Back To School 2025

Welcome back, Central students and families! We are excited to see your smiling faces as we begin another amazing school year together. We hope you had a fun and relaxing summer filled with great books , time with your family and plenty of sunshine. This year is full of exciting opportunities to learn, grow, and discover new things. A special warm welcome goes out to our new families joining our school community—we are so glad you’re here and can’t wait for you to feel at home. Remember that each day is a chance to do your best and shine bright. Let’s make this year full of kindness, hard work, and fun—we’re glad you’re here!

Central Elementary 11 Essentials

• Always say please when asking for something

• Always say thank you when given something

• Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough

• Never cut in line

• Make eye contact and track the speaker

• Mind your own business when you’re not involved in the situation

• Transitions will be swift, quiet and orderly

• Clean up after yourself and others “Don’t pass it up, pick it up”

• Do not complain when given a task

• Mistakes are okay. Learn from them and move on.

• No matter the circumstances, always be honest

Hopefully this newsletter will answer several of the basic questions you may have but as always, feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We send out a monthly newsletter full of information about things happening at school, so make sure to check them out. When they are ready, you will find the link to these newsletters in your email and on Central's page of the district website.

The best way to get ahold of the office or your teacher....

Office:

Call 269-488-1000

Email Mrs. Nieboer lnieboer@parchmentschools.org

Email Mrs. Kaemming jkaemming@parchmentschools.org

Teachers:

Check their newsletter for their direct phone numbers and emails. Their phone numbers and emails are also on Central's page of the district website.

The Parchment School District's website is below. Please use this for any district information you may be looking for. If you want information specifically about Central Elementary, click the "schools" tab at the top of the page and select Central Elementary. On Central's page of the website you will find things like links to all the newsletters, fliers that were sent home with students, and dates of upcoming events.

https://www.parchmentschools.org/

School starts at 8:30. Your child is considered tardy if they arrive after that. If your student is tardy, you need to bring them into the office and sign them in. The earliest you can drop a student off is 8:20.

Dismissal is at 3:35. The young 5s, kindergarten and 1st graders will be picked up in the parent parking lot by the basketball hoop. The 2nd and 3rd graders will be picked up in the circle drive near the flagpole. You need to stay in your car and follow the flow of the cars. We will bring your child right to your car. If you did not get your car tag at open house, then you can get it at the office the first day of school. If you would like to get out of your car, then you can park in an available parking spot and meet your child at the pick-n-go by the basketball hoops.

1/2 day dismissal is at 11:55.

Absences:

If your student is going to be absent please call or email the office in order for it to be marked as an excused absence. If you do not call or email the office then it will remain unexcused.

If your student needs to take medication of any kind while they are at school please contact us. We need a form filled out by the physician and the medication provided to us.

Parchment Families,

We are once again participating in the First Day Shoe Fund this Fall. First Day Shoe Fund provides new athletic shoes to students enrolled in Kalamazoo County Public elementary schools at no cost. Caregivers who need shoes for their elementary aged student can order online at www.firstdayshoefund.org/order. Online ordering opens on August 18th and will close on September 10th. If you order online, you will get an email confirmation; please keep this email as it acts as a receipt for your order. If requested, a paper copy can be provided and returned to the school.

Shoes will be fitted between September 22th - October 10th at the school buildings. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Adam Prister at adam.prister@parchmentschools.org or 616-606-3075.

We will have free breakfast and lunch available every day for all students who would like it. The menus can be found on the district website or by following the link below.

https://parchmentschools.nutrislice.com/menu

We do NOT allow edible birthday treats. Instead, consider donating a book, game or playground ball to the class. You could also send in special pencils, goody bags or other trinkets for each student.

We sell popcorn every Friday as long as it is a full day of school. Popcorn is $0.25 each and the students can purchase a maximum of 2. The popcorn is made by volunteers, if you would like to help out please let us know and we will get you in touch with the right people.

Save the date! Our first picture day is Wednesday, September 24th. So send your student to school with their beautiful smiles that day.

Central parents have a Facebook page. It is called Parchment Central Elementary Parents, so ask to join to stay connected with other Central parents. This page is a way for parents to connect with each other and to ask questions or find out information that they may have missed.

Facebook is not a way to reach the school or staff. If you need something from the school, please email or call the office or teacher directly.

Mrs. Kaemming is the wonderful principal here at Central Elementary. She has been at Central for years and is excited to be starting another school year. You will see her outside welcoming the students every morning, hear her on the morning announcements, and often find her around the school helping in any way she can.

Email: jkaemming@parchmentschools.org
Phone: 269-488-1000

Mrs. Nieboer has been the secretary at Central Elementary for 6 1/2 years. She is the one you will talk to any time you call. You will find her in the office helping students, families and staff with their questions, dilemmas, and owies.

Email: lnieboer@parchmentschools.org
Phone: 269-488-1000