The Call

Dear CPA Families,

Oh what a great to kick off December. As soon as we returned, we were welcomed by winter wonder and even a bit of snow! Our students have been enjoying our festive themed days, and the excitement of the season is certainly in the air.

As we approach winter break, we are also entering an academic moment—our second I-Ready Reading assessment. We are looking for growth from the first quarter, as this assessment helps teachers understand how students are progressing and where additional support may be needed.

Following the assessment, students in grades 4–8 will participate in classroom data discussions (Dec. 16), where they will review their own growth and set goals for the next quarter. These conversations help students take ownership of their learning and celebrate their achievements.

Looking ahead, on December 18, we will hold our classroom Winter Break Parties. Please check with your child’s teacher to see if volunteers or supplies are needed—we welcome your partnership to make these celebrations special.

Here's to a great week,

Nina Lattimore

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Queridas familias de CPA:

¡Qué excelente manera de comenzar diciembre! Al regresar, fuimos recibidos por el encanto del invierno y hasta un poco de nieve. Nuestros estudiantes han estado disfrutando de nuestros días temáticos festivos, y sin duda se siente la emoción de la temporada.

A medida que nos acercamos a las vacaciones de invierno, también entramos en un momento académico importante: nuestra segunda evaluación de lectura I-Ready. Esperamos ver crecimiento desde el primer trimestre, ya que esta evaluación ayuda a los maestros a comprender cómo están progresando los estudiantes y dónde puede ser necesaria más apoyo.

Después de la evaluación, los estudiantes de los grados 4.º a 8.º participarán en conversaciones de datos en el aula (16 de diciembre), donde revisarán su propio crecimiento y establecerán metas para el próximo trimestre. Estas conversaciones ayudan a los estudiantes a tomar responsabilidad por su aprendizaje y a celebrar sus logros.

Mirando hacia adelante, el 18 de diciembre realizaremos nuestras fiestas de fin de trimestre en el aula. Por favor, comuníquese con el maestro o la maestra de su hijo(a) para saber si se necesitan voluntarios o materiales; agradecemos su colaboración para hacer que estas celebraciones sean especiales.

Que tengan una excelente semana

Monday, Dec. 8-

Quarter 2- Progress Report Window

I-READY (5-8th )Reading Assessment

CogAT (Gr. 4 & Selected Grade 5 students)

Scholastic Book Fair

6th ELA, 7th Math, & 8th Science CP

K-5 DANCE Practice, Musical Practice, 5th Soccer

Reading & Math Tutoring Will Resume In January

CPA Basketball vs. Stephen Decatur @ CPA- 6pm

Tues. Dec. 9

Quarter 2- Progress Report Window

CPA New Teacher Academy

I-READY Reading Assessment

CogAT (Gr. 4 & Selected Grade 5 students)

Second-Fifth Honor Roll Assembly - 9:15am (Parents Welcome)

Book Fair & Holiday Bazaar (Student May Purchase Gifts For Families)

6th Math CP, 7th Science CP, & 8th Soc. Studies CP

Good News Club, Robotics Club

Art, Chess, Drama, Dance Ensemble

Taekwondo, Yoga, & Lego Club Last Fall Session

Reading & Math Tutoring Will Resume In January

Wed. Dec. 10

Quarter 2- Progress Report Window

SPED Team Meeting

I-READY Reading Assessment

CogAT (Gr. 4 & Selected Grade 5 students)

Holiday Bazaar (Student May Purchase Gifts For Families)

6-8th Awards Assembly-9:15am

6th Science, 7th Soc. Studies Collaborative Planning

Last Soccer Club Fall Session

Reading & Math Tutoring Will Resume In January

Leadership Team Meeting @ 3:30pm

CPA Basketball vs. Thurgood Marshall Middle- 6pm

Thurs. Dec. 11

6-8th Math Collaborative Planning

RELA Focus Walk

Art Club, Chorus, Chess Club, Drama Club

Reading & Math Tutoring Will Resume In January

Last Session Cheer Club (K-5)

