Parklane Community Newsletter
January 19, 2023
Panther Message:
Dear Panthers,
The New Year is officially here, and we are working hard to inspire higher achievement levels among our students. The staff has been working on making lessons more engaging for students, and we are using the Responsive Classroom approach to provide a healthy learning environment for all students. We want to continue setting a positive tone for students by emphasizing that teaching social and emotional skills is as important as teaching academic content. Moving forward, I would like families to regularly discuss their school day and reinforce being positive and respectful at school.
Parklane is an incredibly diverse school, and we like to highlight cultural diversity and celebrations in our community. This Sunday marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, a celebration that is observed by many of our students.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, falls on Jan. 22 this year, when Asian communities around the world will say goodbye to the Year of the Tiger and usher in the Year of the Rabbit.
Traditionally it's marked by family reunions, parades and fireworks. While based on the Chinese calendar, Lunar New Year is also celebrated in Korea, Singapore, Tibet and Vietnam and in Asian communities around the world. More than just the beginning of a new calendar cycle, Lunar New Year symbolizes reunion and rebirth, marking the end of winter and the start of spring.
According to one legend, a monster would emerge from under the Earth at the start of every year and eat villagers. Since the beast, Nian (Chinese for "year"), was afraid of bright lights, loud noises and the color red, they were used to exile the beast -- and have all become associated with Lunar New Year
*Please make sure to pick up your student at 2:27 PM; everyday students can not be left unattended. Teachers are not able to watch students after school is dismissed
*Please retrieve your student's coats from the lost and found.
Strategic Planning
This 2022-2023 school year, Centennial School District is engaged in a comprehensive Strategic Planning process. The strategic plan acts as a roadmap for our school system and where we are heading. The primary purpose of our strategic plan is to align all stakeholders on a shared vision, common goals, and unified direction for our district’s educational efforts for the next four years. Community-wide involvement is vital to the Strategic Planning process; therefore, we are designing the process in ways that will embrace the diverse voices of our district’s stakeholders.
The Centennial School District Strategic Planning Community Forum is on Monday, January 30, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will take place virtually, and you will receive a link to the Zoom meeting directly based on the email you provide in this RSVP here.
Standard Response Protocol
At Parklane, we are reviewing our Standard Response Protocols with staff and students. These protocols are standardized procedures we follow to ensure student safety in a school emergency. We’ll be practicing our Safety Drills in school with students to make sure they’re all prepared if an emergency occurs at school. Please make sure to discuss these drills with your children and help them understand the importance of these protocols.
SUN School
Registration for Winter SUN afterschool classes is now closed, and students will receive notice if they were enrolled:
The Winter SUN term will be January 17 - March 9, Monday-Thursday from 2:30-4:45 pm. Students in Kinder-5th grade are eligible. (Priority for kindergarten enrollment will be given to siblings of older students enrolled in SUN and families with a critical need for childcare.) Afterschool SUN is free and includes one hour of enrichment classes, 30 minutes of homework time, recess, and an afterschool meal.
Cafe con Guerreras Latinas 9:30-11:00am on Jan 18
Mental Health Workshops with Guerreras Latinas 5-7pm on Wednesday 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15
Contact Andrew Neal at 503-593-5222 or andrewn@mfs.email if you have any questions.
Snacks & Wellness Policy
At Parklane, we have several students with food allergies. For this reason, and other issues tied to bringing food into school, we ask that any treats be dropped off in the office and that the teacher is aware that they are being brought to school. Treats for classroom parties and birthdays, therefore, need to be purchased from a bakery or grocery store and must be individually wrapped. In addition, we would like treats to be healthy. No cupcakes, candy, or cookies will be allowed. This is in accordance with our district’s wellness policy.
Food allergies are growing food safety and public health concerns that affect an estimated 8% of children in the United States.
That’s 1 in 13 children or about two students per classroom. A food allergy occurs when the body has a specific and reproducible immune response to certain foods. The body’s immune response can be severe and life-threatening, such as anaphylaxis. Although the immune system normally protects people from germs, in people with food allergies, the immune system mistakenly responds to food as if it were harmful.
DISTRICT WELLNESS POLICY Our Wellness Policy has been updated to address the changing health needs and concerns of our students, and to add choices by making sure that healthier options are available for everyone who wants them. Research shows that students are more academically successful when they have access to nutritious foods and physical activity. New additions to the policy include: * Fundraisers – schools can earn money without compromising the health of students, staff, and families, with projects that sell popular foods like fresh fruits, with traditional fundraisers that are activity based such as “Run For the Arts,” or by selling valuable items like wrapping paper or magazines. * Meal times – schools will work to make the healthier option the easier option for students by offering and promoting more choices in the cafeteria and reducing competition from less nutritious foods like chips and sports drinks. * In the classroom – choices will be available when food is provided at a classroom celebration. For example, if there are cupcakes for a party, a healthy option like fresh-cut fruit will be offered as well. Also, food will not be used as a reward or motivation (such as a bribe or for good behavior). * Physical Activity – research shows that students who move, stretch, or engage in learning activities in the classroom also have better academic and behavioral outcomes. Physical activity will be promoted throughout the school day to encourage students to enjoy movement and exercise. * Drinking water – because water is an essential nutrient and one of the healthiest beverage options, the new policy states that students and staff will have access to fresh drinking water throughout the school day, including in the cafeteria. The new Wellness Policy will be reviewed every year by the Superintendent and the District Wellness Committee and will be communicated for the benefit of students and staff. For more information or resources, please contact the District Wellness Committee: wellness_committee@csd28j.org