The Central Scoop
December 6, 2019
From the Principal's Desk...
Dear Parents,
Our fourth graders just returned from Oregon, IL. They had a wonderful three-day experience at Lorado Taft! This year the weather was perfect - sunny and in the 40s. The students did a great job working together in this unique, outdoor classroom setting. They took classes such as: Pioneering, Instincts for Survival, STEM, Initiatives (Team-Building), Hiking, Photography, Art, and many other interesting areas of study. All of these experiences support our 4th grade science, social studies, and fine arts curricula. All children were well-mannered and eager to work! They actually enjoyed setting and clearing the tables for meals (so you can now expect this at home!). They also eagerly completed their journals each night. Thank you for sharing your children with us. This experience was positive for everyone involved. I'm including a sneak peek from the experience below with photos for all to see. The fourth grade teachers will be sharing more photos from the experience soon (once they get some much needed rest first!). For those of you with younger children, there is so much to look forward to in 4th grade!
Warmly,
~ Becky
Rebecca Littmann
Principal
Central Elementary School
Learning How Pioneers Lived
Making Candles Like a Pioneer
Building Shelters to "Survive" a Pretend Storm
The Hour of Code is Coming to Central!
Our school is joining The Hour of Code! During Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 9-13), we will join the more than 100 million students worldwide that have already tried an Hour of Code. The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities. I welcome parents to participate with their 1st-4th grade child during their scheduled tech class the week of December 9-13. (Due to limited space and seating in the tech lab, please leave siblings at home.) Please see the schedule on Mrs. Wysocke's website to join your child's class time and fill out this form to confirm your attendance. We can't wait to see you for the Hour of Code!
Update on Kindergarten Enrichment - SEE NEW FLIER!!!
A flier was sent home this week with your child (please check his/her backpack!)
Our district committee of teachers and administrators has been hard at work designing a kindergarten enrichment program. We formally announced the new program, called the Kindergarten Enrichment and Enhancement Program of District 39 or “KEEP39.” KEEP39 will provide kindergarten families with an optional, in-district kindergarten enrichment program designed to enhance the instruction provided to students through D39’s high-quality half-day academic kindergarten program. KEEP39 will include enrichment and exploration through a variety of activities and purposeful play designed to offer opportunities for students to enhance development as critical and creative thinkers as well as responsible and productive lifelong learners. KEEP39 will launch at Central School this fall for the 2020-21 school year!
Allyship Parent Event
Winter Session of Park District After-School Clubs at Central = Last Posting
December Food Menu Information = Last Posting
District 39 is committed to providing a school environment that promotes healthy lifestyles including healthy nutrition. The Nutrition Committee, made up of parents, school leaders and staff will be working with Food Services to conduct trials of several new menu items throughout the year. New items are being added or exchanged with a “cleaner” version of the offering. “Cleaner” is defined as having less preservatives, food dyes, sugar/artificial sweeteners and/or trans fats. We are excited for our students to try these new items. On the menu, the new items are red and underlined to make it easier for you to see. This month we want to highlight a few items: Breadsticks (12/4 and 12/18), Pork Carnitas Rice Bowl (12/11) and Whole Wheat Pizza Bagel (12/19). Thank you for your support as we expose students to these healthier options!
The Illinois 5Essentials Student Survey = Last Posting
The 5Essentials Survey provides school districts with detailed data on school culture and climate. Students in grades 4 - 8 will participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey during the week of December 9th, 2019. Students’ identities will be completely confidential. Please be aware that you have the right to review a copy of the student questions which can be found on the Illinois 5Essentials website. If you have questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874.
** Note - If you do not want your child to participate, please email your child’s classroom teacher.
Gift of Giving = Last Posting
Gift of Giving – Sign-Ups Are Complete!
A huge thank you to all of our holiday helpers who have contributed to the LYDIA Home and Metropolitan Family Services sign-ups – our lists are complete! Please see the links below for information about how and where to drop-off your donations. All items are due by Sunday, Dec. 8. Thank you again to everyone for your support – it is greatly appreciated by the children and families who rely on both organizations!
SignUpGenius Link for LYDIA Home: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080848A5A728AB9-lydia3
SignUpGenius Link for Metropolitan Family Services: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080848A5A728AB9-mfsgift2
PTA Announcements and Reminders...
* The PTA sends out their own newsletter on Sundays - here are just a few highlights
Volunteer Opportunities
Cafeteria
Lunch duty is from 10:50am - 11:40pm. Sign up HERE!
Carpool Line
Morning and afternoon time slots available. Sign up HERE!
Garden
Garden duty is from 11:05am -12:20pm. Sign up HERE!
Learning Commons
Volunteers welcome in the Learning Commons! Click HERE to sign up.
From the Nurse's Office
Call Central School "Attendance Line" For Absences: 847-512-6150
New Central Health Office Website!!
Here is your go-to site for all of your health related questions including PE/Recess Notes, Health Requirements, Dental Examinations, Allergy and Asthma, Medications, Snacks in Classrooms, Lice, Influenza...and more!
Community Announcements...
- Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
WILMETTE PARK DISTRICT EVENTS:
- Wilmette Park District Saturday Basketball is back! For boys & girls grades 4-8.
- Sunday Youth Basketball for boys & girls grades 1-3. Contact Sara Hilby for information at shilby@wilpark.org
- Gingerbread House Workshops for ages 3 + up December 7-11
- Center Fitness Club presents the YETI CHALLENGE Nov. 18 - Dec. 31
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- The Center for Gifted hosts Fall, Winter and Summer programs. View flyers for details.
- Girl Scouts host Discovery Night for all D39 girls on Wednesday, January 15th, 6:30 - 7:30 pm at McKenzie Elementary School.
- Loyola Ramblerettes host Santa’s Dance Workshop on Friday, December 13th for 1st-6th grade girls.
- Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
Join us on Twitter!
Central School is on Twitter!
- We have TWO Twitter accounts. Please "follow" us at Twitter.com! Explore Central 39 (with our actual "handle" as @explorecentral). With this account, we mostly share student activities that are completed in the Learning Commons (but other activities are often included as well). We are also providing this Twitter feed on our Central School homepage.
- There is also a principal page @BeckyLittmann where you can follow a variety of school happenings including all-school events, classroom activities, PTA enrichment, and school goals.
Save the Dates...
12/8 - Gift of Giving Deadline - All Donations Due
12/9-12/13 - National Coding Week
12/13 - Parent's Night Out - Pizza & Movie 5:45pm - 8:00pm
12/20 - Last Day of Fall II After School Clubs
12/23-1/3 - NO SCHOOL, Winter Break
1/6 - School Resumes