September 2017

Comet Connection:

The Centennial

Elementary PTA

                                   Newsletter 

September is here, and with it loads of great information on programs rolling out this fall at Centennial!  

Read on to learn about the Centennial Make your Mark - Brick Campaign,Try-Athlon, Reflections, Centennial Reading Challenges, 5th Grade Comet Captains, Watch D.O.G.S., Spotlight! Centennial, 5th Grade Yearbook Ads, Staff Favorites and so much more!  

The PTA and Centennial staff have been busy and we're ready to share the great programming with you!  

Centennial PTA is launching a Brick Fundraising campaign this Friday, September 8th through Friday, September 22nd.  This opportunity to Make Your Markon Centennial Elementary doesn't come around very often!  

Centennial's last brick campaign was over 8 years ago.  Purchase a brick for your student or family and see it installed in front of the library door adjacent to Centennial's 100 Year Wall.  You can even purchase a replica to take home.  Leave a legacy that will remain at Centennial Elementary beyond your child's tenure.  

Each brick can be purchased for $100 and will go towards supporting all the wonderful programs sponsored by the PTA.  Click here to learn all about the programs and events your PTA sponsors, organizes and supports.  

Buy your brick at: https://www.thatsmybrick.com/centennialelem 

Does your Comet have what it takes to go further?...Try harder?  The Centennial Try-Athlon is here and ready to challenge your student to cross-train their brain!

Check out this year's Centennial Try-Athlon and be sure to learn more about the first event, Reflections, in this newsletter!  The 3 Try-Athlon Events this year are:

1. Reflections, Due October 27th
2. Science Fair, January, 2018, more info coming 
3. Publishing Kits, more info coming

Remember, every student who completes all three events in the Try-Athlon will be recognized by our principal, Mrs. Stewart, at the end of the year at a Try-Athlon recognition ceremony. 

The 2017-2018 National PTA Reflections Program Is Here!  

The PTA Reflections Program is a national arts program and is one of the 3 Centennial Try-Athlon Events.  Students have a opportunity to present the theme - Within Reach - in any of the 6 accepted mediums.  See details below or learn more on the PTA Reflections Program Page.  

Once Upon A Time...

Centennial Reading Programs

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go." — Dr. Seuss

Let's get the school year started off right by being a part of Centennial Comet's Reading Programs.

Our programs include:

• 40 Book Challenge K-1st Grade, 2nd Grade, and 3rd - 5th Grades
• Lil Maverick K-2, 3-5
• Texas 2x2 Kinder - 2nd Grade
• Texas Bluebonnet 3rd - 5th Grade

 Ready to Start? Check out the Reading Programs Page for printable lists by program and GRADE.  Click, Print, READ!!!!!!

 The Centennial PTA supports the end-of-year celebrations for students who have worked throughout the year to complete these reading programs! 

Want to learn more about these programs?  Read below:

Introducing the Comet Captains

We are looking for leaders in 5th grade to welcome new students, mentor younger students, help teachers and lead community service drives.   

Information and applications to be a Comet Captain will be shared with all interested 5th graders in their guidance period, led by counselor, Alison Leven.

Applications are due back on Friday, September 15th.   To learn more about the program, please see the 5th grade newsletter coming later this week.

Do you have what it takes to join WATCH D.O.G.S? 

WatchDOGS are fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer to serve at least one day a year in a variety of school activities as assigned by the school principal or other administrator. 

Click here to explore the details of this impactful national program.

Questions? Contact Lesley Guinn at watchdogs@centennialpta.net

 It's Their Time to Shine! Spotlight! Centennial

Get to know what makes our Centennial Elementary staff shine!  

This fall we are introducing Spotlight! Centennial.  In each of our monthly newsletters, two Centennial staff members will be highlighted.  Get to know a little bit more about the super staff that support our kids day in and day out!   

Sara Stewart - Principal

1. What was your Elementary Mascot? The Gashland Stars

2. What was your favorite school subject? Social Studies, I love history

3. What made you decide to go into teaching/education? I am a third generation public school educator, teaching is in my DNA.  Just ask my little brother who's 6 years younger than me. I taught him everything he knows. 

4. What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome in pursuing your dream of becoming an educator?  I come from a middle class. midwestern family from Missouri.  To get through college I had to wait a lot of tables, earn a lot of scholarships and study!  That experience taught me a lot about GRIT, something I won't ever get from a textbook!  

