The Central Scoop
November 8, 2018
From the Principal's Desk...
Dear Parents,
It's wonderful seeing all of you for our parent-teacher conferences this week. We enjoy discussing your children's achievements as well as planning goals for their future successes.
Next week we are celebrating Children's Book Week at Central. We are having a week-long celebration of children's books by scheduling a variety of activities for all children. This year's theme is, "Engineering a Story," and kicks-off on Monday, November 12th with special guest readers for our students. On Wednesday, we welcome our visiting author, Kate Klise. Thursday brings a variety of story building opportunities to our students. Students are invited to dress as their favorite book character on Friday as part of the Student Council sponsored Spirit Day. Friday is also our annual "Read-In" at Central. As parents, you are invited to Friday's Read-In along with your child's class. Tickets are needed for this special event (see the electronic ticket you can use below). Paper tickets will also be available during conferences. Adding to this special celebration of books and reading is, of course, the week-long Central PTA Book Fair! If you have any questions about Book Week activities, please contact our librarian, Linda Diekman at diekmanl@wilmette39.org.
This Sunday is Veteran's Day. In preparation of this day, we have been honoring veterans all week. Throughout the week at school, items have been displayed in the hallways and teachers have been discussing grade-level appropriate information. This weekend, we encourage you to share stories of your grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, friends, etc. with your children.
Warmly,
~ Becky
Rebecca Littmann
Principal
Central Elementary School
New Illinois School Report Card
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has redefined how schools in Illinois are evaluated. Based on our 2017-18 school year assessment data, it is with great pride that I share we have been recognized as an EXEMPLARY school by the state of Illinois! It is quite an honor to be ranked in the top 10% of schools! Using student attendance data, PARCC scores, and numerous other metrics (see a breakdown here), schools across Illinois will receive one of four ratings annually. These include:
- Exemplary: A school that has no underperforming student demographic groups at or below the “all students” group of the lowest 5 percent of all Title 1 schools, a graduation rate of greater than 67 percent, and whose performance is in the top 10 percent of schools statewide. Schools that receive an Exemplary School designation may apply to serve in the IL-EMPOWER network of partners.
- Commendable: A school that has no underperforming student demographic groups at or below the “all students” group of the lowest 5 percent of all Title 1 schools, a graduation rate greater than 67 percent, and whose performance is not in the top 10 percent of schools statewide. Schools that receive a Commendable School designation may apply to serve in the IL-EMPOWER network of partners.
- Underperforming: A school in which one or more student demographic groups is performing at or below the “all students” group of the lowest 5 percent of all Title 1 schools. Schools that receive an Underperforming School designation will receive Targeted Support services through IL-EMPOWER.
- Lowest Performing: A school that is in the lowest-performing 5 percent of Title I schools in Illinois and any high schools that have a graduation rate of 67 percent or less. Schools that receive a Lowest Performing School designation will receive Comprehensive Support through IL-EMPOWER.
There are numerous reasons Central School has achieved “exemplary” distinction. We all consider Central School to be an extended family for our students. Our teachers work hard to provide a comforting, engaging, inspiring, and differentiated learning environment for your children. As parents, you are a large part of our extended family. You send your children to school who are eager, engaged, and ready to learn each day. As volunteers, you are also dedicated to the school and our efforts to enrich the learning environment. Thank you for your partnership in our work with students, and for making the Central community the warm and inviting environment that it is.
In the coming weeks we’ll begin work to analyze our overall performance on the new Illinois School Report Card. We will celebrate the many successes achieved, and look forward to identifying opportunities to continue to raise the bar!
Upcoming School Board Meeting
The monthly Board of Education meeting is Monday, November 12th at 7:00 PM at the MEC. Below are a couple of topics that may be of interest. If you can’t make the meeting, you can view it live or later, either on the District website or on Channel 6. Highlights of the meeting will be emailed and posted online within a day or two.
