Back to School Information Dear Parent/Mentors, We are looking forward to seeing all of you at our Back to School Nights on Tuesday, August 16 and Wednesday, August 17 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Back to School Nights will be held in the Rusthoven Gymnasium Auditorium. Please use the RGA entrance on Jessamine Ave. You may park on DeSoto St., Jessamine Ave. or Burr St. If your plans have changed and your child will not be attending Community of Peace Academy, please call Bonnie Johnson at 651-280-4587 immediately, as there are waiting lists for most grades. In this case, we will sincerely miss you and wish you only the best in the future. All parents/mentors are required to attend one of the August Back to School Nights. Please complete the enclosed packet of 2016-2017 registration forms (one per child) and bring them on either August 16 or 17: Student Information Form Parent/Mentor Agreement Student Health Questionnaire Enrollment Survey (new students only) Home/Language Questionnaire (new students only) Your child will not be able to attend school until you have completed the required registration forms. If you cannot attend on either Tuesday, August 16 or Wednesday, August 17 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., please call the office at 651-776-5151 to make an appointment to register before the first day of school. You may not register on the first day of school. If you will need a taxi or city bus transportation to school on August 16 or 17, please call the office at 651-776-5151. You will also find the following very important information in this newsletter: School Hours and Start Dates Home Visits Note from the Health Office School Supply List Breakfast and Lunch Transportation. Our transportation company is Centerline Charter Corporation. Grades K-8 and High School Uniform Guidelines. Please be advised that uniform pants must be of a relaxed fit, and must not sag. Your child will not be allowed to wear tight pants or oversized pants and shirts to school. Please do not purchase them. Finally, these documents speak to the Home/School Partnership. Please review each carefully: Family Commitment Pledge Home/School Compact If you have any questions or comments regarding this letter, please call 651-776-5151. We look forward to seeing you on August 16 or 17!

Preschool 4 Peace and Kindergarten Open House Preschool 4 Peace and Kindergarten Open House will be held on Thursday, August 18 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm and Friday, August 19 from 11:00am – 1:00pm. If you have any questions, please call the main office at 651-776-5151.

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QUESTIONS ABOUT REGISTRATION? The following people are available to assist you:

Bonnie Johnson District Office Administrator 651-280-4587 [email protected]

Teresa Vazquez de Nilsson Latino Home/School Cultural Liaison & Transportation Coordinator 651-280-4591 [email protected]

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MaiKao Lee Hmong Home/School Cultural Liaison 651-280-4545 [email protected]

New Kindergarten Students All new Kindergarten students must come in for beginning of year math and literacy assessments. Literacy Coach Melissa Jackson will contact parents to set up an appointment. Assessment dates are August 19 and August 20 from 8:00 - 3:00. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Jackson at 651-280 - 4551.

School Hours and Start Dates Our school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 2:40 p.m. The first day of school for Grades 1-12 will be Monday, August 22, 2016. The first day of school for Preschool and Kindergarten will be Wednesday, August 24, 2016.

Home Visits Parents are the first educators of their children, and their relationship to the school must empower them to fulfill this primary role. To this end, CPA has a long-standing tradition of visiting the homes of our students each year. The primary purpose of Home Visits is to establish a strong relationship between the family and the teacher, characterized by communication, trust and support. At your Home Visit, you will have the opportunity to share your Hopes and Dreams for your child, set goals for his or her academic and character development and review and sign the Family Commitment Pledge and Home/School Compact. Your child’s teacher will be in communication with you to schedule your Home Visit.

CPA Fall Athletics Each student-athlete must complete and turn in an Athletic Packet to receive an Athletic Card which must be handed to the Head Coach for each sport the student-athlete participates. Fall Athletic Packets will be available at the Back to School Nights. Fall Sports High School Soccer High School Volleyball Middle School Soccer Middle School Volleyball

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From the Health Office Attention: Kindergartners 7th Graders Transfer Students Last year’s 6th graders received a letter in the Spring detailing the immunizations each student needed prior to the start of 7th grade. Families of kindergartners should have received a notice detailing what information, including immunizations, were needed prior to the beginning of the school year. If you have not yet turned in this information, please bring the documentation showing these immunizations have been completed to the Back to School Nights. Questions? Call School Nurse Judy Thompson at 651-280-4532. Leave a message and she will get back to you.

