Centennial Connection Sept. 10, 23

Dear Centennial Families,

We have had a great week at Centennial! Although it was very warm, staff and students did an excellent job of setting high expectations, adapting to routines, building community, and having fun! We know that it takes some time for students (and adults too!) to get back into routine and to develop "school stamina". Everyone is to be congratulated on a great start!

We are really full in our classrooms! We are fortunate to welcome so many new students and families to Centennial. The secret is out about what a great community this is! As almost all of our classes are over the ministry cap size, we will be reorganizing the school for almost all classes Grades 1-6. The JK and SK classes will not be reorganized. There is more information about reorganization below. We will share information with all families towards the end of next week. Thank you for your patience, flexibility and understanding especially during the reorganization process. Reorganization will take effect on Monday September 18th.

We continue to encourage students with our school motto of "Show Up! Stand Up! Never Give Up!" We want students to come to school every day and engage in learning. We want students to stand up for themselves and for others by being kind and respectful. We want students to persevere and try new things. We've got this Comets! Let's make this the #BestYearYet

There is SO much happening in the school already! Please take some time to read the information below, mark your calendars, and check out the many photos included in this week's communication. Please be sure to Save The Date of Thursday September 21st for the Meet & Greet, Barbecue and Book Fair. Exact times will be announced in next week's communication, but everything will take place after school hours.

We hope everyone is enjoying the weekend! We are excited to welcome everyone back to school tomorrow!

- Deborah Thompson, Principal & Centennial PS Staff

Update on Enrollment

We continue to grow and it has been a pleasure to welcome so many new students to Centennial Public School this year!

We have been directed by the central staffing committee of the LDSB to reorganize our school to go from 13 classes to 14 classes. This means that there will be movement of some students to different classes in order to ensure that class sizes are within the ministry of education guidelines. While we will do our best to minimize changes and disruptions for students, we must ensure that classes are the right size. We will be communicating with all families - whether there is a move or not, by the end of next week. Reorganization will take effect on Monday September 18th across the entire district as all schools experiencing reorganization will make changes on that date.

While we appreciate that change can sometimes bring uncertainty, we also know that change is an regular part of life and as such, we will work with all students through this time of transition - either as a student moving classrooms, or for students who will be having new friends join their class.

Thank you for your understanding that we cannot accept any requests for moves/stays at this time. There is another enrollment report required to the LDSB in October and should further changes be made we may be able to consider other options at that time.

We are so thankful that all of the classrooms at Centennial are welcoming and engaging spaces for students!

Return Plans of Care

With the June report card, children who had a medical plan of care had those plans sent home for updating. If you have not yet returned it, please do so as soo as possible. While we continue to work from last year's plan, updated plans are needed each year.

If you have a child with a prevalant medical condition such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, anaphylaxis, etc., please return the plan of care or contact the school for the paperwork if you did not receive it. Thank you for your help!

Forms & Information

There will be some forms that will either be coming home or will be sent home electronically through School Day for families to complete, in the next couple of weeks. These forms are needed each year, so even if you completed them last year, we require updated information each year.

Thank you for your attention to this information as it is provided to you in the coming weeks.

Terry Fox

Centennial students will be participating in the school-wide Terry Fox event on Tuesday September 26th.

All pledges are done online at https://schools.terryfox.ca/37313

We would appreciate any support families can contribute to this important cause!

Soccer

Many thanks to Mr Cahill and Ms Girard who are coaching soccer this season. Students in Grades 5 & 6 are welcome to come to try outs on Monday at recess. All of the soccer tryouts and practices will be posted in the daily announcements for students.

Running Club

Many thanks to Mrs Beardall and Ms Byers who are organizing the running club for students in Grades 3-6. Runninng will take place after school on Tuesdays & Thursdays until 4:15pm. Students are to be picked up promptly at 4:15pm please. This is an excellent way for students to get some running practice in before the Cross Country meet at Fort Henry Hill in October.

We are a Nut Aware School

Due to the prevalence of peanut and tree nut allergies, we do ask that all parents refrain from sending products that may contain nuts to school, even if there is not a specific nut allergy in your child's classroom. We appreciate your efforts and support to ensure that all of our students are safe at school. If your child has any allergies or medical conditions of which the school is not aware, please inform your child's teacher immediately, so that we can ensure that we have all of the information required to keep children safe at school.

Early Pick Up from School

From time to time students need to picked up early from school, before the 3:25pm dismissal bell. Please ensure that you call the school before 3pm on the day of pick up to ensure your child will be ready in the front foyer for your pick up.

Requests made after 3pm for an early pick up may not be possible. Thank you for providing as much notice as possible for early pick ups from school.

School Day

School Day is an online platform that families can use for providing permission and payment for school events.

Each returning family has a School Day account that you would have used last year. The user name and password you used last year continues to be active for this year.

