Central Elementary School

A

Art in Action

Art in Action is a volunteer docent-led program in collaboration with teachers, based on a series of discipline based lessons teaching art history, art appreciation, and art skills. At Central we offer this program to 2^nd-5^th grade classrooms, beginning in October. Parents can volunteer to become trained docents.

Assemblies

Central’s PTA hosts and coordinates many whole-school assemblies throughout the year. Past assemblies have included a visit by professional basketball players, a celtic music concert, and demonstrations of science in action.

Auction/ Dinner Dance

The annual Silent Auction and Dinner/Dance is Central’s premier party of the year. Parents come together for a fun evening of dinner, dancing and auctioning at the San Mateo Elks Lodge. This year’s event is planned for April, and volunteer opportunities abound.

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B

Back to School Night

This parents-only night in September is your opportunity to visit your child’s new classroom, meet their teacher, and learn what they will be working on in the coming year.

Back to School Supplies

Each June, order forms go home for back-to-school supplies that your child can conveniently pick up in one package on the first day of school. The supply lists are comprehensive and coordinated with the requirements of each grade level.

Band

Every 4^th and 5^th grader has the opportunity to learn a band or string instrument at Central. Band lessons build on chorus and recorder work in prior grades, and culminate in two performances, one in early winter, and the other in spring. Contact: Owen Bruce

BINGO Night

A low-key fun night for the whole family. Every kid takes home a prize!

Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair is held annually in October to raise money for Central’s library. The book fair begins with an evening of shopping and socializing at the Ice Cream Social.  Then, during the week a Book “shop” is set up in the library, where kids can buy books at recess. Central receives a percentage of the profits to buy books for the library. Many volunteers needed.

Boot Camp

Twice weekly, 3^rd-5^th graders wake up their minds and bodies in this 30-minute, non-strenuous exercise class.

Buddies

4^th and 5^th graders are paired with all students in kindergarten and 1^st grade to help develop positive bonds among students. Buddy classes get together frequently for joint art projects, math exercises, and even class parties.

Buddy Families

Each new family is “buddied up” with a veteran family to help them navigate the ins and outs of their new school.

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C

Camp
Read-A-Lot

Typically held in May, this special event day focuses everybody on reading. Volunteers set up tents on the playing field and chaperone classes as they read and are read to al fresco.

Caught Being Good

Central’s ‘culture of courtesy’ emphasizes respect and kindness to others. As part of this, students receive “Caught Being Good” slips to recognize and encourage positive behavior. Caught Being Good assemblies are held monthly to honor students who have been good role models.

Centraletter

Our monthly newsletter for news about what’s going on at school and the PTA. Watch for it in your Tuesday Envelope! Send submissions to centralnewsletter@yahoo.com.

Chess Club

Chess Club is an after school enrichment program set up through the  Berkeley Chess School. All levels and grades are welcome. Participants learn how to play chess as well as fundamental chess strategies.

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D

Dance With Michael

A fun, exploratory dance program for 1st and 2nd graders. All the kids love dancing with Michael, and their parents enjoy the performance at program’s end.

Discovery Day

This event, held annually in April, is a favorite of all of the kids. The day is designed to get the kids out of the classroom and into some hands-on learning experiences. Classes for 1st-5th graders range from Chinese Cooking, to Woodworking, to Gymnastics. Kindergartners get an up front look at a Fire Engine and Police Motorcycle when the Belmont Fire Department and Police Department pay them a visit. All workshops are led by community and parent volunteers. Have a special skill that you would like to teach? Or can you help out as an assistant for the morning? Contact this year's program chair (click the PTA icon for a list) to volunteer!

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E

eScrip

Sign up your credit or debit card or Safeway Club Card with the eScrip program, and Central receives between 2-10% back from your purchases. It is a free, no hassle way to support our school. If you are currently signed up for eSscrip through your child’s pre school, please consider changing your current account to Central. Note: To maintain benefits, eScrip accounts should be updated annually at http://www.escrip.com/.

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F

Family Reading Night

Families are encouraged to visit the school library at this monthly event, highlighted by story time with different guest readers.