Transportation Information In August you will receive your child’s bus information. The information will list your child’s Bus Stop Corner, Pickup Time and Route Number. Each student riding the bus will receive a separate notice. When you receive the transportation information, please have your child carry this notice in their backpack. It is very important that we have up to date addresses in order to create bus routes. If you happen to move over the summer or if your daycare has changed, please inform Teresa Vazquez de Nilsson, Transportation Coordinator at 651-280-4591, as soon as possible to ensure your child has a bus stop on the first day of school.

Breakfast and Lunch Information Community of Peace Academy contracts with St. Paul Public Schools Nutrition Services to provide Breakfast and Lunch. All students receive a free breakfast every day. Please encourage your child to take advantage of this. AFDC/Food Stamp Households If you now receive food stamps, AFDC, or MFIP for your children, your children are eligible for free meals at school. In August, you will receive a Free School Meals notice from the state/county office (MN Department of Human Services) for each child in your household approved for food stamps, AFDC, or MFIP as of August 1, 2016. Non-AFDC/Food Stamp Households To apply for free or reduced-price meals, you can apply online by going to this link: https://mealapp.spps.org or you can pick up a paper Application for Educational Benefits/Free or Reduced Price Meals at the Back to School Nights. St. Paul Public Schools Nutrition Services will not approve incomplete applications, so be sure to fill out all required information. If you have any questions, contact Cafeteria Supervisor Lisa Latessa at 651-280-4556. 2016-2017 School Meal Prices (send money in marked envelopes on the first day of school) Grades PreK-6 Grades 7-12 Breakfast (full price) FREE FREE Lunch (full price) $2.65 $2.80

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2016-2017 School Supply List Please make sure that your child has all of the following supplies for the first day of school. PreK-6th Grade: All supplies will be shared and do not need to come to school with names on each item.

Preschool 4 Peace 12 glue sticks 1 box 10 count Crayola markers 2 boxes of Kleenex 1 box of quart size Ziploc Bags 8 dry erase markers 1 standard sized backpack 1 change of clothes (seasonally) 1 pair of slip on or Velcro gym shoes

Kindergarten: 1 box of Crayola crayons, 24 count 1 tissue box 1 box of Crayola markers, classic colors, 10 count 1 box Crayola colored pencils, 12 or 24 count 1 pack Expo Markers Fine Line 3 spiral notebooks 2 pocket folders (any design) 1 2-pocket poly folder 1-inch white 3 ring binder with clear view pocket 50 clear sheet protectors 1 backpack large enough to hold 12x9 folder (no wheels) 4 Elmer’s glue sticks 1 or 2 large pink erasers 1 Fiskars blunt tip child scissors 2 boxes of Ziploc bags (1 quart sized & 1 gallon sized) Winter gear for outdoor recess (boots, snowpants, hat, mittens, & a coat)

1st Grade 2 boxes of #2 pencils 1 box of crayons, 24 count (preferably Crayola) 1 box of colored pencils, 12 count (preferably Crayola) 2 boxes of washable markers, 10 count (preferably Crayola) 4 glue sticks 1 pink eraser 2 spiral notebooks 1 three ring pencil pouch 1 box Ziploc bags (gallon size) 1 container of disinfecting wipes

2nd Grade 3 wide-ruled spiraled notebooks – solid color 1 box #2 pencils – plain colored 2 large pink erasers 1 box washable markers, 8 count (preferably Crayola) 2 glue sticks 2 tissue boxes

3rd Grade 5 pocket folders 3 boxes of #2 pencils (preferably Ticonderoga) 1 or 2 large pink erasers 1 box crayons, 24 count (preferably Crayola) 4 glue sticks 2 tissue boxes 5 spiral notebooks 1 composition notebook 1 box 10 count washable markers (preferably Crayola) 1 box 12 count colored pencils (preferably Crayola – no erasable colored pencils) 1 box Ziploc bags (gallon size)

4th Grade 1 pocket folder with prongs 2 pocket folders 3 boxes of #2 pencils 1 large pink eraser 1 handheld pencil sharpener (with a cap) 1 pack of colored pencils 1 bottle of liquid glue 1 tissue box 4 spiral notebooks 2 composition notebooks 1 pack of wide-rule loose-leaf paper 1 box washable markers

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2016-2017 School Supply List--continued Please make sure that your child has all of the following supplies for the first day of school. PreK-6th Grade: All supplies will be shared and do not need to come to school with names on each item.

