CPA Tiger Talk

"Do something wonderful. People may imitate it."

-Albert Schweitzer

CPA's picture day is on Wednesday November 1. Families can order photos using the instructions on the envelope that has been sent home with students, or families can order online by visiting mylifetouch.com and entering Picture Day ID EVTVGC4R8. All students will have their picture taken, regardless of whether the family orders pictures.

Picture day is a free dress day. Please review the free dress day policy (below) as a family and ensure students are dressed accordingly.

On free dress days, students must still wear clothing that is representative of the philosophy of Community of Peace Academy. Clothing, such as shirts or pants that feature pictures, phrases, or statements, must represent or promote peace and a non-violent/healthy lifestyle. All items of clothing must fit comfortably and be school appropriate.

1. Spaghetti straps, off the shoulder tops, halter or strapless tops are not allowed
2. Coats, jackets, caps, hats, and outerwear must be kept in lockers
3. Skirts and/or shorts must be mid-thigh or longer
4. Pants/shorts with holes are not allowed
5. Clothing items that are transparent or sheer must have clothing worn under that meets the above criteria

If it is ever a question as to whether or not you may be out of uniform or whether or not your choice of dress is appropriate, please contact your Principal.

Monday October 30: Quarter 2 begins

Mon Oct 30-Fri Nov 3: High School Spirit Week (see below)

Wednesday November 1: School Picture Day (see below)

Thursday November 2: CPA's 29th Annual Dedication Day

Friday November 3: High School Homecoming Masquerade Ball, 6-9pm (see below)

Wednesday November 8: Elementary Conferences (Evening, In Person)

Thursday November 9: Elementary Conferences (Day, Virtual)

Thursday November 9: No School for PreK-4th Grade Students Due to Conferences

Friday November 10: No School for staff or students

Monday November 13: Board of Directors Meeting, 6-8pm

Tuesday November 14: Middle School Conferences (In Person)

Thursday November 16: Middle School Conferences (Virtual)

Thursday November 16: Give to the Max Day (see below)

Friday November 17: Deadline to RSVP for the CPA Multicultural Event (see below)

Weds Nov 22-Fri Nov 24: No School for Students and Staff (Thanksgiving Break)

Tuesday November 28: CPA Multicultural Celebration, 6-8pm (see below)

Thursday November 30: School Picture Retake Day

New this year: all Minnesota students will receive a free breakfast and lunch every day!

Students who wish to purchase a second lunch may do so. Students or staff can add money to their lunch account using the SchoolPay system.

Current breakfast and lunch menus can be found on the CPA website.

Make sure you are following CPA on social media to see all the amazing things that are happening at our school!

Follow CPATigers on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to Rusty the CPA Tiger on Youtube!

On Thursday November 2, the CPA community will celebrate our 29th Annual Dedication Day! Dedication Day is an opportunity to reflect on and rededicate ourselves to the Vision, Mission, and Core Values of Community of Peace Academy.

This year, we will celebrate Dedication Day with a daytime program that will include student performances as well as remarks from staff and students. The program will stream on CPA's YouTube page at 10am.

All members of the CPA community are invited to reflect on how we can uphold the CPA Vision, Mission, and Core Values in our lives each day.

Vision: Creating an educated, empowered and ethical community.

Mission: Fostering academic excellence and character development through the education of the whole person – mind, body and will.

Core Values:

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: CPA students are prepared to thrive and to lead in a multicultural 21st century world with confidence, compassion, intelligence and positive regard for all.

RELATIONSHIPS: At CPA learning happens through relationships and thrives within a caring and value-rich community.

PEACE: CPA is a diverse community of students, parents and staff dedicated to creating a peaceful school environment in which all members are treated with unconditional positive regard.

Ethical Principles:

Peace, Caring & Respect, Gratitude, Honesty, Courage, Justice, Hope, Loyalty, and Love.

You are invited to CPA’s Multicultural Celebration on Tuesday, November 28th from 6:00-8:00 pm. This event, put on by the English Language Development Department and the Cultural Committee, celebrates multiculturalism and provides an opportunity for families to connect with each other and local resources.

The event will be held in the RGA on Jessamine Ave. There will be music, food, entertainment, and activities. It is an optional event and you must RSVP in order to come. If you would like to attend, please complete this google form or contact Megan Olsen (megano@cpapk12.org, 651-280-4561). Include the name of your students and how many people from your family are coming. Please RSVP by November 17th.

In order to keep everyone safe, we will do the following:

• Families will enter only at door E (on Jessamine Ave).

• Masks will not be required, but available to anyone who wants a mask.

• There will be hand sanitizer available.

• If you or a member of your family are feeling ill, please stay home and support our community from afar.

We hope you are able to join us!

Give to the Max Day is a celebration of generosity all throughout the state of Minnesota on Thursday November 16! You can support CPA by making a donation online at CPA's Give to the Max Day page or by spreading the word to others you know. Thanks for your support!

