Como Park Senior High School
Sophomore Handbook
Class of 2017
Como Park Senior High Counseling Department
Ms. Molly McCurdy-Yates (Student Last Names A-F)
Ms. Jamie Menne (Student Last Names G-L)
Mr. Rick Walker (Student Last Names M-S)
Ms. Paula Sweeney (Student Last Names T-Z)
Mr. Jamie Shady: Academy of Finance Counselor
Ms. Jane Young: College & Career Counselor
Counseling Secretary: Ms. Teri Soika
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Grade point average, or GPA, is simply the average of a student’s end of term
grades, starting with the freshman year. Although there are variations, most high
schools use a 4.0 scale in which an A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, and D=1.0. If a student has
all A’s, he/she has a 4.0 grade point average. If a student has B’s in half his/her
courses and C’s in the other half, the student has a 2.5 GPA.
Como Park High School also has “weighted grades” for honors and/or AP
(advanced placement) courses. A grade in a weighted course is worth more than it is
in a non-weighted course. For example, an A in an honors course might be worth 5
points instead of the usual 4 points. While a variety of methods are used to determine
GPA, the higher your grades, the higher your GPA.
In order for you to understand how to figure your weighted GPA, you need to
know that Como Park Senior High uses semester grades and how much the grades in
each course are worth. If you are not able to figure out what your GPA is, ask your
counselor.
Class Rank
Como Park Senior High uses class rank to show where a student stands in
relation to other members of the graduating class. The student with the highest GPA is
number one, the student with the second highest GPA is number two, etc. Class rank
is generally written as two numbers. The first number represents the student’s place in
the class; the second number represents the total number of student in the class (e.g.,
35/295). Because GPA’s are used to determine class rank, you must have a high GPA
in order to have an impressive class rank.
High School Transcript
A high school transcript is a document that details a student’s academic achievement in
grades 9-12. A transcript is, quite simply, a copy of a student’s high school record. Although
the appearance of the high school transcript varies from school to school, high school
transcripts generally contain the following information.
1. Grades and credits for each course completed, beginning with grade nine
2. Current cumulative GPA and class rank
3. Anticipated graduation date
4. Test scores (e.g., PLAN, PSAT, SAT, ACT)
An official transcript has a signature, stamp, or seal verifying its authenticity. An
unofficial transcript is exactly the same as an official transcript, except that it has no signature,
stamp, or seal. You can usually get an unofficial transcript (to check your credits or to take on
a college visit) by going to your counseling office.
Transcripts are used whenever a high school, organization, or college needs an official
copy of a student’s academic record. For example, if you were to transfer to another high
school, your new high school would need to have a record of the courses you’ve taken, the
grades and credits you’ve earned, etc. Your new school would, therefore, ask your current
high school to send them an official transcript.
College admission officers need to have a record of an applicant’s high school courses,
grades, test scores, GPA, etc. in order to determine whether or not the applicant meets their
admission criteria. All four-year colleges, therefore, require that an official transcript be
submitted along with a student’s application for admission. A transcript is also usually required
whenever a student applies for a scholarship.
Athletic Eligibility
Como Park High School has eligibility requirements for sports. Athletes may, for
example, be required to have a certain number of credits to be considered eligible. At Como
Park High School, these same eligibility requirements also apply to students who participate in
activities like band, Student Council, etc.
It is your responsibility to know Como Park High School’s eligibility requirements. If you
have a question or concern about eligibility, see your coach or athletic director.
Know How to Get Good Grades
If you come to school every day and do the following, you are certain to get good grades.
