Bulldog Broadcast
Dec 1, 2025
NOVA Workshops
Dear McDonald Parents and Guardians,
This school year, the Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) will be visiting the K-5 classrooms at McDonald Elementary to deliver a 50-minute workshop designed to keep students safe. These presentations are part of the Safe and Healthy Communities Initiative and are offered to our school community. NOVA educators will visit classrooms on the following dates:
December 8, 2025: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 4th Grade, and 5th Grade
December 9, 2025: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 4th Grade, and 5th Grade
December 11, 2025: 2nd Grade and 3rd Grade
Below are the NOVA lessons for each grade level:
Kindergarten – Personal Safety (A Cat’s Tale)
Teaches body boundaries and the importance of safe, appropriate touches and requests
1st Grade – Personal Safety
Teaches body boundaries, three kinds of touches, and empowers children to trust their feelings, assertively say “no,” move away, and tell a trusted adult
2nd Grade – Safe Touches
Teaches children how to keep their bodies safe through puppet shows
Evidence-based program created by the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
3rd Grade – Upstanders Include Everyone
Focuses on the serious effects of bullying and harmful behavior
Students learn and practice the skills to include everyone and become lifelong upstanders
4th & 5th Grades – Your Digital World
Teaches safe, responsible, and effective technology use
Clarifies digital rights and responsibilities and teaches appropriate strategies to address and respond to cyberbullying
All students will receive an activity book on the day of their workshop session.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Alyssa Davis at alyssa.davis@novabucks.org
If you do not wish for your child to participate in the NOVA workshop, please complete this opt-out form no later than Friday, December 1, 2025.
Regards,
Diana Garaitonandia
Diana Garaitonandia, Ed.D.
Principal
Holiday Shop
Our Home and School Association is planning a Holiday Gift shop for students to be able to purchase gifts for their loved ones for the holidays. These are the dates/times each homeroom will shop. A family night will also be available on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 from 6-8pm for families to come in and shop together.
Outreach Project Collection
Dear McDonald Families,
For the months of November - January, our school will be conducting a very special service
project. We will be creating Get Well Bags for patients who are diagnosed with cancer. Throughout
these months we will be collecting items to put into these goody bags. Each grade has been
assigned an item which can be found below. For ease and convenience, there is also an Amazon
Wishlist with the requested items. Items can be ordered directly from the link below and shipped
directly to school or can be purchased when you are out and about shopping. We ask that all items
be brought into school by Friday, January 9th. All bags will be assembled and delivered during our
Week of Service, January 12th-16th.
Thank you for all of your help and support with this service project as it is a great way for students to learn about service, and represent our wonderful school!
Best Regards,
The McDonald Elementary School Outreach Project Team
___________________________________________________________________
Item Collection
Kindergarten: Chapstick/Hard Candy
First Grade: Body Lotion (no bigger than 8oz)
Second Grade: Puzzle Books (no bigger than 7x9)
Third Grade:Hand Sanitizer (travel size)
Fourth Grade: Snacks/Granola Bars
Fifth Grade: Gatorade Bottles (12oz bottles)
December Calendar
January Calendar
Shortcut to Raptor for Parents
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.
