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 November 2017
Comet Connection: The Centennial Elementary PTA Newsletter |
November is here and so are all the great activities that come with it! Read on to hear about... Picture Retakes * Tune-In Tuesday * November Outreach * The Giving Tree * The Reading Corner * Spotlight Centennial * PISD Parent Workshops * Room Parents * 5th Grade Dedication Ads * and so much more! |
 Color Run Success
Centennial's 2017 Color Run was a huge success! Don't forget to turn in your fundraising envelopes with your donations TOMORROW, Friday November 3rd! Funds raised through Color Run and other fundraising events go towards benefiting ALL Centennial students through STEAM and technology investments, PE and recess equipment and continued PTA Programming like author visits, field trips, Culture Night, Texas Day, Red Ribbon Week and so much more! We would love to give a huge SHOUT OUT and THANK YOU to all of our amazing corporate sponsors, including our Platinum and Gold Level Sponsors: Platinum Level Sponsor 
Gold Level Sponsors 
Click here to see more about all our corporate sponsors! |
 Help Wanted!
Calling all Kindergarten parents! Your kiddos need lunch volunteers, and there are plenty of openings available this week AND through the end of the semester. Please consider volunteering just 30 minutes of your time to help your kids and the Kinder teachers (11:45 to 12:15). Full kids are happy kids ready to learn! Sign-up here, and THANK YOU in advance: |
5TH GRADE CLASS PHOTO! FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH ALL 5TH GRADERS WEAR YOUR Royal Blue 5th Grade Camp T-SHIRT! It's a 5th grade tradition for the entire grade to pose for an aerial photo  for the yearbook. Please make sure your 5th grader wears their Royal Blue 5th Grade Camp t-shirt so everyone is wearing the same color, and don't forget to smile! If your student does not have a 5th Grade Camp t-shirt, please wear any blue shirt in the same shade. Take a look at 2017 aerial photo! Can't wait to see the 2018 5th grade photo! 
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 Tune-In Tuesday
Do you play piano, guitar, ukulele, violin, cello, or another instrument? Have you always wanted to play for your friends at school? Here’s your opportunity! We are going to start our Tuesdays with some tunes as we arrive 7:30-7:40 am in the main entrance by the front office. If you wish to perform a song or two on an upcoming Tuesday, please complete the form. You may perform with or without your sheet music. Ms. Nalley will provide a music stand and piano or keyboard if needed. There will be no microphone for this brief performance. A parent volunteer will be present to help students continue walking down the hall to class. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Nalley at paige.nalley@pisd.edu or 469-752-0763. Thank you so much for encouraging each other to share music to begin our Tuesdays. What a wonderful way to begin the day! CLICK HERE to download the Tune-In Tuesday permission slip. |
 November Outreach
Project: SHOE DRIVE & CAN DRIVE items accepted from 11/6 to 11/10Help Kids Put Their Best Foot Forward… Donate NEW and GENTLY WORN shoes to students in need at Mendenhall. Bins will be placed in the lobby of Centennial during the week of November 6-10. Don’t forget to ask friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to donate too! Larger sizes preferred. Collected shoes will be donated to students at our sister school, Mendenhall Elementary. Help Stock the Pantry for the Holiday Season... 
Please have your student bring the item assigned to their grade level below: Kindergarten: Cranberry Sauce 1st Grade: Corn 2nd Grade: Green Beans 3rd Grade: Sweet Potatoes 4th Grade: Fruit 5th Grade: Carrots Questions? Contact Julie Liberman at 214-336-9342 or mendenhall@centennialpta.net |
 The Giving Tree
It's almost holiday time, and what a perfect time to teach our children about giving back and reaching out to our community in a meaningful way! Our display, The Giving Tree, will be set up in the front hallway of the school from November 15 until December 6th. Please pick a tag and bring it back attached to a new, unwrapped gift by December 6th. Your donated gifts will be given to students in need at Barron Elementary School this holiday season. Barron is a PISD school in East Plano with many students in need. Your gifts will brighten the face of another child during this season of giving, and we thank you in advance for your generosity! If you are a family in need or know a family in need, please contact Alison Leven, Centennial counselor, at Alison.Leven@pisd.edu. Calling All Wrappers! To make The Giving Tree a success, we need YOUR help! Please consider donating a roll of gift wrap or tape or signing up to wrap gifts on Membership Toolkit (sign up coming soon). Please stay tuned for Membership Toolkit volunteer opportunities to help wrap and deliver gifts to Barron on December 7th and 8th.
