Central Public Schools - Education Is Central

Hello Raiders! A quick reminder that registration is currently open for all of our SPRING sports: baseball, softball, track and golf. Please go to RevTrak (https://isd108.revtrak.net) to select your activity and complete the required forms. Once your student's sports physical has been confirmed the fee will be assigned. The Athlete/Parent meeting will be on SUNDAY, MARCH 2 in the auditorium at 7:00 PM. Please plan on joining us! Mr. Kley will be presenting important information about the season schedules, transportation, etc. Coaches will also be on hand with additional information and to answer questions. Registration for all spring sports will close on Friday, March 7, 2025. Please contact Kari Crown at kcrown@isd108.org with any questions regarding registration and/or payments.

Check out some of the 100th day themed activities that our creative first graders did!

The Central School Board will be interviewing the four candidates who applied to be considered for the open seat on Monday, Feb. 24. The four applicants are Elroy Latzig, Barbara Woida, Anthony Bentz, and Jayson Read. We will be sharing a brief introduction to each candidate for the next four days. Entries were provided by each candidate and were edited slightly for content and clarity. We will be posting these updates in the order that they submitted their applications. Today we will share information about Candidate Barbara Woida: I grew up in Bloomington, and my husband and I have lived just outside of Norwood Young America for 22 years now. Our 12-year-old son Huey has attended Central Schools since preschool. I am passionate about education and graduated 13th in my class at the Academy of the Holy Angels in Richfield. I have a BA degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from St. Cloud State University where I graduated Summa Cum Laude. Although currently between jobs, I have been a Human Resources Manager for various manufacturing and health care companies for the past 17 years. I also was the Glencoe Area Chamber of Commerce President. I liked working with the Chamber Board to attract new members, grow event attendance, and promote all the community had to offer. I enjoy volunteering and being active in the community. Some of my volunteer experience includes: -District 108 Community Education - Coaching Huey’s Fall and Spring Soccer teams for 8 seasons -PTA Volunteer - Huey and I have been selling books at the Central Elementary Book Fairs for several years -NYA Boy Scout Troop 3361- Adult Leader -Minnesota Astronomical Society - Eagle Lake Onan Observatory Keyholder -One Good Deed - Non-Profit including Annual Scarf Bombing Events - Collecting and distributing warm clothes to the homeless and Annual Free Will Offering Garage Sale - Organizing and running a free will offering garage sale to raise funds for a teenage drop-in resource center Before moving to this area, I researched the local schools, and was pleased to find that the schools in NYA had above average standardized test schools, especially the elementary (Although I have to admit that I drove past the elementary school for several months before I finally figured out where it was – hidden underground). I believe education is the great equalizer and believe that everyone deserves to attend a great school. I want to contribute to the future success of our children. Student engagement, education, and creating well rounded young adults are key parts of our children’s success whether they decide to go to a trade school, a 4-year college, take over the family business, or enter the workforce directly after high school. I want to help increase our test scores to prepare our children for success. It is also important to do what we can to attract new students to District 108. Through increasing our student enrollment, we will be able to get more funding for our schools and important programs. I want to help make our community stronger by preparing our children for all the challenges of life and their future career choices, no matter what that may be. I would be excited to have the opportunity to be on the School Board and play a part in continuing -- and even improving on the traditions of District 108. We can do more together than any one person can do on their own. Go Raiders!

Playoff Basketball has arrived! The Central Girls Basketball team has received the #5 Seed in Section 2AA and will host the #12 MVL Chargers at home on Monday, February, 24th. The game will start at 7:00 PM. Being as this is a playoff game NO PASSES will be accepted.

It is hard to believe that the Class of 2025 is only months away from graduation and stepping into new adventures. Whether they are heading to college, the military, technical school or into the workforce, we are proud of what they have accomplished at Central Public Schools and we look forward to seeing where their future takes them! As a way to celebrate our graduating seniors, we will be sharing several senior spotlights! Congratulations to senior Jack Paumen! Jack will be attending Gustavus Adolphus College in the fall to pursue a degree in nursing. During high school, his favorite teacher was Mr. Hunt and his favorite memory was having fun in Ms. Erickson’s class each day. His advice for underclassmen is to, “Have fun even when your homework isn't done.”

The Knights of Columbus Council #12140 and the Plato Fire District scholarships have been added to the Support Services website. Thank you to the two organizations for supporting our seniors!

WIth the short week this week, we have updated Snow Week Schedule to next week

Students in kindergarten were looking stylish last week for the 100th day of school with their handmade 100 glasses!

