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 Como students were part of summer school classes held at Como which hosted all 11th and 12th graders attending summer school from across the district. New classes for the 2023-2024 school year began on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Staff members returned to the building for meetings, workshops, and preparation on Monday, Aug. 28.

Here’s a review of summer highlights and a preview of upcoming fall activities.

 

Como’s Marine Corps JROTC program bussed 45 cadets to a ranch in South Dakota for team building exercises and physical trainings. Based at the Korkow Ranch near Pierre, the cadets exerted themselves in challenges that built camaraderie. 

They were also able to spend time in the Black Hills and see Mount Rushmore. Their adventure was supported by grants from the North Star Marines Veterans Corps and the Rice Street Athletic Club. 

Additionally, 10 cadets attended a First Responders Camp and visited the Coast Guard in Duluth. And two cadets participated in an Aviation Leadership Camp at the Aerospace Village in Virginia. Fundraising is a constant for Como’s JROTC and the State Fairgrounds were a key location. The cadets worked sanitation duty during the Back to the 50s weekend and worked 12-hour shifts for the first seven days of the fair.

 

Social studies teacher Justin Mann led 31 students (along with seven other chaperones) to New York City for five unforgettable days in late June. Highlights included the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the 9-11 Memorial and Museum, and neighborhood visits to Harlem, Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, and Central Park.

Art and cultural experiences included The Met, the American Museum of Natural History, and the spectacular Broadway show “M.J.” about Michael Jackson

 

During the Como staff prep week, teacher groups were tasked with finding and meeting owners of local businesses as a way of getting to know the neighborhood better and connecting with those who have invested in the community.

Presentations later in the week revealed positive visits to small businesses including Automate Car Repair, Kendall’s ACE Hardware, Abogados Café, True Stone Coffee Roasters, Creative Care by Claire, Soma Chiro, Krungthep Thai, The F.I.T. Lab, Hoa Bien, Pho Pasteur, and, of course, Conny’s Creamy Cone.

 

The “fall” athletic season started with practices on Aug. 14. The Como Booster Club hosted a Taco Feed for all parents and athletes on Aug. 21 and are busy planning an exciting Homecoming weekend with a homecoming tripleheader of Saturday, Oct. 7.

The football game will be at 1 p.m. Boys soccer will play at 5 p.m. and girls soccer will be featured under the lights at 7:00 p.m. The soccer matches are versus Humboldt with the winning prize of hoisting the Mayor’s Cup.