- New Trier Township 8th Grade Survey
- 2019-2020 Student Fees
- Long Term Enrollment Projections
- Board resolutions:
- establishing fund balance goals
- authorizing intervention in property tax appeals
- Illinois Association of School Board Representation
New District Assessment Website = Last Posting
District 39 utilizes a variety of assessments that serve different purposes and help guide educational decisions. Please check out our new Assessment Website for details about the District and State assessments administered for each grade.
Student Attendance: Absences and Vacations
Regular, consistent attendance is a prerequisite to successful school life. Children should be absent only in cases of illness or emergency. District 39’s strategic goal of improving positive attendance district-wide began last year and is continuing this year. Positive attendance is defined as being in school for 95% of the time or more, which means missing fewer than 9 days over the course of the school year. Absences due to sporting events, special vacations, etc. should be avoided because they minimize opportunities for instruction. However, if you have an absence planned that can't be avoided, please let us know by calling the nurse on the Attendance Line to report any absences at: 847-512-6150. Please remember that attendance habits begin early and that there is a direct correlation between achievement and attendance. For further information regarding student attendance, please refer to communication from the district office:
PTA Announcements and Reminders...
* The PTA sends out their own newsletter on Sundays - here are just a few highlights
Book Fair
Central School’s annual Book Fair will be held November 12-15th. The theme this year is Engineering A Story!
Book Fair Hours:
Monday: 10:30am – 4:15pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 4:15pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 4:15pm & 5:45pm – 8:00pm (Family Shopping Night)
Thursday: 8:30am – 4:00pm
This is the perfect time to get your holiday shopping done! Please click HERE to volunteer and help make the Book Fair a success!
BE GREEN - PLEASE BRING REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS!!
Gift of Giving Begins Nov. 4
Calling all elves! The Gift of Giving Committee is looking for some spirited Central families to help the holiday season “take flight.”
This November, please consider contributing to Central School's Gift of Giving program, which for the past 10 years has helped two Chicago-based organizations – LYDIA Home and Metropolitan Family Services – provide gifts and funds to families in need during the holidays. A range of donation options is available and both organizations deeply appreciate and need our support.
You can sign-up to donate to LYDIA Home and/or Metropolitan Family Services via SignUpGenius or on the PTA website beginning Nov. 4. You can sign up to donate through Dec. 3 and donations will be collected through Dec. 7.
For more information about the charities, what you can contribute and how it works, please visit the PTA website and click on “Gift of Giving.” Thank you for your consideration!
Amazon Smile - Sign-up, It's EASY!
Don’t forget to sign up for Amazon Smile! Your everyday purchases can help benefit our school.
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know and love. Same product, same prices, same service - just a special link to help your shopping benefit our school. Please bookmark the link below to make sure your shopping is always contributing. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases directly to Central School! Just in time for Halloween candy, costume, and fall shopping... Sign up today at https://smile.amazon.com/
From the Nurse's Office
Call Central School "Attendance Line" For Absences: 847-512-6150
Please call the Attendance Line to report absences even if you let the classroom teacher know, because some teachers don't see the email/voicemail until later in the day. Teachers assume you are calling the office. It's important that the school nurse is directly aware of any absences otherwise, your son/daughter may be considered "missing." The school nurse keeps track of all school absences in the building. For safety reasons, we want to make sure all of our students are accounted for and safe.
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 Park District is hosting a Holiday Hustle exercise challenge November 26-December 23; register November 19-25.
- The Center Fitness Club schedule and various classes for children ages 3-14 are posted.
- Wilmette Rotary Club is running its annual BIG BOOK DRIVE at all District 39 schools from October 1st through November 15th. Please donate any gently used books.
- Wilmette Park District’s Saturday Basketball registration is open for boys & girls grades 4-8.
- Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
- Free adult English language classes are available at Highcrest Middle School through November 13.
- Family Action Network (FAN): Click HERE for information about FAN and upcoming speakers.
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...
11/12-11/16 - Book Week & Book Fair
11/19-11/23 - No School (Thanksgiving Break)
11/28-11/30 - 4th Grade Outdoor Education Trip