Centennial Elementary School
Shannon Ritter, Principal
March 2021
Hello Centennial Families ~
There has been so many communication and letters to read these last few weeks so I will keep this short and sweet.
The transition to hybrid learning has been full of challenges and emotions. One teacher summed it up perfectly. It is like the last day of school and the first day of school all at once. Many had to say goodbye and hello on the same day. While transition can be hard, I have no doubt that our school community will continue to be there for each other. New relationships and connections will be made and in the end, I believe we will be stronger for it. We can do hard things!
As always, thank you for partnering with and sharing your students with us!
Shannon Ritter
Proud Principal of Centennial Elementary School
Booster Club’s Emergency Kits
Emergency Kits are available for purchase for $5.00 in the school office. Cash or checks made payable to CES Booster Clubs. Families can also make their own Emergency Kits. Instructions are in the office.
Change in the School Menu
Families that are receiving lunches at school please note there has been a change in the March Menu that is effective Monday, March 8th. Please run a new menu from the OSD website.
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.
New Families - Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2021
Beginning on Monday, March 29 families can start to pick-up kindergarten registration packets between 7:30A.M. - 3:30 P.M. in the school office.
· Registration packets can be returned to the office during regular school hours for kindergarten and any child that is new who will be entering Centennial in grades 1-5 in the fall.
· Taste of Kindergarten Screening and Orientation is planned for June 9. Parents can sign up for their choice of orientation times when they return the registration packet to the school office.
Conference Week March 30 – April 2
Online Parent-Teacher Conference sign up will start for families on March 18 through March 28th. After that time contact your teacher by email to assist you. Monday, March 29th will be a normal school day. Conference will take place starting Tuesday-Friday, March 30- April 2. School hours during conference week will be a half days. More information will be coming to families regarding dismissal time.
Spring Break
No school the week of April 5-9
Individual Picture Day- Mark your Calendar
We have scheduled Clintworth Photography to take our school pictures in April. More information will go home with students.
· 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.
Pictures will be taken in the gym. Remote Learning students will need to follow the signs that will be posted along the Bus Loading Zone area. Students will enter and exit through separate doors and need to wear their masks until they take their pictures.
Lunch Program – Hybrid or Remote Learning Students
All student breakfast and lunches will continue to be free through the end of this school year.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) is Back!
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) was a program developed by the USDA in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Last Spring, many of our eligible families received this benefit. This year, the USDA is announcing its return. P-EBT 2.0 will provide food benefits to replace meals missed during the 2020-21 school year. Families do not have to apply if they already qualify for free/reduced through an application or direct certification. Benefits will be sent to families in March.
Was your child approved for free/reduced priced meals during the 2020-21 school closure?
Eligible families will get their benefits in the mail this March, there is no need to apply.
What do you need to do? It’s easy - just make sure your mailing address is up to date with your child’s school office!
Classroom Packet Pick-up Change for students in 100% Remote Learning
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.
March 10 - Wednesday
March 24 – Wednesday
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.
This date change is due to our transition to in-person Hybrid Learning for students and staff. 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.
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/
Here is a breakdown of the process:
- Beginning April 5, parents will be able to register their child(s). They will indicate, name, school, grade and teacher. (this information will only be visible to the Thurston Chamber Foundation – NOT all the businesses)
- Once parents register, they will provide their child with an access code to the virtual platform
- Students will “visit” different businesses, reading about the company description, answer an age appropriate math question, view an optional video that the business has submitted, and have a chance to accumulate points and win cool prizes!
- As always, all students who participate will receive a medal, and the top student from each school district will win an Amazon Fire Kindle, along with other gift certificates from local businesses.
Numbers to Remember:
Attendance Line (24 hr) 360-596-8303
School Main Office 360-596-8300
School Kitchen 360-596-8307
School Nurse 360-596-8308
Transportation Department 360-596-7700
Families, when calling the attendance line to leave a voice message about your child’s illness, please indicate whether your child has Covid symptoms, the flu, a fever, cold/cough, or rash. When calling about appointments be specific, if it is a dentist appointment, medical appointment or a therapy appointment. Calling to say you have an appointment only, will not be an excused absence.
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
Place your books 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.
CES Booster Club Fundraiser
Sweetlee’s Ice Cream truck will be donating 10% of their sales to CES’s Booster Club on Saturday, March 27 . Hours are from 12 noon to 8:00 p.m. The ice cream truck will be located at 2411 Harrison Ave NW in Olympia.
Upcoming Events
DATE
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EVENT
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3/6
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District’s Countdown to Kindergarten Information Zoom Meeting for Fall 2021 10:00-11:30 a.m. see the OSD website
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3/10
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Student Packet Pickup for 100% Remote Learning Students only 8-9 a.m. 11:30-1 p.m. 4-6 p.m.
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3/24
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Student Packet Pickup for 100% Remote Learning Students only 8-9 a.m. 11:30-1 p.m. 4-6 p.m.
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3/27
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Booster Club Fundraiser – Sweetlee’s Ice Cream Truck 12-8 pm 2411 Harrison Ave Olympia
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3/29
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Kindergarten Registration begins for 2021-22 school year
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3/30-4/2
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Spring Conferences - early dismissal half day
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4/5-9
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Spring Break – No School
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Olympia School District families and staff are invited to complete a short training called Navigating Back to School,. Just choose from the menu of mental health and suicide prevention mini-trainings for staff or parents/guardians. Thank you to OSDEF and their Mental Health Initiative for providing this opportunity Navigating Back to School.
If you have questions or are looking for support for your student or family, please contact CES counselor Kris Norelius at [email protected]
OSD 2020-2021 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.