Mark Your Calendar
**UPDATED SCHEDULE**
First Day of CPFA Classes for Middle School:
Monday, September 13, 2021
First Day of CPFA Classes for High School:
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Marking Period 1 : Progress Check 1 for PALCS classes:
Tuesday, September 21, 2021.
Life After High School Workshop:
Tuesday, September 28, 2021 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Dinner-and-a-Movie Night:
Saturday, October 2, 2021 FROM 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Pillars Parent Meetings
The parents and families of our CPFA students are the foundational pillars of our arts program. Their ongoing support and volunteer efforts help us to provide many extra-curricular programs and events that would not otherwise be possible. For this reason, our parents and families are called the Pillars of CPFA.
We hold regular Pillars Parent Meetings once a month on rotating Mondays and Tuesdays to keep our community informed and give our families a chance to engage with us with questions, concerns and ideas about upcoming events and activities.
Please fill out this survey regarding Pillars Parent Meeting times: Would you be more likely to attend a meeting at 8:30 a.m. or 5:00 p.m.?
Introducing Ms. Sophie Gore!
We are incredibly excited to introduce the newest member of the CPFA Theatre Department Faculty, Ms. Gore! Ms. Gore holds a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Acting with a concentration in Musical Theatre from Boston University. She is finishing up her Master’s of Theatre Education from New York University. She has taught at several schools, theatre companies, and arts organizations in Philadelphia, Boston, and New York. She is an exceptional teacher and a wonderful person. Please join us in welcoming Ms. Gore to the CPFA community!
A message from our new CPFA Guidance Counselor:
"Welcome back to school, CPFA students and families! My name is Ms. Lauren Mazzio and I am so excited to be your CPFA Counselor for the 2021–2022 school year. My role in the building is to support students academically, personally, and as they work toward a strong future. I am available via email, phone, and Zoom for anything you need. I look forward to getting to know each and every CPFA student and family, and I am excited for a great year ahead!
Seniors – be on the lookout for a survey coming your way on Friday, September 10, 2021 about your post-high school plans!"
-Ms. Mazzio
CPFA 2021 Yearbooks are here!
This is a yearbook from a year you do not want to miss! Did you already order one? Amazing! We will send out information on picking up your yearbook as we arrive back onsite this September. Forgot to order one? No problem! Bring $60 cash or check payable to “Balfour Publishing” to Ms. Severson at the CPFA front desk. (Ms. Severson will also have Venmo information.)
Music Department News
The Music Department is hitting the ground running with a ton of extra-curricular activities for high school students in September. First, we ask all music students to refer to the mobile-friendly CPFA Music Department Handbook as well as the Remote Access Program Guide for our virtual students and reach out to music teachers with any questions you may have.
Tri-M Music Honor Society:
High school music students interested in joining the Tri-M Music Honor Society need to send Mr. West an email at twest@palcs.org no later than Monday, September 6. Please see the Tri-M page on the CPFA Homepage for membership information. The first business meeting of Chapter #7447 of the Tri-M Music Honor Society at CPFA will be from 2:30 - 3:30p.m. on Friday, September 10 in Mr. West’s Zoom Room. Tri-M’s New Member Induction Ceremony will take place from 7 - 8 p.m. on Friday, September 24 in the CPFA Atrium. The entire CPFA community is invited to attend!
Tri-M is sponsoring an amazing Shoe Drive Fundraiser which begins on Monday, September 13 and lasts until November. There will be collection boxes at all PALCS buildings in West Chester. We ask you to bring your gently used (no tears or holes) sneakers, dress shoes, flip flops, crocs, canvas shoes, children’s shoes, etc. to donate. Proceeds benefit the CPFA Music Department, and the shoes go to micro-enterprises in Haiti.
CPFA Jazz Mavericks:
The first rehearsal of the CPFA Jazz Mavericks will be from 2:50 - 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14 in the Instrumental Music Room. We are still looking for more on-site students to join our horn section, so if you play saxophone, trumpet, or trombone and are interested in being a part of the excellent things we have planned for this year, please refer to the CPFA Jazz Mavericks page on the CPFA Homepage and contact Mr. West immediately.
