Imagination Library

Small [AND LARGE] Acts of Kindness are what this holiday season are really about.  In the midst of many educational changes, horrific tragedies in schools, and other obstacles we must overcome with our students, it is the 'extra' things we do that truly make a difference. 

A few years ago, a couple of elementary teachers began a program for children in the Celina area known as 'The Imagination Library'.  This 100% donation based program is always in need of financial support.  The Celina High School community recently made a couple of significant contributions to the early literacy program.   

Here is the story: 

Celina High School Student Council Representatives:  (pictured left to right) Camille, Erica, Amanda, Miranda, Kandace, and Brooke donated $500.00 to the Celina City Schools’ Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. In addition, the Celina High School staff collected an additional $300 to donate to the program.  

Celina City Schools in partnership with singer/actress Dolly Parton have joined together to promote literacy within Celina, Ohio. This program is funded entirely through donations to provide a free age-appropriate book each month to any child  living in the 45822 zip code, from birth to age 5 to promote literacy. Here is a little statistic stressing the importance of books within the home: 60% of the kindergartners in neighborhoods where children did poorly in school did not own a single book.  The Patterns of Book Ownership and Reading, D. Feitelson and Z. Goldstein, 1986. Any questions, please contact Renee Kramer at Renee.Kramer@CelinaSchools.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Mercer County Civic Foundation, 119 West Fulton Street, P.O. Box 493, Celina, Ohio 45822 with “Imagination Library” in the memo.

 

Thank you so much!! Happy New Year!

Dime Wars & Helping Local Families in Need

Small [AND LARGE] Acts of Kindness are what this holiday season are really about.  In the midst of many educational changes, horrific tragedies in schools, and other obstacles we must overcome with our students, it is the 'extra' things we do that truly make a difference.  

Every year at Christmas time, Student Council sponsors the Dime Wars, along with various other fundraisers, to help area families in need. 

Here is their story: 

The CHS Student Council held its annual Dime Wars competition the week of December 10-14th.  The purpose of the competition was to raise money for local families in need.  The grades competed to have the most “positive” money in their jar at the end of the week.  It was called Dime Wars because dimes were considered “negative” and subtract in value from the total.  The PRIZE for the winning grade level this year was the right to have the best seat in the house during the winter assembly. 

The seniors were the champions of the Dime Wars this year and as a reward get to keep their floor spot for the assembly on Friday, December 21^st.  CHS Student Council raised $ 500 during the competition.  That money was combined with money raised from the homecoming dance plus a personal donation.  The budget for each child was set at $50 with half being spent on NEEDS and the other half on WANTS.  As a result, student council was able to assist 12 families, including 38 children ages one to seventeen, all within the Celina School District.  

Week in 3 Words 5.11.12

Dime Wars 2011

Each year, Student Council sponsors the Dime Wars -- a class competition fundraiser for the StuCo Santa Fund (a fund used to purchase Christmas gifts for area families in need).  Last year CHS raised more than $2,000 from the Dime Wars...  are we up to the challenge this year?  Stay tuned for more!

Dime Wars

A Senior adds to their winning total!

Student Council once again held the Dime Wars competition just before Christmas Break.  The competition between grade levels is used to help raise money for the StuCo Santa Fund which Student Council uses to purchase Christmas gifts for families in need in our area.  This year, the Senior Class of 2011 won the competition.  Student Council advisor Mrs. Mitchell-Payne pointed out that "Even though the students enjoy the thrill of the competition and the bragging rights if their class wins, the real winners will be the kids in need in our community."

The total raised this year for the StuCo Santa Fund was $2,787.54 with more than $2,000 coming from the Dime Wars and another $750 coming from other fundraisers.  This was enough to purchase gifts of clothing and toys for 55 kids in the Celina area for the holidays.

Thanks to all of the students that participated!

Advisory Period Proves Useful in Many Ways

Coming into the school year, there were many questions about how we might use the new 'Advisory Period'.  This 30 minute block of time has a great deal of potential and has been used in many ways throughout the 1st trimester.  It will evolve over time , but for now, we are seeing it used as a study hall, a way for students to get help from teachers, a meeting time for student organizations -- Student Council, SADD, FTA, Principal's Advisory Council, and pep assemblies.  Recently, we began hosting college and armed forces recruiting sessions during advisory period.  These are offered to students (voluntarily) who are interested in the specific programs.  Most recently, we hosted the Ohio State Beauty Academy -- three students visited with an advisor from the Academy to learn more about the program and requirements for admission (pictured above).

All in all, this period of time has become a very useful and worthwhile 1/2 hour.

Celina High School 'Crushes' Cancer

In the typical spirit of 'Doing good for others', CHS students are once again stepping up to the plate to help a good cause: this time, we are fighting cancer.  October is 'National Breast Cancer Awareness Month', and two CHS organizations are helping to raise awareness and money in the fight against cancer.

The Spirit Squad decided to make this Friday's theme for the football game 'Dress Pink' to raise awareness.  All students, staff, and community members are encouraged to wear some sort of pink to work and the game on Friday to show support -- much like the NFL wears pink during the month of October.

In the same spirit, Student Council has been selling cans of Crush soda all week during lunch with proceeds benefiting cancer research.  The slogan is simply: 'Crush Cancer'!  203 cans were sold and will be delivered today during Advisory period.

Thanks to all students and staff involved in this special week!