Cottonwood Creek Cougar Chronicle
November 1, 2018
From the desk of Mrs. Johnson
Fall is my favorite season of the year. I love the changes in leaves, the smell and taste of pumpkin spice lattes, wearing jeans and sweatshirts and watching football on Sundays. However, I am quickly reminded how fast Fall in Colorado can come...and go. It's this time of year that our weather can change quickly, so I'd like to take this opportunity to share information as it relates to school closures and delays. After reviewing this information, if you have any questions/concerns please contact me.
Fall is also a time for parent-teacher conferences. Parent-Teacher Conferences are next week, November 5-9. If you haven't already set up a time to meet with your chid's teacher(s), please contact them to schedule an opportunity to discuss your child's progress. This is a great time to learn more about how your child is doing in school and to share information about your child.
Below are some examples of questions you may ask your child's teacher.
- What do you see as my child’s strengths?
- Do you have ideas for helping capitalize on my child's strenghts?
- What do you think are the academic challenges for my child?
- Do you have suggestions for helping support those challenges?
- How is my child doing socially?
- Is my child on grade level for reading? What about math, science and writing?
- What can I do at home to support what you’re doing in the classroom?
Thank you,
Katie Johnson
Principal
I want to hear your voice. What do you value most about Cottonwood Creek Elementary School?
In the event of a weather delay or closure, parents will be notified via the Blackboard Connect phone message system. We also will post the notification on our district and school websites, Facebook, Twitter and notify the news media.
Read how the district makes the decision to delay or close schools
WEATHER DELAY AND CLOSURE LINE
Parents can also call the Weather Delay and Closure Line:
- 720-554-4701
WHEN SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED:
- Before- and After-School Daycare Programs are cancelled.
- All activities scheduled in district facilities are cancelled.
- In-district sports events and team practices are postponed.
WHEN SCHOOLS ARE ON DELAYED START:
- Elementary School bus pickup is delayed 60 minutes. School starts at 9:00 a.m.
- High School bus pickup is delayed 90 minutes. School starts at 9:50 a.m.
- Middle School bus pickup is delayed 90 minutes. Schools starts at 10:20 a.m.
- Specific schools and programs:
- Challenge School start time is delayed 60 minutes to 9:00 a.m.
- Cherry Creek Academy start time is delayed 90 minutes to 9:30 a.m.
- Heritage Heights Academy start time is delayed 60 minutes to 9:00 a.m.
- Morning Preschool bus pickup and start times are delayed 60 minutes.
- I-TEAM program start times are delayed 90 minutes.
- Transition Center start time is delayed 90 minutes.
- Joliet Learning Center bus pickup and school start times are delayed 90 minutes.
- Expulsion program operates on a normal schedule.
- Dismissal times will be the same as usual for all schools, including morning kindergarten and preschool programs.
- Before and After-School Daycare programs will operate on a normal schedule.
- We will monitor conditions throughout the day and make a decision about whether it is safe to hold after-school activities. We will communicate that decision as early as possible before the end of the school day.
EARLY DISMISSAL
If serious storm conditions or other emergency situations develop during the day, the district will monitor the situation and advise affected schools and the transportation department as soon as possible, of a decision to dismiss school early. When this decision is made, this information will be posted on the web site, recorded on the applicable area hotline and sent to the media as soon as possible.
Book Fair and Innovation Night
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Cottonwood next week. The hours are as follows:
Monday, Nov. 5 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 6 7:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 7 7:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, Nov.8 7:45 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
On Thursday, November 8th, our innovation spaces will be open from 3:00-7:00pm for families to come and exlpore some of the following innovation ideas our students are experiencing this year at Cottonwood.
Dash and Dot Robots
Sperhero Robot
Carvey Machine
Cardboard Challenge Slideshow
Simple Maker Activity in Makerspace
I hope to see you next week!
