The Wednesday Weekly - Apr 17
4/17/24
April 17, 2024
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Kindly, Kara
Welcome back to another Wednesday and another Weekly newsletter, where each week you'll find fresh perspectives and valuable insights to enrich your educational journey, along with all of the pertinent and important news to keep you informed about all things Cottonwood. A few weeks ago, I shared about homeschooling language arts from my experience as a homeschool parent. This week, we shift our attention to hearing directly from our Educational Design Experts, who share a deep passion for homeschooling and have personal connections with specific learning philosophies. They bring a wealth of knowledge and innovative approaches to homeschooling instruction that could inspire you to explore new directions and methods.
Fresh Perspectives:
In the April EDE Tips document, you'll discover diverse approaches to teaching language arts that extend beyond traditional methods. From creative writing exercises to immersive storytelling techniques, our EDEs offer engaging strategies designed to inspire and empower both you and your learner.
Insights from Seasoned Homeschool Educators:
Rekha Mathew explores strategies for advanced learners, ensuring they are challenged yet supported in their language arts journey.
Callie Johnson takes us through classical education methods, emphasizing foundational grammar skills and literary analysis.
Shannon Carpenter introduces the Charlotte Mason method, highlighting the use of living books and interactive language arts exercises.
Shannon Chanda invites us into the world of Montessori-inspired creative writing, encouraging students to express their imagination through storytelling.
Carey Shaw advocates for unschooling in English Language Arts, demonstrating how everyday experiences can foster meaningful writing opportunities.
Catherine Lambert offers insights into Waldorf's holistic approach, incorporating oral storytelling and experiential learning into early language arts instruction.
As you explore various approaches to language arts education, we hope you'll find inspiration and practical guidance to tailor your homeschool curriculum to your child's unique needs and interests.
Click below to read the April EDE Tips document and discover how you can transform language arts education in your homeschool. Continue to enjoy your adventure in homeschooling, guided by passionate educators who are dedicated to empowering homeschool families like yours.
Kindly,
Kara Parkins, Parent Support Advisor
P.S. Our amazing Educational Design Experts will be joining us at Curriculum Showcase. Be sure to visit them in the Lending Library to discuss curriculum and ideas for your students.
Parent & Student Advisory Committee Town Hall
Thursday, April 25th, 4 - 5 pm
Please join us to learn more about the following topics, where Cottonwood School leaders will answer questions and hear feedback. All are invited to join us.
Cottonwood’s Instructional Programs
Instructional Funds & Ordering
Zoom link for Town Hall Meeting
The Cottonwood School Curriculum Showcase 2024
Get ready for our Annual Curriculum Showcase featuring:
- Top curriculum vendors and Community Partners.
- Engaging programs and activities for all ages.
- SWAG giveaways and amazing raffle prizes!
Meet Cottonwood staff, connect with fellow families, and explore what our community has to offer.
Mark your calendars and register today!
See event details and RSVP by clicking the link below.
Don't miss out—join the fun!
You can find more info about dates & events throughout the newsletter or on the Hawks' Nest Calendar.
Remember, this list does not include all events hosted by The Cottonwood School. Please check your personal calendar and email for field trip reminders, class reminders, and more.
Upcoming Week
- Wed, April 17: Cottonwood Regional Park Days
- Mon, April 22:
- Mindset Mondays - see SELF Talk for details
- Mondays at the CCC, 9 am - 4 pm
- Storytime & Craft Club at the Lending Library, 2 - 3 pm
- Tues, April 23: The Cottonwood School's April Board Meeting, 6 pm (Zoom Link)
- Fri, April 24:
- Cottonwood Regional Park Days
- Library Van on Location (Diamond Oaks Park)
- Thurs, April 25: The Cottonwood School's Virtual Town Hall Meeting w/ the Parent and Student Advisory Committee, 4 - 5 pm (Zoom Link)
- Fri, April 26: Spring Makers Market - Come see what Cottonwood Entrepreneurs will be selling. See our flyer below!
