Centennial Elementary School
Shannon Ritter, Principal
November 2020
Dear Families ~
The last seven months have been especially difficult as we struggle to process our many emotions during this incredibly stressful and uncertain time. I have felt a loss of normalcy, burnout and fatigue along with pride, joy, hopefulness and a million other emotions. The struggle is real and it’s okay to not always be okay! Our to-do lists are long and distractibility is high. All we can do is take it one day at a time and know that some days will be more successful than others and that’s okay. All we can do is our best at that moment and that’s okay. And it’s okay to give ourselves permission to take a step back, push pause and come back at it later.
We are all in this together and if I have learned anything in my last 7 years at Centennial is that our community will continue to be there to support each other! I want to shout a huge thank you to our families for rearranging work schedules, finding creative ways to support your students and for your dedication and partnership with our staff. I want to shout a huge thank you to our staff for your dedication, creativity, collaboration and partnership with our families.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can be of any assistance. And as always, thank you for sharing your children with us.
Now on to some additional information:
· Please join us on Tuesday, November 10th from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. for our first General Booster Club Meeting via Zoom. Click on the link here: Booster Club General Meeting
· Our Booster Club is offering Spirit wear again this year including a fun new “Centennial Strong, Virtually Awesome” t-shirt or sweatshirt. Click on the link below to look through the clothing options: www.centennialboosterclub.org/purchase
· We had a fantastic Fall Friday Sing on October 30th with incredible attendance. Please join us again on Friday, December 11th @ 9:00 a.m. for a Winter Friday Sing. Winter Friday Sing Zoom Link
Thurston County Food Bank – Food Drive – November 19th – December 4th
Centennial families we have been asked by the Food Bank to participate in their annual food drive and to provide only two food items this year; any kind of Soup or Macaroni and Cheese. They have requested other schools to provide different food items. This will help the Food Bank with sorting issues when they receive the donations. Thank you so much for your participation. Items can be dropped off at school during the day from 11:30-1:00 p.m. at a table by the area where families are picking up Grab & Go Lunches or dropped off at school on the school packet pick up days on November 19th and 20th or on December 3rd and 4th. See times below.
Fall Forms – Update Student Information -
Thank you to all the families that updated their child’s “Fall Start of School Forms”. The window to complete these online forms has closed. The online window had been extended several times to allow families to complete the forms. We know that this was a new system this year and will take getting use to in the future. We still have over 41% of our families that did not review their student’s information or complete the required forms for the school year.
We will be sending paper forms to those families that still need to update their children’s information. Please return the forms to the school as soon as possible so we can update your information. Return these forms to the school office, drop them off at the next packet pick up or mail the forms to the school. Thank you.
Wonders Textbooks and Packet Pick-up --Mark your calendars!
Please continue reading for important information about picking up textbooks, grade level specific teacher created paper packets and library book check out.
Distribution dates:
Instructional materials aka “packets” will be available for pick-up every two weeks. Completed packets can be turned back in when you collect the new packets 2 weeks later. Make sure your child’s name and teacher is on the packet.
November 5, 6
November 19, 20
December 3, 4
Pick-up schedule: Drive to the Bus Loading Zone to pick up items on these days and times
- Morning pick-up time 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. (Thursday and Friday)
- Lunch time 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (Thursday and Friday)
- Evening 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Thursday only)
CES Library Books
Do you need a new book to read? Try our library’s Books to Go – Your, to-go library service! View the slide show by clicking on the link below or visit Mrs. Slater’s Schoology page under “Books to Go”.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UZusfVh6dMt_eP26yXOxjQCy1f-qJQt7UnGBicp7lt4/edit?usp=sharing
Books need to be placed on hold. See the Books to Go link above to walk you through the process. When the books are ready for pick up, an email will be sent to you with the date you can pick them up. Walk around to the back of the school to the backdoor entrance of the library, to pick up your books. The library back door is across from the three portables, behind the school. Follow the signs.
Technology Resources for Families
Check out this resource page for families. Information on who to call, short videos on how to problem solve issues that might arise. Click on the following link. The District is adding videos to assist families.
https://www.osd.wednet.edu/families/technology_resources
Lots of resources on how to log in to daily attendance, Chromebook Technical Tips, OSD Hotspots Information, Skyward, Schoology, Remind, Zoom among other topics.
Families if your child’s Zoom meeting gets interrupted your child’s link will go automatically into the teacher’s waiting room and they should be able to re-join the zoom meeting within about 1 minute. A windows will pop up letting them know that it will be a just a few moments. Remind your child if this happens to be patient while it re-boots up and then they will automatically be back into their teachers’ Zoom session.
Virtual Veterans Day Program
Teachers will be sharing information with students regarding the assembly that will be held on November 9th and10th from 9-9:30 a.m. Students can click on the link that will be uploaded into Schoology on either of these day.
Virtual Taproot Theatre- “Super School” Assembly
During the week of November 16-20 your child’s classroom teachers will share a link with their students via Schoology so they can attend the school’s Taproot Theatre assembly. This will be an assembly that will address the subject of harassment, intimidation and bullying. Teachers will talk to their students about the story behind the play prior to the assembly.
Booster Club’s Yearbook Committee
Is looking for pictures to include in this year’s yearbook. Thank you to all the students that participated in the yearbook contest. Send your great pictures of your children studying, participating in the virtual Pumpkin Fun Run- wearing orange at the October 30th virtual Friday Sing, Spirit Day pictures etc. to our Booster Club’s co-coordinators Olivia or Thuy at [email protected].
Give Your Child a Confident Boost
Sometimes kids do not do their homework because they lack confidence. They’re afraid they won’t be able to do it, so they avoid doing it altogether. Some well-directed praise can make a huge difference. Try these suggestions:
· Be positive. You might say, “Math can be hard. But I know you – and I know you can do it! Would you like me to help you get started? Let’s take a look at it together.”
· Be consistent. Whenever you see your child working hard, reward him with praise. Remember to praise the effort as well as success.
· Be Specific. For example, “You didn’t give up on that problem. Good for you!” Reinforce your praise with a hug, a smile or a pat on the back.
And sometimes, let your child overhear you tell someone, “Brian did his homework today without any reminders. He studied for an hour. I am so proud of him.” Firm, Fair & Consistent, November 2014
Upcoming Events
DATE
|
EVENT
|
|
11/2-5
|
MAP Growth Test grades 2-5 only
|
|
11/6
|
Make-up day MAP Growth Test
|
|
11/9 -11/10
|
Virtual Veterans Day Assembly 9:00-9:30 a.m. – Zoom link in Schoology
|
|
11/11
|
Veterans Day Holiday- No School
|
|
11/12
|
PE Family Night – Zoom Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
|
|
11/16-20
|
Taproot Theatre Virtual Assembly – teachers will share more information that week – Zoom link in Schoology
|
|
11/25-27
|
Thanksgiving Holiday – No School
|
OSD 2020-21 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
· Michael Hart, Title IX Officer, [email protected], (360) 596-8545
· Scott Niemann, 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.