Cottonwood News
February 23, 2018
News You Can Use
Our school will have it's 2nd crisis drill in early March to allow us to practice our response to an emergency, such as an intruder. You will be notified by email and/or school messenger after we hold the drill so that you can visit with your student(s) about it. Age appropriate lessons will precede the drill to ensure a focus on safety and to alleviate fear. There are many helpers in a school emergency, including police, fire and medical, teachers, staff, and parents. While parents aren't usually present during a school emergency, you are a powerful partner in protecting the safety and well being of our students and staff. It is important to stress that students need to listen and follow directions.
Mark your calendars now--March 1st--We will host our own Cottonwood Olympics. Everyone is invited to Open House, where students will show what they know. Join us from 5:00-7:00 pm in the classrooms, PE, Art, Music and the Library as we showcase our school.
Cottonwood Bond Update--We have a platform for the new addition and a hole in the building where the hallways will connect. Next week, we should see electricians and bricklayers. We have also been seeing some roofing workers. Cottonwood is getting a new roof. The process will start during Spring Break, if the weather cooperates. So many upgrades! Thank you Andover citizens!
USD385 Bond Update--Want to follow the progress throughout the district? Check out the website for news and pictures. Click here
Lost and Found--We have several jackets, coats, and sweatshirts in Lost and Found. We try to remind students to check it out, but we seem to have more lost than found. It is located right by the nurse's office.
THANK YOU!!!!
Setting up
The healthy lung with Mrs. Rogers
What germs you can see on your skin with Mrs. Pantle
Kindergarten Round-Up for 2018-19
Our new Kindergarteners will be able to come for a visit on May 4th either from 9:15-11:15 or 1:15-3:15.
Please call the office with any questions. 218-4620
Jump Rope for Heart/Hoops for Heart
We will soon be wrapping up our Jump Rope/ Hoops for Heart Program in PE, to benefit the American Heart Association. This program allows us to educate students on heart health, the importance of giving back and have FUN!!!
We have talked about the details of the program in class and are excited to see our results so far. However, we would like to give it “one more weekend push” for registrations and donations. With the holiday breaks, conferences and bad weather days, we want to extend one last reminder to register and donate before we wrap things up for this year.
If you have donated…thank you!
If you have not had a chance, please download the free Jump/Hoops App, register (your student earns a glow in the dark scare squad powerband just for registering). You can make your personal donation on the App and/or, click on the “paper airplane” icon along the bottom of the screen and send text messages to friends and family asking them to support your student, your school and the AHA.
I have attached several videos for you to view as a review of the App and our service-learning project. Watch with your student and you will soon understand their excitement as well as the heart healthy education we are focusing on in class and throughout our program. When we partner with the American Heart Association, not only do we enjoy all the educational pieces, we are also able to earn valuable PE program which all students enjoy and use.
Thank you in advance for your support.
- How to use the app: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWH5CHDdVHc
- Jump/Hoops Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSmnTto7D44
And
- Finn is Why – https://youtu.be/yKR7cuB6oYU
If your family chooses to participate in Jump Rope for Heart, the money is due either on-line or in person on February 26th. With all the snow days, we will extend the deadline till Monday.
Upcoming events
February 23rd Kindergarten Donuts with Daddy 9:30-10:30
February 26th Jump Rope for Heart monies due
February 26th-28th Jump Rope for Heart Activities in PE
February 28th Mother-Son Night at The Alley 6:00-8:00
March 1st Cottonwood Olympic Open House
March 13th Spring Pictures 5:30-6:30
March 15th Last Day of 3rd Quarter
March 16th-25th SPRING BREAK
Mar. 26th AR parties in the afternoon
Mar. 27th 2018-19 Kdg. parent meeting 6:30-7:30pm
Mar. 28th 3rd Grade Reading Assessment 9:00-10:00
Mar. 29th 3rd Grade Reading Assessment 9:00-10:00
Mar. 30th Report Cards go home
Apr. 2nd 5th Grade Reading Assessment 10:00-11:30
Apr. 3rd 5th Grade Reading Assessment 10:00-11:30
Apr. 3rd PTO meeting @ 6:30
Apr. 4th 3rd Grade Math Assessment 9:00-10:00
Apr. 5th 3rd Grade Math Assessment 9:00-10:00
Apr. 6th Boxtops due
Apr. 6th Father Daughter Dance 6:00-8:00 pm
Apr. 9th 5th Grade Science Assessment 10:00-11:30
Apr. 10th 5th Grade Science Assessment 10:00-11:30
Apr. 10th 4th Grade Reading Assessment 12:45-2:00
Apr. 10th Site Council @ 5:30
Apr. 18th 2:00-3:30 Talent Show (4th and 5th gr.) Tryouts
Apr. 19th Music Program K-1 @ 7:00 at AHS
Apr. 20th 1st Grade to YMCA
Apr. 23rd 5th Grade Math Assessment 10:00-11:30
Apr. 24th 5th Grade Math Assessment 10:00-11:30
Apr. 24th 4th Grade Math Assessment 12:45-2:00
Apr. 25th 4th Grade Math Assessment 12:45-2:00
Apr. 26th Talent Show Practice 9:00-10:30
Apr. 27th Talent Show at 1:30
May 1st Trojan Children's Choir to Perform
May 1st PTO Meeting @ 6:30
May 4th 18-19 Kindergarten Visitation 9:15-11:15 and 1:15-3:15
May 4th District 3rd Grade Field Day
May 4th "May the 4th Be With You"--PTO 6:00-8:00 pm
May 10th 5th Grade to AMS for Band Practice
May 11th 5th Grade Amazing Race
May 17th AR Parties for grades 1-5
May 17th Field Day
May 18th AR Party in the Park 10:00-2:00
May 21st Staff BB game @ 2:00
May 22nd Report Cards go home
May 22nd 11:30 K Celebration @ 11:30
May 22nd 1:30 5th Grade Promotion
May 23rd Early Out @ 1:45
Counselor's Corner
Counselor Time- We are working on Empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. In March, we talk about Stranger Danger and good Touch, Bad Touch. If you would like more information regarding those lessons, please don't hesitate to ask.
