Superintendent's Update

At Centennial School District, we know registering a child for kindergarten is an exciting time for families! We also know it can also bring up a lot of questions, which is why we are hosting a "Connect to Kindergarten" event Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at each of our six elementary schools across the District.

Any child who will be five years of age on or before September 1 is eligible to enroll for kindergarten at their designated neighborhood school. Find your school here Centennial School District Attendance Area Map/ School Locator

To learn more details about getting your child registered, visit csd28j.org/16976_2. This website contains information and instructions on how to register your child online. After submitting the online form, the school will contact you to complete the process.

See you in the fall of 2024!

Centennial School District is once again offering summer learning programs for students across the District thanks in part to grant approval from the Oregon Department of Education. The program will be for K-12 grade students and will be similar to the last few years with some additional components based on the grant requirements. All participating students will experience well-rounded, hands-on, integrated learning by Centennial staff and community partners.

This year, the program will run Monday through Friday from July 8 - 26, 2024 for elementary, middle, and high school students. Qualifying high school students will be provided opportunities for credit recovery.

If you are interested in having your student(s) participate in summer programming, please be on the lookout for upcoming detailed information including online applications in the coming weeks. You can also pick up a copy of the application at your child's school and return it to your school’s office once they are available. Parents will be contacted if their student(s) are selected for summer programming.

Stay tuned for more information about Summer Learning and applications to the program.

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the newly constructed elementary school gyms at Meadows, Parklane, Patrick Lynch, and Powell Butte elementary schools took place on March 12 and 14, 2024. The band played, children cheered, and the celebratory ribbon was cut, signifying a significant milestone for the Centennial School District: each school now has a dedicated gym space.

Students, families, staff, current and former board members, Bond Oversight Committee representatives, and co-chairs from Yes for Centennial Schools attended the ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

During the ceremonies, CSD Superintendent James Owens acknowledged how the vision, dedication, and community support culminated in the realization of these new gyms. "Your belief in the future of our students has laid the foundation for their health, safety, and well-being," said Owens. "These gyms represent an investment in them, and the community will also benefit from the use of these facilities."

Students actively participate in various fitness activities with the new elementary school gyms and can gather as a school community. This symbolizes a remarkable shift for these schools, which formerly lacked dedicated gymnasiums.

Students at the event beamed when discussing all the activities they can now participate in their new gym space. They shared their enthusiasm for holding sports practices, playing with other classes, and playing sports like hockey, basketball, and soccer.

“Our students appreciate the beautiful gym, the larger space, and the new equipment,” says Parklane Elementary Principal Mairi Scott-Aguirre. She also spoke about how the space is being used for various community events, such as Literacy Night.

“Even in our wildest dreams, we underestimated the impact it has had on our school,” said Powell Butte Elementary Principal Jared Austin. “With the new gym, our students now have access to a space that allows them to fully engage in meaningful P.E. lessons.”

Lisa Clingan, Principal of Meadows Elementary, shared, “Because of this new gym, our students can play in a bright, beautiful, and safe space during the day and in our after-school program. Our families can enjoy it during family events, and our community can utilize this space for activities. This gym is a space that our community should feel proud of!”

“We had a back-to-school night in September, and the way our families reacted to such a beautiful welcoming, light, bright, and welcoming space was inspiring,” said Principal Leslie Van Kleek at Patrick Lynch Elementary. “The students love the new space, and with more space and time in the gym, Mr. Bentley (P.E. teacher) can be more creative and offer more activities to the students.”

These new facilities were made possible by the 2020 Bond approved by the Centennial community. Centennial expresses its gratitude to the community for their support of these gyms, which are making a positive difference in students’ academics, fitness, and well-being.

I am pleased to share the selection of Neel O'Donnell as the new District Safety & Security Coordinator for Centennial School District.

In this role, Neel will direct the comprehensive safety, security, and emergency programs for Centennial, including ensuring emergency preparedness and response, training of school safety personnel, and serving as the District’s liaison to outside law enforcement and emergency responders.

Funding for this position is provided by the District’s Risk Management Fund.

A Centennial alumni, Neel started his professional career in 2005 as a police officer in the City of Fairview Police Department in Fairview, Oregon, where he was a crime prevention coordinator. In his role, he focused on implementing city neighborhood programs such as National Night Out, Neighborhood Watch, and the Bicycle Helmet program.

He has also served as an inspector for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission in Milwaukie, Oregon, where he managed over 1,600 cases, exercised the statutory authority of a peace officer for violation, and represented the Commission in administrative hearings and court trials.

Neel moved from his inspector role to investigator within the Commission, where he gained further insight and experience in the Commission's work over the State of Oregon. Most recently, as a council representative, Neel played a vital role in the Oregon AFSCME in Salem, Oregon. In this role, Neel conducted trainings, supported labor relations, and negotiated and enforced labor contracts.

Neel earned a baccalaureate in psychology from Cascade College in Portland, Oregon. He and his wife Michelle have been married for 13 years and have five children ranging from 11 to 32. They have three grandchildren and are excited about their fourth grandchild. They consider themselves animal lovers and have three cats and a dog. He and his family reside in Troutdale, enjoying the horizontal rains and the high winds. In his spare time, Neel enjoys spending time with his family and coaching his 11-year-old’s basketball team. He also enjoys Texas Hold ’Em and is a dedicated volunteer and teacher for the children's ministry at East Hill Church.

Neel looks forward to working with our schools and the Centennial community. As District Safety and Security Coordinator, I believe Neel will bring the skills, experience, and leadership necessary to serve our students, staff, families, and the community.

Please join me in congratulating Neel on his new role in Centennial!