School & Sports | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Gentry Academy hires Como High graduate Kyle Follmer to lead boys’ hockey team

Gentry Academy in Vadnais Heights has hired Kyle Follmer as the school’s new boys’ hockey coach. Follmer, who played high school hockey at St. Paul Como Park, before playing junior and … more

9/15/23

Rain Taxi Book Fair returns Oct. 14

Rain Taxi Book Fair returns Oct. 14 Rain Taxi presents its 23rd Annual Twin Cities book Festival Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the state fairgrounds with special … more

9/15/23

Commusication celebrates 10 years

ComMUSICation (CMC), a nonprofit organization providing equitable access to music programs for youth in Saint Paul, marked its 10th anniversary by hosting a concert on May 21 at the Ordway Concert … more

9/15/23

Congratulations to PPGJ 2023 Dr. King writing competition winners: (left to right) Soliana Ruva Emmanuel, Celicia Young, and Deborah Adedigba. (Photo submitted)

Living the dream with hope and purpose

Aug. 28, 2023, marked the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. On Aug. 28, 1963, thousands gathered to lift their voices for justice. They envisioned a society where the … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 9/15/23

Como’s Marine Corps JROTC cadets at their Summer Leadership Camp in South Dakota.

Summer highlights, fall preview

Summer break came and went quickly! Hundreds of students stayed connected to Como through unique experiences ranging from educational trips out of state to athletic team trainings on campus. Some … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 9/15/23

A road trip through America’s Deep South

One car, three teachers, seven days, 10 states, and 2,850 miles. In late July, we journeyed through the Deep South as curious learners with goals of connecting places with the content of our courses. … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 8/11/23

St. Paul Academy students Rishi Bhargava (left) and Humza Murad were two of five students chosen at the Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair to compete at the expense-paid International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Dallas, Texas in May 2023.

Nonprofit pushes to keep state science fair, science bowls going

“Minnesota may not have a State Science Fair or State Science Bowls going forward. We just lost a 25-year sponsor who covered a third of our Science Fair budget. So now we’ve got six … more

7/14/23

The Como Park boys’ volleyball team earned the 5th place trophy at the Minnesota state club volleyball tournament.

Cougar spring sports highlights

The high school sports season that began with practices in early March concluded with state tournaments in mid-June. For hundreds of student athletes who wore a Como Park Cougar uniform, their spring … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 7/14/23

Seniors in the JROTC scholarship ceremony wore masks as Sgt. Major James Kirkland spoke about COVID-19 challenges experienced on the path to graduation. (Photo submitted)

New principal announced, JROTC scholarships top $1.5 million

JROTC cadet scholarships Through a unique high school experience that included a year of distance learning beginning in the spring of their freshman year, and masking requirements for nearly a year … more

By Eric Erickson , Social studies teacher | 6/7/23

NEW EAST AFRICAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) announces that a new East African Elementary Magnet School will open in September 2023. The PreK-5 school is being designed in collaboration with members of the East … more

6/7/23

Ker Cha, one of the team members that went to South Korea, practices at Frogtown Community Center.

It all started in a refugee camp

Gao Chang likes to play volleyball and soccer. But the sport that has captured his heart is sepak takraw, a game with three team members on each side of a net using any part of their body except … more

By Jan Willms | 5/10/23

Students discovered and explored potential opportunities at the Como Career and Trade Fair in the Como Gym on April 27.

Como student learn about careers

Como students took advantage of the chance to visit with representatives from 30 different businesses, industries, and trade groups during school on Thursday, April 27. The fair featured many St. … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 5/10/23

Angelina Hernandez spoke about the importanance of smudging. (Photo submitted)

Educator advocates for smudging policy

“All Native American students should have the right to smudge,” said Como Park High School teacher Angelina Hernandez. “We need to expand policies to protect the rights of … more

By Eric Erickson | 4/14/23

She helps students take risks, achieve goals

Sarah Ehlen, a math and science teacher at Prodeo Academy, finds joy in building connections with her students and watching them grow as learners. The veteran teacher believes it’s her job to … more

By Sarah Graves | 4/14/23

‘Matilda, Jr.’ at Murray Middle School

After four years without a performance, the spring Musical Theater was back at Murray Middle School. The production of Matilda, Jr. was a huge success, according to organizers. Over 50 students were … more

4/14/23

Como AP Government students with Congresswoman Betty McCollum in her Washington D.C. office. (Photo courtesy of congressional staff)

Como AP Government students visit D.C.

Fifteen seniors studying AP Government and AP Economics recently spent a week in Washington D.C. as part of the national Close Up program. Highlights included study visits to national monuments and … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 4/14/23

Vanessa Jesci caught one of the larger fish. Winters can be frigid in Minnesota, but Karl Erickson, the woodworking program manager at Elpis Enterprises (2161 University Ave.) can find ways to make the cold weather both fun and a learning experience. The Elpis ice fishing program is open to youth from fourth grade and up at area schools. They learn how to identify species, as well as fishing regulations and cold weather conditions. “They are taught heater safety, hook safety and hole safety,” Erickson said. Sixth-graders from Sejong Academy experienced ice fishing on Lake Como on Feb.13, 2023. Vanessa Jesci caught one of the larger fish (above). Police cadets from the St. Paul Police Activities League assisted students at Como Lake.

Land of 10,000 outdoor hobbies

Winters can be frigid in Minnesota, but Karl Erickson, the woodworking program manager at Elpis Enterprises (2161 University Ave.) can find ways to make the cold weather both fun and a learning … more

By Jan Willms | 3/9/23

Como swimmers celebrate a great night at the Section 4A Meet where six Cougars qualified for the state meet.

Como swimmers return to state meet

Swimmers return to State Meet The success and depth of the Cougar boys’ swim team was evident in the pool and on the podium at the Section 4A Meet held on Feb. 24. Beyond the individual events, … more

By Eric Erickson, social studies teacher | 3/9/23

Care packages for Street Works

For their January volunteer project, Murray Middle School National Junior Honor Society students heard guest speakers from Street Works, a local organization that works with homeless youth. The … more

2/9/23

A focused effort by the Como girls’ basketball team resulted in a 88-63 victory over Central and extended the program’s conference remarkable winning streak. (Photo by Eric Erickson)

Como girls set St. Paul City record

With another undefeated season in the St. Paul City Conference in the books, the Como girls basketball team earned their ninth consecutive conference championship.The last time the Cougars lost a … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 2/8/23