Cottonwood Creek is committed to creating a safe, secure, and caring learning environment for each and every student. There are several safety measures in place to help prepare our staff and students for a variety of potential incidents. One of these measures includes conducting various safety drills throughout the school year. Some of these drills include Fire Drills, Shelter-in-Place/Tornado Drills, Lockdown Drills, Secure Perimeter Drills, and Evacuation/Relocation Drills. We have already conducted several of these drills this school year, and we will be having our first lockdown drill tomorrow afternoon (Novemeber 2nd). A lockdown is announced over our PA system whenever there is a significant risk or dangerous person inside our building. There are very specific precautionary steps are staff teach our students and then we practice these steps. If you have any questions, please contact the front office.
Starting at 7:45 AM, we have staff outside monitoring students as they arrive at school. Please remind our students to head directly to their line up area and refrain from playing on the playground.
Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS)
in Cherry Creek Schools 2018-19
As a result of funds received from the Emergency Response and Crisis Management (ERCM) grant from the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, all leadership and school safety/crisis teams in the Cherry Creek Schools have been implementing this comprehensive school safety model. We have continued to develop updated and effective emergency response plans and procedures that align with state and federal Homeland Security Emergency Management and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Cherry Creek Schools has established responsive partnerships with our community agencies, trained key staff to provide for the emotional impact of a crisis on students and staff, and developed sustainable training materials and crisis response kits for our school safety teams. In 2011, the ERCM process was renamed Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) to reflect our continuous proactive approach to school safety. We are committed to continuing this thoughtful and integrated effort with REMS training.
We would also like to take this opportunity to inform parents about new changes to the Cherry Creek School District’s website that now give parents needed information about school safety and related issues. The website explains the district’s efforts to provide for both the physical and psychological safety of our children, and gives parents links to excellent online resources. This section of the district website continues to be under construction and materials will be updated as needed. You can view the information by going to http://www.cherrycreekschools.org/SafeSchools/Pages/default.aspx and selecting the Safety & Security Quick Links.
Topics and information include:
What to Do in the Event of an Emergency
Information about the CCSD Comprehensive Safe Schools Plan
Raptor Visitor Management program
Care Line Information
Other Resources, Links and/or Handouts:
Bullying/Harassment
Crisis Resources
Internet Safety
Parenting
Personal Safety (neighborhood, strangers, etc.)
Violence Prevention
For more information about your school’s crisis and safety planning, please contact Katie Johnson, COT Principal, 720-554-3205. For further information about REMS planning in the schools, please contact Randy Councell, Director of Safety and Security, 720-554-4489, or Ronald Lee, Psy.D. Mental Health Director, 720-554-4252, co-chairs of the Safe School Design Team for the school district.
Thank you for your support of the district’s 2016 bond election in helping us provide training for all staff and making our schools safe for every child!
Interviews for Positions in Cherry Creek School District
November 3, 2018
Do you have a passion for working with kids? Do you have the ability to relate positively to children? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of our students? Do you enjoy working collaboratively with other professionals? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then Cherry Creek School District might have a job for you.
YOU ARE INVITED:
- What: CCSD Hiring FAIR
- Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018, 8:30am-12:00pm
- Time: Sign Up for a scheduled Interview – See below
- Location: Mission Viejo Elementary
3855 South Alicia Parkway
Aurora, CO 80013
Notes:
- The different positions are listed below. We have positions all over the district at all levels.
- Most of these positions are 7.5 hours a day. Some of the positions are 3 hours a day.
- There is a district contribution for medical plans of $217.43.
- We offer a $500 a year reimbursement for continuing education classes.
- The positions follow the school calendar. There is no pay during school vacation time.
- We try to hire people and place them at sites that are close to their home.
- We are looking for people who can commit to one school year. Our students need you and it can be devastating for them to lose a person whom they have come to trust and rely upon.
Step 1 - Review the positions listed below. If any of the positions listed below sound
interesting proceed to next step.