Questions about The Giving Tree? Contact Julie Liberman at mendenhall@centennialpta.net or 214-336-9342. |
Picture Retakes! 
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 From the Reading Corner...
Coming soon!!! Centennial will be hosting Award Winning Author, Shelly Boyum-Breen in December. Here's a little sneak peak from the author: I travel the country throughout the year giving presentations in schools (over 20,000 students last year alone). The mission is to provide a strong, athletic, female role model for children in their books and talk about what it means to be a role model. One school gave this review: "Shelly had the smallest of our children eating out of the palm of her hand and the message captured the 5th graders too! This isn't just for girls!" Check out Shelly Bean the Sports Queen HERE! Stay tuned for more information in early December! |
 Texas PTA Honor
Recognition Who do YOU know that deserves to be recognized? A volunteer or teacher that continues go above and beyond for our kids and never quits building and creating a 'better tomorrow' through our schools and volunteer organizations? The volunteers of Texas, Plano and Centennial PTA are truly the heart of the PTA association. The efforts of the leaders for change and improvement assist our children in providing higher educational experience. Let's thank that special person who acts as a tireless advocate for children’s education, health, and well-being . Nominate someone you know for our The Texas PTA Honorary Life Member Award and Texas PTA Extended Service Award : prestigious honors to bestow on a deserving individual who has supported your Local or Council PTA in our mission of making every child's potential a reality.
Please contact our Membership Chair, Kathy Grane at membership@centennialpta.net and provide a nomination (parent volunteer or teacher) for someone deserving to be recognized! All nominations must be provided by November 10th. |
 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! 
Rebecca Bilodeau - 5th Grade1. What was your Elementary Mascot? Bulldog 2. What was your favorite school subject? Math! 3. What made you decide to go into teaching / education? It’s the family business! My dad, both brothers, and many cousins have all gone into education. I love the creativity of lesson planning and the relationships we get to build with our students. 4. What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome in pursuing your dream of becoming an educator? I went to school for education at Michigan State, so transitioning to a new state with new state standards/laws/procedures was quite a shift for me! 5. What is your favorite Centennial Cafeteria dish? I’ve never had any food here, but when I was in high school my favorite meal was the macaroni and cheese. 6. What is your favorite movie? How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Embarrassingly, I have all of the words memorized! 7. Where would you go on your dream vacation? Anywhere in Europe. There’s so much history there that I want to learn more about. 8. What is your favorite sports team? Michigan State Spartans and Detroit Lions J 9. What is your favorite quote? The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.
Michelle Brock - 1st Grade  1. What was your Elementary Mascot? Mustangs 2. What was your favorite school subject? Social Studies 3. What made you decide to go into teaching / education? I was a slow learner growing up and started reading at a late age. It was not until third grade I had an amazing teacher who taught me I could do anything if I set my mind to it. That teacher stuck with me throughout my life. I wanted to make a positive impact on as many students lives as I could and help them realize their potential. 4. What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome in pursuing your dream of becoming an educator? I had to overcome learning what classroom management style worked for my personality. 5. What is your favorite Centennial Cafeteria dish? Pizza 6. What is your favorite movie? Minions 7. Where would you go on your dream vacation? Hawaii 8. What is your favorite sports team? Astros 9. What is your favorite quote? “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.†-Aristotle |
 It’s Science & Engineering
Fair Time! We want to encourage interested students to take advantage of this exciting opportunity – this event is also part of this year’s Try-Athlon! Your child should have received an informational letter about the fair from their homeroom teacher. There is a form to complete and return if your child is interested in participating. Once the form is submitted, your child will receive an instructional handbook with rules and guidelines around the project. All projects must follow ALL of the rules outlined in the student handbook in order to be judged. Science Fair projects are due on Wednesday, January 24th. The campus science fair judging will be on Thursday January 25th and all projects must be picked up on Friday January 26th. Contact Ms. Rebecca Bilodeau with any questions: rebecca.bilodeau@pisd.edu SCIENCE FAIR HELPFUL TIPS #1 To start, think of an idea that interests you and begin investigating. Here are some possible topics to study: Zoology, Botany, Weather, Space, Simple machines, Life cycles, Physics, or Geology. Determine what your research question is. What are you trying to answer by conducting your experiment? Begin recording your data in your notebook as soon as you start. Don't forget to read the guidelines and follow them. Projects that don't follow the guidelines provided in the handbook will not be judged. Reminder: Growing bacteria cultures is not allowed. Student must obtain approval of the District Science Coordinator BEFORE beginning any project involving invertebrates, vertebrate animals, human subjects, or any potentially dangerous substance, material or equipment. |
SAVE THE DATE AND JOIN US! The mission of Family Education and Guidance Services in Plano is to strengthen all families in the community by providing education, resources and services which support rearing responsible, self-confident, emotionally healthy children in today’s complex society. Check out one of the amazing workshops PISD offers to our fantastic families. You won't be disappointed! 