CPA's HS Student Council is hosting a Masquerade themed Homecoming dance on Friday November 3rd!

Students can buy tickets for $8 during lunch until Nov. 3rd. Tickets can be purchased at the dance, but will cost $10. Each ticket entitles the student entrance, a mask (it's not required that they are worn the whole night-or at all), one slice of pizza, and a drink. Students are also allowed to bring high school students from other schools as long as they fill out a permission slip by Wednesday Nov 1st (they can get one during lunch while tickets are being sold).

The week leading up to the Homecoming Masquerade Ball is CPA High School Spirit Week! Students are invited to dress according to the theme of the day. Anyone not dressing on theme must wear a CPA uniform to school.

Monday 10/30: Comfy Day

Tuesday 10/31: Character Day

Wednesday 11/1: Dress to Impress (Picture Day!)

Thursday 11/2: Career Day

Friday 11/3: Dress as a Staff Member Day

See your student council representative with any questions!

The CPA Athletics Department has new shirts for sale in the CPA office!

The shirts feature the CPA Athletics logo and cost $20 for adult sizes and $15 for youth sizes. A portion of the proceeds from sales will go toward the CPA Athletics department. Thanks for your support! GO TIGERS!

Basketball is beginning soon!

There is open gym for Middle and High School Girls Basketball in the RGA on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3-4:30pm. The season officially begins on Monday, November 13th.

Students must have a sports physical on file to play on the high school teams. For more information, visit the CPA website or contact CPA's Athletic Director Kenan Moore at kenanm@cpapk12.org or 651-280-4527.

Wilder Recreation Center is offering FREE youth basketball opportunities for St. Paul Residents!

Players aged 8-14 can join a basketball team that will start this winter. Sign ups are open until October 31.

Contact Wilder Rec Center to get involved or with any questions at 651-298-5257. CPA is not in charge of any of these programs and CPA staff will not be present.

CPA students are expected to in uniform every day for school. Families, please help ensure your children are wearing proper uniform clothing each day.

All students must wear:

• A CPA shirt as the outermost layer
• Blue, Black, Khaki or Gray Solid Color Pants or Shorts
• OR Girls’ Navy Uniform Jumper, Skirt or Skort (elementary only)

Please review the full uniform policy in our Family Handbook for further details. Thank you!

CPA uniform shirts can be purchased through the office. Anyone who is interested in additional uniform clothing options is encouraged to visit CPA's Online Spiritwear Store to personalize and order CPA apparel and accessories. Discount codes change frequently but are visible on the spirit store website.

Please Note: Names on any student apparel must be your last name only. If the name on your apparel is not your last name, the item is considered out of uniform and you will not be allowed to wear the item during the school day.

CPA now partners with SchoolNow to contact families with important updates, including school cancellations, weather alerts, event reminders, Tiger Talk newsletters, and more. SchoolNow is the best way to stay engaged with your child's CPA experience!

Visit the SchoolNow website (https://www.schoolnow.com/get-started/comofpeace) and sign in with your email address or phone number. You can also download the SchoolNow app to stay even more connected!

If you drop your students off at CPA in the morning before 7:55am, please drop them off at Door E on Jessamine Ave.

It may seem more convenient to drop children off on Magnolia, but we need to keep that street clear for buses until 7:55am. Thank you for your cooperation.

All questions regarding transportation should be directed to the transportation hotline at 651-478-2482.

Please let us know if your child is absent from school. Families can report absences in any of the following ways:

• Elementary School Attendance Line: 651-280-4534
• Middle School Attendance Line: 651-289-3740
• High School Attendance Line: 651-280-4535
• Email: CPAAttendance@cpapk12.org
• Attendance Online Form: Available through the CPA Website

CPA is partnering again this year with Every Meal to provide weekend food bags for interested students/families. The Every Meal program is available to everyone, regardless of income. You can register by filling out this form or completing the paper registration that will be coming home with your child.

Every Meal bags will begin being distributed as soon as possible this fall. We will share the date of the first distribution once it is confirmed.

CPA is still accepting enrollment applications for the 2023-2024 school year.

If you have any family or friends who are looking to join a new school community, please encourage them to apply and send them this link! Thanks for your support.

This newsletter can be auto-translated using the buttons on the top right of the page.

If you prefer, our liaisons will be happy to translate or explain any announcements in Tiger Talk or answer any questions you have about CPA. Contact Maikao Lee at 651-280-4545 (Hmong), Mariana Majil at 651-289-3742 (Spanish), or Paw Nay Bu at 651-280-4591 (Karen) for support.

Teaching Peace. Building Community. Developing Character.

Email: connect@cpapk12.org
Website: cpapk12.org
Location: 471 Magnolia Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-776-5151
Facebook: facebook.com/CPATigers