Central Elementary

Greetings Central Families,

It’s hard to believe we’re on the brink of another spring break. Upon our return, just two months will remain before we bid farewell to our current fourth grade class. This is an amazing group of kids traveling through our system. If and when you happen to bump into any of them in the weeks to come, please congratulate them on their career with Central!

The primary topic of our March staff meeting centered on making teaching and learning this spring entirely awesome! Anticipate additional outdoor experiences and hands-on activities as the weather turns in our favor. Ultimately, teachers and teams are excited to keep the momentum going, make the most of what remains, and finish strong!

Thank you for your recent participation in spring conferences, the school climate survey, and Kindergarten Round-Up. We look forward to additional opportunities to gather and gain insight this spring!

As always, thank you for your ongoing partnership, and reach out with any questions.

Cordially,

Cody

We will accept any last minute T-Shirt orders with payment by the end of today (3:45pm), Wednesday, March 27th. Thank you!

Every Friday a golden ticket drawing takes place and there is one winner from each grade level. A golden ticket is worth 10 Rocket slips.

Thank you for taking the time recently to participate in the school climate survey. While we are pleased with the progress we’ve made in all areas as indicated by student, staff, and stakeholder perception data, we are also eager to use what we’ve gleaned for school improvement efforts. Below are a few areas for growth based on SCS results, along with some general information on how we plan to improve:

Acknowledging the 85%
The vast majority of our student population fall within the 0-1 referral category, meaning they show up to school and show the Rocket Way consistently every day. However, our exemplars often feel unseen or overshadowed by those requiring frequent positive feedback and acknowledgment per individualized plans consistent with PBIS. The golden ticket was one method implemented to address this area. We also gave out kindness awards during a recent assembly. However, your
feedback is clear that we need to do more. Our PBIS team is attacking this area as we build our tier I (all kids) action plan for next year and beyond. Some ideas generated thus far include:

• Increase schoolwide acknowledgement assemblies
• Bring back Lunch with the Principal
• Intentionality around Rocket slips (who, when, for what reasons)
• Monthly celebrations to the 85%
• Leadworthy theme certificates

Student Empowerment through Voice and Choice
Engagement and motivation increases when students feel empowered. Giving students agency can enhance self-direction and critical-thinking skills. By increasing and improving practices and approaches around voice and choice, students will be better positioned to explore their interests, feel honored for their ideas, and shape their overall student experience. Student perception data at the third and fourth grade level reveals a preference and appreciation for this sort of style and approach. Ideas being explored to grow in this area include:

• Increased efforts to enhance core curriculum through 3P (project, place, and problem-based learning)

• Create student council and/or leadership groups (primarily 3-4)
• Leveraging empowerment through CKH
• Increase use of student interviews and student surveys

Hands-On Experiential Learning
This was another common theme within our student and stakeholder school climate surveys. Fortunately, this desire directly aligns with our vision around teaching and learning, and the future of Central. We continue to explore 3P design, partner with the MAISD for project support, and forge new community connections to enhance real-life application. Thanks to the dogged efforts of our PTO and the generous contributions of our families, we've captured the funding for an outdoor classroom, and will soon break ground. In addition, I am excited to announce that we recently received approval on a collaborative learning grant that will result in over $40,000 worth of
enhancements to our outdoor learning space directly aligned with our curriculum units.

Again, thank you for your thoughts, concerns, insights, and ideas. If you'd like to discuss anything further, please reach out or schedule an opportunity to meet. Otherwise, I look forward to partnering around the items above, and getting a little better for kids each day!

We are now taking registration for all new students entering kindergarten in the fall. Feel free to stop by the office for registration paperwork. Please pass this info on to anyone you know that has a kinder age child. Thank you!

Walking Club is getting bigger! We take walks around the school and even out into the neighborhood behind Central. We do fun activities like scavenger hunts and trash clean ups.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Taylor at taylorm@reeths-puffer.org or call the office at 231-744-1693.

We have embraced Girls on the Run here at Central Elementary! The girls are learning lessons and practicing skills to increase their self-confidence, build their inner strength, and make meaningful connections with others. The coaches have thoroughly enjoyed watching the girls push themselves, but it has been especially inspiring to watch the girls encourage each other and build each other up! We are about halfway through our season and are excited to end the season with a celebration 5K on May 11th at Heritage Park!

