CSD Insider
Centennial School District Newsletter 2018-19, Volume 8
IN THIS EDITION
District Updates & Happenings
District Operations
Inside Schools & Programs
From Our Students
Upcoming Important Dates
Community Connections
Announcements
DISTRICT UPDATES & HAPPENINGS
Teacher Appreciation Week
National Teacher Appreciation Day, also known as National Teacher Day, was observed on the Tuesday of the first full week in May. In 2019, National Teacher Day took place on May 7th. This day is part of Teacher Appreciation Week, which is the first full week in May of each year.
The National Education Association describes National Teacher Day “as a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives.”
Time and time again I am reminded how our lives are touched by so many caring teachers. YOU have made and continue to make a difference in the lives of our students. We truly are the best kept secret in Bucks County.
On behalf of the Board of School Directors and the Administration, We want to thank all of our staff for all they do, each and every day!
Kindergarten Registration 2019-20
We are now accepting registrations for incoming Kindergarten students for the 2019-20 school year. Students must be five years of age on or before August 31 to register for Kindergarten. In order to register a student, the following documents are required:
· A birth certificate
· Immunization records
· Four proofs of residency (acceptable list found at http://www.centennialsd.org/Page/101)
Parents/guardians can start the process online. For more information about the registration process, visit http://www.centennialsd.org/Page/101 or call the Registrar at 215-441-6000, Ext. 11046.
We encourage you to register as soon as possible so you can be informed of upcoming orientation events.
Updates to District Calendar
The February 20 snow day will be made up on June 14.
Here are the revised 2018-19 calendar and Board approved 2019-20 calendar for planning purposes.
Staying in Touch with Centennial School District and Your School
It is important for parents and guardians to update their contact information (telephone number, cell phone number, and e-mail address) in Skyward Family Access to ensure that eAlert e-mails, text message alerts, and voice recorded messages reach them.
EAlert e-mail is the main method of communicating pertinent information to students and their families. Text message alerts and voice-recorded messages are used for emergency notifications as well as for school absence notifications. Parents and guardians can opt into receiving text message alerts. For more information about Skyward Family Access, follow this link: http://www.centennialsd.org/Page/8401
To stay up-to-date with various events and news about the schools and the District, the community can follow the District on these social media sites:
To watch School Board meetings, student-developed videos, and other events, tune into the District's cable channel: CSD-TV on Channel 36 (Verizon) and Channel 28 (Comcast).
School Board meetings are live-streamed and can be accessed via the District website the evening of the meetings. Board Meetings live-streaming
DISTRICT OPERATIONS
Family Trips Scheduled During the School Year
To view the policy and the request forms, follow these links:
Absence Notes Made Easy - E-mail Your Child's Absence Notes
Parents and guardians are able to e-mail student absence notes to the school's attendance office. E-mailing an absence note is a convenient way to ensure that a student's absence can be reconciled as a legal and excused absence. If a parent or guardian has a note from a medical professional, it can also be e-mailed to the attendance office along with the student's name, grade, student ID number, or homeroom teacher. All schools will continue to accept written absence notes.
E-mailed absence notes should include the following information:
· The student's name
· The student's grade
· The student's ID number or homeroom teacher
· The date(s) of the absence
· A reason for the absence
· A contact telephone or cell phone number of parent or guardian submitting the absence note
Parents and guardians will receive an e-mail from the attendance office secretary confirming that the student's absence note was received by the school.
Each school has a unique e-mail address for accepting student absence notes.
Davis Elementary School
McDonald Elementary School
Willow Dale Elementary School
Klinger Middle School
Log College Middle School
William Tennent High School
Public Participation in School Board Meetings
For Regular School Board Meetings (Second Tuesday of the Month)
- Community comments will be taken at the beginning and end of the School Board meeting.
- The participant must be a resident or taxpayer of the Centennial School District.
- The participant must complete a Resident Participant Card and submit it to the Board President or Board Secretary to be recognized.
- The participant will be asked to give his/her name and address prior to addressing the School Board.
- The participant will have 3 minutes to make his/her comments. If the participant requires additional time, the participant should contact the Superintendent prior to the School Board meeting.
- Community comments will be taken during the presentation of an agenda item as presented within the Committee.
- The participant must be a resident or taxpayer of the Centennial School District.
- The participant must complete a Resident Participant Card and submit it to the Board President or Board Secretary to be recognized.
- The participant will be asked to give his/her name and address prior to addressing the School Board.