5th Grade 5 pocket folders 6 composition notebooks 2 boxes of pencils (standard or mechanical) 2 large pink erasers 1 box colored pencils, 12 count 1 box washable markers, 10 count (preferably Crayola) 2 glue sticks 1 tissue box 1 water bottle that seals (optional)

6th Grade 5 plain pocket folders with no prongs 3 boxes #2 pencils 2 large pink erasers 1 box colored pencils 1 box markers 4 glue sticks 4 composition notebooks 3 spiral notebooks

7th & 8th Grade 1 3-ring binder (to hold 3 single-subject notebooks) 4 notebooks (single subject) 4 pocket folders (3 hole punched) 1 package loose-leaf paper 1 box pencils or mechanical pencils

High School 1 3-ring binder, 3” 2-3 packages college ruled loose-leaf paper 10 tab dividers 10 blue or black ink pens 12 pencils 1 pencil/pen case to attach in binder 1 eraser 2 highlighters 1 composition notebook (9th Grade Math) 1 composition notebook (11th Grade Science) 1 1-subject notebook (12th Grade) 2 packages white note cards (12th Grade) Optional 1 package colored pencils 1 package markers 3 packages Post-It! notes (2x2 or 3x3) 2 glue sticks 1 Flash Drive 1 TI-83 Graphing Calculator 1 protractor (10th Grade) 1 ruler (10th Grade) 1 compass (10th Grade) Spanish I and II Students 3 ring binder Pack of loose leaf paper 5 divider tabs

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UNIFORMS ALL STUDENTS MUST BE IN UNIFORM EVERY DAY. ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BE IN UNIFORM ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. STUDENTS MUST ARRIVE TO SCHOOL IN UNIFORM. Kindergarten – 6th Grade: Grey Knit Tab Front Polo Shirt with CPA logo $10 CPA Navy Sweatshirt $10 Girls’ Navy Uniform Jumper, Grade K4 only Navy Uniform Shorts, twill only, may be worn Sept., Oct., Apr., May, June Navy Uniform Pants, corduroy or twill ONLY Belts, black or brown, optional Navy or White Socks

7th and 8th Grade: Grey Knit Tab Front Polo Shirt with CPA logo $10 CPA Navy Sweatshirt $10 Navy Uniform Shorts, twill, relaxed fit, knee-length ONLY Navy Uniform Pants, corduroy or twill, relaxed fit ONLY Belts, black or brown, optional Navy or White Socks

High School: Navy Polo Shirt with CPA logo $10 Navy Sweatshirt with CPA logo $10 Khaki pants (relaxed fit, twill ONLY) Khaki shorts (knee-length, relaxed fit, twill ONLY) Khaki Capri pants (relaxed fit, twill ONLY)

Where to Buy Uniforms: All items must fit appropriately. CPA Grey and Navy Polo Shirts and Sweatshirts must be purchased at Community of Peace Academy. Uniform pants, shorts, and Capri pants (HS) must be of a relaxed fit, must not sag and can be purchased at any retail store. Additional Uniform Guidelines A white or navy, short-sleeved t-shirt with no trim or piping may be worn under the polo shirt or the sweatshirt. The t-shirt may not hang below the length of either the shirt or the sweatshirt. Additionally, black, brown or navy belts with plain buckles should be worn with the pants and shorts. Students may wear either sport shoes or dress shoes. No substitutions or alterations of any fashion are to be made to the school uniform. The following items will be considered OUT OF UNIFORM: Community of Peace Academy students are not allowed to wear sagging pants or oversized shirts on the bus, in school, at any school function, or on school property. To do so will be considered a violation of the school uniform policy. Pants and shorts that have the capacity to sag are not uniform and are not allowed. Oversized shirts will be confiscated and returned to a parent in person upon their request. Coats, jackets, caps, hats, headbands, wristbands, scarves and other head coverings except those approved under religious accommodation, as well as other outerwear not recognized as Community of Peace Academy uniform. These must be kept in lockers. Skorts, skirts, leggings, yoga pants, or pants/shorts with holes. Colored eye contacts. Only clear prescription contact lenses are allowed. Platform or high heel shoes, slippers, shoes with hidden wheels, open-toe shoes or sandals, flip flops. If a student is out of uniform or violates any of the above stated provisions, they will be removed from class until they comply with the previously stated uniform guidelines. They will be charged as tardy to class and, if they must wait for a parent to deliver the appropriate item of clothing to school, they will be marked absent unexcused. A second such offense will be considered a major violation.

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Please review the Family Commitment Pledge carefully. You will be asked to sign it at your Home Visit. COMMUNITY OF PEACE ACADEMY Educating mind, body and will for peace, justice, freedom, compassion, wholeness and fullness of life for all.