Step 2 - Complete an application for the CCSD School District here: http://www.cherrycreekschools.org/HumanResources/Applicants/Pages/Classified-Applicants.aspx
Step 3 - Sign Up here for an interview https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D48A9A72CA64-interviews16
AVAILABLE POSITIONS
ILC PARA Educators - $14.63 per hour
- Work in an intensive need setting with students who have special needs
- Interact positively with students
- Support instruction and reinforce classroom content
- Implement therapeutic procedures and programs prescribed by a licensed staff member
- Support students in daily hygiene requirements
- Attend to medical needs of students when appropriate
- Attend Trainings
Current Available Elementary School Positions are:
Mission Viejo, Independence, Eastridge Community School, Cimarron, Fox Hollow, Red Hawk Ridge, Cherry Hills Village, Holly Hills, Black Forest Hills
Current Available Middle School Positions are:
Campus, Fox Ridge, Thunder Ridge, Infinity, West
Current Available High School Positions are:
Cherry Creek, Eaglecrest, Grandview, Overland, Smoky Hill
Behaviorally Disordered PARA Educators - $14.63 per hour
- Work in an intensive need setting with students who have social emotional needs
- Interact positively with students
- Support instruction and reinforce classroom content
- Implement therapeutic procedures and programs prescribed by a licensed staff member
- Attend Trainings
Current Available Elementary School Positions are:
Arrowhead, Independence, Polton, Sagebrush
Current Available Middle School Positions are:
Prairie
Current Available High School Positions are:
Smoky Hill
Moderate Special Education PARA Educators: - $14.63 per hour
- Work in educational setting with students who have special needs
- Interact positively with students
- Support instruction and reinforce content as prescribed by a licensed staff member
- Attend Trainings
Current Elementary Available Positions are:
Eastridge Community, Independence, Timberline
Classroom Para Educators - $11.10 per hour
- Ensure a physical and a psychological safe environment for all students and staff
- Supervise students at lunch and recess
- Interact positively with students
- Support staff in daily classroom routines
- Work collaboratively with staff
- Support clerical needs
- Support all students including children with special needs
- Communicate effectively with students and staff
Current Elementary Available Positions are:
Red Hawk Ridge
Health Tech Para Educators - $13.26 per hour
- Support School Nurse with meeting the medical needs of students
- Manage crisis situations in a calm manner
- Ensure a physical and a psychological safe environment for all students and staff
- Interact positively with students
- Communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents
- Clerical duties
Current available positions are:
Red Hawk Ridge Elementary
Prairie Preschool 7:45am-11:00am
Additional Information:
Sign Up here for an interview: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D48A9A72CA64-interviews16
Cherry Creek School District (CCSD): http://www.cherrycreekschools.org/Pages/default.aspx
CCSD Calendars: http://www.cherrycreekschools.org/Calendars/Pages/default.aspx
CCSD District Map: http://www.cherrycreekschools.org/DistrictMap/Pages/default.aspx
CCSD Benefit Information: http://www.cherrycreekschools.org/HumanResources/Employees/Pages/Benefit-Information.aspx
CCSD Application: http://www.cherrycreekschools.org/HumanResources/Applicants/Pages/Classified-Applicants.asp
The PE Post-It
Happy November COT Families!
We have just started fitness testing with grades 3-5! Please help me with having your student wear or bring tennis shoes for their week in PE. We have been talking about fitness components and how these tests can help in the sports/activities that we enjoy outside of school. For example: The shuttle run is a great fitness test for many athletes. Others like the one-minute jump rope test to practice speed and jumping rhythm.
Grades K-2 have been enjoying fun obstacle courses working on body awareness, balance, and coordination. Within the courses, students will jump over hurdles, bear crawl through hula hoops, and practice gymnastic skills.
A big thank you to the parents that have signed up for Health and Wellness Career Days! Oct 26 was our first day! Next dates are: November 2, November 8, and November 16! Email me if you would like to help or support this event for our students.
Thank you,
Ms. Jehn
The ART Room
From the Library
The bookfair is coming, the bookfair is coming! This year, our school bookfair will be Monday, November 5 - Thursday, November 8. We look forward to seeing many Cottonwood families find good books for reading now, or for a special occasion. Please contact Sarah Hammershaimb at shammershaimb@cherrycreekschools.org if you would be interested in helping setup, tear down, run registers or help students create their wishlists.
