Centennial Summer Newsletter - 8/1

Join PTA - click here!

Click here to see the list of School Supplies needed by grade

Questions? Please contact Shilpa Gupta Antani, schoolstore@centennialpta.net

Get ready for the 2024-2025 school year with this step-by-step list!

1) Set up your Skyward Family Access Account - this is the new PISD portal and ALL parents must create a new account and update their student's info. Make sure to have this updated by August 5th so you can see your child's schedule which will be accessible through Skyward Family Access!

2) Join or update your VOLY account in order to volunteer - you must re-register every school year.

3) Order your 2024-2025 School Supplies by Monday, August 19th to be delivered to your child's classroom. Purchases are tax free until August 2nd!

4) Order your 2024-2025 PTA Membership

5) Check out our Comet Campaign! Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to support PTA Programs and Events

6) Order your 2024-2025 Student Yearbook; 5th Grade parents - buy your yearbook ad

7) Check out our 2024-2025 Centennial Spirit Wear at Sign Up Centennial! Certain styles will only be available for purchase IN PERSON. Link to online store coming soon!

8) Order your Field Day/Field Trip shirt

9) Set up your school lunch account through SchoolCafe

Don't forget to Check Out and Confirm Your Order! You'll get an email invoice of any purchases.

“Welcome Centennial Families! I am excited for another great year. I feel privileged to be a part of this amazing school and family. Volunteering with the PTA has been one of the more rewarding experiences of my life and I appreciate the opportunity to be this years PTA President. I look forward to a great year!”

PTA is so happy to have Samantha serving as our PTA president elect for the 24-25 school year! In this role she will learn all the responsibilities of PTA president and will serve as PTA president for the 25-26 school year. She has previously served on PTA as our Outreach Chair as well helping coordinate our bi-annual Book Fairs. Samantha grew up in San Paulo, Brazil and has lived in Plano for 6 years with her husband Abel and two boys, Daniel (3rd grade) and Gabriel (7th grade). Formerly, Samantha worked as a jewelry designer and is now a stay-at-home mom. Together the family enjoy watching Star Wars, playing games, watching sports, travel, and playing with their puppy, Ginger.

"I am very excited to be a part of PTA this year and work with a great group of people! We have several fun events planned for the Centennial community and hope everyone will attend. I really look forward to continuing our community outreach with Winter Wishes and Toys for Tots."

• July 8 - Skyward Family Access portal is now available -
• Register for an account here - https://parentportal.pisd.edu/SubmitPortalRegistration
• Need help? - https://www.pisd.edu/FamilyAccessHelp
  
  

• July 18 - VOLY sign up/background check application open for 24-25 school year - https://plano.voly.org/ In order to volunteer for school activities, you must complete a VOLY background check application. This application must be completed for each school year.
  
  

• Starting July 22 - 2024-25 Annual Registration opens at 9am. Complete/update your child's emergency information in Skyward Family Access - https://www.pisd.edu/annualregistration
  
  

• August 5 - Student schedules/Teacher Assignments released in Skyward Family Access - You must complete/update your your child's emergency information in Skyward Family Access in order to access this info.

• August 8 - Centennial New Student Porch Visits

• August 9-11- Tax Free Weekend - more details here
  
  

• August 9 - Sign-up Centennial - 7:15am - 10am in the gym

• August 9 - Meet The Teacher Grades 1-5 - 7:40 - 8:40am

• August 9 - Kindergarten "Kinder Kamp" - 8:40 - 9:40am
  
  

• August 10 - Kindergarten Meet Up, 9:30am - Parkwood Green Park

  2500 Parkwood Blvd (near Target) Details and RSVP here

  
  

• ⭐August 13 - First Day of School:⭐
  

  Front doors will open at 7:25am. Parents can walk their children to their classroom on the first day of school only. *New this year* The school day will end at 3:00pm.

• August 14 - Second day of School:
  Students walk to class by themselves. We have adults prepared to help students to class.

• August 16 - PTA Welcome Meeting/Welcome Coffee at 8am:
  Please join us in the library for a general PTA meeting where we will go over upcoming events and how parents can get involved. Membership is not required to attend this meeting.
  
  
• August 22 - WATCH DOGS Kick Off Meeting - 6:30pm Centennial Gym, pizza and refreshments will be served

Please click here to RSVP: https://www.punchbowl.com/parties/9aca61aba304d87480cb

Centennial PTA is an essential part of Centennial Elementary! Together, PTA helps fund many activities and needs of our school. By being a part of PTA, you also have an opportunity to meet other parents and work to make our school better. Our PTA meetings are also attended by school staff and our principal, giving you a chance to ask questions and gather school info.

Our PTA executive board is led by group of phenomenal moms ("phenomemoms") who always welcome any questions you might have!

By joining PTA for this nominal amount, you are helping to support our school. PTA membership has no requirements - you are not required to attend meetings or volunteer (but it is fun!). Most of our volunteer opportunities are split into manageable shifts of 1-2 hours, giving you flexibility.

