CPA Tiger Talk

This coming Friday, March 1, is an Early Release Day. Students will be dismissed at 12:30pm. Please plan accordingly to help us ensure a smooth dismissal and afternoon commute for all students. Thank you!

"It's the rough side of the mountain that's easiest to climb; the smooth side doesn't have anything for you to hang on to."

-Aretha Franklin

Friday March 1: Early Release Day (dismissal at 12:30pm)

Monday March 11: Board of Directors Meeting, 6pm

Wednesday March 13: Elementary Conferences (In Person)

Thursday March 14: Elementary Conferences (In Person)

Thursday March 14: No School for Elementary (Grades PreK-4)

Friday March 15: No School for staff and students

Tuesday March 19: Middle School Conferences (In Person)

Thursday March 21: Middle School Conferences (Virtual)

Tuesday March 26: ACT Testing for 11th Grade Students

Tuesday March 26: Virtual Learning Day for 10th and 12th Grade Students ONLY

Tuesday March 26: High School Conferences (In Person)

Thursday March 26: High School Conferences (Virtual)

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.

Outside of CPA's High School Office, there is a beautiful display of original artwork created by CPA senior Tyrus. The display is named The Color Black & is being displayed throughout Black History Month. Click here to see images of each work of art on CPA's Facebook page.

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!

PSEO registration for Fall 2024 is underway!

PSEO is a great way to start the college experience while in high school. Qualified students can take college classes for free, earning high school and college credits at the same time for no cost.

Please contact CPA Guidance Counselor Carmita Hall (carmita.hall@cpapk12.org or 651-280-4516) for more information or to sign up!

The City of St. Paul's Right Track Youth Employment & Training Program is now accepting applications! Youth ages 14-21 are encouraged to apply by the February 29 deadline.

Participants will received paid training and employment opportunities. Visit stpaul.gov/righttrack to learn more or to apply!

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.

All CPA 11th Grade students have been registered to take the ACT exam on Tuesday, March 26th at CPA. The ACT is a standardized test used for college admission. You can find more information at the following links:

Create a MyACT.org account

ACT Practice Test

The MN Department of Education is holding a high-powered, interactive and reflective conversation entitled “Redefining Our Role in Black Youth Mental Health.”

The event will take place on Thursday, February 29 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Capri Theater (2027 West Broadway in Minneapolis). Parking is available next to the building.

Please register as soon as possible, as space is limited. This event is open to families, parents, and educators. Click here to register. For questions or assistance, contact Derek Emery at Derek.Emery@state.mn.us or 651-582-8675.

This is a community event. CPA staff is not coordinating or leading this event.

Tree Trust is hosting a Spring Career Fair on Wednesday, March 6th from 11am-5pm at Arlington Hills Community Center!

They are currently hiring for:

1. Summer Youth Employment Program (ages 14–21)
2. Branches Tree Care and Landscaping Program (ages 18–28 with high school degree or in Transitions Program)
3. St. Paul Planting Program (St. Paul residents ages 16 -28)
4. Summer Staff (age 19 or older)

This event will feature a hands-on landscaping design activity, big ideas career lab, and free food from Brasa!

RSVP to Joan.Frentz@treetrust.org so they can plan enough food for guests.

This is a community event. CPA staff is not coordinating or leading this event.

Child Tax Credit

Minnesotans can now claim the Child Tax Credit, with no limit on the number of children claimed. You must file a 2023 individual income tax return in order to claim the credit. Most taxpayers who are eligible to claim the new Child Tax Credit are also eligible for free tax preparation assistance. Learn more about income requirements and qualifications on the Child Tax Credit webpage.

The tax credit of up to $1750 per child is estimated to cut child poverty by up to one third in Minnesota. Nearly 300,000 households including 513,000 children are estimated to qualify for the credit.

Save Receipts for School Supplies

The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers two valuable tax benefits for parents who purchase school supplies for their K-12 students: the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction. These benefits can reduce parents’ taxes to increase their refund, but is only available for those who keep their receipts. Purchases for most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school band are eligible.

Most Minnesota parents qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. Parents under certain income limits may also qualify for the K-12 credit, which can refund up to 75% of their costs – even for parents who do not owe any taxes. Visit Revenue's website for details.

Does your family have gently used uniforms that you no longer use that you could donate to CPA? There is a CPA Uniform Drive from Feb 1- March 15 as part of the Senior Legacy Projects!

All sizes (PreK-High School) are needed. Drop off your donations in either CPA office between the hours of 8am-3pm by March 15.

For questions, please contact keng.yang@cpapk12.org, kian.xiong@cpapk12.org, sahil.karimi@cpapk12.org, or arash.rashid@cpapk12.org. Thanks for your support!

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.

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 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!

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.

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.

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