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The Central Scoop  

Issue 12: Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012    


   
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Upcoming Central Events

. . . are also posted on The Central Elementary School Website: Central.brssd.org     

  • Thursday, January 12th = Kindergarten Visitation (2012-2013) - 9AM
  • Thursday, January 12th = PTA Meeting - 7PM, Central Library  
  • January 13th-27th = Reading Power Read-A-Thon
  • Monday, January 16th = Martin Luther King Jr. Day, NO SCHOOL 
  • Wednesday, January 18th = Family Reading Night - 7PM, Central Library 
  • Tuesday, January 24th = Kindergarten Visitation (2012-2013) - 9AM 
  • Tuesday, January 24th = 4th & 5th grade Winter Concert, Central MUR - 7pm
  • Monday, February 6th = New Sibling Registration Begins for 2012-13 

LOOKING AHEAD: STAR Testing Begins April 30, 2012 

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The Library is CLOSED this week!

Wednesdays are Walking Wednesdays - Walk your Child to School!

 

Show your Central Spirit by wearing blue on Fridays!   
 
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Table of Contents
Notes from the School Office
School-Force Reading Power
PTA News
Art-In-Action
Central Libary News
More School-Force News
Notes from the District

Notes from the School Office

by Mrs. McNulty

 

Office: 650-637-4820 

Attendance:650-620-2810
_________________________________

   

Please click here for information regarding visitors, the 24-hour attendance line, tardies, dropped-off items, and the lost & found. Please click here for information regarding student medications.

 
School-Force
READING POWER  

READ-A-THON Dragon Den
Volunteers Needed

 dragon

Dear Central Parents,

 

The 2012 Reading Power Read-A-Thon is starting in mid-January. We are looking for volunteers to staff the Dragon Den during morning recesses on four days: Wed. Jan 18th, Fri. Jan 20th, Wed. Jan 25th and Fri. Jan 27th.  Time: 9:45am to 10:45am. It's easy work and fun to watch our dragon grow.

 

Here is a link to our signup sheet:

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0C49AAA92BA57-dragon   

password: read

 

Also please remember if you see family over the holidays to talk to them about sponsoring your child(ren) for reading!

 

Please contact Lisa Conley with questions,

lbconley (at) gmail. 

 

Thank you!

PTA News     

sarina  

A Letter from our President, Sarina Hamer   

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Dear Central Parents,

I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday and that 2012 is a wonderful year and the
first of many to come.

On the first day back to school the PTA board will meet to discover what more is needed to support
our children, ensuring they start the new year able to learn and explore. We want to share with you
what we are doing and all of the fun things that are happening at school at our second association
meeting on Thursday, January 12th at 7pm. Please take a moment to put it on your calendar. We will do
our best to have the meeting finished by 8:15pm.

Although the agenda is still in the works, we will have the opportunity to update you on the new enrollment
procedures for new families to the district. We will elect our nominating committee that determines
who serves on the PTA Board for next year. We need you to vote on bylaw changes and keep you
informed on budgetary uses. Your attendance is necessary for the PTA's success. This is your associaton.
Every person involved counts and your vote is imperative. We look forward to seeing you on the 12th!

Last year a survey was conducted and a request was made for babysitting at the associaton meetings.
We looked into the possibility but there are many guidelines that need to be followed and coordination
to be completed. If you are interested in spearheading a babysitting program for association meetings
please let me know and I will get all of the information to you. It isn't impossible, but it is not something
that the PTA board alone can provide.

If you have anything you want to share with the community we welcome you to join us at the
Association Meeting on Thursday, January 12th at 7pm. It is a great time to chat with other parents and
get to know the wonderful community that is ours at Central. You can enjoy some coffee and a
treat provided by the Hospitality Committee while hearing about the happenings at your child's school.

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012 and all that it has to offer.

Sarina Hamer
Central PTA Board President
2011-2012


P.S. It isn't too late to join the PTA! We will prorate your dues and you'll be able to vote at the March
Association Meeting. Contact me for more information. Be a part of millions of voices for education.