- The participant will have 3 minutes to make his/her comments. If the participant requires additional time, the participant should contact the Superintendent prior to the School Board meeting.
INSIDE SCHOOLS & PROGRAMS
The Empty Bowls Project
The Empty Bowls Project is a grassroots effort to bring awareness to hunger and food insecurity. Students and art teachers from across Centennial School District crafted one of a kind bowls to raise money in support of the food pantry housed in McDonald Elementary School.
Our artists eagerly created these bowls during their recess time, and some volunteered to stay after school. Students imprinted various textures, leaves, rocks, and other items onto clay and then placed the slab of clay over balloons and bowls to give them shape. Younger students helped add the color to some of the bowls using finger and thumb prints dipped in glaze. The results of these bowls resulted in bright colorful "confetti" patterns on the outside of the bowls. The bowls were fired, glazed and fired once more.
The goal of this project was to ensure we were bringing awareness to hunger and to understand the difference we can make in our community to eradicate hunger. For each monetary donation received, our gracious donors selected a beautifully handcrafted bowl as a reminder of the food insecurity that exists in our community.
This was an awesome collaborative effort. The students also learned valuable lessons in community service. They learned many hands make light work and it is important to give back and to always spread kindness and love to those in need.
Another Amazing Fine Arts Festival
Every year the Centennial School District holds our annual Fine Arts Festival. This festival brings together the community to showcase the great work our students create in various artistic fields. This year, the 39th year, was kicked off with the initiation of new honorees in the Centennial Arts Hall of Fame. The inductees are Daniel Platt, 3D Character Modeler, class of 2000; Bruce Gordon, Journalist, class of 1977; Joshua Ostrander, Musician in the band Mondo Cosmo, class of 1998; Erika Schiff, Singer, Songwriter, Engineer, class of 1999; Amy Houser, Illustrator and Toy Designer, class of 1997 and Ethel Lodge, class of 1941 at Upper Southampton High School, who received the lifetime achievement award. Ethel composed the Pennsylvania State Song. Congratulations to all of our inductees!
Following the Hall of Fame Induction, the Centennial Music Department presented their annual concert series. During these concerts, the students in our Orchestras, Jazz Bands, Choruses, and Concert Bands perform for the community. In addition, each night is capped off with a finale selection where all the students perform together. On Chorus Night, the concert opened with a performance by our visiting students from the Nanjing Hexi Foreign Language School. The growth of the music department is evident in the size of the performing groups and the quality of the music performances. Many community member attended these concerts, and shared their enjoyment of the fine music.
The week concluded with Showcase Night. This night presents work from the Fine Arts, Tech Ed., and Family and Consumer Science curricular areas. On this night, the lobby of William Tennent is transformed into a exhibition of our students’ fantastic works. Students in our Culinary Arts program serve various creations as our visitors explore the students’ works. United States Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick stopped by the Fine Arts Showcase Friday night, as did State Representative Megan Schroeder. Congressman Fitzpatrick is a frequent guest at Fine Arts Week, and provided the district with this flag of the United States of America that flew over the US Capitol Friday morning. It is in recognition of hosting the Fine Arts Festival Art Showcase and all we do to provide a Diverse Learning Community where students succeed through academics, athletics and the arts. Words cannot do justice to the power of Fine Arts Week. Congratulations and many thanks to one and all for a great week!
Behind The Lens 2019
William Tennent High School hosted the 4th Annual Behind the Lens Film Festival in late April. It was a huge success with more than 85 film entries, representation by 10 area schools, and more than 300 guests in the audience. The event was hosted by WPHL-17 producer and B-101 radio personality, Jason Lee (also a 1991 graduate of William Tennent High School). It is the brainchild of Centennial Education Association member, Dina McCaffery.
Professional filmmakers, including the former head of animation for Dreamworks Animation, the head of Drexel University's Film department, a WHYY producer, and local independent filmmakers, served as judges for the student films. In addition to William Tennent High School, finalists included student filmmakers from high schools including: Abington Senior High School, Conestoga High School, Central Bucks High School South, Council Rock High School North, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT), Hatboro-Horsham Senior High School, Oxford Area High School, Springfield Township High School, as well as Log College Middle School, Eugene Klinger Middle School and Pennfield Middle School.
Awards were given for top films in Narrative, Documentary, Silent Film, Music Video, Experimental, Comedy, and Middle School entries. Awards were also presented for Best Acting, Directing, Best Use of Music, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Creative Storytelling.