If you have any questions, please contact Family Education and Guidance Services located in the Allan K and Carolyn H Bird Education Center. 1300 19th Street , Plano, TX 75074
(469) 752-2272 |
 Who Do I Contact?
The Centennial PTA is lucky to have the support of parents who volunteer to be their classroom and grade-level room representatives! These room representatives plan and host grade-level coffees in the beginning of the school year, plan and lead two class parties throughout the year and help support the teachers during school events like Texas Day and End of Year celebrations! If you have questions about how you can get involved, please contact your room rep! Interested in becoming a room rep? Be sure to show your interest in the Volunteer Interest Form on our Online Orders / Volunteer Forms next August! Please see the list of 2017 / 2018 Room Representatives: Kindergarten: Room Rep Coordinator: Julie Liberman, Julie.liberman@gmail.com Ms. Morrison (Team Leader): Julie Liberman, Julie.liberman@gmail.com Ms. Fabrega: Mona Lurich, lurichs@verizon.net Ms. Nia: Niloofar Khalesseh, niloukh@gmail.com Ms. Immel: Kimi Hutson, kdhttu91@sbcglobal.net 1st Grade: Room Rep Coordinator: Sara O’Connell, sarajoconnell@me.com Ms. Collins (Team Leader): Cynthia Bush, mtnest324@verizon.net Ms. Brock: Gabrielle Symank, gsymank@gmail.com Ms. Palmer: Kecia Gray, kecia_gray@hotmail.com Ms. White: Michelle Massaro, m_moreno99@hotmail.com 2nd Grade: Room Rep Coordinator: Leigh Robinson-Ahangar, leigh_b_robinson@hotmail.com Ms. Jenkins (Team Leader): Shana Fishman, shanafishman1@gmail.com Ms. Bay: Abbie Alter, abbie6@hotmail.com Ms. Hudgens: Manasi Mantry, manasih@yahoo.com Ms. Mighell: Susan Triplett, smtdvm@yahoo.com Ms. Rector: Tami Martins, tklemcke@gmail.com 3rd Grade: Room Rep Coordinator: Missy Walker, walker.missy@ymail.com Ms. Litman (Team Leader): Lisa Hingson, lisa.hingson@gmail.com Mrs. Boyle: Jenny Stilwell, jennystilwell@gmail.com Ms. Dowd: Mary Graff, mary@texasfootsurgery.com Ms. Greene: Heidi Parra, heidi.parra@rocketmail.com Ms. Tarver: Simone Lang, simone.93@gmx.de 4th Grade: Room Rep Coordinator: Kathy Grane, kgrane1@aol.com Ms. Davison (Team Leader): Susan Pitulescu, susimai@yahoo.com Ms. Cizdziel: Jennifer Church, jennifer.church@livelmc.com Ms. Corzine: Claudia Madden, claudia0286@hotmail.com and Ashley Wilcox, sawilcoxrn@aol.com Ms. Sims: Natalie Jenkins, nataliezjenkins@icloud.com Ms. Stow: Kathy Grane, kgrane1@aol.com Maria Suarez Moreno, maria.suarez.moreno@gmail.com 5th Grade: Room Rep Coordinator: Kara Grimes, kdgrimes98@gmail.com Ms. Stadheim (Team Leader): Melissa Nelson, melissaenelson@verizon.net Ms. Bilodeau: Indrani Dhanisetty, indu.dhanisetty@gmail.com Ms. Maness: Dana Rose, dmrose28@yahoo.com and Angela Harris, angelaharris@us.ibm.com Ms. Switser: Abbie Alter, abbie6@hotmail.com |
 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: - Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and enter 15040 for Centennial Elementary
- Select "BUY A YEARBOOK AD"
- 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 |
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TOMORROW, Friday, November 3rd: - Color Run Donations & Pledges are due!
November 6th-10th: - Shoe Drive / Can Drive for Mendenhall
Thursday, November 9th: - Picture Retake / Club Picture Day
Friday, November 10th: Wednesday, November 15th:
- The Giving Tree Winter Outreach project launch
Thursday, November 16th: - 3rd Grade Music Performance / PTA General Meeting, begins at 6pm
Monday, November 20th-24th: - NO SCHOOL! Thanksgiving Break
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*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. |
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