Star Family Scoop
October 1, 2017
We are a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School
Our belief and work has earned OUR school the distinction of being named a National Blue Ribbon School. Wow, what an honor for Centerville! Our star staff, star scholars, star parents and the star community had a hand in this achievement. So it is an honor for the entire Centerville Community. What a privilege to be the principal of a shining star school! In early November, a staff member and I will travel to Washington D.C. to receive a plaque and other symbols that are bestowed upon a National Blue Ribbon School. We are also in the process of creating a new design for a new t-shirt and planning an assembly to reward our stars. As soon as the details are finalized we will send the information home with our scholars. We will be given the official logo for National Blue Ribbon Schools in a few days. We will post the logo on our website as soon as it is released to CES.
If you would like to view the official announcement from United States Department of Education Secretary Betsy Devos, click on the link.
Of course we captured our stars reaction when they watched the announcement when Centerville was named a National Blue Ribbon School!
https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/913453361764106241
Thanks for being a part of OUR success!
With Star Pride,
Tracy D. Hilliard
Proud Principal
Happy Retirement!
School Spirit Days
We are kicking off our spirit days at CES.
Monday- Blue or gold - Stop Bullying campaign
Thursday, October 5th- We will have a "Pink Out. " Have your scholar wear pink.
Friday, October 6th- We will " Fall into Flannel." Have your scholar wear flannel.
October 6th -2 Hour Early Dismissal October 20th- Schools Closed for Scholars
Friday, October 6th is a day designated by FCPS as a planned 2-hour early dismissal for all FCPS scholars. On this day, we will begin our dismissal 2 hours early. That means that at approximately 1:30 p.m. we will begin our dismissal procedure. Please be sure that you have this date noted on your calendar. Remember, if you would like to change your scholars dismissal procedure for this day (or any other day), we must have a note from you stating the change. Thanks for your help. October 20th is a staff workday so schools will be closed for all FCPS scholars.
Headphone Ordering extended until October 20, 2017
Our star scholars use technology on a daily basis and at times may need headphones to listen to a passage or complete their work. We only have a limited number of shared headphones so we want to give parents the option to order headphones that will only be used by your star scholar. If you purchased headphones for your scholar last year they do not need to purchase new ones. If you are not sure if you ordered headphones last school year please contact the teacher.
The headphones option to buy will appear in everyone's School Cash Online account. The purchase of the headphones is not mandatory.
Ordering headphones:
- Log onto our CES website.
- Click on the School Cash Online button.
- Set up an account if you don’t have one.
- Type in your username and password.
- The headphones order will be visible.
- Select the headphones.
- Purchase using credit card.
- A receipt will be generated- Keep your copy.
- The headphones will be delivered to CES.
- We will place them in a clear bag labeled with your star scholar's name.
- They will only be used by your star scholar and travel with him or her through the 5th grade.
- At the end of 5th grade they will be given to your star scholar to take to middle school if needed.
- Ordering ends on October 13, 2017.
News Around the School
1-https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9swSdW7JXjjcHQ5R1p3VEQtSmc/view?usp=sharing
2-https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9swSdW7JXjjMEtYRWZIbEpJbkk/view?usp=sharing
3-https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9swSdW7JXjjeVh3VVMtSk1NNGM/view?usp=sharing
4-https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9swSdW7JXjjZl90eUdqVTNTcGs/view?usp=sharing
5-https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9swSdW7JXjjVExMdWRvcGtpRFk/view?usp=sharing
Specials-https://www.smore.com/dmaxy
Fall Parties
Grades 1,2, 4 on October 30th- 2:40-3:20
Grades K, 3, 5 on October 31st- 2:40-3:20
Our fall parties are divided over two days due to parking and the large number of guests in the building. We recommend that parents carpool so that we don't add to the heavy traffic congestion surrounding the school during dismissal.
Your star scholar can wear a costume on the day of his/her fall party. Star scholars We ask that no masks, total coverage of face with paint or make-up or weapons be a part of the costume.
Due to many allergies we are also requesting that the party snacks be limited to a sweet item, a salty item, and a healthy item.
The fall party is for Centerville Elementary star scholars only. Due to space no siblings are allowed at the party. This includes siblings from the middle or high school.
All star scholars will be dismissed at our normal dismissal time on the day of the parties. If you plan to pick up your star scholar please meet them at their normal dismissal area. Thank you in advance for your support of a safe dismissal on the day of the parties
Dismissal
It is important to send written notice to teachers if scholars will be dismissing early. This process will allow teachers to plan to have scholars ready to leave. In order to maximize learning time, we do not call scholars to the office until parents arrive.
Please be aware that scholars are not always in their homeroom classes when parents arrive to pick them up. Additional time may be needed for scholars to arrive in the office when teachers do not receive prior written notice of an early dismissal. Our 4th and 5th grade scholars may have to return from the main building to the 100 Wing to gather their belongings.
Parent & Teacher conferences - November 17th, 20th & 21st
Schedules for scholars on the conference days are listed below to assist you with planning.
- Friday, November 17th- Scholars attend 8:35-12:00. Dismissal at 12:00.
- Monday, November 20th- School Opens at 12:35-4:00. Scholars dismissed regular time.
- Tuesday, November 21st- Scholars attend 8:35-12:00. Dismissal at 12:00.
Did You Know?
Centerville Elementary has an “Continuous School Improvement (CSI) Team” comprised of staff, parents and a community business member. The Leadership Team meets on a monthly basis and examines school programs, achievement data, and makes decisions and suggestions with regard to improvement efforts. We are currently working on our new “2017 School Improvement Plan.” The plan outlines the goals and initiatives we have set for our school. The Continuous School Improvement Plan is a requirement of all Maryland schools on a yearly basis.
We are looking for two more parent representatives to serve on our CSI Team. If you are interested, please email Tracy Hilliard at tracy.hilliard@fcps.org to set up a meeting to discuss any questions you may have about the team. Look for highlights and information about our School Improvement Plan coming home in future newsletters.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
Survey
Principal’s Chats
We would love to plan sessions where we can reach out to our school community to provide information about our school. If you have an educational topic that you would like information on, please send an email to tracy.hilliard@fcps.org or send in a note with your child. To work around your schedules we will try our best to have a morning and evening session to best meet the needs of our community. Thanks.
LOST AND FOUND
Our Lost and Found area is quite full. Parents are encouraged to remind scholars to check the Lost and Found during arrival and at lunch. Parents may also come in and look for those missing coats and jackets.
Centerville Elementary School
Email: tracy.hilliard@fcps.org
Location: Urbana, MD, United States
Phone: 240-566-0100
Twitter: @520tracy