Summer Reading Program
Summer Bridges Program
Attached please find information regarding Centennial’s Wyoming Summer Bridges Program. Please contact the school office or Kristen Atkinson if you wish to have your child included in the summer session.
 Planning Ahead!
The supply lists for the 2008-2009 school year is available on the Centennial website homepage. Please consult the lists before your back to school shopping. Most of the items on the school supply list are available in the school store.
Course Requests
Student course requests will be mailed home during the week of May 19, 2008. Parents and students should confirm the courses for which the student has been registered. If schedule changes are desired, please contact the school office and ask for Pam Faulkner.
Congratulations!
Grade Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. Congratulations also to the 6th graders who received the Presidential Award at the 6th Grade Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 14, 2008. The names of the students receiving special recognitions are attached to the Newsbrief.
Prescription Glasses
Is your student missing a pair of prescription glasses? If so, please visit the main office
From the Counselor
This time of year can be very stressful for some students. Sometimes stress is caused by major life events such as parents going through a divorce or the loss of a loved one. Other problems are simply day-to-day difficulties such as final tests, increased homework, or problems with friends.
-The most common sources of day-to day stress for young adolescents in grades six through nine are:
-Problems with peers (including romances)
-Family issues or problems with parents
-School-related problems or pressures
-Their own thoughts, feelings, or behaviors (feeling depressed or lonely, getting into trouble because of their behavior)
-Adolescents usually deal with stress in one of two ways. The first is problem solving, changing the situation or getting rid of the problem. The second is managing emotions by handling the thoughts and feelings caused by the problem. Adults can help adolescents solve problems and manage their emotions in a variety of ways. They can provide help, encouragement, and support during times of stress. They can help them develop the knowledge and skills to cope with future difficulties.
-Encourage adolescents to talk about what they are going through, and be willing to listen. Ask questions so you can understand the problem. DonÕt just jump to conclusions and give advice. Depending on the situation, adolescents may not want advice. They may just want to be understood. Even if a problem seems small to you, it may be a major concern for the child. Minimizing a problem or saying ÒyouÕll get over itÓ is not helpful. It gives the message that you donÕt understand or are not willing to listen. Ask them if they want your advice or if they would like to know what you would do.
-Offer reassurance, encouragement, and support. Be willing to provide verbal or physical comfort, but don't be discouraged if the adolescent rejects your effort or is irritable. These are normal reactions to stress. Be patient and let the child know you're available if he or she needs you.
-Continue to provide structure, stability, and predictability. Within reason, stick to the same rules roes, and routines. Encourage them to participate in activities they normally enjoy.
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-Try to build a relationship so that adolescents will feel comfortable coming to you when they need help. It helps if they can just express how they are feel or what they are going through.
-Model effective coping skills. Talk about how you deal with problems in your life. Make it clear that you are willing to talk about difficulties they may be facing. Help adolescents learn and practice problem-solving skills. Help them develop social skills.¥Suggest ways of coping with difficult situations. Help them understand that they can cope in different ways.
-Teach them specific skills they can use to make decisions or solve problems. Then give them chances to practice these skills. Help them identify their problem, come up with possible solutions, and evaluate the pros and cons of each. Help them learn and practice ways of managing their emotions.
-Teach them safe ways to blow off steam and relax. They could go for walks, play basketball, listen to music, or talk with someone.
-Help them develop ways to see problems and situations in a different light. Get them to see the positive side of things and to talk to themselves to help manage their emotions.¥Help them learn and practice skills that will allow them to participate in and enjoy new activities. Provide opportunities for activities that are fun and enjoyable. This can help adolescents recharge their batteries and blow off steam.
Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Ebata, A. T. (1994). Helping young adolescents cope with stress. In Todd, C.M. (Ed.),
*School-age connections*, 4(2), pp. 1-3. Urbana-Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.
From the School Nurse
Wyoming State Law requires that all students entering 7th grade have had a Tdap/Td (tetanus, diptheria, pertussis)booster vaccine within the last 5 years. Please contact your child’s health care provider or Natrona County Public Health at 235-9340 for an appointment to receive the vaccine before school begins. Please provide the record of the vaccine to the nurse’s office if they have had the shot in the last 5 years. The law pertains to any student 8th or 9th grade if they have not received the vaccine prior to 7th grade or in the last 5 years. Contact Nurse McAteer if you have any questions. Please – also remember to pick up any medications your student may have in the nurse’s office by the last day of school. The school nurse hopes that your
summer is filled with fun, safe and healthy activities.
Wings News
The Wings E-Core team will be selecting new mentors for next year during the month of May. They encourage all interested students to apply. They will select the new mentors from the applications received and will meet with the new mentors before the end of the school year to review the plans and expectations for next year. 8th and 9th grade students are selected to mentor our new 6th and 7th students and help them with day-to-day school activities. This year they have been concentrating on turning our building “green!”  They have started a recycling program and hope to continue, even expand, for next year. Please join the Wings and Mentors in helping keep Casper green by always trying to reduce, recycle and reuse! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact any elective/exploratory teacher for more information. They’re looking forward to seeing you next fall at the back-to-school get together.
P.E. Clothing
Please remind your children to empty their P.E. lockers at the end of the school year. Students will need a plain white t-shirt, black or gold shorts with an elastic waist band, and athletic shoes for P.E. next year. A warm sweatshirt for outdoor days may also be needed.
 6th Grade Awards
Gold: Kooper Adams, Brent Bihr, Breelyn Brainard, Cameron Britt, Carter Britt, Kyle Chuman, Walter Joey Czellecz, Nathan Day, Kolby Fenster, Rachel Franke, Kayla Hauglid, Cassandra Hubbard, Shelby Johnson, Bryan Junge, Mark Mambulao, Brianna Moon, Morgan Munday, Katherine Riedl, Skyler Riggs, Trevor Thorvaldson, Jordan Walsh. Silver Award Winners: Jerome Bowman, Daryll Butler, Brandon Johnson, Kristopher Miller, Megan Paris and Brady Saunders. |
