“Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.”
— Malala Yousafzai
What is the CPA?
The CPA (Challenge Parents Association) is the parent group for the Highly Capable Programs within the Edmonds School District. This includes the Challenge Program at Terrace Park School (grades 1-6) and the Highly-Capable Program at Brier Terrace Middle School (grades 7-8). If you have a student in one of these Programs, you are automatically members of the CPA.
The Highly Capable Program was implemented in the Edmonds School District to provide support for students identified as requiring services beyond the normal learning environment to be successful. Highly capable students (sometimes referred to as gifted) are identified following Washington State Administrative Code's Definition of Gifted Students.
What is the Highly Capable Program?
CPA vs PTA/PTSA
At both Terrace Park and Brier Terrace Middle Schools there is a neighborhood general education program and the Challenge/Highly Capable Programs. The schools operate as one student body. As a parent of a Challenge/Highly Capable student, you are invited to be part of both the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at the elementary level, Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) at the middle school level, and the Challenge Parents Association (CPA).
The PTA/PTSA serves 100% of the student population at the school and plans activities such as book fairs, dances, talent show, science nights, before/after school programs, Watch D.O.G.S., staff appreciation and so much more!
The CPA serves the Challenge/Highly Capable students, teachers, and parents as a subset of the school. The bulk of the CPA budget is directed towards classrooms grants to enhance learning and continuing (gifted-specific) education for the teachers. We also plan and organize family events for kids to interact and get to know each, and host parent events with educational speakers on topics useful to parents.
All three organizations require parent support and involvement to make the school successful as a whole.
Our mission is to advocate for and support our gifted/highly capable students, teachers, and parents.
the foundation of our mission
Community Building
Students enter the Highly Capable Program from all over the district. Because most of them are moving away from their home school, and therefore are no longer going to school with their neighbors, participation in these programs can be isolating at first. Community building for these students and families is especially important.
The Highly Capable Program is composed of students with unique social, emotional and learning needs. The CPA fosters group support and sponsors family social events and parent events to help with the challenges many face by having students in these programs.
Participation
The teachers in these programs require additional training to meet the asynchronous development needs of gifted and talented students, and the curriculum demands differentiated materials and resources. Parents make a difference with their support to ensure these extra demands are met efficiently.
Participation includes being willing to offer your voice and participating in discussions regarding specialized needs; your physical help at school events and at extracurricular activities; with in-kind gifts and offerings of your own talents, skills, education and community connections; and, of course, financial contributions to offset the additional costs generated in meeting these needs.
Advocacy
Every student deserves to learn every day. To keep that promise, these programs require additional funding and special advocacy. In these days of budget crises, and in the wake of “No Child Left Behind”, programs like these are among the first on the chopping block. During the last two legislative sessions, we were instrumental in making sure that services for highly capable students were included in the definition of “basic education” in all forms of the Washington State Basic Education Reform Bill and in advocating for the implementation of these reforms in the midst of some of the most drastic budget cuts in Washington State’s history.
In order to ensure legislative support, we coordinate with our families and other groups throughout the state to reach out to our legislative representatives, community leaders, school board members and local businesses to keep them apprised of the need for, and value of, highly capable education programs and services and to elicit their support.