News from the Creek
Hippo Nation...Better Together! April 2020
A Note from your CCE Principal
Dear CCES Families--
Thank you for all you do at home to support your student! You are doing an amazing job, families!
When we released for Spring Break earlier in March, little did we anticipate that our community, county, state, and nation would be impacted the way that it has been due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Even though this current situation has impacted most of our lives recently, our Hutto Community has demonstrated that when we come together to support each other, we definitely are #BetterTogether. Here is a district link that contains the latest updates for our Hutto community: COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) INFORMATION . We are also asking families to check their skyward family access for important district emails every Tuesday and Friday after 2 PM. Our district leadership and various departments have gone above and beyond to provide timely communication and support to our Hutto community. Together our campuses will ensure that our parents have the most up-to-date information.
As we begin the month of April, our teachers and staff deeply MISS our students, families, and our normal routines. We know that our families and students feel the same way and our hopes are on returning to our normal routines and campus life. Our passion as educators is growing students and our teachers keep this passion at heart even when we can't see our students under normal circumstances! With that said, our teachers and staff are working their very best to provide the best opportunities for online learning for all of our students. Cottonwood Creek Elementary is using Google Classroom as our primary online learning platform to continue providing instruction to our students. This week our district distributed over 2,600 chromebooks laptops to students last week! We will have another opportunity for students to receive a device for pick-up on Tuesday at the Hutto High School from 5 PM - 7 PM. Every teacher has reached out personally to families to see how families are doing and to learn how they can support student needs at home and with their assignments. Online assignments have been started this school week. Teachers will have virtual office hours and are available through email to answer your questions as a family.
As we work through this time together, I can tell you that we will unite as a community and campus! CCE is ready to support our students and families; Juntos we are #BetterTogether!
As we all plan to continue to follow the guidelines set forth by our state leaders, The Creek wants to wish you and your family a safe and healthy time together! Please check out the following link to our Elementary Counselor Newsletter for some social-emotional resources and ideas to keep our minds and thoughts healthy as we navigate through this time together.
Cottonwood Creek Elementary has the BEST Staff, Students, and Families! We truly are "Better Together"! Our students are "Legendary" at Cottonwood Creek Elementary! Check out our first "Love from the Creek" and second "Love from the Creek Pt.2" Video! Enjoy!
With our families and HippoNation in Mind,
Linda Pachicano
Principal, Cottonwood Creek Elementary
Notes and Reminders from....
What's Happening at the Creek...
School Closing Update
Hutto ISD To Be Closed from March 23 - May 3
Tuesday, March 31, Governor Abbott issued an executive order to extend the closure of all schools in Texas until May 4.
By executive order of the Governor of Texas, Hutto ISD has suspended normal operations and closed facilities through May 3.
At this time, should health conditions improve throughout the state, we expect to resume classes on Monday, May 4.
During this time, all Hutto ISD facilities will be closed for instruction. The closure also includes UIL events, athletics, rentals, field trips, and after-school activities.
We remain in daily communication with all Williamson County school districts, as well as pertinent health and government agencies.
Linda Pachicano, Principal
A big shout out to all of our families! We love our students and families! We know that you are balancing this new normal at home and appreciate your work with students.
Hutto ISD is actively communicating with all stakeholders and following the guidance of our local, state, and federal health agencies to ensure the most up-to-date information and guidance is available in efforts to keep our community informed and healthy.
Please stay up-to-date by checking out this link.
