The Central Scoop
November 10, 2017
From the Principal's Desk...
Dear Parents,
It was wonderful seeing all of you for our parent-teacher conferences over the last two days. We enjoy discussing your children's achievements as well as planning goals for their future successes.
Next week we are celebrating Children's Book Week at Central. We are having a week-long celebration of children's books by scheduling a variety of activities for all children. The theme this year is, “Camp Read S'More.” Through children’s books, we encourage children and their families to discover the joy of reading and the stories around them.
Highlights of the week will include:
- Author Candace Fleming on Wednesday, November 15th
- Guest Readers on Thursday, November 16th
- "Flashlight Friday" Reading Marathon (in PJs!) on Friday, November 17th
- Special STEM and literature activities throughout the week.
We would like to especially thank the PTA for sponsoring our visiting author and storyteller extraordinaire, Candace Fleming. Also, please come and visit the Book Fair in the small gym next week. Once again, there will be a wide selection of books for both children and adults. Please see the PTA website for more information.
Saturday is Veteran's Day. In preparation of this day, we have been honoring veterans all week. Throughout the week at school, items have been displayed in the hallways and teachers have been discussing grade-level appropriate information. This weekend, we encourage you to share stories of your grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, friends, etc. with your children
Lastly, please remember there is no school the week of Thanksgiving.
Have a wonderful weekend,
- Becky
Rebecca Littmann
Principal
Central Elementary School
School & District Announcements and Reminders...
NO Dogs on School Property
Please...NO dogs on school property (including all the sidewalks along the property). There are signs posted to remind you of this important Village ordinance. I'm a dog lover myself, but we really enforce this rule to protect the safety of our students. If you retrieve your child from school (and like to walk your pooch at the same time) please pick a rendezvous spot across the street from the school. Our crossing guards will make sure your child crosses the street safely to get to you.
Student Council Announcements
Friday, November 17th is a turkey spirit day! All students will receive a feather at school which will represent one thing they are thankful for this year.
Carpool Line Safety Reminders
As the weather gets colder, our carpool line gets longer. I thought this would be a good time for safety reminders. Please adhere to our safety procedures below. Also, please make sure your caregivers are aware of the procedures as well.
- Please follow the suggestions of our supervisors in green vests on the curb. They are volunteer staff members who are there to help your child get in and out of your vehicle safely. These adults are also safe people for students to use if they need help finding a caregiver. Please note - these staff members are not traffic safety personnel.
- Please wait to let your children out of your vehicle in front of the school. Letting them out of the car any earlier is dangerous.
Pull your vehicle up as far as possible in the line (even across the driveway to the black top), but leave room to pull out so you don't need to back up to get around the car in front of you.
Keep pulling up as cars exit the line to keep it moving.
Stay in your car at all times. Please don't leave your car or park it in the carpool line. This is very dangerous for you and for those trying to maneuver around your car. If you must walk your child to the door, please park your car across the street or a block away so you can walk your child safely to school.
Use the crosswalk on Central Avenue. We have a wonderful crossing guard on Central Ave. His name is Dudley and he is hired by the Wilmette Police Department. Please make sure that your entire family uses the crosswalk on Central Avenue. Dudley will ensure that you get across the street safely.
Also, please be mindful of our crossing guard, Dudley. It is his responsibility to ensure drivers are following the rules of the road. He will call the police, if necessary to ensure everyone's safety.
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 knows, 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.
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 professional development, student activities, parent involvement, and school goals.
PTA Announcements and Reminders...
* The PTA sends out their own newsletter on Sundays - here are just a few highlights
Gift of Giving Begins Sunday, Nov. 5
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 nine years has helped two Chicago-based organizations – LYDIA Home and Metropolitan Family Services – provide gifts and funds to families and individuals 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 or on the PTA website now. Donations will be collected through Monday, Dec. 4.
Here are links to the donation opportunities:
LYDIA Home: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080848a5a728ab9-lydia1
Metropolitan Family Services: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080848a5a728ab9-mfsgift
In addition, LYDIA Home has made a special request for us to help them make their housing units “cozier” by donating items such as toasters and board games.
Below is the Amazon link for those items: https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/2N5HSY10HG7FF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_ws_E4H8zbWCRV9Q9
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!
Book Fair
Central School’s Book Fair, "Camp Out with a Good Book," is just around the corner. The dates of the fair are Monday 11/13-Thursday 11/16. We will have a family shopping night on Wednesday evening 11/15, from 6:30-8:30pm.
Central School Garden
Please help the garden grow as Central looks forward to celebrating its 20th Anniversary next year! The PTA is excited about improvements to enhance learning and further ways to enjoy outdoor space. Please consider donating, we appreciate your support!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e4daeab28a2fa7-support
Community Announcements...
- PEDAL POWER is collecting gently used bicycles to reward CPS students for making honor roll! Drop off in Wilmette at McKenzie Elementary School November 11th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Other drop off sites available.
- New Trier HS Football Schedule is posted online.
- This is the LAST week to support Wilmette Rotary Club's book drive, until November 15th. Donate books at any D39 school.
- Register now for Wilmette Park District’s Saturday Basketball for boys & girls grades 4-8.
Jo Boaler is at FAN on November 16th! For more information on this event and other FAN speakers - click here.
- Additional information on community events can be found here http://www.wilmette39.org/news/community_events
Upcoming Events...
- 11/13-11/17 - Book Fair
- 11/13 - Board of Education Meeting
- 11/14 - D39 Parent Event at the Junior High - Social Emotional Growth: Growth Mindset (see flier below)
- 11/20-11/24 - No School, Thanksgiving Break
- 11/28 PASS 39 Meeting
- 11/29, 11/30, 12/1 - Outdoor Education for 4th graders
- 12/6 - D39 Parent Event at the Junior High: How to Raise Resilient Children (see flier below)