Gamifying STEM: Building an Arcade
McDonald Welcomes Chinese Students
Blessing Bags at Willow Dale
WTHS Students awarded at PA Film Challenge Screening
On May 15,during the PA Film Challenge screening at WHYY, WTHS Digital Production 2 students walked away with several awards. The first award was presented for best poster for Doll Faced. The second award was presented for Best Performance, for Doll Faced. Doll Faced also placed 7th overall in the PA Screening Challenge. Eighth place was awarded to another WTHS student film, for Glitched.
Additionally, Doll Faced placed in the Top 30 (out of 270) films in the 10-Day Challenge multi-State contest.
We are so proud of the hard work, professionalism, and talent of our student filmmakers. They represent WTHS and CSD so well.
Teacher Appreciation at McDonald
Willow Dale is a No Place for Hate School!
On Wednesday 5/29, ten Puma Ambassadors and Ms. Hopkins and Mrs. Kerber went to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for the No Place for Hate designation ceremony. They received their 2019 No Place for Hate banner in recognition for doing three activities that support the promise of treating everyone fairly, being kind to everyone, respecting diversity and bullying prevention. Willow Dale has been participating in the No Place For Hate program for nine years!! Soon their new banner will be hung in the cafeteria next to all the others!
This year our three projects were:
1. The Name Jar book and activities which focused on learning the origin and meanings of our names, respecting other's names and cultural backgrounds, and never teasing or making fun of other classmates’ names.
2. The NED Show Kindness Adventure which focused on being caring, sharing a smile, including others and not being afraid of differences. Also, we helped to bring clean water to the people of Kenya by selling Kenyan treasures.
3. The Puzzle Piece Project which was to spread understanding and acceptance of autism throughout our school, while also celebrating the unique talents and skills of everyone.
Congratulations to Willow Dale for this achievement!
FROM OUR STUDENTS
An Experience of a Lifetime
This year I got the chance to host an exchange student from China. Her name is Linda. On Sunday night when we first met I thought that she was very nice, kind, and even though she struggled at first with the English she tried her best! Throughout the week, her understanding of the English language got better. I did not have to speak as slowly, and I could start asking her multiple questions at once instead of one at a time.
During classes Linda wanted to learn and do what we were doing in class. She was surprised by how relaxed our classes are compared to her classes. She also said that we had a lot less homework than in her classes. Linda said that student and teacher relationships are much closer here than at her school. She also said during her classes her teachers tell them what to do and then dismisses them to do the work assigned quietly. In her school the students stay in the same classroom, and the teachers move throughout the school.
On Saturday, the day they came to visit us at home, Linda came to see my choir on tour in Ocean City. My choir is very strict with rules. and Linda said it is different from her school. When we were on the boardwalk. Linda needed some help with her money since it works differently from China's money system.
Getting to experience what it is like to meet and interact with other people from other cultures was a dream come true. I got to see them try and fail, and not only learn from their mistakes, but grow and understand our culture. To us our culture is how we grow and learn, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to help share our culture with Linda and the other Chinese visitors. Linda shared:
This is my first time to come to America and have a friendly communication with Klinger. This was a fantastic opportunity for me to experience the American school days, American scenery, American cultures, and make friends with American students.
The American education styles I have seen according to my school days are much more different from Chinese education. It’s more independent, interesting, and relaxing than Chinese education. In my opinion, whatever the styles of education of a country are, they also show the styles, cultures, and the features of a country, so I think this is evidence that shows America is also a free and independent country.
The food here shows the American cultures too, and it’s great. I love the sandwiches best. The friends and teachers her are really nice; almost every person here is kind and nice. My friend Abby is a very friendly and positive girl. She helps me a lot on nearly every side. I enjoy the time with her. I think it’s my pleasure and luck to possess this chance, and to be honest I love and enjoy the lives here more.
By: Abigail Martin & Chen Yanjun
A Great Cultural Learning Experience
My name is Devon DeCorte; I am a student at Klinger Middle School. Felix, one of many students visiting from Nanjing Hexi Foreign Language School in Nanjing, China, has been shadowing me throughout this week. This is a very new experience for both of us, but we have enjoyed it very much. Felix and his classmates from China arrived on April 30, and stayed in New York City for a few days. Later, on May 5, the student ambassadors from the district hosted a welcome dinner for the Chinese exchange students at William Tennent High School. It was very exciting for me to meet Felix, and I’m sure all of the other student ambassadors from Centennial School District were as eager as I was. It was very nice to be able to meet and interact with them before they started to shadow us the following Monday.
