

Centennial Eagles News
February 3, 2025
Note from Dr. Carmen (Principal) -AKA "Mrs. Carmen"
Dear Centennial families/guardians,
We are thrilled to welcome the month of February! We have our 5210+ Challenge all month. During the month of February your student will track: how many fruits and vegetables they eat daily, screen time that is less than 2 hours each day, one hour of exercise, zero sugary drinks, and 9 hours of more of sleep each evening. Most grade levels are keeping student calendars at school to ensure 100% student participation. We thank you, in advance, for helping your student to make these healthy choices each and every day. Parents/guardians are encouraged to participate as well! Any participation we have shows how great our community is and there are monetary rewards for the school with the largest participation. The challenge is on!!!
We are also excited for our annual Family Fun Night that is sponsored by our school Positive Behavior Intervention Support team and hosted by our Centennial staff. We are hopeful that all students and parents/guardians will attend our event this Thursday, February 6th from 4:30 - 6:30 pm. The Loveland Miss Valentine (and former Centennial Student Council President): Ella Pettit will make a special appearance!
*Pictured: 2nd grader, K., that paid stars for a picture! 🌟🌟🌟
Reminders & Thank you's:
- PTA Meeting: This Wednesday, 6:30 pm (virtual).
Infinite Campus:
As we continue in the winter season, it’s important that your contact information in the Parent Portal is updated to receive any communications regarding school closures or school delays. Please add emergency contacts to your child’s profile also in case you are unable to pick up your child if school is closed early. Information to assist families in updating their children’s contact information in the Parent Portal.
- Attendance: Last year our chronic absenteeism was 9% this time of year. This year it has increased to 13%. Please help us to decrease this percentage over our next weeks of school.
School events THIS week: 5210+ Challenge & Black History Month
- Monday, February 3rd: Access Testing Week
- 3:15 pm Chess Club
- Wednesday, February 5th:
- 6:30 pm PTA meeting-Officer Elections (virtual) Link: https://centennialpta.webex.com/centennialpta/j.php?MTID=m605a2749cbdc1615d23225fbc9b52ccb
- Thursday, February 6th:
- 3:15 pm Student Council
- 4:30 - 6:30 pm Family Fun Night @ Centennial
- Friday, February 7th: Spirit Day
- 3:15 Lego Robotics Club
Kind regards,
Carmen Polka, Ed.D.
Principal
Our land acknowledgement:
We gratefully acknowledge the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ land on whose ancestral homelands we gather, as well as the diverse and vibrant Indigenous communities who make their home here today.
Centennial Family Fun Night: THIS WEEK
The love is real. You're invited to join us for an evening of community and fun at our annual Centennial Elementary Family Night, courtesy of the PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) team.
Centennial Elementary's Family Night will take place on Thursday, February 6th from 4:30-6:30pm at the school. The event includes a dinner option, along with a number of fun-filled activities centered around things we love, such as healthy habits, family time, first responders, and more!
In order to have the correct amount of food prepared for our special night, we're asking for anyone that would like to eat at the event to make a dinner reservation.
All current Centennial students will eat for FREE! Please select the free "Student" dinner reservation option and indicate how many current Centennial students will be attending.
Other family members, guardians and siblings who are not currently attending Centennial will need to purchase a meal for $5 per person. Payment will need to be completed at the time of reservation.
Menu Options (selections to be made at the event): 2 pasta options with choice of meat and sauce, bread, dessert and water
Gluten Free items are also available! Please indicate on your reservation how many gluten free meals are needed for your party.
The Love Is Real: Giveback Opportunity
If you would like to "share the love" with our school when you come to Family Night, the following items would be greatly appreciated as donations:
1. New underwear sizes 4/5, 6/7 and gently used/new pants sizes 5T-8 with elastic waist preferred
2. Snacks-please no chips or cookies
3. Reams of colored paper or colored cardstock
These items can be brought the evening of Family Night.
Nominate a Centennial Staff member for Educator of the Year
Thompson Education Foundation recognizes exceptional educators in Thompson School District each year with the TEF Educator of the Year awards. Nominations for the 2025 awards are now OPEN!
Coworkers, supervisors, parents, students and community members are welcome to nominate in the following categories:
- Elementary Teacher of the Year (early childhood - fifth grade)
- Secondary Teacher of the Year (sixth grade-twelfth grade)
- Principal of the Year
- TSD Staff Member of the Year (secretaries, district administrative staff, counselors, paras, custodians, transportation, etc.)
