On Friday, April 13th, the Central School PTO hosted Family Movie Night. The Central School gym was transformed into our very own movie theater! Families enjoyed watching Rio in their pajamas while enjoying delicious snacks. Thank you to the Central School PTO for sponsoring another wonderful event for the families of Central School.
On Tuesday, March 13th Central School honored all of our volunteers for their commitment to the children of Central School with a "Hats off to you" fashion show and reception. Each classroom decorated a hat for the fashion show that represented the many "hats" that our volunteer's wear; room parents, fundraisers, popcorn popper volunteers, school beautification volunteers, academic volunteers, and so much more. Everyone at Central School greatly appreciates all that our volunteers do to help enrich the lives of the students at Central School.
On Friday, March 2nd many Central School students had a wonderful time celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday! Our primary students participated in many special events in celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday.
On Friday, March 2nd the Central School PTO hosted Pizza Bingo Night. Families enjoyed playing numerous rounds of bingo while enjoying delicious pizza. Bingo winners received books that were generously donated by many Central School families. Thank you to the Central School PTO for sponsoring another wonderful event for the families of Central School.
On Thursday, Januar 26th the second and third grade students of Central Elementary School performed Flakes! This wonderful show was performed at both 2:10 and 7:00 for students, family members, friends, and Central School staff. Congratulations to the second and third grade students for an excellent performance.
On Friday, November 18th the third grade students at Central Elementary School brought history to life through their wax museum. Students researched famous Americans and then conveyed what they learned through a live wax museum.
On Friday, November 18th Central School families gathered for our second Taste of Central Potluck Dinner and Craft Night. Families prepared and shared their favorite dishes with their friends at Central School. It was a fantastic evening of eating, making crafts, and celebrating community.
On Thursday, November 17th Central School students met and worked with author Janet Wong. Students participated in a writing workshop, attended an assembly, participated in story time, and had lunch with Janet Wong. Thank you to the Central School PTO for providing this enriching opportunity to the students of Central School. Learn more about Janet Wong....
On Thursday, September 15th Central School hosted Curriculum Night. During this important evening teachers presented important information to parents relating to the curriculum and student expectations. Mrs. Krueger welcomed parents during an assembly and the PTO President spoke with parents about the role the Central School PTO plays in the lives of Central School students. Curriculum Night is an important event that helps parents and teachers work together as a collaborative team.
On Wednesday, November 2nd and Friday, November 4th the fourth and fifth grade students at Central Elementary School performed Three Cheers for America A celebration of our Veterans. This wonderful show was performed at both 2:10 and 7:00 for students, family members, and Central School staff. Congratulations to the fourth and fifth grade students for a fabulous performance!
The Mousetrap Machine Show
On Friday, October 21st, Central School students participated in The Mousetrap Machine Show. The Mousetrap Machine Show combined science, math and art to teach students how simple machines work. Throughout the show, student volunteers demonstrated the workings of five simple machines using balloon sculptures. By the show's close, the simple "balloon" machines were linked together to create a more complex mousetrap, which caught a runaway mouse. By first demonstrating how each simple machine worked, then showing how they can work together to form more complex structures, students learned first-hand how machines in their life are engineered to solve problems.
Grandparents Day
On Thursday, October 20th, Central School students invited their grandparents or a significant adult to attend our annual Grandparents' Day. Grandparents Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the bond children and their grandparents have by allowing students to share with their grandparents a glimpse into their school experiences. The students worked on special projects with their grandparents and a wonderful time was had by all!
Today, representatives from JEWEL-OSCO and Coke presented a $1,500 check to Central School to refurbish recreational spaces at the school as part of the Sprite Spark Parks Project for Schools program. Central Principal Kelly Krueger and fourth and fifth grade Student Council members accepted the gift during Friday morning Flag-Raising. Student Council members will participate in identifying improvement areas on their campus where students play, stay fit and are refreshed all school year long.
The Sprite Spark Parks Project is a multi-year commitment to build and restore places where kids, teens, families and communities can get outside and get active. Through its work with kids, teens and parents, Sprite will put more than $2 million into building or revamping a minimum of 150 outdoor spaces throughout the country in 2011. These spaces include neighborhood parks, basketball courts, playgrounds and athletic fields.
Central was one of 12 schools in the Chicago-area and surrounding suburbs to receive funds through this program to use toward purchasing new athletic equipment, playground improvements and more. JEWEL-OSCO representatives Phil Alcot and Sylvia Reinoce joined Coke representatives Jason Cunningham and Dave Lesiak in the presentation.
Central School celebrated International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 5th, 2011. We encourage students to walk to school to draw attention to the need of physical activity, to reduce the traffic congestion on our streets and in front of the school, and to reduce the pollution associated with motorized vehicles. During this successful event, many Central Elementary School students, parents, teachers, staff, and community leaders walked to school!
October 10th through October 14th was Fire Prevention Week. – On Thursday, October 13th members of the Des Plaines Fire Department met with Central Elementary School's kindergarten through second grade students. During this visit the children participated in a fire prevention activity, learned about the protective equipment that firefighters wear, and had an up close look at the Des Plaines Fire Department's fire engines. Thank you to the members of the Des Plaines Fire Department for teaching fire safety to our children.
On Thursday, September 22nd the D62 Foundation Prize Patrol visited Mrs. Radnitzer and presented her with funding for a mini-grant written for a building wide year long subscription to TrueFlix! Congratulations to Mrs. Radnitzer and thank you D62 Foundation for supporting the students of Central School!
