CPA Tiger Talk

May 8th-12th has been set aside as Staff Appreciation Week!

Please take a moment to show your appreciation of CPA staff members who support your children each day by filling out this Staff Praise Form. Thank you!

CPA families, please click this link to complete the CPA Family Survey. This survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete.

We are very interested in your opinion about your experience with Community of Peace Academy. If you have more than one child attending CPA, please give answers that reflect your overall experience. Your answers will be confidential. All CPA families that return the survey by May 17 will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of ten $25 grocery cards. One entry per family.

Please read each question carefully. We appreciate you taking the time to do the survey.

"Character is like a tree and reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."

-Abraham Lincoln

Monday May 8-Friday May 12: Staff Appreciation Week

Monday May 8-Friday May 12: Middle School Spirit Week (see below)

Monday May 8: Board of Directors Meeting, 6pm

Tuesday May 9: High School Summer School Registration Forms due to Ms. Hall (see below)

Thursday May 11: MS Drama Presents "Alice @ Wonderland," 6pm

Thursday May 18: Spring Concert & Annual Meeting, 6pm (see below)

Saturday May 20: CPA Walk/Run at Phalen Lake, check in at 8:30am, race at 9:10am (see below)

Saturday May 20: 2023 CPA Prom (see below)

Monday May 29: No School Due to Memorial Day

Friday June 2: Last Day of Classes for PreK and 12th Grade Students

Friday June 2: PreK Moving On Ceremony, 9am

Tuesday June 6: Last Day of Classes for Kindergarten Students

Tuesday June 6: Kindergarten Moving On Ceremony

Tuesday June 6: Senior Graduation, 6pm

Wednesday June 7: Last Day of Classes for 1st-11th Grade Students

It is important that all CPA families compete the Application for Educational Benefits Packet so that CPA receives support and resources for all students, and so that individual families have access to community programs, including free and reduced price lunches.

If you haven't already done so, please complete the application as soon as possible. If you prefer a paper copy, please contact the CPA office.

CPA students and staff: are you looking for an easier way to make payments at school? Create a SchoolPay account!

SchoolPay accounts make it easier to process any payments you need to make to the school, athletics department, or cafeteria. Families can complete the application for free and reduced price lunch through School Pay, and families who receive free or reduced price lunch can also print their determination letter, which can be used to receive discounts at museums, MTC, and more!

Visit the CPA website to learn more and get started!

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!

High School Summer School enrollment forms are due on Tuesday, May 9. Please make sure to turn in the signed forms to Ms. Hall in the Guidance Office. For questions, contact Ms. Hall at carmita.hall@cpapk12.org or 651-280-4516.

Join us on Thursday May 11 at 6pm in the RGA for the Middle School Drama performance of Alice @ Wonderland!

The middle school drama students and staff have been hard at work preparing this hilarious musical that tells the Alice in Wonderland story with a modern twist. There is no cost to attend, and the show length is around one hour. Thanks for your support of CPA's Drama program!

May 8-12 is Middle School Spirit Week! Middle School students are encouraged to dress on the following themes:

• Mon May 8: Twin Day (dress the same as someone else. It's ok to be triplets or more!)
• Tues May 9: Culture Day (wear an outfit that represents a culture you are part of)
• Weds May 10: Jersey Day (wear a jersey from a sports team)
• Thurs May 11: Profession Day (Dress up like a profession or job, or wear business professional clothing)
• Fri May 12: Rainbow Day (dress as your grade's color: 5th is yellow, 6th is green, 7th is blue, 8th is black)

Students who do not want to dress on theme must come to school in CPA uniform. For more information, talk to Ms. KW or students in Leadership Club. Thanks for helping us raise spirit in the middle school!

CPA's Annual Meeting and Spring Program will take place on Thursday May 18 at 6pm in the RGA, and we hope you can join us!

We will conduct our annual business, elect new members to the Board of Directors, and hear beautiful readings and musical performances from CPA 3rd and 4th graders as well as middle and high school students. See you there!

This year's prom will take place on Saturday May 20 at CSPS Hall. Tickets cost $40 each and can be purchased during the 11th and 12th grade lunch period.

Contact Ms. Lor (xiongl@cpapk12.org) with any questions or to get involved!

Mark your calendars! The 2023 CPA Walk/Run will take place on Saturday May 20 at the Phalen Lake Picnic Pavillion! Check-in begins at 8:30am and the Walk/Run begins at 9:10am.

The CPA Walk/Run is a fun and free event where CPA families and staff gather for fresh air, physical activity, and fun. The event features a 5K Walk/Run, free food, and door prizes. So mark your calendars and join us for the 2023 CPA Walk/Run!

