Central PTA News

Reminder, the next Central PTA meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4 at 9:00am in the library.  Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this meeting.  We are very fortunate to have Cheryl Berdelle, President of the District 96 Board of Education as a guest speaker for this meeting.

Cheryl will be talking with our group to help us learn more about the Board of Education and their role in supporting District 96.  Don’t miss this great learning opportunity.  There will also be some time allowed for questions.  

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Linda LaBelle at rllabelle@aol.com

Lands End Polo shirts have arrived.  Thank you to all who ordered the polo shirts.  The shirts were delivered to the teachers on Wednesday (11/28) and should be coming home with your student in the next day or so (polo shirts only; the other Spiritwear items will arrive at a later date). 

Two children’s large (size 14/16) polo shirts are available for sale;

• One short sleeve shirt ($18.00) was a sample (unwrapped, but never worn)
• One long sleeve shirt ($20.00) (wrapped, never worn, ordered in the wrong size)

If you would like to purchase one of the above shirts or if you have any questions or concerns with your order, please contact Nancy Hopkins at nmhopkins1@comcast.net

Attention Cultural Arts Volunteers!

The PTA has purchased the following “Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists” books illustrated and written by Mike Venizia;

• Mary Cassatt
• DaVinci
• Edgar Degas
• Frida Kahlo
• Rene Magritte
• Henri Rousseau
• Georges Seurat
• Diego Velazquez
• Andy Warhol

As one reviewer noted, “These books are excellent introductions to celebrated artists and their work.  Full color reproductions of the actual paintings are enhanced by Venezia’s clever illustrations and story line.  Young readers will look at the different paintings and see how the artists’ style changed over the years.  More important, the reader can enjoy a light, yet realistic overview of the life of each artist.”

These books are available for you to check out from the Central School library.  Also, you may come across additional books in the Cultural Arts folders.  If so, please send a note to Dorie Skiest at djskiest@sbcglobal.net, specifying the artist so the book can be cataloged and placed in the library for all to use. 

Thank you for your continued support of the Cultural Arts program and teaching the Central students about so many artists.

Central Families,

It is with deepest sympathy, that I have to inform you about the unexpected passing of a Central parent, Cary Jan.   Cary was the father of Central 4th graders Maggie and Shawn Jan.  He will be greatly missed by his family and the extended Central School Community.  Visitation and funeral services will take place at Woodlawn Cemetary on Des Plaines Avenue and 22nd street on Wednesday November 28, 2007.

• Visitation:  3:00 - 7:00 pm
• Funeral Service immediately following at 7:00 pm

A separate communication will be distributed regarding ways to help support the Jan family during this time of sorrow.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Linda LaBelle. 

Reminder; the District 96 Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 27 at 7:30 pm, Blythe Park Elementary School, 735 Leesley Road.  The Board of Education meetings are informative and a great place to learn about what is happening in District 96.

This month the Building Committee of the Riverside District 96 Board of Education will meet prior to the general meeting on Tuesday, November 27 at 6:00 pm, in the multi-purpose room at Blythe Park School.  Following is the agenda for the Building Committee Meeting;

• Review Traffic/Safety Study
• Discuss Use of Facilities - Policy Considerations
• Discuss Connecting Room between Hauser and Central Schools
• Discuss Landscape Planning Process
• Impact of Enrollment Growth on Facilities

All District 96 parents are welcome to attend

Riverside Police Department continues to work with the schools to improve traffic safety.  The Police Department was the recipient of a special incentive award from the Illinois Department of Transportation - Division of Traffic Safety.  With this award, three Solar Guard yellow caution warning lights were purchased and installed atop crosswalk signs near Ames and hause Junior High Schools.  These flashing lights are useful to draw attention to crosswalks that children and pedestrians use daily.  The flashing lights operate by batteries which are re-charged using solar energy.  District 96 and the Police Departments goal is to get children safely to and from school.  Look for these new flashing lights near Ames and Hauser and be sure to thank the Police Department for all they do to help keep our children safe.

This note is a safety message.  Hopefully you have all ready heard or read in the media a safety warning regarding the children’s toy, Aqua Dots.  The toy called Aqua Dots contains the date rape drug.  Some young children have gone into comas from putting the Aqua Dots in their mouths (AOL news).  Please do not purchase this toy.