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!

"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light."

-Aristotle Onassis

Tuesday April 25: Special Education Advisory Council Meeting, 6pm (see below)

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

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

Saturday May 20: CPA Walk/Run at Phalen Lake (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

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!

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

When: Tuesday, April 25th, 2023

Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

Where: Online

Click on this link: JOIN ZOOM 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 Parent advisory councils.

What Does SEAC Do?

The St. Paul and 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.

Tuesday April 25th Agenda:

• Welcome

• Introductions

• Learn more about the Individual Education Plan (IEP) Process

• Collaboration Time

• Questions and Answers

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 from April 17 through April 28.

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 Phalen Lake!

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!

This year's Walk/Run shirt was designed by Tania Lezama-Pascual-! Thanks for your amazing artwork, Tania! We appreciate everyone who participated in the shirt design contest AND the seniors who helped coordinate it!

Walk/Run T-Shirts are on sale now. Walk/Run T-Shirts cost $7 and can be worn as part of the CPA uniform. Students should have received an order form from their teachers. All order forms and payment are due to the CPA office by Wednesday April 26. PLEASE SEND EXACT CASH ONLY. Extra order forms can be downloaded here or picked up in the CPA office.

High School students or adults who would like to volunteer at the Walk/Run can sign up by completing this form. Volunteers receive a free shirt if they sign up by April 26!

High School students who need to go to summer school will be receiving a letter regarding summer school registration and information. Parents and guardians, please make sure you review and complete the information and make any corrections needed. Return registration forms to Ms. Hall directly no later than May 8.

Families are invited to the Conway Dome to learn about a wide variety of exciting summer programs offered by organizations all across St. Paul! The event is free to attend, plus there will be free food!

This fun event will take place on Sunday May 7 from 12-3pm at the Conway Community Center (2080 Conway Street, 55119).

Learn more at stpaul.gov/summer-choice today!

Community of Peace Academy is not in charge of or affiliated with this event.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

With allergy season starting up, please keep these policies in mind regarding students bringing medication to school:

Medications Administration (Policy 5.5.8)

Long Term Medications (over 2 weeks) - Require a written order from a person licensed to prescribe medication, written permission by a parent, and the original prescription bottle with the pharmacy label.

Short Term Medications (less than 2 weeks) - Require written permission by a parent and the original prescription bottle with the pharmacy label.

Over The Counter Medications - Require written permission from a parent and the original container. Medications coming to school in any other package other than the original container will be destroyed. Parent permission forms for administration of medications are available from the nurse’s office.

All medications should be kept in the Nurse Office. If you have any questions or need a consent form for your student, please let the nurse know.

MCA testing at CPA is underway. 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 will run through Friday May 5. Students will have modified schedules on the days they are testing. See the CPA district calendar for specific test dates for your student. For more detailed information about any of the standardized tests CPA students participate in, please click here.

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!

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

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

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 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