exception being a … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 12/9/20

What it takes to make a partnership

Lizzy Carson, Bethel University sophomore nursing major and reconciliation minor, was recently named a 2020 Newman Civic Fellow for her community engagement on Bethel’s campus and in the … more

By Maddie Christy, Callie Chase and Laura Osterlund | 11/11/20