Cottonwood News
March 1st
Kindergarten 2016-17
Parent informational meeting for incoming Kindergarteners will be March 22nd @ 6:30 at Cottonwood.
Thank you to our Dads and Family for being a part of our Kindergarten activities
National School Breakfast Week
National School Breakfast Week
Wake up to a hot breakfast at your school. Students are invited to enjoy the 4 breakfast options we prepare every day. Come into the kitchen before school starts and enjoy items like pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, or scrambled eggs all served with your choice of milk, fruit and juice.
Students who eat school breakfast attend on average 1.5 more days of school per year and score 17.5% higher on standardized math tests.
Thinking Ahead
Meteorologist - Chance Hays talks to 2nd graders
Nurse Tauke talked to 1st graders about hand washing and germs.
2nd Grade students designed hats that would keep them safe from the sun.
From the Counselor--Personal Safety Unit
Dear Parents,
The students in my counselor time will be learning about personal safety from February 29th through the end of March. Personal safety includes learning about “Stranger Danger” and “Safe Touches.” With spring and summer just around the corner, it’s always a good idea to emphasize student personal safety.
Stranger Danger Unit
Students will learn who a stranger is and how to deal with strangers in public places (i.e. parks, malls, public restrooms, etc.), on the telephone, in cars and for older students on the internet.
The “3 Rules of Stranger Safety” will be emphasized. They are:
1. Yell “No!”
2. Run away fast!
3. Tell an adult right away!
Safe Touches
Students will learn about good touches, bad touches and uncomfortable touches.
· Good touches are touches that feel nice such as: hugs, handshakes, pat on the back, high-five, etc.
· Bad touches are touches that don’t feel very nice such as: hitting, kicking, pushing, shoving, etc.
· Uncomfortable touches are touches that “just don’t feel right.” Uncomfortable touches make us feel uneasy. Students will learn that its O.K. to say “No” when someone’s touching makes them feel uncomfortable. They will learn the times when some kinds of touching may be permitted, such as: If the touching is to keep us (1) clean and/or (2) healthy (i.e. doctors, bathing, diaper changing, etc.). Students will learn and recognize that: (1) No one has the right to touch the private parts of their body, unless it is for clean or healthy reasons. (2) If someone’s touching makes them feel uneasy or uncomfortable, NEVER keep it a secret….Always tell a trusted adult. If that adult doesn’t believe you, keep telling until someone does. *Terminology will be kept simple, referring to the private parts of the body as “the parts that are covered by your swimming suit”, rather than using specific body part names. Parents can teach specific body part names at home, if they so desire.
The “3 Rules of Touching Safety” will be emphasized. They are:
1. Say “No!”
2. Get away fast!
3. Tell an adult you trust. Never keep it a secret if someone’s touching makes you feel uncomfortable!
Summary
Our children are precious...let’s work together to help keep them safe. Alertness and knowledge of safety rules are the best protection your child can have. Please talk to your children about personal safety today.
If you have any questions about the “Personal Safety Unit,” please feel free to contact me at school at 218-4620 ext. 2. I’d be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Respectfully,
Marcie Faust – faustm@usd385.org
CES Counselor, LPC/NBCC
From the Nurse's Office--Mrs. Whiddon and Mrs. Tauke
Dental screenings for all students were done on Friday February 19th. Dr. Howell, of Andover, graciously donated his time for our students and we are Thankful for his generosity! All students should have brought home a sheet of paper from this screening. If you have any questions, please contact the health office. Keep brushing those teeth!
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. We are in need of Velveeta Cheese boxes and any wax paper, plastic wrap, aluminum foil sized boxes. We could use the tube from them as well. We will share our projects when they are complete.
March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’s birthday—what better way to celebrate than to read? Did you know Dr. Seuss would be 112 this year? While he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in the pages of his books. He forever changed the way children’s books were written and continues to inspire generations. What was your favorite Dr. Seuss book? Take some time this week and read One Fish, Two Fish, The Lorax or Cat in the Hat with your child. Share a moment and a memory. Read Dr. Seuss books, use your imagination, and be silly!
http://www.seussville.com/parents/themes/hats-off-to-dr-seuss-s-birthday
PTO News
Need something to collect. Mrs. Rooks is asking for pop tops or package codes from Coke products. Here is a list of participating brands. Just drink a refreshing soda/water/juice and bring the top or cardboard code to the office and Mrs. Rooks will input your codes.
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
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
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