June 2022
Centennial Stars Newsletter
Hello Centennial Families ~
It’s hard to believe the year is coming to a close in the next few weeks. Reflecting on the 2021-2022 school year, we certainly had COVID related challenges but in true Centennial fashion, our students, staff and families met them head on! Each year I feel so fortunate to be able to see our students grow and learn and this year more than ever, I could not be more proud of their determination, perseverance and desire to learn. I am grateful to work alongside you all and this year more than ever, I am fortunate to lead this incredible group of dedicated, passionate and caring educators. Thank you for all you do to help each of our students to thrive and do their very best!
As we wind down the 2021-2022 school year, we are also planning for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.
One big change coming this fall will be a building-wide “No homework” expectation. In the spring of 2022, 17 Centennial staff members who serve either on the Leadership or Equity Team, met to discuss a “No-homework expectation” for the 2022-2023 school year.
More and more studies are being conducted and they conclude that homework is not beneficial in elementary school. There is little to no evidence of academic benefit from homework at the elementary level. A few Centennial teachers trialed a “No-homework policy” during the 2021-2022 school and received very positive feedback from parents, students as well as academic and social improvements. This doesn’t mean the learning in the classroom stops at 2:15. Teachers will still communicate with parents the themes and topics they are studying in class and provide ways to support and promote authentic learning at home if families choose. One benefit of reducing the amount of time spent on homework is that it increases opportunities for children to engage in social situations. Engaging in social situations outside of school is important for continued social and emotional growth and development and these opportunities can teach valuable skills of teamwork, leadership and social skills.
There is clear evidence that reading-to-self boosts literacy. We will continue to ask our students to read each night. It is recommended to read at least 20 minutes a day on average. We want children to love reading and hope to see families continue to make reading together a regular part of each evening. Because we are moving forward with a No Homework Expectation, we will not expect any CES student to get a parent signature on either their planner or reading log, unless it is indicated on a 504 or IEP plan.
At the end of the 2022-2023 school year, we will reach out to families and staff for feedback and make adjustments if needed.
As we wrap another unique year, I want to thank you once again for sharing your students with us each and every day! Stay healthy and enjoy your summer!
Mrs. Ritter
Half Day of School on Friday, June 10th
Teachers will be working on report cards in the afternoon on this day. School is dismissed at 11:05. Grab & go lunch will be available.
BBQ Lunch Menu on Thursday, June 16th
(Sorry! No families this year due to physical distancing). Centennial’s annual BBQ on Thursday, June 16th will be a Hamburger or an Impossible Burger (vegetarian option). Lettuce, tomatoes, onion, ketchup, mustard, fruit/veggie, chips & milk will also be offered. Per Paul Flock, OSD Child Nutrition Service Director, the “Impossible Burger is the plant-based patty that tastes like a hamburger that Burger King sells and is advertised on television”.
Last Day of School & Field Day!
The last day of school for all students is Wednesday, June 22. School is dismissed at 11:05. No lunch is served.
Mrs. Draper is organizing Field Day for the school. If you would like to help, you need to be an approved OSD volunteer. The Booster Club is helping to organize the volunteers. Please email: [email protected]
Summer Food Program
The OSD Children Nutrition Services will host the Summer Food Program from June 27- August 19th. It will be back to in person this year at Roosevelt & Garfield Elementary Schools from 11:30-12:00 for children 19 & younger. Meals must be consumed on sight. Check food services in June for more info.
Fall 2022 – 2023 School Begins
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Bell Schedule - 8:00 to 2:15*
*Early release every Wednesday @ 1:25 begins on Sept 14
Report Cards
On the last day of school, families can view their children’s report card in Skyward Family Access. Go to the PORTFOLIO tab to find the final report card for the 2021-22 school year. An email will go home on the last day of school with instructions as to how to find the report cards in Skyward.
Next Year’s Teacher
We will be posting class placements for the 2022-2023 school year in Skyward the last week of August. If you are unable to access Skyward, please contact our office and we will be happy to share class placement information with you.
