Central Elementary

Greetings,

Wow, what an incredible start! Quite honestly, I would put our recent Open House and these past two weeks right up there with any others from the past. You've likely heard similar sentiments from me over the years, but our gradual ascend is a testament to you, our ongoing partnership as a Central community, and the collective desire to get a little bit better each day, week, month, and year, and most importantly...our kids!

The widespread care, investment, and preparation has been abundantly clear. I also want to offer a giant thanks to those of you who took advantage of R-P offerings over the off-season, such as Camp Invention, Summer Acceleration, First Tee, etc., affording your child(ren) additional opportunities to plug-in and belong. Although sometimes hard to quantify, it's clear our students returned to school this fall in a good place, primed for early success. We look forward to growing and sustaining these types of offerings for years to come!

Staying in that same vein, please be looking for announcements in the coming days/weeks as it relates to after school programming for the 2025-2026 school year. Consider encouraging your child to grow a particular passion, or perhaps try something new. We have been fortunate enough to secure grant funding to enhance the overall student experience outside of school hours, and look forward to capitalizing in positive ways for our kids.

Please see important news, announcements, and events in the newsletter that follows. You'll receive communication pieces much like this one periodically throughout the school year. My aim will be twice a month. You'll notice our Leadworthy theme for the month of September is Empathy, motivating us to focus on others and respond with care and compassion. If these first two weeks are any indication, we are well on our way to being in it together this year.

Thank you again for a beautiful beginning!

Cordially,

Cody

Please complete this process if you haven't done so. If you are having troubles with username, password, or access codes, please call the office for assistance. Attached is a document with step by step instructions for completing the demographic update and linking siblings. Keep in mind that you must be on the internet to complete this process. Chromebooks are available in the office for your use.

The link to access the parent portal is in the document below.

9/8 Droski's Class to Maple Ridge One Room School

9/8 DK/K Open House 6:00-7:00pm (enter door #2)

9/11 Birr's Class to Maple Ridge One Room School

9/12 4th grade to Lumberjacks Game

9/18 McGreavy's Class to Maple Ridge One Room School

9/22 Braman, Nauta, Tindall to McLaughlin Grows Farm

9/22-9/26 Birr's Class to the Lakeshore Museum

9/24 School Pictures for grades 2nd, 3rd, 4th (includes Bradford)

9/25 School Pictures for grades DK, K, 1st

10/2 Braman, Nauta, Tindall to Lewis Farms

10/3 HALF Day - dismissal at 12:00pm

10/13-10/14 NO SCHOOL- Fall Break

10/17 Birr, Bradford, Droski, McGreavy to Heritage Farms

10/24 HALF Day - dismissal at 12:00pm

10/29 Ream and Ruiz to Weesies

10/30 School Picture RETAKE Day

The Hand2Hand notice below will come home with students the first week. Register online only.

All sporting event tickets are 100% cashless now. The link below will guide you through purchasing tickets. You can purchase tickets at the gate with a digital payment or credit card. Avoid lines and wait time purchase your tickets in advance.

Go Rockets

https://gofan.co/app/school/MI10169

WEDNESDAY, September 24: Grades 2nd*, 3rd, 4th (Bradford's class will be on this day as well)

THURSDAY, September 25: Grades DK, K, 1st

*Mrs. Birr's class will be photographed before leaving on their field trip on Wednesday

Retake Date: October 30

Order forms will be coming home in the next few weeks. Send orders with money to school in time for picture day!

Here is the link for online pre-orders: https://schoolpix.radiumphoto.com/ordering/access

Our Capturing Kids' Hearts theme for the month of September is Empathy.

Welcome to our new librarian, Amy Wynn! Students will begin attending library the week of 9/8 to get to know Mrs. Wynn, go on a tour of the library, and go over library expectations and procedures. Student will check out library books for the first time the week of 9/15. Once the library schedule is finalized, we will include it in the next newsletter.

Library Schedule

Mondays: Ream, Braman, Bradford, Ms Nicole, Workman, Birr, Tindall, Burmeister, English

Tuesdays: Sandee, Ruiz, Nauta, Mack, Droski, McGreavy, Wahr, Gartland, Groothuis

If you have any questions regarding library, please email Mrs. Wynn at wynna@reeths-puffer.org or call her at 231-744-1693 ext 2550.

Hello Friends!

Ms. Molly and Mrs. O are excited to invite you to learn, play and grow with us again this fall! Our first time together will be Monday, September 8, 2025 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. You can register here or when you arrive: https://forms.gle/GmK2gaKfodj8Ktr67.

There are learning opportunities for adults as well. Parent leadership is only one. If you have any questions, please ask!

Take care,
Ms. Molly
RP Play and Learn Host

1. Parent Leadership Training Series:

For parents, caregivers, and professionals who want to grow leadership skills, advocate for change, and influence early childhood systems.

