October Newsletter

22-23 School Year

September Paw Award Winners

The following students were recognized during the month of September for doing something positive for the staff or other students. Each student who is nominated receives a certificate of recognition and each month we randomly select students to receive a fun prize from Mr. Troast. September PAW Award Winners are:


Pre-School: Maverick Ray


Kindergarten: Ben King and Everett Chapman


1st Grade: Xander Edwards and Annabelle Ducey


2nd Grade: Giuliana Paletta and Jonathon Bootan

Attendace Matters

Attendace Matters

September was Attendance Awareness Month


Attending school has a huge impact on student success.


We realize some absences are for health or other unavoidable reasons. But, when students are absent 2 or more days per month (or 18 days over the school year) they can fall far behind in what they learn. Excused and unexcused absences both mean missing classroom learning time. Absences can add up. This year we want to do our best to encourage every student to do their best to miss no more than 9 days of school, or an average of 1 day per month. To achieve this goal, we need your help.


Thanks to the generosity of a local business, Cottonwood students will have the opportunity to earn several prizes throughout the year for good attendance. Please click on the link below for more information. An opportunity to earn a prize will be available every 9 weeks starting in October

Attendace Matters
Mr. Troast's book of the month: Sticks

Mr. Troast's book of the month: Sticks

This month I wanted to highlight a book that I believe everyone can relate to. It's about finding yourself in a situation that didn't turn out as you expected. Has that ever happened to you? The message of being able to use your friends and family to pick yourself back up and persevere through the many challenges you will face. Talk with Mrs. Johnston and check this book out now in the Cottonwood Library.
Mr. Troast's book of the month: Sticks
Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on October 12th from 4 pm to 8:00 pm and on October 13th from 8 am to 8:00 pm. Classroom teachers will be reaching out to parents with their available conference times. We encourage all parents to attend conferences in person, but if your schedule cannot accommodate teachers can meet with you via phone call or Zoom. During conferences, your child's classroom teacher will discuss current progress and relevant data based on the beginning of the school year. Please remember there will no school on Friday, October 14th.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Book Fair Week!

The book fair is coming! Our book fair will be held October 10th-13th. We will have in-person shopping days as well as online purchasing opportunities. Please see the links below for information regarding the online portion of the book fair and book fair hours at Cottonwood throughout the week.


We are in search of parent volunteers to help with our book fair. It takes a lot of time and effort for our staff to prepare and run the book fair each year. In addition, our staff working hard to get ready for fall conferences. It helps our staff if we have parent volunteers help run the book fair during the week, especially, on Oct 12th and 13th. If you are willing to help, please complete the google form below.

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Make a Note: Halloween Guidelines

Make a Note: Halloween Guidelines


Halloween Costumes-Students will still be able to wear their costumes at school with the following guidelines:


Students choosing to dress up may wear their costumes to school. Students will not be able to change into their costumes during the day so it should be something they are comfortable wearing all day. As always, costumes should be:


  • School-appropriate without reference to blood, guts, gore, and/or guns.
  • No toy weapons can be part of a costume.
  • Face paint and costume masks are discouraged for all students.
  • If a costume has a mask, students will be asked to put the mask away during the instructional time during the day.
Make a Note: Halloween Guidelines

Halloween Parade and Parties

Halloween Parties-Each classroom teacher will send out information with their classroom specifics. Classroom parties are not meant to be a major disruption in our day. We encourage families to sign their children out after their parties have concluded. Please be respectful when leaving the building as dismissal will be taking place shortly after.


Halloween Parade-We are excited to announce that we will be having our annual Halloween Parade in collaboration with Sunflower. Students will walk a large loop beginning in the bus loop of each building. Students will walk along both sides of 303rd entering the bus loop of the other school and circling back to their own school. See the map below.


You will be able to see both schools' parades by any of the viewing locations on the map. Please abide by the following guidelines:


  • Parents may park in any of the school parking lots (CW, SES, PMS, or PHS) and walk to a viewing area.
  • Parade visitors must stay in the viewing areas.


Our parade is weather dependent and we will make adjustments accordingly.

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Panther Pumpkins

Panther Pumpkins

Panther Pumpkins are back at Cottonwood. Last year, your challenge was to decorate your pumpkins for Panther Pride and we had amazing results!


This year your challenge is to decorate your pumpkin to be representative of your favorite book at home. You can use a variety of materials to make your pumpkin including paint, construction paper, pipe cleaners, glue, glitter, or anything you have lying around your house. Please do not worry about the size of the pumpkin, we encourage students to use small to medium size pumpkins to complete this challenge. Pumpkins can be brought to school the week of Oct 24th and will be on display til Nov 1st. So be creative and we can't wait to see those pumpkins.


Please no carved pumpkins!

Panther Pumpkins

October Calendar:

  • October 3rd-Dental Clinic
  • October 10th- Board of Education Meeting 6:00 pm
  • October 10th-13th- Book Fair
  • October 11th- First Grade Field Trip
  • October 12th- Picture re-takes
  • October 12th- Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
  • October 13th- Parent Teacher Conferences 8:00am to 8:00pm
  • October 14th- No School
  • October 24th-28th- Acts of Kindness Week
  • October 31st- Halloween Party and Parade
Cottonwood Elementary

Cottonwood Elementary

Cottonwood Elementary
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me: corey_troast@usd368.org or call the school at 913-294-8050
709 Hedge Ln, Paola, KS 66071, USA corey_troast@usd368.org 913-294-8050 usd368.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Cottonwood%20Elementary