The Bulldog Broadcast

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

We look forward to welcoming you to the 2023-2024 school year. Here at McDonald, we are a family. We take pride in our community and encourage every family to participate in our school-wide events. We believe in partnering with parents and guardians to provide the best education to our children. As bulldogs we follow the four B's plus one. Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Ready, Be your Best, & Be Proud to be a McDonald Bulldog!

Please join us on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 6:00 pm for our Bulldog Bash Kick-Off celebration. The event will be held at McDonald Elementary School. (If you are facing the front of the building, you should enter the building via the Orange doors on the left side of the building). The event will be held in our kindergarten hallway and our recess yard. This is an opportunity for new and returning families and students to socialize and receive resources for the school year. Come hungry! We will be serving pizza, sandwiches and treats. We will be giving away backpacks and school supplies. Please bring a blanket or chairs to sit and eat dinner picnic style. We look forward to seeing you! See the flyer below. Be sure to RSVP via the link on the flyer.

We will be sending home a bi-monthly SMORE newsletter with school information and upcoming events. Never hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher, counselor, or principals with any questions or concerns.

Here are a few important upcoming events:

Our Kindergarten Orientation Day will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023. Parents and students please arrive promptly at 9:00 am to sign in and find your seats. Your child will receive a t-shirt this day to wear on the first few days of school.

Kindergarten Orientation will take place at McDonald Elementary School from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. Students will be provided a snack.

New Students from grades 1- 5 are invited to attend an orientation and tour & all returning students and families are invited for a school walk-through at 11:30 am- 12:30 pm.

FIRST STUDENT DAY

All students report to school on Thursday, August 24, 2023 for the first student day.

Best regards,

Dr. Diana Garaitonandia & Mr. Mike VanBuren

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 16- Bulldog Bash Kick-Off

August 21- Kindergarten Orientation, New & Returning Student Tours

August 24 - First day of School

SEPTEMBER

September 1 - Schools Closed

September 4- Schools and Offices Closed- Labor Day

September 6 - Back to School Night (Last Names A-L 6:00 pm/ M-Z 7:00 pm)

School 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, McDonald will communicate in a few additional forums:

• Highlights events, important information, and includes student contributions

• Meets monthly at McDonald Elementary School
• The H&S Association will be holding a fundraiser on August 22, 2023 at Dairy Queen
• First Meeting September 18, 2023 7:00 PM in the McDonald Library- All are welcome to attend the meetings and get involved.
• McDonald Home and School is seeking volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year.

Social Media

Facebook - McDonald Elementary School- Centennial School District

Twitter- @McDBulldogsCSD

Arrival:

Arrival begins at 8:45 am.

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

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

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

Attendance Notes can be Submitted Electronically via email at mcattendance@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

• McDonald families may email attendance notifications/notes to the following address: mcattendance@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.

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

Family Access

As a guardian, you can get email summaries about your student’s activity in Classroom. To receive email summaries you must create (for free) or have a Google Account. Once created, you can review:

• Missing work—Work that was not turned in when the summary was sent.

• Upcoming work—Work that’s due today and tomorrow (for daily emails) or that’s due in the upcoming week (for weekly emails).

• Class activities—Announcements, assignments, and questions recently posted by teachers.

Your student’s classroom teacher will invite you to receive guardian summaries of your student progress, via email, at the beginning of the school year.

Student Access

Student Access allows students to access online and digital resources they need to be successful in their courses, including learning materials, feedback on assignments, and class announcements. Student Access to Google Classroom takes place via Classlink.

Questions?
Please contact the Google Classroom Family Access Help Desk.
Send us an Email
Telephone: 215-441-6000, x11150

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:

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

Library Book Return

• If you find any library books at home, during the summer, please put them in a safe (memorable) place and send them back to school when we return in August.

• Families who would like to pay for the replacement of a lost book can email Mrs. McNulty (mcnupa@centennialsd.org ) to inquire about the cost of the book. It is not necessary to pay for a lost book, but it is appreciated.

Warminster Library Information

• Please click the link for information about Summer Programs at the Warminster Township Free Library

Principal: Dr. Diana Garaitonandia, x16001 - garadi@centennialsd.org

Assistant Principal: Mr. VanBuren, x16002 - vanbmi@centennialsd.org

Email: info@centennialsd.org
Website: https://mces.centennialsd.org/
Location: 666 Reeves Lane, Warminster, PA, USA
Phone: 215-441-6157
Facebook: www.facebook.com/McDonaldElementaryCSD
Twitter: @McDBulldogsCSD