William Tennent Update

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

Hello, William Tennent Families.

On behalf of the William Tennent High School faculty, staff, and administration, I would like to take this opportunity to share our excitement about the upcoming 2023-24 school year! It has been a busy summer here at WT with classes and camps, and our sports teams and marching band are getting underway. Our teachers and staff will soon be returning and preparing for the arrival of our students.

As the first day of school quickly approaches, our staff is looking forward to working together with you to: strengthen our students’ learning through positive communication between home and school, encourage our students’ active participation in their coursework and in extracurricular activities, and provide a strong support network for our students as they begin or return to high school.

The first day of school will be Thursday, August 24, 2023. Thursday, August 24 will be a Black Day, and students should report to their classes for Black Day, periods 1-4. Friday, August 25 will be a White Day, and students should report to their classes for White Day, periods 1-4.

• Students’ schedules will be available through Skyward beginning on August 15, 2023.

• Students will be able to access lockers to store coats and supplies each morning before first period, on the way to lunch, and when the day ends at 2:20pm. Student locker numbers and combinations can be found in Skyward.

• Students are expected to bring their charged Chromebooks with them each day.

• WTHS Back to School Night will be held in person on Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 7-9pm at the high school. Our teachers look forward to the opportunity to meet parents and guardians and share with you all they have planned for your students this year.

I hope you and your families have had the opportunity to relax, to laugh, and to enjoy quality time together this summer. Enjoy the remainder of the summer and continue to build excitement with us for the start of the 2023-24 school year!

I have listed resources and information below that will assist you in preparing for your student to return. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the high school at 215-441-6181.

Take care and be well!

Dr. Henrich

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 10, 16, 17 - Freshmen & New Student Tours, 10am or 1pm each day

August 14 - Fall Sports begins

August 15 - Skyward opens, schedules available

August 22 - Meet the WTHS Admin Team- Library, 6pm

August 24 - First Day of School

SEPTEMBER

September 1 - All Schools Closed

September 4 - All Schools and Offices Closed - Labor Day

September 11 & 12 - Underclassmen Picture Days

September 21 - Back to School Night

September 25 - All Schools & Offices Closed

Resources:

William Tennent Website
Centennial School District Calendar
WTHS Daily Announcements
Email the WTHS Attendance Office
WTHS Guidance Counselor Contact Information
Student Handbook
Dress Code
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology

• The first day of school at MBIT is September 5, 2023.
  
• Here is the MBIT calendar.
  
  

Athletics:

• WTHS Athletics Website
  
• Fall Athletics will begin August 14, 2023 (Football , Golf & Marching Band 8/7/23)
• Athletics Calendar
• Coaches Information
• All student-athletes must complete the following before participating in school athletics:

• PIAA Physical Form (Physical must be completed after 6/1/2023).

• Athletic Handbook

District Links:

Student Registration

Employment at CSD

CSD Weekly Update Archive

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, William Tennent High School will communicate in a few additional forums:

William Tennent Website

• We encourage you to check the William Tennent High School web page frequently. Here you can find information regarding daily announcements, student schedules, Canvas links, important dates, parent pick-up, and drop-off procedures, school lunch information, and other school-related communications.

Monthly Newsletter: William Tennent Update

• Highlights events, important information, and includes student contributions sent through an eAlert

Social Media

We also encourage you to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram in order to remain up-to-date on the happenings at William Tennent High School.

Student schedules will be available to students through Skyward on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Our back to school paperwork has been automated and housed in the Skyward Family Access System. You will be required to complete this electronic paperwork in order to unlock your child’s academic schedule.

Students who need assistance with scheduling concerns should reach out to their house principals beginning August 16, 2023. The house principals can make corrections where necessary prior to the first day of school. Additionally, students can receive scheduling help from their school counselors during the first days of school.

The administrative team at William Tennent High School is looking forward to welcoming back our students and families for the 2023-24 school year. Prior to the start of the school year, we would like to offer an opportunity for interested parents and guardians to join us in person to meet with our administrative team. All parents and guardians are welcome to join us on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, in the WTHS library from 6-7pm to hear a bit about the upcoming school year and ask questions about our school and our programs. We look forward to speaking to those of you who are available, and to welcoming our students on August 24, 2023 for the first day of school.

All sophomores will be registered to take the College Board’s PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test during the school day on the morning of October 10, 2023. These students and their families do not need to do anything additional for registration.

Juniors are able and are encouraged to register and take the PSAT on October 10 to determine readiness for the SAT exam and to compete for a national scholarship. The deadline for registration is Tuesday, August 29, 2023. A registration fee of $18.00 applies for all juniors. This fee may be paid in person to Ms. Megan Mattes in the Guidance Office/College and Career Center with cash or a check made payable to William Tennent High School.

