Centennial Connection Sept 11, 2022
An update for families from Centennial Public School
Dear Centennial Families -
Thank you for a fantastic first week back to school! It is wonderful having students back in the building and seeing families and caregivers at drop off and pick up. We are enjoying getting to know students and families. This will no doubt be a fantastic school year!
Every edition of the Centennial Connection is filled with important information. Please reach out if you have any questions or need more details!
Important Reminders:
- Please ensure that school staff are aware of any allergies, medical conditions, or medication requirements and return all forms to the school as soon as possible (they are below as well if you need them)
- If your child has alternate pick up arrangements, or will not be taking the bus at the end of the day, please ensure that you communicate with the classroom teacher if possible (send a note) or with the Main Office if a change occurs during the day. If possible please ensure any change to end of day plans are communicated before 3pm as calls and messages left at 3pm may not be received before dismissal procedures.
- Please ensure that your child is dressed for the weather and has extra clothing in case of spills or bathroom accidents
- Don't forget to send a water bottle with your child every day!
- COVID school screening must still be done every day, and students who have any symptoms do need to stay home; here is a link to the most up to date information: https://www.limestone.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=352782&pageId=36515878
We are excited to welcome parents and caregivers to the first School Council meeting on Monday September 19th. Please see information below about how to become involved, including how to nominate for various roles on the council.
We are also delighted to announce that we will be opening the doors of the school and welcoming families for a Meet & Greet on Wednesday September 21st between 4:30pm and 5:30pm. All welcome! We can't wait to see everyone!
As always, please reach out to school staff if your children or your family need support: we are here to help. We hope all families have had a great weekend! Comets, it is so good to be back together!
-Deborah Thompson & the Centennial PS staff
Upcoming Dates
- Monday September 19th - School Council Meeting at 6:30pm
- Wednesday September 21st - Meet & Greet 4:30-5:30pm
- Friday, September 23rd: Terry Fox Walk/Run Day
- September 25th-27th: Rosh Hashanah
- Monday, September 26th: PA Day (No school for students
- Friday, September 30th: Orange Shirt Day
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.
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!
The Woods
Soccer
Running Club
Backpacks Available!
We Are Growing!
We have so many more students at Centennial than we expected and we are so thrilled to welcome so many new families to the community!
Our junior classes are currently very large and we just found out from the Central Staffing Committee that we will be given an additional teacher in the coming weeks. We will be reorganizing some of our junior classes to make them smaller. All JK-Grade 3/4 classes will be remaining as is. More information about the reorganization for the grades 4/5 and 5/6 classes will be shared with families of affected students later in the week. Thank you in advance for your patience and flexibility as we work through the staffing process.
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.
School Trips & Volunteers
Tri-Board Student Transportation
if your child rides the bus, Tri-board should have sent confirmation of your child's route. If you were on a bus last year, you are set up for busing this year. You can also sign up for bus status alert emails at the Tri-board website to ensure you are notified of any late runs or cancelled routes.
If you are new to Centennial Public School and require transportation, you will need to fill out the bus form at https://triboard.ca
Please visit https://triboard.ca/covid19/ for the latest protocols and expectations for riders and families.
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
What To Bring
- resuseable water bottle with student's name clearly marked
- healthy lunch and snacks that are nut free please
- outdoor shoes appropriate for running and play (please no flip flops)
- indoor shoes with non-marking sole
- masks - if you wish to wear
- sunhat
- a positive attitude
What Not To Bring
Please do not bring:
- valueables
- electronics/devices (students who bring a cellphone will place it in the lockbox in the classroom for the day)
- medication, drugs or alcohol
- anything scented (including scented hand sanitizer - please leave that at home)
- toys and stuffies
Thank you for understanding that we are not responsible for lost or broken belongings.
School Times - FYI
Daily Schedule:
8:50-9:05am – Supervision on yard
9:05-10:45am – 100 minute block
10:45-11:25am – Recess & Nutrition Break
11:25-1:05pm – 100 minute block
1:05-1:45pm – Recess & Nutrition Break
1:45-3:25pm – 100 minute block
The school office is open from 8am - 4pm
Phones are answered throughout the day; however, there are times when you may have to leave a message and your call will be returned.
Parent/Guardian Drop Off & Pick Up
Student pick up happens at the exterior doors of the school at 3:25pm.
The map below indicates where classes enter the school at the beginning of the day.
A friendly reminder that dogs and pets are not allowed on the school grounds at any time.
Arriving & Departing by Bus
Arriving on the bus:
- As students are welcomed off the bus by a staff member, they will walk directly to their designated class line up. Staff will be present to support students in finding their line up and to supervise the lines. Kindergarten students and students with special needs will be accompanied by a staff member. Students will wait in their class line until the bell rings at 9:05 and then be met by their first period teacher into the school directly to their classroom.
Departing on the bus:
- Students will be escorted by their teacher to their bus line and supervised by a staff member as they wait to board the bus
Medical Forms
Parents/guardians of students with known medical plans of care will receive a package with a medical plan of care to update during the first week of school. These need to be updated and returned as soon as possible.
If you are new to the school, or do not receive the package, to help us gather important medical information about your child, we ask that you select the correct Plan of Care form below, complete it and return it to the school as soon as possible. If you require us to administer daily medication, you will also need to complete the necessary paperwork for us to be able to do this. Completed forms can be faxed to 613.546.9228 or scanned and emailed to cente@limestone.on.ca
Daily medication will need to be dropped off by a parent/caregiver at the school and will be stored at the office. Students can not carry medications in their backpack, at any time. You may drop of labelled medication this week, or on the first day of school.
**Be sure to also include the supplementary forms if medication may need to be administered by school staff.
Health and safety of our kids is our first priority. Thank you for helping us stay informed on your child's medical conditions and Plan of Care.
Click below for necessary supplementary forms needed including:
E-Store
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.
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