PTO sponsored Summer Reading Club Breakfast
On Thursday, September 22nd, 61 Central School students participated in the PTO sponsored Summer Reading Club Breakfast. Students who successfully completed the Des Plaines Public Library Summer Reading Club, A Midsummer, Knight's Read, were invited to attend a delicious breakfast. We are proud of our students who spent time during the summer reading! Research shows that children who spend at least 30 minutes a day reading books, magazines and newspapers are more likely to become good readers. Congratulations to all of the Summer Reading Club participants!
Community Planting
Thank you to the students and Central School PTO for creating such a beautiful school entrance that warmly welcomes all to Central Elementary School! The students who participated felt proud of their beautiful contribution to Central School.
Welcome to the 2011 – 2012 school year at Central School! Central is a wonderful, family centered, small school located "in the heart of the city" near downtown Des Plaines. Central Elementary School is part of Des Plaines Community Consolidated School District 62 and it incorporates Kindergarten through fifth grades. We have been proudly educating the children of Des Plaines since 1906.
Central School has a small, knowledgeable staff and a very involved, supportive parent organization dedicated to both the academic and character development of each and every student. The staff at Central School believes in a relationship of mutual respect and cooperation between home and school. We value your partnership in providing the best education possible for your child.
We look forward to working with all of our children and families throughout the school year.
Due to construction, all student pick up and drop off will be on Thacker Street beginning Monday, August 22nd.
- Please do not pick up or drop off children on Prairie Avenue.
- Intermediate students will be dismissed on the intermediate playground and will walk up to the primary playground.
- You will receive an email and letter home when pick up and drop off on Prairie Avenue can resume. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Child Safety!
Please support the safety of Central School students by instructing your child to travel to and from school by the safest route, taking advantage of corners where adult crossing guards are stationed.
Crossing guards are assigned to the following locations in the area of the school. Please instruct your child to follow safe routes and to follow the instructions of the crossing guards.
- Prairie/Graceland
- Prairie/Lee
- Thacker/Center
- Thacker/Cora
- Thacker/west of River Road
- Algonquin/Cora
National Student-Athlete Day Celebrated
On Wednesday, April 6th, the 4th and 5th grade students at Central Elementary School celebrated National Student-Athlete Day with a visit from Dan Persa and Maria Tadeschi of Northwestern University. Dan Persa is the quarterback of the Wildcats football team and Maria Tadeschi is a member of the lacrosse team. According to their webpage, National Student-Athlete Day “celebrates the outstanding achievements of high school and college student-athletes who have excelled in academics (3.0 GPA or above) and athletics while having made significant contributions to their schools and communities”. Both Dan and Maria spoke with the children about the importance of working hard, overcoming obstacles, and always putting forth your best effort.
Family Game Night
On Friday, March 4th the Central School PTO hosted the Taste of Central Dessert Social and Family Game Night! Families brought a dessert or snack that reflected their family heritage and delighted us with other family favorites. Families also shared their favorite games with other Central School family members! Thank you to the Central School PTO for sponsoring another wonderful event for the families of Central School.
Go Fish!
On Thursday, February 17th the second and third grade students of Central Elementary School performed Go Fish! This wonderful show was performed at both 2:10 and 7:00 for students, family members, and Central School staff. Congratulations to the second and third grade students for an excellent performance.
Central School student sure enjoyed returning to school on Friday, February 4th!
Central Third Graders Bring History to Life
From Cleopatra (two of them), to Evil Knievel (also two) and Bobby Flay, Central Elementary School third graders, staged a living history presentation, inspired by wax museums around the world. A collection of historical or people of note were represented by students who researched and dressed like their subjects.
After receiving their assignments from their teachers, Lori Schoen and Gary Paustian, students conducted research. They used note cards and outlines to write their speeches. Students focused on the dates and location of birth and death, the description of the location where they lived, and significant events or contributions that were attributed to the famous person. Many of the students said that they would have liked their famous person as a friend.
Once the research was finished, students wrote short speeches. Students were encouraged to make the speech fun and exciting by adding humor, surprise or even sound effects to their speech. Several students created PowerPoint presentations.
Students created costumes. Many carried props. They were encouraged to raid closets, and visit thrift stores to create their costumes. The students enjoyed dressing up, especially for school.
The living wax museum was presented in a large classroom. Students rehearsed the day before. Parents, staff, school administrators, and visitors stood in front of the students as they presented their speeches. This multi-dimensional project provided the opportunity for students to research history, write about it, and create an oral presentation that showcased their famous or historical person.
K – 1 Musical, Goldie and the Three Bears
On Thursday, January 20th the kindergarten and first grade students of Central Elementary School performed Goldie and the Three Bears. This wonderful show was performed at both 2:10 and 7:00 for students, family members, and Central School staff. Congratulations to the kindergarten and first grade students for a fabulous performance.
Star Search
The fourth and fifth grade students at Central Elementary School performed Star Search. This wonderful show was performed for students, family members, and Central School staff. Congratulations to the fourth and fifth grade students for a fabulous performance!
Stranger Danger
On Tuesday, December 7th members of the Des Plaines Police Department spoke with Central School students regarding the matter of Stranger Danger. Students heard a powerful and important message about the importance of safety relating to strangers. Thank you to the Des Plaines Police Department for taking the time to discuss Stranger Danger with our children.
Thank you Des Plaines Elk Club!
Thank you to the Des Plaines Elks Club for donating a dictionary to each third grade student at Central Elementary School. The children have been busy using their new dictionaries while working on their many projects!
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