Dear Centennial Crew,

It was great to see so many of you at Back to School Night last week! We’re so glad we could host that event in person again after two years of virtual events. 

We are excited to share that we will be honoring Hispanic/LatinX Heritage Month at Centennial beginning in October. While this month officially runs September 15 - October 15, our teachers need some time to collaboratively plan lessons for kiddos.  We are excited to celebrate this week beginning October 3rd. Across the school classroom teachers will be teaching four lessons about Hispanic/Latinx culture and identity in order to honor this important group represented in our community. As a reminder, this comes from EL Education’s commitment to anti-racist practices that we support as an EL school, as well as from our focus groups with Hispanic and LatinX families and students. If you would like to help out with this effort, please reach out to your child’s teacher by 9/30! We would love to have authentic voices from the Hispanic/LatinX community to be a part of this work -- ideas could be guest speakers, story tellers, family night performers, local history sharing, etc. 

Families, just a quick note about breakfast.  This year’s model is a Grab and Go system. If students want/need to eat breakfast please ensure you are sending them to the main doors between 8:35-8:50.  Lately we have had quite a few students come to the main office after the bell has rung requesting breakfast and unfortunately we have not had enough sacks.  If students are eating they need to pick up their sack before the bell rings.  

We are excited to share about some upcoming family events. Mark your calendars, and see you there!

• Thursday, Sept 22, 3:50-5:00:  Families of Color Playground Night, West/Purple playground.  Come mingle and have fun together!  This event is specifically designed for families of color to have a space to build relationships and be together, and all are welcome to attend, as always. This event began in Spring of 2021, when families of color shared that they would like our school to hold space specifically for them.

• Tuesday, Sept 27, 5:30-7:00:  Eat, Meet and Learn Family Night.  Come learn about our school culture-- Crew, WoRLD CARE, restorative practices, and social emotional learning! We will have a potluck dinner together.  Please bring a dish assigned by the letter your Last name -- if it starts with:   A-J:  Main dish, K-R: Side Dish, S-Z:  Dessert.  Paper and plastic ware will be provided.  More info coming on activities for kids!

• Monday, Oct 10, 6-7:30:  Equity Collective Gathering, 6-7:30, in person. Come join us-- school staff, PTA DEI committee members and parent/caretakers -- in discussing and determining a plan for the year.  In past years, we have read and discussed a book throughout the year.  We have also listened to and discussed podcasts and articles, and we have invited guest speakers. Some ideas for this year include reading a young adult novel and reading a book that all Centennial crews will read. Come bring your ideas!  You don't have to make a commitment to come to all gatherings.  You can also share ideas by emailing nicole_tembrock@dpsk12.net. 

Emily and Laura