THE PUMA PRIDE

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As the summer days slowly yield to the promise of autumn, it is with great enthusiasm that I welcome you all back to another exciting academic year in Centennial School District. Our journey together continues, and it is my privilege as the Superintendent of Schools to share my appreciation for the remarkable progress we have achieved over the past three years.

Looking back, it fills me with immense pride to see how far we have come since 2020. The dedication and unwavering commitment of our educators, staff, students, parents, and guardians have transformed challenges into opportunities, and aspirations into achievements. Some of what has been achieved was highlighted in our 2022 Year In Review video.

Our academic progress made, based on local-level assessments (ex: IXL, I-Ready, etc.), has shown significant increases as we continue our work to recover from the impact of the pandemic. This is a testament to the collaborative efforts which must continue as we work to show continuous improvement. Our success extends beyond the classroom walls. Over the past three years, we have also continued and progressed in creating a strong sense of community within our schools. Our commitment to fostering well-rounded individuals is becoming more evident as our students grow in their confidence to become capable young adults preparing to leave for their next chapter.

We have embraced technology as a powerful tool to enhance learning experiences by introducing interactive digital resources and equipping our classrooms with cutting-edge tools. This forward-thinking approach has empowered our students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the invaluable support of our board, parents, guardians, and community members. Your unwavering encouragement, involvement, and partnership have played an integral role in shaping the success of our students. Your dedication to their growth is truly commendable.

As we embark on this new academic year, let us continue to build upon the strong foundation we have established. Let us foster an environment of curiosity, resilience, and empathy, where every student feels valued, empowered, and inspired to reach for their dreams.

I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and the potential for even greater accomplishments. It was a busy summer for the CSD staff as we continued our commitment to making changes to support improved outcomes and experiences for all our students. As we look forward to receiving our outstanding students on Thursday, August 24, 2023 (first day of school), please note some, but not all, of what has occurred or what you can expect next school year:

Teaching and Learning

With the update we have made to align our curriculum to state standards which had not occurred in some areas for twelve years, our families should expect continued growth and development in our students.

Communications/Engagement

With the recent launch of our new website, which is more mobile-device focused and has its own newsfeed that looks and feels like a Facebook or Twitter feed within our system (not external), our families should expect improved engagement.

Additionally, we are looking at some additional resources that may provide families with 24/7 access to answers to questions they may have about CSD.

Food and Nutrition

This past June, we launched the SchoolCafe portal, which will improve our families' experience when paying for school lunches, monitoring their student's meal program, and viewing school menus.

Transportation

We will be rolling out a Global Positioning System (GPS) on all buses, along with a family mobile app.

Safety and Security

We have increased the number of school security personnel versus the old school monitor model. School security staff are required to complete the PA ACT 67 training (School Security Basic Training Course). In addition to safety, the course provides a knowledge base for school security staff to build a rapport with students and staff.

Facilities (not an all-inclusive list, just a sample)

Several schools are having additional school cameras added in strategic locations to improve facility security measures.

All schools have undergone summer cleaning in preparation for the return of our students and staff.

Willow Dales ES: The back playground fence was installed.

Log College MS: The building of the outdoor classroom project has started and should be completed this month.

Klinger MS: The mural wall was built in preparation for the upcoming painting by an artist and students.

McDonald ES: Tested a new gym floor product that provides a quicker preparation and dry time in order to prepare it quickly for student use.

Davis ES: Hallway security gates were purchased and installed.

WTHS: The WTHS Student Parking Lot Repair Project, which began July 26th, is expected to be completed no later than August 9th.

Thank you for entrusting us with the education and growth of your children. We look forward to seeing our students on August 24th and having an outstanding 2023/2024 school year!

Warm regards,

Dana T. Bedden, Ed.D., CAA

Superintendent of Schools

Dear Willow Dale Parents and Guardians,

It is my honor and a pleasure to welcome you to the 2023 – 2024 school year! I hope you all are doing well and staying healthy, and have had a relaxing and fun summer break! Approaching my 2nd year as Principal, I am extremely excited about the tremendous progress that we made last year, but am even more enthusiastic about the wonderful opportunities ahead of us.

Both Mr. Julius and I, along with our wonderful complement of faculty and staff are eagerly waiting to engage and support our students. We are excited to create new experiences and help to foster new friendships at Willow Dale. Our new schedule will particularly allow us be more intentional to support our students through our reimagined W.I.N. block, our designated S.E.A.L. times, as well as our vast opportunities for both small and whole group learning opportunities. It is our desire and hope that every student who walks through our doors feels Safe, Valued, and Heard. We also know that each staff member will continue to provide the rich academic learning experiences that help foster a community of scholarship, friendship and fun here at Willow Dale.

