New Parent FAQs
What is the CPAPO?
The acronym stands for Chandler Preparatory Academy Parent Organization. Membership consists of all parents and guardians of students at Chandler Prep.
Do I have to sign up? Are there fees to belong?
Parents and guardians of CPA students are automatically considered a part of the CPAPO upon a child’s enrollment at the school. Although there is no official sign-up as such, families are encouraged to fill out and return the Family Registration card available at the front desk or here on the web site. This provides a key resource in keeping parents up-to-date with the latest information on PO events, activities, or volunteer opportunities. There are no fees associated with membership.
What is the purpose of the PO?
By working as a community of parent volunteers, we are able to provide a support system that enriches our student’s academic experience in a number of ways. We offer voluntary services, facilitate communication, administer social activities, and raise funds as needed, all to benefit and support the students as well as the CPA faculty and administration who are working to provide the best services possible for our children. We also encourage the families to participate in the Tax Credit and Community Investment Program to further enrich our students time at the Academy.
How can I support the PO?
Become involved by taking advantage of any of our numerous volunteer opportunities, whether you have an hour to give at home once a month or can regularly assist with front office support — we literally have something for everyone’s schedule.
One of the best ways to indicate your interest is by attending the monthly PO Meeting or answering the weekly email volunteer requests. If you have a special niche, please let us know! Committees associated with specific volunteer activities (such as Lunch Program or Titan Triad) are formed and headed by Coordinators, who then take the information from the surveys to contact those interested. You may also contact any of the Parent Organization Board Members.
How is money earned?
Many programs and services offered by the PO are designed to raise funds through their use. Among these are the hot lunch program, uniform exchange, vending machines, and raffles. We also have ongoing community partnerships where parents can contribute as a result of going about their daily routine, including Boxtops for Education, grocery rebate programs (through shopper cards), scrip gift cards, and restaurant Spirit Nights.
How is the money spent?
The PO has a yearly general budget spelled out to cover things such as teacher appreciation activities (birthday celebrations, special luncheons, Snowstorm annual gifting program), hospitality for school events such as the Family Picnic, concerts, college nights, movie nights, Titan Triad and socials, as well as providing for the associated operating costs (web site hosting, paper for flyers/forms, vending machine stock). This budget typically accounts for approximately 30% of the overall incoming monies during the year. In May, the full PO membership votes on how to allocate the remaining funds for that year.
In the past, PO funds have been used to outfit the Biology lab with microscopes, provide books for the school library, purchase additional audio-visual equipment, and obtain a snack vending machine as well as an ice machine.
How does the lunch program work?
The Hot Lunch Program provided through the PO is an optional service to students and families consisting of catered food delivered by fast food and restaurant vendors. There is a small one-time fee to register a participating student and families must sign up through the PO at least three weeks before they plan to begin ordering lunches. Once registered, students may order as many or few times as they like; there is no minimum purchase involved.
Meals are served by parent volunteers during specific lunch periods for 6th/7th, 8th/9th, and high school. Orders are taken in advance online and must be prepaid. Students choose the days and menu items they prefer from the electronic order form. Orders may be changed or deleted directly by students up to two weeks before a particular day’s lunch. Depending on the edits made to an order, credits may be applied to the account (good for future orders) or additional payment may be required immediately upon the order change. Orders are not considered valid until payment is made.
The Lunch Program page will feature a link to the online order system which can be accessed at any time to place a new order, update an existing order, or check account status. Families are required to use the online form in submitting orders. For those without internet access or who experience difficulty with electronic ordering on their own systems, the school has computers which may be used to complete an order. Check in with the front desk for access.
A limited quantity of extra food is sometimes available for sale, however there is no guarantee of extras and everything is sold on a first-come first-served basis after all prepaid meals are distributed.
How can I find out more about what’s going on?
The best way is to regularly check out this web site. We strive to keep it updated with the latest information on events, activities, news, and ways to become involved. Specific questions can be addressed to the proper people in the Contact Us section. Monthly meetings are often good sources of information on what’s upcoming as well as what’s happening right now. Meetings are on the school website and our calendar as well. Agendas are posted here at least 48 hours prior to the meeting so you can even see exactly what’s in store for discussion. Finally, be sure to register your family’s contact information, especially an email address, to be kept in the loop with regular informational updates.
What if I have other questions?
The Contact Us page lists several key people in various committees/positions. Any of them are available and willing to answer questions or direct you to the proper source.