The Central Scoop
November 15, 2019
From the Principal's Desk...
Dear Parents,
Art Awareness was a HUGE success this week. All 1st-4th grade students used modeling clay techniques to create a self-portrait relief sculpture. Parents were invited to join the activity during their child's art class to help and to see their child in action first-hand. We would like to thank our very own art teacher, Jaime Berngard, for her creativity, time and effort on this special project. We also want to send a special thank you to artist and art teacher Cassie Stephans for sharing this exciting project on her blog and allowing others to participate in the fun. And of course thank you to the PTA for sponsoring the event.
Warmly,
~ Becky
Rebecca Littmann
Principal
Central Elementary School
Kindergarten Enrichment at Central Next Year!! YAHOO!
Our district committee of teachers and administrators has been hard at work designing a kindergarten enrichment program. We formally announced the new program, called the Kindergarten Enrichment and Enhancement Program of District 39 or “KEEP39.” KEEP39 will provide kindergarten families with an optional, in-district kindergarten enrichment program designed to enhance the instruction provided to students through D39’s high-quality half-day academic kindergarten program. KEEP39 will include enrichment and exploration through a variety of activities and purposeful play designed to offer opportunities for students to enhance development as critical and creative thinkers as well as responsible and productive lifelong learners. KEEP39 will launch at Harper and Central schools next year with the hopeful expansion to McKenzie and Romona in the following school year, pending program evaluation and success. We look forward to providing families with additional details on KEEP39 and registration information in the coming weeks.
In Honor of Veteran's Day This Week...
We Wore Cardigan Sweaters in Spirit of Mr. Rogers and Spread Kindness With Others For World Kindness Day!
Teachers Had a Wonderful Day of Learning With Chicago Literacy Group
The Hour of Code is Coming to Central!
Our school is joining The Hour of Code! During Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 9-13), we will join the more than 100 million students worldwide that have already tried an Hour of Code. The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities. I welcome parents to participate with their 1st-4th grade child during their scheduled tech class the week of December 9-13. (Due to limited space and seating in the tech lab, please leave siblings at home.) Please see the schedule on Mrs. Wysocke's website to join your child's class time and fill out this form to confirm your attendance. We can't wait to see you for the Hour of Code!
Thank you to Mrs. Engstrom's class for inviting me to be the "Star of the Week!"
Winter is Here!
Our first heavy snowfall came quickly this year! We have thoroughly reviewed recess expectations with all grade levels. It is our priority to keep our kids safe while they continue to have fun. Please remind your child(ren) to bring the following items if they would like to play in the snow during recess:
- Jacket
- Hat
- Gloves
- Snow pants
- Boots
Reminder...Our students are permitted to go outside for recess when the temperature is 5ºF including windchill or warmer. Morning line-up will be outside if the temperature is 10ºF including windchill or warmer.
Upcoming Board of Education Meeting
The Wilmette Board of Education will meet on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019. Below are a few topics that may be of interest to the community:
Illinois Report Card Designation - Central Receives Highest Honor = Last Posting
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released annual school report card data for all public schools in Illinois. The report cards contain detailed information for each school as well as summative designations designed to capture how well a school is serving its student population. The State grants school designations based on measures of school quality and student success, including academic indicators in the areas of English/Language Arts Growth and Proficiency, Math Growth and Proficiency, Science Proficiency and English Learner Progress to Proficiency. These designations also reflect school quality and student success indicators such as climate survey results and chronic absenteeism.
I am pleased to share that Central Elementary was designated in the top tier of distinction as exemplary, by ISBE. There are numerous reasons Central School has achieved this 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!
Gift of Giving
Gift of Giving
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 11 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 links below or via the PTA website. You can sign-up to donate items through Dec. 4 and donations will be collected through Dec. 8.
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!
SignUpGenius Link for LYDIA Home: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080848A5A728AB9-lydia3
SignUpGenius Link for Metropolitan Family Services: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080848A5A728AB9-mfsgift2
PTA Announcements and Reminders...
* The PTA sends out their own newsletter on Sundays - here are just a few highlights
Shop at Share and Eat/Drink at Valley Lodge!
Thursday, November 21st
Shop at Share on Thursday, November 21st during business hours (10am-5pm) AND special evening hours for a Sip and Shop (6:30pm - 8:30pm)! Shop great hostess gifts, holiday presents, decor, or fun stuff for yourself. Mention Central School and Share will donate a portion of sales back to the school. Head to Valley Lodge for food or drinks during the day OR after the evening event! The backroom is reserved for us in the evening. Write 'Central School PTA' on your receipt and 10% will be donated to the PTA.
Mother & Son Dance
Sunday, November 17th, 2:00-4:00 pm
Central School boys, grab your special someone and join us at the Kenilworth Club for a casual afternoon of games, dancing and fast paced fun! This event includes a fun Photo Booth, ice cream bar, refreshments and DJ Famos!, who will surely get everyone to hit the dance floor. The event is open to Kindergarten through Fourth Grade Central boys and their Mom(s) or Chaperone. Boys are welcome to attend with their friend's Mom, an Aunt, Grandma- or any special lady. The cost is $45 per Mom/Chaperone and Son and $20 for each additional Son. Sign-up here
Shout-outs - THANK YOU
A HUGE THANK YOU to the Book Fair Committee headed by co-chairs Carolyn Gilbert and Amy Pawasarat with help from Carolyn Cornwell, Heidy Knol, Susan Adams, Gary Gesink, Mandy Breaker & Carrie Phillips and many other parent volunteers throughout the week. It is always such a fun Central tradition enjoyed by students, teachers & parents alike!
Volunteer Opportunities
Cafeteria
Lunch duty is from 10:50am - 11:40pm. Sign up HERE!
Carpool Line
Morning and afternoon time slots available. Sign up HERE!
Garden
Garden duty is from 11:05am -12:20pm. Sign up HERE!
Learning Commons
Volunteers welcome in the Learning Commons! Click HERE to sign up.
From the Nurse's Office
Call Central School "Attendance Line" For Absences: 847-512-6150
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...
- Family Action Network (FAN) hosts NY Times Pulitzer Prize winning reporter, Megan Twohey and her book, “She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement”, Tuesday, November 19th, 7:00 pm at Evanston Township High School Auditorium.
- Wilmette Children’s Theatre presents elf The Musical JR. Nov. 8-10
- Rotary Club of Wilmette is hosting its annual BIG BOOK DRIVE October 1st - November 16th at all D39 schools. Last chance to donate your gently used books.
- Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
WILMETTE PARK DISTRICT EVENTS:
- Wilmette Park District Saturday Basketball is back! For boys & girls grades 4-8.
- Sunday Youth Basketball for boys & girls grades 1-3. Contact Sara Hilby for information at shilby@wilpark.org
- POMS Technique hosts Cheer classes for children ages 6-10.
- Gingerbread House Workshops for ages 3 + up December 7-11
- Center Fitness Club presents the YETI CHALLENGE Nov. 18 - Dec. 31
- Centennial Ice Rink presnets SUPER SUNDAY, a free ice skating class, on Dec. 1st for new skaters ages 4-13
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...
11/15 - Game Night, 6-7:30pm
11/17 - Son Dance at Kenilworth Club, 2-4pm
11/18 - Author Visit: John Parra
11/19 - PASS39 Meeting, Positive Behavior Management
11/21 - 4th Grade iGNITE Field Trip
11/25-11/29 - NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break
12/4-12/6 - 4th grade Outdoor Education