CPA Tiger Talk

If you drop your students off at CPA, they must be dropped off at Door E on Jessamine (by the RGA).

Please do not drop students off in the bus zone on Magnolia prior to 7:55am.

"Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go."

-Hermann Hesse

Monday April 22 - Friday April 26: High School Spirit Week (see below)

Wednesday April 24: Special Education Advisory Council Virtual Meeting, 6:30-7:15pm (see below)

Friday April 26: High School Hangout, 3-5pm (see below)

Friday May 3: Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12:30pm)

Saturday May 11: CPA Walk/Run at Phalen Lake Picnic Pavilion (see below)

Saturday May 11: CPA HS Prom (see below)

Monday May 13: Board of Directors Meeting, 6pm

Thursday May 16: CPA Annual Meeting & Spring Concert

Monday May 27: Memorial Day (No School)

Friday May 31: Last Day of School for PreK and 12th Grade

Tuesday June 4: Last Day of School for Kindergarten

Wednesday June 5: Last Day of School for Grades 1-11

Wednesday June 5: Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12:30pm)

Monday June 10: Board of Directors Meeting, 6pm

Wednesday June 19: CPA Closed in Honor of Juneteenth

Thursday August 22: 2024-2025 All School Meet the Teacher Day (11am-2pm and 4-7pm)

Free Breakfast is available to all students 7:40-8:30am every day.

Please encourage your students to arrive on time and eat a free breakfast!

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!

Are you interested in joining the CPA Board of Directors?​

CPA's Board of Directors consists of 9 members, representing the community, parents, and staff. For the 2024-2025 school year the board has the following positions open:

• 1 Parent Position
• 2 Teacher Positions

If interested, email board chair Sarah Zosel at sarahz.board@cpapk12.org

High School students are invited to help spread CPA spirit by participating in Spirit Week!

Spirit Week themes are:

• Monday: Jersey/Sports (wear your favorite sport shirt or jersey)
• Tuesday: Favorite Show (wear clothes or items that represent people from your favorite shows)
• Wednesday: Flannel (wear your favorite flannel)
• Thursday: Throwback Thursday (wear an outfit inspired by a different decade)
• Friday: Iconic Group (come to school with an iconic group outfit)

All Spirit Week outfits must be school appropriate. Students who choose not to dress on theme for Spirit Week should come to school in uniform. If you have questions about Spirit Week, please see a student council member or Mr. Carver.

What is It?

A weeklong trip in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota. Trip is free for students. We’ll be partnering with Big City Mountaineers (BCM) who will supply gear, food, and transportation.

When Is It?

• Learn to Canoe: May 10th at Lake Nokomis

• Camping Overnight: May 23-24th at Lake Maria State Park

• Summer Trip: August 5-9 in the Boundary Waters!

How do students apply?

Fill out this google form by May 3.

Who can participate?

Students in 8th-11th grade are eligible to participate. Students must be passing all of their classes and be on track with credits for graduation.

What if I have questions?

Talk to Ms. Singer, Ms. Caitie, Ms. Brittany, or Ms. KW!

CPA high school students are invited to the High School Hangout from 3-5pm on Friday April 26!

The High School Hangout is free and will take place in the MPR and cafeteria. The cafeteria will have a movie, games, and concessions sales. The MPR will be open gym. We hope you can join us!

High School Student Council presents High School Pop Ups!

Pop Ups are opportunities for students and staff to build community while exploring topics of interest. Pop Ups currently on the calendar include:

• Culinary with Ms. Kittleson Wilker, April 30 from 3-5pm
• STEM with Mr. Anderson, May 7 from 3-5pm

• Arts & Crafts with Ms. Bokman, May 10 from 3-5pm

Additional Pop Ups will be shared with students as plans are finalized. There are limited spots available for each Pop Up, and students must sign up in advance. Student Council will share the sign-up process with Ethics classes. For more information, students should connect with their Student Council Reps.

Parents and Guardians of Special Education Students, you are all invited to attend the upcoming Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) meeting.

Date: Wednesday, April 24th, 2024

Time: 6:30pm-7:15pm

Location: Online

Click on this link: JOIN GOOGLE MEETS LINK MEETING

What does the State of MN say regarding SEAC meetings?

Minnesota statute requires each school district in the state to have a Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) meeting. Here is what the statute says: 125A.24

What Does SEAC Do?

The Community of Peace Academy Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) is a partnership between parents/guardians of students with disabilities and their school. SEAC has a very important role in working with the parents, guardians, the school board, administrators, and teachers who are responsible for making sure your students receive their special education services.

The intention of this meeting is to identify needs in special education and make recommendations to address those needs. SEAC focuses on the needs of the entire special education community and therefore, seeks to identify themes and trends, rather than focus on individual issues.

We always want to be mindful to protect confidentiality when discussing your

experiences through any public comment process or in other public forums. As we work to identify any issues we want to always do so with respect to students, families, educators and unique circumstances. These conversations are intended to be a very safe place to advocate for the best interests of our scholars.

