Central Elementary
Parent Newsletter 9/18/25
A Note from Mr. Hamilton, Principal
Greetings,
These first few weeks have been all about relationship-building,
inclusion, belonging, and building community. Ask your child about
their class social contract, including what it is and what’s included
within it. Consider building an at-home social contract, and continue
conversations around the Rocket Way (Respect, Pride, Integrity).
Over the past couple years, I’ve received feedback as it relates to acknowledgement systems, and perceived imbalance between those consistently showing the Rocket Way and those needing extra layers or a degree of frequency per their individualized plans. I’m excited to share that Leadworthy Certificates of Excellence have been launched, our Golden Ticket drawings will begin next week, and Lunch with the Principal is back, set to occur at the end of each month. In addition, Rocket Shop will begin next month!
With relationships getting stronger each day, classroom communities being forged, and fall benchmark testing coming to a close, we are diving deeper into our curriculum and casting vision around the learning to come. With that, please consider taking advantage of the community events coming soon, including the Back to School Math and Literacy Night (DK-4) and Literacy Dinner Series (DK-1). See more details below. By design, these will tilt heavily on academic programming and at-home support, as to launch the best year of learning yet!
It has been a truly incredible start. Again, thank you for that! Please reach out with questions as well as any aspirations to partner further with us.
Cordially,
Cody
This event is intended for ALL Central families to experience the excitement for the learning to be had during this school year. We hope you can join us! Please RSVP by Monday, September 22nd so that we can plan the necessary food and materials for this event. Note that this event is set to take place in our outdoor classroom space in the courtyard. The flyer below was sent home this week with all students.
BIG NEWS!
You may have noticed an empty coop within our courtyard for some time now. I am excited to share that Central has gained approval to bring chickens aboard our campus! We are excited about the opportunities our new little friends might provide as it relates to enhancing the student experience in alignment with our EL curriculum. For example, modules at various grade levels include Birds' Amazing Bodies, Caring for Birds, and Animal Defense Mechanisms, as well as units on Weather and Water. Per school policy regarding non-service animals, please know necessary precautions have been/will continue to be taken to protect student and staff health and safety, animals will be treated humanely with appropriate housing properly cleaned and maintained, and surrounding areas will be kept in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.
NEXT WEEK: SCHOOL PICTURES
WEDNESDAY, September 24: Grades 2nd*, 3rd, 4th (Bradford's class will be on this day as well)
THURSDAY, September 25: Grades DK, K, 1st
*Mrs. Birr's class will be photographed before leaving on their field trip on Wednesday
Retake Date: October 30
Send orders with money to school in time for picture day!
Here is the link for online pre-orders: https://schoolpix.radiumphoto.com/ordering/access
PARENT PORTAL - Required each school year
The link to access the parent portal is in the document below.
9/22 Braman, Nauta, Tindall to McLaughlin Grows Farm
9/22-9/26 Birr's Class to the Lakeshore Museum
9/24 School Pictures for grades 2nd, 3rd, 4th (includes Bradford)
9/25 School Pictures for grades DK, K, 1st
10/2 Braman, Nauta, Tindall to Lewis Farms
10/3 HALF Day - dismissal at 12:00pm
10/6 - Back-to School Math & Literacy Night 6:00-7:00pm
10/10 - Bradford to Maple Ridge One Room Schoolhouse
10/13-10/14 NO SCHOOL- Fall Break
10/17 Birr, Bradford, Droski, McGreavy to Heritage Farms
10/24 HALF Day - dismissal at 12:00pm
10/29 Ream and Ruiz to Weesies
10/30 School Picture RETAKE Day
HAND 2 HAND PROGRAM
Online registration for the 2025-2026 school year still welcome.
CKH Corner
Our Capturing Kids' Hearts theme for the month of September is Empathy.
Welcome to our new librarian, Amy Wynn! Students will begin attending library the week of 9/8 to get to know Mrs. Wynn, go on a tour of the library, and go over library expectations and procedures. Student will check out library books for the first time the week of 9/15. Once the library schedule is finalized, we will include it in the next newsletter.
Library Schedule
Mondays: Ream, Braman, Bradford, Ms Nicole, Workman, Birr, Tindall, Burmeister, English
Tuesdays: Sandee, Ruiz, Nauta, Mack, Droski, McGreavy, Wahr, Gartland, Groothuis
If you have any questions regarding library, please email Mrs. Wynn at wynna@reeths-puffer.org or call her at 231-744-1693 ext 2550.
Breakfast and Lunch in the Cafeteria
IMPORTANT NOTE: Breakfast and Lunch will be served in the cafeteria. At this point both meals will be free to all students through the end of September. You can set up a lunch account at familyportal.cloud and deposit money if your child would like to purchase alacarte items. Students can also bring a check or cash to school to be deposited into their account. Please send it in an envelope marked "lunch account" and include the student and teacher names. Thank you!
Breakfast Schedule
8:25 - 8:45am
Grade DK: 11:20 - 11:50
Grade K: 11:25 - 11:55
Grade 1: 11:30 - 12:00
Grade 2: 11:45 - 12:15
Grade 3: 11:55 - 12:25
Grade 4: 12:00 - 12:30
Lost and Found is Already Piling Up
Please remind your student to pick up their jackets they may take off during recess. If your child is missing any items, have them check the lost and found. Parents are welcome to stop in to take a look as well.
MEDICATION AT SCHOOL
Medications which need to be taken in school must be administered by certified school personnel (or designee) in the presence of another adult. Parents must bring medication to the school office in the original container and file a written statement. NO STUDENT MAY BRING ANY MEDICATION TO SCHOOL.
Contact the office if you have any questions.
Early pick-ups = Tardies
When students are picked up early (an hour or more before dismissal), the attendance system codes it as a tardy.
Student Cell Phones and other Texting Devices at School Need to Remain in the Backpack in the Locker
Cell phones and/or texting devices can be disruptive to the educational environment. Students are not permitted to carry them during the school day - this includes during recess and lunch. When possible, parents should communicate through school staff. If these items are brought to school and are seen, they will be taken away. Items will be held by the principal until a parent or guardian comes to school to pick them up. Apple watches are discouraged, but if worn, should only be used as a watch. If seen talking on or texting with an Apple watch, the watch will remain in the office until a parent or guardian comes to school to pick it up. Thank you for your observance of this policy.
NO PETS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
Please do not bring your pets on school property for the safety of our students and staff. Service animals are welcome.
Thank you for your understanding!
Central Elementary
Website: www.reeths-puffer.org
Location: 1807 West Giles Road, Muskegon, MI, USA
Phone: 231-744-1693