CPA Basketball vs. Oxon Hill @ 6pm

Elementary Honor Society - Parent Information Night (Virtual)- 6pm

Fri. Dec. 12

I-READY Reading Assessment Make Ups

CogAT (Gr. 4 & Selected Grade 5 students) Make Ups

Support Team Meeting

Last Day For Fall Book Fair

Robotics Club & 5th Soccer

Q2 Progress Reports Grade Must Be Entered

Impact Aid Forms (selected families) are due

Up Next

There will be NO after school clubs Dec. 15-19, 2025

Dec. 17- Last Day For Holiday Bazaar

Dec. 18- Classroom Winter Break Parties

Dec. 19- Early Dismissal (12:15pm)

Dear CPA Families,

As we continue our journey toward Pre-K Accreditation, we are excited to share the incredible learning taking place in our early childhood classrooms. This process ensures our youngest scholars receive high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction every day.

Our Pre-K Philosophy

At Colin Powell Academy, the early years are the foundation for lifelong learning. In Pre-K, we provide a safe, nurturing environment where children learn through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences. We implement effective early childhood practices that support the whole child—socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Our staff applies best practices for teaching and learning while celebrating diversity and ensuring that all children, regardless of ability, are welcomed, valued, and supported. Families are essential partners in each child’s growth and success.

In the coming weeks, you will notice updates across our school communications—including our website and newsletters—that reflect this philosophy, highlight classroom experiences, and provide resources to support learning at home.

Thank you for partnering with us to make Colin Powell Academy a joyful and engaging place for our youngest scholars to learn and grow.

Project Goal: To create a light-up holiday greeting card using a simple Series Circuit. In a series circuit, the electricity flows along a single path.

Materials Needed:

• Cardstock or heavy construction paper (for the card)

• Copper Tape (with conductive adhesive) - Available on Amazon

• 3V Coin Cell Battery (e.g., CR2032) - Available on Amazon

• 1-2 LEDs (any color) - Available on Amazon

• Clear tape, scissors, and art supplies (markers, crayons, glitter)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fold the cardstock in half to create a card. Draw your holiday design on the front (e.g., a reindeer, a tree, or a snow globe) [Page 2 image].

2. Decide where you want your light(s) to be. Carefully poke the two metal legs of the LED through the paper from the front to the inside.

3. On the inside of the card, plan your circuit. You will create a "battery sandwich" by folding over a corner of the paper.

4. Design a single, unbroken loop path using the copper tape. The path must start at one side of the battery, go to the LED, and return to the other side of the battery.

5. Lay down your copper tape paths.

6. Connect the LED: Bend the legs of the LED flat. The long leg (positive) must touch one copper tape path, and the short leg (negative) must touch the other. Secure them with more copper tape.

7. Create the battery holder: Place tape on the top and bottom of the folded corner. Place the battery on the bottom tape (e.g., negative side down).

8. Ensure your copper tape path from the LED's negative leg leads to the bottom tape (under the battery), and the path from the positive leg leads to the top tape.

9. Fold the corner over. When you press down, the top tape will touch the positive side of the battery, completing the circuit and lighting the LED!

Creative Ideas & Helpful links:

• Make a reindeer with a light-up nose [Page 2 image].

• Create a Christmas tree with a shining star on top [Page 2 image].

• Design a switch by leaving a small gap in the copper tape that you can "close" with a paperclip.

• Link - https://www.makerspaces.com/simple-series-and-parallel-paper-circuits/

Get ready for an incredible upgrade! PGCPS is thrilled to announce = a brand new, robust online tutoring platform: Brainfuse! This exciting partnership offers students FREE, on-demand online tutoring in a vast array of subjects. Imagine connecting with live tutors, getting instant homework help, and accessing powerful study tools anytime, anywhere – all at your fingertips! Dive in and explore the amazing benefits Brainfuse has to offer!

Philosophy (Pre-Kindergarten)

At Colin Powell Academy, the early years are the foundation for lifelong learning. In Pre-K, we provide a safe, nurturing environment where children learn through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences. We implement effective early childhood practices that support the whole child—socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Our staff applies best practices for teaching and learning while celebrating diversity and ensuring that all children, regardless of ability, are welcomed, valued, and supported. Families are essential partners in each child’s growth and success.