March Newsletter

Free Dental Screenings

The dental hygienist from Mobile Smiles will be here March 14th for free dental exams and fluoride varnish for students in PK-12th grade. Permission forms will be sent home with elementary students next week. Middle School and High School students can pick one up in the office or print one here: https://sites.google.com/center.k12.co.us/schoolnursecorner/dental-screenings?authuser=0

Test-to-Stay

We are also implementing an optional Test-to-Stay program. If students are exposed to a positive case of COVID-19 they will have the opportunity to test and stay in school instead of quarantining. A box of home tests will be sent home if the student enrolls to be used as needed- results will just need to be reported in the NAVICA app. Information will be sent home with all elementary students. Middle school and high school students can pick a consent form up from the office or find them at https://sites.google.com/center.k12.co.us/schoolnursecorner/test-to-stay?authuser=0

Mobile Vaccine Bus is coming back to Center Schools!

The COVID-19 vaccine bus will be parked at Center Schools on March 9th from 10am-6pm. Come get your free COVID-19 vaccines and/or boosters. Boosters are now approved for anyone 12 and older. To be considered fully vaccinated and avoid quarantine you need a booster dose 5 months after your second COVID-19 vaccine

March is National Nutrition Month!

As parents, you can do a lot to help your children learn health eating habits and maintain a healthy weight. Involving them in meal preparation and cooking is a great way to motivate them to try new foods and is a good way to spend time together as a family.

What is a “healthy” diet?

· It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free milk products.

· It includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.

· It is low is saturated fats, trans-fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars.

· It stays within your daily calorie needs.

Focus in Healthy Food Choices: Choose the GO, SLOW, and WHOA foods:

· GO foods are the lowest in fats and added sugar. They are nutrient dense with a better source of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients important to health.

o Examples: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low fat dairy products, lean meats, poultry and fish, bean, and egg whites/egg substitutes.

o Eat these foods the most.

· SLOW foods are higher in fats, added sugar and calories.

o Examples: veggies with added fat, white flour, low-fat mayo, 2% milk products, peanut butter, pizza, baked chips, and mac and cheese.

o Eat these foods SOMETIMES.

· WHOA foods are highest in fats and sugars. They are calorie dense food and low in vitamins and minerals and other things that your body needs.

o Examples: Whole-milk products, fried foods, baked goods, candy, soda, chips, creamy salad dressings and sugary cereals.

o Eat these food once in a while in small potions.

Bon Appetite!!

Sometimes when you are in an educational system, you get caught up in trying to help or motivate those who are not always successful. As the Principal of CHS, I am guilty of trying to help each high-risk individual. In our system, we have to work hard to keep those students on task towards a degree and give them a chance to be successful. In our school, we have systematic policies and procedures in place for all students. But, those policies on attendance, ZAP, eligibility, tardies, dress code, GPA, etc are geared towards students who are struggling with our basic rules. I want to write this March newsletter to complement those students/parents and guardians that always do their work. We have many students who keep up on their attendance, tardies, behavior, attitude, and effort. With our help, we have many students that are succeeding. We have a lot of students that show up, on-time, do their work, stay out of trouble, respect our teachers and always give their best effort on assignments and assessments. Those students have been given a foundation and structure to endure and succeed with hard work and determination. They learned this from home. I personally want each of you to reflect on every individual child’s success. If they are striving in their school work please thank them. High School is not easy and we have many, many, many distractions. But, we have students that continue to preserve through obstacles. With all of our help, our students can be successful in life. I thank each individual that pushes each child to succeed. As Center High School Principal, I thank each and every one of you for your work. Take some time to thank your students as well. They deserve the recognition.

I appreciate you reading this.

Mr. Jones

High School Principal

Attendance

Why is being in school every day important?

IT IMPACTS YOUR GRADES

Even if you miss just a few days here and there, your grades are likely to suffer.

IT AFFECTS HOW YOU LEARN

When you are in class you learn the material along with your classmates. When you’re not in class, you need to learn the material on your own, which is stressful, time-consuming, and a much less effective way to learn.

GRADUATION IS AT RISK

Chronic absenteeism is the leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school and not graduate.

YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT

When you’re in school every day, you get a better education, which means you’ll have more career options and a much brighter future!

MISSING TOO MUCH SCHOOL?

-Have a good night time routine that includes getting everything ready for the next day.

-Go to bed early enough to ensure you get enough sleep-and don’t risk oversleeping in the morning.

-Have a plan in place if you miss the bus or your ride to school.

-Form a support network at the school, including friends, teachers, and other staff.

-Know and understand your school’s attendance policy, and know that to do if you must miss school.

* Please understand that as a Parent/Guardian, you are responsible for notifying the school secretary to excuse your child. If the call is not completed by the end of the day your child will be marked as unexcused.

If you have attendance problems because you don’t have transportation to school, there are problems at home, you’re being bullied, or there’s another problem, talk to your school counselor. Your counselor can help you with most any issues that are preventing you from regularly attending school.

Steve Martinez. CCSD School Safety & Behavior