Cottonwood News
Feb. 15th, 2016
Kindergarten 2016-17
Parent informational meeting for incoming Kindergarteners will be March 22nd @ 6:30 at Cottonwood.
It's that time again!
State assessments are quickly approaching. We have reviewed Kansas reading and math standards and indicators, and we believe our students are ready. Beginning at the end of February 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will show what they know.
You can help your students prepare for reading by asking questions about newspaper articles, library books or textbooks. (i.e.: What is the author’s purpose? What does the story tell you? ) You can help your student prepare for math by providing a few math related story problems, practicing math facts and talking about using fractions.
The results of these assessments are not used to determine the students’ classroom grades. Assessments are used to determine student strengths and areas for growth. Results will be shared with students and parents as soon as we receive them.
Students are working hard to do their very best. Parents can help to:
· Provide your child with a good breakfast on the days of assessments.
· Avoid scheduling out of school appointments during testing dates. You will get a note from your child's teacher regarding their specific schedule.
· Make sure your child is well rested.
· Send your child to school with a smile and word of encouragement!
· Encourage your child to take his/her time on each question. Read each question carefully!
Supply Drive for Kidzcope
Mrs.Rich’s 4th grade class and Mrs.Highfill’s 2nd grade class will be hosting a supply drive to benefit Kidzcope next week! Kidzcope is a non-profit therapy center where children, ages 3-18, can receive services after suffering the loss of a loved one. The volunteers at Kidzcope use art therapy lessons to help the children work through their grief while giving them a chance to interact with others in similar situations. Our classes think this place is wonderful and we really want to help give them things they need.
Please consider donating one or more of the following new items:
glue sticks, liquid glue, paint, paint brushes, crayons, markers, colored pencils, glitter, construction paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, kleenex, paper towels, toilet paper
Donations will be collected at Cottonwood Monday, February 22-Friday, February 26. Thank you so much for your participation in this great cause!
http://kidzcope.org/Butler County Spelling Bee
The Butler County Spelling Bee was held on Friday afternoon, February 5, 2016. Andover School District was well represented by students from the following schools: Heather Schwartzbeck, Andover Central Middle School; Ethan Hsiao, Andover Middle School 6th grader; Eli Sheltar, Wheatland Elementary School 5th grader; Ayann Parikh, Robert Martin Elementary School 4th grader; Jeremiah Rather, Cottonwood Elementary School 5th grader; Kyle Nguyen, Sunflower Elementary School 3rd grader; Matthew Palacios, Prairie Creek Elementary School 3rd grader, Sophis Kiryk, Meadowlark Elementary 5th grader; and Addison Leggett, eCademy 4th grader.
With just ten spellers left in the bee, all Andover students remained. The winner of the Butler County Spelling Bee was Jeremiah Rather. Second place was Ayaan Parikh. Ethan Hsiao placed third. All three of these young men will represent Butler County at the State Spelling Bee in Hays on March 5, 2016. One person from the State Spelling Bee will represent Kansas in the Scripts National Spelling Bee in Washington, D. C. later this year.
Congratulations to all the participants! Good luck to the three winner as they represent Andover and Butler County in the State Spelling Bee!
School Community Yearbook Opportunity
Members of the school community can upload images for consideration in the yearbook! Go to community.lifetouch.com and use the upload access code TYTLHN. Pictures will be considered as the yearbook is developed. Deadline for pictures is March 1st or you can send them to Jennifer at yamamotJ@usd385.org
From the Counselor--Mrs. Faust
Classroom Guidance: This month’s themes are caring and compassion. Caring is displaying kindness and concern for others. Compassion is sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
We are about to complete banana splits for this year. If your child needs additional support please let me know. We will start the groups back up in the fall. I can always provide individual support for your child. Just contact me here at CES-218-4620 ext. 2 or faustm@usd385.org. Please also remember to send your child’s banana split money if you haven’t already done so.($1.50) Thanks for all you do!!
Happy Valentine’s Day!! J
From the Nurse's Office--Mrs. Whiddon and Mrs. Tauke
From the Health Office Staff: All Hearing and Vision screenings are complete. We will contact you by phone if we noted any concerns. If you have any questions, please contact us at 316 218-4620 ext 3.
We have Dental Screenings set for Friday February 19th from 9-12:30.
Although this years "flu" season hasn't hit yet, we are seeing lots of coughing, runny noses and sore throats. The best defense against spreading this or any type of "cold" is to WASH YOUR HANDS with soap and warm water regularly. It's simple but effective!
From the Library--Mrs. Ohlund
We are working on a project and need your help. Would you take a minute and see if you can send something from the list below? Any help would be appreciated.
empty tissue boxes
empty wax paper/aluminum foil/parchment paper (please save the tube inside)
Tic Tac or similar containers (empty)
Altoid or similar containers (empty)
baby food jars
Velveeta cheese or similar containers
leftover wrapping paper
plastic lids (all shapes and colors)
We will share our projects when they are complete.
PTO News
Want to volunteer? We need some help with set up, serving and clean up for the Father Daughter Dance on March 4th. If you're interested, sign up here
The Cottonwood PTO is now part of the Amazon Associates LLC program. If you are an Amazon shopper, log in to your personal Amazon account through this website and earn money for school. Just click on the provided banner anytime. http://cottonwood.usd385.org/106267_2
Andover Public Schools Mobile App
We are excited to announce that a mobile app for Andover Public Schools is now available. This free app for your Apple and Android devices will be your one-stop shop for everything Andover. From district & school news pulled directly into the app to links to PowerSchool, athletic information, breakfast & lunch menus and payment all in one place makes this app the convenient way to stay connected to your school and district happenings.
Communication
School website: http://andover1.gabbartllc.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CottonwoodElementary
PTO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cottonwoodelementarypto/
Andover Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndoverSchools
Cottonwood Twitter: https://twitter.com/CottonwoodElem
Teacher Facebook pages:
Mrs. Brackeen https://www.facebook.com/MrsBrackeen/?fref=ts
Mrs. Highfill https://www.facebook.com/highfill2nd/?fref=ts
Mrs. Plank https://www.facebook.com/Mrs-Planks-Fourth-Grade-1490196337947267/?fref=ts
Mrs. Rich https://www.facebook.com/emmonsa/?fref=ts
Mrs. Kindle https://www.facebook.com/kindle2014/?fref=ts
Mrs. Hachen https://www.facebook.com/HachenHighlights/?fref=ts
Mrs. Wilson https://www.facebook.com/Wilsonart2015/?fref=ts
Ms. Wright https://www.facebook.com/wrightces/?fref=ts
Mrs. Burrus https://www.facebook.com/burrust/?fref=ts
I also try to call home on School Messenger once a month to share upcoming activities and highlights and of course our Smore newsletter. If you have suggestions on how to help communicate our learning and teaching, please don't hesitate to e-mail me rookss@usd385.org