Centennial Eagles News

February 24, 2025

Note from Dr. Carmen (Principal) -AKA "Mrs. Carmen"

Dear Centennial families/guardians,

As we wrap up the month of February, we are thankful for our students and families/guardians. A couple of my favorite student and adult quotes this month: "Ms. Carmen, my kids are going to go to school here. And, I might teach here." 5th grade student HM; "Every time I walk into your school, it feels so warm and welcoming." Substitute teacher.

Additionally, I am seeking to form a parent/guardian input group to help with a project to enhance our school halls with phrases that are special to different cultures/communities around the world. The time commitment will be minimal, however the impact profound. If you are interested in knowing more, please fill out this quick survey.

Please take a moment to fill out this Family Engagement quick survey.

We have had twelve responses so far (thank you)...we need your input!

Your voice is important in planning for upcoming events!

Reminders & Thank you's:

5210+ Challenge ends at the end of February...don't forget to track all of the great choices you and your student have made!
Choice Enrollment: The second choice enrollment window is now open.
After school playground and dismissal: Our building Safety and Security team reviewed our safety measures for after school recently. During this review there were two noted areas of concern: students playing on the playground after school dismissal and 4th - 5th grade families and safe pick up after school. After further review, here are the guidelines we ask families/guardians to follow after school.
- ALL students/families need to vacate the school playground at school dismissal. It is difficult to know students are picked up safely when the playground is full of students. If students/families would like to come play after school hours, we ask that you wait until 3:30 pm to re-enter school grounds. (This has been a school guideline and we need to give this reminder.)
- ALL 4th and 5th grade families, we are asking for you to wait for your student in the West parking area. We have noticed many families on the blacktop and behind the school. Please know that 4th/5th grade teachers will visit the West parking lot area after school, so you can touch base with them if needed. (This is new!)
We appreciate you helping us to keep our campus safe and secure!
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

Tuesday, February 25th: 3:15 - 4:00 pm 3rd Grade Study Buddies BEGIN (Permission slip required to participate.)
Tuesday, February 25: PTA Spirit Evening At Urban Air 4-8pm
Thursday, February 27th:

3:15 pm Student Council
6:00 - 7:30 pm Lucille Erwin Middle School 6th Grade Instrument Exploration Night

Friday, February 28th: Spirit Day

3:15 Lego Robotics Club

Coming Up & More Details to Come!

Student-led Conferences March 4th & March 6th
NO School on Thursday, March 6th AND Friday, March 7th
All School Music Concert Wednesday, March 12th @ Thompson Valley High School (see below for details)

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.

5210+ Challenge: Final Week!

The Healthy Kids 5210+ Challenge is a FREE month-long program throughout the month of February, where students and school staff learn and practice the 5210+ healthy habits every day.

This year, 131 schools are participating in the challenge

Please see this UC Health video for more information: https://youtu.be/NZCOJhQQlkE

Students will be tracking their data each day in their classrooms.

Families can also participate and fill out their own tracking data.

To do so, please see the attached family form.

Here is a link with more 5210+ info.

Cinderella Musical at Mountain View High School

*Students are encouraged to wear their royal attire (no weapons).

Kids Pack Volunteer Opportunity

KidsPak will host its annual food drive at Loveland King Soopers, Safeways, Walmarts, Sam's Club, and at Berthoud Hays Market.

Dates are:

February 28, 9:00am-6:00pm

March 1, 9:00am-6:00pm

March 2, 9:00am-4:00pm

Volunteers will be in stores to provide a shopping list and receive the purchased items. With a goal of 43,000 pounds of food, KidsPak is hoping to surpass last year's total of 40,000 pounds generously donated by our community. KidsPak delivers weekend food bags to 675 students per week in 36 schools within the district.

KidsPak is looking for volunteers to be greeters in the stores and to be drivers and assistants for the food drive. To volunteer, click a link below.

KidsPak 8th Annual City-Wide Food Drive - Grocery Store Greeters

KidsPak 8th Annual City-Wide Food Drive - Vehicles (Trucks, SUVs & Vans) - Drivers and Assistants

Questions can be directed to Laurie Shearer, bezzie76@yahoo.com

Thanks for supporting our students that are in need through our partnership with KidsPak!

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.

ALL School Spring Music Concert

Springtime in Colorado is on its way and you know what that means! The students at Centennial have been busily working on their music for the Spring Program! We are almost ready to perform our music for you. Here are a few reminders to help us get ready for our event:

What: Centennial Spring Music Program
Where: Thompson Valley H.S. Roberta Price Civic Auditorium
When: Wednesday, March 12th, 2025
Time: Grades K-2 begin at 6:00pm and Grades 3-5 begin at 7:00pm

There will be a 15 minute intermission between segments.

In order to accommodate more seating for families attending the concert

we are performing two segments.

If you have a Kindergartner, 1st or 2nd grader, please plan to arrive at 5:45pm. Students will meet their teachers in the classrooms indicated on the map. Kindergartners will line up with their classes in the hallway on the north side of the auditorium. After the first part of the program, we ask that families pick up their students at their classrooms and checkout with their teacher. Kindergartners can be picked up in the choir room immediately following their performance. Primary students are then free to go home.

If you have 3rd, 4th or 5th grader, please plan to arrive at 6:45pm. Students will meet their teachers in the classrooms indicated on the map.

Students with siblings in the other segment of the performance will sit with their parents in the auditorium until they can switch at intermission.

We are asked to remind families that food and drink are not allowed in the auditorium and that we are to keep the aisles clear. Cameras and recording equipment are permissible so long as they do not block the aisles.

We have been discussing with students good audience skills and the difference in attending various events. For this special event, we ask that families help reinforce the skills learned by modeling appropriate audience participation.

Students have been asked to “dress up” for our special occasion by choosing something a little fancier than everyday wear. Families can help students choose the appropriate clothing for the concert. No specific colors or outfits are needed and students have been taught that their participation is the most important part of the program regardless of what they wear.

Please see the attached map for your student's meeting/pick up location.

We are excited to share our music with you! If you have any questions or need additional information please contact Mr. Robertson at Michael.robertson@tsd.org. See you soon!

Art Exhibit at Gregory Allicar Museum of Art (GAMA)

An art exhibit at the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art (GAMA) at CSU is open through March 14th, with a family day event on March 1st. This exhibit features art that illustrates air quality and is designed to educate the public about particle pollution and its effects. This exhibition is presented in partnership with CSU’s Center for Environmental Justice and the Department of Atmospheric Science. Here is a flier with details about the family day event.

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!

East Hug & Go:

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

5th Grade Announcements with Emlyn and Liza, Ms. Jones class engages in opinion writing, indoor recess, and Ms. Holli's student engagement!

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

25th - PTA Spirit Evening Urban Air 4-8pm

27th - 5:00 - 8:00 pm 5th Grade Students going to Lucille Erwin Middle School, Instrument Try Out

March

4th - 3:30 pm - 7: 30 pm Student Led Conferences

6th - 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm Student Led Conferences

6th & 7th - NO School students

7th - NO School staff

12th - All School Music Program @ Thompson Valley High School -Wednesday, 3/12 (See details above)

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

28th - All School Field Day

May

5th - 9th Staff Appreciation Week

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

"Safe2Tell Colorado provides the only anonymous way for students, parents and community members to report unsafe and risky behaviors before they grow out of control." Safe 2 Tell Organization

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