Bulldog Broadcast
October 13, 2025
Please Welcome Ms. Cliggett
Miss Maggie Cliggett is thrilled to join the McDonald Elementary team as a Learning Support teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Holy Family University, where she studied PreK–4 Education and PreK–12 Special Education. Before coming to McDonald, she gained valuable experience teaching students across various grades and settings in the Central Bucks School District.
Miss Cliggett is passionate about creating a classroom environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to learn. Her goal is to help students grow not only academically, but also in confidence, curiosity, and kindness.
Outside of the classroom, she enjoys cheering on Philly sports teams, reading, and spending time with her family in Wildwood, New Jersey. Miss Cliggett looks forward to a wonderful school year and to partnering with families to support every student’s success.
Red Ribbon Week
Halloween Parade Times for Oct. 31
Halloween
We are excited to announce that on October 31, 2025, we will be hosting Halloween parades and parties for students in grades K-5!
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, we kindly ask that all costumes adhere to the following guidelines:
Costumes should be school-appropriate and suitable for the age of the child.
Please avoid props or accessories that resemble weapons.
Masks that cover the entire face are not permitted.
Since students will wear their costumes throughout the school day, please ensure that they are comfortable, safe for recess and gym class, and easy to remove for restroom use. Your cooperation in following these guidelines is greatly appreciated!
The parade will begin promptly at the designated times. We encourage families to arrive early at the bus loading platform area to catch a glimpse of their child’s parade. In the event of rain, we will notify you in advance if any changes or cancellations are necessary.
The Halloween parties will take place in each student’s homeroom. The homeroom parents will be reaching out to coordinate the party items. Only homeroom parents will be allowed to visit the classroom parties. In preparation for the Halloween celebrations on October 31, if your child does NOT celebrate Halloween, but will be in school that day, please let us know so we can make other arrangements for them during the party/parade time. Complete the form here.
Thank you for your support in making this event fun and memorable for our students. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Home & School Trunk or Treat event on the evening of October 30th.
Veterans’ Day Assembly
We will be holding our Veterans’ Day Breakfast with a Veteran and assembly on Tuesday, November 11th. We would like to show our appreciation to those who have served in the armed forces. We recently updated our School Security Sign In process with Raptor Technology. Please click this link. You will be directed to set up an account if you haven't already done so. Once completed, your event specific entry pass will appear as a ticket under “My Events” in the Raptor app. You’ll be able to scan this pass on the day of the assembly for entry to the event. If you or someone you know is a veteran and is available to attend, please complete the event by Friday, October 24th. Veterans are not required to speak at the assembly. All veterans are invited to enjoy breakfast with their student(s) at 9:15 am.
If the veteran has a copy of a picture we can display in our hallway showcase, please send them in! Digital copies are preferred and can be sent to Mr. Chris Bray at braych@centennialsd.org. Please include the Veteran’s name, branch of military, years served and the student/homeroom to whom they are related. If you prefer to send in a hardcopy, please do not send in original pictures with your children. Instead, copy the original or bring the picture to the main office and we can scan/copy it for you.
Thank you to all those who have served and/or are currently serving to protect our country. We appreciate you!
Updated calendars for October, and November are included below for your reference regarding upcoming events.
Reminders:
October 30- Trunk or Treat
October 31- Halloween Parade
Warm regards,
Dr. Diana Garaitonandia
Principal, McDonald Elementary School
5th Grade Pie Sale
Our annual Pie Sale is BACK! Plan ahead and Order your 10" pies for Thanksgiving or freeze for the holiday season, backed fresh from Solly Bros. Farm!
All pies are $15 each and will be available for pickup at McDonald Elementary early the week of November 24 just in time for Thanksgiving! Orders must be placed by 10/31/25. No late orders will be accepted.
To order:
https://forms.gle/P7HtcLSoTC92Zfnw8
October Calendar
November Calendar
Shortcut to Raptor for Parents
McDonald Arrival/Dismissal Reminders
If your child will be attending before/after school care, please remember to complete the Childcare Arrangements Request Form (linked below) and email it to govasu@centennialsd.org before the first day of school.
We are also currently seeking cafeteria/recess monitors for the 2025–2026 school year. If you're interested in being a part of our school day and supporting students in a meaningful way, please visit the Human Resources job opportunity page here.
Safety Reminders
Safety at McDonald, including safe and efficient arrival, dismissal, and transportation of students, is our highest priority as a school. As we head back to school for another school year, please review the arrival and dismissal information in this newsletter.
Most of our procedures have remained the same, but this will be a good reminder for all of us as we work to ensure every one of our students gets to school and back home safely each day.
Please continue reinforcing safe arrival/dismissal expectations with your students:
- Students need to be seated, speaking with inside voices, and keeping their hands/feet to themselves on school buses.
- Car riders should not exit the vehicle until along the sidewalk during arrival.
