Cougar Corner
September 3, 2021
Message from Dr. Goyette
Dear Cottonwood Families,
It is hard to believe we are in the third week of school. Students have done an amazing job getting back into the daily routines. They have been working hard on the beginning of the year assessments including MAP and our new i-Ready math program. I think everyone is ready for a three-day weekend.
As of today, we have had nine cases associated with the school. All individuals have been notified of potential exposure. We have not suspected any transmission in the school building which is great news. One trend we are noticing is increased transmission in the home. Last year, one or two members may test positive in a home. This year, the majority of household members are testing positive. Therefore, it is critical to keep your children home if a member of your household tests positive.
When operating in Green Status, we will host a variety of student and family activities. We believe these activities are critical in providing a comprehensive education for students. Below is a list of upcoming events and activities. I cannot wait for the Color Craze Fun Run next Saturday, September 11. Flag Football and Cross Country running are in full swing. During September and October, we will be launching Basketball, Orchestra, Chess Club, and Battle of the Books. More information will follow in the upcoming newsletters.
As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Monica Goyette
Upcoming Events
9/6 - Labor Day - No School
9/7 - PTO Meeting - 4 PM - Library - Childcare provided in room 22
9/10 - PEAKS Test Results go home
9/11 - Color Craze Fun Run- 1 PM
9/17 - Picture Day
9/29 - District Cross Country Meet - Palmer High School
9/30 - Title I Annual Meeting & StoryWalk - 5:30 to 6:30 PM
10/1 - PD Day - No School
10/20 - Picture Retakes
10/28 - Parent Teacher Conference - No School
10/29 - PD Day - No School
Title I Annual Meeting & StoryWalk
Thursday, Sep 30, 2021, 05:30 PM
Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, North Seward Meridian Parkway, Wasilla, AK, USA
COLOR CRAZE IS BACK!
Get ready for the event of the year! COLOR CRAZE is BACK! Saturday, September 11 at 1 PM - there will be even MORE color and exciting action! Cost is only $10 per person. If your work or business would be willing to be a sponsor for this year (or next) tax deductible donations are greatly appreciated! Teen or parent volunteers are also needed to work stations.
For more info. CLICK HERE!
Contact Mrs. Ethridge - jennifer.ethridge@matsuk12.us - (907) 864-2123
SchoolPay Participation Fee Link: https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Color-Craze-/ScWL8XD
SchoolPay T-Shirt Link: https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Color-Craze-TShirts/SbbBK2J
School Nurse News
Welcome back to another great year!
Our success last year for being one of the very few schools on the Pacific coast to have in person learning all 10 months was due in part to our fabulous parents. For that I would like to give all of you a huge THANK YOU!
We are starting this year off very much like last year. For those who were not with us last year this is how we were able to stay open during a pandemic and keeping in person learning available to all.
Staff and students stayed home if experiencing any cold symptoms, returning with a negative COVID test and no symptoms. For those not desiring to obtain the COVID test they stayed home for 10 days as per MSBSD COVID guidelines for return to school.
- Students experiencing cold symptoms remained home returned without symptoms for 24 hours and without the use of over the counter cold and flu medications, and a negative COVID test.
- Parents were not giving students Tylenol/Ibuprofen(Advil/Motrin) and cold and flu medication before school to help their child “get through the day” with symptoms. *Symptoms that mimic COVID are also very contagious. So, by not sending their student(s) to school with symptoms they were decreasing the transmission of cold and flu to others in the classroom.
- Parents and guardians were notifying the school nurse if their student tested positive for COVID and/or another member in the home tested positive.
Keep up the excellent work! Here’s to another successful in person learning year.
Please contact me if you have any questions,
Suzanne Chapelle RN
Office: 907-864-2103 email: suzanne.chapelle@matsuk12.us
COVID Case Updates
In the event of a positive case at school, any potential close contacts will receive a ‘Possible Exposure Notice’ from the school. Students will be allowed to stay at school. Parents will be asked to closely monitor symptoms for 14 days. Positive cases will need to follow Public Health timelines for quarantine.
Positive cases will be reported in the S’more. We will not do a mass notification on the day of a positive case except for students directly impacted. As of today, we have had two cases associated with Cottonwood Creek. Neither individual had been in the building so there were no Potential Exposure Notifications made.
We were so proud to be open every day last year with the exception of the District-Wide Shut Down. Please help us stay open every day this year by monitoring your child and keeping them home when symptomatic.
Click the button below for more info.
Flag Football
4th and 5th Grade Boys and Girls – We are starting a Flag Football Team sponsored by Coach Adam Clark. Practices start on Monday, August 30 and will run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4pm to 5pm. Cross Country students are welcome to join. Coach Bleicher and Clark will be doing fun activities together on Wednesdays. Activity permission slips will be available on Monday, August 23. The fee to participate is $30. There is no physical required to participate.
SchoolPay Link: https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Flag-Football/SbKoJEw
Parents Right to Know Letter
From the PTO...
PTO stands for Parent - Teacher Organization. We are an organization consisting of parents and teachers working together to support and enrich our students and school. The objective is to provide our school with funds, programs, resources and services that will help maximize the education of every child.
PTO Activities and Fundraisers:
- Fall Auction
- Selfies with Santa
- Family Science Night
- Teacher Appreciation
- Popcorn Fridays
- Halloween Carnival
- Field Day
Shop smile.amazon.com and link your account to Cottonwood Creek Elementary School PTO Inc. (there are many similar school names, please verify by location).
You get the same pricing that you get on Amazon.com and there is no added cost to you.
Also, sign up for community rewards by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards card to Cottonwood Creek Elementary (instructions below).
Birthday Celebrations
Students are welcome to bring in non-perishable items to share if they would like on birthdays. Please do not send in food items. We will not be able to distribute them. Thank you for your understanding.
SchoolPay
SchoolPay is integrated with ParentVUE. Here’s how it works:
- Login to your ParentVUE account and select "Fee" on the left side menu.
- Click on the "Pay Fees" button at the top of the page.
- You will be redirected to the SchoolPay website where you can select your items and pay fees electronically with a credit/debit card or electronic check.
Note:
- The first time you select "Pay Fees" from the "Fees" menu in ParentVUE, you will be required to do a one-time authentication.
- Fees will be added at the start of school and throughout the year.
- You are not required to store payment information to make payment, but it does make it convenient if you will be making multiple payments throughout the year.
- SchoolPay is PCI-DSS certified (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards).
New Parent Support Number: 1-833-731-2600
Lunch Times
K - 12:10
1 - 12:15
2 - 11:35
3 - 12:35
4 - 12:30
5 - 11:45
Picture Day ID: EVTZX3BV6
Order here: https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/pictureDayId/EVTZX3BV6