- Mon, April 29:
- Mindset Mondays
- Mondays at the CCC, 9 am - 4 pm
- Storytime & Craft Club at the Lending Library, 2 - 3 pm
- Weds, May 1:
- Cottonwood Regional Park Days
- Library Van on Location (Elk Grove & Rancho Cordova)
- Fri, May 10: 2024 Annual Curriculum Showcase
- Thur, May 23: Last Day of School
AUDITIONS: Calling all 7th - 12th Graders
Audition for the 8th Grade Promotion and High School Graduation
Are you a performer at heart? Do you want to help add something special to our celebration? We are looking for 7th-12th grade students who would love to share their talents and passions!
Recite a poem, give a short speech, sing a song, or perform music - all of these are options to help make our 8th Grade Promotion or High School Graduation an extra special showcase of our students and their talents. Interested students are encouraged to submit a video audition of their act.
Audition video submissions are due by May 3, 2024.
Ceremony-specific newsletters
All Kinder, 8th grade and 12th grade families have been sent the first two commencement newsletters. If you did not receive one, please click the buttons below to view the latest newsletter. Future commencement newsletters will ONLY be sent to families who have registered to attend the ceremonies.
Cottonwood's Weekly Park Days
Join us at our Weekly Park Days listed below!
- Join Amanda & Maria in the 80 Corridor Area: Roseville, Citrus Heights, Rocklin
- Join Alina in the 50 Corridor Area: Placerville, Cameron Park, Folsom
- Join Alaynah in the Elk Grove Area
Hey Cottonwood Families!
The National Honor Society is gearing up for our Spring Group Service Projects, and we could use some help from the community around us! You can check out all our Group Service Projects by clicking HERE. We also have an Amazon Wishlist where items for our projects can be purchased and donated to the school for us to collect. Come see us at the Curriculum Showcase on May 10th; our members will be organizing a booth with information, and we will also be hosting our Blanket Tying Party. More information is in the document above!
If you’re still wondering who we are or how you can get involved for next year, you can click HERE for a link to our Get to know us slideshow and look out for more information next fall about how you can join.
Our CAASPP testing window is currently open for our 3rd - 8th and 11th graders. The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) is a statewide assessment that all California public school students must take. All schools must achieve a 95% participation to meet state requirements.
Participation in the CAASPP Assessment is Crucial for our School Performance Data:
The school receives a positive score for each participating student and a negative score for all non-participating students.
The sum of these scores impacts our school's overall performance metrics and rankings.
School Accountability and Stability - Achieving a 95% Participation Rate or Higher is:
Required to keep our school open. Charter schools can only remain in operation if students participate in state- or school-mandated assessments, according to (Education Code Section 47601(f).
Essential to ensure continued support and resources for our school.
Critical for our charter renewal.
Vital for showcasing the effectiveness of our educational model.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact your HST or a Family Liaison. Your partnership and participation are greatly appreciated!
"Trust yourself; you know more than you think you do.” ~ Benjamin Spock
Is your student feeling a little nervous about the current CAASPP or end of the year STAR 360 testing? I'm excited to introduce a fantastic resource designed to help your student get into the perfect mindset for test-taking success. This was presented at our test prep parties and is available for all families at The Cottonwood School. This awesome slideshow is great for all ages, kindergarten through 12th grade, and beyond! It is packed with practical tips, mindfulness exercises, and confidence-boosting strategies; it's your ultimate companion for conquering exams with ease.
The slideshow is designed to empower your student with the tools they need to approach test-taking with calmness, focus, and positivity. Dive into the slides today and unlock the secrets to mastering your student's mindset for test success. This presentation will continue to be included in each SELF Talk for the month of April in the buttons at the bottom of each SELF newsletter (also linked below).
-Kelly McIntosh, SELF Coordinator
New Testing Resource from Art Teacher Kimberly Boyd
Kimberly Boyd has created a wonderful video including a series of art projects designed to help students and parents relax as they embark on testing season. Please take a few minutes to watch her video below and benefit from it!