Moving
Will you be moving this summer or making other arrangements? Are you currently enrolled in more than one school? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, please inform our school office staff. Our voicemail will be in operation all summer and will be checked periodically through June and then starting again in August. Having accurate enrollment numbers is critical to our planning. Please help by keeping us updated of your plans. Also, encourage new neighbors to register at the school through June 28. Thanks for your assistance.
Pick Up Medications
If your child has medication at school, please make plans to pick up the medication by the end of the day on Tuesday, June 22nd. If you wish to have your child continue taking medications when school begins next fall, a new authorization form needs to be signed by both you and your physician.
Fines, Negative Balances and Library Books
Please return all library books, textbooks, pay for any lost or damaged library books by June 10th and clear up any negative food service balances before the end of school.
Emergency Kit Reminders
Most of our students had emergency kits in zip-lock bags stored at school for use in an emergency. We would like to thank our Emergency Kit Coordinator, Geoff Pohl, for organizing this activity. These kits will be sent home for storage and repacking over the summer. Please plan to return them first thing in the fall.
Welcome Back to School Event in the Fall
The staff and Booster Club would like to invite all of next year’s families to join us for a Welcome Back to School Day on Tuesday, September 6th, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Come any time during this hour and a half, meet your child’s teacher, pick up the fall paperwork that needs to be completed, have your child put his/her supplies in their desk, and visit the Booster Club tables set up in the gym area. We will send more details home in the August Newsletter.
Booster Club
We would all like to thank our Centennial Booster Club for their continuing support throughout the year. Many of the members and officers put in hundreds of hours. We would like to say a special thank you to our 2022-23 officers Amy Hill – President, Erinn Zeitlin – Vice-President, Loriel Miller – Secretary, Theresa Woodward & Sarah Miller – Co-Treasurers, Debbie Ritenour – Communications, Volunteer Coordinator – open. Also, thank you to all the project chairs and their committee members that work on special projects throughout the school year. The Centennial Booster Club supports many of the programs in our school through financial assistance and volunteer work. Field trips, library books, music equipment, reading textbooks, enrichment software for the whole school and enrichment materials for each classroom are just some of the items and programs made available by Booster Club. This is truly a highly effective school because all of us have worked together. We are all appreciative of the support from this tremendous group. Thank you, Booster Club!
Booster Club News!
Check out the Booster Club’s website for the latest news from Centennial Booster Club at www.centennialboosterclub.org
Update Your Child’s 2022-23 Enrollment Information
At the end of June, families can start to update their child’s information for the next school year. Go to your Family Access Account and click on the tab that is label “Update Your Students Information 2022-23”. We need all CES families to verify their child’s information each school year. Verify that your information is still current or make corrections to your child’s Skyward Account. Please DO NOT add parents as emergency contacts. The school will ALWAYS call parents/guardians first in the event of an emergency.
Upcoming Events:
6/7 School Color Spirit Day:
K-Red/1st-Orang/2nd-Yellow/3rd -Green/4th -Blue/5th- Purple OR wear the rainbow!
6/8 Taste of Kindergarten Screening and Orientation – by appointment
6/8 Walk-n-Roll to School!
6/10 Early Dismissal – Report Card Preparation Release @ 11:05. – Grab & Go lunch available
6/14 OHS Senior Walk (& CES spirit Day!)
6/14 Booster Club meeting @ CES --- 7:00
6/15 5th Grade Band Concert – 7:00 p.m. @ Ingersoll Stadium
6/16 CES BBQ – we will have our annual end of the year BBQ Hamburger for lunch on this day. (Students only due to physical distancing).
6/15 5th Grade Band Concert – @ Ingersoll at 7:00 p.m.
6/20 NO SCHOOL— Juneteenth Holiday
6/22 Last Day of School & Field Day!!! School dismissed @ 11:05 --- No lunch served
6/22 Check Skyward family access for report cards & update information as necessary
Lost and Found
Centennial has a number of coats, sweatshirts, and an extensive assortment of other odds and ends that need to be found! Please look when you are here. Any items not claimed by June 24 will be donated to a local charity.
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.