PATRIOT NEWS

Welcome to the new school year, Century families!

I’m honored and excited to join this wonderful community as your new principal. Together with our dedicated staff, I look forward to building strong partnerships with you to ensure every student feels valued, supported, and safe to learn and grow.

This year, we’ll continue to focus on developing positive relationships with ourselves and others through skill building and collaboration, fostering curiosity and academic growth with intentional instruction and learning opportunities, and showing Patriot Pride while at school and in the community.

I look forward to partnering with you to make this school year a positive and memorable one for every child.

Here’s to a great year ahead!

Dr. Holly Larson
Principal, Century Elementary School

Hello Century Patriots! I hope you have all had a relaxing and refreshing summer and that you're ready to get started with a fun year of learning. I am looking forward to seeing returning families and meeting our newest Patriots. I know this will be an exciting year for us! This will be my fourth year at Century and my twentieth year in education. I can't believe how quickly time flies by! I am looking forward to seeing you all at our open house on August 25, but in the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of your summer!

The Open house for Kindergarten and Grades 1-5 will be held on

Monday, August 25 from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. You are welcome to come anytime between 3:30 and 5:30 pm. You will have the opportunity to visit your child's classroom, meet their teacher, and drop off school supplies at that time.

Parents/Guardians received an email regarding their child's classroom assignment.

If you are unable to attend Open House, please bring your child's school supplies the first day

of school.

Parents,

Please fill out the Transportation Survey linked below with information on how your child will be getting home from school this year. Please have this completed by Thursday, August 21st.

https://forms.gle/Mh8XytqgUFmqyzFw5

Please make sure your student has been registered in the PowerSchool Parent Portal for the

2025-2026 school year. If you have any questions, please call the office at 701-746-2440.

How do I get started?

Visit https://grand-forks.ps.state.nd.us/public/home.html and log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal. From the Parent Portal:

1 Select the student you wish to register along the top

2. Select the Registration 2025-2026 icon on the left side of the screen.

3. Authenticate using your child's date of birth.

4. Agree to the terms and conditions

5. Click Begin Forms

I can't remember my login for the PowerSchool Parent Portal

If you aren’t able to retrieve your login credentials using the “Having trouble signing in?” link on the Sign In page, please call the school at 701-746-2440 for assistance logging into the Parent Portal.

What if I have more than one student in the district? Do I need to do this for each child?

Yes, you will need to provide information that is specific to each child. We recommend that

you complete and submit one form and then start another. This will allow you to “snap” (or

share) selected family information, which saves you time.

HB #1160

Starting this year, North Dakota law requires all students' personal electronic communication devices to be off and put away during the entire school day—from the first bell to the last bell.

Under House Bill 1160, this applies to cell phones, Bluetooth devices, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, Gizmos, and similar items. Devices must be silenced, securely stowed away, and inaccessible from the start of the school day until dismissal—creating a “bell-to-bell” phone-free environment for all students.

This new law is designed to reduce distractions, increase student engagement, and promote a safe, orderly school environment.

What this Means for Century Students? Students will turn in devices to their homeroom/advisory teacher at the start of the day. Teachers will store devices securely and return them at dismissal.

Planned Consequences when the New Policy is not Followed:

1st offense: Parent phone call.

2nd offense: Parent phone call and device will be kept in the office for parent to pick up.

3rd offense: Parent phone call and student will check device in and out of the office each day through the remainder of the trimester.

Additional Notes: Exceptions may be made for students with documented medical needs.

Students leaving early for appointments may have alternative storage arrangements at their school. In an emergency, families should contact the school office to reach their student (701)746-2444.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work together to create focused, safe, and respectful learning environments for all students.

HB#1222

This bill, along with ND Century Code, state the following pertaining to the Pledge of Allegiance:

Schools must provide students the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance daily. Students cannot be forced to participate. This includes not being required to recite, stand or salute."

At Century students will be given the opportunity to recite to Pledge of Allegiance immediately following the second bell each morning within their classroom.

Click the link below to be taken to the Century school supply lists!

https://app.teacherlists.com/schools/48681-century-elementary

Breakfast - only students eating breakfast will enter doors #3 and #9 for breakfast. Breakfast begins at 7:40 am. Please do not drop your student off any earlier as we do not have supervision until breakfast begins.