Students are expected to show good taste and common sense in dress when in school. Appropriate dress reflects pride in your school and yourself. It is inappropriate to wear anything that distracts and/or disrupts the learning environment or interferes with the educational process. Attire that might be acceptable for home, leisure or other situations might be considered unacceptable school attire. If a student’s dress is inappropriate for school, the student may be removed from the school population until the situation is corrected. Parents/guardians may be asked to provide a change of clothes or more suitable clothing may be provided if available.

Some common dress prohibitions are as follows:

• Shirts that expose the midriff, are very low cut, or are see through and reveal undergarments are not permissible

• Clothing, apparel, or jewelry that by words, signs, pictures, or any other combinations thereof, advocates or promotes sexual activity, violence, death, suicide, or the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, or demeans, degrades, or intimidates another because of race, sex, religious persuasions, sexual persuasion, national origin, disability, or gang membership.

• Sunglasses may not be worn in the building during the school day.

For more information, please see the district’s guidelines.

Fall sports are upon us! The Fall season officially begins on August 14th (August 7th for football). Here is a list of important reminders:

All CIPPE forms (PIAA Physical Examination Forms) and parent permission forms are required to be completed and submitted prior to any student-athlete participating in an athletic program. All printed forms are available in the WTHS Athletic Office. The forms can also be accessed here.

Concussion Education & baseline testing

WTHS is a leader in the Suburban One League in Concussion Management for all of our student athletes. If you have not already, please schedule baseline testing with our lead Athletic Trainer, Ms. Joslin Poole (215-441-6181 ext. 12504). All potential student athletes must have a baseline test on file prior to any participation. *Including Color Guard

Tryout Information

All of our tryout information for the Fall 2023 season can be found on our William Tennent Athletics Webpage.

Family Pass / Student Pass / Paperless Ticketing

William Tennent High School is proud to partner with Hometown Ticketing to provide a paperless ticketing system starting this Fall. For all weekend and evening events (Football / Volleyball / Wrestling / Basketball / Senior nights) we strongly encourage you to purchase your tickets from our online ticket box office. Our yearly Family and Student Passes for regular season athletic events can also be found here.

Family Pass - $50 (2 Adults / 2 Students)

Student Pass - $25 (1 Student)

Spectator Rules:

Spectators are welcome to purchase tickets to attend WTHS sports events. Student spectators may not bring outside drinks, water bottles, etc into the stadium or gymnasium. Student spectators in the stadium and auditorium may not enter with backpacks or bags (other than a small purse). Middle school students will not be admitted without a parent or guardian.

William Tennent High School is excited to share the news that our student parking lot has been repaved and new lines have been painted! Rising Juniors and Seniors with a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle may now apply for a William Tennent Parking Pass for the 2023-24 school year. The cost of the pass will be $40. This fee will remain the same regardless of the time of year the pass is purchased. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WTHS STUDENTS MAY NOT PARK ANYWHERE ON CAMPUS WITHOUT A VALID PARKING PASS. This includes the upper parking lot by the field where the old Johnsville building once stood.

Students should fill out the link below to apply:

Link to Apply for Parking Pass 2023-24

Once students fill out and submit the request, they will receive a confirmation email from Mrs. Mueller with a permission slip attached for parents to sign. Students should fill out the request separately for each vehicle they plan to drive.

Students should bring the signed permission slip when they come to the high school to pick up their parking pass. Parking passes may be picked up at William Tennent High School on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, August 1st - 1:00 - 3:00pm (Seniors Only)

Thursday, August 3rd - 10:00am - 1:00pm (Seniors and Juniors)

Wednesday August 15th - 12:00 - 3:00pm (Seniors and Juniors)

If you have further questions, please contact Mrs. Mueller at (215) 441-6181 x12015.

Good attendance in school is one of the building blocks of school success. Please have your students make every effort to arrive at WTHS with plenty of time to get breakfast and visit lockers before classes if they so choose.

• Students should be in the building and in their classrooms by the time first period begins at 7:30am each day.

• Students who are not in the building by 7:30am are late to school. Students who are not in class when the bell rings at 7:30am are also late to class.

• When a student must be absent from school, parents or guardians are required to submit a written note to the 9th grade office, or send an email to wtattendance@centennialsd.org.

• In order for absences to be excused, PA state code requires written notes or emails to be received within 3 school days.

• Seniors who are enrolled in a study hall period in block 1 or 4 may arrive late to school or leave early during that period with permission. Students seeking late arrival or early dismissal during study hall should access the Study Hall- Early Release/Late Arrival paperwork. Once seniors submit this completed, signed paperwork, they are not required to remain in the building during study hall.

• Students and families are encouraged to read the Board Policy that pertains to attendance:

• Student Attendance

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.

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 20, 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:

High School Breakfast is FREE for all students; Lunch cost is $3.25

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. Julia Henrich

Email: henrju@centennialsd.org
Website: www.centennialsd.org
Location: 333 Centennial Road, Warminster, PA, USA
Phone: 215-441-6000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WTHSPanthers
Twitter: @WTHS_Panthers