The results of Como’s mock election in October
More than 900 Como students cast a vote in Como’s school-wide mock election on Oct. 25. AP U.S. Government and Politics students served as election judges, overseeing a registration table and distributing official ballots for the presidential election, which were provided by the Secretary of State’s office.
election, which were provided by the Secretary of State’s office.
The results of that school event were left out of the last issue of the Bugle. If you are curious about how Como students voted in the mock presidential election two months ago, here are the results: Hilary Clinton received 63 percent of the vote, Donald Trump received 8 percent, 29 percent of the students voted for third-party candidates, with Dan Vacek of Legal Marijuana Now getting 7 percent of the vote. The statewide result of all Minnesota high school mock elections was 35 percent Trump, 34.7 percent Clinton and 30 percent other candidates.
You can see how other schools throughout the state voted in their own mock elections at the Minnesota secretary of state’s website, www.sos.state.mn.us/elections- voting/get-involved/students-vote-results.
Robotics team wins $10,000 high-tech cutting machine
The Como Robotics team, BEASTBot, earned a $10,000 piece of machinery through an online voting campaign. Maslow CNC conducted a three-week Kickstarter campaign for schools to acquire a high-tech cutting machine. BEASTBot will be able to take the design of their robot and complimentary parts to the next level with this 4-by-8-foot Maslow CNC saw designed to precisely create objects out of wood and other flat materials.
The build season for Robotics begins in January. After a state tournament appearance last school year, an off-season invitational win and expanding external support, there is a lot of positive momentum in the program.
Field trip to financial awareness
More than 60 freshmen students in the Academy of Finance (AOF) attended an all-day field trip to Finance Park at Junior Achievement. Students got a taste of the real world when they participated in a hands- on, money-management exercise that included a professional profile, salary and a set of bills to pay and manage. Students learned how to manage a mortgage, insurance costs, utility bills and a handful of other details and responsibilities. It was a valuable exercise to gain financial awareness and literacy in preparation for their independent futures.
Choir concerts and more
The Como Park choirs presented the annual Pops Concert on Dec. 12 at the school. The show featured five choirs performing music ranging from current hits to classics and oldies.
Como’s Chamber Singers added spirit to Orchestra Hall with a preconcert performance on Dec. 9 with members of Minneapolis’s Washburn High School choir.
Raising funds for Washington, D.C. trip, one bag at a time
The annual Close Up trip to Washington, D.C., is the first week of March, and fundraising is in full swing. Students from AP Government classes will bag groceries for customers at the Roseville Cub Foods on Larpenteur Avenue on Friday, Dec. 23, and Friday, Dec. 30, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cub customers generally support the students with donations that help defray the expense of the educational adventure. Bugle readers are encouraged to swing through Cub and help the cause.
Como facility improvements will begin this spring
Facility improvements and additions to Como Park High School will be begin in the spring. Beyond classroom upgrades, new common areas, a new front entry, new bathrooms and a two-story addition, a multi-purpose synthetic turf field will also be installed inside the track this summer.
The field will be an asset to the students, athletic teams, families and the Como community as a whole. Many community leaders advocated for the field. The students and staff are excited to see the field investment coincide with the building improvements and modernization of the academic space.
Come visit Como
Prospective students who are interested in experiencing a day at Como are invited to shadow a current student. Opportunities for shadowing will extend into January and February. Interested students may register online at comosr.spps.org. Click “Como Park Shadow Visits 2016-2017 Registrations.” Tours are also available upon request through Jill van Koolwijk, who serves as a parent coordinator. She can be reached at 651-744-3997.
