Do you walk to school at Oliver or Parklane?  

If students live within a mile of school, they are not able to ride the school bus.  A mile is still a long way to walk to school especially for parents who may need to get to work or have younger children to care for.  To help students get to school safely, walk together, and lessen the need for adult supervision, Oliver and Parklane are creating Walking School Buses!

What is a walking school bus?

A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults. If that sounds simple, it is, and that’s part of the beauty of the walking school bus. It can be as informal as two families taking turns walking their children to school to as structured as a route with meeting points, a timetable and a regularly rotated schedule of adults.

Help us create Walking Bus Paths.

1.  Where do you start walking to school?

2.  What time do you leave by?

3.  On the map, trace your walking path.  

Oliver/Parklane Bus Map

Our plan: 

• ·      Create a kid friendly map that shows three main walking paths to school with meeting points and departure time

• ·      Paint symbols or create signs along the walking path that help people se the path and join in

• ·      Have a Walking School Bus kick off party!
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Centennial's Community Gardens are Open!!

On March 1st, Portland Parks and Rec officially opened the Community Gardens located at Centennial Park School and Oliver/Parklane.  It was a cold Saturday to gather outside but a lot of gardeners were ready to pick their plots and start gardening.  The CPS garden is already full with the OL/PL garden filling up quickly!

Superintendent Breyer was in attendance to dedicate the new gardens and Commissioner Fritz attended the OL/PL garden.  Each garden has space dedicated for the school's use and students will be able to do  hands on learning activities.  Tools and supplies were paid for by the Farm to School grant funds but Portland Nursery helped donate some items and gave us a community discount.  The Gardens were paid for by a generous grant from East Multnomah Soil and Water with funds being matched by Portland Parks and Rec.

Centennial's Community Gardens are numbers 49 and 50 for Parks and Rec and the furthest east.  Thanks everyone for all of your hard work and have a great growing season!!

The Impact of Local Purchasing

Los Angels Unified School Districts has made purchasing local a priority with positive impacts felt from farmers to workers to school children.  LA has even defined local as within 200 miles!  It is great to see how ensuring healthy foods for kids can also ensure a healthy economy for all.

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-lausd-food-20131124,0,5379419.story#axzz2lfxwcq2O

Centennial gets a shout out from Multco Health Department

Centennial is celebrating some great Wellness successes and the It Starts Here Campaign is highlighting Centennial's hard work in an article they published this week.  There are also some great resources about healthy eating and active living on the site.

It Starts Here!

Staff Fitness!! Let get in shape together

Fitness Opportunities for Centennial Employees

Looking for a way to get in shape?  Here are three opportunities for Centennial employees:

• Tuesdays (starting Nov 5)– Yoga/Pilates from 3:30@4:30 at CHS.  This class has a $5 fee for each
session (cash or check). Bring a mat (if you have one), water bottle, and towel.  We will meet in
the community room for our first session.

• Wednesdays – Zumba from 3:45@4:45 at Butler Creek.  This class has a $5 fee for each session
(cash or check). The class is taught by Toni Hartshorn and will be in the gym.

• Thursdays (starting'Oct'31)– Fitness class from 3:15@4:15 a CHS.  This class will be FREE and
taught by Ms. Shoda, thanks to our SUN program!!

The Tuesday class can vary in focus depending on interest of' those attending.  Everyone is welcome to
attend!

Centennial Wellness Committee

The WC is working on some great new projects within the district to help us met our 2013-14 goals.  Our goals this year are:

·      Wellness Committee visibility and communication within schools and the community

·      Staff Wellness Promotion


·      Healthy Eating education, its impact on chronic diseases such as Diabetes, and continued healthy eating promotions

·      District and Community resources for physical activity, healthy foods, clinics, and events.

Butler Creek and CHS are looking at how to provide more staff wellness opportunities through an after school workout group.  Are you interested in being part of a staff exercise group? Are you interested in teaching one?  Let the WC know!  We would love your help and support in creating a healthy, happy staff!

Dining Services Present: Local Lunches!

Centennial was awarded $84,393.45 (WOW!) to continue the Farm to School program serving local Oregon foods twice a month in our cafeterias.  We are creating scratch-cooked lunches that feature low processed, whole foods with a focus on yummy healthy lunches for students and staff.  This is a TWO year program so keep and eye out for new lunches served in a cafeteria near you!

To help educate students around the importance of healthy foods, learning cooking skills, or learning how food grows through hands on gardening projects,  the FArm to School grant has funds available for teachers!  If you have ideas or need help with food or garden-based educational opportunities, please contact Julie Mack to utilize grant funds!

Local Lunch Dates

·      October 2^nd                        Cheese Ravioli with Organic Pears

·      October 16^th                        Baked Chicken breast

·      November 6^th                        All natural Hamburgers

·      November 20^th                        Herb Crusted Fish

·      December 11^th                        Baked Fried Rice with Orange Chicken

·      January 8^th                             Cheese Ravioli

·      January 29^th                                    TBD

·      February 12^th                                Baked Chicken Breast

·      March 5^th                                BBQ Turkey Sloppy Joes

·      March 19^th                               Beef Stir Fry

·      April 16^th                                 Herb Crusted Fish

·      April 30^th                                         Baked Fried Rice with Orange Chicken

·      May 21^st                                    BBQ Turkey Sloppy Joes

·      June 4^th                                     All Natural Cheeseburger