Circle of Friends--I am working on scheduling an hour of horseback riding. The notes will be coming home soon.
Kansas State Assessments--Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 participate in the reading and math assessments. Third grade will start after Spring Break. Check the calendar to make sure that your child is here every day during testing. Make sure that they get a good breakfast and plenty of rest.
Groups--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 have not already done so. ($1.50) The party will be in March. Thanks for all you do!!
Marcie Faust-Cottonwood Counselor-LCPC/NBCC
Nurse's News
We are slowly getting better! Continue to encourage students to wash their hands. Germs are everywhere! Our classrooms are wiping down and sanitizing daily.
Each time a student comes to the nurse's office, we document their visit in the healthcare program. If you would like to receive that email, please sign up for Care Dox's. You should receive an email at the end of each day that will notify you of the reason for the visit. We try to always call parents if we have a concern. If you are not getting an email from CareDoc's, please let us know and we can help you.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the health office in the past. We truly appreciate your support.
Stay Healthy!
Mrs. Tauke and Mrs. Peay
Cottonwood Yearbooks go on sale March 1st-March 15th
Cottonwood PTO
Check out our Facebook page for more information. Our next meeting is April 3rd from 6:30-7:30 in the Cottonwood Lounge. Please join us to see what is happening at Cottonwood.
Watch your child's Friday folder for more information regarding:
Mother-Son Night at The Alley--February 28th from 6:00-8:00. All our boys and a guest are invited to bowl for the evening. Pizza and drinks to be provided by the PTO.
Father-Daughter Dance--April 6th from 6:00-8:00. All our girls and a guest are invited to Cottonwood for an evening of dancing. More information to follow.
Spring Fling--May 4th from 6:00-8:00. PTO wants to thank our families with an evening of fun. Raffles, baskets, games, sno-cones and a gaming truck are just the beginning of a "May the 4th Be With You" event.
School Safety
Breafast is served from 8:20-8:50.
After school dismissal is at 3:45. Please continue to follow the traffic patterns. It helps the adults if you have the name cards in the side windows. If you have suggestions on how to make our process and flow of traffic safer, feel free to share your ideas.
Communication is Key
School website: http://cottonwood.usd385.org/
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/Twitter pages:
Mrs. Defebaugh https://www.facebook.com/MrsDefebaugh/
Mrs. Fox https://www.facebook.com/foxin5th/
Mrs. Gallagher https://www.facebook.com/mrsgallaghers5thgradeclass
Mrs. Plank https://www.facebook.com/Mrs-Planks-Fourth-Grade-1490196337947267/?fref=ts
Mrs. Ralston Twitter @Mrs_Ralston https://www.facebook.com/MrsRalstons4thGrade/?ref=settings
Mrs. Rich https://www.facebook.com/emmonsa/?fref=ts
Ms. Wright https://www.facebook.com/wrightces/?fref=ts
Mrs. Hachen https://www.facebook.com/HachenHighlights/?fref=ts
Mrs. Davis https://www.facebook.com/dayswithdavis/
Mrs. Highfill https://www.facebook.com/highfill2nd/?fref=ts
Mrs. Barscewski https://www.facebook.com/Mrs-Barscewskis-First-Grade-1295655550474548/?fref=ts
Mrs. Kindle https://www.facebook.com/kindle2014/?fref=ts
Ms. McKenna https://www.facebook.com/1stgrademckenna/
Mrs. Hanna https://www.facebook.com/MrsHannasKindergarten/?fref=ts
Mrs. Johnson/Mrs. Hays -- Hays & Johnson Kindergarten Connection (Ask for permission to join)
Mrs. Wilson https://www.facebook.com/Wilsonart2015/?fref=ts
Peachjar-- Peachjar is an “electronic backpack” system where schools post calendars, activity information from enrichment providers, and school letters. This system is used exclusively for distribution of school-approved fliers. Your email address will not be shared or used for any other purpose.
Andover Food Service-- Andover School Lunch Menus are digital. Look for the link on our district website at USD385.org, or go to usd385.nutrislice.com. There is also an app available. Just look for Nutrislice in your app store. Please call Nutrition Services, 316-218-4603 with any questions.
Next Cottonwood News--March 26th
Cottonwood Elementary
Email: rookss@usd385.org
Website: http://cottonwood.usd385.org/
Location: 1747 N Andover Rd, Andover, KS, United States
Phone: 316-218-4620
Facebook: facebook.com/CottonwoodElementary/
Twitter: @CottonwoodElem