Questions? Please contact Courtney Benson, membership@centennialpta.net

✅ ✅ ✅ https://www.pisd.edu/annualregistration ✅ ✅ ✅

Please reference this handout for additional info

If you need additional assistance, please contact the Plano ISD help desk by phone at 469-752-8767 or by email at familyaccess@pisd.edu

Plano ISD is implementing Skyward Family Access for parents and students for the 2024–2025 school year. Skyward Family Access will be available for families and students in July 2024.

Please register for your Skyward Family Access account so you can access all of your child's school information. You will not be able to access your student's schedule/teacher assignment until you register!

• Register for an account here - https://parentportal.pisd.edu/SubmitPortalRegistration
• Need help? - https://www.pisd.edu/FamilyAccessHelp

Download the Skyward app -

AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/skyward-mobile-access/id502635374

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skyward.mobileaccess&hl=en_US&gl=US

Schedules will be released through Skyward - https://portal.pisd.edu/p/portal on August 5th for all students enrolled in Plano ISD. Released schedules will display all courses a student is taking and not just the homeroom course. For campuses that are still finishing the hiring/onboarding processes for some of their teachers, the schedule information that parents receive may not be final. Additionally, some elementary campuses may not have yet finalized the full schedules for students in departmentalized grade levels.

Please keep in mind:

• Schedules accessed through Skyward Family Access are preliminary only. Due to enrollment fluctuation and resultant staffing shifts, teacher assignments may change between now and the first day of school.
• Schedules will show multiple teachers and include all content areas. This information is also preliminary because the balancing of classes is an ongoing process as student enrollment continues.
• At Centennial, Kindergarten students are initially assigned to homeroom class alphabetically by last name. Students will receive their permanent homeroom assignment after school has started. This process will be fully explained at the "Meet the Teacher/Kinder Kamp" event on Friday, August 9th at 8:40 a.m. in the library.

Enrollment:

If you know of a new Centennial student or incoming kinder student, please ask them if they have enrolled. Our kindergarten enrollment numbers are very low. Please have them visit the pisd.edu/enrollment and enroll.

Registration:

Annual registration for returning students and kindergarten students who have already enrolled will open on July 22nd at 9am in Skyward Family Access. Student schedules will be release on August 5th district wide.

Comet Campaign is an opportunity for parents and community members to make financial donations directly to Centennial PTA. No donation is too large or too small and every dollar counts! The money generated from your donation will help to fulfill teacher wish list items for classroom, special programs, field trips, teacher appreciation treats and so much more! All of the money raised ultimately helps our kids!

And guess what.....you give back, you get swag!!!

$25 Donation - 2" Centennial Water Bottle Sticker, Centennial Silicon Bracelet, Brag Tag

$50 Donation - All the above swag PLUS a Centennial Croc Charm

$100 Donation - All the above swag PLUS a Centennial Water Bottle. And this donation allows you to purchase extra swag!

This year we are also creating a grade competition where the grade with the most donations will win a special prize. We will be tracking the grades' fundraising efforts in this newsletter and on the school & PTA facebook/instagram pages so make sure to follow!

Centennial Elementary facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentennialPISD/

Centennial Elementary website: https://www.pisd.edu/centennial

Centennial PTA website: https://centennialpta.membershiptoolkit.com/

Centennial Elementary PTA facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentennialElementaryPTA

Centennial PTA instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centennialelementarypta

Field trip/field day shirts are now available through the Groggy Dog online store.

These shirts help our staff identify our students when on a field trip at a public venue or during field day when multiple grades are participating. They are also a great spirit wear shirt for everyday!

The purchase of these shirts is not required, but very helpful! We do ask that when students go on a field trip they wear the same color shirt assigned to their grade.

Shirts are $12 and ordering ends on August 29th.

If you'd like to order a shirt please use the link below.

https://centennialelementary2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Plano ISD meal prices and menu information can be found on the Food and Nutritional Services (FANS) website.

Meal Benefits

Families who may qualify for meal benefits are encouraged to complete a federal meal application for free and reduced-price meals. The 2023-24 meal application may be completed through School Café by logging in to your account, or by creating a new account.

Meal Payments

Online payments are accepted through SchoolCafé. Cash and checks are also accepted during the school day at your child's campus.

Get the App!

The SchoolCafé apps for both iOS and Android are now available for download. They're free to install and they make your favorite features even easier to use. Download the SchoolCafé app today.

AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schoolcaf%C3%A9/id1134802301

GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.schoolcafe.app&pli=1

Welcome to the wonderful world of reading! For the 40 Book Challenge you may use books located at the Centennial Library or the Plano Public Library. Fill out the attached form and turn it in to the Librarian by Friday April 11, 2025 by 3:00pm.

Late logs WILL NOT be accepted. The summary should be one or two sentences in the student’s own handwriting.

