Dear Families,
We had a great second week of school at Centennial PS! We successfully completed our first fire drill of the year, and students did a fantastic job following safety procedures. As families may have noted, yard improvements over the summer required temporary fencing on the playground to allow grass to re-grow. We have adjusted class line-up areas and plan to have two more safety drills this month. We look forward to having full access to our school yard again and will be working with staff and student council to gather input and create a plan for line games and pavement painting in the spring.
After our first school-wide assembly last week, students in grades 3-6 were invited to join our running club to participate in a healthy activity, and prepare for the upcoming Cross Country meets. We will be offering sign-ups for Junior students to volunteer for leadership opportunities as yard pals, lunch helpers, and student council members.
Throughout the first few weeks, students across all grades will be participating in screeners and diagnostics, helping us get a clearer picture of their learning needs in literacy and math. We are excited to welcome our LDSB Learning Partner (Mr. Gillespie), and Math Facilitator (Ms.Renaud) this week, who will be working with us to support student growth and achievement this year.
This Week @ Centennial | ||
Monday Sept 15 | Day 4 | |
|---|---|---|
Tuesday Sept 16 | Day 5 | Running Club, Gr 3-6 |
Wednesday Sept 17 | Day 1 | Whole School Free Sample lunch & Forms from "Lunch is Here" |
Thursday Sept 18 | Day 2 | Running Club, Gr. 3-6 Fire Drill @ 2:00 |
Friday Sept 19 | Day 3 | |
Dismissal @ 3:25 pm
It is important that Centennial is a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment for our family community. For safety and supervision reasons, school grounds are for students and staff only during the school day. Families are welcome to come onto the pavement area before the morning bell or after the dismissal bell to meet students and connect with staff. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure a smooth and safe start and end to the school day for everyone.
Data Verification Forms
Hard copies of Data Verification Forms have been sent home. Returning these forms (WITH OR WITHOUT CHANGES) is essential to ensure we have the most up to date information in our Aspen database. Please include more than one emergency contact for your student. Changes or additions can be written directly on the form and returned.
Secure Match Key
Centennial uses on-line payments and permissions throughSchool Day. In order to sign your student up for School Day, families will need a Secure Match Key. These were sent home to all new students with the data verification forms and student insurance information. Student accounts will need to be set up for your child to attend field trips, purchase any school related items, or participate on sports teams.
Open House
Our Open House is on Wednesday, September 24th from 4:30-6:00 pm. From 4:30-5:30 you can meet your student's teachers, visit the classroom, tour the school, and head to the BBQ and enjoy our new pavement!
The School Advisory Council (SAC) Needs You!
SAC Elections & September Meeting Date
It's that time of year - parents/caregivers! School Advisory Council (SAC) elections for Executive Positions are coming up very soon! The first SAC Council Meeting of the 2025-2026 school year and elections will take place on Wednesday, October 1st at 6:30 pm. The elections will take place first, with the SAC meeting following directly afterwards.
Please use the link below to submit nominations or drop by the school to pick up a hard-copy nomination form. Nominations are anonymous. Individuals can nominate themselves, or someone else for a position. If you are nominating someone, please ensure they have agreed to your nomination. Nominees should be present or be able to call into the meeting. Your nomination does not count as a vote; you must be present to vote. Nomination Form (for others and self) can be accessed HERE and are due by 12:00 noon on Tuesday, September 30th.
Positions for election are:
Chair/Co-Chair: Represents, works with and provides support to all school community and council committee chairs. This person works closely with the school principal and VP, school staff and parents to enrich the education of all students. Additionally, they preside over and conduct monthly council meetings, set agendas and schedule meetings (in consultation with the VP/Principal). The chair promotes discussion amongst council members and the community, receives and reports on correspondence sent and received by council. Acts as coordinator between the school board and council. Receives documentation from board and keeps council advised of board decisions, activities etc. Supports programs, initiatives and activities led by other council members and contributes to the monthly council newsletter.
Vice Chair: Presides at meetings in the absence of the chair or upon the incumbent’s inability to serve. Responsible for overseeing all sponsored events and programs.
Treasurer: Works with the council and coordinators in developing an operating budget, keeps a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures and serves as the liaison with the Board of Education. Additional responsibilities include depositing/disbursing funds on behalf of the council, the preparation of monthly financial statements, and the preparation & filing of all necessary financial reports.
Secretary: Attends scheduled council meetings, records, maintains and distributes minutes of meetings, keeps non-financial records of council.
Fundraising Coordinator: With support from council members, this individual helps to co-ordinate the fundraising activities of council. Works closely with the treasurer.
Indigenous Representative: This position will evolve and grow organically. It is intended to offer an ongoing indigenous perspective to our school planning, events, and learning intentions.
Divisional Representatives: Attends meetings and participates in many aspects of council activities, as prescribed by council. Voting member. Kindergarten, Primary, Junior positions available.
Everyone who is part of our Centennial PS family is welcome to attend our meetings this year. Meeting dates will be shared out after the September meeting.
We look forward to hearing your voice!
Kanyen'kéha and Anishinaabemowin Programming
We are happy to share that Indigenous Language Programming will be offered again this year, beginning in October for Indigenous Students. Please email centennial@limestone.on.ca before October 1st if you have an interested student.
Program Details
Kanyen'kéha
- Teacher: Tahnee Bennett (returning)
- Start Date: October 21, 2025
- Platform: Microsoft Teams
- Schedule:
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10:00 – 10:45 AM → Returning students
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 11:00 – 11:45 AM → New students
Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe)
- Teacher: Ashley Nadon (returning)
- Start Date: October 14, 2025
- Platform: Microsoft Teams
- Schedule:
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10:00 – 10:45 AM
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 11:00 – 11:45 AM
- Recommended for: Grades 3 and up (exceptions possible if younger students have a strong desire to participate)
Grading & Reporting
This program is not a substitute for French, but an additional cultural and language opportunity for Indigenous students. No formal grade will be given, as programming totals only 90 minutes per week. However, Tahnee is happy to provide comments for report cards that highlight progress and successes.
Understanding Our Responsibilities
Article 13 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) affirms that language programming is a right for Indigenous students. This program is a unique chance to support the revitalization of Indigenous languages and uplift students’ cultural knowledge, self-esteem, confidence, and well-being. Very few school boards are able to offer this opportunity, and we are proud to be doing so together.
Nyá:wen / Miigwech / Thank you,
Liv Rondeau
Vice-Principal of Indigenous Education
Karate Kids® Program (Tallack Martial Arts)
Centennial Public School is pleased to announce that the popular Karate Kids® program will be starting soon! Karate Kids is a weekly LUNCH-TIME fitness and character-building session open to all Grade 1-5 students. The program runs every week from September to January, during the second recess in the gym.
Karate Kids instructors will visit classrooms during nutrition break to share information about Karate Kids, watch for information coming home with your child.
ABOUT KARATE KIDS®:
Celebrating its 24th year, Karate Kids is a Board of Education approved program that started right here in Kingston! Karate Kids is a low-cost and convenient lunchtime program designed to bring the benefits of Martial Arts, physical activity, and character development to children. Taught by professionally trained instructors of Tallack Martial Arts, this non-contact and non-competitive activity is a fantastic way to encourage kids to be active while learning and having fun! Your child will have a blast learning karate while making new friends!
Karate Kids helps develop confidence, focus, and fitness in a fun environment. For more detailed information, visit www.kingstonkarate.com or call (613) 634-9277. If participation in the program is not financially accessible for your family please email the school or your classroom teacher to inquire about support options.
