The Calusa Connection

Dear Amazing CPE Families,

As we enter the month of May, we are in the final stretch of a successful school year. Students will continue to participate in state testing throughout the month, and we appreciate your support in helping them come to school well-rested, on time, and ready to do their best each day. We are proud of the effort and perseverance they have shown.

In addition to testing, May is filled with end-of-year events, celebrations, and special activities that highlight our students’ growth and accomplishments. It is a meaningful time to reflect on a year of learning, hard work, and memorable experiences.

We will also be sharing a summer newsletter at the beginning of June with important information to help you prepare for next school year, including supply lists, summer reading, school hours, important beginning of the year dates and more!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to finishing the school year strong together.

Sincerely,

Susie Summers
Principal of the Calusa Park Black Bears

State Testing Schedule & Reminders – May

Our students will continue to participate in important state assessments throughout the month of May. These assessments provide valuable insight into student progress and help guide our instruction as we continue to support every learner’s success.

Below are our upcoming testing dates:

May

• May 5: 3rd Grade ELA PM3
• May 6: 4th Grade ELA PM3
• May 7: 5th Grade ELA PM3
• May 12: 3rd Grade Math PM3
• May 13: 4th Grade Math PM3
• May 14: 5th Grade Math PM3 & 3rd Grade i-Ready Diagnostic
• May 19: 5th Grade Science State Assessment
• May 20: 3rd Grade SAT-10 (select students)

How can I help?
We are striving for 100% attendance on testing days, and your support makes a big difference! Please help your child be successful by ensuring they:
• Arrive to school on time (no later than 8:20am)
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Eat a healthy breakfast

Congratulations to 1st Grade who had the best attendance rate on testing days over the past few weeks!

Closed Campus
As a result of state and district testing, CPE will have a closed campus on ALL testing days. This means that parents cannot come on campus to eat lunch with their child on ALL testing days. Thank you for your understanding.

We are so proud of the hard work our students have put in all year long. Let’s continue to Catch the Wave and Pursue Excellence as we finish strong! 🌊

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Mrs. Finger
Assistant Principal

With the support of our SAC committee, staff, and students, we are excited to share that we have a new school logo that will officially roll out in the next school year 2026-2027. Be sure to take a look below—we are proud of this new symbol that represents our school community.

School Doors Open: 7:45am

FREE Breakfast: 7:45am-8:15am

Bell Rings to Enter Classrooms: 8:15am

School News Show Begins: 8:25am

Students are Marked Tardy: arriving 8:25am or later

Dismissal: 2:50pm

NEW FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR- STUDENT HOURS ARE 8:25am-2:55pm

• Week of May 4th- Staff Appreciation Week
• May 5th- Grade 3 ELA PM3

• May 6th- Grade 4 ELA PM3 & 2nd Grade i-Ready Diagnostic

• May 7th- Grade 5 ELA PM3

• May 11th- 1st Grade i-Ready Diagnostic

• May 12th- Grade 3 Math PM3 & KG/1st i-Ready Diagnostic

• May 13th- Grade 4 Math PM3

• May 14th- Grade 5 Math PM3 & Grade 3 i-Ready Diagnostic

• May 15th- SAC Meeting at 7:45am in Media Center & Habit Hero of the Month & Chuck E Cheese Night hosted by 4th Grade

• May 19th- Grade 5 Science State Assessment & 4th i-Ready Diagnostic

• May 20th- Noetic Math Competition

• May 22nd- Early Release Day & KG End of Year Performance

• May 25th- No School

• May 26th- Grade 5 End of Year Bowling and BBQ

• May 27th- PreK Promotion Ceremony

• May 28th- Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony

• May 29th- Last Day of School & Early Release Day

School Arrival and Dismissal Times

• Please be reminded that student drop-off should take place during our designated arrival window of 7:45–8:15 a.m.

• Dismissal and pick-up occurs between 2:50–3:00 p.m.

• Sticking to these times greatly supports student learning and helps minimize interruptions to both your child’s school day and the overall classroom environment.

• We appreciate your cooperation in helping us protect instructional time.

Changes to Transportation

ALL changes to transportation MUST go through the following procedure by 2:00PM:

• Call to the front office (377-6400) with the transportation change.
• If notification is not received, the child will be sent home as they normally dismiss.

We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain a safe, structured, and focused learning environment for all students.

Habit Hero of the Month

Each month, one student from every class will be selected as a Habit Hero of the Month, a student who consistently demonstrates the featured habit in their words, actions, and leadership.

These students will be honored at a special Habit Hero Assembly each month, where they will be recognized in front of their peers and families. We can’t wait to celebrate their growth and leadership!

Dear CPE Families,

Staff Appreciation Week is HERE! Please see below flyer to see how we are celebrating our Calusa Park staff all week. Lights, Camera, Staff Appreciation!

Your time, energy, and generosity truly make a difference. Thank you for helping us continue to create meaningful experiences for our students and staff!

With appreciation,
CPE PTO

If you have any questions, please reach out to calusaparkpto@hotmail.com.

See attached for access to the full Parent and Family Engagement Plan.

Calusa Park Elementary follows the CCPS Code of Student Conduct. Please see attachment below to review policies such as Attendance, Discipline, Dress Code, Electronic Devices and more!

Plan ahead! It is important that students are at school, on time, every day! Every moment of learning is important to your child’s development and progress. Please see Attendance Newsletter from September for all things Attendance including family resources.

Attendance Newsletter Link: https://secure.smore.com/n/usw81-let-s-talk-about-attendance?ref=email

*Please note- If your child is absent for any reason, please call the front office at 377-6400 to let us know why your child is absent so we can properly notate that. In addition, all absences are unexcused unless a doctor’s note is provided. Per Florida Statute (1003.26(1)(b), students with 5 unexcused [or validated] absences within a calendar month, or 15 unexcused [or validated] within a 90 day period are considered truant and an attendance meeting may be scheduled with the school and district personnel.

Website: collierschools.com/cpe
Location: 4600 Santa Barbara Blvd, Naples, FL 34104
Phone: 239-377-6400
Twitter: @blackbearsroar

Facebook: Calusa Park Elementary

FortifyFL was created and funded by the 2018 Florida Legislature as part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. The application was named by students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The Office of Attorney General, Department of Education and Florida Department of Law Enforcement coordinated its development and roll-out. getfortifyfl.com

School Board Policies 2266, 3362, and 5517 – Prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and/or gender identity), disability, or age in the provision of educational opportunities or employment opportunities and benefits. The District School Board does not discriminate on the basis of sex or disability in the education programs and activities that it operates, pursuant to the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

For additional information or to report Title IX or any other discrimination/harassment concerns, contact Ms. Valerie Wenrich, Chief Human Resources Officer/ Title IX Coordinator, at (239) 377-0351, wenriv@collierschools.com or at 5775 Osceola Trail, Naples, Florida 34109.