The CPFA Jazz Mavericks are performing at two outdoor markets in September, and we invite everyone to bring a blanket or a lawn chair and some cash to buy food from the vendors. The first event is Wednesday, September 22 from 5 - 8 p.m. at Twilight On The River, 63 W 4th St, Bridgeport, PA 19405. The second is Saturday, September 25 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Malvern Farmers Market in Burke Park, Malvern.
CPFA Chorale:
CPFA Chorale auditions will take place on Tuesday, September 21 and Thursday September 23 from 2:45 - 3:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. CPFA Chorale is an auditioned extra-curricular vocal ensemble offered by the Music Department to high school students. Singers do not need to currently be enrolled in a vocal class, but they should be experienced in sight-singing and in vocal technique. Chorale students must be available to perform at our winter and spring concerts. Chorale meets from 2:45 - 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday during the regular CPFA class schedule and rehearsals will begin Tuesday, September 28. To sign-up for a day and for audition materials, please refer to the CPFA Chorale Audition Page.
Dance Department News
The Dance Department is eager and excited to get moving with their dancers in the studio as we start the 2021-2022 school year!
All information for students participating in a dance class including dress code, concert dates, grading policies and more can be found in the Dance Department Handbook by clicking here or on the CPFA Canvas Homepage by clicking the Dance Department icon. The Dance Department Handbook is also posted in individual dance classes. Dancers should be prepared with their dance space, clothes and shoes for the week of September 13.
Students who have outgrown their gently used dance shoes can donate them to the Dance Department to share with other students. Students can bring in any shoes (tap, jazz, ballet) to their dance teacher and they will be added to a bin located in the dance office. If you are interested in using the shoes, please contact your dance teacher with the style and size you need.
Please mark your calendars for the Dance Department’s Dance Showcase:
- Middle School Dance Showcase at CPFA Wednesday, November 17, from 3 –5 p.m.
- High School Dance Showcase at CPFA Thursday, November 18, from 3–5 p.m.
- The National Honors Society for Dance Arts Induction Ceremony will occur before the High School Showcase. Every student in a dance class is required to be part of the Dance Showcase.
NHSDA:
The CPFA Chapter of the National Honors Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) is in its 6th year and will continue to bring dance and dance education to the community as well as work on fundraising for the Dance Department. The National Dance Education Organization is a program created to recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance (http://www.nhsda-ndeo.org/). If you would like more information or are interesting in applying, please contact Mrs. Duncan at tduncan@palcs.org or attend the information meeting for new students only on Tuesday, September 21, during lunch. Applications are due no later than Tuesday, October 5. Current members do not need to re-submit an application.
Fine Arts Department News
2021-2022 Fine Arts Handbook
On CPFA Homepage in Fine Arts section> 2021-2022 Calendar of Events cited there- FINE ARTS HANDBOOK 2021-2022
WISH LIST:
Donation Request from students/parents/ PALCS-CPFA community: FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT Donation Wish list 21-22.docx
Photography Class Supply List:
PHOTOGRAPHY LAB SUPPLIES 2021-22.docx
Sketchbooks & Portfolios:
Sketchbooks are a must for all MS and HS students to bring to each class, every day. If a student is enrolled in more than one fine arts class, it is suggested that they use the same sketchbook for all the classes. Portfolios are optional.
AP/Advanced Placement class students:
Please listen to directions in class for AP Test sign-up coming soon. If you miss the deadline to take the test, you cannot take the test or receive the possible college credit for these classes.
NAHS:
High School only - First informational meeting will be held in early October onsite at CPFA and via Zoom link with supervisor, Mrs. Okcuoglu. Please look out for details to be announced in class and on the CPFA Homepage.
A pick-up time and area in the CPFA building will be announced ASAP in classes, on CPFA Homepage and CPFA Facebook & Instagram pages. Please allow the fine arts teachers time to sort and prepare the work for pick up. “Original” artworks only will be returned including sculptures, ceramics, paintings, and drawings, and some darkroom prints. All digital media should have been backed up by each student such as photographic files and digital software graphic design imagery…(in some cases, students can retrieve digital prints if available).