Wednesday April 24th Agenda:

• Welcome
• Introductions
• Learn more about the Individual Education Plan (IEP) Process
• Questions and Answers

CPA recently began MCA testing. MCA tests are used to measure student proficiency in Reading (grades 3-8 and 10), Math (grades 3-8 and 11), and Science (grades 5, 8, and 10).

MCA testing at CPA began on Tuesday, April 16th and will run through Friday May 10. Students will be testing in their English, Math and Science classes. See the CPA Testing Calendar for specific test dates for your student. For more detailed information about any of the standardized tests CPA students participate in, please visit the CPA website.

MCA tests provide valuable information about what our students have learned and what we can do to help them grow. These tests are important to the CPA community, so we ask all families to help support their children by ensuring they are well rested and ready to do their best on testing days. Thank you for your support!

This year's prom will take place on Saturday May 11 at CSPS Hall. Tickets cost $40 each and must be purchased online.

Contact Ms. A (anna.almsted@cpapk12.org) with any questions or to get involved!

Mark your calendars! The 2024 CPA Walk/Run will take place on Saturday May 11 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 2024 CPA Walk/Run!

8th grade students and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The CPA Walk/Run is on May 11, and we need lots of volunteers to make it happen! All volunteers need to be available 8:00AM-12:00PM on Saturday May 11. Volunteers must be high school age or older.

As a thank you, volunteers will receive a free Walk/Run shirt while supplies last.

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!

S-EBT is a federally funded program that provides families with school-aged children who qualify for free or reduced eligibility with $40 per child (up to $120) during each of the the summer months to purchase healthy foods while school is not in session. More information about the program is available through MDE.

All CPA families who completed the Application for Educational Benefits this year and qualify for free or reduced price lunches will automatically be enrolled in the S-EBT program. Please make sure that household contact information is up-to-date in Parent VUE, including parent or guardian name, address, and phone number. Contact Bonnie Johnson (bonniej@cpapk12.org or 651-280-4587) if any updates are needed.

If you did not complete an Application for Educational Benefits this year, you can do so by visiting SchoolPay or by contacting Bonnie Johnson to request a paper copy (bonniej@cpapk12.org or 651-280-4587). You will receive a letter after approximately 10 business days letting you know if your child qualifies.

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! Please note: CPA is not in charge of any of these programs, and CPA staff will not be present.

Programming Opportunities:

• 30,000 Feet Arts & Reading Summer Camp 30,000 Arts and Reading Summer Camp is a free daytime program for K-3rd grade youth that will include reading help, arts training, and field trips. For more information contact Vanessa at 651-210-3454.

• SPPS Summer Learning Programs SPPS 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.

• 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, and more.

• 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.

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.

• Summer Youth Corps Summer Youth Corps is an overnight, residential summer work program for youth, ages 15-18, led by AmeriCorps members, ages 19-35. Crew members live, work, and play together based at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN from early-July to mid-August. In addition to paid work to conserve natural spaces and improve parks throughout Minnesota and neighboring states, youth receive environmental education and professional development skills training.
  

Families, educators, and students (grades 8–12): Do you have ideas about how the statewide assessment results, like the MCA, could be shared with the public and school and district staff?

The Minnesota Department of Education is beginning the process of redesigning the statewide assessment reports. This includes evaluating how student results are organized and communicated (including the labels like "does not meet” or “exceeds" the standards, and what the reports will look like for new academic standards). The redesigned reports will be seen for the first time in summer and fall 2025.

Please take the survey to share your experience. It should take no longer than 15 minutes. The survey is now open for submissions until May 19. Responses are completely anonymous.

tinyurl.com/state-testing-survey

Your voice is important to this process. We appreciate your time and consideration.

Please reach out to mde.testing@state.mn.us with any questions or concerns about the survey or feedback process.

Mark Your Calendars: CPA students and families are invited to join us for CPA's 2024-2025 All School Meet the Teacher Day on August 22 between the hours of 11am-2pm and 4-7pm!

This is an opportunity to meet teachers and staff, explore classrooms, connect with classmates, purchase uniforms, and ask any questions you have about athletics, transportation, special education, lunch, chaperoning field trips, volunteering, or anything else related to the 2024-2025 school year. See you there!

Plan ahead so your family is ready for fall 2024! Before attending school, students in preschool, kindergarten, 7th grade, and 12th grade must have certain documentation on file in the CPA office.

• Families of preschool and kindergarten students must submit proof of a Birth Certificate, an Early Childhood Screening, and an Immunization Record.
• Families of 7th grade students must submit proof of an additional Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) booster and a Meningococcal immunization.
• Families of 12th grade students must submit proof of a second Meningococcal immunization.

If you have questions, please contact the school office.

The CPA Board of Directors approved and published the 2024-2025 Calendar. You can access the calendar here or by clicking on the download below.

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!

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!

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!

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 contacting Sadie Fischer at sadief@cpapk12.org or 651-280-4564.

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