International Festival
Wow, Friday was such a fun day celebrating cultures around the world for the International Festival! Thank you to all the families that participated as either tour guides sharing a country or as tourists learning more about other cultures. Please start thinking and planning for next year's International Festival in December!!
Explore Our Exciting TK - 8 Virtual Instruction Programs for Next Year!
Sign up for an info session today!
Looking ahead to the upcoming academic year, Cottonwood is thrilled to invite our school families to discover our TK - 8 virtual instruction programs. Whether you're seeking supplementary learning opportunities, something you can weave into your curriculum plan for the year, or an all-encompassing choice, we have exclusive options tailored to suit every stage of your child's educational journey.
TK Explorers: Specifically crafted for homeschool students, TK Explorers offers expert guidance from experienced early childhood educators, engaging play-based learning sessions with other families, and exclusive TK-centric park days and events. Join our interactive Circle Time via Zoom for daily instruction in all learning areas including social-emotional development, math, language arts, and more. Pair your TKer's learning during Circle Time, park days, and events with our school-selected TK curriculum for a full circle homeschool experience.
Superstar Readers: Dive into our innovative language arts program designed exclusively for our Cottonwood homeschool community. Enjoy free access to live and recorded instruction along with step-by-step guidance for home educators based on the Science of Reading. Our structured literacy approach means students have all the building blocks they need to lay a strong foundation in language arts. This free program is a full ELA curriculum for students in K-2nd grade and is designed for any Cottonwood student who is learning to read.
K - 6 Boost Enrichment Classes: Elevate your child's learning with our weekly virtual academic and social enrichment program taught by experienced homeschool teachers. Benefit from small class sizes in language arts, math, Spanish, music and art. These year-long classes are available for a small fee and include all materials needed in a carefully curated Boost Supply Kit. Boost students also enjoy meeting up with classmates at field trips and school gatherings throughout the year.
Junior High RISE: Get ready for the next level with our Junior High RISE program. RISE prepares junior high students for high school and fosters independence while developing 21st century skills such as creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Designed to be an all-inclusive curriculum, with live, virtual instruction twice weekly in math, language arts, and science along with electives such as art, music, Spanish, and study skills. Students enjoy engaging projects, teacher-guided discussions, and exclusive field trips and events to foster social and emotional growth.
We will host two info sessions in May for parents to learn about TK-8 Instructional Programs for the 2024-25 school year. Join us to find out what’s new in TK Explorers, Superstar Readers, Boost, and RISE. First, you will hear a brief overview of each of our Cottonwood programs for TK-8th grade students. Then you will have the opportunity to visit breakout rooms to meet our teachers and learn more about each program.
We hope you will consider joining us next year and unlock the potential of our TK-8 programs. Enrich your child's learning journey with a flexible, family-centered approach and meaningful socialization opportunities.
RSVP for one Info Session:
- May 6th, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- May 9th, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Visit a Superstar Readers Class
Do you have a student who will be learning to read in the 2024-25 school year? Students, and parents are invited to visit a Superstar Readers class on Tuesday, May 1st from 9:00 - 9:30 am to get a first-hand look at what makes learning to read and write so much fun in our classes. Join from a tablet or computer to be able to participate in our Nearpod activities.
Are you wondering about Boost for the 2024-25 School Year?
Students and parents who are curious about Boost are welcome to join our current Boost students and teachers for a preview of Boost during our Virtual Year-end Celebration on April 30th from 9:30 am - 11:00 pm. You’ll learn about our math, language arts, music, Spanish, and art classes as you meet students and teachers, view projects and activities completed throughout the year, and celebrate the joy of learning in the Boost community. RSVP to attend using the button below.
RISE Up Day! Visit RISE Classes and Meet RISE Students
Current and newly enrolled students who will be in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade for the 2024-25 school year are invited to visit RISE classes on RISE Up Day, May 14th from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Students will meet our RISE teachers, hear from students about their experience of being in RISE, and find out what to expect in RISE classes. Any rising 6th-8th grader is welcome. Please help them RSVP by filling out the form linked below.
Parents will have the opportunity to learn more about RISE during our Parent Info Session (see above).