Students not eating breakfast at school will enter the building at the door assignments below. Please arrive no earlier than 8:15 am. No Students will be allowed in the building before 8:15 AM except for breakfast.

Kindergarten - Door 1

Grade 1 - Door 13

Grade 2 - Door 12

Grade 3 - Door 10

Grade 4 - Door 3

Grade 5 - Door 2

Students arriving after 8:25 am will need to enter Door #1 (Main Office Door). Parents will ring the doorbell and students only will be allowed to enter.

CENTURY ATTENDANCE LINE- 701-746-2443

If your child(ren) are going to be late or absent from school, please inform the school office by calling the attendance line number above before 8:25 am.

You will not speak directly to anyone, it is a message line only. Please leave student's name,

teacher and reason for absence. All students absent or arriving late because of an

appointment of any kind will need to have a written excuse from the doctor's office in order for the absence or tardy to be excused. Medically excused absences do not count against a

student's absences if a note is provided by the medical provider.

Communication between home and school ensures students safety. If the school does not

hear from you, we will give you a call to make sure your child is safe. If you are taking your

child out of school early for any reason, please call the office in advance or come to Door #1

ring doorbell. We will call them to the office from their classroom and bring them to Door #1

to the parent.

Attendance is very important. If your child is not in school, he/she is missing out on very

important learning. We monitor student attendance closely and follow the Grand Forks Public

Schools "Stay in School" policy.

Students are dismissed at 3:00 pm at the same assigned doors listed for morning drop-off. Students must be picked up promptly. Students will meet parents/guardians outside at their assigned door. Older siblings may meet their younger siblings to be picked up at the youngest sibling's assigned door.

Students are not allowed to go play on the playground after school unless with parents/guardians for supervision.

At 3:10 PM, students still waiting to be picked up will be brought to the office to be picked up at the lobby outside the office.

Parking Log Procedures

The following are important reminders of our drop-off and pick-up procedures to help traffic flow safely:

• Quick Drop-off/Pick up:

• Students should be seated behind the passenger seat of your car to exit on the “safe side” of the vehicle.

• Enter school grounds via the traffic drive on 34th St. S. Follow the driving lane closest to the building.

• As you approach the building and come to a complete stop, your student may safely exit the car and walk into the school.

• The driver may not park or exit the vehicle in this lane.

• Note: Use the left lane for drive through only- Students should not exit the car in this lane. Please do not park and leave your vehicle in this lane. It should continuously be moving.

• If you plan to park or walk your student to/from their assigned door:

• Drivers: The easiest option would be to park your car near the playground by entering the parking lot on 17th Ave. S. Walk your student on the sidewalk to their designated door. Another option is to enter via the traffic drive on 34th St. S and follow the driving lane closest to the street, pass the drop off spot and park in the few spots in front of the building.

• Drivers: In order to exit your car, you must be in a designated parking spot not in the traffic lanes.

• Walkers: Please safely use the sidewalks and crosswalks as you make your way to the designated doors.

• Please do not park on 34th Street, and do not cross in the middle of 34th St.

All visitors must sign in at the school office when coming to the school. All doors remain

locked during the school day for safety and security purposes. Please utilize the push-to-talk

system located at Door #1 to gain entrance into our school and proceed to the office to sign-

in and get a visitor pass. Please do not go directly to the classrooms when the school day

is beginning or during instruction. If you need to visit with your child's teacher, call and make

an appointment or request that the teacher call you when they are not teaching. Teachers do not always have time to check their emails throughout the day so you may not receive an immediate response. Your child's safety is our number one priority!

Please keep the school office up-to-date on any address, phone number, and email changes. It

is very important that we have all the current and correct information on file. We need updated

emergency contact information in the event of an emergency.

School begins at 8:25 (The first bell rings at 8:20) and dismisses at 3:00.

August 25 - Open House 3:30-5:30 pm

August 26 - Chalk the Walk 5:30pm - Century School

August 27 - FIRST DAY of School

September 1 - NO SCHOOL- LABOR DAY

September 5 - PTO Fun and Freeze Pops- 6-7 PM Century Playground

September 8 - PTO Meeting 6 PM - Century Library

September 9 - Century Eats at Qdoba 4-8pm

September 17 - EARLY RELEASE 1:30pm

School dismisses at 1:30 on the following dates (please mark these dates on your calendar):

September 17

October 1

October 15

November 5

November 19

December 10

January 21

February 4

February 18

March 4

March 18

April 15

April 29

May 13

Due to an increased number of students with food allergies, we do not celebrate student birthdays with a “birthday snack” in the Grand Forks Public Schools. Parents are welcome to find other non-food items to send to school if they wish. For example, a book, game, pencil, or school supplies may be donated to your child’s classroom.