General Arrival and Dismissal Information
The doors to the building open to students for admission at 8:45 AM and all students should be in the building no later than 9:05 AM.
Please stay updated with our district and school calendar throughout the year. Information regarding days off, early dismissals, weather related changes, etc., will be shared through e-Alerts, teacher communications, and other means.
If you have questions regarding the school day or schedule, do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or the office at McDonald.
Students Taking the Bus to and From School
Bus schedules are obtained by going to the link below or via the Transportation Department website.
Info-finder: http://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=CSD1JL8SINN1
Type in your address to access your child's busing information. Addresses with east, west, north, or south use the abbreviation E, W, N, or S with no punctuation. If that does not work, omit using it in your address.
Daily Car Riders Arrival
Car riders will be dropped off in the front of the building.
Parents please do not exit your cars.
All students exiting the car must do so from the passenger side doors.
Pull forward as close to the stop sign as you can as directed by staff and have your child exit as soon as you safely stop along the sidewalk.
Staff will be available to assist if needed.
Please do not pass other cars in the car line or move when students are exiting cars.
Parking in the visitors lot to drop off your children is not permitted before 9:05 as it creates safety concerns and blocks bus traffic.
The front doors shut at 9:05. After 9:05 please proceed to the office with your student to sign in and receive a tardy slip.
Daily Car Riders Dismissal
If you are picking up your child in a private vehicle, your child will be considered a “CAR RIDER”. See diagram below.
Vehicles will enter from Reeves Lane and will make the first left into the parking lot, weave through the parking lot to the main entrance as indicated on the PM Dismissal Map at the end of the handbook.
The students will be dismissed through the cafeteria doors in the front of the building at 3:35 PM and are picked up using the “valet pick-up” style service.
Parents are requested to keep their valet name card, with the last name of the student(s), clearly displayed through the “front right passenger side” window. This will enable the staff to call your child(ren) as you arrive.
If the child is not at the door as the vehicle arrives, the parent/guardian will be directed to pull forward out of the way of vehicles behind.
Parents who will consistently be picking up their children in a private vehicle will be given a Valet Sign.
“BUS RIDING STUDENTS” are dismissed to their buses as the buses arrive starting at 3:35. They are supervised by staff members as they walk to the bus platform at the side of the building.
Bus Riding Students are not permitted to ride a different bus to another child’s home for a play date. Centennial buses are running at top capacity and cannot accommodate additional riders at will.
If you need to change your child’s dismissal plan on any given day, you must send a written note. Your child will not be released to any individual without a written note from you. Individuals picking up your child will be required to show proof of identity.
Dismissal is a very busy time in the school office. Please finalize your child’s afternoon dismissal plan before the school day begins. We cannot guarantee that a last-minute phone call to change your child’s dismissal plan will be picked up and implemented in a timely manner. If an emergency occurs, please call before 2:30 PM to ensure that an alternate plan is in place well before dismissal.
Children often tell us that they wish or were told to go home via alternate transportation. Without a written note from a parent, the child will use their regular form of transportation.
Students who ride “Non-District Vans” will be dismissed through the side (bus platform) entrance (orange doors).
“WALKERS” –Walkers will be dismissed from their classroom at 3:30 and will exit from the main entrance (red doors) (must have principal permission) or the orange doors. Parents wishing to meet their student exiting from the orange doors can do so at the crosswalk by the bus circle. Please notify the office if you plan on having your child(ren) walk home from school.
Also, all parents should tell their children to go directly home or to the child care provider and check-in with an adult before going out to play in the neighborhood or to visit a friend.
Please notify the office if your child(ren) are bus riders and you plan to have them walk to or from school.
Parents and students are not to linger in the bus loading area. We need the area clear at 3:35 for bus dismissal
“BICYCLE RIDERS” – Bicycle riders will be dismissed from their classroom at 3:30 and will exit via the orange doors.
All parents should tell their children to go directly home or to the child care provider and check-in with an adult before going out to play in the neighborhood or to visit a friend.
Please notify the office if your child(ren) are bus riders and you plan to have them bike to or from school.
Bicycle riders are not to linger in the bus loading area. We need the area clear at 3:35 for bus dismissal
Important LInks
A Message from Food & Nutrition Services
Family Trips Scheduled During the School Year
Although the scheduling of family trips during the instructional year is not encouraged, the Centennial School Board recognizes that students may benefit educationally by accompanying their parent(s)/guardian(s) on trips. The revision to the policy will allow the schools to approve up to five (5) days instead of three (3). Any trip beyond five (5) days will need the approval of the Superintendent.
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) who are requesting approval for a family trip need to complete and submit the family trip request form to the attendance office for approval at least three (3) before the trip. The completed form may be submitted to mcattendance@centennialsd.org.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding a family trip, please contact the main office.
