Newsletters

February 2024

 

Message from the Principal

 


Hello Centennial families ~

We have been planning and planning and are excited to share that our “You Belong Day” is right around the corner. This school-wide event will take place on Friday, February 2nd from 9:15 am - 10:15 am. This is a half day with school dismissing at 11:05 am.

One of the goals for our staff this year is to increase students' “Sense of Belonging” while here at school. Even though we are the largest elementary school in our district, we want each of our students to feel they belong and are part of our school.

Several weeks ago, students were given a survey asking them three things they would most like to do. I am delighted to share that almost every student will be participating in their first choice! We will share which activity students will be participating in on Thursday, February 1, 2024. On Friday, each student will also receive a snack and a t-shirt (sshhhhh!) Here is a sampling of the activities that will be happening around the school:
• Culinary: fruit smoothies, baking cookies, making mini pizza
• Arts & Crafts: friendship bracelets, sewing, clay pinch pots and canvas painting
• Games & Music: Karaoke Dance Party, Chess and Pokémon
• Movers & Shakers: Capture the flag, Track & Field, Basketball and Bowling
• Quiet & Calm: Board games, cozy read to self, Mandala coloring to music

Please note:
• If your student signed up for Pokémon, they are encouraged to bring some of their own cards for trading and games.
• If your student signed up for an outside activity, please send them with a warm coat and hat. Unless it is pouring, they will be outside. These activities are: Track & Field, Capture the Flag and 4 Square.

We are very excited and looking forward to this day. And from what I have heard from some of our students, they are as well!


Mrs. Ritter and the whole Centennial Staff


Message from the Librarian


Our Third, Fourth and Fifth grade students have been participating in a reading competition called Battle of the Books (aka BoB). This reading competition encourages students to read genres that they might not select on their own, increases reading comprehension and provides a great opportunity for them to work as a team.

Students will spend the month of February completing practice rounds which will help them prepare them for the final rounds of the BoB competition. The BoB Finals will take place in the gym on Friday, March 8th. Here is the timeline for the rest of our competition.

• March 4th - March 7th: Semi-Finals ~ students will answer another set of 20 questions. Top scoring teams will move on to the Finals
• Friday, March 3rd: FINALS ~ Top scoring 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade teams will battle for the finals. We will have a winner at each grade level. The winning teams will receive a medal and will win a “traveling trophy” that stays in their classroom for the rest of the school year.

All participants will receive a ribbon for participating in the competition. I am so proud of how hard students have worked on reading and it’s been exciting to watch them grow as a team!

~Heather Slater

Cispus News


Cispus is just around the corner! Our fifth graders are headed up to Camp Cispus March 20 – 22. If you need another copy of the supply list, or a medication form, please contact the front office. If you need help obtaining any of the items from the packing list, please fill out this survey or contact our Family Liaison, Annika Nicholas: [email protected]

 

A Message from the School Nurse

Hello from the health room! As is common at this time of the year, we have students and families experiencing illness. Here are some friendly reminders when to keep your student home:

• Fever greater than 100.4 (student may return if they’re fever free for 24 hours without meds)
• Vomiting/diarrhea (student may return to school if no symptoms within the last 24 hours)
• Cough or runny nose that is not normal for your student

 

Snow Day Notifications to Families

If we have a late start, or school is canceled, the district will send out messaging to all our families. If you’re not getting them, go to Skyward Family Access and then ‘Sky Alert’. Be sure your cell is entered under ‘Text Message Numbers.’ Any changes made in Skyward will sync will Parent square overnight (if you have the app). Or you can check the Olympia School District website at osd.wednet.edu, or OSD social media pages (Facebook/Instagram/Twitter).

 

A thank you from Custodian John

Our custodian John would like to extend a BIG ‘Thank You’ to everyone who helps put chairs away after assemblies. It makes things go much quicker and allows him to get back to his normal routine of keeping our school looking good!

 

Lunch Accounts

 

Thank you for your help with keeping your student’s lunch account up to date. Cash, check or credit card are all accepted (please know we do NOT have change at the school). If the online payment portal does not work for you, you can always call the school and we can take payment over the phone. Or just stop by the school! Checks can be split between accounts if that’s easier; just specify the amount going to each student’s account.

 

Walk ‘n’ Roll to School!

Hey Centennial Stars, it’s time to Walk N Roll! Intercity Transit’s Walk N Roll program invites all students and their families to walk to school on the following dates. Students who walk or roll to school these days get a prize. Centennial is Walking N Rolling to school all year long!
Save the dates:
Feb. 14
March 13
April 10
May 8 National Bike to School Day
June 12

 

Upcoming Events

2/2 Half Day – Dismissed at 11:05 a.m. – Grading for First Semester
2/9 Booster Club movie night! @ 5 PM
2/14 Walk ‘n’ Roll to school
2/16 Friday Sing! @ 8:20
2/19-20 Mid-Winter Break -- No School
2/21 Report Cards available on Skyward Family Access @ 3:00

In Case of Emergency

Keeping your contact information up to date is vital in an emergency. When your child has been injured at school or is sick, the office needs to have accurate contact information. Please update any changes in Skyward Family Access, or call the office and we’re happy to help you!

Centennial Phone Numbers 2022 - 2023
Attendance Line: 360-596-8303 (24-hour Voice Mail - Call anytime)
School Office: 360-596-8300 (End of the day transportation changes - Call prior to 1:45 p.m.)
Transportation Department: 360-596-7700 (Bus Issues)
 


OSD 2019-20 Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Olympia School District will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs will be free from sexual harassment. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.

 

The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, reports of alleged sexual harassment, concerns about compliance, and/or grievance procedures:

 

  • Autumn Lara, Executive Director of Elementary Education, [email protected] (360)596-8534
  • Ken Turcotte, Section 504 and ADA Coordinator, [email protected], (360) 596-7530
  • Pat Cusack, Director of College and Career Readiness, [email protected], (360) 596-6102
  • Scott Niemann, Title IX Officer and Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, [email protected], (360) 596-6185. All four individuals may also be contacted at 111 Bethel Street N.E., Olympia, WA, 98506.