September Newsletter

Dear CAP Families,

Welcome to a new school year! September is an exciting and busy time as our students meet new teachers and settle into new routines. Our faculty and staff are also excited to have our students back in school and have prepared engaging learning programs for their classes. We look forward to a great year ahead.

We also look forward to partnering with you, our amazing families, to create a supportive environment where our students can blossom into their best version of themselves. Please help your child get off to a good start this school year by ensuring the following things are in place:

• Establish routines at home that allow children to get a good night's sleep.
• Ensure your student comes to school in full uniform every day.

• School opens at 7:30 so that students can get settled and eat a good breakfast. Late passes are issued beginning at 8:10. Please make it a priority to get your child here on time and ready to learn every day.
• Remain involved in your child's learning by ensuring you are reviewing grades on PowerSchool and communicating with teachers through School Connect and other ways (learn more about this at Back to School Night, 9/9, 5pm-7pm)
• Encourage your child to advocate for themselves when they need help and/or reach out to your child's teacher whenever needed. We have many supports available through our teachers, counselors, social workers, health office and support staff.

Thank you for sharing your children with us. Together, we can make this a school year marked with learning, growth and celebrations of successes!

We are looking forward to seeing you Wednesday evening!
Ms. Cassie McLaughlin

Elementary School Principal

We are excited to present our amazing options for after school clubs. Please click on the link below to review the brochure. Email the club moderator to request a club permission form. Clubs will begin on 9/14 and most will book to capacity so get those requests in early!

September

Hispanic Heritage Month

9/07-9/18 Scholastic Book Fair

9/09 Back to School Night (5pm-7pm)

9/11 Grandparents' Day Celebration (10am, kindergarten)

9/14 Afterschool Clubs Begin (3:15 PM-3:45 PM/ Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

Fee Structure for Damaged/Lost Chromebooks and/or Chargers

As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, we would like to remind families that student laptops and chargers are school-issued equipment and should be handled with care.

Beginning this school year, the following replacement fees will apply if equipment is lost or damaged:

Lost or damaged laptop — first occurrence: $100
Lost or damaged laptop — second occurrence or more: $300
Lost charger: $25

If your student is experiencing an issue with their laptop or charger, please contact their homeroom teacher as soon as possible so the issue can be addressed.

We are off to a great start for the 2026–2027 school year! Students have been learning school procedures and policies, arriving prepared with their supplies, and showing eagerness to work hard each day.

A few important reminders:

• Uniforms: Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct for details on uniforms. Students are expected to be in full uniform every day. All uniform pieces should be labeled with your child's name.

• Dismissal Hours:

  • A Schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday): Kindergarten dismisses at 2:45 PM; Grades 1–8 dismiss at 3:00 PM.

  • B Schedule (Wednesday): Kindergarten dismisses at 12:45 PM; Grades 1–8 dismiss at 1:00 PM.

• Dismissal Locations:

• Grades K–6: Pick-up at Kiss & Go. Please move to the gate when your child's grade is called.

• Grades 7–8: Dismissed on Erie Avenue (also for middle schoolers picking up younger siblings).

• We look forward to welcoming all CAP families to our Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 11, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 PM.

Hello CAP students and families!

As we move into a new school year, our goal is to create a safe, respectful, and positive environment where every student can succeed. Please be reminded that all students in grades 4-8 are expected to use clear book bags, come to school in full uniform (blazers are not permitted to be kept overnight in lockers) and follow our cell phone policy, which includes shutting them off upon entering the building and storing them in their lockers or turning them in to their teacher each morning. Finally we must remember to treat others respectfully, and make responsible choices throughout the school day.

The Behavior Support Suite is here to support students while maintaining clear and consistent expectations. We encourage families to speak with their children about accountability, good decision-making, and the importance of asking for help when needed. By working together, we can make this a successful and enjoyable school year for everyone. Remember, our counselors, social workers and support staff are here to help and reaching out is a sign of strength.

Philadelphia-Area Support Resources

If your child or family needs additional support, the following local resources are available:

• Philadelphia Crisis Text Line
  Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 confidential support.

• Mobile Crisis Units (Philadelphia DBHIDS)
  In-person crisis support available throughout Philadelphia for youth and adults.

• CHOP Behavioral Health
  Counseling and mental health services for children and adolescents.

• Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services
  Information on local mental health services, counseling, and family supports.

• Emergency Support If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

CAP remains committed to student safety, well-being, and partnership with families throughout the year.

We only have a few of these limited edition shirts available, so once they're sold out, they're gone.

Students are permitted to wear these as part of their gym uniform and can be picked up at the school store.

Here is the direct link to the site: CAP 250 Shirts.

Ms. Reyez is our Transportation Supervisor. If you have questions regarding busing, farecards or the flat rate, she can be reached at 215-533-6700, ext. 1110 or nreyez@communityacademy.org

Flat rate - in order to be eligible, students must be in grades 1-6 & live more than 1.5 miles away from CAP. Your child must be registered for the program prior to submitting this form. Parents/Guardians registered in the Flat Rate Program must submit this form at the end of each month to qualify for payment.

Below are the links:

English | عربي | 汉语 | Français | Español | Việt

Fare Cards - students in grades 7-12 who live more than 1.5 miles from CAP are eligible for farecards. Student farecards from previous years will still work, but if it was misplaced, a new one can be issued.

School bus - Please be patient with the buses the first few weeks while drivers are learning the routes. Be at your designated stop 10 minutes prior to your assigned time. Allow extra time due to traffic. Be on the lookout for a School Status Connect invite to receive the most up to date information from Ms. Reyez regarding cancelled buses, etc.

Important information regarding SEPTA:

As you may know, SEPTA has eliminated or reduced an excessive amount of bus routes throughout the city of Philadelphia, affecting many of your routes to school. Any student or staff member who relies on SEPTA to get to and from school, please take time to view your route and the pickup times of your buses. We recommend downloading the SEPTA travel app. This will assist with seeing which routes were eliminated, what time buses are now expected and will assist with providing the most direct routes to and from school.

Be sure to allow yourself plenty of extra time to ensure you get to school on time.

CAP’S FIRST-EVER COMMUNITY FAIR IS COMING!

Join us on Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 11 AM–2 PM for a day filled with fun, connection, and community!

Shop local vendors & discover unique finds
Enjoy raffles, games & music
Connect with local organizations & community partners
Support CAP students, programs & our 50th Anniversary Campaign

Community Academy of Philadelphia
1100 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124

Bring your family, friends, neighbors & community and help us make our very first Community Fair one to remember!

One community. One CAP. Brighter futures.

CALLING ALL VENDORS!

Our CAP Community Fair/Flea Market is coming up, and we want YOU to be part of it!

Sunday, October 4, 2026

11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Vendor Spaces: $20

Do you have a small business, handmade products, services, side business, or licensed food business? This is your chance to showcase what you do and connect with the CAP community!

All registration proceeds support CAP’s 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign – Strong Roots, Bright Futures.

Ready to participate? Pre-register here:
https://forms.gle/VojYkezXPqJUqex79

Spots are limited! Share this post with friends, family, and local businesses who may be interested.

Let’s make this an amazing community event!

If you have any questions regarding the information in this newsletter please contact Mr. Elliot Rivera, Assistant to the Principal.

Email: ejrivera@capcs.org