I look forward to the start of the new school year and to fostering our collaboration between home and school to provide your children with an effective and engaging educational experience. I invite every member of our community to continue to engage with through our Bi-Monthly newsletters, our school Website, social media platforms, and through volunteering. We will look to our families to be positive partners in this year’s journey.

This is going to be a year to remember!

Your Partners in Education,

Dr. Kelly and Mr. Julius

The Centennial School District is thrilled with our new website and mobile app! These resources will help students, parents, and community members know what is happening in our buildings from anywhere they go. Stay up-to-date with access to events, documents, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency alerts. It's everything Centennial, in your pocket!

Please watch the video below to learn more:

AUGUST

August 15- Homeroom Assignments Available in Skyward
August 21- Kindergarten Orientation (9:30-11:30)

New Student Orientation (11:30-12:30)

August 24 - First day of School

Doors Open: 8:45am (School Day 9:05am-3:35pm)

SEPTEMBER

September 1 - Schools Closed

September 4- Schools and Offices Closed- Labor Day

September 7- Back to School Night Grades 1-5

Last Names A-L (6:00-6:45pm)

Last Names M-Z (7:00-7:45pm)

School Links:

Willow Dale Website
Willow Dale Calendar
2023 Willow Dale Supply List

District Links:

Student Registration

Employment at CSD

CSD Weekly Update

Food & Nutrition (Menus)

District eFolder (Community Flyers)
Student and Staff Wellness

Registration for the 2023-24 school year is still open to all incoming students. Students must be five years of age on or before August 31 to register for Kindergarten. The following documents are required to register a student:

• A birth certificate

• Immunization records

• Four proofs of residency
  
  

Parents/guardians can register a student online. Should you have any questions, please call the CSD Registrar at 215-441-6000, Ext. 11046.

In addition to emails and calls you may receive from individual faculty and staff members, Willow Dale Elementary will communicate in a few additional forums:

Bi-Weekly Newsletter “The Puma Pride”

• Highlights events, important information, and includes student contributions

Home and School Association

• Check meeting dates HERE
• Willow Dale's Home and School is seeking volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year.

Social Media

Arrival:

Arrival begins at 8:45 am.

The school day begins at 9:05 am and dismissal begins at 3:35 pm.

Lunch:

Students will be seated in the cafeteria by homeroom.

Students will have options for lunch. Menus are provided on our awesome website.

Students will need to provide their lunch/ID number when they go through the lunch line.

(K-2 students will use a QR code provided by the teacher, which will be scanned).

Dismissal:

Our students end the day one of three ways: as Car Riders, Bus Riders, or in the Afterschool Program, A Child's Place. More information will be forthcoming about each group.

The details regarding your child's daily schedule and specials will be shared by the homeroom teacher.

Attendance Notes can be Submitted Electronically via email at wdattendance@centennialsd.org. Please know you will still receive automated phone calls (to the primary phone listed in Skyward) if you have not submitted an absence note via email on the days your child is absent from school.

**Absence notes must be submitted within 3 days of the student's absence, otherwise, the absence will be recorded as unexcused.

E-Mailing Attendance Notes

• Willow Dale families may email attendance notifications/notes to the following address: wdattendance@centennialsd.org
• E-mail notifications are encouraged on the morning of the absence day. However, e-mailed absence notes may be sent on the day following the absence.
• When sending an absence notification please include the following information:

1. Child's Name
2. Child's Grade
3. Child's Homeroom Teacher
4. Date(s) of Absence
5. Reason for Absence
6. Contact Phone # for Parent/Guardian
7. Other Pertinent Information

• While you may still continue to call the school on the day of absence, a follow-up e-mail or a written note is still required for the absence to be excused.

The Transportation Department would like to thank you in advance for your patience during the start of the new school year. All pickup times will become more consistent after the first two weeks of the school year.

Centennial 2023-2024 Bus Schedule Information
Please click on the below link. Type in your address to access your child's busing information. Addresses with east, west, north, or south use the abbreviation E, W, N, or S with no punctuation. If that does not work, omit using it in your address.

CLICK HERE to access Infofinder i

As a reminder, please have your child/children be at the bus stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled pickup. If you have any questions, please contact us at 215-441-6000.

Childcare and Shared Joint Custody Forms
Childcare and shared joint custody forms need to be completed yearly and approved by the school administration prior to the start of school. Please click HERE to access the form.

