Centennial Elementary School
Shannon Ritter, Principal
September 2019
Mission Possible: Blast off to learning!
In spite of construction and several key locations not yet completed, we had a great launch into the 2019-2020 school year! Thank you to our staff for their dedication and determination! And thank you to our students for their flexibility and patience - particularly on the playground.
Our students have quickly settled into their beautiful new classrooms and are busy learning each and every day. I couldn’t be more proud of what I am seeing and hearing when I visit the classrooms. It’s so good to have all the kiddos back - I really missed them!
Thank you to our Centennial Community for your continued patience and flexibility as we wrap up this modernization - we are so close! Here is an update on the various projects that need to be completed:
- Parking lot: concrete for some curbing will be poured on 9/19 which will give us 7 less parking spots temporarily. The seal coating and temporary striping will happen over the weekend of the 20th. We will be gaining 5 additional spots back by the bus loading area.
- Front entrance: more concrete has been poured in the waiting area. Bike racks will be added to both the front and the back of the campus.
- Playfield: the grass field will be open for play on or before 9/23/19! Yes!!!!!
- Kitchen & Gym: the kitchen is almost done. Most likely the old gym will be ready before the
cafeteria. When that is completed, students will have lunch in that gym which will free up the main gym for PE. Once the cafeteria is done we will move into that space.
- Landscaping: will start in the next few weeks with finishing touches to the cement benches in the front of the school.
- Bike racks: will be added to both the front of the school and the back of the campus
Lastly, please mark your calendars for our Curriculum Night on September 24th. Come learn about your student’s classroom, the curriculum and check out our new digs!
Grades 3 - 5: 5:00 pm - 5:45 pm
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade: 6:15 pm - 7:00 pm
As always, thank you for sharing your children with us and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns. As I head into my sixth year as the Principal of Centennial I know I am so lucky to be part of this incredible community! You all help to make our Mission Possible!
New Wood Floor Gym
Mrs. Draper, the PE Teacher, is reminding families we are hoping to have students wear non-marking athletic shoes on their PE days. These do not need to be shoes specifically for PE, just worn on PE days.
Wednesday Collaboration Days
Starting on September 11, 2019 we began a 50 Minute Early Release on every Wednesday. School hours will be 9:00 a.m. – 2:32 P.M. (During Conference Week in October and March we will be dismissing at 12:05 p.m.)
Student Individual School Pictures
Picture Day is on Thursday, September 19th for all our children in grades K, 1st, 2nd 3rd, 4th and 5th. We will schedule a make-up day for those families that were not able to make this date.
Tickets are available at the school office for the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, that runs from August 30 – September 22. One ticket per Centennial student. Send a note to the school if you would like a ticket sent home with your child or stop by the office.
Food Bank Weekend Food Bags
The food bank, in conjunction with the local school districts, has created a weekend program, which provides a bag of food items for kids to eat on the weekend. The food bank realizes that families sometimes have trouble getting to the food bank due to transportation and/or work schedules. They want to ensure that students have kid friendly food items that they can eat with minimal adult support if needed over the weekend.
The food bank will take into account your child’s age to create a weekend food supply. They are happy to provide siblings, both older and younger, a bag of food also. Food will go home on Fridays. If you would like to have your children participate in this program, contact the school office at 596-8300.
Community Flier Distribution
Olympia School District is not distributing hard copies of community flyers to all students at the elementary school level. Instead, OSD will post flyers electronically to the school district’s website. You can find approved flyers in the “Flier Distribution” section at: https://osd.wednet.edu/community/community_resources
Lunch Menu
The OSD Food Service Department only offers the school menu online. Please refer to the OSD website or CES website for the link to the menu. A few copies will be available in the school office for those families that do not have a computer.
Spirit Week at Centennial – October 7-10
Monday 10/7– wear Centennial Spirit Gear (red, white or blue clothing is great too!)
Tuesday 10/8 – Sports Day
Wednesday 10/9 – Wear PJs Day
Thursday 10/10 – Wear orange it’s Pumpkin Fund Day
Arrival at Centennial
Please remember that there is no staff supervision for students before 8:50 a.m. Students should not be dropped off prior to that time. This includes being dropped off early to the playfield. If a parent is supervising their child on the playfield, then this is the only exception to the policy.
