The Center Mile

Welcome Back! We're Open!

Welcome back Center School students, families and caregivers! The 2022-2023 school year has officially begun. And what a beginning it has been! Before school started we had our first gathering at the PTO Community BBQ. The event was a great success thanks to PTO and The Pleasant Cafe and their volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly to entertain and feed over 500 of us! Gathering together as a community was particularly meaningful this year as we were able to welcome all of our students and parents back in to The Center School.

"Welcome Back! We're Open!" is our theme at The Center School this year. We are open to everything that a new year and a new beginning brings. We are open to strengthening our connections with all of you, building relationships with new members of our community and continuing to provide an exceptional supportive social-emotional and educational environment where all students thrive. Being able to literally open our doors to all parents and caregivers, along with our students, has set the tone for a joyful and successful 2022-23 school year.

I want to personally thank all of you for welcoming me into your community. I continue to be honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve The Center School students, families, caregivers, staff and community. We're going to have an amazing year together!

My door is always open. Welcome Back!

Shelley Dulsky

Principal

sdulsky@nrsd.net

From left to right: Classroom Teacher Amy Keogh, Instructional Assistant Marian Harwood, Instructional Assistant Lindsay White, Classroom Teacher Maura Moran, Instructional Assistant Deb Lamplough, Classroom Teacher Sandy Hargrave, Instructional Assistant Megan Sanzio and Classroom Teacher Kim Priest.

We are so excited to share that all students are now participating in The Daily Mile each day. The Daily Mile is simple but powerful. Each day all students go outside for fifteen minutes to run, jog or walk at their own pace with their classmates and teachers. This activity increases fitness, health and the ability to concentrate in the classroom. And, very importantly, The Daily Mile provides social-emotional support for every student.

In addition to clear physical benefits, The Daily Mile provides:

• a time to connect with peers and/or teachers;
• an opportunity to "take a moment" as an individual;
• a sensory break; and
• a chance to build relationships in a different environment that allows for individual choices of engagement.

The Daily Mile gives students a new tool in their toolbox of life skills. Students are learning about the great benefits of a quick walk or run ... knowledge that will serve them for a lifetime!

For more information visit the website: http://www.thedailymile.us

Lindsay worked at the Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Ma for 16 years, upon graduating from Wellesley College in 2005. At Dana Hall, she held a number of positions from Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Community Service Coordinator, to 9th and 10th grade Dean, Health and Wellness teacher, member of the Hiring Team and Counseling Team, Head Coach of the Varsity Basketball team and Coach for middle school soccer and lacrosse. Her last 3 years at Dana Hall were spent in Residential Life as a House Director for 25 boarding students from around the world. In October of 2020, Lindsay moved to Stow with her family - her wife, C. and twin 6 year olds, Ashton and Camryn, who will be in 1st grade here at Center School. She is very excited to join Ms. Moran in her kindergarten classroom this year!

• September 16, 2022 // Early Release (Students released at 12:15 p.m.)
• September 20, 2022 // SPTO Meeting 7:00 p.m. @ Center Cafeteria
• September 22, 2022 // Back-to-School Night Grades 1-5 (6:15-7:45 p.m.)
• September 29, 2022 // School Pictures
• September 29, 2022 // Kindergarten Open House (6:30-7:00 p.m.)
• October 10, 2022 // Holiday
• October 21, 2022 // Early Release (Students released at 12:15 p.m.)

For the entire Center School Calendar click here:

The Center School Calendar

Thursday, September 22, 2022: Back-to-School Night for Grades 1 - 5

6:15 - 6:45 p.m. - 1st and 2nd Grade to General Education Classrooms

6:15 - 7:45 p.m. - Visit Specialists in their Classrooms*

7:15 - 7:45 p.m. - 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade to General Education Classrooms

*This year our Back-to-School Night is also a true "Open House"

This year parents and caregivers will be able to visit our Integrated Arts Specialists (Art, Music, P.E., Health, Computer Technology, and Library teachers) in the spaces where they teach students! Signs will be posted for locations. Parents and Caregivers may visit the Specialists anytime between 6:15 and 7:45 p.m. Presentations in General Education Classrooms will take place at the times posted. This "Open House" format will give everyone a chance to explore the entirety of our incredible Center School building!

Thursday, September 29, 2022: Kindergarten Open House

6:30 - 7:00 p.m. in Kindergarten General Education Classrooms**

** A special note to Kindergarten parents and caregivers: If you would like to meet the Integrated Arts Specialists (our teachers for Art, Music, P.E., Health, Computer Technology and Library), you are invited to do so on Thursday, September 22nd when grades 1 - 5 have Back-to-School Night. This night is for adults only. We would love to see you there!

Welcome Back from Nurse Carla Dumas! Please read these important Health Office Updates for the start of our school year.

Health Office Updates September 2022

What is the SPTO? The attached SPTO Flier explains it all!

Please attend the first SPTO meeting of the year on Tuesday September 20th at 7pm in the Center School cafeteria. The agenda for this meeting will be posted on the SPTO website and social media accounts next week. A range of topics will be discussed: Budget, Committees, Halloween Dance, Key Dates, Open Positions, Project Prep, Room Parents, and Volunteer Opportunities.

Save the Date! Halloween Dance Friday October 21st 5pm to 7pm in the fields behind The Center School (inside the gym if it rains). Volunteers are needed! Email Kate Forrestall (kforrestall@gmail.com) if you'd like to volunteer in any way. The first planning meeting is scheduled for Wednesday September 21st 8:30pm.

How to stay connected with the SPTO?

Website: https://www.centerhalepto.org

Email: board@centerhalepto.org

Facebook @stowpto

Instagram @stow_pto

Our 2022/2023 fundraising goal is $50,000. How to donate to the SPTO?

PayPal

Venmo

We are renewing our connections with Substitute Teachers. If you or someone you know is interested in substitute teaching at The Center School please contact our Assistant Principal Lenore Zavalick: lzavalick@nrsd.net