• Held monthly on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Build your voice and presence in system-level spaces
• Learn how early childhood systems work
• Develop skills for advocacy, equity, and co-leadership
• Connect with others across Michigan doing this work

CLICK TO REGISTER

2. Parenting Circle Series: For parents and caregivers looking to grow personally, build confidence at home, and connect with others in a supportive environment.

• Held monthly on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. ET
• Learn tools for child development and self-care
• Reflect on parenting practices and personal growth
• Build confidence in your leadership at home and in community
• Feel heard, supported, and empowered in a welcoming space

CLICK TO REGISTER

Door #1 - 2nd grade & Bus Students

Door #2 - DK & K

Door #3 - 1st grade & Lighthouse Learning

Door #8 - 3rd grade

Door #9 - 4th grade

DOORS UNLOCK AT 8:35AM and lock again at 8:45AM. IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER 8:45AM, PLEASE BRING YOUR STUDENT TO THE OFFICE (Door #1) TO SIGN THEM IN. THANK YOU!

DISMISSAL INFO:

Half Days 12:00pm dismissal

Full Days 3:45pm dismissal

• School starts at 8:45. Please drop off within the 8:35-8:40AM window. Breakfast kiddos will be encouraged to enter before the others, as to protect beginning-of-the-day instruction time.
• If you're running late, please bring your child to the office and sign them in.
• When dropping off and/or picking up your child, we thank you for coming to the sidewalk, rather than having students run to you in the parking lot.
• DK/K Parents: For safety reasons, please remain on the north side of the cones when parking near the northeast parking lot. We stage our youngest learners south of the cones.

***Please remain patient, observant, aware, and courteous. Arrival and dismissal is simply about all kids being able to enter and exit school safely. We appreciate your partnership in keeping these critical portions of the day both safe and supportive.

Parents,

Our routes are established to start the 2025-2026 school year, so please bring your student to the nearest bus stop. In a couple of weeks, we will look into whether new stops need to be added.

Questions, call the transportation department at 231-719-0110.

Thank You!

Transportation Department

Good afternoon, Rocket Family!

I want to give you a quick update since this impacts so many of our families. While school starts Monday and our budget was required by law to be submitted to the State of Michigan back on June 30, the state still has not passed its budget for the new fiscal year. That leaves us flying a bit in the dark, and I know many of you are wondering whether your children can count on school meals next week.

Here’s the good news: we WILL provide free breakfast and lunch for all students at least through the end of September. Because next week is a “soft start” with all half-days, this means free breakfast for all students each day.

In the meantime, especially with all the uncertainty, thank you for taking a few minutes to complete the Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application. Your participation directly supports our kids and our schools.

You can find the form here: bit.ly/RPSFE2025

Stay well, Rockets!
Sincerely,
Steve

IMPORTANT NOTE: Breakfast and Lunch will be served in the cafeteria. At this point both meals will be free to all students through the end of September. You can set up a lunch account at familyportal.cloud and deposit money if your child would like to purchase alacarte items. Students can also bring a check or cash to school to be deposited into their account. Please send it in an envelope marked "lunch account" and include the student and teacher names. Thank you!

Breakfast Schedule

8:25 - 8:45am

Lunch Schedule:

Grade DK: 11:20 - 11:50

Grade K: 11:25 - 11:55

Grade 1: 11:30 - 12:00

Grade 2: 11:45 - 12:15

Grade 3: 11:55 - 12:25

Grade 4: 12:00 - 12:30

Questions?

• Jackie Blomeke, MBA, RDN
  Director of Food Service
  blomekej@reeths-puffer.org

Please remind your student to pick up their jackets they may take off during recess. If your child is missing any items, have them check the lost and found. Parents are welcome to stop in to take a look as well.

Medication shall not be brought to school unless it is essential to the health of the student.

Medications which need to be taken in school must be administered by certified school personnel (or designee) in the presence of another adult. Parents must bring medication to the school office in the original container and file a written statement. NO STUDENT MAY BRING ANY MEDICATION TO SCHOOL.

Contact the office if you have any questions.

Early pick-ups = Tardies

When students are picked up early (during the last hour of the day), the attendance system codes it as a tardy.

Cell phones and/or texting devices can be disruptive to the educational environment. Students are not permitted to carry them during the school day - this includes during recess and lunch. When possible, parents should communicate through school staff. If these items are brought to school and are seen, they will be taken away. Items will be held by the principal until a parent or guardian comes to school to pick them up. Apple watches are discouraged, but if worn, should only be used as a watch. If seen talking on or texting with an Apple watch, the watch will remain in the office until a parent or guardian comes to school to pick it up. Thank you for your observance of this policy.

Please do not bring your pets on school property for the safety of our students and staff. Service animals are welcome.

Thank you for your understanding!

Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm

School Hours: 8:45am - 3:45pm

Phone: 231-744-1693

Fax: 231-744-0507

1807 W. Giles Rd

Muskegon, MI 49445

Website: www.reeths-puffer.org
Location: 1807 West Giles Road, Muskegon, MI, USA
Phone: 231-744-1693