January 3 - 8, 2022

Congratulations to Coach Lavender and Centennial Boys Basketball for winning Greenway's Judy Dixon Boys Basketball Tournament over the holiday break. The Coyotes went 4-0, defeating Dobson, Peoria, Greenway and Valley Christian. Senior Jake Lifgren was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, and sophomore Gage Galbreath was also named to the all-tournament team. Centennial returns to regular-season action this week, traveling to Horizon Tuesday and hosting Casteel on Friday at 7pm.

Congratulations to Coach Shrake and Centennial Girls Soccer for winning the Independence Holiday Girls Soccer Tournament. The Coyotes won all three of their pool play games and topped a determined Mountain Ridge team 3-1 in the title game to claim the trophy! Girls Soccer hosts Horizon on Tuesday and travels to Verrado on Friday. Both games are at 6pm.

Congratulations to Centennial's Wrestling Team, which took 5th place in the 28-team Moon Valley Invitational over break. Jacob Garrison finished in first place and Xander Ramirez took second, leading the team, which had eight top-ten finishes. Wrestling hosts Gila Ridge at Centennial on Wednesday at 4pm.

Congratulations to Coach Gonzales, Coach Marinaro and all of the Coyotes who helped Centennial finish 4th at the AIA Game Time Cheer state finals over the holiday break. Show Cheer, Pom, and Stunt will compete later this month, on January 29th. 

Happy New Year! I hope that your family enjoyed good health and good cheer over the holiday break and that you look forward to our spring semester together, certain to bring many opportunities for growth and achievement. Please carefully review this newsletter, to find important information about tomorrow’s first day back, Tuesday’s ID check, and Wednesday’s full instructional day. You’ll also find some celebrations from our athletic teams and some important upcoming dates, such as Meet the Teacher Night on Monday, January 24^th.

Updated COVID Protocols for Spring Semester
Prior to break, our district communicated new COVID-19 mitigation protocols that will begin January 3^rd. You can review those guidelines here. Since then, the Omicron COVID variant has driven a significant increase in positive COVID cases nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control has also updated its guidelines. As the Maricopa County Health Department updates its flowcharts to reflect the CDC’s changes, our district will update its protocols here. Masks continue to be optional on campus but are still required on buses and recommended by the CDC for indoor activities.

Keep Our Nurses Informed; We’ll Keep You Informed
Please continue to report any positive test results or COVID-like symptoms to our nurse (623-412-4408), and please continue to monitor your health every day and stay home if you’re experiencing symptoms. Centennial will continue to notify students identified as close contacts to individuals who test positive for COVID so that families can monitor for symptoms and determine whether to quarantine.

Optional Quarantines…
Now that vaccinations are available for individuals ages five and up, our district will no longer require quarantines as the first, immediate mitigation response to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Quarantining will be a family’s choice, unless a student is symptomatic. If you choose to have your child quarantine, please contact our attendance line daily to indicate your child will be absent (623-412-4405). Please also notify your Coyote's teachers so that they may support your child’s learning at home during that time. Absences resulting from quarantine are marked as excused.

…Unless the Health Department Intervenes
The County may assign additional mitigation procedures – like quarantines – based upon special circumstances at specific schools. We will notify you immediately of any such additions. Absences resulting from county-required quarantine are also marked as excused.

I know we’ll all continue to work together to promote health on our campus and in our homes. As we begin 2022, I wish you and your family health and lots of happiness. Thanks for your support and partnership!

Mr. Hollabaugh
Principal