CPA Tiger Talk

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!

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

-Eleanor Roosevelt

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 2023-2024 school year the board has the following positions open:

• 1 Community Member Position
  
• 1 Parent Position

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

Tuesday March 28: ACT Exam for CPA Juniors (see below)

Tuesday March 28: ELearning Day for Grades 9, 10, and 12 ONLY due to the 11th grade ACT Exam (see below)

Tuesday March 28: High School Conferences, 4-7pm (in person)

Thursday March 30: High School Conferences, 4-7pm (virtual)

Monday April 3 - Friday April 7: Spring Break: No School for Staff or Students

Monday April 10: Board of Directors Meeting, 6pm

Friday April 14: High School Dance

Tuesday April 18: MCA Testing begins

Thursday May 4: Early Release Day (dismissal at 1pm)

Saturday May 6: CPA's Prom

Thursday May 18: Spring Concert & Annual Meeting, 6pm

Saturday May 20: CPA Walk/Run at Phalen Lake

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.

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!

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.

• Carleton Liberal Arts Experience CLAE is a free, week-long summer academic program for students who have just completed their sophomore year. CLAE Scholars experience the benefits of a liberal arts college education through classes in science, art, social studies, and technology. CLAE is intended for students who identify as Black or African American, or who have an interest in African American culture. Throughout the week, scholars will focus on African American community and identity through the framework of a liberal arts education. CLAE Scholars live in the Carleton campus dorms for the week. Applications are due April 14.

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.

CPA will be on Spring Break from April 3-7! Students should not report to school on those days.

We hope you have a relaxing and peaceful spring break!

Spring conferences are underway and our staff is looking forward to connecting with you about your child’s progress. Conferences will be held on the following dates:

• High School Conferences: March 28 & 30

Thank you, and see you at conferences!

CPA 11th grade students have been registered to take the ACT Exam on Tuesday, March 28th at CPA. The ACT is a standardized test used for college entrance. For more information about the ACT, please visit these links:

Create a MyACT.org account

ACT Practice Test

More information will be shared with 11th grade students and families as we get closer to March 28th. If you have any questions about the ACT at CPA, please contact CPA's Testing Coordinator Aaron Tepp at aaront@cpapk12.org or 651-280-4575.

On March 28, students in grades 9, 10 and 12 will have an E-Learning Day to ensure the optimal test environment for 11th grade students participating in the ACT exam.

Students in PreK-8th grade will have a normal school day.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Trip is open to current CPA 9th-11th grade students. This is a 7-day canoeing and camping trip to the boundary waters that will take place this summer from June 27-July 3, 2023. This trip is free to students. Apply by March 31, 2023. For more information and to apply, contact Ms. Singer (emma.singer@cpapk12.org) or Ms. Brittany (brittany.berres@cpapk12.org).

Have you heard the news? Saint Paul Parks and Recreation announced that registration fees have been eliminated for youth sports 10U and up (ages 9+) at all recreation center sites. Eliminating these fees allows Saint Paul youth to have access to quality programming, encourages healthy and active lifestyles, builds confidence, and creates community.

Fees do apply for ages 4U, 6U and 8U, but for the summer 2023 season, all registered 4U, 6U and 8U participants will receive a free glove, courtesy of the Minnesota Twins!

Click this link to register online or contact your local recreation center for more information. Community of Peace Academy is not in charge of or affiliated with this program.

CPA's Lost & Found has been growing recently! Please look at the photos below to see if any of your missing items have ended up here. Also, encourage your students to swing by and see if any of their items are in the Lost & Found. Unclaimed items will be donated to Goodwill this spring. Thanks!

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

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

Are you looking for after school opportunities? 30,000 Feet is an organization located on Arcade Street near CPA, and they offer these programs:

-On the job coding certificate training to enter high paying tech careers. Teens make $15/hr starting at 10 hours a week. Snacks and transportation provided. Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30.

-K-3rd grade literacy tutoring centered in the arts in small groups and one-on-one. Students experience various art forms from professional artists, attend field trips, and receive snacks and transportation. Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:30-5:30.

For more information or to get registered, visit the 30,000 Feet website or call 651-210-3454

Staff, students, and families! Ms. Michalak would love to have your best photos for the CPA yearbook!

If you have pics of CPA students in action, please share them! Think class projects, field trips, athletics, dances, and more. Ms. Michalak didn't become the yearbook editor until after the fall sports seasons, so we especially need soccer and volleyball photos.

Submit your photos at https://community.lifetouch.com/invite?code=CPATIGERS-23 or email them to kimm@cpapk12.org and include date, names, and grades. Thanks for supporting the CPA yearbook!

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!

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!

CPA partrners with Every Meal to provide weekend meal 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 application that was sent home with your child.

If you have any questions or need support, please contact the social work team.

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