Centennial Elementary School
Shannon Ritter, Principal
April 2021
Dear Families,
It has been amazing to have students back on campus and checking out library books again! I wanted to take this opportunity to share how our library services have adapted to our transition to hybrid learning.
Mrs. Ricks and I have created a “pop-up” library for kindergarten, first and second grade students. Each day we cart a bunch of books down to the pod and set them up on tables, facing out, so students can easily see the titles. Teachers send 2 or 3 students out to the pod at a time and they browse until they see something they want. We have put a book return bin in every pod, so it is easy for students to return books when they are finished. The other day I was setting up our little “pop-up” library and a kindergartener stopped by to share that library was her favorite and then added, “I really like your books!” This little “pop-up” library has been the highlight of our day!
We have not forgotten about our third, fourth, and fifth grade students. They get to have books delivered right to their classrooms. Our older students have been putting books on hold through Destiny Discover, our library catalog system. Mrs. Ricks and I then pull the books students have requested, we check them out, and deliver them to their classroom. The nice thing about this system is that our older students can choose what they want to read by searching the catalog. I have been encouraging students to take advantage of this system because they will never get to experience this level of service again!
We are also continuing to maintain our “Books to Go!” program for our students working remotely. Students can put books on hold through the OSD portal and then we send a Remind message to families when they are ready to be pick up. Our Books to Go program is open Monday - Friday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Books can be picked up at the library’s back door, directly opposite Portable 3. Please ring our doorbell, so we do not miss you. We also pass out books placed on hold on our packet pick-up days so you can coordinate your trips.
I hope your student has had an opportunity to use the library this year. We really appreciate your participation and want to do whatever we can to get books into your students hands. We have worked hard to provide services for both our hybrid and remote students. It brings us joy to see students and to help them find just the right book. I also really like hearing, “hi, library lady” as they pass in the halls.
Heather Slater
Librarian
Survey - Is Your Child Returning to Centennial?
As we make plans for the next school year, we need to begin collecting information about the number of students who will be at each grade level. To enable us to be more accurate, we are asking each family to indicate whether they are planning to have their child attend Centennial next year.
This year, the school district email out a Google Form Survey to all our CES families on about April 1st. The survey is asking a question about this school year (Spring) plans and questions about the next school year. Please complete the survey as soon as possible. Check your Spam File if you do not recall seeing the survey. Please complete the survey by May 1st.
Update from the School Nurse – Masks at School
OSD has received some updated guidance from the Department of Health. Updates are as follows and are in line with CDC recommendations.
· External valve or vented masks are not allowed*
· Double layered neck gaiters are allowable
*when a student arrives at school with an external valve or vented mask, we will provide them with an appropriately fitted alternative.
Attestations
Reminder to parents/guardians to complete your child’s monthly attestation form in Skyward Family
Access when your child first starts on-site learning/activities, and again at the start of each month thereafter, that attests they will complete this daily wellness screening, including checking your child for symptoms of COVID-19 before they come on campus.
Individual Picture Day- April
Clintworth Photography will be at Centennial to take our school pictures this month. Picture envelopes have gone home to families. You can use the envelope to return your payment or pay via the Clintworth Photograph website.
· April 14th 11:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. (this is a Packet Pick up day) Remote Learning Students
· April 15th – 9:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Cohort A In-Person students
· April 16th - 9:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Cohort B In-Person students
*Remote Learning Families at 12 noon to 12:20 p.m. on April 15th and 16th there will be an extra time available for any remote learning students that could not make the 4/14 picture date.
The photographer will be in the gym. Remote Learning students will need to follow the signs that will be posted along the Bus Loading Zone area. Parent please park and wait outside in your vehicle. Students will enter and exit through separate doors and need to wear their masks until they take their pictures.
MATH FOR LIFE -- Activity
This year, Thurston County Chamber is excited to announce that they are moving forward with a VIRTUAL Math for Life event for 2021! Please save the dates for April 5 – April 18! The Chamber is working with a private software development company to create its very own Math for Life platform. Of course, security of the students is #1 and we are taking that very seriously. This is a web-based application, encouraging students to log on from a tablet or computer to participate from the comfort of their own home.
For additional information: https://thurstonchamber.com/mathforlife/
Washington Middle School – 5th graders going on to 6th grade
Families mark your calendar for April 23rd. Washington Middle School is planning to host a Virtual WMS Tour of their school. They will also discuss the online registration process that you will need to complete to ensure your child is registered for middle school. WMS will be send out to all our fifth grade families’ information on the time and Zoom link to join the “tour”.
CES Library Books
Books to Go – Your, to-go library service! 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.
Classroom Packet Pick-up for students in 100% Remote Learning Students
Instructional materials aka “packets” are available for pick-up every two weeks on Wednesdays. Completed packets can be turned back in to the teacher when you collect the new packets. Make sure your child’s name and teacher is on the packet. Drive to the Bus Loading Zone to pick up items on these dates and times.
April 14 – Wednesday
April 28 - Wednesday
- Morning pick-up time 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
- Lunchtime 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
- Evening pick up now 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Staff is only available to help on Wednesdays. If you cannot make this Wednesday pick up date, go to the school office and staff will assist you during normal office hours 7:30-3:30 p.m.
Should Parents "Fix" Unhappiness?
Guiding your child to handle the ups and downs of life.
School Counselor Presentation
4/27/21 5:30-6:30 ZOOM LINK
"I just want my child to be happy!” Could it be that we have come to believe happy feelings need to be our baseline and anything short of that is a problem? Consider the possibility of another way of thinking: "I just want my child to get comfortable being uncomfortable". Learning to navigate the bumpy roads of life requires us to tolerate discomfort. Join school counselors Denise Hammer and Kris Norelius for this presentation three of our FREE parenting series this spring. In this session we will challenge ourselves to look at how recognizing and understanding, the uncomfortable emotions within ourselves can help our children tolerate their uncomfortable feelings as we guide them with tools to cope with life's challenges, large and small. This process can be key to raising resilient, confident children!
Upcoming Events
DATE
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EVENT
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4/5-9
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Spring Break
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4/14
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Picture Day Remote Learning Students – 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
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4/14
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Packet Pick up Remote Learning Students 8-9 11:30-1 and 4-6
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4/15
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Picture Day Cohort A Students 9:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
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4/16
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Picture Day Cohort B Students 9:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
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4/23
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WMS Virtual Tour & Information on 6th Grade Registration to WMS- Zoom Meeting
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4/27
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Parent Education Class 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Zoom Link- see above
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4/28
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Packet Pick up Remote Learning Students 8-9 11:30-1 and 4-6
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5/12
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Packet Pick up Remote Learning Students 8-9 11:30-1 and 4-6
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5/26
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Packet Pick up Remote Learning Students 8-9 11:30-1 and 4-6
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5/28
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Snow Makeup Day – No School
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5/31
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Memorial Day – No School
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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
· 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.