THE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY NEWS Back to School Edition—August/September 2018 ces.amherst.k12.va.us (434) 946-9700

August/September

Events

8/28-Parent Advisory Meeting

8:15-9:15 a.m.

8/31-9/18 Fall Fundraiser

9/4-9/11 Fall Book Fair

9/6 Back To School Night

5:30-7:00 p.m.

9/10 PTO Meeting 5:30-6:30

p.m.

9/20 Interims sent home

9/25 Parent Advisory Meeting

8:15-9:15 a.m.

9/25 Parent Teacher Confer-

ences 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Plan Ahead for October

10/8 -PTO Meeting

5:30-6:30PM

10/18– Field Day

10/19— End of 1st Nine

Weeks/Family Movie Night

10/22—No School for students

10/26-Report Cards sent home

10/29-11/16 Attraction Book

Fundraiser

10/30-Parent Advisory Meet-

ing 8:15-9:15 a.m.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS

September 6th

5:30-7:00 p.m.

Come visit the Book

Fair in the Library

September 9th-

September 11th

September 3rd

for

Crystal Brown-1st Grade

Shana West-3rd Grade

Janet Bates-4th Grade

Marie Petrone-

Student Accountability

Shannon Abatecola–

School Psychologist

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT CES...

“Believe you can...and you are halfway there!

-Theodore Roosevelt

Welcome to new staff

members

NO SCHOOL Back to School

Night

CES WILDCATS!! WE ARE A FULLY ACCREDITITED SCHOOL!!!

I am very excited for my 3rd year at Central Elementary and I am honored to work

with highly qualified and dedicated staff, our wonderful students, and the amazing

families. The elementary years are critical times of development for students and

families and I look forward in working with all of you to make this school year a

successful and enjoyable one. I am a lifelong educator and I am committed to

student, families and staff to support them in the process .

We are looking forward to a great year, filled with many new opportunities and challenges promoting learning and growth. Let’s work together to make 2018-19 school year an enjoyable and rewarding experience for everyone!

My door is always open and please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns or some positive feedback about our school and staff.

Wanda Smith Principal

CES Important Family Events Dates

**Dates & times are subject to change. Updates will be posted on the CES website: ces.amherst.k12.va.us**

August 16th 1:00-7:00PM Open House

August 20th 1st Day for Students 8:40AM-3:45PM

August 28th Parent Advisory Meeting 8:15-9:15AM

August 31st- NO SCHOOL FOR PRE-K STUDENTS ONLY

August 31st - September 18th Fall Fundraiser

September 3rd Holiday- No School

September 4th -11th Fall Book Fair

September 6th Back To School Night 5:30-7:00PM

September 10th PTO Meeting 5:30-6:30PM

September 14th- NO SCHOOL FOR PRE-K STUDENTS ONLY

September 20th Interims sent home

September 25th Parent Advisory Meeting 8:15-9:15AM

and Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-6:00PM

October 8th PTO Meeting 5:30-6:30PM

October 12th- NO SCHOOL FOR PRE-K STUDENTS ONLY

October 18th Field Day

October 19th End of 1st Nine Weeks & PTO Movie Night

October 22nd Fall Break- Schools Closed

October 26th Report Cards

October 29-November 16th- Attraction Book Fundraiser

October 30th Parent Advisory Meeting 8:15-9:15AM

November 2nd- Fall Picture Day

November 5-6th Teacher Planning Day-No School for Students

November 9th- NO SCHOOL FOR PRE-K STUDENTS ONLY

November 12th PTO Meeting 5:30-6:30PM

November 15th Reading Night 5:30-7:00PM

November 21st-23rd Thanksgiving Holiday- No School

November 26th Interim Reports sent home

November 27th Parent Advisory Meeting 8:15-9:15AM

and Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-6:00PM

November 29th - December 7th Christmas Shoppe Fundraiser and Evening With Santa 5:30-7:00