It has been very exciting for me to see all of the Chinese students settle into the different environment here. When I asked Felix through Google Translate about his experience at Klinger so far, he responded with, “In my school, we have a fixed classroom, but here, there are colorful courses that make me feel refreshed. I really enjoy my time here.” Although the courses in China are very different, the students from China have settled in beautifully. I am sure that later in the Chinese exchange students’ lives, this experience will be very useful. To be able to experience the American lifestyle first-hand will definitely pay dividends for them in the future. Not only has this trip been very advantageous for them, but it has also helped me and the other ambassadors in many ways: we have learned how to interact with other people who may not speak English as well as us, and we have also learned how different the education in China is from the education in America. All of the Klinger students have learned how life in China for kids is much more centered solely on academics.
I am thrilled to have been able to participate in this program and to get to understand what life is like on the other side of the globe through interaction with these students from China. In my opinion, this was a wonderful idea and panned out beautifully. I would love to continue this program and even possibly have some Centennial students travel to China. I am very happy to be able to say I now have a good friend from China, and I am sure all of the ambassadors have formed a great bond with their students from China that shadowed them throughout the week. All of the students involved with this program have had a great time and learned so much about different cultures. Therefore, I believe that it would be a great idea to continue this program in the years to come.
Felix also ended with, “American schools are very different from Chinese schools. In Chinese schools, our classrooms are still fixed, but in American schools, the teachers of students change according to subjects. In the United States, teachers and students are like friends. Overall, campus life in the United States is more interesting than Chinese schools.”
by: Devon DeCorte & Ma Chenyang
Two Cultures and Two Great Friends
Seventh grade has been an awesome year filled with many opportunities. One thing that made it even better was being given the chance to meet and work with the Chinese students from Nanjing Hexi Foreign Language School. A couple of weeks before the Chinese students came, I found out that I would be paired with Bian. At first, I was really nervous because I thought that it would be hard to communicate with her. I was afraid that we would have trouble understanding each other which would take away from the experience. I also hoped that we would get along well and be able to share with each other some things that we did in our countries.
Little did I know, I didn’t have to worry about anything. I’ve known some of my best friends for about ten years, but I only knew Bella for a couple of days and I was able to see that she was the kindest, sweetest girl on the planet. When we met each other at the welcoming dinner on Sunday, the first thing that she said was, “Hello. You look beautiful.” It was so sweet of her, and I was so relieved. We walked back to our table and started introducing ourselves. We learned some basic things about each other like some activities we like to participate in and some of our favorite foods. At the end of the night, we already knew a good amount about each other. I was super excited about the following week, and I couldn’t wait to show her what Klinger was like on Monday.
On Monday, we met up at school and started going to our classes. Right away, all of my friends welcomed her and made sure to introduce themselves. By the end of the week, my friends always got excited when they saw her and kept telling me such kind things about her. During a language arts class this week, Bella showed us how to write our names in Chinese. It was so impressive because she wrote the symbols so quickly and offered to write our names in Chinese for us. All of us were stunned because she was able to talk and write in both English and Chinese so well. Not only could she translate our names into Chinese, she could also solve a math equation that nobody else in the class could, in under two minutes! Throughout the week, it was apparent that she always thinks of others before herself.
Bella told me that she enjoyed her visit and had a lot of fun, which makes me happy! When I asked Bella about her experience, she shared, “This is my first time to go to America, and it makes me excited. I meet many American students here, and I found out lots of different things from America. I think American students are very friendly and polite, and teachers are easy-going. Each teacher and students are good friends. It is very free here, and they don’t have many rules. Everyone can do the things that they want. We can study better when we are free. I think is wonderful. Theresa also tells me a lot of things about America cultures. I also taste much Western food. It is very different from Chinese food. Most of it tastes good, and I like pasta the best. It’s delicious. I like here very much.” When talking to Bella throughout the week, she told me that she loved how each teacher and student were friends and how we have fun in class while learning. She also said that the music that she heard during the Fine Arts Fest was lovely, and that we performed well.
This is the first year that Centennial School District did something like this, and I truly hope that they will continue. I am so thankful that I was chosen to be an ambassador because I have already learned so many things from the Chinese students and formed new friendships with them. It’s truly amazing to talk to another kid your age from another country because you don’t realize how different life can be for someone who lives across the globe. The best part is, despite our differences, we have become great friends.
