Remember, if your child needs any medication(s) during the school day, including all over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, Benadryl, Advil, or any rescue medication such as Epi-pens or inhalers the medication authorization form, asthma action plan and/or food allergy plan must be completed and signed by both a physician and the parent/guardian. These forms are available in the school office and the District 96 website under the “Resources” tab. In addition, the medication must be brought to school in the original container, properly labeled with the student’s name. Plastic baggies are not acceptable.

Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining a safe environment for our students. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

Geana Chapp, RN

School Nurse

Last Week of School Schedule Revisions

Click here to join us:

www.facebook.com/CentralElementaryPTO

Here is your list:

Kindergarten:  Riverside Arts Center

1^st Grade:  1^st Grade Walking Tour of Riverside

2^nd Grade:  Barrio Grrrl!  at the Merle Reskin Theater in Chicago

3^rd Grade:  Chicago History Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo and

a Walking Tour of Riverside

4^th Grade:  A Tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House in Hyde Park

5^th Grade:  Traditional Art Institute and Chicago Architecture Tour

Of course, none of these field trips would be possible without the endless volunteer hours from our parents, and the tremendous support from Central School teachers, staff, administration and Dr. Limperis.  Thank you!

The Field Trip Committee

Mary Ellen Park, Kate Nessinger, Sue Pipal

All scouts should check in with their teachers as usual and they will then be sent outside before the 8:30am start to get assembled by the playground.  Any fifth grade scouts that would like to be a part of the color guard must contact Dawn at dmgmitro@aol.com.  Parents are welcome to attend the outdoor ceremony.

Thursday, June 7th:  
*  This is the last day of school (not the 8th).
* The clap out will happen during the morning at 8:30am in the front hall (not in the afternoon). A reminder to fifth grade moms whose last child is leaving Central: we hope to see you there!
*  School will start as usual at Central. Field trips will leave from Central according to the times on the attached calendar.  Pickup after the school field trips will occur in the St. Mary parking lot in the back of the building on Burlington.  A big thank-you goes to Principal Diane Simonaitis for her cooperation and gracious courtesy in working with us on this change in location. Pick up times will be staggered and are listed on the attached calendar.

* Fifth Grade pick-up ONLY will be @ 2:00 @ the Scout Cabin in Indian Gardens at Fairbanks and Barrypoint Rd.

*  Report cards will be handed out at the end of the day.

Friday, June 8th:
*  There is no school this day. 

Monday, June 11th:

* Beginning today the Central school office is located at Blythe Park School till June 15th. Please use our current telephone number to get in touch: 447-1106. Dr. Limperis can be reached at the same e-mail address: limperisj@district96.org  Registration is at the District Office in North Riverside: 447-5007.

Last Week of School Schedule

This attached flyer explains how any Central family can purchase discounted tickets.  Have fun this summer!

Discounted Raging Waves Tickets

Molly wasn’t even signed up for the artist in residence committee this year.  But, she saw something interesting and dove right in to assist Dawn Gmitro with this huge undertaking.  This artist in residence was originally going to just involve Muntu working with our students.  Molly saw a great opportunity and decided that we should pair this residency with our first ever hugely successful Cultural Heritage Festival.  Very few of us know how many hours and hours she devoted to ensuring that this event was such a hit.  She even painted all of those country signs outside of each of the classrooms hosting a country.  Her husband saw her final artwork and declared that she would make a great 4^th grader! We heard over and over again from our Cultural Heritage Festival country volunteers that she made running their rooms so incredibly easy that they would definitely do it again.

Molly is dedicated, detail-oriented and incredibly organized. She follows through on whatever she says she is going to and usually does more than she promised and even better than you imagined. Molly sees a need and she quietly fills that role and never seeks any accolades.  She magically appeared during the evening of our book fair this year during the busiest time ready to pitch in and help where needed.  She also recently devoted many hours packing and moving our PTO belongings due to the upcoming capital improvements.  Molly makes our school a better place and we are so lucky to have her!

Albert Einstein once said:  It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. Central has many wonderful educators, but there is one who truly embodies Einstein’s words.  The PTO is honored to introduce Mr. Elgeness as this year’s recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award.

Parent/Teacher/PTO Comments

The PTO is happy to share their thoughts about Mr. Elgeness.  There is a lot to say, because there is a lot to say about Mr. Elgeness!

Mr. Elgeness inspires imagination and creativity in his students, while maintaining their focus to obtain success.   For example, under Mr. Elgeness’ guidance, the 5th grade Student Council thrives.  He avidly recruits students to become involved in the student council.  There are no elections; the only prerequisite to be a member is the desire to become involved.  From this seed, Mr. Elgeness empowers the student council to problem solve creatively and encourages them to implement their ideas.  Through this process, they realize that they can have an impact on Central School, take pride of ownership, and garner the resulting satisfaction in a job well done.

Mr. Elgeness actively participates in PTO events.  You can see Mr. Elgeness at our PTO events, whether it’s our Fun Fair, Book Fair, Winter Social, or wearing a vest outside for Traffic Safety.   During the Striding Lion Theater group residency, he was in the circle participating in the theater games.  It was no different this year when, during the Muntu performance,  he was out there learning the dance and song with his students.  Mr. Elgeness’ willingness to jump in and participate puts the students at ease, and the children enjoyed the camaraderie of performing as a united classroom.  This speaks to Mr. Elgeness’ desire to put himself in his students’ shoes to understand more completely their experiences and perspectives.

Mr. Elgeness was remarkable when the Cultural Arts Chairs approached him about the Cultural Heritage Festival.  He included the countries of the Festival in his 5^th Grade social studies curriculum.  The students researched the facts and created beautiful travel brochures that were posted and distributed in the classrooms on the night of the Festival.  As the sponsor of the 5^th Grade student council, he devoted 2 meetings to the Festival making posters, doing research and helping prepare for the event.

Just last week, Mr. Elgeness took on two additional projects:  1) Working with the Recess Committee and the Student Council in coordinating a Survey regarding recess; and 2) Working with the PTO and the Student Council in coordinating a Time Capsule.  These are two huge endeavors, especially with end of the year 5^th Grade activities, not to mention capital improvements planning.  He consistently finds time beyond the classroom to help his students with new ideas, whether it be the Student Council, Young Authors program, PTO events, or Traffic Safety.

In the classroom, parents have recalled a project where the students were researching a certain time period in history.  Mr. Elgeness encouraged the students to wear costumes and speak in character.  This type of work makes history personal for the students.  Watching the interaction between teacher and student, it is easy to see why the kids are so creative and enthusiastic.  Mr. Elgeness encourages his students to be creative, to think, and he is receptive to their ideas.  In turn, Mr. Elgeness takes pride in his students’ ideas and accomplishments.

Student Comments

Here are what a few students had to say about Mr. Elgeness:  “He understands what 5th grade is like so he makes projects fun and still has the kids learning without even realizing it.”  Other students have commented that Mr. Elgeness is “young at heart” and does everything “with” the kids.  He “trusts” the kids and has mutual respect for each other in the classroom.  Another child remarked that for Spring Open House, he went home and baked for 2 hours for the fifth grade bake sale.

The list goes on and on…..Simply put, Mr. Elgeness goes above and beyond the call of duty, and he captures the essence of teaching at its best.  We are fortunate to have Mr. Elgeness as one of our teachers!

Please contact the Department of Special Education at 708-447-0706 if you did not receive a survey, or if you have any questions.