Field Trips

Field trips are arranged for students throughout the year; most are organized by grade level, though some are individual to the classroom. They are typically coordinated by teachers with help from classroom volunteers, and may use a bus or parent drivers. Some field trips are standard each year, e.g., the state capitol for 4th graders, and pumpkin patch for kindergartners. Other field trips are at teachers’ discretion.

Friends of Central - Tutoring

This program provides training, materials, and support to volunteers working with students in grades 3-5 to improve select skills.

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G

Grandparents and Special Friends' Day

Typically held on a Wednesday morning in March or April, this is a time set aside for kids to bring their Grandparent or Special Friend to school to “show off” their classroom and learn about Central school. Volunteers are needed to plan and organize the day and greet guests at the event.

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H

Holiday Gift Workshop

Held the first weekend of December, the Holiday Gift Workshop is a memorable event for all. Kids are invited to make a variety of different crafts to give as gifts for the holidays or to decorate their home. Volunteers are needed to lead and assist crafts tables.

Homework Club

Homework assistance and 1-1 and small group instruction in language arts and math. This teacher-led program is held twice a week after school in the library. Participation is only by teacher recommendation.

Hot Lunch

Hot lunch is offered on a pre-ordered basis for grades 1-5 each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Check the Hot Lunch section of this website for more information. Volunteers are needed to help serve food.

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I

Ice Cream Social

The ice cream social takes place in October. Ice cream with all the fixings is served up for all to enjoy along with games, and karaoke! This is also the first night of our Book Fair.

Innisbrook Gift Wrap Sales

This is our first fundraiser of the year, launched in early September. Families are asked to sell a variety of gift and novelty items through the colorful and inviting Innisbrook catalogue. Central receives 50% of the profits!

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K

Kiddie Valet

Parent volunteers along with 5^th grade students welcome you to school with a friendly smile and a helping hand. This expedited approach to morning drop-off traffic leaves us all starting our day with a smile! Parent volunteers are needed to assist in the morning.

Kids and Cans (and Water Bottles)

Started as the award winning Getting Green program to raise money for a new playground, Kids and Cans raises funds via the weekly recycling of aluminum cans and plastic water/juice bottles. Families bring in their containers to school every Friday and we recycle them for cash. Currently, funds raised are targeted for the Kids Helping Kids program.

Kids Helping Kids

A student campaign to help those less fortunate. Since 2004, students have raised over $7,000 collectively for victims of natural disasters. Efforts have ranged from bake sales to turning in ice cream tickets, and recycling aluminum cans.

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L

Land of Music

The goal of this program is to nurture children in a lifelong love of music. Volunteer docents provide weekly ½ hour music lessons to children in grades K-3, starting in October. Parents are treated to a special concert at the Spring Sing in June. Training is provided for docents.

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M

Monday Morning Meeting

Monday Morning Meeting (MMM) is the official kick-off for school each week. We use this time to communicate about upcoming events, celebrate achievements, acknowledge birthdays, and set the tone for a positive week of learning.

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O

Open House

This special Wednesday evening in May is set aside for you to visit your child’s classroom and see what they have accomplished in class. Your child is your guide as you view artwork, read journals, and visit the next grades’ classrooms for a preview of the upcoming year.

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P

Parent Education Classes

Evening classes are offered 2-3 times a year with a range of helpful topics for parents. Educational family events are also often included.

 Parent
 Handbook

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Held three times a year for kindergartners and twice for students in grades 1-5 (just before Thanksgiving and then in mid-March), parent teacher conferences are designed for you to learn about and discuss your child’s progress one-on-one with their teacher. Your child may be expected to attend, depending on grade level and time of year –- check with the teacher beforehand if you are not sure whether to bring them. Note: 1^st-5^th conference days are minimum days!

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R

Reading Power

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon week is held the week of October 23-27 as part of an annual nationwide, “Say no to drugs” campaign. Our theme for this week is on “Making Healthy Choices.”

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S

Safe Schools/ Emergency Preparedness

The Belmont Safe Schools program was developed as a cooperative effort between the Belmont Police Department and the public and private schools within the city of Belmont. It is designed to ensure the safety of our children in the event of an emergency. In addition, at Central we ask all of our families to prepare an emergency packet for each of our students (in Sept.-Oct.) to have in case of an emergency. Our school also conducts regular emergency drills.

 Save the
 Music Festival
 in the Park

School-Force!