November 30th - Make-up Day Picture Day

December 7th- NO SCHOOL FOR PRE-K STUDENTS ONLY

December 10th - PTO Meeting 5:30-6:30PM

December 11th 4th, 5th Grade Music Program 6:00PM

December 24th - January 2nd Winter Break- Schools Closed

January 10th Math Night 5:30-7:00PM

January 11th- NO SCHOOL FOR PRE-K STUDENTS ONLY

January 14th PTO Meeting 5:30-6:30 PM

January 15th End of 2nd Nine Weeks

January 21s MLK Holiday-Schools Closed

January 22nd Report Cards sent home

January 26th CES Archery Tournament

January 31st 2nd Semester Awards

PreK-2 9:30-10:45, 3-5 1:30-2:45

February 11th - PTO Meeting 5:30-6:30PM

February 8th- NO SCHOOL FOR PRE-K STUDENTS ONLY

February 15th PTO Valentine’s Dance Night 5:30-7:30PM

February 20th Interim Reports sent home

February 22nd Teacher Planning/ No School for students

February 26th Parent Advisory Meeting 8:15-9:15AM

and Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-6:00PM

March 1st - Career Day

March 7th Science Fair and Family STEAM Night 5:30-7:00PM

March 8th - NO SCHOOL FOR PRE-K STUDENTS ONLY

March 11th - PTO Meeting 5:30-6:30PM

March 19th 2nd, 3rd Grade Music Program TBD

March 21st End of 3rd Nine Weeks

March 22nd Staff Development Day-No School for Students

March 26th Parent Advisory Meeting 8:15-9:15AM

March 28th Report Cards sent home

March 29th Spring Picture/Class Picture Day

April 9th PreK, K, 1st Music Program TBD

April 8th - PTO Meeting 5:30-6:30PM

April 15-19th Spring Break- Schools Closed

April 22nd Teacher Planning Day-No School for Students

Date TBA April Spring Book Fair

April 24th Kindergarten Registration 8:00-4:00PM

April 25th Kindergarten Registration 8:00-6:00PM

April 30th Parent Advisory Mtg 8:15-9:15 AM and Interim Reports AND Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-6:00PM

April 27th Spring Carnival/ Art Show/Color Run

May 13th - PTO Meeting 5:30-6:30PM

May 29th Pre-K Celebration and Activity in Cafeteria @ 9:00AM, Awards Ceremony for 1st-2nd grades @ 9:30AM and 3rd-4th grades @ 2:00PM in the GYM

May 30th Kindergarten Promotion & Awards Day 9:30AM in

GYM and 5th Grade Promotion 2:00PM in GYM

May 31st is the LAST DAY FOR STUDENTS

Guidelines for Parent Communications to Teachers & Staff

The purpose of this document is to serve as a general guide for ensuring effective communication from parents to teachers, staff and administrators. Communication refers to both the sending and re-ceiving of information, such as email and notes, and verbal communications such as telephone con-versations and face-to-face meetings. In order to ensure a successful exchange of information, it is important that all parties follow a few key principles.

Whom to Contact

Most communications of classroom and playground concerns should be directed at first to your child’s teacher. They will have first hand information regarding any incidents. Going to the Princi-pal first will create an additional person who will need time to gather information before getting back to you.

If you have discussed a concern with your child’s teacher and the issue has not been addressed to your satisfaction then contact the Principal, Ms. Smith or Assistant Principal, Mr. Adam.

Maintain Respectful and Open Communication

Always use a respectful and polite tone

Request, don’t demand

Be ready not just to provide information, but to listen to teacher/staff observations and perspec-tives

Enter the exchange with an open mind and assume a shared best interest for your child

Be prepared to work collaboratively to solve problems

It is expected that all CES staff members model these behaviors as well. It’s a two way street.

Confidentiality

Recognize that confidentiality may limit information that can be shared from school to parents, in-cluding consequences for other students’ behaviors

Time to Respond to Communications

Teachers will make every effort to respond as soon as possible to parent communications, with the understanding that the teaching day sometimes precludes immediate responses

Teachers and staff may need some time to collect needed information before responding

Please recognize that it is both the policy and the value of our school that we operate with open-ness, collaboration and the shared best interest for every student.

“Failure is success if we can learn from it” -

Malcom Forbes

Students are encouraged to arrive at school at 8:40 a.m. The instructional day begins promptly at 9:05 am.

If you bring your child to school, and he/she arrives after 9:05 am, you must come to the main office to sign in. Your child will be counted tardy and be given a pass in which to report to their class.

Car riders will be dismissed from the cafeteria beginning at 3:45. In order to allow classroom instruction to continue uninterrupted through 3:45 pm, reg-ular car riders will not be called out of class early except in the case of an emergency. If your child will be leaving early for a doctor’s appoint-ment, please send a note with the student that morning.

Parents are asked to wait in their cars in the car rider circle or line up outside the cafeteria doors. In either case, an CES Car Rider pass must be shown to the teacher/staff member in order for the student to be released to the adult arriv-ing for pick-up. Parents can sign-up for CES Car Rider passes at Open House or at the Front Office. If you do not have a pass you will be asked to come into the Front Office and show a picture ID. This is an ACPS POLICY.

Parents need to be aware of slow traffic movement during the first couple weeks of school. So if your child is a car rider, please be patient and understand that safe-ty comes first.

