Centennial Blue Jays
February 2023 Newsletter
Centennial Information
Email: deb.jolda@springfield.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.springfield.k12.or.us/Centennial
Location: 1315 Aspen Street, Springfield, OR, USA
Phone: 541 744-6383
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentennialBlueJays
Message from Principal Williams
Welcome to the month of February! At Centennial, we have a school-wide focus on kindness and are looking for ways to encourage and uplift our fellow students and staff.
I wanted to share with you the bittersweet news that I will be retiring at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. I appreciate having had the opportunity to be part of the dynamic Centennial Elementary School staff for the last four years. After 28 rewarding and beloved years in education, I'm looking forward to spending more time with family, traveling to some bucket-list destinations, and experiencing new adventures. Centennial is near and dear to my heart and I will always think of it with fondness.
Thank you for your ongoing support. I look forward to supporting a smooth transition in the months ahead. I'm proud of the Centennial students who work hard, everyday, to be safe, respectful, responsible, and kind and our staff members who go above and beyond to provide a safe and engaging learning environment.
As always, thank you to the PTO and volunteers who help us accomplish so much at Centennial!
Please make sure to follow us on Facebook and check out the Centennial website (links above).
Sincerely,
Principal Williams
Important February Dates
February 3 No school
February 7 PTO (6:00 in the library)
February 10 Early Release - Pink and Red day
February 20 No school - President's Day
February 24 Early Release - Super hero day
Flexible Thinking
Many of us have trouble switching gears. But being able and willing to adapt and change as situations call for it is a skill that will help you your whole life. Flexible thinking is creative thinking. In the face of an unexpected challenge, it’s helpful to quickly problem-solve a solution or workaround. When it’s hard to come up with an answer that pleases everybody, that’s when compromise comes into play.
Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS)
February’s focus is on respectful behaviors. Each class will review ways to act and speak respectfully. Pink Blue Jay Bucks will be given out to recognize students using respectful language and making respectful choices. Each class also has an opportunity to earn 2 different class rewards by establishing and meeting a class goal.
Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)
Learn more about OBOB.
Download the book list.
The Associative Property
First Grade Students are Working on their Writing!
Mrs. Tunnell's class practiced their water color skills and made beautiful snowflakes!
Fifth Grade made plans for 2023
Kinder students art
PTO
February Meeting
February 7 at 6:00 - meeting in the library at school
Light meal and childcare provided!
SPS Inclement Weather Notifications
Winter Break is over and that usually means it's a time when we experience the most severe winter weather. Are you all set to receive inclement weather notifications? The first thing to do is to make sure SPS has your correct contact information.
ParentVue is our online system that allows all families, new and returning, to access and update their family and student information, including contact numbers, email addresses, annual health changes and so much more!
The correct contact information ensures that families and students are receiving all of the important information and notifications shared by their school, teachers and the district
SPS has procedures in place in the event we experience inclement weather. You can review them on our website here: SPS Inclement Weather Procedures.
General Information
Hello Blue Jay families!
Please read through the following updates for important information about our school.
BELL SCHEDULE
8:00 Students may enter for breakfast. All others enter through the front doors to wait in the gym for class to start.
8:25 Students go to classes
8:35 Instruction begins (if you are tardy, you will need to check in at the office)
2:50 Dismissal bell
12:30 Dismissal on early release Fridays
Please do not drop students off prior to 8:00 as we do not have supervision available.
MEALS
- free breakfast and lunch available for all students
- Doors open at 8:00 for school breakfast.
VOLUNTEERS
- Click this link and fill out the online form f you are interested in volunteering
ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL
- parents and caregivers must remain on the west side of the upper driveway when walking students to school.
- use the right hand lane of lower driveway for vehicle drop offs and pick ups
- remain in your vehicle
- pull forward as far as possible
- Vehicles may not enter the upper driveway during arrival (8:00-8:45) and dismissal (2:15-3:15).
STUDENT PHONES
- students should not bring cell phones or other personal electronic devices to school
- If you feel your child must have a device with them, it must be kept turned off and stored in their backpack through the school day.
- Students may not have devices out during the day while in class or in other areas such as the playground and cafeteria.
- Thank you so much for your help with this!
STUDENT BEHAVIOR
- We expect our students to act safely, respectfully, responsibly and with kindness
- We do not condone inappropriate behavior towards other students or adults, whether on the playground, in the cafeteria, or in the classroom.
- Please help to remind your child of these school behavior expectations.
- Although your child may not see the consequences for another student's inappropriate behavior, this does not mean it isn't happening.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
We'd like to know how we can help support our community. Please click here and take a minute or two to fill out this brief survey and give us your feedback.
Health Updates
COVID-19 Update
If a student tests positive they need to stay out for five days from the start of symptoms or date tested, if they are asymptomatic.
COVID continues to be a concern for all of us and we appreciate your support as we work together to keep our students safe and healthy. Please make frequent handwashing, for 20 seconds, a normal part of your routine and keep your child home if they are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, upset stomach, or headache. Students must be symptom free for 24 hours to return to school. Please click here to check the SPS website for additional information about vaccines and other resources.
COVID Testing
We have free test kits available. You are welcome to stop by the office and pick one up!
The UO's free weekly testing program is still available. Please contact us for information.
VACCINES & BOOSTERS
Children 5-17 years old are up-to-date on their COVID vaccines if they have completed their primary series of vaccinations plus two weeks. Quarantine protocols are determined based on the level of vaccine that a person has.
We encourage all eligible individuals to ensure that they are up-to-date with this vaccine as it is one of the most powerful ways to limit the spread and seriousness of COVID-19 symptoms.
To find information about vaccination clinics available throughout our community visit www.lanecounty.org/vaxclinics.
Collaborative Problem Solving Parent Classes
- Build skills & confidence in using the CPS approach
- Network & share information about community resources
- Develop new understanding of challenging behavior & learn new ways to help your child
- Rethink conventional approaches to behavioral difficulties and strengthen relationships
- Gain support from other parents, grandparents, and foster parents
The Collaborative Problem Solving approach is an evidence-based method to managing challenging behavior that promotes the understanding that challenging kids lack the skill - not the will - to behave; specifically, skills related to problem-solving, flexibility and frustration tolerance. Unlike traditional models of discipline, the CPS approach avoids the use of power, control and motivational procedures and instead focuses on collaborating with the child/ youth/ young adult to solve the problems leading to challenging behavior and building the skills they need to succeed.
The 8-week class is provided in an online setting.
For more information, please click here.