Centennial Connection Sept 18, 2022
An update for families from Centennial Public School
Dear Centennial Families -
We have had a great week at school with lots of learning and engagement and collaboration. Walking through the school there is so much exciting learning happening from Dot Day celebrations, to watching a caterpillar form into a chrysalis, to students learning to play various instruments. It has been a wonderful week of being at school.
We love being at Centennial PS and so do lots of new families and students! We have grown and we are thrilled to welcome to many new families to the neighbourhood. It also means that we have added another junior class and we welcome new staff to the school. We have reorganized our junior division to go from 3 classes to 4 classes with class size going from 32 to 24. This is great news for students, families and the community. Thank you to all students and families for your flexibility and support as we shuffled classes on Friday and as we continue in our new organization on Monday.
On Monday we will host the first School Council meeting at 6:30pm in the gym. Please consider attending as parents and guardians are important partners in education. Anyone interested in serving on the School Council Executive, please ensure that the nomination form is completed and submitted by 11am on Monday September 19th. (See School Council information below with a link to the form.)
The doors to classrooms will be open on Wednesday from 4:30-5:30pm and we welcome families to come by for a Meet & Greet. We are looking forward to seeing you!
-Deborah Thompson & the Centennial PS staff
Upcoming Dates
- Week of September 19th - International Week of the Deaf
- Monday September 19th - School Council Meeting at 6:30pm
- Tuesday September 20th - Soccer Tournament
- Wednesday September 21st - Meet & Greet 4:30-5:30pm (No Running Club after school today due to Meet & Greet)
- Friday, September 23rd - Terry Fox Walk/Run Day
- September 25th-27th - Rosh Hashanah
- Monday, September 26th - PA Day (No school for students
- Thursday September 29th - Around the Park Event for Running Club (After School)
- Friday, September 30th - Truth & Reconciliation Day - Orange Shirt Day
Data Verification Forms Coming Home
If you need any help with these forms we are more than happy to support you! Please call the school.
Moment of Silence
Emergency Drills
International Week of the Deaf
Did you know that this coming week is International Week of the Deaf? Why not try to learn a few simple phrases in American Sign Language to be able to communicate with and support people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Here is a link to a video to get you started:
Running Club
We have had so many runners participating in running club so far this fall!
A reminder that Running Club practices are 3:25 to 4:15 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until Oct 14, 2022. If your child cannot make it to each practice because of other commitments or needs a break, just have them let the coaches know. Our goal is to make Running Club a fun experience for all. There is no Running Club on Wednesday September 21 due to the Meet & Greet.
Club members who can run the required distances without stopping and contribute to our school team in a positive way will be invited to represent our school at two meets.
Around the Park - Lancaster Public School September 29th- 4 pm start time (families will need to provide transportation)
Region 4 Cross Country Meet Fort Henry Hill - October 12th - 12:30pm (a school bus will be booked for this event)
Please do not be concerned if your child(ren) is not capable of running the required distance by September 29th. It is very likely they will be able to run the required distance by the October 12th event.
Terry Fox
We have a goal of raising $650 for the Terry Fox Foundation! Can you help?
Please consider donating to the Centennial Public School Terry Fox campaign. You are welcome to donate through the school or online at:
https://schools.terryfox.ca/CentennialPSKingston
Our Terry Fox event is on Friday September 23rd and we would love to share with students that we have reached our goal! Thank you for helping us to make Terry's dream of finding a cure for cancer, a reality. We appreciate your support!
Meet & Greet
The Meet & Greet is a chance for students to show off their classroom and for parents to meet the staff. Should you wish to set up a parent-teacher conference to discuss your child's progress, please reach out to the classroom teacher to schedule a meeting.
Thank you to the anonymous donor from the Centennial PS community who donated 2 bags of shin guards to the school for the junior soccer teams. We appreciate your generous donation.
Soccer
Recess & Rain
If there is a chance of lightning or if it is pouring we will remain indoors for recess but we will aim to be outside as much as possible.
During the colder months we will take direction from Public Health about outdoor temperatures and whether we stay in or go out. Our goal is to enjoy the outdoors and get fresh air whenever we can!
Centennial PS School Team
Kindergarten - Jen Lalonde, Elaine Locke (ECE)
Kindergarten - Brittany East, Jessica Hollywood (ECE)
Kindergarten - Shelley Farndon, Ghina El Ha (ECE)
Grade 1 - Tara Murphy
Grade 1 - Christine Joannette
Grade 2 - Emily Hetherington
Grade 2/3 - Judy Beardall
Grade 3 - Bev Hennessy
Grade 3/4 - Catherine Byers
Grade 4/5 - Keith Cahill
Grade 5/6 - Skot Caldwell
Grade 5/6 - Michelle Girard
Grade 5/6 - Lesley Graham
Educational Assistants: Christine Berry, Sarah Hogan, Jackie Ellerbeck, Danielle McConnell, Dorothy Evans, Dylan Davis, Abby Caldwell, Maggie Young, Jessica Hachey
Custodians - Jeanette Williams & Bret Sauve
Lunch & Yard Supervisors - Katrin Wodraszka, Terri MacDonald, Yanina Kanevsky
Office Administrator - Janet MacWhirter
Principal - Deborah Thompson
School Messenger
LDSB and our school use a broadcasting tool called SchoolMessenger to communicate need-to-know information to families in a timely and efficient way. This system allows us to share important school information with families via text, email or phone message.
Registered parents/guardians will receive these messages through contact information collected in our student information system. Parents/guardians may choose how to receive these alerts; by text message, email or phone call with the exception of emergency events which will always be communicated via all contact methods on file with the school. If parents/guardians choose to receive text messages, they must opt-in due to potential charges from their cell phone carrier.
