September 2021
Message from the Principal:
Hello Centennial families!
I cannot express how wonderful it feels to be back in the building with all of our students and staff. We have missed the “noise” of school! We have missed …
- Their laughter, the happy squeals and chatter
- Student collaboration, their compliments and encouragement of classmates - The “Oh! What about …” “No, wait, let’s try …” “Look what we just did!”
- The “teacher, look what I did!” The “a-ha” moments and when a student grasps a new concept
- The smiles and morning greetings
- Seeing new friendships form
- Our students!
Thank you for all your help in making the start of the school year incredibly successful.
As always, thank you for sharing your children with us and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns.
Smiling from ear to ear behind my mask
Your very proud Principal,
Mrs. Ritter
Meet our new Family Liaison!
Hi families! My name is Mary Ellis and I am the new Family Liaison here at Centennial Elementary! I am so excited for this year and to get to know you all! Some of the ways I am here to help include being an ear to listen for you and/or your student, providing resources, being an advocate, helping to problem solve, support for social emotional or mental health concerns. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns at [email protected] or (360)596-8517.
Student Individual School Pictures
Picture Day is on Thursday, September 16th for all our children in grades K - 5th. We will schedule a make-up day for those families that were not able to make this date.
Free & Reduced Lunches
If you believe your family qualifies, please fill out the application ASAP. While meals are free, there are still programs that require the application. We have paper forms in the office; just give us a call and we’ll get one to your child’s teacher to send home. The application can also be completed in Skyward Family Access. Choose your student, and then click on ‘Food Service’ to the left. There are directions as to how to apply.
Weekend Food Bags
The FORKids program (Thurston County Food Bank) provides elementary-age children with food bags to take home over the weekend. Younger siblings at home also qualify for an additional supply to be brought home by your student. If you have a child in middle school or high school, please ask their school counselor about a similar program called Homeless Backpacks or about their Pantry Program. The program is designed to help alleviate child hunger in our community. The bags contain on average 5 meals: 2 breakfast items, 2 Lunch items, 1 dinner, and 3 to 4 snack items. At the end of the week, the bag(s) will be delivered to your child’s classroom and discreetly placed in their backpack. This is a confidential program, all names are kept private. Please know that our program strives to be peanut free, however we cannot guarantee with absolute certainty that every bag will be free of peanuts. I would advise that any child with a severe allergy to peanuts to not receive a bag for their own safety, or put in place, a system where their parent(s), or guardian(s), can check the content before the child receives the bag. More information can be found on our websiteOpening in a new window or by phone 360-352-8597.
If you would like your student to receive a Friday bag at any point this year please fill out this formOpening in a new window or contact me, Mary Ellis (Family Liaison), at [email protected] or (360)596-8517.
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. Reminder: meals are free, but milk alone costs $.60.
Spirit Week at Centennial – October 4-7
Thank you 5th graders for the ideas!!
- Monday 10/4– I’m So Sleepy: PJ & bed head hair day
- Tuesday 10/5 – Wear Centennial Spirit Gear (red, white or blue clothing is great too!)
- Wednesday 10/6 – Let’s Get Physical: favorite activity or sport
- Thursday 10/7 – Wear orange…..it’s Pumpkin Fund Day!
Chromebooks
Students in grades 3-5 should bring their fully charged Chromebooks to school each day. Thank you!
Wednesday Collaboration Days
Starting on September 15, 2021 we begin our 50 Minute Early Release on every Wednesday. School hours will be 8:00 a.m. – 1:25 P.M. (During Conference Week in October and March we will be dismissing at 11:05 p.m.)
Arrival at Centennial
Please remember that there is no staff supervision for students before 7:50 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 Plans?
Please write a note or call the front office (360-596-8300) so we can be sure we get your child to the correct place after school. We do need to hear from parents/guardians regarding any changes. Thank you!
Pumpkin Fund Run Thursday, October 7
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. Don’t forget to wear orange that day! More info 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. 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]. Let’s get moving!
“What’s Your Healthy Selfie”? Mrs. Draper would love students to bring in a selfie of them doing a healthy activity for her bulletin board! They can give their photo to their classroom teacher or when they go to PE.
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 Complete in Skyward
- Student Enrollment Information
- Student Health Information
- Student Right’s Handbook (Acknowledgement page and Military page)
- Emergency Kits – still can be purchased from Booster Club $8.00 each
Attendance and Phone Calls
Please be aware if your child is not in school for an approved reason (see the back of the OSD 2021/22 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
- 9/13 - First Day of Kindergarten!
- 9/15 - Early Release Wednesday @ 1:25
- 9/16 - Individual Picture Day
- 9/22 - Early Release Wednesday @ 1:25
- 9/27-10/1
- Map Testing K-2 reading
- Map Testing 3-5 reading & math
- 10/4-7 - Spirit Week
- 10/7 - Pumpkin Fund Run
- 10/8 - No School – Teacher In-Service Day
- 10/26-29 - Conference Week – School Dismissed at 11:05 a.m.
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.