Summary Examples:
Good – “A boy and his dad write postcards to each other while the boy is at summer camp” Poor – “I really like this book.” “This book is good”

40 BOOK CHALLENGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Books #1-10 – EASY (Picture) – Spine label E

Books #11-15 – BIOGRAPHY – Spine label Bio

Books #16-20 – NONFICTION – Spine label 001-499

Books #21-25 – NONFICTION – Spine label 500-799

Books #26-30 – POETRY – Spine label 811s

Books #31-35 – HISTORY/CULTURE – Spine label 900s

Books #36-40 – FREE CHOICE

Click here for K-1 book log

40 BOOK CHALLENGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Books #1-10 – FICTION – Spine label FIC

Books #11-15 – BIOGRAPHY – Spine label Bio

Books #16-20 – NONFICTION – Spine label 001-499

Books #21-25 – NONFICTION – Spine label 500-799

Books #26-30 – POETRY – Spine label 811s

Books #31-35 – HISTORY/CULTURE – Spine label 900s

Books #36-40 – FREE CHOICE

Click here for 2-5 book log

The Dads of Great Students WATCH D.O.G.S.® program is one of the nation’s largest and most respected school-based, family, and community engagement, organizations designed and developed by educators, experts and parent & guardian volunteers over more than two decades.

Fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures serve on campus for one day or many each year under the leadership of a program coordinator and the guidance of a school principal or designated administrator. Our program speaks directly to those caregivers and guardians who are statistically less likely to come onto campus to volunteer. We have brought millions of volunteers onto campuses who use our model, tools, and support.

There are two primary goals of the WATCH D.O.G.S. program:

1. To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
2. To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.

Membership is free and such a fun way to be a part of your child's day at school. Prior to the volunteering, you must complete a volunteer application and background check. Returning WATCH DOGS need to also complete these forms.

In-person signup will have priority at the 8/22 Kick-Off meeting and then the volunteer site website will go live after.

Questions? Please contact Abeezar Shipchandler, watchdogs@centennialpta.net

We have a new vendor for this year's yearbook - Jostens! If you have any questions about yearbook or ads, please contact Sweta Arroyo, arroyo.sweta@gmail.com

This price is for a limited time only and will go up! Buy Now!

Yearbook Ads are special dedications that parents purchase for their 5th grader. If you need any help or have questions please do not hesitate to reach out the yearbook committee at yearbookeditor@centennialpta.net

If you purchased a 2023-24 yearbook and need to pick it up please email Ginnean Sinclair - ginnean@gmail.com to make arrangements.

We still have a few 2023-24 yearbooks left - if you would like to purchase one for $35 (cash or venmo)

please email Sweta Arroyo - arroyo.sweta@gmail.com or come by the yearbook table at Sign Up Centennial on August 9th.

We are excited to inform you that significant construction renovations are underway at Centennial Elementary, thanks to the successful bond election. These improvements are designed to enhance our school's facilities, ensuring a better learning environment for our students.

Here are the key updates and improvements happening:

• Safety and Security Updates

  • new fence with locked pedestrian gates

• Fire Safety Updates

  • Fire Alarm

  • Sprinkler System

• Electrical Panel Replacement

• Digital Marquee

• New graffiti resistant partitions in student restrooms

• Repair Paving at Entrance

• Kitchen Renovation

Brag tags are a part of our school's reward system and the kids LOVE them! They are small tags that teachers, staff and PTA pass out to students to mark different achievements.

Returning students please keep your cable ring and brag tags so you can continue to add to your collection. If you need a new cable ring, please let your teacher know!

New students can pick up a new cable ring and brag tags at Sign Up Centennial on August 8th (during Meet the Teacher) or during the first week of school from their teacher.

Centennial Elementary website: https://www.pisd.edu/centennial

Centennial Elementary facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentennialPISD/

Centennial PTA website: https://centennialpta.membershiptoolkit.com/

Centennial PTA facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentennialElementaryPTA

Centennial PTA instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centennialelementarypta

The Plano Public Library is here to support learners! We have five locations throughout the city and many resources that can be accessed from home including:

- Libby: downloadable e-books, audiobooks, and magazines

- Kanopy: streaming movies and shows for all ages

- GALE Databases including Nat Geo Kids for research and photos for projects

All of these services are completely free, visit planolibrary.org to register for a card.

Also, visit our online calendar to find free events for all ages including our celebration of all things STEAM coming this fall!

¡La Biblioteca Pública de Plano está aquí para apoyar a los estudiantes! Tenemos cinco bibliotecas en la ciudad y muchos recursos que se puede acceder en línea, incluyendo:

- Libby: libros electrónicos, audiolibros y revistas descargables.

- Kanopy: streaming de películas y programas para todas las edades

- Bases de datos GALE que incluye Nat Geo Kids para investigaciones y fotografías para proyectos escolares.

Todos estos servicios son completamente gratuitos; visite planolibrary.org para registrarse para obtener una tarjeta.

Además, visite nuestro calendario en línea para encontrar eventos gratuitos para todas las edades, incluyendo nuestra celebración de STEAM que llegará este otoño.

• Click here for the 2024-2025 Academic Calendar

• Click here for the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar
  
  

• Click here for Centennial's 2024-25 Welcome Packet
  

• Click here to view PISD's Student/Parent Policy Guide.

• Click here to follow us on Facebook!