FAMILY COMMITMENT PLEDGE We the parent/mentor(s) fully support the education of our child(ren)’s mind, body and will for peace, justice, freedom, compassion, wholeness and fullness of life for all, do support this plan to make life giving decisions and choices, and to follow the road to wholeness and fullness of life for ourselves and others. Therefore as wise adults in the lives of our children, we freely and willfully commit to: PEACE 1) Actively teach and model the language and six basic principles of PeaceBuilders: Praise People, Give Up Put Downs, Seek Wise People as Advisors and Friends, Notice and Speak Up About Hurts You Have Caused and Right Wrongs, and Help Others. 2) Apply these six principles in our family relationships and relationships with other adults within the school community and the broader community. 3) Refrain from using our own personal hurts as a reason to hurt others or sabotage the efforts of others to foster a Peaceful community. 4) Show peace building each day in many ways, demonstrating that each of us has a personal responsibility to engage in building peace for our own wellbeing, and the wellbeing of our family, school and community. JUSTICE 5) Treat all members of our school community: staff, students, parents and all with whom we come into contact, with unconditional positive regard. FREEDOM 6) Attend to our spiritual wellbeing according to our own conscience, that our spirits might be free, strong and filled with peace, hope, love and joy. 7) Freely make decisions and choices that are good for our minds, bodies and spirits. 8) Remember and teach that for each freedom there is an equal responsibility. COMPASSION 9) Assure that the exercise of our free will, and our decisions and choices, do not compromise the good of others. WHOLENESS AND FULLNESS OF LIFE FOR ALL 10) Interact within our family and at Community of Peace Academy, so as to advance the desired outcome of wholeness and fullness of life for all.

If you have any questions, please call Ms. Quinn, Executive Director, at 651-280-4588.

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Please review the Home/School Compact carefully. You will be asked to sign it at your Home Visit. COMMUNITY OF PEACE ACADEMY HOME/SCHOOL COMPACT The School Will: Teach and model a non-violent lifestyle as outlined in the Staff Commitment Pledge. Treat parents with care and respect. Provide a Family Handbook of school policies and procedures in English, Hmong and Spanish. Provide a Parent Talk newsletter for all parents in English, Hmong and Spanish. Provide a school website (www.communityofpeaceacademy.com) and a monthly school calendar. Visit the home of each parent in the fall of each school year. Return phone calls in a timely manner. Meet with parents upon request. Conduct Fall and Spring Parent/Mentor/Teacher/Student Conferences. Provide at least two Parent Nights annually. Provide Hmong and Latino Home/School Liaisons to assist parent/mentors. Provide native language translation and/or interpretation of all important communications. Provide child-care for Pre-K to 6 Conferences. Provide interpreters for Pre-K to 12 Conferences and meetings as needed. Provide transportation to important meetings and conferences as needed. Survey parents annually to determine level of satisfaction and to assure thoughtful planning of parent initiatives. Provide grades 7 to 12 parents web-based access to their child(ren)’s attendance, grades and assignments. The Parent/Mentor(s) Will: Fulfill their responsibilities as outlined in the Community of Peace Academy Home/School Compact or assign a Mentor who will fulfill these responsibilities. Make a commitment to personally work for peace, justice, freedom, compassion, wholeness and fullness of life for all, within their families, the school and the community, as outlined in the Community of Peace Academy Family Commitment Pledge. Treat school staff with care and respect. Read the Family Handbook and support the philosophy and policies therein. Assure that the emergency numbers, and phone numbers and addresses for the parent/mentor(s) are kept current. Return important school documents and phone calls in a timely manner. Read the Parent Talk newsletter and calendar, and support the community as able by attending Parent Nights, volunteering, and attending school events. Attend fall registration, home visits, fall and spring conferences, and meetings concerning his or her child(ren). See that his or her child(ren) is/are in school and on time daily unless they are ill, and call the school to report any absence. Follow up on behavioral, academic, health or emotional referrals and recommendations in an expedient manner. Encourage the child(ren) to reach their full academic and physical potential, and support them with time and attention so that they may reach the goals which have been set for them. Support the child(ren) in reaching their full moral potential, according to the parent’s own conscience and beliefs.

BY SIGNING THIS FORM YOU ALSO BECOME AN OFFICIAL VOTING MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY OF PEACE ACADEMY CORPORATION. If you have any questions, please call Ms. Quinn, Executive Director, at 651-280-4588.