I feel like this is the kind of relationship we need in this world right now because we need to show people that anybody can come together as friends, no matter where you come from or what language you speak. I wish that everyone would get to experience this because you learn so much from each other. You end up helping each other out in class and throughout the day because you are taught in different ways, in different cultures. I loved being able to teach them some things about American culture and learning Chinese culture. I’m definitely going to miss my new friends when they leave, but I will always feel thankful for this experience.
By: Theresa Ditri & Bian Jiamin
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
Please refer to the district calendar on our website for more information.
SEPTEMBER 2019
- 9/3 First day of school
- 9/3 Kindergarten Parent/Student Orientation
- 9/4 Kindergarten Parent/Student Orientation
- 9/5 First full day for Kindergarten
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Cryan Jewelers
Meet John S. Cryan Jewelers. This local “gem” is owned and managed by John S. Cryan and his wife Sue. John is a third generation jeweler whose father, John Jr., opened the store in their current location in 1964. John is shown here with his son John.
Cryan’s has amazing customer service with heart and humor. Quick with a joke and friendly hello, generations of residents in the area have benefited from the expertise and service that Cryan Jewelers considers a fundamental part of their DNA.
Cryan Jewelers was initially opened in 1944 in Philadelphia by John Sr. who had a diamond and a dream. Since they opened at 673 Second Street Pike in Southampton, they have seen Street Road widen to four lanes and the construction of the shopping centers. In many respects, they have grown up with the town; and the town has grown up with them.
Many customers are second, and even third, generation customers and it is easy to see why. In the era of mass-produced and box stores, Cryan Jewelers is a model that we wish would be repeated more often. Often greeting returning customers by name, John III routinely makes certain the experience is a positive, learning experience.
Stop by for full service jewelry support from the Cryan family. From the Cryan Jeweler’s website, this quote says it all, “After being in business for more than 74 years, we look forward to the future while still offering the same old-fashioned service and value you’ve come to expect from the current and previous generations of the Cryan family.”
http://www.johnscryanjewelers.com
John S. Cryan Jewelers
673 2nd St Pike
Southampton, PA 18966
There is a saying that is common in some circles: Think globally, act locally. As part of the Centennial Community, we would like to recognize excellence at the local level. This monthly series will recognize an outstanding local business.
We would like to encourage people to shop locally and support businesses within the Centennial School District. Each month, we will recognize a local business, talk about what makes them outstanding in our humble opinion, and we will encourage you to submit nominations for future articles. To be considered for review in our monthly electronic newsletter, the business must be within the boundaries of the Centennial School District, provide superior business services, and be accessible to all citizens in the region. Please submit your recommendations through our District Electronic Suggestion Box!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Internet Essentials from Comcast
Your family may qualify for affordable Internet access and a low-cost computer. Please see the brochure below for details. To learn more or to apply, call 1-855-846-8376 or visit InternetEssentials.com.
Follow Us on Social Media
Instagram: @Centennialsd
Twitter: @Centennial_SD
Employment Opportunities
Current employment opportunities are posted regularly on the Centennial School District website. Follow this link to learn more about current administrative, teaching, and support staff opportunities: www.centennialsd.org/jobs
District Calendar
To stay in touch with District events, follow this link to the Centennial School District calendar: http://www.centennialsd.org/Page/2
Centennial School District
District Administration
Dr. David Baugh, Superintendent
Dr. Jennifer Polinchock, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Christopher Berdnik, Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Lissa Johnson, Interim Director of Human Resources
Mr. AJ Juliani, Director Learning and Innovation
Mr. Joe Rutz, Assistant Director of Learning and Innovation
Mr. Robert Whartenby, Director of Facilities/Assistant Business Administrator for Operations
Dr. Percell Whittaker, Director of Pupil Services
Ms. Shawanna Coles, Principal of Practice
Board of School Directors
Dr. Andrew Pollock, President
Mr. David Shafter, Vice President
Mr. Charles Kleinschmidt, Assistant Secretary
Mr. Steven Adams
Ms. Mary Alice Brancato
Mr. Andrew Dixon
Mr. Flemming Godiksen
Mr. Mark B. Miller
Principals
Dr. Dennis Best, William Tennent High School
Mr. Martin Hayes, Klinger Middle School
Mr. Patrick Golderer, Log College Middle School
Mr. Andrew Doster, Davis Elementary School
Mr. Ernesto Ortiz, McDonald Elementary School
Ms. Cathy Perkins, Willow Dale Elementary School
Email: csdpr@centennialsd.org
Website: www.centennialsd.org
Location: 48 Swan Way, Warminster, PA 18974
Phone: 215-441-6000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/csdinfo
Twitter: @Centennial_SD