May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month! This month, DPS will be featuring how our students are learning about, connecting with, interpreting and celebrating AAPI Heritage Month through their writing, artwork, music, photos and videos. Check out the link to see what they’re posting -- new updates coming all month.
We wanted to create one more opportunity for new families of color and families who were previously unable to join. Please register here tojoin us. Current Centennial families only. These virtual focus groups will be offered next week on:
Thursday, May 12th from 10-11am or
Monday, May 6-7pm
We would also like to share some exciting news for our crew next year. As you know, Mr. Andy H will be moving to the science lab. As a result, Ms. Erica will be moving to second grade and will be starting a new looping cycle at 2/3, and Ms. Lauren K will be moving to the K/1 team. We are so excited for these crew members as they take on new roles, and we know our kiddos are so lucky! Please join us in welcoming them to their new roles.
We hope to see you tomorrow for Better World Day! Please stop by the Student Leadership Bakesale from 8:30 - 9:10 and 4:10 - 4:40 on the West Playground. They are raising funds for more recess equipment, and they’ll have lots of tasty goods to sell -- cash or Venmo accepted. We can’t wait to finally release our trout at Berkeley Lake -- be sure to check with your teachers to get each crew’s schedule. Thank you to all of our volunteers for helping make Better World Day a success!!
Lastly, as you most likely have all heard, beginning in 2023, most DPS schools will have new bell times that align with the Board of Education’s Healthy Start Times (HST) resolution. The resolution calls for middle schools and high schools to start no earlier than 8:20 a.m. each school day to support healthy sleep habits in adolescents. Starting in August 2023, Centennial’s bell times will be: 7:40-2:40.
I know these changes may impact your family, and we are committed to supporting your before and after school needs as we move forward. I encourage you to take the DPS Your Voice/Tu Voz survey, available beginning May 2. The survey will include questions on how the new bell times will impact you and your family. DPS will use the information to help prioritize solutions to those impacts.
DPS Family and Community Engagement will also be holding a series of community meetings to discuss these impacts in-person and virtually beginning on Tuesday, May 3. You can find information for those meetings on the HST webpage.
As always, thank you for your time and support!
Laura and Emily
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week May is here!
The PTA has planned some special events planned to celebrate our amazing teacher's and staff.
Join us on Friday May 6th to decorate the school’s sidewalks with messages of thanks for teachers and staff. Sidewalk chalk will be provided by all classroom doors.
Teachers and staff have also been treated to:
- Lunch from a great food truck
- Breakfast, coffee, and treats
- Free Chair massages
- Free yoga classes
- A beautiful take-home gift
Thanks to Centennial parents Amber Carpenter and Jenn Stewart for their donations of yoga classes, LoHi Local for their donation of coffee and to our amazing Teachers and Staff !!
Science Lab News:
Friday May 6 is our Trout Release Day! Crews will come to the lake for a 45-60 minute block to explore at different community-led stations focused on water, birds, and fish. Each crew will have an assigned 10-minute time on the pier to participate in the release of trout. If you are interested in joining us, see the time blocks below. Reach out to your child's crew leader for the actual time of their crew's release.
Kinder and First 12:40-1:30 OR 3:20-3:50 (Chris & Tonia)
Bake Sale Friday, May 6th before and after school
West side of the building
Families, we would also appreciate any online donations to purchase recess equipment!
Students want balls, games, chalk, recess equipment carts, small b-ball hoops, soccer goals and more! Thank you for your generosity!
Student Leadership
Click here to donate: https://centennialptaco.memberhub.com/store/items/704858
Friday, May 6th Bake Sale - to raise money for recess equipment, brought to you by Student Leadership
Before School 8:30-9:10, After School, 4:10-4:30, West Playground Want to help? Bake cookies, bars, muffins, cupcakes etc. and bring it to the front office on Thurs, 5/5. Store purchased baked items are ok too.
Please individually wrap each item. No nuts please! Contact Nicole if you'd like to help with sales or have questions. nicole_tembrock@dpsk12.net
Wednesday, May 11 Families of Color Playground Time, West Playground, all are invited, 4:10-5:30
Wednesday, May 11 Family Night! Potluck, Craft and Restorative Practices, 5:30-7:00, in the cafeteria
Please bring a dish to share: Last Name: A - I Main dish, J-R Side dish. S -Z Dessert
Plates and plasticware will be provided! Please come join the fun and learn too!
Friday, May 13 Community Coffee in the cafeteria. 9:15 -10:00
Learn about Restorative Practices, what it is, how we use it at school and how to use it at home!
PTA Corner:
Please join the Diversity Equity & Inclusivity and Fundraising Committees of the PTA for an open conversation on fundraising at our school with a focus on equity. Everyone is invited to join, as parents/guardians at our school your opinion is valued. Thursday, May 12th at 7pm via Zoom. Meeting ID: 878 8864 1505 Passcode: 525263
All are Welcome!
Ideas Needed! At the final PTA Meeting of the School Year, Tuesday May 17th, we will be voting on our grants to the school equating to around $50,000. Have you seen something you feel the school would benefit from? Has your child said something they need at school? Please email ideas to PTA Officers at centennial.family@gmail.comby Sunday May 8th with those ideas.
