The Central Scoop
January 18, 2019
From the Principal's Desk...
Dear Parents,
Our 4th graders had a wonderful time on a Codeverse field trip this week. The field trip expanded on the coding lessons students had in our Learning Commons during technology classes. During the trip, the students learned how to begin programming their own game using KidScript. The environment was very similar to our own Learning Commons as well (although the children thought the lighting in the new space at Codeverse was "very cool").
Have wonderful weekend. As a reminder there is no school on Monday in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Becky
Rebecca Littmann
Principal
Central Elementary School
Sister School Letter - Deadline Extended to Jan. 25th
Our Sister School relationship is a service learning project for all our students K-4 and has been arranged through Opportunity Education. We are not only pen-pals with the school, but we are learning about the culture, weather, and environment in Tanzania.
As a reminder, our current letter writing topics is : “What do you like to do at home with your family?" or What do you like to do in your free time?” The letter can simply be addressed to, "Dear Friend." The deadline for students to complete a letter at home has been extended to Jan 25th. While this activity is completely voluntary, we are hoping everyone chooses to participate! Teachers will be sending home templates and additional directions to make the letter writing easier for families. We encourage you to ask your children about our sister school and learn more about it together. Please visit this website for more photos and information about the school: Kusirye-U School
Register for Kindergarten NOW for 2019-20 School Year
Parents need to come in to school to register their child(ren), bringing along an original copy of their child’s birth certificate and two documents that provide proof of residency (details online). A lottery will be held on January 24th to determine morning and afternoon kindergarten placements, with parents notified thereafter via email. Please go to this link to learn more information and to download the necessary enrollment forms:
http://www.wilmette39.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=360930&pageId=7232367
2019-2020 Registration for ALL NEW 1st Grade Students
We are watching our enrollment numbers for first grade very carefully for the 2019-20 school year. We currently only have three sections of kindergarten this year and we are hoping for four sections of first grade next year. As a result, we are expecting to add one section of classes for next year in first grade, but only if we have enough new enrollments. So if you have a current kindergartener in a private school this year, and you plan to send your child to Central for first grade next year, please contact our secretaries about your intent to enroll and register your child. Please email Cathy O’Reilly at oreillyc@wilmette39.org or Sallie Elman at elmans@wilmette39.org. Thank you!
D39 Summer Enrichment Program
Wilmette, District 39’s Summer Enrichment Program brochure will be available to view online January 21st.
Reminder, registration is done online . Registration opens February 4, 2019.
PTA Announcements and Reminders...
* The PTA sends out their own newsletter on Sundays - here are just a few highlights:
Bingo Night
Come for dinner by Homer's in the cafeteria followed by BINGO in the large gym. For those that want to get up and play, Ms. Peth will host fun activities in the small gym during Bingo.
There will be fun & prizes for all! Raffle prizes include Principal for the Day, Assistant Principal for the Day, One free admission to the March 8th Central Sleep-Under, Ride to School in a Fire Truck, and a Behind the Scenes Tour at the Wilmette Police Dept. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase. You need not be present to win! See the PTA website for more information.
Game Night with our PE Department!
Don't miss the fun! The Central P.E. Dept. is hosting a Game Night on Friday, February 8, 2019 from 6:00-7:30 PM in the Central School gyms. Game Night is open to current 1st - 4th grade Central students. This is a drop off event.
All proceeds from this event will benefit the Pathway to Play initiatives.
Sign up today!
Community Announcements...
- Winnetka Community Houses hosts Annual Service Day on Martin Luther King Day, January 21st between 1:00 - 4:00 pm
- Kids Against Hunger service project on Saturday, March 16th.
- Wilmette Park District hosts Kindergarten Enrichment Open House February 20th, 6:00-8:00 pm
- Northwestern’s Center for Talent Development offers Weekend Enrichment Programs for students age 3 through 8th grade.
- Wilmette Historical Museum hosts “Meet the Lincolns” Sunday, February 17th, 2:00 - 3:00 pm.
- Love to sing? Youth Choral Theatre of Chicago offers a free vocal training class with flyer. Vocal classes available for children ages 4-18.
- The Center Fitness Club schedule and various park district classes for children ages 3-14 are posted.
- Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
- Family Action Network (FAN): Click HERE for information about FAN and upcoming speakers.
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!
https://sites.google.com/wilmette39.org/centralhealthoffice/home
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...
1/21 - NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/24 - Kindergarten Lottery
1/25 - Bingo/Open Gym Night 5:30-7:30pm
2/1 - Early Release - 11:55am (kindergarten dismissed at 10am)
2/2 - Ed. Foundation Trivia Night
2/8 - Game Night with our PE Dept. 6-7:30pm
2/11-15 - Arts Awareness Week
2/18 - NO SCHOOL, President's Day
2/24 - Central School Annual Daughter Dance 2-4pm