Cottonwood News
February 4th, 2019
Pre-Enrollment for 2019-20
This form will give us the name of your Kindergartener. Please call or email the office with a date of birth, address and parent information so that we can put you on our mailing list for Kindergarten Round-Up--March 26th and Kindergarten visitation--May 3rd. More information about Kindergarten will be on the district website.
News You Can Use
Redesign-Previous newsletters have explained what Redesign is, now is we start working on the what of Redesign.
Our first prototype is "Explorations." Through explorations, we are providing opportunities for students to learn something non-academic. Staff members were asked to identify an area they would like to share with students. Some of the topics include yoga, bal-a-vis-x, drumming, legos, coding, book study, and playing games. Students reviewed the choices and picked their top three. For the next 6 weeks, students will meet with their small interest group to explore. At this time only students in Mrs. Barscewski's, Mrs. Hachen's, Mrs. Hesterman's, Mrs. Ralston's and Mrs. Fox's classes are able to participate. We are starting small, with the hopes to expand to other grade levels during the fourth quarter or next year. If you have a talent or idea for a group, please email Mrs. Rooks. If you hear a few comments from your student, please feel free to share with us.
Another prototype is Second Step. It is a program rooted in social-emotional learning (SEL) that helps transform schools into supportive, successful learning environments uniquely equipped to encourage children to thrive. More than just a classroom curriculum, Second Step helps create a more empathetic society by providing education professionals, families, and the larger community with tools to enable them to take an active role in the social-emotional growth and safety of today’s children. Teachers in 1st grade, 2nd grade, and Mrs. Ralston are piloting this program. You can learn more about Second Step at www.secondstep.org
As, we begin to put more prototypes in place, we will keep you informed through the newsletter, site council and PTO. Anytime you have a question, please don't hesitate to call or email Mrs. Rooks.
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.
Winter Recess—Recess is held outside whenever possible. We all need fresh air and the chance to run around. Teachers monitor wind chills and temperature before going outside. Please make sure your child dresses appropriately for cold weather. Coats, hats, and gloves are sometimes a must! If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call.
Snow Days: If for some reason, school is canceled because of weather, you can check the local news stations for closings. The Andover Schools will send out a School Messenger call to let parents know of closings. School Messenger only calls updated numbers in PowerSchool, so please keep your information current.
Global Play Day-February 6th
Cottonwood will be participating in Global School Play Day 2019 (GSPD.) This will be our 4th year participating in this global event. Our students will be joining with almost 500,000 other students around the world, learning important 21st Century skills. (Communication, teamwork, winning/losing, creating, imagining). You can learn more about the benefits of unstructured play by visiting the official GSPD website: www.globalschoolplayday.com. I am inviting all of our students to bring in things to play with on this very special day.
Rock and Roll Forever
The 2nd and 3rd Grade Music Program will be Thursday, 2/7 at 7 p.m. in the Andover High School (AHS) auditorium. The theme of the program is “Rock and Roll Forever” and will feature the musically talented 2nd and 3rd graders who have been working hard on their program to give their family and friends a musical treat!
Dress is blue jeans rolled up at the hems and a plain colored t-shirt, no writing or pictures. Girls may wear plain t-shirts with poodle skirts if they have skirts.
The music program will be professionally recorded again and DVDs are available at $18. Forms will be coming home soon and should be returned to Mrs. Nobach by Friday, February 8, 2019.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to e-mail me at martinee1@usd385.org
Thank you,
Mrs. Nobach, Cottonwood Vocal Music
Upcoming Events
February 5th PTO Meeting @ 7:00
February 6th Global Play Day
February 7th Kdg to Great Plains Nature Center 9:30-11:30
February 7th 2nd/3rd grade music program @ 7:00 @ AHS
February 14th Valentine's Parties
February 15th No School
February 18th No School
February 20th PTO Mother-Son Night @ The Alley
February 28th Parent Teacher Conferences 4-6
March 5th Site Council @ 5:30
March 5th PTO Meeting @ 7:00
March 7th End of 3rd Quarter
Counselor's Corner--Marcie Faust
Classroom Guidance: This month’s themes are caring and compassion. Caring is displaying kindness and concern for others. Compassion is sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. During the month, we will also be talking about the importance of internet safety.
Students participate in the Kansas State Assessments at grades three, four, and five. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Rooks, Mrs. Faust or your child's teacher. Please make sure that your child is here everyday during testing. Make sure that they get a good breakfast and plenty of rest.
National School Counselor Week is February 4th through the 8th. This year’s theme is “Providing Lessons For Life.” We are celebrating each day with a character trait and message.
Monday- Be Respectful-What matters most-The Golden Rule-Treat others the way you want to be treated.–Wear gold.
Tuesday-Be You-Showing Citizenship-have the courage to set a new trend-dress in your own trendy style.
Wednesday-Be Responsible-Dress like the Career you want to pursue.
Thursday-Be Resourceful-Dress like a rock star.
Friday-Be a team player-Dress in your favorite team jersey or Cottonwood shirt.
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. Remember to send your child’s banana split money if you have not already done so. ($1.50) Thanks for all you do!!
There will be many cold days ahead. If your family is in need of anything please let me know. I have additional resources that I can connect you with.
Marcie Faust-Cottonwood Counselor/LPC/NBCC
316-218-4620 ext. 2
Nurse's News
Stay Healthy!
Mrs. Rebel and Mrs. Peay
Cottonwood PTO
Check out our Facebook page for more information. Our next meeting is February 6th from 7:00-8:00 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 20th 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 Event--Update-We will host our annual Father-Daughter Dance on Friday,
April 12th from 6:00-8:00 at CES. Be sure to mark the date on your calendar.
Spring Fling--Our Spring Family Night will be at All-Star Sports on April 28th from 6:00-8:00.
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/MrsDsClass/
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 @Mrs_Ralston
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. Hinz https://www.facebook.com/1stgradehinz/
Mrs. Hanna https://www.facebook.com/MrsHannasKindergarten/?fref=ts
Mrs. Wagner https://www.facebook.com/Wagner-Kinders-826576851066135/
Mrs. Wood @woods1stgrade, https://fb.me/woodslittlelearners
Mrs. Wilson https://www.facebook.com/Wilsonart2015/?fref=ts
Mrs. Nobach https://www.facebook.com/groups/2114346102210974/about/
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--February 13th
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