- Rookie Teacher of the year (any educator new to the profession and with TSD for 18 months or less)
- NEW THIS YEAR - Student Choice Award
Students can nominate their favorite educator using a student-only nomination form.
Both the general and student nomination forms can be found HERE.
All nominations must be submitted by Sunday, February 9, 2025 for consideration.
The Educator of the Year awards will be announced at Trailblazing Thompson - A Salute to Excellence on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Embassy Suites from 5:00-7:15pm. In addition to the Educator of the year awards, the event will celebrate and honor TSD staff with recognition of the Awards of Excellence and Top of Thompson recipients and retiring TSD staff members.
PTA Officer Elections-Wednesday, 2/5/25
District Elementary Chess Tournament: Come watch our Chess Club compete!
Cinderella Musical at Mountain View High School
*Students are encouraged to wear their royal attire (no weapons).
Elementary Spin & Dance Camp with Loveland High School
The camp will be happen on March 10th -11th at Lincoln Elementary and March 12th at Loveland High School where the camp students will get to perform as part of the Winter Ensembles showcase.This performance will be free of charge. Registration will close on February 28th.
Here is the link to registration: bit.ly/elemguardcamp
The cost of the camp is $35 and includes, t-shirt, pizza dinner, and instruction. We can offer financial assistance to any families that need it.
School Safety Drills
Throughout the school year we conduct multiple safety drills. These drills include: Lockdown, Secure, Shelter in Place, Evacuate, and Hold. In addition we have many fire drills throughout the year. To support your student at home, here are some talking points.
- "What did you do during the drill?"
- "What did you find easy to follow?"
- "How did you feel during the drill?"
- "Did you have any questions about what to do in a real emergency?"
- "What was one thing you learned today about staying safe?"
- In all, focus on your student understanding of the procedures, their feelings during the drill, and areas where they might need further clarification.
- Remember, these safety procedures can be used in any setting.
Preschool for 2025 - 2026
Are you interested in your child being ready for kindergarten? The Thompson School District's Integrated Early Childhood Program provides quality preschool experiences for three and four year olds at 15 different sites around the Loveland and Berthoud area.
If your child will be 3 or 4 years old by October 1, 2025, your child may be eligible to participate in the Thompson School District's Early Childhood Program. We ask all interested families to complete our Preschool Interest Form available on our preschool website. If you have any questions about our program, please call 970-613-5052.
First Steps Learning Center at the Early Childhood Center at Stansberry
Did you know that First Steps Learning Center is an infant and toddler program offered by the Thompson School District and licensed by the State of Colorado Department of Human Services? This program accepts children between the ages of six weeks and 36 months of age. We follow the district calendar and open from 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Teen parents in our district as well district staff are eligible to access this program. Community and therapeutic services can also be integrated onsite to provide staff/parent training and/or direct intervention services. Please call 970-613-5038 for more information.
YMCA Update
Visit here to register: SDO Camp
Library NEWS
Hey CES Families!
All through the month of February, every student who brings their overdue or missing library book back will receive a mini glow in the dark lizard!
Parents- are you not sure if your child has a book out or what it even is? Please email Mrs. A at rachael.auch@tsd.org with any questions. (and psssst.....don't worry, if you are a student that always returns your book on time- you will still receive a glow lizard!)
Happy Searching!
(hint: take a picture of you and your book where you find it for next week's challenge!)
Where in the World did you Find your CES Library Book?
Hey students! We would love to see where you discovered your lost library book! Take a picture of you and your book in the crazy spot it was found and email it to us! You never know- you may just be featured on our Facebook page- send it to stephanie.peterson@tsd.org and then don't forget to bring it in to claim your glow lizard!
Happy Searching!
Library Donations
If you are able to donate, the Mrs A. is looking to enhance and replenish the Maker Space in the library. Below are some items that she would love to receive:
100 piece mini glue sticks ( Lots of these- they go through them super fast)
colored pom pom balls
colored paper
pipe cleaners
straws
feathers
buttons
empty TP rolls
Inclement Weather Information
During periods of inclement weather, Thompson School District is occasionally faced with the difficult decision on whether or not to close schools. You can find more information about these policies and how these announcements are communicated here:
https://www.tsd.org/departments/communications/school-closing-delayed-start
Chromebook Insurance
If you are interested, details can be found on our district Tech 4 All website.