Theatre Department News
Showcases
End-of-year theatre & film showcases are an opportunity to celebrate the artistic achievements of the CPFA theatre and film students. These performance opportunities are mandatory and are part of the student’s grade. An unexcused absence from a theatre showcase drops the student’s final Marking Period 4 grade by one full letter and will affect future extracurricular casting considerations. The High School Theatre and Film Showcase is an all-day event on Saturday, May 14, 2022. The CPFA Middle School In-Class Acting Showcases are on Monday, May 16, 2022. Middle School showcases occur during scheduled class times and family members are invited to attend. Please mark your calendars. We look forward to sharing these projects with you at the end of the year!
Theatre Season
We are developing a very exciting extra-curricular theatre season that we will announce in the coming weeks!
Extra-curricular plays require commitment above and beyond CPFA course work in each of the disciplines as well as PALCSchool academic work. Students are asked to weigh carefully the extra time and effort that participation in an extra-curricular play requires. Any CPFA student is allowed to audition.
Theatre Department Staff Contact Info
Mr. Jason Greenfield
Theatre Department
Ms. Sophie Gore
Theatre Faculty
Mr. Jonathan Council
Film Instructor
Please feel free to email us with any questions that you may have.
From Our School Nurse
"Hello, CPFA students and families,
My name is Ms. Jenni Grablewski and I am the new School Nurse at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts. I am excited to be joining the PALCS and CPFA team this school year! My nursing background includes having worked in the Emergency and Surgical Departments. I look forward to supporting the students at CPFA!
I want to take this opportunity to welcome new students and families to CPFA and welcome back our returning students to the 2021-2022 school year. Health Services is an important part of our school system. How well your child learns depends on their well-being. The school nurse will administer first aid, notify parents of illness or injury, administer prescribed medications, and perform health screenings according to the mandated school health service schedule.
Yearly, parents/guardians receive an email requesting you to complete an emergency/medical update form. This process is changing over to our new student health program, Magnus. I urge you to complete this update in a timely manner, so that I have access to the most up to date medical information, in order to best care for your child and can reach you in case of an emergency or illness.
If your child has any of the following conditions please request the appropriate emergency action plan from your doctor and upload it to Magnus as soon as possible: diabetes, asthma, severe food allergy, anaphylaxis (other severe allergy), or seizures.
If your student requires medication to be administered during school hours the following criteria must be met to accept medication:
A completed "Authorization for School Medication Administration" which may be downloaded from Magnus under prescription medication permission or a written Doctor’s order with their signature listing the name of the medication, time and dose to be administered. All medication requires both the parent/guardian and physician’s signatures.
All medication is to be hand delivered by an adult (unless alternative arrangements are approved) to the nurse’s office in the original container that is properly labeled along with the written Doctor’s order as stated above.
The above medication guidelines pertain to prescription and over the counter medications (except for the school’s standing orders).
As we are all aware, information regarding COVID-19 is evolving. I encourage you to review the school’s Health and Safety Plan. This plan is updated as new information becomes available.
Please note the following symptoms indicate that a student should NOT attend school:
Fever in the last 24 hours (100 degrees or above) --without Tylenol or Ibuprofen
Vomiting in the last 24 hours
Diarrhea in the last 24 hours
Unidentified rash
Draining eye/eyes
Additionally, students should not attend school if they test positive for COVID-19, live with or had close contact with someone who is COVID positive, or has current COVID-19 symptoms. It is imperative that any student with suspected COVID-19 symptoms be picked up promptly.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at jgrablewski@palcs.org.
Thank you and I look forward to meeting the students and having a great school year!"
-Ms. G
September is National Happy Cat Month :)
Do you have pictures of your pet? We want to see them!
Next month we will be featuring your pictures in the next newsletter. Send us a photograph, painting, or drawing of your pet to be included at sseverson@palcs.org.