It is important that parents/guardians ensure schools have the most up-to-date contact information at the beginning of the school year. If your contact information changes during the school year, parents/guardians are asked to contact the school with the updated information.
In addition, teachers will also be able to take advantage of an instant message option to keep students and families up to date, should teachers wish to use the app. Parents/guardians will be invited to join a group and receive messages related specifically to their group. Information on how to join groups will be shared directly with students and families by the teacher.
School Messenger App
All of our electronic communications tools can be accessed anytime, anywhere online and/or via Smartphones. To take advantage of this convenience and functionality, we encourage you to create a School Messenger account on your desktop, laptop, tablet and/or download the SchoolMessenger app. While an account is not required to use these new tools, it will allow you to review your contact information and communication preferences, and it stores all of your messages in one place.
For more information about SchoolMessenger and to access User Guides please click on the link below.
Safe Arrival - How Do I Report An Absence?
How to report your absence:
1. Toll-free telephone
- Call 1-855-257-9349 toll-free to report an absence using the automated phone system.
2. School Messenger App
- Use your mobile device to download and install the free SchoolMessenger blue app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, the SchoolMessenger website portal, or from within the LDSB mobile app.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then select Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
- Visit the SchoolMessenger website portal.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
Threat/Risk Assessment Notification and Process
Parking Zones
Please also do not park directly in front of the school as that is a bus loading zone. There are parking spaces available along Norman Rogers drive to the east and west of the school, and along a number of side streets close to the school.
Thank you for helping to ensure that students can arrive safely to school and that there is parking for staff in the lot. Your help during this first week has been greatly appreciated and we look forward to your ongoing support!
Daily Screening Still Required
Insure My Kids
School Board Policy states that participation on school sports teams (both elementary and secondary) is conditional on obtaining at least the basic student accident insurance coverage for the student or proof of external private coverage through your family plan. The cost of basic coverage is approximately $17.00 per year. This covers the student while attending school during the school day. The time spent by students participating in school-sponsored teams is considered part of the school day, even if the games and/or practices are held outside of the regular school hours. It is recommended that all parents consider this program. Visit www.insuremykids.com to get this inexpensive and highly recommended insurance.
Recess & Nutrition Breaks
Students will have 2 recesses and 2 nutrition breaks. Recess is outside on a particular yard (we will flip/flop the space each day so students in Grades 1-6 have the opportunity to play on both parts of the yard each day). All staff will be wearing safety vests so they are easily recognizable. Nutrition breaks happen in classrooms.
We have several students with life-threatening allergies. A reminder that our school is nut aware: please ensure that your child's snacks and lunch do not contain any nut products. Classroom teachers will communicate any additional food allergies that families will need to be aware of. Thank you for your support in keeping all of our students safe!
School Advisory Council
It's that time of year! School Advisory Council (Parent Council) elections for Executive Positions are coming up very soon! The first Parent Council Meeting of the 2022-2023 school year is on Monday September 19th at 6:30pm in the gym. All parents/guardians are welcome!
Please use the link below to submit nominations. Nominations are anonymous and you can nominate yourself or someone else for a position. If you are nominating someone, please ensure they are up for the position and have agreed to your nomination. The person you nominate must be available to be present at the meeting. Your nomination does not count as a vote; you must be present to vote. Nominations are due by 11am on Monday September 19th.
Positions for election are:
Chair
Represents, works with and provides support to all school community and council committee chairs. This person works closely with the school principal and VP, school staff and parents to enrich the education of all students. Additionally, they preside over and conduct monthly council meetings, set agendas and schedule meetings (in consultation with the Principal). The chair promotes discussion amongst council members and the community, receives and reports on correspondence sent and received by council. Acts as coordinator between the school board and council. Receives documentation from board and keeps council advised of board decisions, activities etc. Supports programs, initiatives and activities led by other council members and contributes to the monthly council newsletter.
Vice Chair/Co-chair
Presides at meetings in the absence of the chair or upon the incumbent’s inability to serve. Responsible for overseeing all sponsored events and programs.
Treasurer
Works with the council and coordinators in developing an operating budget, keeps a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures and serves as the liaison with the Board of Education. Additional responsibilities include depositing/disbursing funds on behalf of the council, the preparation of monthly financial statements, and the preparation & filing of all necessary financial reports.
Secretary
Attends scheduled council meetings, records, maintains and distributes minutes of meetings, keeps non-financial records of council.
Indigenous Representative
This is a newer position with the SAC and will evolve and grow organically.
Member at Large (Divisional reps)
Attends meetings and participates in many aspects of council activities, as prescribed by council. Voting member. Kindergarten, Primary, and Junior positions available should there be enough interest.
Fundraising Coordinator
Plans, manages fundraising activities of council. Works closely with treasurer.
Everyone who is part of our Centennial family is welcome to attend any of our meetings this year. Meeting dates will be shared out after our September 19th meeting.
Please use the nomination link here: https://forms.gle/CL7c9LW4NSQTX23j8
Some Messages from KFL&A Public Health
E-Store
Stay Up To Date!
Stay Up To Date! Please check the following regularly...
Centennial PS Twitter https://twitter.com/centennial_ldsb?lang=en
Centennial PS Website https://centennial.limestone.on.ca/
LDSB Website https://www.limestone.on.ca/
LDSB Twitter https://twitter.com/LimestoneDSB
LDSB Facebook https://tinyurl.com/wbhjtku
LDSB Instagram https://instagram.com/limestonedsb?igshid=1epyma6c0g5qd
Centennial Public School
Email: cente@limestone.on.ca
Website: https://centennial.limestone.on.ca
Location: 120 Norman Rogers Dr, Kingston, ON K7M 2R2
Phone: 613.546.5517
Twitter: @Centennial_LDSB