CENTER LINE

-Scott Loehr

Ringing in the new year is a time honored tradition celebrating the promise of good fortune and opportunity ahead. As we ring in 2019, I reflect on the great fortune we have in the Center Joint Unified School District. We have a wealth of teachers, instructional staff and support staff committed to the academic, social and emotional growth of all students. I am proud of the achievement of our students from the kindergartener learning to read to the high school senior planning the next chapter in his life. I am excited about the opportunities that are ahead for our students, staff and families in the Antelope community and I look forward to sharing those with you.

I wish to extend a special thank you to teachers, staff and Center families who generously donated to the Helping Teachers Helping Students supply drive benefitting classrooms in Butte County impacted by the devastating Camp Fire.

The CJUSD Family Resource Center has relocated to the District Office Annex at 3243 Center Court Lane and will reopen on January 8th. The mission is the Family Resource Center (FRC) is to help eliminate barriers to school success and help ensure a positive outcome for every CJUSD student by serving and supporting students, families, and schools through services, resources, and referrals that are integrated, comprehensive, and responsive to the identified needs. The Family Resource Center may be able to provide assistance to your family with the following:

• School Placement and Enrollment
• Backpacks & School Supplies
• School Clothing
• Transportation Assistance
• General Community Referrals and Resources
• Healthcare Advocacy & Application Assistance
• Mental Health Counseling Referrals
• Academic Enrichment & Mentoring
• Dispute Resolution Process

Another way the FRC supports families is through parent education resources and support. The FRC is providing a parent education series, Parenting the Love and Logic Way, for Center School District families.

· Would you like to feel more confident as a parent?

· Would you like to have more fun parenting?

· Would you like to feel more relaxed at the end of the day?

If you answered ‘yes’, enroll in this 6 series class held on Thursday evenings beginning January 17th from 6pm-8:15pm at Riles Middle School. Additional information on Parenting the Love and Logic Way or about the services provided through the FRC can be found under the Families tab on the CJUSD website www.centerusd.org.

Center High School Athletics is beginning league play in January. Check the CHS website for game schedules and come out to cheer on our students athletes.

I am very excited to share that we are in the beginning stages of creating a Center High Hall of Fame to celebrate athletic excellence and contributions over the last 36 years. We have established a committee who is collaborating on the design of the commemorative wall and the process for inducting members into the Hall of Fame. As we continue through this collaborative effort, I will share our progress leading up to the unveiling of this piece of CHS history.

Congratulations to the following CJUSD Board Members who were sworn in at the December Board Meeting; Jeremy Hunt, Donald Wilson and Milad Jbeily.

As students return to school on January 7th, I am excited about the opportunities that await in 2019. Happy New Year to all.

- Erica Olmstead

Our community really steps up to make sure Cyril Spinelli Elementary remains a wonderful place to grow and learn. When we can’t go to them, they bring their outstanding programs to us.

Our first visit was from The Crocker Art Museum’s Art Ark. Their giant trailer was parked on our campus and each class was able to study the lives and art of North American artists. Each one hour long lesson builds visual literacy skills and explore how art can tell the stories of the diverse people who call this country home.

Explorit Science Center brought materials for the students to learn all about Earth’s Features. Fourth and fifth graders were able to investigate the features of Earth, such as volcanoes, and forces that affect the surface, like earthquakes. The information presented to students is aligned to California’s Science Content Standards.

VSP came to our campus and offered eye exams to students. Those that needed glasses will be provided two pairs courtesy of VSP! They have been helpful to our students in making sure learning is accessible to all.

California State University, Sacramento students of computer science were paired with a 5th grader at Spinelli to be pen pals. They have been writing letters back and forth where 5th graders ask questions about college life and the Sac State students write back giving them a very positive picture of the college experience. Our 5th graders were then able to take a field trip out to the University and got the full tour from their fabulous pen pals!

On Monday, March 18, CJUSD will host its annual St. Baldrick’s head shaving event. This event is open for any CJUSD students, staff, and families. The festivities will be from 1:20-3:30 @ Spinelli Elementary School. Over the past five years, Center Unified students and staff have helped to raise $56,588 for childhood cancer research! This is an amazing accomplishment! Since 2005, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation has raised over $253 million to help doctors and scientists pursue the most promising new cures for childhood cancer. Together we are making a difference in the world of childhood cancer. If you would like to join in this fight, please visit the St. Baldrick’s website: https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/Spinelli. There are several ways to get involved: You can shave your head in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, you can donate to the cause, or you can sign up to volunteer. Let’s do this! Grab your friends, make a team, donate, and get involved! If you have any questions, please contact Jean Luigi - jluigi@centerusd.org.

Have you seen it? The district website has a fresh, new look and each of the school sites will follow suit. Look at us shine: www.centerusd.org. Are you on social media? CJUSD is too. Use the links below to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The Center Joint Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. School and district programs, activities and services shall be free from unlawful discrimination based on actual or perceived sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, ancestry, ethnic group identification, gender, physical or mental disability, or on the basis of a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or sexual harassment in any district service, program and/or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance. The district shall promote programs, which ensure that unlawful discriminatory practices are eliminated in all school and district activities.

Email: superintendent@centerusd.org
Website: www.centerusd.org
Location: 8408 Watt Avenue, Antelope, CA, United States
Phone: (916) 338-6400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerusd
Twitter: @centerusd