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Parent Education Night 
has been CANCELLED for January. Please stayed tuned for details regarding our next Parent Education Night!
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Auction Update


There are still a few auction items that have space available. Check out the eflyers section for information on upcoming PTA fundraisers for parents and kids!!! 
 
Art-In-Action

  

  Ms. Gray's 4th grade (Room 4) class recently had a fabulous AiA session with a master piece by Wayne Thiebaud for inspiration. After watching a short interview on the smart board, the students got to create their own dessert trays, slathering on thick layers of paint as frosting, whipped cream and other oooey-gooey deliciousness. 

Come by the hall way and have a look at their heavenly creations!
 
Yasemin Block, Erika Panagiotopoulos and Ardythe Andrews  


Thiebaud-inspired art by Room 4  

Central Library News

by Mrs. Patty Branscum

email: pbranscum@brssd.org

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The next Family Reading Night will be

Wednesday, January 18, 2012. 

  

Mrs. Branscum  

School-Force News

  School Force Logo  

 schoolforce.org     

The new School-Force window decals are here!  If you've made a donation since July 2011, you should be receiving your donor window decal soon, be sure to display it proudly!!  If you begin your monthly giving now, the suggested amount in order to reach the $1200 level is: $150/mo for one child or $300/mo for 2 children. Click here to set up your donation now.
It's fun to be on a winning team!  Join other School-Force volunteers and help continue our winning streak!  The School-Force Team has had great success over the last few years helping Belmont-Redwood Shores schools overcome some drastic state budget cuts. We need your help to continue this excellent record.  Click here to get involved now! It's a team effort.
Thanks to your donations last year, many programs are being supported by School-Force dollars right now. 

2011-2012 School-Force Supported Programs:
 
Class Size Reduction for K-3rd Grade $350,000
Funds support additional teacher salaries so student: teacher ratio is 25:1 rather than 29:1.


Reading Specialists $244,000 
Support emerging readers in the younger grades at all six elementary schools.

Science Specialists for 4th and 5th Grades $129,000 
Science specialists share workload between all six elementary schools.

Choral Music-4th and 5th Grades $100,000 
Elementary music teachers share workload between all six elementary schools.

Instrumental Music 4th and 5th Grades $145,000
 
Dean at Ralston $121,000 
Full-time, serving all 1000 Ralston students.

Counseling at Ralston $48,000
50% of full-time position, serving  all 1000 Ralston students.  The other 50% is paid with general funds, per state mandate. 

Library Media Specialists $113,000
Keeping libraries open part-time at all elementary schools and full-time at Ralston.  The program receives additional support from the general fund.

Teacher's Aides (Para Educators) $120,000
One Para Educator at each elementary school site to aid teachers in split-grade classrooms.  If no split grades at a site then equivalent funds are used at the principal's discretion to support classroom learning.

Technology for Teachers $50,000
Computers for newly hired teachers and partial support for the refresh program for teacher computers.

Ralston Afterschool Athletic Program $20,000 
Stipends for coaches to bring cost down and make the program accessible to more students.
Questions? Contact Michele Moyer, School-Force Liaison

 

 

Notes from the District

 

Belmont-Redwood Shores School District Website link  

 _________________________________________

 

 

eflyers




Scoop Corrections:

 

We strive for accuracy each and every week, but will undoubtedly make mistakes now and then. If you catch one, please let us know by emailing us at:

 

thecentralscoop@gmail.com 

 

We may even hand out a prize now and then!

Thanks,

Your Central Scoop Team

Jill Pratt and
Stephanie Vargas

 

About the Scoop:

 


The Central Scoop is currently run by parent volunteers.



For submission questions relating to the Central Scoop, please contact Jill Pratt. For technology questions relating to the Central Scoop, please contact Stephanie Vargas.

We can be reached at: 


525 Middle Road
Belmont, CA 94002
Office: 650-637-4820

 

 
Box Tops 
There is a collection box in the office with Mrs. McNulty, or you can send them in with your child and your child's teacher will make sure they are collected.

 
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