The Central Scoop
September 28, 2018
From the Principal's Desk...
Dear Parents,
We had a very successful Environmental Awareness Week! Each day this week we had a fun activity planned as we learned how to help the environment and be GREEN. On Monday, we kicked-off the week by saving energy. We dimmed lights around the school and challenged staff to use less energy. Students were also encouraged to bring a waste-free lunch to school all week. Tuesday we showed "Care by Coloring" where students colored pictures for a local nursing home to brighten someone's day while teaching others the importance of environmental awareness. Walking to school on Wednesday was also a big hit as many students earned 1/2 mile of credit for Mileage Club. Today we ended the week of activities with a GREEN spirit day. It was fun to see everyone in their favorite green piece of clothing. We would like to thank both the PTA's Environmental Awareness Committee and the School's Green Team for organizing the week's activities. We are now turning our attention to the quickly approaching "National Walk to School" day event which will be on October 10th. This event is still in the planning stages, so more information will be shared next week!
Today we also had a special visit from Author Kevin Henkes. He came to visit our K-2 students this morning. We love his new book, Parade of Elephants. We would like to thank Linda Diekman, the PTA , and the Book Stall for making this visit happen. Please ask your children about this special day.
Tonight we are hosting a sleep-under for kindergarten students to raise money for our "Pathway to Play" playground initiative. Many staff members are volunteering their time to lead the children in fun activities including a craft, a parachute activity in the gym, a read aloud, and a movie. Parents who signed their children up for the event through the PTA can bring their children to school starting at 5:00pm. Pick-up at the end of the evening is 7:30pm. I hope to see many of you there tonight!
Warmly,
~ Becky
Rebecca Littmann
Principal
Central Elementary School
Author Kevin Henkes impressed our students and staff with his visit today
Halloween Costumes
Is you favorite student already starting to discuss Halloween costumes? For many children, it's a favorite holiday and one to which they really look forward. So the big question--and one that I'm already planning for myself--what should I wear?
As you purchase costumes, please remember that students are not allowed to bring weapons or wear a costume that "is in bad taste." Many popular characters are not appropriate developmentally for our students in school (such as the character: Momo). Costumes need to be appropriate for school and not depict violence. Please have conversations with your children about what is appropriate. More information about our parade and classroom parties will be shared by the classroom teachers.
Friday Early Release Supervision Reminders
If you have a child signed up for after school supervision from 2:15PM to 3:15PM (whether the reason is to attend a Park District Club, to take the Park District After School bus, or because your child has a PM kindergarten sibling), and your child is leaving early and will not attend supervision, you must come into the office and sign your child out of school at some point on Friday. This is because your child has "school" until 3:15pm on Fridays. We are responsible for his/her whereabouts and as a result, we must follow our typical sign-out procedures for the district.
Children leaving early will still be sent to the cafeteria after school for attendance at 2:15pm. Once attendance is taken, the children who have been signed out by a parent or caregiver, will be escorted to the front doors to be dismissed. We will take attendance as quickly as we possibly can.
If you have any questions regarding this procedure please contact the front office.
PARCC Assessment Going Home With 4th Graders Oct. 3rd
Individual Student Scores on the Spring 2018 PARCC Assessments:
Please be sure to check your student’s backpack on Wednesday, October 3rd.Score reports will be sent home in sealed envelopes for Grade 4 students who took the PARCC Assessment in District 39 last spring. Please note that current Grade 3 students did not take the PARCC assessments in Grade 2.
Show Your School Spirit
PTA Announcements and Reminders...
* The PTA sends out their own newsletter on Sundays - here are just a few highlights
School Yearbook
Order your child's Central School yearbook today! The sale price of $20 ($5) off has been extended until October 27th. Click on the link to order online today!
The Yearbook Committee is still looking for 1 or 2 more volunteers to take photos and help compile the yearbook. Please contact Lauren at lmaustin7@gmail.com if you are interested.
Amazon Smile - Sign-up, It's EASY!
Don’t forget to sign up for Amazon Smile! Your everyday purchases can help benefit our school.
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know and love. Same product, same prices, same service - just a special link to help your shopping benefit our school. Please bookmark the link below to make sure your shopping is always contributing. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases directly to Central School! Just in time for Halloween candy, costume, and fall shopping... Sign up today at https://smile.amazon.com/
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!
Community Announcements...
- Wilmette Rotary Club is running its annual BIG BOOK DRIVE at all District 39 schools from October 1st through November 15th.
- Wilmette Food Pantry is open every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 am at Trinity United Methodist Church.
- All are welcome to join in the festivities at Harper Elementary School's Hoedown on Sunday, September 30th, 11:30 - 2:30.
- 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.
Save the Dates...
9/28 - Kindergarten Sleep Under
10/4 - Picture Make Up Day
10/4 - PASS39 - Connecting Parents Coffee
10/8 - No School - Teacher Institute Day
10/18 - 4th Grade Outdoor Education Information Meeting from 3:30PM-4:30PM for parents and their 4th grade students in the auditorium