High School students or adults who would like to volunteer at the Walk/Run can sign up by completing this form. Thank you for your support!

Are you interested in learning ways to provide mental health support to young people in your life? Sign up for Youth Mental Health First Aid certification!

WHEN: Tuesday, May 30th, 9am-5pm*

WHERE: Wellstone Center

HOW: Use this link to register

WHAT: Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. See the flyer for more details about the course. Lunch will be provided!

This workshop is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education

*Full day participation is required for certification

Facilitators:

• Rachel Oberg-Hauser, Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board
• Julie Richards, Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth
• Jocelyn Wiedow, Sprockets

Attention CPA families! Summer is just around the corner, and there are many programs available for kids and teens in our area, including day camps, classes, athletics, and jobs for teens. Check out these opportunities to see what might be a good fit to keep your child engaged this summer!

Programming Opportunities:

• 30,000ft Summer Camp Available to Kindergarten-3rd grade students, this program is designed to improve literacy through various art activities and projects to earn fun field trips, learn to garden, and make lasting healthy friendships.

• SPPS Summer Learning Programs SPPS PreK-12 Summer Learning Programs help students strengthen academic and social emotional skills, discover new talents, and recover high school credits. All programs are free and include academic support and enrichment, breakfast and lunch, and transportation. Registration is open. The deadline for PRIORITY registration is April 15.

• St. Paul Parks & Recreation Summer Camps & Activities Saint Paul Parks and Recreation offers summer camps and activities at parks and recreation centers throughout the city. Registration opens April 3, but you can visit the website to browse programs anytime.

• SPPS Community Education Summer Camps & Classes Saint Paul Public Schools Community Education offers a variety of programming opportunities, including full day summer camps, aquatics, drivers education, STEM, Arts and Music, Community and Cultural Exploration, and more.

• St. Paul Parks & Recreation Youth Summer Sports Youth summer t-ball, machine pitch, softball, baseball, and lacrosse clinic registration remains open until March 31. Programs are free for age 9 and up. Children age 8 and below will receive a free baseball glove courtesy of the Minnesota Twins.

• Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth MITY is a program designed to provide academic enrichment opportunities to curious and hard working scholars. The program is held at Macalester College and offers need-based scholarships. MITY's highlights include: over 30 unique courses in STEM, Humanities, & Fine Arts; meaningful exposure to post-secondary life; day and residential options; and fast-paced, experiential learning.

• Saint Paul College Summer Camps for High School Students St. Paul College offers summer camps where students can learn about medical careers, manufacturing, drones, and more! Scholarships are available.

Teen Employment Opportunities:

• St. Paul Parks and Recreation Summer Jobs Saint Paul Parks and Recreation has many full and part time positions available at parks, rec centers, pools, golf courses, athletic complexes, Phalen Park Beach, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and more. Entry level positions are available for ages 15 and up.

• Tree Trust Youth ages 14-21 are able to earn and learn through hands-on experience working on outdoor construction and landscape projects in local parks and green spaces.

If your family or anyone you know would like support with food resources, below are some options you may find helpful. You can reach out to the CPA Social Work Team for additional resources as needed. Their contact info is below. Thank you!

• Today’s Harvest (Oakdale, MN): https://todaysharvestmn.org
• Indigenous Roots/Sisters Camelot (St. Paul, MN): https://sisterscamelot.org/events/
• Neighborhood House (West St. Paul, MN): https://neighborhoodhousemn.org/programs/food-support/fresh-produce-events/#winter-distro
• Saint Paul Public Schools put together this resource guide as well. Check it out!

CPA’s Social Work Team:

Chelle York, Elementary Social Worker, chelley@cpapk12.org, 651-280-4509

Jenny Littlewolf, Middle School Social Worker, jenniferl@cpapk12.org, 651-280-4507

Molly Eller, High School Social Worker, mollye@cpapk12.org, 651-280-4553

Do you have family members or friends looking for a new school community to join? Great news: CPA is now enrolling for the 2023-2024 school year!

One of the best ways people find our school is by word of mouth--and this contributes to the feeling of community that we value so highly. So please send this link to your friends, family members, and neighbors who would like to be part of a community like CPA!

As we know, Minnesota weather can change quickly, and this time of year we see drastic swings in temperature and other weather issues. Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing to be comfortable and safe throughout the day, including at arrival, recess, and dismissal. Thank you!

CPA is a tight community where relationships are valued. If you ever become aware of any threat to CPA, its students or staff, please contact us immediately. Your cooperation and partnership are key to ensuring a safe school environment. CPA has a Safety Tip Line that anyone can call at 651-280-4609 to anonymously report a safety concern.

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