Cottonwood News
October 1st, 2019
Cottonwood News
Explorations
As part of our redesign journey, we asked students, parents and teachers what they felt was most important at Cottonwood. Time again, the answer was building relationships and providing opportunities for students. We took that information to heart and developed and idea that would be inclusive, fun, educational, and meaningful. From those discussions, Explorations was created.
The first round of Explorations is starting October 31st for students in grades 1 through 5 and will run from 8:55-9:30. During this time, students will attend a small group of their choice to explore something different. Dates are: Oct. 31st, Nov. 7th, Nov. 14th, Nov. 21st, Dec. 5th and Dec. 12th.
Last year, our our staff and community members had explorations such as:
Harry Potter Book Club
Book Club 3-5
Book Club K-2
STEAM
Manners Matter
Sewing
Knitting
Crafting
Dreamhouse Building
National Geographic Explorers Club
Drama Club
Irish Dancing
Baton Twirling
Kitchen Exploration
Idea Busters (Similar to Myth Busters)
Origami and Paper Airplanes
Knitting
Pinterest Club
Chess Club
CSI
Cooking
Amazing Science
Crazy 8's Math Club K-2
Crazy 8's Math Club 3-5
Lego's
Coloring
Scouting tips
Walking club
Playground improvement
Playing games and learning together
Dancing
Exercising
Please follow this link if you have a gift to share and would like to sign up. If you have friends, grandparents, kids, or others who can help, this is a great opportunity for community involvement and to make a difference. Please sign up by October 9th.
Family Engagement
1.) Family Calendar--Our staff has put together calendar ideas for families for the months of Sept., Oct., Nov., Feb., Mar., and Apr. The majority of the activities are free, just something fun to do with our families. You can document your family time and then send the calendars back. We would love to share pictures of our families in action.
2.) Camp Cottonwood--This camp is for our families to learn more about Cottonwood, technology, Pathways, Flipgrid, safety, Redesign, Love and Logic or just network. Plan to join us on November 14th from 5:30-7:15. More details about child care will be provided at a later date. If you have something you would like to know more about, send Mrs. Rooks an email. We want to share what we know about Cottonwood and we want to make this an evening that will help you and your family.
3.) Parent Teacher Conferences--Parent teacher conferences are Oct. 17th. Please plan to meet with your child's teacher to discussion their progress. These conference times are so important as we continue to work together to make sure that all students have supports in place to be successful.
From the Principal
Parent Teacher Conferences - Please plan to join teachers October 17th for this year's PT Conferences. Teachers are starting to schedule times now, so look for information in your email or in a note home. Conferences can be held from 7:30 am-7:00 pm. Working together, you and the teacher can help your child have a successful school year.
When attending conferences, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Start the conference right: Be there on time, and plan not to run over 20 minutes. If a longer conference is required, please let the teacher know ahead of time. Some conferences may be student-led. In this case, know that the students have worked hard to prepare his/her information. Listen carefully and be sure to ask questions.
Getting Ready: Each teacher will come prepared with samples of your children’s work and with ideas to help them do even better in school. You can get ready for the conference, too. Talk to your children before the conference. Find out what they think are their best subjects, and what subjects they like the least. Find out why. Ask your children if there is anything they would like you to talk about with their teachers.
Before you go to the school, write a note to yourself about:
- Things about your child’s life at home, personality, problems, habits, and hobbies you feel are important for the teacher to know.
- How you and the school can work together to help your child.
The Conference: Some good questions to ask are these:
- What are my child’s best and worst subjects?
- What kinds of tests are being done? What do the tests tell about my child’s progress?
- Does my child participate in class discussions and activities?
- How well does my child get along with others?
- Have you noticed any sudden changes in the way my child acts? For example, have you noticed any squinting, tiredness or moodiness that might be a sign of physical or other problems?
The Cottonwood staff looks forward to sharing our ideas with you. Together we will help all of our students be successful.
Educationally yours,
Shari Rooks, Principal
District Immunization Policy
USD 385 has adopted a new exclusion policy in regards to Immunization status. If the health office does not have required documents showing your student is up to date with the required Immunizations by October 16th 2019, your student will not be allowed to return to school until proof of immunizations is provided to the health office. The health office will contact you by phone and/or letter informing you if the Health Office records indicate your student is missing any required immunizations. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the health office.
Counselor's Corner--Marcie Faust
We will be working on a bullying unit the first two weeks of October. We will address what a bully is and what to do if you are being bullied. We will talk about verbal, physical, social and cyber bullying. We will also learn about why we should not be a bystander. If you see something say something-it isn’t tattling it is telling. Please take the time to ask your child what they learned and how we treat others.
For bullying awareness week (October 7th-11th) we are going to focus on kindness activities.
- Monday-Make a new friend. If you see someone sitting alone at lunch –go and sit with them.
- Tuesday--Wear blue to celebrate our feelings.
- Wednesday-Do a random act of kindness today.
- Thursday-Wear yellow to remember to smile and brighten someone's day.
- Friday-Check the buddy bench. If someone is alone on the playground ask them to play. Invite someone different to join you and your friends at recess.
The Red Ribbon Campaign® is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of young people during Red Ribbon Week®, October 23-October 31 each year. During this week, in counselor time we talk about making good decisions and saying no to drugs and bad choices. We want to focus on the positive, so we include spirit days during the week. This year’s theme is “Send a message-stay drug free.”
