High School

Here at CAP, we celebrate August as National Wellness Month

Important Dates

August 3-6: Annual Uniform Swap - 9am-12pm

August 24: 9th Grade (Freshman) Orientation - 9am-12pm (Please be on time)

August 24: Fall Sports Trouts Begin - 1pm-3pm (Please see below for details)

August 25-August 28: B Schedule (Students dismissed at 1pm)

August 31: First Full Day of School - Students dismiss at 2:30 pm

September 4th and 7th: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day Holiday

September 9th: Back to School and Financial Aid Nights - 5pm-7pm

Hello CAP Family and Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year!!!

Dear High School Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I hope your family enjoyed a safe, restful summer and is ready for another year of learning, growth, and achievement. Whether you are returning to our school community or joining us for the first time, we are excited to welcome you. Our faculty and staff have been working hard to prepare engaging academic experiences and meaningful opportunities that will challenge our students, support their individual needs, and help them prepare for success beyond high school.

A successful school year depends upon a strong partnership among students, families, and staff. We encourage families to remain involved, communicate regularly with teachers, and support our shared expectations for attendance, academic effort, and respectful behavior. By working together, we can ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

I look forward to seeing our students return to the building and to celebrating their accomplishments throughout the year. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. On behalf of the entire high school faculty and staff, welcome back, and best wishes for a successful and rewarding 2026–2027 school year!

Warm Regards,

Mr. Richichi

HS Principal

Our annual Uniform Swap will be held:

August 3 – August 6
Monday–Thursday
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Have gently used uniforms to donate? Please drop them off in the front lobby before the swap begins.

Everyone is welcome! You do not need to donate items in order to take items.

Is your student planning to participate in sports this school year? Join us for our CAP Sports: Eligibility, Registration & Parent Involvement Workshop to learn everything you need to know before the season begins.

During this virtual workshop, we'll cover:

Athletic eligibility requirements
The registration process
How parents can support their student-athletes and stay involved
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
11:00 AM
Virtual Workshop

Whether your student is a first-time athlete or a returning Bruin, this session will help you feel informed, prepared, and ready for a successful season.

Register today - https://forms.gle/pLc6xLFwZmVqsFM97

Welcome back, students and families! I hope everyone had a safe, enjoyable, and restful summer. As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, I am excited to see our students return ready to learn, grow, and contribute positively to our high school community. My goal is to help maintain a safe, respectful, and supportive environment in which every student can succeed.

A strong start begins with good habits. Students are expected to arrive on time each day, attend all classes, wear the proper school uniform, follow the school’s cell phone policy, and treat classmates and staff with respect. Families play an essential role in reinforcing these expectations, and we encourage you to remain in regular communication with us throughout the year. When students, families, teachers, and administrators work together, challenges can be addressed early and students are better positioned for success.

I look forward to getting to know our new students, reconnecting with those returning, and celebrating the many accomplishments ahead. Let us begin the year with a positive attitude, a commitment to excellence, and pride in our school community. Welcome back, and let’s make the 2026–2027 school year a great one!

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

Please remember that support is always available, and reaching out is a sign of strength. CAP remains committed to student safety, well-being, and partnership with families throughout the year.

Summer has been quite busy at CAP. Members of the CAP HS Choir performed the National Anthem at the Phillies vs. Mets game at Citizens Bank Park on 6/21. Several other CAP high school students attended North Carolina Outward Bound School on full scholarships. Well Done CAP!!!

Welcome Back CAP Bruins!!! We are excited for another year of competing and growth within the Penn-Jersey League. Open workouts (sessions posted on CAP socials) have and will continue leading up to fall sports tryouts. Important information can be found below:

August 19th: Fall Sports Orientation in the CAP Gym

August 24th: Fall Sports Tryouts Begin - 1pm-3pm.

• Boys & Girls Soccer
• Time: 1:00-3:00
• Location: Scanlon Rec. Center
• Equipment Recommended: Cleats or Sneakers & Shin Guards & Change of Clothes

• Boys Flag Football
• Time: 1:00-3:00
• Location: Scanlon Rec. Center
• Equipment Recommended: Cleats or Sneakers & Change of Clothes

• Boys & Girls Cross Country
• Time: 1:00-3:00
• Location: School
• Equipment Recommended: Sneakers & Change of Clothes

• Girls Volleyball
• Time: 1:00-3:00
• Location: Gym
• Equipment Recommended: Sneakers & Change of Clothes

*Change in bathrooms outside of the gym lobby.

*Meet Coaches in gym once changed

*In order to tryout you will need the following items completed

• Register on Family ID, pay $50 athletic fee, & submit PIAA Physical Form
• Family ID Link: https://students.arbitersports.com/programs/fall-sports-2026-community-academy-of-philadelphia
• PIAA Physical Form Link: https://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/PIAA_CIPPE_FORMS_SECTION(S)_1_-_10(1).pdf
• Complete Impact Concussion Testing, if required

• Testing will be administered by Mr. Bowers and is required each year.
  

• Students who participated in a fall or winter sport do NOT need to resubmit a PIAA physical or complete Impact Testing again for a spring sport.

If you need a PIAA physical form, please stop by the Athletic Department office or click on the above link. Failure to complete these requirements by the deadline may affect participation on the team.

Mr. Bradley

Dear parents and guardians,

The Health Office would like to share a few important reminders and updates to keep our students healthy and ready to learn.

Physical Examination Reminder:

If you have not sent in a completed physical examination form for the school year 2026-2027, please submit it as soon as possible. Physicals are required for all grade levels.