Our Capturing Kids' Hearts theme for the month of April is Perseverance.

3/28 - Half Day of School - Dismissal at 12:00pm

3/29 - NO SCHOOL

4/1-4/5 NO SCHOOL - Spring Break

4/8 - School Resumes

4/8 - M-Step Testing Window Opens (3rd & 4th grades)

4/11 - 3rd grade to Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery

4/12 - HALF DAY Dismissal at 12:00pm

4/12 - Popcorn Friday

4/15-4/19 - Droski and Mason to the Lakeshore Museum

4/16 - Sandee to MCC

4/19 - 3rd grade Swim (Safety Around Water)

4/22 - Braman, Nauta, Tindall to Pioneer Park

4/26 - 3rd grade Swim (Safety Around Water)

Early pick-ups = Tardies

When students are picked up early (during the last hour of the day), the attendance system codes it as a tardy.

Students can be dropped off for breakfast at 8:30am at Door #1 by the office. There is a buzzer they can push to be let in.

The lost and found is overflowing. Please stop in and look for your child's lost items by April 30th. We plan to donate all items to a local charity by May 1st.

Please send your student prepared for outdoor recess.

If you arrive to school after 8:45am and need to speak with the teacher about something, please email the teacher or share your need with the office. We are trying to avoid interruptions to the children's learning once the school day is in session.

Please be reminded of a few things relative to arrival and dismissal:

• The window for drop-off is 8:35-8:40. This ensures supervision is provided and adequate.
• Breakfast kiddos can be dropped off and enter as early as 8:30 at DOOR #1.
• PLEASE drive slowly at all times through the parking lot and be hyper-aware of surroundings.
• Use available parking spaces and/or spots along the curb rather than along Giles.
• Do not park on the West side within the bus loading zone.
• Practice patience.
• Be courteous.

"It takes a village." Together, we can ensure our kiddos safely enter and exit school each day.

The PTO's next meeting is on Tuesday, April 9th at 4:00pm in the library.

If you haven't already done so, please login to your parent portal account and complete the demographic update ASAP. This is a requirement at the beginning of each school year. Once you get the account set up, you will need to complete the demographic update. This process allows you to update emergency contacts, review technology use guidelines and the handbook, and give consent for field trips for your student. If you are having troubles with username, password, or access codes, please call the office for assistance. Thank you for giving immediate attention to this matter.

Please do not bring your pets on school property for the safety of our students and staff. Service animals are welcome.

Thank you for your understanding!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Breakfast and Lunch are free to all students

Breakfast Schedule

8:30am - 8:55am

Lunch Schedule:

Grade DK: 11:20 - 11:50

Grade K: 11:25 - 11:55

Grade 1: 11:30 - 12:00

Grade 2: 11:45 - 12:15

Grade 3: 11:55 - 12:25

Grade 4: 12:00 - 12:30

Monday

Cooper, Birr, Workman, Nauta, Frazier, Sandee, Groothuis, Droski Ribbens

Tuesday

Tindall, Ream, McGreavy, Braman, Mason, McClees, English, Mack, Burmeister

Medication shall not be brought to school unless it is essential to the health of the student.

Medications which need to be taken in school must be administered by certified school personnel (or designee) in the presence of another adult. Parents must bring medication to the school office in the original container and file a written statement. NO STUDENT MAY BRING ANY MEDICATION TO SCHOOL.

Contact the office if you have any questions.

Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm

School Hours: 8:45am - 3:45pm

Phone: 231-744-1693

Fax: 231-744-0507

1807 W. Giles Rd

Muskegon, MI 49445

Door #1 - 2nd grade

Door #2 - DK & K

Door #3 - 1st grade & Lighthouse Learning

Door #8 - 3rd grade

Door #9 - 4th grade

DOORS UNLOCK AT 8:35AM. IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER 8:45am, PLEASE BRING YOUR STUDENT TO THE OFFICE TO SIGN THEM IN. THANK YOU!

Website: www.reeths-puffer.org
Location: 1807 West Giles Road, Muskegon, MI, USA
Phone: 231-744-1693