Center Connection

Dear Center School Families,

It has been so wonderful to have our students back in school. We are off to a great start and looking forward to all the things that lie ahead this year. Up first this year is our Back to School Night. Our Back to School Night will be from 6:00-8:00pm on Thursday, September 17th for families with students in grades one through five. We will follow a similar format to last year's evening. The evening is geared for caregivers only across the district similar to last year with the intent for educators to have an opportunity to explain what their students will be learning this year and classroom expectations. We will use the following schedule for the evening based on positive feedback from families last fall:

6:00 - 6:20 Administrative welcome in Cafe for grades 3-5

6:25 - 7:00 Classroom teacher presentations in classrooms for Grades 3-5

7:00 - 7:20 Administrative welcome in Cafe for grades 1-2

7:25 - 8:00 Classroom teachers presentations in classrooms for Grades 1-2

6:00-8:00 Related Arts Staff Available for drop in visits

Families with students in multiple grades you can pop between classes as needed.

Parking can get tight so please plan to leave time for parking. There is no parking in the fire lane. Parking is available in our lots, up at Hale and at the Church next door. We will unlock both entrances to allow ease of entrance with parking.

Back to School Night also offers an opportunity to fill out a CORI form if you have expired or not yet filled one out. A CORI form is required for all classroom visitors and volunteers as well as for any chaperones. To fill out a CORI form you need to bring a state ID and come in person to the Center School Office. If Back to School Night does not work for you, CORI forms can be filled out between 9-2 on a daily basis.

Additionally, as I shared in my first newsletter of the year we are looking for two new individuals to join our School Council as family representatives. This is a two year commitment and we meet Monthly, typically the last Wednesday of the month at 3:30pm. If you are interested in joining please email me at kcoppinger@nrsd.net. If more than two individuals express interest we will hold an election for the seats. We value having family voices and are grateful for those who are willing to join. One of our School Council Family Representatives, Christine Lorenzo, will be at our Back to School Night with a table in the lobby to connect and answer any questions around the purpose and role of a School Council Member.

Finally, fifth grade parents please put a hold on your calendar for a follow up Virtual Meeting regarding Outdoor Classroom for any other questions that have emerged since our Spring Meeting. We will hold this meeting on Monday October 5th from 6:00-6:30pm. We will also host an in school meeting for students where they can ask their questions before the trip. Registration paperwork will be sent out in the coming weeks.

In partnership,

Kerryann

PS: Don't forget to check out the different community events under our virtual backpack link below.

First All School Meeting for Students: September 4th

No School: September 7th (Labor Day)

PTO Meeting: September 16th (7:30pm Center Library)

Back to School Night Grades 1-5: September 17 (6:00-8:00pm)

Early Release: September 18th (K-5 Dismissal 12:15; PK Dismissal 11:15)

Coffee Hour with Mrs. Coppinger: September 25th (9:00am)

School Council: September 30th (3:30pm)

Annual Pasta Supper: October 1 (5-7pm)

Picture Day: October 2

Fifth Grade Family Outdoor Classroom Meeting: October 5 6:00-6:30pm

No School: October 12 (Indigenous People Day)

Outdoor Classroom (Grade 5): October 19-23

Early Dismissal: October 23 (K-5 Dismissal 12:15; PK Dismissal 11:15)

Follow Our Events by subscribing to The Center School Calendar.

Returning Student Registration was sent to all returning families. If you received an email prompting you to complete the Returning Student Registration for your child please complete it as soon as possible. If you have any questions please reach out to Kirsten Gallagher at kgallagher@nrsd.net. We thank you in advance for getting this back to school task completed.

When to Keep Your Child Home from School:

• If your child is unable to participate fully in school activities because of illness

• When your child has a contagious condition or a rash with an unknown cause

• When your child has had a fever of 100°F or more within the last 24 hours when not taking fever-reducing medications

• If your child has had vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours or is unable to eat normally

• If your child has been diagnosed with strep throat and has not been taking antibiotic medication or at least 24 hours

• If your child has red/pink eyes with drainage

• If your child has chicken pox, he or she must stay home until all lesions have scabbed over

Please contact the school nurse when:

• Your child's health status has changed

• Your child has had a recent serious illness, injury, surgery or hospitalization

• Your child has been diagnosed with a contagious condition such as: strep throat, chicken pox, whooping cough, head lice, scabies, flu, Coxsackie virus

• Your child cannot participate fully in Physical Education or recess

• There are family changes or other concerns that may affect your child in school

Reporting Absences, Late Arrivals or Early Dismissals
All student absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals should be entered through PickUp Patrol as we did last year. This allows the school office, health office, and classroom teacher to access the information directly.

• Absences (Please enter as soon as you know of an upcoming absence, the sooner the better)

• Late arrivals

• Any changes to dismissal plans ( Plan Changes need to be made before 12pm on regular days, 10am on Early Release Days)
  
  

Using this program ensures that the school office, your child’s teacher, the health office, and the dismissal team all have the same, up-to-date information each day. Families can access PickUp Patrol through the mobile app or the website dashboard.

To ensure a smooth and timely start to the school day for all our students, please remember that morning drop-off starts at 8:25am and concludes promptly at 8:35 AM in the back of the school (Entrance via Hartley Road (Red Arrow)).

Students arriving after this time must be brought to the FRONT door and signed in at the main office and will be marked tardy (Blue Arrow).

When entering the drop-off loop, please drive all the way forward to where the furthest adult is stationed before stopping. To keep traffic moving efficiently, students should begin unloading if they are positioned anywhere in the circle, stretching from the first individual all the way back to where Nurse Audra stands. Please do not pass cars, we appreciate your patience in prioritizing student safety.

If the line is backed up onto Hartley Road please go up to Hale and loop around to join the line, do not try to go left. Parent Pick Up begins at 3:05pm in the same location.

Please indicate in your Pick Up Patrol Plan who is picking up.

Please use the backdrop-off circle (Hartley Rd. entrance) for dismissal and make sure your child’s colored paper is clearly visible so we can quickly identify which class your child is in.

Caregivers may pull up and remain in the car while we bring your child to you. Once a staff member brings your child to the car, it is the caregiver’s responsibility to securely buckle your child into their car seat.

For everyone’s safety:

• Please do not pass cars that are still buckling their children.

• Please wait until a staff member instructs you to pull forward.

• We will bring approximately 4 children out at a time. Once those 4 cars have safely finished buckling, we will have the next 4 cars pull forward.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to make dismissal safe, smooth, and efficient for everyone!

Apply here to become a lunch monitor at Center. This is a great way to help out our school. Hours are from 11:15am-1:00pm Monday-Friday. We would be so grateful for your willingness to join our team!

Substitutes play a critical role in helping our school succeed and Center School needs more of them! If you have the flexibility in your schedule or know someone who does, it is an incredible way to support our school community. Please reach out with any questions.

Apply Here

We appreciate your help in growing our substitute pool!