WHAT IS MINDUP?

CAR RIDERS

Your child will begin learning about how their brain works

and how they have the ability to become happier and

healthier. They will learn about three parts of their brain:

Prefrontal Cortex, Amygdala, and their Hippocampus.

These words might sound big, but ask your child about

them they learned about them today! Part of Mind Up is

learning when you are stressed to take a deep breath to

calm your amygdala, which helps you think and remember

more clearly.

Why are we teaching your child this? By teaching students

about their brain and how to remain calm in stressful situa-

tions will help them be a more successful student and more

successful in everyday life!

NEW LUNCH

PRICES FOR

2018-2019

All student at CES will be served breakfast for

free each day!

Elementary Lunch: $2.25

Reduced Lunch: $0.40

Milk: $0.50 Ice Cream: $0.75

Adult Lunch: $3.05

Adult Breakfast: $1.30

If your child packs a

lunch, carbonated soft

drinks, canned or bottled

and energy drinks are not

permitted

BUS BEHAVIOR & PARENT EXPECTATIONS

Students are to conduct themselves on a school

bus, in a manner that will permit the safest pos-

sible transportation for all passengers. Illegal or

improper behavior will be reported in writing to

the administration by the bus driver. The ad-

ministration will inform parents and request

their assistance in correcting behavior. Students

who continue causing problems on the bus will

have their riding privileges suspended. In such

case, parents will be responsible for their safe

transportation to and from school.

1. Students shall remain seated.

2. Students will not fight, or use obscene lan-

guage.

3. Students will keep heads, hands, arms, etc.,

and belongings inside the bus.

4. Students will not litter.

5. Vandals will pay for bus damage.

6. Students and Parents will be at loading and

unloading places on time.

7. Students must use the same loading and

unloading place unless they have a note

from their parents, cosigned by their princi-

pal.

8. Students must cross the street 10-14 feet in

front of the school bus.

9. Students may only ride on the bus they are

assigned by the Division Superintendent, or

his authorized agent.

10. Students are not permitted to cross dual

highway when loading or unloading a

school bus.

11. Students will not block the aisle on the bus.

Parents need to arrive at their child’s bus stop 5-

10 minutes early to ensure they will not miss the

bus.

Parents must be visible when loading and un-

loading students at the bus stop. Buses are not

always able to return to a child’s stop so please

DO NOT assume this will always be an option. If

your child is returned to school repeatedly due to

an adult not being at the stop to receive the child

in the afternoon, the child’s bus privileges may

be suspended.

Parents CANNOT make bus changes over

the phone. This is a safety issue.

All bus changes need to be submitted in

writing to the Front Office not the home-

room teacher. This includes who can re-

ceive the child at the bus stop.

We cannot guarantee bus changes sub-

mitted by email.

Caption describing picture or graphic

If your child is absent, a note must be sent to school

by the parent/guardian prior to or within three days

of the absence. If there is a need to be absent that is

not listed, prior approval must be received from the

principal or his designee. This would include vaca-

tions, family trips etc. If you have questions please

contact the office. We can only accept

parent notes for 10 days max.

Absences that shall be deemed excused are:

A. Participation in a school-sponsored activity.

B. Verified illness

C. Documented court appearance

D. Death in family

E. Extenuating circumstances which are determined

by the principal

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

FREE BREAKFAST

FOR EVERY STUDENT!!!

Central Elementary School

is fortunate to be part of

a grant from the Virginia

Department Education in

which all students will be

provided a FREE breakfast

each morning.

As students come in dur-

ing the morning, they

should report straight to

their teacher so they may

receive breakfast..

As a result, our teachers

will be extra busy each

morning during intake. If

you need to speak to

your child’s teacher

please call and make an

appointment so they may

be able to devote their

time fully to you and

your concerns. This is

impossible to do during

morning arrival or

dismissal times

SCHOOL COUNSELING SERVICES AT CES:

Hello all! My name is Ms. Snyder, I am the school nurse here at Central Elementary School and I would like to give you all some helpful information regarding student health for this new year:

We ask parents to keep sick kids at home. We also request a phone call to the office by 9:30 a.m. to report the absence. Following an absence, students are to bring a note with a parent signature listing the date and reason for the absence, for attendance record.

When students become sick at school, a parent or designated care-giver will be called. Children who are vomiting or experiencing di-arrhea or who have a fever of 100°F or more cannot remain at school.

Additionally please make me aware if your child has any health issues I should be aware of, to allow me to be able to adequately care for them. You can reach me by phone 434-946-9700 ext 1 or by email osnyder@amherst.k12.va.us I look forward to working with everyone this school year!

