Centennial Blue Jays
May 2024 Newsletter
Centennial Information
Email: deb.jolda@springfield.k12.or.us
Website: centennial.springfield.k12.or.us
Location: 1315 Aspen Street, Springfield, OR, USA
Phone: 541-744-6383
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentennialBlueJays
Message from Principal Hakala
Greetings, Blue Jay Families!
Another action-packed month in the books at Centennial! April was full of field trips and concerts, games and fun, with a lot of learning packed in as well.
Mrs. Gabbard, our music teacher extraordinaire, coordinated concerts for grades one through five, a huge accomplishment! All of the kids did great. Fifth grade welcomed architects in to work with students for several weeks. Our library aide, Ms. Hodgin, coordinated Poetry Month, including a poetry slam assembly.
Our April behavior focus was on growing a positive attitude. Students earned purple bucks when they responded positively to feedback or a direction. Our library hallway is looking amazing with our positive attitude flower garden. Each student decorated a flower petal for the garden. They got to add their petal to the “garden” when they were recognized by their teacher for showing a positive attitude.
This month we kick off our first-ever One Book, One School program where every student and every family in every grade are all reading the same book. Every staff member also got a copy, so we will literally all be on the same page to talk about this neat book!
It's hard to believe that our fifth-graders are going to be leaving us soon. Most will go on to Hamlin Middle School, and this month, they will get a visit from Hamlin leadership to talk about what to expect in middle school. Then students will be able to visit Hamlin and get a tour.
Also in May, you'll hear a lot about state testing for grades three–five. We know our students have come a long way, and all we ask is for students to do their best to show off what they've learned. We ask families to help by making sure students get a good night's sleep and get a good breakfast so they can be at their best when they come to school.
As always, please give us a call if you have questions or concerns about how your student is doing at school.
Don Hakala, Principal
April Super Students
April Super Students: Congratulations to our April Super Students: Torie, Yasmin, Evie, Nathan, Otus, Audie, Hollyn, Cheyenne M, Eisley, Porter, Maddix, Adam, Tempe, Dylan, Cailin, Je'launi, Wynter, Alex S-H, Alonzo, Jayden, Caellum, Johnathen, Charley, Aleena, Adair, Sara GZ, Valerii, Violet, Victoria and Chandler! Way to go, kids! Keep up the great work!
Important Upcoming Dates
Apr 29: 24-25 Registration Opens in ParentVue
May 3: Early Release – Crazy Sock Day
May 4: May the 4th be with you!
May 6–10: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6: One Book, One School Kicks Off
May 7: PTO meeting, 6 pm
May 8: Walk & Roll to School Day
May 15: Kindergarten Welcome, 6–7 p.m.
May 17: Early Release – Tropical/Beach Day
May 23: Hamlin Leadership Visits Centennial
May 23: Kinder Field Trip to Springfield Library/City Hall
May 23: Third Grade Public Works Field Trip
May 27: No School – Memorial Day
May 30: Taste of Hamlin – 5th grade field trip to Hamlin Middle School
Walk & Roll to School Day
Plant Sale
Spirit Day: Tropical/Beach Day
One Book, One School
We are so thankful to our fabulous PTO and community sponsors for giving our school a chance to be part of a book club! The idea is that every family receives a copy of the same book. Yes, every student in every grade will be reading the same book. The book that was chosen, J.D and the Great Barber Battle, has been critically acclaimed and will give every student lots to talk about with each other. Older students may want to read on their own as well, but we are asking families to read aloud to their kids for 15 minutes each day for 10 days. That way, we are all, literally, on the same page! We are also having teachers and staff record themselves reading chapters, and we'll share those links out with families. Please watch your email and SeeSaw messaging! Teachers will also be talking about the books in their classes.
One Book, One School Book
One Book, One School Reading Schedule
Kindergarten Welcome Night
We are looking forward to greeting all of our families with incoming kinders on Wednesday, May 15! Youll have a chance to meet the kindergarten teachers and get a taste of what kindergarten will look like, We'll give you tips on how to prepare and talk about how to get your student registered for school. We'll also have representatives from KITS on hand to talk about their fantastic FREE kindergarten readiness program, folks from Willamalane and our amazing PTO. You can learn more about getting ready for kindergarten at www.springfield.k12.or.us/academics/kinder
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 06:00 PM
Centennial Library
May Focus: Confidence
Confident kids are more likely to motivate themselves, ask for help, learn from mistakes, and take on new challenges. Kids are also more likely to stand up for themselves when they are confident and secure in who they are.
Some Tips for Raising Confident Kids
Model confidence yourself.
Don't get upset about mistakes.
Encourage your kids to try new things.
Allow kids to fail.
Praise perseverance.
Teach kids to set goals.
Celebrate effort versus outcome.
I Am Responsible for Me
This month's booster is focusing on Responsible Behavior. Students will be earning orange bucks they can use to decorate their classroom door. Families can help us by acknowledging their students' responsible behavior at home – cleaning up after themselves, taking care of themselves and their belongings, helping out with chores, and doing what they say they are going to do.
Annual Review Process
Every year, families are asked to update the information we have on file in ParentVue using the Annual Review process.
Please focus on making sure contact information is up-to-date for you and your emergency contacts.
Be sure to update any health issues for your student or changes in custodial information.
You'll be asked for immunization records and birth certificate each time but we really only need your proof of address each year if we already have the other documents on file. A current utility bill would be fantastic.
You will only be able to do this process once per year, but you can always update your info by calling the office.
The class with the highest participation rate by June 1 wins a class party.
Student not returning to Centennial next year? Please let Ms. Deb know to help us plan!
5th graders should also update their info in preparation for the separate 5th grade registration process. If your student is NOT going to be attending Hamlin Middle School, please let Ms. Deb know!
Remember: You can always call the office if you need help logging in or resetting your password.
ParentVue Instructions
On a phone, once you log in (using the web or app), tap on the profile icon in the upper right and select Online Registration, then the Annual Review packet. Update your own info first, then choose Edit to update your current students, then Add Student to add an incoming kinder. Please call us with any questions!Check the Lost & Found!
Please ask your kids to check the Lost & Found or stop by to have a look! It's getting full!
Opportunities
SPARK Summer Camps: Free camps this summer, July 8 - August 1, at several elementary schools. Register here.
Willamalane Summer Camps: Registration begins April 17. Scholarships are available.
KITS registration will begin on May 1. More info here. This is an amazing FREE program for incoming kinders and their families. Your child must be registered for school to be able to attend.
Safety Town: Registration will be open soon for incoming kinders! Cost os $40. Kinders must be registered for school to enroll. Space is limited. Register here in Mid-may.
Our Amazing PTO
How to support our school:
- You can always get blue bags from the school office. This is an easy way to support the PTO through donations of bottles and cans. Just bring the bag to the Springfield Bottle Drop Redemption Center, scan the PTO bar code, and toss your bag.
- Watch for upcoming fundraisers, and in the meantime, volunteer!