The Central School Board will be interviewing the four candidates who applied to be considered for the open seat on Monday, Feb. 24. The four applicants are Elroy Latzig, Barbara Woida, Anthony Bentz, and Jayson Read. We will be sharing a brief introduction to each candidate for the next four days. Entries were provided by each candidate and were edited slightly for content and clarity. We will be posting these updates in the order that they submitted their applications. Today we will share information about Candidate Elroy Latzig: I am a longtime member of the community having graduated from Central High School and later St. Cloud State College. My military service includes two years active and four years reserve in the United States Marine Corps. I have been the Oak Grove Dairyvice president and chief financial officer for 32 years and own four businesses in the local area. Organizations that I worked with or volunteered for include: -Minnesota United Church of Christ: Church and Ministry Council, Association Council and Conference Council -FOCUS (national board) Fellowship of Continuing Understanding and Support -Friedens United Church of Christ and business manager for 40 years -Ridgeview Foundation board and Ridgeview friends and family -Klein bank board -Norwood Young America Chamber of Commerce (past treasurer) -Member of the Blandin Foundation which is all about Minnesotans imagining, leading, and growing resourceful, inclusive communities. (Had a weeklong class on community involvement) -People to People initiative, focused on creating cultural exchange program Dept of Ag Travel to China and USSR -Plato Baseball Board treasurer for 20 years -Plato American Legion Member since 1987 and Gambling Manager since 2001 -Stiftungsfest board and treasurer since 1997 -Norwood Young America Senior Advisory Commission -Election judge for 40 years and head election head judge the last 20 years -Central High School Community Education Board (25 years) -Central High School Board for 27 years -Carver County Senior Citizen Volunteer Award -Honorary Commodore for the Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassador Organization in recognition of dedicated volunteer and community involvement -NYA Talk for 17 Years There are numerous other organizations which I have volunteered for or worked with in the communities of Norwood Young America, Hamburg and Cologne!

We would happily do 100 posts about the 100th day of school! First Graders at Central Elementary celebrated the 100th day in so many ways including writing and art projects about being 100, necklaces, crowns, showing gratitude for 100 things that make classes happy, and STEAM activities using 100 objects.

A huge thank you to the Joshua Arnold Agency for providing a meal for elementary staff yesterday!

Let’s check in with the STEAM Room at Central Elementary School! The fourth graders recently wrapped up a unit in which they learned about various inventors from history and applied what they learned to create their own unique inventions. They learned about inventing and how it relates to the engineering design process. Throughout the process they participated in challenges focused on teamwork and perseverance and learned about simple machines and how one item can have multiple uses. After creating inventions, groups presented pitches to persuade their audience. All teachers at the elementary were invited to vote and each class was awarded a first, second, and third place ribbon. The winning inventions from each class were: Mr. Evenski's class: 1st - Super Cleaner Robot: it will clean your house and save you time 2nd - Dish-a-wayer: a machine that puts dishes away 3rd - The Litter Collector machine: a faster and easier way to clean up litter Mr. Schrupp's class: 1st - Robot 3000: a robot that make you dinner and carry your bags 2nd - Toilet Paper Bridge: a device that ensures you'll never run out of toilet paper again 3rd - Magical Glasses: put them on and anything you imagine comes to life Congratulations to the winners and great job to all the creative and innovative fourth graders!

Due to the cold temperatures, the Field House will be closed!

Looking for an incredible option for preschool? Look no further than Central Public Preschool! Join us for the Lucky Little Raider Open House on Monday, March 17 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

LOST and FOUND! Tables will be set up in the main entryway during HS/MS Conferences TODAY and THURSDAY. Please check them out and look for that mitten, hat, sweatshirt, etc that belongs to your student! Thank you!!

Kindergarten students celebrated the 100th day of school with a ton of fun activities including licking a tootsie pop 100 times, doing 100 jumping jacks, hearing stories about 100, doing steam activities, making t-shirts, and finding 100 pictures of kinder teachers!

Best of luck to our Wrestling team as they head to Le Sueur Henderson for the team section tournament. We received the #1 seed and will be in action around 6:00 tonight against the winner of EV-W and Kimball. Ticket Link: https://www.vancoevents.com/us/events/landing/51221

Don’t forget that Monday is a staff development day with no school for students as well as an opportunity for conferences!

Let's spotlight one of the incredible Central Public Preschool teachers! Betsy Pysick teaches students at the Cologne location and has been teaching for 35 years with 15 at Central. When asked why she enjoys teaching preschool she said: "Preschool kiddos bring so much light to the world. I love watching as they discover new things, make new friendships and build confidence as they explore the world around them. Every day is a new day!" She says she loves watching students embrace the growth mindset and gain confidence in both social and academic settings!

This adorably awesome event happened earlier this month, but today is a good day to highlight it. Check out these wonderful pictures from the Central ECFE Sweetheart Dance called “Twinkle Toes & Ties” which are just awesome!