I'd like to give respect and context to the term 'Bullying' from my perspective as a campus principal.

I talked to our teachers and staff about the B word before school began this year. I'm burdened from hearing stories about our kids being called the B word by other children or (worse yet) adults. I hate calling parents to tell them their child was accused of being a B word and then listen to their shock, frustration, and confusion. Despite this, and as of this moment, I've had to deal with the B word more in the past few weeks than all of last semester.

The term 'bully' is a powerful one, but I think it's sometimes misused and often misunderstood. To be clear, I have no tolerance for bullying. Every child (and adult for that matter) has the right to live, learn, and grow without experiencing fear of harm, targeting, or isolation by another person.

If I may appeal to our community in regards to the B word, this is it: please be mindful of the words or terms that we place on the shoulders of our children.

I expect our students to make mistakes, to mess up, to navigate friendships with guidance and feedback from the adults in their life. I take great care and time in giving appropriate consequences to our students while informing and inviting the parents and guardians to partner with our school in educating and raising the next generation. If bullying occurs, I will do everything in my power to protect the victim and discipline/correct the aggressor. I just don't want to see multiple kids bear the weight of a legal and consequential term that might better be described as 'childhood'.

If you have a concern about bullying on our campus, you can reach out to me directly to conference. If you feel bullying is occurring, you can report it to me or fill out the bullying form provided by LCISD and we will fully investigate the situation. If you are unsure or need to discuss a concerning situation, I would welcome the opportunity to visit about it with you directly. I only ask that we all take a moment before we jump to calling each other, and our students, the B word at Central Elementary.

- Colter Cox

Principal, Central Elementary

We ask that all of our families complete the online free/reduced lunch application form, please click the link below:

• Online Meal Application

• 30 Day rollover is September 28th. All families who do not have a current application on file will return to paid status.

Click the link below for important information from our school nurse!

Central Elementary Health Services Resource

The items below will be available at breakfast and lunch to purchase through the cafeteria line, ice cream will be available on Tuesdays and Fridays for all grades. Parents can deposit money online or they may bring in checks or cash to the cafeteria cashier.

Mrs Baird's Bread and United Supermarkets have announced the return of the Teachers On The Rise program for the 2022-23 school year.

This student/family nominated program honors three local teachers every month. Teachers have such a tremendous impact on students every day, and these are the stories Mrs. Baird's wants to hear about! Nominate your favorite teacher at www.MrsBTeacher.com!

For more than two decades, each fall, Texas Tech has hosted the annual Take a Kid to the Game Day for a Texas Tech football game. Through this collaborative initiative between TTU Athletics, the Student Government Association, and The Office of Institutional Diversity, thousands of area youth are afforded a free opportunity to spend time on our campus, attend a football game, and be exposed to the infectious Red Raider spirit. The students who participate are generally 2nd-6th graders from area schools, churches, and other organizations.

This year’s Take a Kid to the Game Day will be held on Saturday, October 22nd, which will also be the TTU Homecoming game. Although the time of the game has not yet been announced, I wanted to get you the information so that you have ample time to coordinate your group(s) participation, if interested. Please review the attached information and share it as appropriate. Requests must be received no later than Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Additional details and instructions will be sent to you once your request is confirmed and the time of the game is announced.

TTU Game Information