The Central Scoop
May 4, 2018
From the Principal's Desk...
Dear Parents,
This week we Celebrated "Central Cares" as part of Spirit Week. The idea originated by our Student Council. In was in spirit of our One Book One Central selection for this year: Last Stop on Market Street. The entire week revolved around recognizing the unsung heroes around Central School: secretaries, nurse, custodians, cooks, and transportation specialists. The week ended with students dressing-up to celebrate a favorite career. The entire week was fun for both students and staff.
I also would like to take this time to say THANK YOU to all the parent volunteers who make this community so wonderful. Our community thrives because of all the hard work from our parent volunteers. Thank you for constantly demonstrating a Growth Mindset and "Can-Do" attitude for our students. Our children's educational experiences are enriched because of each of you!
Please see below for other important announcements. I hope you all find time to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend.
Sincerely,
- Becky
Rebecca Littmann
Principal
Central Elementary School
School & District Announcements and Reminders...
Kindergarten Enrichment Survey
The Kindergarten Enrichment Program Survey will be coming out on Monday, May 7th. The following email came from Dr. Lechner earlier this week. Please make sure to review the options prior to the survey.
Kindergarten Enrichment Survey Letter from Dr. Lechner: CLICK HERE
After School Programming Information From HMS/WJHS
We want to thank Youth Connection for their many years of service to HMS and WJHS families through the DEN, Homework Club, and events such as Variety Show and Battle of the Bands, as well as Mudlark theater workshops. Their dissolution for the coming school year will create a void at HMS and WJHS that is not easily filled.
In efforts to continue the good work started by Youth Connection, District 39 has been developing a plan for after-school programming for the 2018-2019 school year. At the April Board of Education meeting we shared the details of this plan for the newly rebranded “Hawk Nest” and “Wolf Den.” There will be an opportunity for students to participate in a fun after-school program at both HMS and WJHS next year. At HMS the program will run from 3:40 - 5:40 PM, and at WJHS the program will run from 3:15 - 5:15 PM. Supervisors and students will work together to develop activities that may include games, crafts, technology, and outside recreation. There will also be time daily for students wanting a quiet place to complete homework in a structured setting. The after school programs will take place in the libraries at the schools, and a small daily fee will be charged for students wanting to drop in. Additional information is in the Board meeting highlights or in the April Board report.
More details will be communicated as we get closer to the start of the next school year to help you with your planning.
Activity Day
Activity Day is rapidly approaching. This year's event will take place on Friday, June 8, 2018. Our rain date is Monday, June 11, 2018.
We are making some changes to our Activity Day this year. We will have our regular station rotation set-up as usual in the morning and new mixed grade level activities in the afternoon. In order to make this day a success, we will need volunteers for the morning session only. P.M. Kindergarten is the only exception to this. We will need some P.M. Kindergarten volunteers for the afternoon.
More information is available on the Sign-Up Genius. Looking forward to a fantastic Activity Day!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4da4ab2aa02-activity4
Cafeteria Volunteers Needed!
Please sign-up to volunteer to support the cafeteria. Lunch duty is 11:15AM to 12:20PM.
Sign up HERE
PTA Announcements and Reminders...
* The PTA sends out their own newsletter on Sundays - here are just a few highlights
Teacher Appreciation Week!
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7-11th. This year’s theme is “Thank you for helping us grow!” We need your help to show the teachers, administrators, paraprofessional and staff our gratitude for their dedication to our children during this much anticipated and fun week. Please encourage your child to show their school spirit for the teachers by wearing green, flower or garden themed clothing throughout the week.
We have a great week planned for Central:
Monday – Teacher breakfast
Tuesday – Teacher massages
Wednesday – Yummy afternoon snacks
Thursday – Yummy afternoon snacks / teacher gift
Friday – Corner Bakery lunch
** Daily gift card raffles with the help of students during lunch.
Check out PTA web site for more information HERE!
In-Store Book Fair, 5/11
The Central School PTA is sponsoring an in-store book fair at The Book Stall on Friday, May 11th and Saturday, May 12th. 20% of the proceeds from sales (where the PTA is mentioned at check out) will benefit the PTA. The money from the fundraiser will be used for One Book/One Central and other enrichment activities for our students. Author Katherine Applegate (author of The Buffalo Storm, Roscoe Riley Rules, Animorphs, and The One and Only Ivan) will be there at 11:00AM on Saturday followed at 2:00PM by author Nicole Dreiske (author of Upside of Digital Devices). Children are welcome to come along for the fun! A few Central School Staff members will also be there to read books to children and to support the fundraising efforts. The Book Stall is located at 811 Elm St. in Winnetka.
School Supply Kit Orders
Don't spend your summer running around trying to find school supplies at the last minute - pre-order your child's kit and the supplies will be waiting for him/her on the first day of school! New for 2018/2019… all District 39 schools (K-8) will use a new vendor, EduKit, for school supplies. Ordering runs from May 1st – May 18th. Watch for a Central School email with ordering information on May 1st. Questions? Email Colleen Himan HERE.
From the Nurse's Office
Call Central School "Safe Phone" For Absences: 847-512-6150
Please call the "SAFE" (absence) phone 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...
- Centennial Classic Pro-Am Charity Tennis Tournament at Wilmette Tennis Club May 5th at 7:00 pm. Register as a player or viewer. All proceeds benefit the Wilmette Park District Scholarship Fund.
- Wilmette Historical Museum & Wilmette Police Department host open houses on Sunday, May 6th at 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.
- Wilmette Junior Trevians are hosting a week long cheer camp for all 2018-2019 5th-8th grade boys & girls July 16-20.
- Wilmette Theatre presents SCREENAGERS: Growing Up in the Digital Age on Tuesday May 8th 6:30 - 8:30 PM.
- The Junior Trevians Football Organization is hosting Jr. Trevian K-3 grade Flag Football Tournament on June 2nd & 3rd. Each elementary school enters three teams of 10-12 players: K/1st, 2nd & 3rd grade teams. Also need 1-2 parent volunteers from each school. Email Melissa Mastros at jrtrevianfootball@gmail.com
- Illinois Baseball Academy is registering boys & girls 3-6 years old. Register individually or as a group and form your own team.
- Additional information on community events can be found here http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
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.
Upcoming Events...
5/7-5/11 - Teacher Appreciation Week
5/11-5/12 - The Book Stall, In-Store PTA Fundraiser
5/16 - PTA Meeting
5/21 - Board of Education Meeting
5/22 - 2nd Grade Bike Safety
5/28 - Memorial Day, No School
6/6 - 4th Grade Bike to Highcrest (after school)
6/8 - Activity Day
6/14 - 4th Grade Farewell Party (Time TBD)
6/15 - Last Day of School