5. What is your favorite Centennial Cafeteria dish? Orange Chicken

6. What is your favorite movie?  The Notebook

7. Where would you go on your dream vacation?  Anywhere with a beach and my family

LeighAnn Earnhart - Assistant Principal

1. What was your Elementary Mascot? Fairview Falcon

2. What was your favorite school subject? Math and Science

3. What made you decide to go into teaching / education? I have ALWAYS wanted to be a teacher and I loved playing school with my stuffed animals.  It was my 3rd and 4th grade teachers that really showed compassion and kindness towards me, which instilled a true love for learning and teaching. 

4. What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome in pursuing your dream of becoming an educator? School did not always come easy for me, so I really had to work hard and study to reach my goal in life, which was to be an educator. 

5. What is your favorite Centennial Cafeteria dish? Of course, it has to be the PIZZA!  My favorite meal of all time! 

6. What is your favorite sports team? Texas A&M Aggies

7. Where would you go on your dream vacation? I would love to visit Alaska again

5th Grade Dedication Ads

Can you believe your child is in his or her last year of elementary school? My, how time flies! Well, get ready to celebrate all they have accomplished with a yearbook dedication ad. Start collecting all your adorable pictures and working on your special messages to recognize and congratulate your 5th Grader!  

 This year we're making it easier than ever!   We are happy to introduce a new and streamlined program that allows you to order your ad, pay for your ad, and create your ad in the same place.   Completed Ads due DEC. 20th.

You will be able to create an account so you can:

• upload photos directly from your computer,
• select your own design, colors, and font,
• save your work and come back later to modify
• all on your own timeline! (completed online ads due Dec. 20th)

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and enter 15040 for Centennial Elementary
2. Select "BUY A YEARBOOK AD"
3. Select the size of ad you would like to purchase:
• ¼ page ads are $35
• ½ page ads are $70
• Full page ads are $125

From there, follow the prompts and you'll be on your way to creating a priceless memory for your Comet!

***All 5th Grade Ad proceeds will go to support 5th Grade Programs***

  Questions about 5th grade yearbook dedication ads?  Contact Manasi Mantry at yearbookads@centennialpta.net

A Few of My Favorite Things

We love our kiddos, but let's be completely honest, teachers deserve a medal, a trophy, or something along those lines for taking on so many kiddos at once!

It takes a very special person to become a teacher! Do you want to know more about your teacher?  Want to know about their favorite things?

Check out the Staff Favorites page on our PTA website and see what are your teachers' favorite things!

Safety First - Be the Example!

Did you know elementary aged children are the most at-risk for getting hit while crossing the street?  We must help protect our students from dangerous and life-threatening accidents, it’s essential to teach crosswalk safety when crossing ANY street.

Let's all make sure we are setting a good example for our students. When crossing the street at morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, please cross the street USING THE CROSSWALKS.  Please do not cross in the middle of the street!! We need to work together to keep all of our students safe. 

Giddy Up, Readers!

In October, head on out to the Wild West Book Fair – Saddle Up and Read!

Let's round up the staff, students, and entire families to make their way down to the reading frontier, where readers are wanted and adventure awaits in amazing books from Scholastic Books!

 The Wild West Book Fair will be October 2-6, in the Centennial Library and online September 24-October 6.  More details of this Wild West Reading Frontier coming soon to a WANTED poster near you!

Backpack Buddies

Backpack Buddies was a HUGE success this year! Thank you to our generous Centennial families who donated backpacks during our annual "Backpacks for Buddies" backpack drive. Our sister school, Mendenhall Elementary, in East Plano, is thrilled to be receiving over 35 backpacks! Questions about Mendenhall/Outreach, please contact Julie Liberman at mendenhall@centennialpta.net

Cultural Arts Celebration

Centennial Elementary celebrates its beautiful diversity. Are you interested in showing your culture and sharing it with our lovely community?  Please contact Nour Almahaini at culturalprograms@centennialpta.net to get involved with our Cultural Arts Celebration and Family Night this Spring!

Are You A Member?

Have YOU joined the Centennial PTA yet? It isn't too late!  The PTA is a great way to get plugged into your Elementary child's experience. 

By joining the PTA, you will:

• Know first-hand what programs are being scheduled at Centennial
  
• Join with our teachers and staff - Did you know that 100% of our Centennial staff are PTA members? Yes, they are...they are working to enhance our kids' experience every day!
• Help other parents create and build programs enhancing our school campus
• Gain access to other PTA members phones/addresses/emails (i.e. need a play date--look up their address on our FREE membership Toolkit app on YOUR cell phone!)
• AND...drum roll please...NOW you can access Centennial school calendar on your phone, right on the Membership Toolkit app!

Please note that volunteering is not a requirement of PTA membership!  Click here to join us today!   

*Reminder*

In order to access your account, sign up for volunteer positions, order spiritwear or donate please log-into your CentennialPTA.net account FIRST and then CLICK My Toolkit/Volunteer.