
It’s the final countdown! 🎉 The last day of school is popping up fast, and Mrs. Marotta’s class is ready to celebrate. Starting today, first graders will be counting down to summer with a daily balloon pop! 🎈Each day, a balloon will be popped to reveal a fun surprise activity as we burst into summer fun. Let the countdown begin!


We’re thrilled to share that our Best Buddies Food Drive was a remarkable success— we far surpassed our goal, collecting hundreds of non-perishable food items for local families in need! 🙌🏽 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated and helped make a difference in our community. Your generosity is truly un-can-ny! 🥫Swipe to see our dedicated Best Buddies volunteers on their Friendship Walk, delivering wagons overflowing with canned and boxed goods to the local food pantry. This event was the perfect way to wrap up a meaningful year in the Best Buddies program showcasing the power of inclusion, kindness, service, and the lasting impact of friendship! 💜











A huge thank you to our incredible PTO for knocking Teacher Appreciation Week out of the park! From the baseball-themed treats and snacks to the delicious breakfast and luncheon, every detail was a home run. The thoughtfulness and generosity truly made us feel like all-stars. We’re so grateful to be on your team! ⚾🍎


Our kindergarten farmers in training had a moo-velous time on their field trip to The Children's Farm! 🌾 It was the perfect way to wrap up their Farm Unit in Language Arts. They had a blast interacting with the animals and learning some udderly amazing facts, making it a day full of fun and adventure! 🐮🐷🐔










AHOY, MATEYS! ⚓️ Central’s 4th and 5th graders lit up the stage with their spirited performance of Pirates the Musical! 🏴☠️ From swashbuckling songs to treasure-worthy talent, it was truly a night to remember. A heartfelt thank you to the whole crew who helped make the spring musical such a success. Your hard work and support made the show as good as gold! 🏆🎶


Our 2nd–5th graders are hitting their stride in after-school Run Club! 🏃♂️Whether they're pacing themselves or racing to the finish, these athletes are learning the power of perseverance and a good pair of running shoes. 👟✨ Shoutout to Mrs. Lyson for guiding our runners with energy and encouragement every step of the way!



Mr. Early’s 3rd graders are showing off the beautiful hydroponic dahlias they nurtured from seedlings to full bloom! 🌱 With curious minds and green thumbs, they explored the science of hydroponics and learned how plants can thrive with just water, nutrients, and dedication! 🌸🌼



Very Hungry Caterpillars! 🐛 First grade friends have been discovering the wonders of nature with an up-close look at the unbe-leaf-able life cycle of a butterfly! 🦋 They created their own vibrant caterpillars to match the real ones they’re observing in class—can you spot them? 👀 It won’t be long before these little crawlers spin their chrysalises and transform into beautiful butterflies before our eyes!




Our 5th grade artists have been busy designing one-of-a-kind hats inspired by Chicago artist S. Rose! Each student created their own wearable masterpiece, drawing on Rose’s vibrant, expressive style. Come check out this colorful collection on display in the hallway by the art room! Hats will be ready to go home with students during Open House—don’t forget to pick yours up tomorrow! 🎨🧢




Have outgrown Central spirit wear? Give it a second life!
We're inviting our Central School community to donate gently used hoodies, t-shirts, and other clothing items that no longer fit. It's a great way to share your school pride and help fellow students show theirs!
🗓️ Collection Dates: April 28 – May 2
📍 Drop-Off Location: Main entrance at Central School
Your contributions will help foster school spirit and sustainability within our community. Thank you for your generosity and continued support! ❤️


Happy Earth Day! 🌍 In celebration of our planet, first grade friends branched out with their creativity through whimsical, Lorax-themed crafts! Inspired by Dr. Seuss’ classic, they reminded us all to “speak for the trees” and take care of our beautiful planet. 🌳 💙




Sneak peak of Central’s Got Talent! 🎤 Today the stage lit up with laughter, rhythm, and pure talent at dress rehearsal. From hilarious comedy routines that had us in stitches, jaw-dropping dance moves, and musical performances that gave us goosebumps—our students truly shined.✨ A huge shoutout to everyone who performed, cheered, and helped make this year’s talent show unforgettable. Your creativity and courage inspire us all! Swipe to see some of the incredible performances in action and make sure to come tonight at 6:00 PM to experience the full show—you won’t want to miss it!











Artists in action! 🎨 Our students teamed up with our incredibly talented Artist in Resident to bring color and creativity to the hallways at Central School with an exquisite mural. From the first brushstroke to the final details, every part of this project has been filled with teamwork, imagination, and school spirit and we can’t wait to see the finished product. Not only is this mural a vibrant work of art, but it is a celebration of community, expression, and the amazing things we can create together! 🖌️✨










Third grade students traveled back in time as they concluded their ELA unit with an amazing hands-on presentation featuring newspapers and telephones from the 1800s. Exploring history through real artifacts brought their learning to life—it was a newsworthy way to connect the past with the present! ☎️ 🗞






To wrap up their Human Body unit, the 2nd graders discovered the mysteries of the human body with an exciting culminating activity—they traced their own bodies and carefully placed the major internal organs right onto their life-sized cutouts! Not only did they get to show what they’ve learned, but they also got to walk away with a better understanding of the incredible systems that keep us going every day. 🧠🫁🫀




We are excited to invite you to the Riverside Public Library April 11th - April 17th to celebrate the incredible work of our young authors! The wonderful Young Author books created by our talented Kindergarten through 5th grade students from Central will be on display on the lower level.
While these books won't be available for checkout, you and your family can enjoy reading them together at the library. Our students have put in tremendous effort and creativity into their writing, and we can't wait for you to see their outstanding work!


Baseball season is finally here! Whether you're cheering for the White Sox or the Cubs, there's no better time to show your team spirit! Kindergarten friends had a ball voting for their favorite team during morning meeting. Who are you rooting for this season? ⚾️




Central's Best Buddies program is hosting a Food Drive from April 3rd to May 7th to support local families in need. We are collecting non-perishable items, including canned and boxed goods, which will be delivered to the Riverside Food Pantry. Your generous donations will make a meaningful impact on the community and we deeply appreciate your support. Swipe to check out the creative posters designed by Central’s Best Buddies to help spread the word!







Today the hallways were filled with a sea of blue as students and staff came together in honor of World Autism Awareness & Acceptance Day! 🧩 This important day provides an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our students while fostering understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals with autism, both within our school community and beyond. Let’s continue to cultivate an environment where all individuals are respected and valued, and where acceptance is at the heart of everything we do! 💙


Rockin' our socks on 3/21! 🧦 💙💛