Dental Examination Reminder:

Dental health is an important part of a child’s overall well-being. If you have not sent in a completed Dental examination form for the school year 2026-2027, please submit it as soon as possible.

Medication at school:

If you child needs medication during the school day, the following must be provided:

• A physicians order (MED 1 form)

• Medication in the original labeled container

• Parent / Guardian must sign the MED-1 form

We appreciate you keeping our students healthy and safe

Illness Guidelines:

To help keep our students healthy, please keep your child home if they have:

• Fever of 100.4 or higher

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Contagious illness

• Student must be fever free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.

Healthy Tips:

• Encourage handwashing for 20 sec (sing “Happy Birthday” song twice)

• Ensure student gets adequate sleep

• Pack healthy snacks and lunches

• Keep Immunizations up to date

We appreciate you keeping our students healthy and safe

If your child will be entering 7th or 12th grade next year, please remember that all mandated immunizations must be submitted before the new school year begins. These forms can be found further down in the newsletter.

• Physical examination forms

• Dental examination forms

These documents are important to help ensure your child remains in compliance with school health requirements and can participate fully in school activities.

Forms may be submitted to the school by email @ eotero@capcs.org

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and for helping us keep our students healthy and safe.

Important Reminders:

- Please submit all or any updated immunizations to the health office as soon as

possible. You may email those to eotero@capcs.org

- Please submit updated Physicals and Dentals

- Please notify the health office of any new medications, changes in health status,

updated action plans for asthma, seizures, or chronic conditions. Medications must all

be in original container or box with your child’s full name. Medications required to be

administered in school must have a form submitted completed and signed by the

physician.

Thank you,

Health Office Team

Please help us prepare transportation for the upcoming school year by completing the appropriate form(s) below.

Bus Interest Form (Grades 1–6)

Complete the Bus Interest Form if:

• Your child will be entering Grades 1–6.
• You are requesting bus service for the upcoming school year.
• Your child will attend an after-school daycare that requires bus transportation.

Please Note: Students must live more than 1.5 miles from CAP to be eligible for school bus transportation.

Bus Interest 2026-2027

Fare Card Request (Grades 7–12)

Complete the Fare Card Interest Form if:

• Your child will be entering Grades 7–12.
• Your child is new to CAP and needs a SEPTA fare card.
• Your child lost their fare card and will need a replacement for the first day of school.

Please Note: Students must live more than 1.5 miles from CAP to be eligible for a fare card.

Fare Card Interest 2026-2027

Flat Rate Transportation Program

If you are new to CAP or have a child entering Grades 1–6, you may be eligible for the Flat Rate Transportation Program.

This School District reimbursement program provides $300 per month to eligible families who choose to transport their child to and from school instead of using district-provided bus transportation.

Flatrate Enrollment Form 2026-2027

1. August was named after Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor, in 8 B.C.
2. August has three birthstones: peridot, spinel, and sardonyx.
3. The official flowers of August are the gladiolus and poppy, which traditionally symbolize strength, remembrance, and imagination.
4. The Perseid meteor shower lights up the August sky each year and is considered one of the best meteor showers to watch.
5. August is the only month whose name is also commonly used as a first name.

• Free Food Finder
  • Residents can find nearby food sites and meal programs through the City’s Free Food Finder.
  • Flyers and postcards are available in more than 10 languages to help spread the word.
  • Read the SNAP Benefits Change blog to stay up to date with the latest information.

Be sure to stay up to date with everything in the high school as we move through the school year. Many of our students have jumped right into their coursework. Don't forget: The mandatory summer reading assignment counts toward a project grade, and obtaining your uniform and school supplies should not be delayed until the last minute. I have also attached a copy of the Academic Calendar for your reference.

Parents, are you ready for the new school year? Help us meet your child's transportation needs! Complete the appropriate form based on grade level:

2025-2026 School Bus interest Form (grades 1-6)

Grades 1-6: Bus Interest Form

2025-2026 Septa Farecard interest Form (grades 7-12)

Grades 7-12: Farecard Interest Form

Flexible Instructional Day (FID) Program

CAP's Flexible Instructional Day (FID) program has received approval to continue for the next three school years. If the school needs to close for snow or another safety-related reason, families will be notified and students will complete schoolwork at home as part of the Flexible Instructional Day (FID) Program. Click here for more details: FID FAQs

Academic Calendar 2026-27

High School School Supply Lists

High School Uniform Order List

Cramer's Uniforms Flier

Parents and guardians, the following documents describe CAP's commitment to engaging families in their child's education. Please review each of the documents and reach out to your school Principal if you have any questions

CAP participates in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP is a provision from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 which allows schools and local educational agencies (LEAs) with high poverty rates to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. CEP eliminates the burden of collecting household applications to determine eligibility for school meals, relying instead on information from other means-tested programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

If you have any questions about our meal program, you may contact Pat McGovern at 215-533-6700 x1223 or pmcgovern@communityacademy.org

Dear Members of the CAP Community,

We are writing to inform you of an important update to the 2025-2026 Student Handbook.

In compliance with federal regulations, all materials that inform the public about the USDA Child Nutrition Programs (such as the National School Lunch Program) must contain the current USDA Nondiscrimination Statement. To ensure that our handbook is fully compliant and transparent regarding our commitment to equal opportunity in all school activities and programs, the official USDA Nondiscrimination Statement has been added to the handbook.

The full, official statement now included in the handbook reads as follows:

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax: 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email: Program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Email: ljoel@capcs.org
Website: https://www.communityacademy.org/
Location: 1100 E. Erie Avenue
Phone: 215-533-6700 1501
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COMMUNITYACADEMYOFPHILADELPHIA/
Twitter: @CAPnewswire