Drop off and Pick up
SCHOOL HOURS
Office Hours are 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Breakfast 7:45 am (Enter through front doors)
Start Time 8:00 am
Wednesday Late Start
Breakfast 8:45 am (Enter through the front doors)
Start Time 9:00 am
Every Day Dismissal Time - Kindergarten 3:05pm, 1st - 5th grade 3:10 pm
MORNING DROP-OFF & AFTERNOON PICK-UP PROCEDURES
Please take a moment to read the before and after school procedures so we are all SAFE on campus.
SAFE TRAFFIC RULES: MORNING DROP-OFF
This is LONG but super IMPORTANT to READ!
- Kindergarten (parents may need to exit car to help the child exit the car safely)
- 4th and 5th Grade Students drop off in Hug & Go and walk in front of the building to the double door entry on the playground where we have supervision (do not go behind the building near the cottages)
- If you have students in multiple grades, please default and follow the youngest students drop-off area
- All students exit on the curb
- May go right or left out of the parking lot (going right may be busy with West Hug & Go traffic-heads up)
- If parking, please use the cross walk areas within the East parking lot as we have staff/volunteers designated to help students/families cross safely
- Please adhere to the cones for safe driving areas
- When crossing 37th street we have ONE crosswalk-please use this area (near the West Hug & Go). Staff will redirect families when they are not using this crosswalk as it is in everyone's interest to use the crosswalk.
West Hug & Go:
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade Students drop off in West Hug & Go and go straight to double doored entry (1st and 2nd near Hug & Go/3rd double doors on playground)
- All students exit on the curb, parents may not exit the vehicle
- May only turn right out of the parking lot
- If parking or walking near the church, please use the Outdoor Classroom/Garden path to get to your classroom door(s)
- Please adhere to the cones for safe driving and walking areas
- When crossing 37th street we have ONE crosswalk-please use this area (near the West Hug & Go). Staff will redirect families when they are not using this crosswalk as it is in everyone's interest to use the crosswalk.
Other traffic notes:
- Parking spaces in the front of the school (even if vacant) are for staff only-this is due to safety issues.
- Students may not be dropped off in the front of the school. ALL students need to be dropped off from a vehicle in the East or West Hug & Go areas.
- U-turns in front of the school-PLEASE do not do this. It is super unsafe for our humans.
SAFE TRAFFIC RULES: AFTERNOON PICK-UP
East Side Pick-Up:
- Kindergarten parents, please park in the parking lot when picking up your students if you plan to exit your car.
- 4th and 5th Grade families, you can use this side OR the church parking lot to meet your students, whichever works best for your family.
- May go right or left out of the parking lot (going right may be busy with dismissal)
- If parking, please use the cross walk areas within the East parking lot as we have staff/volunteers designated to help students/families cross safely.
- Please adhere to the cones for safe driving areas.
- When crossing 37th street we have ONE crosswalk-please use this area (near the West Hug & Go). Staff will redirect families when they are not using this crosswalk as it is in everyone's interest to use the crosswalk.
West Side Pick-Up:
- This area is NOT available during pick-up. It will be coned off.
- If parking near or at the church, please have your child walk through the Outdoor Classroom/Garden path to get to you.
- Please adhere to the cones for safe driving and walking areas.
- When crossing 37th street we have ONE crosswalk-please use this area (near the West Side of the building). Staff will redirect families when they are not using this crosswalk as it is in everyone's interest to use the crosswalk.
Other traffic notes:
- Parking spaces in the front of the school (even if vacant) are for staff only-this is due to safety issues.
- Students may not be picked up in the front of the school.
- U-turns in front of the school-PLEASE do not do this. It is super unsafe for our humans.
OTHER DISMISSAL INFORMATION
AFTERNOON PICK UP:
● 3:05 pm: Kindergarten pick up is located on the East side of the building where drop off
is located.
● 3:10pm: All other grades dismissed. Students may be picked up at the classroom door on foot, not in a vehicle.
Newsletters and Communications
Thank you to all for keeping up on our Centennial communications!
Learning & Growing Highlights
Last week we had Jeremy give our 5th grade announcements, critical thinking in Kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade classrooms, 1st grade mathematic learning, and fun in music!!!!
