Centennial Eagles News

Dear Centennial families/guardians,

I wanted to express my deepest gratitude for your partnership. Each day we support students and families, we partner to problem solve, to provide the best possible outcomes, and celebrate! It is because of you that our Centennial community is the best of the best! Wishing you all a lovely week ahead and a joyful fall break (no school) next week!

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.

Technology safety

It is important to bring forward concerns we have for student technology use outside of school. Over the past couple of weeks I have had many conversations with students about technology safety. It has been alarming and concerning to hear how students are engaging with people they do not know in spaces like Roblox. For example, when a child is playing (if settings allow) strangers can request to be a friend. This notice can pop up while the student is playing and a student inadvertently can accept this stranger. This is but one example, in a slew of many, that we support here at school with conversations with students. I urge you to please review who your child has as "friends" in their games and virtual spaces. As well as, please take a moment to review the apps your child may have access to on their home devices.

School events THIS week: Student Council Canned Food Drive & Substitute Appreciation Week!

• Tuesday, November 19th: 4:00 - 8:00 pm Qdoba Restaurant FUNdraiser Night
• Thursday, November 21st: Student Council Meeting w/Officers & Representatives
• Friday, November 22nd: School Spirit Day
• Note: Week of November 25th - November 29th Fall Break - NO SCHOOL

School events NEXT week: NO SCHOOL

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.

Apply Now! Thompson School District’s Choice/Open Enrollment 2025-2026 school year 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏 - 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎

The process is designed for students who wish to attend a school outside of their attendance boundary. Families are encouraged to submit their application at any time during the enrollment period - Choice Enrollment applications that are received will be entered into the district's lottery system. 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: 𝐃𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬/𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞-𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞/𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. More information is located at https://www.tsd.org/choice. If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to choice.enrollment@tsd.org or call 970-613-5355.

We’re excited to announce the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration! This year’s theme, “A More Excellent Way, of Love,” honors Dr. King’s belief in justice, unity, and kindness. We invite Pre-K to 12th-grade students to participate in our art, writing, and (new) music contest, expressing their vision for a world filled with fairness and compassion.

Submit your entries by December 11, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Winners will be recognized at the Loveland MLK Community Celebration on January 16, 2025, where their work will be featured. For any questions, please contact Andrew Dutch (andrew.dutch@tsd.org). Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy together through creativity!

• Official Contest Guidelines - English | Spanish

• Contest Entry Form - English | Spanish

• Contest Flyer (English and Spanish)

• Social Media Tile - English | Spanish

Battle of the Books 2024-2025 for 3rd, 4th and 5th

Mrs. Westerfield is seeking dedicated students to take part in this year's Battle of the Books District Competition held Saturday, March 29th. The format has changed from previous years. To be a part of the team, students must commit to READ the 10 books assigned to their grade level, attend the March District Competition and stay connected to fellow teammates throughout the season. (No required out-of-school meetings, occasional optional recess meet-ups, no more than once a week... and team building exercises as the final competition approaches ) Half-sheet flyers are available to indicate interest. Final decisions to move forward with CES teams is due October 4th = so get those interest flyers back ASAP. Questions? Contact Mrs. Westerfield at mary.westerfield@tsd.org or check out Battle of the Books on the TSD webpage:

https://www.tsd.org/academics/library-resources/battle-of-the-books-bob

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

If you are interested, details can be found on our district Tech 4 All website.

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.

Thank you to all for keeping up on our Centennial communications!

Last week we captured: Easton and Lincoln rock 5th grade announcements, students pay stars to capture a picture with Mrs. Carmen, 5th grade recess fun, and 2nd grade recess fun!

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:

November

5th - Picture Retake Day

7th- 5:00 pm Thompson School District Kindergarten OPEN House at Thompson Valley High School

14th - 6:30 pm PTA Meeting (virtual)

19th - Qdoba Restaurant Fundraising Night

25th - 29th - No School: Fall Break

December

12/4 - 6:30pm, Special PTA Meeting: Fall Event Feedback review & discussion (Virtual)

11th - Capital Tacos Restaurant Fundraising Night

23rd - January 3rd - No School: Winter Break

January

6th - No School: Teacher Work Day

7th - No School: Staff Professional Development Day

16th - 5: 30 pm School Accountability Meeting (virtual) & 6:30 pm PTA Meeting (virtual)

20th - No School: Dr. Martin Luther King Remembrance Day

February

5th - 6:30 pm PTA Meeting in the Centennial Library (and virtual option)

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

13th - 6:30 pm PTA Meeting (virtual)

17th-21st - No School: Spring Break

*Stay tuned for CMAS (state testing dates)

April

4th - PTA Carnival

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.

Please use this website to register for the YMCA: https://www.ymcanoco.org/before-after-care/thompson

Here is a Social Emotional Learning website for resources for parents.

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.

"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

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.

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."

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

The Centennial PTA Facebook page is overseen by the PTA.

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

www.grandfamilycoalition.org

Website: https://www.thompsonschools.org/centennial
Location: 1555 West 37th Street, Loveland, CO, USA
Phone: 970-613-5800