After School Change in Plan - Riding the Bus
If your child is going to ride the bus to another friend’s house the following information is needed to complete a bus pass for your child to board a bus after school:
- date
- child’s name
- address of the friend’s house (friend’s name included)
- Bus Route (22, 23, 26 or 29)
- Guardian/Parent’s name/signature
OSD Transportation Department has implemented this procedure. A bus pass with the above information is now required. Please make changes prior to school in the AM.
Your classroom teacher will let you know when their track time is scheduled closer to the event. This is an annual ASB fundraiser for Centennial. Parents, helpers, and visitors need to check in at the office prior to going out to the field. Don’t forget to wear orange that day! More to come on this!
Race Across America
For P.E. this year there will be a “Race Across America” challenge. Students will be working as a class to “travel” from Olympia to Washington, DC. For each hour of physical activity completed outside of the school day students will earn 1 mile for their class. A maximum of one hour per day is allowed to be submitted.
Students can turn in their activity time to their classroom teacher or to Mrs. Draper when they come to P.E. Activity forms turned in need to have a parent or guardian signature. Mrs. Draper will be tracking each class’ progress on a map of the United States located in the gym. If you have any questions about this program please contact Mrs. Draper at [email protected].
Walk n Roll Dates:
Hey Centennial stars, it’s time to Walk N Roll! Intercity Transit’s Walk N Roll program invites all students and families to join Centennial in celebrating International Walk to School Day on October 9th. Students who walk or roll to school get a prize! Centennial is Walking N Rolling to school all year long! Save these first few dates.
Oct. 9
International Walk to school Day! Nov. 13
Dec. 11
Jan. 8
Reminders from Centennial:
Students coming from WMS and OHS on their Early Release Days who are walking or riding a bike need to be reminded about bicycle and cross walk safety. Be sure to wear your helmet and always walk your bike when you are on school property.
Thank you for using the designated crosswalks with adult supervision or crossing guards at them.
If you have an older student at WMS or OHS, we are asking that they not cut through our playground to take short cuts home since this is during recess time.
Please Return:
- Student Enrollment Information
- Student Health Information
- Transportation Form
- Student Right’s Handbook (2 pages must be returned- Acknowledgement page and Military page)
- Emergency Kits – still can be purchased from Booster Club $8.00 each
Student Handbook and Monthly Newsletters Online
To save resources (paper, money and time) we are making only a few copies of the handbooks and the monthly Centennial newsletter. Centennial’s Student Handbook will be available by mid-September online at centennial.osd.wednet.edu. Centennial’s monthly newsletter is posted on the school’s website and sent to your email via Skyward-Message Center. If you need a hard copy let your child’s teacher know. Time sensitive Reminders/Flyers will continue to go home in your child’s backpack as needed.
For the safety and security of our children at Centennial we are requesting that the only adults on the playground are our staff members during the school day. Only exceptions will be parents assisting at recess with the Fall Pumpkin Fund Run activity and the end of the year Field Day activity. Thank you for your understanding.
Attendance and Phone Calls
Please be aware if your child is not in school for an approved reason (see the back of the OSD 2019/20 Calendar & Handbook), you will get an automated phone call from School Messenger alerting you that your child is absent, even if you have contacted the school office regarding the absence. Please bring a note from your doctor or dentist when returning to school after your medical appointment. When leaving a message on the absence line (596- 8303) please be specific regarding the reason for the absence.
Upcoming Events
DATE EVENT
9/17 Mrs. Anderson Class Field Trip 1:20-2:20 p.m.
9/18 Early Release Wednesday 9:00 a.m.-2:32 p.m.
9/19 Individual Picture Day
9/20 Miss Evans Class Field Trip 1:20-2:20 p.m.
9/24 Mrs. Leach Class Field Trip 1:20-2:20 p.m.
9/24 Curriculum Night Grades K-5
- 5:00-5:45 P.M. grades 3-5
- 6:15-7:00 P.M. grades K-2
9/25 Early Release Wednesday 9:00 a.m.-2:32 p.m.
9/27 Mrs. Martin Class Field Trip 1:20-2:20 p.m.
10/3 Booster Club’s MOD Pizza Fundraiser Event all day
10/7-10 Spirit Week – see article on page 2
10/9 Walk ‘n’ Roll to school
10/10 CES – Pumpkin Fund Run
10/11 No School – Teacher In-Service Day
10/18 All School Sing 2:45 p.m.
10/22-25 Conference Week – School Dismissed at 12:05 p.m.
10/25 Booster Club’s Fall Family Social - evening
OSD 2019-20 Notice of Nondiscrimination
Read the OSD 2019 Notice of Nondiscrimination.