Staff Collaboration
Multiple times a year, staff engage in Learning Walks. Learning Walks are an opportunity for a teacher/staff member to host other teachers/staff in their learning environment. The host teacher will model instructional strategies and practices focused on critical thinking. The following Wednesday late start, staff debrief and collaborate on the teacher/staff they observed to improve their own instructional practices.
Important Dates
Please plan non-illness related student absences in alignment with days we are not in session.
Every Friday is Spirit day...please wear your red, white, or blue OR any of your Centennial shirts!
School Year 2024-2025:
February: 5210+ Challenge Month
5th - 6:30 pm PTA Meeting in the Centennial Library-Virtual Only
6th - 4:30 - 6:30 pm PBIS Centennial Family Fun Night
7th - All Day Student Council Spirit Day (It's a black out day...where all black! Like an eclipse 🌑.)
8th - District Elementary Chess Tournament
17th - No School: President's Day
18th - No School: Staff Professional Development Day
21st - Group Picture Day
March
4th - 3:30 pm - 7: 30 pm Student Led Conferences (tentative)
6th - 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm Student Led Conferences (tentative
6th & 7th - NO School students
7th - NO School staff
12th - All School Music Program @ Thompson Valley High School (Stay tuned for specific grade level times.)
13th - 6:30 pm PTA Meeting (virtual)
17th-21st - No School: Spring Break
April
4th - PTA Carnival
7th - 24th CMAS State Testing for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students
9th - 5:30 pm SAC Meeting (virtual)
9th - 6:30 pm PTA Meeting (virtual)
21st - 24th Spring Book Fair/Art Show
25th - No School: Teacher Work Day
May
14th - 6:30 pm PTA Meeting in the Centennial Library (and virtual option)
23rd - Last Day of School (Half-Day)
*Scroll down for information about fundraisers.
*The dates listed here will continue to be updated as needed.
School Breakfast & Lunch Information
Instructional Fees
There are two types of academic fees district students are assessed: the instructional materials fee and the school fee. The instructional materials fees for the 2022-2023 school year are:
Elementary School (grades K-5)$32.00 student
Middle School (grades 6-8) $25.00 student
High School (grades 9-12) $28.00 student
The instructional materials fee charged to a high school and middle school student is based on the purchase price and normal life expectancy of texts and items that are expected to last multiple years but still need to be replaced. The instructional materials fee charged to an elementary school student is based on a combination of the purchase price and normal life expectancy of texts (used in intermediate grades), the actual cost of workbooks (used in primary grades) and consumable materials. The instructional materials fee is charged on a per-student basis and goes into the district’s general fund for distribution to the curriculum budget for text purchases and schools for additional texts, replacement materials or consumable materials.
Students at all grade levels are also expected to have their own basic school supplies. A list of those supplies is available at each school. (Elementary school supply lists must not exceed $30.00 per student.) In addition to the instructional materials fee, the school fees listed below are charged to high school and middle school students based on the actual cost of consumable materials and supplies or the cost to rework materials to accommodate reuse. These fees are charged to students participating in specific classes and activities. These fees are deposited to each school’s fee supported fund and are used for the purpose designated in the fee schedule.
Fees will be waived for students qualifying for free or reduced price school meals under the Federal Free or Reduced Price Meal Program or who have a demonstrated economic hardship. A waiver of fees may be requested from the school principal or designee. Fees will be prorated for students coming on or going off the meal assistance program during the school year. Students may also be charged for optional materials that they select for class projects in addition the Board adopted fees.
Also, students may be required to pay for all or part of field trip costs relating to admission or entrance fees, meals and lodging. In some high schools, fees are assessed by credits and half credits rather than by year or semester. Please check with the high school registration department.
The fee structure as adopted by the Board of Education is subject to annual change.
Thompson School District R2-J, Loveland, Colorado
YMCA Before and After School Care
Please use this website to register for the YMCA: https://www.ymcanoco.org/before-after-care/thompson
Counseling Corner with Ms. Carrera
Here is a Social Emotional Learning website for resources for parents.
Pets and Tobacco Products are Prohibited
In keeping our campus safe. Please remember the following:
- All pets, of any kind, are not allowed on school grounds before, during, or after school. We love furry friends, however, to ensure that all students are in a safe environment, please refrain from bringing your family pets to school, especially during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
- Please also remember that all tobacco products including cigarettes and vaping mechanisms are prohibited on school grounds. We appreciate your cooperation.