Professional school counselors develop confidential relationships with stu-

dents to help them resolve or cope with problems and developmental

concerns.

School Guidance Curriculum-Structured lessons designed to help students achieve desire competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge and skills appropriate for their development level. http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/school_counseling/counselingstandards.pdf

The school guidance curriculum is delivered to students as part of the resource rota-tion. Students receive lessons as a class on Fridays, once every three weeks.

Responsive Services – Meet students’ immediate and future needs that can be necessi-tated by events and conditions in students’ lives. Possible delivery methods in-clude: individual or group counseling, consultation with parents, teachers and other educa-tors, and referrals to other support services or resources.

Individual Student Planning – Ongoing activities designed to help students establish personal goals, develop future plans, and meet competencies in the areas of Academic, Career and Personal/Social Development. These activities are generally delivered on an in-dividual basis or in small groups.

OUR NURSE, MS. OLIVIA SNYDER

Our Secretary, Mrs. Ferguson

When writing a note regarding ANYTHING please include your child’s first and last name, as well as include the first and last name of the adult/guardian who is writing

the letter. Please include a phone number in the event we need to contact you.

Sept. 25th 4pm-6pm

Nov. 27th 4pm-6pm

Feb. 26th 4pm-6pm

April 30th 4pm-6pm

Parents can access their

child’s grades at any time, even by smartphone by using this online system. Please see Ms. Ferguson if you do not

have a password to access this informative tool.

“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement

of parents” Jane D. Hull

All parents are encouraged to become

involved in our volunteer program. The

primary requirement is an interest in

the education of children. When

volunteering, Amherst County Public

Schools have a requirement to assist in

meeting one of our primary goals—

ensuring the safety of all students. All

persons who volunteer to work with

students, at all Amherst County Public

Schools, must be fingerprinted and com-

plete DSS paper-work with ACPS prior

to volunteering. This requirement

extends to all parents who attend field

trips.

We strongly recommend that individuals

complete the background check at least

one month prior to volunteering or

chaperoning. This will help to prevent

delays in being cleared to volunteer or

chaperone.

This school year, background checks for

chaperones and volunteers will be

conducted in the Office of Human

Resources on Washington Street.

Monday– Friday: (except holidays and

inclement weather days) from 9:00 to

10:00 a.m. and 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Saturday Date: August

25, 2018 from 8:00 to

10:00 a.m.

If you had a background

check done a previous

year, you do not need to

have them re-done each year.

The PTO has a full calendar of events planned for this school year, starting with a Movie Night to be held on October 19th. If you would like to help out with this, please join us at our planning meeting on

September 10th. There are no fees to join the PTO an anyone that is related to a CES student or is a CES staff member is welcome to attend.

There are so many opportunities to be in-volved with the school, and the more people that help, the more activities we can have!

Whether you’re chaperoning an event or

helping out at the Christmas Shop, being with the PTO is a lot of fun and a great way to keep

up with what’s going on in your child’s life. Interest forms were sent home in this week’s back-to-school packets along with a calendar of events. If you haven’t already done so, please send us your contact information so that we an add you to our e-mail distribution list and send you the latest news about upcoming events. You can also view

pictures from prior events at http://www.facebook.com/ceswildcatpto/

If you would like more information about the PTO and what we do throughout the year please contact Amy Hensley, Jennie Campbell, Tri-

cia Hinds, Bobbi Largen, Allana Bryant, Ashley Harris, Erin Minter, Becky Snively, Carla Wagner, or Anna Lipscomb. You can also reach us via e-mail at CentralWildcatsPTO@gmail.com and we will have a table

set up during Back-to-School-Night. With your support, we hope to have even more activities this year!

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

Boxtops & Labels

for Education

Throughout the year

the PTO will be

holding several con-

tests based on col-

lecting box tops,

soup labels. All of

this is to raise mon-

ey for Central Ele-

mentary.

Please contribute by

placing your labels

in a plastic bag with

your child’s name

and homeroom

teacher ‘s name

listed on the bag and

dropping them off at

the Front Office.

Parent Teacher

Conferences

POWERSCHOOL

ACCESS

Mailing Address Line 1

Mailing Address Line 2

Mailing Address Line 3

Mailing Address Line 4

Mailing Address Line 5

PLEASE

PLACE

STAMP

HERE

Your Organization

Primary Business Address

Your Address Line 2

Your Address Line 3

Your Address Line 4

Phone: 555-555-5555

Fax: 555-555-5555

E-mail: someone@example.com

YOUR LOGO HERE

As parents you are your child’s most important teacher