CTE Back to School Information

Centennial Elementary (CTE) Families:

Below are many helpful reminders as families and students prepare for the start of the 2026-27 school year.

We are very excited to see our students at the Open House & Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, August 26th from 4-6 pm, and look forward to an amazing new school year!

August

25: Incoming Kindergarten Parent Only Orientation 5:30-6:30 pm (no childcare provided; event runs the full hour)

26: CTE Open House & Ice Cream Social 4-6 pm. Bring in your school supplies!
28: CTE Office closed

31: First day of school for Grades 1-5; optional Kindergarten visit 10 am or 2 pm if you missed the Open House

September

1: First day of school for Preschool and Kindergarten

4: No School

7: No School/Labor Day

10: CEPO Meeting 5:30-7 pm in CTE Media Center

15: Lifetouch Photo Day 9:30 am -1 pm. (Orders are online only. Watch your email for more information from Lifetouch).

15: Parent Info Night for Grades 1 and 2 from 5-6 pm

22: Parent Info Night for Grades 3 and 4 from 5-6 pm

24: Parent Info Night for Grade 5 from 5-6 pm

The nurse's office will be open during the Open House & Ice Cream Social if parents need to drop off medication for their student.

• All contributions for classroom and field trips are made online in Parent Portal/Campus Parent. Cash or checks are not accepted.
• Follow THESE easy directions to make a contribution to either your student's classroom for fun activities throughout the year or field trips that classes will take.

• If you have outstanding fees from the 2025-26 school year, please add them to your cart. If you have questions please contact Kelly Romano at 763-792-5302 between 8 am and 3 pm.

• If necessary, unpaid fees will be forwarded to collections.

• Walkers: Our adult supervisors are at their designated corners at 9:05 am to cross students. Parents: please review the walking route to/from school with your student before the first day of school.

• Student Car Drop Off/Pick Up

• Supervision starts at car drop off at 9:05 am. Please do not have your child exit the car until our staff arrive for outdoor supervision.

• Students who are car drop off may enter the building at 9:12 am.

• Families have from 9:05 - 9:22 am to drop off their student. Please ensure you drop off before 9:22 am as doors will be closed at this time. Students are expected to be in class when the school day begins at 9:22 am. Students dropped off after 9:22 am must be signed in at the front office by a parent.

• Family members at car drop off- Please stay in your car and have only your child exit the car.
  

• Student car drop off/pick up map and procedures

It is amazing how well the first days of bussing go considering the initial confusion of new students, unfamiliar bus stops, and in some cases new drivers. You may find routes somewhat delayed (5-10 minutes) the first week of school.

Reminders:

• All families will be mailed a bus card from the Transportation department by August 28th with pick up/drop off time, and route number.
• Students should be at their pick up site daily 5 minutes before the actual pick-up time.
  
• Bus information can be also found on Parent Portal under More, then Transportation button.
• As bus routes continue to be finalized, please check the Transportation information in Parent Portal closer to the first day of school.

Contact Transportation at transportation@isd12.org if:

• There is a change in pick-up or drop-off locations
• You have questions regarding your student's bus route
• Please be patient. Changes may take a day or two to be processed. Be sure to let the teacher know of any new PM bus changes (i.e. student takes bus to daycare, not home).

The CTE school supply list can be found on the CTE webpage under the Student Life tab.

Backpack Program

If you have requested a backpack through your child’s teacher last school year in the spring it will be in your child’s classroom at Open House.

CEPO School Supply Program

If you ordered school supplies from our CEPO group the supplies will be in your child’s classroom at Open House.

Attendance Reminder

Parents submit attendance matters (absence, tardy, early release) to the office through their portal account. Please submit all absences by 9 am if possible (before the busy school day starts!). Emailing the teacher is a courtesy but does not count as an absence notification.

There are two ways to fill out the absence request form:

• On Your Phone: download the Parent Campus Portal App
• On the home page scroll to the bottom and enter an absence request.
• On your computer Computer: Infinite Campus Parent Portal
• Follow THESE directions to find the attendance request

Things to keep in mind:

• Students with standing appointments during the school day must submit an absence request for each day with an appointment.
• Absences can be submitted in advance. Have an upcoming vacation? Submit it now!
• Appointments scheduled outside of school hours are preferred and appreciated.

Helpful links:

Parent Portal Login Assistance

A Guide on How to Submit Absence Requests

As a school, we want to continue recognizing our students’ special days while being sensitive to our wellness, student health, and financial considerations. With that in mind, we have moved away from edible treats for birthdays. Students and teachers will have the option to collaborate and choose an appropriate recognition for each child.

Balloon/latex allergies -Due to increasing latex sensitivities, balloons are not allowed at school per the Student Elementary Handbook.

Centennial joins Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program where all students can have healthy meals—one FREE breakfast and one FREE lunch—each day at school.

Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! Your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees at school. Your application may also help the school qualify for education funds, discounts, and other meal programs.

Filling out the application is important for families and for our schools. A new application must be submitted each year.

Educational Benefits application and information

• Technology: Parent Info & Resources
  

• Account Information / Username and Password Help

• Campus Fees

• Nutrition Services/Menus

• Student Handbooks

• Household Annual Data Review