- Monday-Living Drug free is no sweat-wear sweats.
- Tuesday-Drugs make me snooze-wear pajamas.
- Wednesday-Be on a drug free team-wear your favorite team shirt.
- Thursday-Sock it to drugs day-wear crazy socks.
- Friday-Don’t let drugs sneak up on you-wear sneakers.
Banana Splits--We will be starting Banana Splits in October. I have already sent home permission slips. Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
If your child if having any school or home related issues please reach out to me. I can visit with your child.
Mrs. Marcie Faust Cottonwood Elementary 218-4620 ext. 2
“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
Cottonwood Library
Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Here’s what you can do to help children develop stronger reading skills and a love for reading:
· Set the example. Let children see you read.
· Have a collection of books in your home. Update this collection routinely to keep
up with changing tastes and reading skills.
· Support our school’s Book Fair. Allow your children to choose their own books
to read.
Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.
Book Fair dates: October 10th-17th
Two NEW shopping options! Book Fair eWallet is a safe and convenient digital payment option for your student to shop the Fair cash-free. If you’re not able to attend the Fair, try our new online shopping. We’ve partnered with the Scholastic Store to offer over 6,000 products that ship direct to home (with free shipping on book-only orders of $25 or more)! Visit our homepage to get started: Cottonwood Scholastic Book Fair
We hope to see you and your family at our Book Fair! Remember, all purchases benefit our school.
Nurse's News
The health office staff continues to review Care Dox online enrollment. Parents are required to complete and/ or review their student’s health information in Care Dox each academic year and electronically sign. The health office staff reviews each student’s enrollment upon completion. If you have question or need assistance please call the health office so we can help you.
The health office is in need of clothing donations. Currently, we are in need of boys underwear size 4-6 and 8-10, boys shorts size 4-6, girls underwear size 4, and girls shorts size 7-8 ,9-10. Any clean gently used items are greatly appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering in the health office during screenings, please email the school nurse at rebeld@usd385.org
Denise Rebel and Rachel Peay
Ext: 51104
Cottonwood Site Council
All Kansas schools are required to have a council of patrons that meet regularly. We would love to have you. Future meetings will be held, Nov. 12th, Jan. 14th, Feb. 11th, Mar. 10th and Apr. 14th.
Call Mrs. Rooks (316) 218-4620 or rookss@usd385.org for more information.
CES PTO made the GAD News! Congratulations on putting together an awesome float!
Cottonwood PTO
Throughout the year there are several opportunities to volunteer. Check out our Facebook page for more information.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 1st CES Running Club begins for grades 3-4-5
Oct. 4th Rise and Shine
Oct. 4th PTO Non-A-Thon ends
Oct. 4th Quiz Bowl Practice (4th and 5th grade)
Oct. 8th Site Council @ 5:30
Oct. 8th PTO @7:00
Oct. 10th Book Fair Begins
Oct. 11th Rise and Shine
Oct. 11th Quiz Bowl Practice
Oct. 15th 4th and 5th Grade Program @ AHS @ 7:00
Oct. 16th End of 1st quarter
Oct. 17th PT Conferences 8:00am -7:00pm
Oct. 22nd AR Parties (Games and ???)
- 1:30-2:00 4th Grade
- 2:00-2:30 3rd Grade
- 2:30-3:00 2nd Grade
- 3:00-3:30 5th Grade
Oct. 23rd--Possible date for Kona Ice if we make our goal
Oct. 24th Boxtops due; Quiz Bowl practice Limo lunch for top 20 kids from 11:00-1:00
Oct. 25th Report cards sent home
Oct. 31st Explorations #1 begins for 1st-5th grades 8:55-9:30
Fall parties--Times to be announced
Food Service -$10.00
end of this three-day period, Andover Food Services has not been notified as to payment arrangements or if payment has not been made, further charges will not be allowed. The student must bring payment to purchase a lunch or bring a lunch to school.
Free & Reduced Meals are available to qualifying households. They are available through www.usd385.org Parents/Free/Reduced Lunch Forms or through Bonnie Scarth at Support Services, 202 W Market, 316-218-4604
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. Bookout https://www.facebook.com/groups/Mrs.Bookout/
Mrs. Defebaugh https://www.facebook.com/beth.defebaugh
Mrs. Fox https://www.facebook.com/foxin5th/
Mrs. Carpenter https://www.facebook.com/Carpenter4th/
Mrs. Highfill https://www.facebook.com/highfill4th/
Mrs. Hachen https://www.facebook.com/HachenHighlights/?fref=ts
Mrs. Davis https://www.facebook.com/dayswithdavis/
Mrs. Travis https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538390756203704/?fref=nf
Mrs. Wood https://www.facebook.com/learningwithwood/
Mrs. Barscewski https://www.facebook.com/Mrs-Barscewskis-First-Grade-1295655550474548/?fref=ts
Mrs. Kindlehttps://www.facebook.com/kindle2014/?ref=bookmarks
Ms. Hinz https://www.facebook.com/1stgradehinz
Mrs. Hanna https://www.facebook.com/pg/MrsHannasKindergarten/posts/
Miss Caitlin's 4th and 5th Grade Class
Miss Susan's 2nd and 3rd Grade Class
Mrs. Wilson https://www.facebook.com/Wilsonart2015/?fref=ts
Mrs. Nobach https://www.facebook.com/groups/2114346102210974/
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.
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