Centennial Blue Jays

Greetings, Blue Jay Families!

Welcome to March at Centennial, Blue Jays! We are looking forward to another exciting month of learning and activities here at school. March is always about reading, celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday on March 2, and this year is no exception, kicking off with our annual Read-A-Thon. We want to see EVERYONE reading and talking about the books they are reading!

Please do consider supporting our fabulous PTO, who have been responsible for the fantastic dance and the artists in residence last month, the fantastic One Book, One School program, the upcoming STEAM museum, and so much more, on every level! Their popcorn parties and staff treats boost morale at every level. Come to the meeting tonight and see how you can jump in and help!

Our third- and fourth-graders are practicing hard for their upcoming concerts this month. And of course, we've got Spring Break coming up, marking the end of our second trimester of school and a well-deserved break for everyone.

Have a great March!

Don Hakala, Principal

Calli Dean, Assistant Principal

March 2-6: Read-a-Thon and One Book, One School Week

March 8: Read-a-Thon ends (packets due)

March 3: PTO Meeting (6 p.m., snacks, childcare provided)

March 11: Grades 3 and 4 Concerts (Grade 3 concert at 6, arrive by 5:45, Grade 4 at 7, arrive by 6:45)

March 13: Early Release (12:30), Flock Friday

March 13: 1B1S Taco Party (6:30–8 p.m.)

March 14: OBOB Region 3 North A regional tournament at Thurston High

March 17: STEAM Museum (a special day of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for all students - starts at 9 a.m., don't be late!!)

March 18: Glow Party (for Read-A-Thon)

March 20: No School, Grading Day

March 23-27: No School, Spring Break

March 30-April 1: Dental Treatments, Round 2

March 30-April 17: Grades K-1 Learn to Ride Bikes

In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday on March 2, this week is our annual Read-a-Thon, running from March 2nd to March 8th. We are shooting for 140,000 school-wide reading minutes!

One Book, One School (1B1S): Every student and staff member have their own copy of Stef Soto, Taco Queen to read. Teachers will be asking students trivia questions each day based on their reading assignment, and winners get to enter into a raffle for prizes.

Reading minutes can include independent reading, classroom reading and/or listening time. Visit the PTO's 1B1S page for the recommended reading schedule, activities and videos of staff reading. Be sure to have your kiddo's record those minutes on their reading packet, along with anything else they've been reading!

We will be awarding prizes for both individual and class participation. Donate if you can to encourage your kiddos' reading! Packets will be due back at school on March 10.

We hope everyone reads along - we want to hear the school buzzing with what they're reading! 1B1S reading, discussion and activities continue on through March 12.

Taco Party: PTO will be hosting a Taco Party – complete with tacos, of course! – the evening of March 13 to celebrate!

Spirit Week: We will also be celebrating reading this week with what we wear! There will be a different theme each day.

Happy reading!

Big thanks to all of our Classified Staff - basically everyone who isn't licensed. These are folks who work with your kiddos every day, in their classrooms and reading groups, at recess and lunch, in the kitchen, in Room 2, Room 11 and Room 14, in the library, the office, and the health room, and who help keep our school clean! We have the bestest staff!

Another fabulous event by Mobile Ed Productions, sponsored by our amazing PTO. There will be STEAM (science, technology, education, art and math) stations set up in the gym all day for students to enjoy with their classmates. You can read more about it here. This event was originally scheduled earlier in the school year but had to be postponed. This is going to be a very fun day - don't be late! Watch for volunteer sign-ups that PTO will be sending out soon.

Congratulations to our February Super Students, who were acknowledged for their kindness and caring attitudes: Alex J, Marnie, Mia S, Maddie M, Avery, Carter M, Daniela OT, Briana, Andrew A, Kinsley, Olecia, Briza, IvaJean, Andrew S, Raelynn NW, Malcolm, Julia, Elizabeth, Jesus, Dahlia, Bethany, Koi, Sheyly, Rune, Nora, Sophie S, Adam A, Abi, Sophia LC, Lili C, Joshua R, Declan T, Zayvius, Ariyah, and Blayze. Way to go, kiddos!

We are wrapping up our “Be a Bucket Filler Challenge.” A bucket filler treats others with kindness, encourages the people around them, and looks for the positives in people and situations. It was amazing to see Centennial students encouraging each other and being kind.

Having a Positive Attitude is the character trait for the month of March. "Having a Positive Attitude" means meeting situations with optimism, focusing on the good in situations and people, and expecting positive outcomes even when things are challenging.

Families, you can help us by encouraging your kiddos to see the bright side and choose positive!

Big thanks again to Lane Arts and our fabulous PTO for all of the fantastic art that was created in February! And big thanks to our artists - Andrea DiPalma (K/1-3/4), Merideth Ferrell (2nd), and Alejandro Sarmiento (5th).

We wish the best of luck to The Coconut Crackers, who will be representing Centennial at the regional tournament at Thurston High on Saturday, March 14. The regional winners will go on to battle at the state tournament in April! In addition to Declan, Otus, Audie and Adrian, they have chosen to add Roxy as an alternate. We are so proud of these kids!

To learn more about OBOB and find out what next year's books are, visit www.oregonbattleofthebooks.org.

We LOVE volunteers at Centennial! Parents are welcome and encouraged to come and help in their students' class(es) or at special events. Please do check with the teacher about days/times that might be best. There may also be projects you can help with outside of school. Community members are also welcome. We currently have volunteers helping teachers with tasks, helping with reading groups, helping tidy the lost & found, and helping Ms. Hodgin shelve books - a neverending task! It takes a village!

For everyone's safety, all school volunteers need to be registered and undergo a background check. If you're not sure if you're still current, please ask Ms. Deb.

Our website is a solid place to look for information such as menus. Facebook will be your best bet for quick updates and photos. We also frequently send information via email, so be sure to check your email frequently. Many teachers use the SeeSaw app to communicate via phone. Your child's teacher will send you an invitation to join their classroom SeeSaw community, and it's a great way to communicate directly with the teacher. And Ms. Deb is always available for questions!

Centennial has an outstanding PTO! We really appreciate all they do to support our staff and students at CES! We would love to have you participate with this group. Meetings are generally held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Child care is always available, and they offer a light meal. You can visit their new website at www.cespto.org.

How to support our school:

• You can always get blue bags from the school office. This is an easy way to support the PTO through donations of bottles and cans. Just bring the bag to the Springfield Bottle Drop Redemption Center, scan the PTO bar code, and toss your bag.
• Stay tuned for more information on how to purchase Blue Jay gear for the whole family!
• Watch for upcoming fundraisers, and in the meantime, volunteer!

Email: deb.jolda@springfield.k12.or.us
Website: centennial.springfield.k12.or.us
Location: 1315 Aspen Street, Springfield, OR, USA
Phone: 541-744-6383
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CentennialBlueJays

CALL US - 541-744-6383. We are always happy to help!