No food other than food sent from home is allowed during meal times. Please do not bring

fast food or soda to your child at school. Thank you for following the GFPS guidelines and

wellness policy.

If you plan to have lunch with your child, please call the school office at 746-2440 before 9:00

am to make a lunch choice. If you have not made a lunch choice in advance, you will only be

able to sit with your child during lunch.

The link for the free and reduced meal application is located below! Remember that you have to fill it out EVERY year. It will NOT carry over from last year! We encourage everyone to fill out the form online!

https://www.gfschools.org/departments/child-nutrition/free-and-reduced-price-meals-information

A part-time job is available in our kitchen here at Century! If you'd like to join a fast paced and fun environment please contact our kitchen manager Deb!

The Backpack food program will take place again this year. The Northlands Rescue Mission Backpack Program will provide a bag full of kid-friendly, shelf-stable food for your child to take home and eat over the weekend. They will receive foods like oatmeal, juice, soup, snacks, and crackers.

This program is a partnership between the Grand Forks Public School System and Northlands Rescue Mission, and is available to those students who qualify for free or reduced meals. If you are interested in the program for your child please apply for the free and reduced lunch program. Forms will go home to those that qualify to sign up.

All Grand Forks Public Schools are peanut and tree nut restricted schools.

If your child will be taking a prescription medication during school hours, there is a form which

needs to be completed and signed by the physician and parent. If your child is taking over-the-

counter medication (Tylenol, etc.), the form needs to be completed and signed by the parent

only. Please call the office at 701-746-2440 to get the forms needed. Medications will need to be dropped off before the first day of school.

• This fall students in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade will have their vision screened using an automated and objective screening device called the Plusoptix. The Plusoptix has similar simplicity and speed to a digital camera. Both eyes are screened simultaneously in less than one second. Refraction, pupil sizes and corneal reflexes are measured and compared to age-based referral criteria automatically. If any abnormalities are determined the results will be sent home with the student. If you DO NOT want your child screened please fill out the bottom portion of this form and return it to your child’s school.
• We will also be completing hearing screenings for students in Kindergarten, 1st, and 5th Grade. The hearing screening consists of a brief test to examine your child’s ability to hear pure tones at different frequencies. If there is any concern about your child’s hearing, you will be notified of the recommendation. If you DO NOT want your child screened please fill out the bottom portion of this form and return it to your child’s school.

https://www.gfschools.org/Page/8858

Pets or animals are prohibited on school grounds during school hours due to potential safety and health concerns.

Century Elementary School's excited to continue our schoolwide Postive Behavioral

Intreventions an Supports (PBIS) them: Growing the Leader in Me.

Based on the book, The Leader in Me by Stephen Covey, our teachers and students will be

learning bout the 7 Habits- a set of leadership and life skills- via class meetings and

schoolwide initiatives.

We truly believe every child at Century can be a leader and aim to help out students focus on

peronal goals while getting more done.

A tree symbolizes growth, Growth starts with the roots and moves upwards. It is our hope that you will ask your student how he or she is growing as a leader throughout the school year. Having your student re-teach the 7 Habits to you at home will deepen understanding and give both of you an opportunity to learn together! Keep an eye out for monthly newsletters describing each habit in greater detail.

Here's a sneak peek of the 7 Habits:

1. Be Proactive- You have to be in charge of you.

2. Begin With the End in Mind- Set goals.

3. Put First Things First- Get your work done first, then there is time to play.

4. Think Win-Win- Look for compromise in all situations.

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood- if you want to work with others, you have

to listen and try to understand the other perspective before promoting your own agenda.

6.Synergize- Work together

7. Sharpen the Saw- Find what you love and take time for it.

Thank you and we look forward to growing along with your students this year!

Sincerely,

The PBIS Team at Century

Email: sbrandt180@mygfschools.org

Website: www.gfschools.org/Century
Location: 3351 17th Ave S, Grand Forks, ND, USA
Phone: 701-746-2440
Twitter: @CenturyGF