Concurrent Enrollment (Open Soon for Fall Classes)
It is time for students to turn in their college forms for fall classes:
Sierra registration opens April 26th | Steps to enrollment with Sierra College
Los Rios registration opens in early May | Steps to enrollment with Los Rios Colleges
A few Concurrent Enrollment Reminders:
Concurrent enrollment means a high school student takes college courses while remaining a full-time high school student.
Students must take a minimum of 20 Cottonwood high school credits with a minimum of 4 classes per semester at Cottonwood and be in good academic standing.
High school students can take a maximum total of 11 college units per semester; a maximum of three college classes will be added to the course schedule and transcript.
CVHS Parent/HST Info Session for the 2024-25 School Year April 24th in Zoom from 3:30-4:30 pm. See this flyer for details.
CVHS 24-25 Class Registration
Registration is open for the 2024-2025 school year. We have added additional sections for core classes and new electives: Music Theory, Advanced Art, and Personal Finance 2. Students can choose from Live! Zoom classes and Self-Paced Edgenuity classes. CVHS is:
University Prep Academics (Live! & Self-Paced)
Student-Centered, Collaborative, & Engaging
Relevant with Real-World Connections
Infused with 21st Century Skills
Integrated with Cross-Curricular Study (24-25 Live!) in CTE, the Arts, & Core Academics
Go HERE for our 2024-2025 Class List and Live Class Schedule
April Links:
Homestudy High School Student April Edition Link
HST and Parent CVHS Presents Quarter 3 Newsletter
CCPA's Road Trip Through the 1920s
The "Road Trip Through the 1920s" immersive walk-through event at our school was an outstanding success, showcasing the remarkable dedication and creativity of our 11th and 12th graders! Through an interdisciplinary approach, students delved deep into the era of the 1920s, curating interactive exhibits that brought to life the essence of the decade. From the glitz and glamour of fashion to the allure of cinema, the roar of the automotive industry to the intrigue of Prohibition, each exhibit captured the era's spirit with finesse. Families and community members visited to witness the culmination of weeks of hard work, marveling at the detailed recreations and immersive experiences crafted by the students. It was a testament to the power of project-based learning and collaborative effort, leaving all who attended with a newfound appreciation for this rich piece of history.
High School Resource Hub
- CVHS Quick Start Guide
- TCS High School Announcements Facebook Page - announcements, college fairs, etc.
- High School Concurrent Enrollment Guidelines
- The Cottonwood High School Course Catalog
- The Cottonwood High School Family Resource - contact Carey Brown, High School Success Coordinator/HST with questions.
All fee-based events for the remainder of this school year are closed. Please visit one of the links below to see free events that are still open for registration.
Our Community Team is excited to host many upcoming spring field trips, and is busy planning for the 2024-25 school year!
Field Trip Registration Hub:
- Eventbrite Collection - View all of our published trips with full trip details directly on Eventbrite
- Upcoming Field Trips & Events - All school-wide field trips & events here in list format
- Parent Hawks' Nest Event Calendar - Login required
Social Media Resource Hub
- OFFICIAL Facebook Community Group
- Official and private, moderated by Cottonwood School staff.
- Ensures accurate information and verifies active members as parents/legal guardians.
- A secure space for information, updates, and community connections.
- Public Instagram
- Pinterest - Tons of resources and ideas to be found.
⏰ Park Day & Parallel Learning Time Reminders
Click the links below to add yourself to our REMIND list for our Park days. A weekly text will be sent to remind you of our upcoming event. Additionally, if there are last-minute location or time changes, you will be updated.
REMIND: Parallel Learning Time
REMIND: Rocklin/Roseville/Lincoln Park Day
Resource Hub
- The Parents Hawks' Nest - Everything you need to know and more is found here.
- School Instructional Calendar 2023-24 - PDF version for print/download
THE COTTONWOOD SCHOOL
Serving transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students in El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Placer, and Sacramento Counties.
Location: 3921 Sandstone Dr. Ste 100, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762, USA
Phone: (530) 285-2003