In other library news, Cottonwood students are increasingly comfortable with navigating our new space. Classrooms are beginning to use our makerspace and green screen recording studio to extend their learning. Be on the lookout for student-created book trailers of their favorite picks!
Sarah Hammershaimb
STEM News
Thanks for ALL the donations of cardboard and materials for our first STEM rotation and the Cardboard Challenge! The students learned a lot while making their creations to share with the class. We also had over 70 students participate in the district Cardboard Challenge at Smoky Hill High School! It was truly AWESOME seeing what the students came up with!! So proud of our Cottonwood Creek students!
The next rotation will focus on computer aided design using a program called Sketchup in grades 3-5. Grade 2 is learning to use Google Draw. Grade 1 is drawing with a program called Paint 3D.
The last rotation before winter break will focus on writing code on the computer.
From the Music Room
Hello Cougar Community,
Fall brings our third monthly rotation of specials classes and by this time, I am happy to say we are continuing to build a safe and positive community where students feel welcome, and like they belong. This can be seen in a variety of examples across grade levels as students work cooperatively to execute a variety of games and activities. Fifth grade especially has begun work on this school-year’s first grade level informance. What’s an informance you might ask? An informance is like an informational performance. It is a bit like a music class show-and-tell where students get to show off the activities, skills, and concepts they’ve been working on in music class as well as explain how they did it. Our first informance will feature our Fifth Graders on Thursday, November 29th at 6:30 in the evening. (Don’t worry, Fifth Grade parents, more info on call times and dress coming shortly. Keep an eye out for an email from me with more information in the next week or so.) If you aren’t a Fifth Grade parent and are wondering when your child’s informance will be, following is a schedule. All informances will be at 6:30 in the evening in the gym.
February 7 4th Grade
March 14 3rd Grade
April 18 2nd Grade
May 8 1st Grade
(Kindergarten’s performance opportunity will be at their continuation.)
Hope to see you there!
-Matthew Pedregon
As part of CCSD’s Safe Routes to School grant, we encourage you to consider the many benefits of safe, active transportation to and from school for you, your children and our community!
Students who walk, bike or roll to school
- Exhibit increased concentration on academics after getting physical activity
- Help reduce traffic congestion, pollution and stress during school drop off and pick up times
- Are more likely to get the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity
- Develop a better sense of direction and connection to their community
- Gain confidence and independence when old enough to travel alone or with friends
- Spend quality time with a parent or caregiver when accompanied by an adult
What can you do to support safe, active transportation to and from school?
- Teach children rules of the road, use crosswalks and practice safety at all times
- Always wear a helmet when biking, riding a scooter or skateboarding
- Organize a walking school bus (http://www.walkingschoolbus.org) where a group of students meet and walk together with adult supervision
- If you live far away, park a distance from school and walk the rest of the way
- Walk, bike or roll to school at least one day a week with your child or encourage them to go with friends
- Learn more by checking out the links below
For research summaries and more information visit
http://activelivingresearch.org/SRTSreview
http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/community/index.cfm
Important Upcoming Events
- Friday, November 2: Report Cards Come Home
- Monday, November 5-Friday, November 9: Conference Week
- Wednesday, November 7: Veterans Day Assembly
- Friday, November 9: Non-Contact Day, No School for Students
- Wednesday, November 14: Cultural Connections Holiday Potluck at 6pm
- Wednesday, November 21: Non-Contact Day, No School for Students
- Thursday, November 22-Friday, Novemeber 23: No School, Thanksgiving Break
- Monday, December 23-January 4: No School, Winter Break
- Monday, January 7: Non-Contact Day, No School for Students
COTTONWOOD PTO WEBSITE
Remember you can also find a full list of upcoming events and other helpful information on our Cottonwood PTO Webiste www.cottonwoodcreekpto.com.