Families new to Centennial will receive a paper information sheet this week with a unique user name and password (which you can change). Please keep this information handy as we use School Day for various permission forms, school trips, consents and payments.

Returning families who are not sure of their School Day information can contact the school office and a new form can be sent home to you.

Please note that we are not able to accept verbal or written permission generally and that School Day is to be used. Cash and cheques cannot be accepted at the school due to safe money handling procedures and as such, the much more secure method of School Day is used.

This platform may be new to some families (and to us too!) and we are here to work through the process together. Don't hesitate to reach out to the office if you are experiencing any challenges.

Student Clothing

The Limestone District School Board is committed to upholding human rights, and creating an equitable, inclusive and accessible school climate that ensures all students and staff feel safe, comfortable and accepted. Administrative Procedure 352: Student Clothing (DownloadFileByUrl.aspx (limestone.on.ca)) has been updated to reflect this commitment. The Student Clothing Administrative Procedure will be applied in a fair and consistent way throughout schools in the LDSB in an effort to respect student clothing decisions within parameters and in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Parking Zones

We have experienced significant growth in our school population, including staff. As such, we are kindly requesting that parents and guardians do not park in the school parking lot at any time during the hours of 8am and 4pm.. We have some part time staff who arrive at various times throughout the day and they need to be able to park and get into the school to begin teaching on time. Please note that there is one entrance and one exit to the parking lot to ensure safety and flow of traffic.

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. There are crossing guards on both Johnson Street and Norman Rogers Drive to help families cross these busy road ways. We appreciate their hard work!

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. Envelopes will be going home with students this week. They are not to be returned to school but rather sent directly to the company or online.

School Trips & Volunteers

Throughout the year, we may ask for parent/guardian volunteers on school trips or for various classroom and school activities. The wait time for obtaining a CPIC (background check with vulnerable sector screening) can be lengthy. As such, if you think you would be willing to assist with a trip or school event in the future, please consider obtaining a CPIC with vulnerable sector screening completed, beforehand.

Link to City of Kingston Police Check Request Here

Centennial Public School Council

It's that time of year! School Advisory Council (Parent Council) elections for Executive Positions are coming up very soon! The first School Council Meeting of the 2023-2024 school year is on Monday September 18th 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 18th.

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 18th meeting.

Please use the nomination link here: https://forms.gle/4M8NNC3fjqf1k9UDA

What Do I Need To Bring? What Should Stay At Home?

All school supplies that students need for their learning and work will be provided by Centennial Public School. Sometimes students prefer to have their own pencil case with pencils/markers, but it is not a requirement.

Students do need to come to school with:

- Indoor, non-marking athletic type of shoes

- Water bottle with child's name clearly marked (we have bottle filling stations, not fountains)

- Nut-free snacks and lunch

Please label all items!

Sometimes students want to bring items to school to show friends, or have things stored in backpacks that need to remain at home. This is just a reminder that students should not bring the following items to school:

- items of value (sentimental or monetary)

- any kind of weapon (for example, a Swiss Army knife)

- any kind of toy that could be a replica weapon (for example, a toy gun)

- electronics of any kind

- jewelry

- make-up

- anything scented

- anything with nuts (please ensure all lunches and snacks are nut-free)

- toys and stuffies

Thank you for keeping these items at home. Sometimes a quick check of a backpack can ensure that treasures do not come to school. Thank you for understanding that we are not responsible for lost, broken or stolen personal items.

Parent/Guardian Drop Off & Pick Up

Students are to come onto the school yard between 8:50am and 9:05am each morning. Families are reminded that they are not to arrive earlier than 8:50am as there is no supervision on the yard before that time. Parents/guardians who drive students must park on the street as there is no/limited parking in the school parking lot. Please note that there is no entrance on the west side of the school. That is for pedestrians only.

Student pick up happens at the exterior doors of the school at 3:25pm.

Indigenous Self-Identification

Please see the link below for more information and to self identify, if you wish.

https://ldsb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9U2iaUl9GIFILb0

Oliver's Labels

Do you need a way to label your things that stay labelled? Do you need a way to show what's yours? Need a way to label your child's things so they don't get lost or mixed up? Support Centennial Public School Council by purchasing through the link. The school receives 20% of your purchase! All funds raised go to support School Council initiatives including student activities. Thank you!

http://www.oliverslabels.com/Centennial

E-Store

Want to look spiffy and show off your pride in being a Centennial PS Comet? Check out all of the clothing and accessories available at the Centennial Public School e-store at: https://specialtytrophies.ca/centennialps/

Safe Arrival - How Do I Report An Absence?

Please use the Safe Arrival system to report your child's absence; do not call the school to report an absence. If you child is going to be absent from learning, please ensure you use the Safe Arrival system to report the absence. There is a new function in Safe Arrival if your child is going to be late.

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.

3. SchoolMessenger SafeArrival Website Portal

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.