Email: linda.pachicano@huttoisd.net
Location: 3160 Limmer Loop, Hutto, TX, USA
Phone: 512-759-5430
Gregory Althoff, Assistant Principal
We are working to conduct business as usual when it comes to holding ARD, 504, and Student Success Team (SST) Meetings. Please know that our campus coordinators for these programs will use Google Hangout Meets to invite you to a virtual meeting if these are scheduled for your child. If you have any questions about these meetings, please email the following coordinators for support:
Kylie Heer, Special Education Diagnostican (ARD Meetings) @ kylie.heer@huttoisd.net
Gregory Althoff, Assistant Principal (504 Coordinator/SST Meetings) @ gregory.althoff@huttoisd.net
Email: gregory.althoff@huttoisd.net
Location: 3160 Limmer Loop, Hutto, TX, USA
Phone: 512-759-5430
Valerie Kozak, Counselor
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Phil Wilson
HHS Executive Commissioner
Date: March 31, 2020
Contact: Elliott Sprehe, 512-462-6350
Elliott.Sprehe@hhsc.state.tx.us
HHSC Launches Statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line
AUSTIN – Texas Health and Human Services has launched a 24/7 statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This new resource offers COVID-19-related mental health support for all Texans. People can call the Statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free at 833-986-1919.
“Through this new effort, we are connecting Texans with mental health professionals who can help provide support to those who are feeling overwhelmed and stressed,” said Sonja Gaines, Deputy Executive Commissioner for Intellectual and Developmental Disability and Behavioral Health Services. “It can be helpful to talk to someone when you are facing anxiety, depression and stress, which are not uncommon to experience in the face of a rapidly changing situation like a pandemic.”
Operated by the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, the support line offers trauma-informed support and psychological first aid to those experiencing stress and anxiety related to COVID-19. Counseling services are confidential and free of charge to people who call the hotline.
“It is important to recognize how our mental health can be affected by the pandemic,” said Sen. Jane Nelson. “The mental health support line for COVID-19 will go a long way to ensure Texans who are struggling with anxiety, depression or other mental health issues can access the care they need.”
For general health-related information and precautions on COVID-19, people can visit the DSHS webpage and the CDC webpage. To stay up-to-date on the latest news impacting HHS services and regulated providers, people can visit the HHS COVID-19 webpage.
For more information on mental health resources, find your local mental health authority here.
Email: valerie.kozak@huttoisd.net
Location: 3160 Limmer Loop, Hutto, TX, USA
Phone: 512-759-5430
Billie Duncan-Smith, Principal's Secretary
Did you miss the March Principal's Letter?
Click here to access that communication. Thank you for supporting our campus!
Estella Alvarado, Registrar/PEIMS/Attendance
Thinking about transferring your student to CCE?
2020-2021 Student Transfer Procedures & Guidelines
The Student Transfer Application acceptance process has been put on hold until normal operations on campuses and the District office are resumed. The transfer timeline will be shifted to accommodate submission of applications for additional weeks. That timeline will be determined and published once normal operations resume.
Please email me at estella.alvarado@huttoisd.net if you have questions about the process once it begins.
Report Cards are being mailed out this week/sent through family access. Please check those out and reach out to teachers if you have any questions.
Thank you!
Nicole Baker, Campus Receptionist
Parents- Please be aware that teachers have virtual "office hours", please reach out to your child's teacher directly if you need to contact them. The office phone voice mail is not easily accessible at this time.
Rodney Mcelyea, Nurse
Please review the information at the links from the CDC website.
We wish all our families stay safe and healthy!
Nurse Rod
Campus Mission, Vision, and Staff Belief Statements
CCE Mission:
Fostering Growth, Strengthening Relationships, Inspiring Excellence
CCE Vision:
Cottonwood Creek aspires to be a safe, positive, and innovative learning environment in which each unique individual is accepted, respected, encouraged, challenged and supported.
Cottonwood Creek Elementary Staff Core Belief Statements
We believe in creating a diverse school and classroom environment where emotional and physical safety and security is a top priority for all students and staff.
We believe that taking into consideration that every students’ educational needs are important, every decision should be made in the best interest of all students and their individual success.
We believe parents/guardians and community involvement are vital to the success of our students.
We believe character and social/emotional well-being is as important as academic achievement.
We believe communication is a two-way process for the school-home learning connection as well as for delivery of information.
We believe in enriching academics and the social-emotional environment by providing various innovative learning opportunities to prepare students for their individual pathways towards success.