Be organized
• Use a student planner or an assignment notebook
• Have a separate folder for each class
• Have phone numbers for classmates in case you have a question
• Keep your locker and backpack neat
• Get everything organized for the next day before you go to bed
Manage your time well
• Use any extra time in school to get started on homework
• Create a study plan that works for you
• Break large assignments down into smaller parts
Be successful in the classroom
• Learn how to adapt to different teachers
• Learn each teacher’s class rules and procedures
• Be in school, on time, everyday
• Have everything you need with you when you go to class
• Always do your homework
• Participate in class
• Be a good group member
• Treat others with courtesy and respect
• Do extra credit work whenever possible
Take good notes
• Be an active listener - as you listen, think about what’s being said
• Recognize and write down important information
• Take notes that are easy to read
• Get a copy of the class notes if you’re absent
Know how to read a textbook
• SCAN the assignment to get an overview
• READ the assignment
• REVIEW what you’ve read
Study Smart
• Find a good place to study
• Organize your study time
• Allow more time for homework than you think you’ll need
• Know how to use a computer to write papers and do research
• Use tricks to help you memorize things
Use test-taking strategies
• Have everything you need for the test
• Before you start, look over the test and develop a plan
• As you’re taking the test, mark the questions you want to return to
• Check your answers
• Use all of the time available
Como Park Graduation Requirements
English
English 9
English 10
English 11
English 12
Social Studies
World History/Geography
U.S. History
U.S. Government/Economics
4 credits
4 credits
4 credits
4 credits
16 credits
6 credits
4 credits
4 credits
14 credits
Mathematics
Algebra 1
4 credits
Algebra 2 (or beyond)……………………4 credits
Geometry ………………………………....4 credits
12 credits
Science
Biology
.4 credits
Chemistry or Physics……………………...4 credits
Other Science
.8 credits
12 credits
Electives
FACS or Technology or Business
Physical Education
Health
Fine Arts
Other Electives
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
22 credits
32 credits
Total Credits needed to graduate 86
Routes to Meeting State Graduation Assessment
Requirements
1. Meet Grad requirements in writing, reading and mathematics
2. Take college assessment test( Plan, ACT, Accuplacer)
Credit Recovery Options
Gordon Parks (651-744-1210) - Must be 16 years old.
Summer School
Enrichment Opportunities
Launch: Propelling Yourself Beyond High School
Resource List
Career Pathways Academy
Apply Now for 2nd Semester
 College Credit
 Tuition Free
 Transportation Provided
Programs
 Digital Imaging & Web Design
 Introduction to Business & Business Communications
 Medical Careers/Nursing Assistant
http://cte.spps.org/Career_Pathways
Genesys Works
Apply in January for Junior Year
Training Provided May – August
Paid Internship Possible During Senior Year
http://www.genesysworks.org/twincities/
Right Track
Apply in the Spring for Summer Employment
Entry – Level Job Training Provided
Explore Careers
Develop Your Work Skills
http://www.stpaul.gov/righttrack
UnderConstruction
Hands-On Experience with Construction Trades Careers
Eight Week Paid Experience
http://www.doli.state.mn.us/APPR/underconstruction.asp
TradeUP!
Hands-On Experience for GIRLS
Home Repair
Interior Design
http://sprocketssaintpaul.org/jobs/trade-apprentice
Saint Paul High School Automotive Center
Register Now for 2nd Semester
Work on the Latest Cars
Earn Industry Certifications
http://monroeautocenter.spps.org/
College Possible
Apply in the Spring for Junior & Senior Year
Prep for All Aspects of College
After School for 2 hours – twice a week
http://www.collegepossible.org/
Conservation Corps
YOUTH OUTDOORS
Afterschool program
Explore Science & the environment
Work on Projects to Improve Local Parks and Natural Resources
http://www.conservationcorps.org/youth-opportunities/
Post-Secondary Education Option (PSEO)
Earn College Credits in High School
Attend Classes on Campus
http://guidance.spps.org/pseo.html
Saint Paul Public Schools Trades/Construct Tomorrow
Hands-On Career Training
Skills for Life
Apprenticeship is the First Step In Your Career
http://constructioncareers.org/
3M STEP Program
Partnership with 3M
Classroom Instruction
Mentoring
Paid Summer Employment in 3M Laboratory
http://cte.spps.org/6d9d0bac-e2cc-4ffe-a60d-f09d129463b4
Please see your counselor with questions.