Weekly Newsletter
FOR THE WEEK OF: Jan 19, 2026
Monday~No School MLK Day/ Tuesday~Day3/Wednesday~Day1/Thursday~Day2/Friday~Day3
Weekly Update for the 2025-26 School Year
- Jan 19 - No School/Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Message from the Principal
We wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the community partnerships Central is fortunate to have this school year.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters is off to a strong start this school year. Several Central students (“Littles”) have been paired with high school student mentors (“Bigs”), and each pair meets once a week. Early sessions have focused on getting to know one another and building positive, supportive relationships. We are hopeful this program will continue to grow so we can include even more Central Littles in the future.
Occupational Therapy Services
We are thankful for our partnership with the occupational therapists from Kinetic Edge Physical Therapy. These therapists come to Central to work with students individually and in small groups. In addition, they collaborate with classroom teachers to help embed regulation strategies into daily classroom routines.
Ag in the Classroom
Our first- through third-grade students look forward to monthly visits with Mrs. Sears as part of the Ag in the Classroom program. Through these engaging lessons, students have recently learned about topics such as turkeys, trees, apples, and cranberries, helping them build a greater understanding of agriculture and its role in our community.
We are grateful for these partnerships and the meaningful opportunities they provide for our students.
If you’d like to recognize a staff member, please complete this form. All celebrations will be shared with staff members.
Mrs. Whitney Longtin - Principal
Preschool Registration 2026-27
Preschool registration information for the 2026-2027 school year. This year, registration will be divided into in-district and out-of-
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In-District: January 15 - March 27
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Out-of-District: February 1- March 27
For more information click on the link.
Calling all K-5th graders interested in dance! 
The North Polk HS Dance Team is hosting a clinic for K-5th graders on Friday, January 23rd from 4:30-6:30pm. The cost is $45 which includes a shirt if you sign up before the deadline of Wednesday, January 7th!They perform the routine at our winter showcase on January 25th. Dancers are permitted to register up until the day before the clinic, but may not receive a shirt.
Link - https://manager.gobound.com/..
Annual Father-Daughter Dance
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and the NP Fine Arts Boosters invite families to celebrate with two special dances on February 7th. Fathers, grandfathers, and father figures are invited to bring their elementary-aged daughters to the Annual Father–Daughter Dance at the high school from 6:00–8:00 PM for an evening of dancing, snacks, and memories. The cost is $20 per family—don’t forget your camera and your favorite dance partner.
Elementary students and their mothers (or special guests) are also invited to attend the Mother–Son Glow Dance at the middle school from 6:00–8:00 PM. This glow-themed event will feature a fun atmosphere, a new photo backdrop, and glow items for a memorable night together. All elementary ages are welcome. Cost is $20 per mother/son group.
Key Club Valentine's Carnival
The North Polk Key Club is hosting their third annual Valentine's Carnival at Big Creek Elementary on February 5th, from 6:00-8:00pm. There will be games, crafts, a bake sale, and prizes! Admittance and the bake sale will be free will donation. All funds raised will go to the Iowa Heart Foundation.
https://www.
A Note from the Nurse
During the winter we are all inside more and in closer contact. The nation has had a surge of influenza, covid and strep so remind your children to wash their hands frequently, blow their nose in a tissue and cough in their elbow. If your child is not feeling well it might be best to keep them home.
Another thing to keep your eyes open for in the winter is lice. Remind your children not to share hats, ear muffs, hair scrunchies or headbands. And a head check every so often is good practice, especially if they are complaining of an itchy scalp. If you have any questions about any of these topics let Mrs. Forde know.
Central PTO Info
Pop Tab Drive Start Saving
We will be doing a pop tab drive during conference week. February 23rd- 26th Students will be entered into a drawing for books. The class with the most will get a popcorn party from PTO.
Here is the link for PTO membership information.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook @North Polk Central Elementary PTO
Yearbook Order
There is still time to order this year's elementary yearbook. The yearbook features all three North Polk elementary schools. Don't miss out on ordering! Safeguard the memories, big and small, by ordering a yearbook for $20 before January 30.
Just a reminder that all three elementary schools are in the same book. It does not matter if you use the Central/West/Big Creek link, all orders are sent to Central to be sorted and distributed by homeroom at each building.
Absence/Dismissal changes
If you have any changes to your students daily attendance or dismissal plan (vacations, ill student, appointments, etc), it is very important to inform the school of those changes by 2:15pm each day.
If you are emailing this information to the school, please include the teacher and the office secretary. sharon.knapp@northpolk.org
If you would like to call the office with this information, our phone number is 515-984-3400. Please select option 3, for North Polk Central Elementary.
We appreciate your help with this.
Events & Activities
NP Softball Clinics are available on Bound: https://www.gobound.com/ia/
Free Youth programs on NP no school days: NP Nature No School days Program
Check every week for new sign-ups. Here are the latest North Polk events and activities!
https://www.northpolk.org/our-
Looking Ahead...
- Feb 2 - No School/ Professional Learning
- Feb 5 - Key Club Valentine's Carnival at Big Creek
- Feb 7 - Annual Father -Daughter dance
- Feb 7 - Mother-Son Glow Dance
- Feb 10 - PTO Meeting 6PM Central Library
- Feb 13 - Friendship Parties.
- Feb 16 - Presidents Day/No School
- Feb 24 - AM Preschool 7:50-9:50AM/PM Preschool 10:50AM-12:50PM
- Feb 24 - Teacher Conferences
- Feb 24 - 2 Hr Early Dismissal/ 12:50 PM
- Feb 26 - AM Preschool 7:50-9:50AM/PM Preschool 10:50Am-12:50PM
- Feb 26 - Teacher Conferences
- Feb 26 - 2 Hr Early Dismissal/ 12:50 PM
- Feb 27 - No School/Professional Learning
- Mar 13-20 - Spring Break
- Mar 23 - School Resumes
- April 6 - No School/Professional Learning
- May 4 - No School/ Professional Learning
- May 22 - Preschool Last Day
- May 25 - Memorial Day/ No School
- May 29 - TK-11th Grade Last day
Supply List for Central.