CAR RIDERS!
In an effort to ensure the safety of our students, we will continue with the placard system pick-up procedure this year. If you plan on picking your child up via the PARENT PICK-UP line, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/nVViSc9PqP19RoR36 This information will help us create an individual pick-up card for each child/family. We would like to have as many as possible ready for the first day of school. Please complete this form by August 21, 2023. Thank you for your help!

Dear Centennial Families,

We hope this email finds you healthy, safe, enjoying what is left of the summer, AND looking forward to the start of school!

Please visit the District website, Departments < Technology & Online Learning < 1:1 Initiative Resource webpage, for updates related to Beginning-of-Year Device Information. These include but not limited to: device return and pick up, technology device agreements, care and responsibility agreements, optional accidental damage insurance*, student/family tech support videos, the Community Help Desk Support Portal, and other technology-related items.

*Please note - as outlined on the CSD 1:1 Student/Family Device Agreement (found on the 1:1 Initiative Resource webpage), the payment window will be open from Tuesday, August 15, 2023 to Friday, September 15, 2023. Please see the Accidental Damage Insurance (Optional) webpage for more information

As a reminder, the Skyward Parent Portal will be open for completing the Beginning of the Year Information on Tuesday, August 15 after 4:00 PM.

After you complete the Beginning of the Year Information you will be able to see your child's teacher/schedule.

Should you have any issues with logging into the Skyward Parent Portal please contact the Skyward Help Desk at x11150.

Should you have any questions regarding your child's elementary or middle school schedule, please contact the school's assistant principal during the week of August 15. For questions regarding your child’s high school schedule, please contact their grade-level house principal during the week of August 15.

Centennial School District is proud to once again be able to offer a 100% asynchronous virtual learning pathway for all students in Grades K-12 who may need flexibility that the traditional school day schedule does afford. Registration for Centennial Virtual Learning Academy (CVLA) for Fall 2023 is open until August 30, 2023.

Current CVLA students will have access to virtual schedules via the process described above for in-person learners: parents will be able to complete the Beginning of the Year Information in Skyward starting Monday, August 15 after 4:00pm. Virtual coursework for students in Grades K-10 will be available in Accelerate beginning on August 24, 2023. Virtual coursework for students in Grades 11-12 will be available in Canvas beginning on August 24, 2023. Orientation materials for each platform will be shared, via email, prior to the start of classes.

Materials for virtual learning can be picked up from the Central Admin Building starting on Monday August 21 at 7am. New CSD students will be issued a device; current CSD students will continue to use their current devices. All students Grades K-12 will have workbooks and novels (and may have additional elective supplies) to pick up.

For any questions or clarifications regarding CVLA, please contact our Online and Digital Learning Coordinator, Kristin Herman, at hermkr@centennialsd.org

The pricing for meals for the 2023-2024 school year will be as follows:

Elementary School Breakfast is FREE for all students; Lunch cost is $3.05

Students who qualify for Free or Reduced Priced Meals will not be charged for Breakfast or Lunch.

Please be sure to check your child(ren)’s Food Service Account at schoolcafe.com for the current balance. Payments can be made online at schoolcafe.com or by paying at the register with cash or check. The District is encouraging families to fill out the Free and Reduced Applications as there are many other benefits that come along with it. You can apply online at schoolcafe.com or contact us to receive a paper application.

Please check out the website for more information.

Also, if you are looking for a job that works with your child(ren)’s schedule, please consider a position in the Food and Nutrition Department. Apply here.

If we can be of any further assistance, please contact the Manager of Food and Nutrition, Lori Deni, at denilo@centennialsd.org or the Food and Nutrition Assistant, Colleen Paris, at parico@centennialsd.org

There are FREE Family Literacy classes for English as a Second Language (ESL) families in the Centennial School District. Registration for these classes will be open in September 2023. The Free Family Literacy classes are held 3 days a week in the Centennial Administration Building located at 48 Swan Way, Warminster, PA 18974. Parents with at least one child from birth to 8 years old, qualify for these classes.

Please call (215)441-6000 Ext. 11085 to leave a message in English, Spanish, Russian, or Ukrainian with your name and phone number.

Click below to download flyers:

English/Spanish
English/Ukrainian

English/Russian

Principal: Dr. Nicole Kelly

Assistant Principal: Mr. Dan Julius

Email: info@centennialsd.org

Website: https://wdes.centennialsd.org/
Location: 720 North Norristown Road, Warminster, PA 18974, USA
Phone: 2154416093
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillowDaleEl
Twitter: @Willow_Dale_ES