Eagle News:
Welcome Back Eagles!
On August 24, Centennial celebrated the start of our 40th year with County Executive Allan Kittleman, former principals, and staff at our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Breakfast hosted by our PTSA.
Centennial High School is actively engaged in creating a caring school community in which we feel connected, safe, and supported. Characteristics of a school that is safe and responsive to all children are to focus on academic achievement, involve families, emphasize positive relationships, discuss safety issues openly, treat students with equal respect, create ways for students to share their concerns, and promote good citizenship and character. (From An Action Guide U.S. Department of Education). We continue the tradition of 40 years of excellence and focus on performance, rigor, and engagement.
Emergency Procedure Cards for 2017-18:
Family File Update: Please remember to complete your Family File. The link for the Family File can be found at http://www.hcpss.org/news-posts/2017/08/update-your-family-file-information-before-school-begins/
Family File can be found by logging in to HCPSS Connect. In the Family File section parents will find all of the information historically located on the Emergency Procedure Cards such as contact information, medical considerations, and preferences. When parents log in through HCPSS Connect, there will be a link directing them to the Family File section. If you encounter any problems logging in or accessing Family File, please contact the school. Once logged in, parents will be able to provide or update all of their contact information, medical considerations, and preferences in approximately 10 minutes. For existing parents, data will be populated from last year when you log in for the first time. For more information, please see the attached sheet on Family File. Find Family File at http://www.hcpss.org/connect. Please be sure to update or complete this information as soon as possible for your child's safety. We must be able to contact you quickly in the event of an emergency involving your child. We appreciate your help. Our point of contact is Denise Farrell at 410-313-2856. If you have any problems with registering, please contact the school. Without the forms completed and returned to the office, your child will not be allowed to attend events at Centennial.
Lunch payments can be made either in the cafeteria or at www.myschoolbucks.com.
Please make sure you have read, signed, and returned all of the policies that were sent home.
We have practiced having fire drills and a “Lock down.” Students are aware of where they should report in case of emergency.
Students fully scheduled, but who wish to make changes to their schedule, will be able to do so Monday, September 11 – Friday, September 15. Forms will be available in Student Services. We will not honor requests for teacher changes.
Please remember to walk to the stoplight…do not run across the street. Please stop at a crosswalk for pedestrians and to yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk. We would also appreciate if you could have a conversation with your child about safety at a bus stop, and safety walking or driving to school. Thank you.
Parents – Please do not drop off students in the front of the school. Please drop off your child by the gym entrance. Please follow the traffic pattern.
We will be meeting with the students to welcome them back, share our expectations, and discuss changes in policies. Students are allowed to use their cell phone during the day in designated areas and times. The areas are in the hallways during change of classes and the cafeteria during lunch. They are not allowed to use them in the Bathrooms and in the Locker Rooms.
We were very excited to have our Back to School Night on Wednesday…Our Gallery Walk of Clubs was very busy…Please visit our webpage - chs.hcpss.org.
The Staff Appreciation Committee of the PTSA has already been working hard this school year. On Thursday, August 24th, they hosted a delicious breakfast for staff and kudos to all the volunteers who helped set up, cook, serve and clean up.
On Friday, September 1st, PTSA and Boosters volunteers teamed up to help cook up and serve some hamburgers and hot dogs for the CHS staff. It was a perfect ending to the staff's first week back to school.
Parents, please become a member of Centennial Boosters! The Boosters is a non-profit organization that serves the financial needs of all extra-curricular activities at CHS, including 45 sports teams, 90 clubs and student organizations. All the money raised goes back to support the student activities. Help support your child at CHS by visiting us online at centennialboostersonline.com for more information and to become a member.
"During the past week you have received copies of the Student Code of Conduct and Related Policies packet. Copies of the Student and Parent Handbook for parents will be sent home with students next week. It is important to emphasize that the information contained in these documents was designed to protect each and every one of you and your rights.
As part of the school system's implementation of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative, students are required to follow specific guidelines for the use of communication devices. The Student Code of Conduct contains the following notification: Irresponsible or unacceptable use of a portable communication device/cellular telephone during the school day may result in disciplinary action ranging from parental involvement to suspension. You should also know that the misuse of these devices may result in the revocation of your privilege to use this equipment in school during the school day.
The Responsible Use of Technology and Social Media Policy addresses unacceptable uses of technology and social media. You need to know that the school system regularly monitors social media messages that involve any of our schools.
Finally, the Safe School Environment policy reminds us that, "Any behaviors that interfere with or threaten the physical, emotional, mental, or academic well-being of students or employees will be addressed... even when they do not occur on school property or at a school-related activity."
Congratulations to Jacob Singleton and Jack Keane who have been playing at Granite Presbyterian this summer in the absence of the organist. They played brilliantly and were a blessing to the congregation.
Attention parents of Seniors!
During the week of September 12th Counselors are meeting with all 12th grade students during English classes to review the college application process.
On Wednesday September 13th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, in the CHS auditorium, Student Services will be hosting a senior parent night to share important information about the college application process. This evening is an opportunity for parents of college bound Seniors to learn about the transcript request process, requesting letters of recommendation, and scholarship information, as well as other information the Counselors shared during their meetings in the classroom. Counselors will be on hand after the presentation to answer individual questions.
Please also make note of another important Date:
Student Services will be hosting a county wide FAFSA night on Wednesday, September 27th at 7:00pm in the CHS auditorium. This evening will help Senior parents navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms that should be completed by every college bound student regardless of economic need, to ensure eligibility for any kind of scholarship.
We will be meeting with Juniors through English classes during the week of September 18th.
Students who participated in the PARCC assessments in the 2016–2017 school year will receive paper home reports during 3rd period on Monday September 11th.
Digital Access to Test Results: Digital access to PARCC and other standardized test scores is available now online. To view a running record of your child’s raw standardized assessment scores:
Go to http://www.hcpss.org/connect/
Login and click on”Standardized Test Scores” in the left menu
The PARCC results from the 2016–2017 school year have been loaded and are viewable now. For a preview of the PARCC paper home report and an explanation of the PARCC scores, please visit http://understandthescore.org/.
"Testing & Education Reference Center” (TERC) is designed to help students - in high school, graduate school and specialty school and beyond - make their future education decisions easier. TERC is loaded with information on colleges, technical schools, practice entrance exams, and certification and professional license exams that show students what to expect and how to prepare for - and excel at - the next level."
To get to AP/SAT/PSAT/ACT practice tests for free...
hcpss.me > MackinVIA > scroll down to the bottom and click "Load More" > click "Open Now" for TERC
ACT, PSAT & SAT practice test are located under the College Prep drop-down menu
AP practice tests are located under the High School drop-down menu.
If accessing from home, the login is the student's school computer user id & password
CHS Girls Cross Country team was ranked #7 in the region in a top 10 pre-season poll. Junior Alison Betler was named a "Player to Watch" and Cora Blount also was recognized as a "Notable" runner.
CHS Soccer player, Emily Przybyla was a "Player to Watch." Jackie Sterenberg was an "Other Notable." The team was ranked number 9 in pre-season polls. Congratulations!
We are looking forward to a successful and exciting 2017-2018 school year.
Have a great weekend.
Claire Hafets