Safe 2 Tell
Join us and become an AUTHORIZED Centennial Volunteer
All volunteers in the Thompson School District must be registered before they are authorized to volunteer at the schools.
This is includes, but is not limited to, activities such as:
Assisting in your child’s classroom
Chaperoning your child’s field trips
Volunteering at PTA events
Register by going to: tsd.org/get-involved/volunteer
and click on the “Register” button
Tip: Consider registering your spouse at the same time as yourself!
FYI: If you registered last year, you do NOT need to reregister!
Once you register, the district will provide Centennial your personalized volunteer badge. When you arrive at the school to volunteer just find your badge at the front office desk and log in to the volunteer system. This helps us keep track of all the wonderful volunteer hours provided by our Centennial families!
Volunteering things to remember: (these can be reviewed in full in the Volunteer Handbook found on the Thompson School District website - www.thompsonschools.org ):
• Please wear your name badge so it is visible at all times
• Please remain neutral in your speech and actions with respect to religion and politics
• If you overhear any information about a student or family you may NOT repeat it
• You may not discuss any information that may be considered confidential. For example, while in a volunteer situation you witness an event with a child you know, but that is not your own child. Contacting that students family is a breach of confidentiality. If you suspect a breach in confidentiality of student information it should be reported immediately to the principal.
Emergency Procedures:
In each classroom is a poster of what to do in case of a specific emergency or threat. Please review these and know where to go and who to report to if there is a drill or emergency.
Registration closes for the school year at the end of April.
PTA Corner
Welcome to Centennial...we are your CES PTA board.
Erin Batlle - President
Nicole Brinkman - Vice President of Programs
Katrina Johnson - Vice President of Events
Amy Estergard - Treasurer
Kathy Conway - Secretary
contact us: info.centennialpta@gmail.com or call (970) 212-6044
Go to this link for all things PTA!
*Join PTA! Memberships are only $7 annually. We sponsor many of the events that help make Centennial such an incredible school for our children. PTA also supports the fundraising efforts throughout the school year that help to provide funding for technology, safety needs, family nights, classroom needs, etc... The PTA organization is a major player in advocating for our students and staff, at the local, state and national levels. Your involvement is the key to helping ensure we have another successful year at Centennial!
*PTA Membership link is: https://ceslovelandpta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships (Or you can use this tinyURL: https://tinyurl.com/mrpby3vs)
Check out the CES PTA website to learn more about membership perks and how you can get involved.
*Box Tops is also using a new program this year. Please visit: https://www.boxtops4education.com/ for more information. According to their website: "No more clipping. No more sending Box Tops to school. All you need is your phone. Download the ALL-NEW Box Tops app, shop as you normally would, then simply scan your store receipts to find participating products. The app will automatically credit your school's Box Tops earnings online."
Fundraisers to benefit Centennial students!
King Sooper's Cards
King Sooper's has developed a new Community Rewards program. This means you will no longer need to purchase or re-fill the gift cards associated with our organization. You will simply register using the information below to link your regular King Sooper's rewards card to Centennial Elementary.
Updated on 8-20-24:
To Use the NEW King Sooper's or City Market Community Rewards Program:
Please visit the appropriate link below..
- For King Sooper's Stores - go to http://www.kingsoopers.com
- For City Market Stores - go to http://www.citymarket.com
Once logged into your King Sooper's or City Market account, select your profile and then click on "My Account". At the bottom of the "My Account" page, select "Community Rewards." Search for Centennial Elementary either by name or PA684 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.
(*Customers must have a registered King Sooper's or City Market rewards card account to link to your organization. If a member does not yet have a King Sooper's or City Market rewards card, please let them know they are available at the customer service desk at any King Sooper's or City Market*)
REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your organization until after you have registered your rewards card.
Participants must swipe their registered King Sooper's or City Market rewards card or use the phone number that is related to their registered King Sooper's or City Market rewards card when shopping for each purchase to count.
Thank you!
Centennial PTA
Like us on Facebook to stay in the loop with school and PTA news and events!
Note: We do also have a PTA Instagram page (the info posted there is the same). Our handle for both Facebook and Instagram are @CESLovelandPTA