Cottonwood News
May 14, 2018
News You Can Use
Thank You!--A big THANK YOU to our PTO for showering us with food last week! We all ate extremely well and felt loved and appreciated during Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you for sending your students to Cottonwood.
Cottonwood Field Day--Mr. Smith is starting to plan for the annual Cottonwood Field Day, so mark your calendars for May 17th. K-2 will participate in events from 9:00-11:00 and then 3-5 will have their turn from 1:00-3:00. Parents are welcome to walk around with their children during the events and then join their students for lunch. Tennis shoes, water bottles, and sunscreen are all encouraged.
Cottonwood Bond Update--The foundation for the playground equipment has been poured. That will cure for a few days and then the surface will be added. The kids are anxiously awaiting its completion. If the weather cooperates, we hope the kids will get to play on the new equipment before school is out.
USD385 Bond Update--Want to follow the progress throughout the district? Check out the website for news and pictures. Click here
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. Anything left after May 23rd will be taken to Goodwill.
Preparing for the 18-19 School Year
In the meantime, you can keep your e-mails current in PowerSchool and double check your passwords, as you will use this platform to enroll for next year. The district will send out information regarding enrollment, fees, and transportation later in July.
Don't forget, elementary hours are 8:45-3:45. Breakfast will begin at 8:20 in the cafeteria. YMCA Latchkey is available before school from 6:30-8:45 or after school from 3:45-6:00.
Gemini II Schools -- Ready to Launch
Kansas Vision for Education
Kansans are demanding higher standards in academic skills, as well as employability and citizenship skills, and the need to move away from a “one-size-fits-all” system that relies exclusively on state assessments. This new vision for education calls for a more student-focused system that provides support and resources for individual success and will require everyone to work together to make it a reality. Together, Kansans Can.
Outcomes to be measured
- Social-emotional growth measured locally
- Kindergarten readiness
- Individual Plan of Study based on career interest
- High school graduation
- Postsecondary success
Nineteen school districts from across the state will take part in Gemini II: The Space Walk Begins, which is the next round of the Kansans Can School Redesign Project. We are happy to announce that Cottonwood is one of those schools. During the Fall semester, we will begin planning and researching what a successful student looks like and how we can impact their learning experience. During the Spring, we will use our research to pilot a program or strategy. We will implement our learning in the 2019-20 school year. It is an exciting time for students and for educators in the state of Kansas. If you want to be a part of the site council, which will learn alongside our teachers and prepare for implementation, please email Mrs. Rooks.
If you would like to read more information about Kansas Redesign, please visit http://www.ksde.org/Agency/Fiscal-and-Administrative-Services/Communications-and-Recognition-Programs/Vision-Kansans-Can/School-Redesign.
PTO Officers
Congratulations to the PTO officers for 2018-19
President - Tijen Owings
Vice President - Michael Scolari
Secretary - Rachel Neibling
Treasurer - Sarah Osburn
If you have questions or comments on how to make PTO better for next year, please don't hesitate to email one of them. We are always looking for ways to improve. We are all in this together!
Student - Staff Basketball Game
Upcoming events
There is so much happening in the last month of school. This list is subject to change.
May 15th Last Day for AR tests
4th Grade States Tour @ 2:30
May 16th
May 17th AR Parties for grades 1-5 (Ice cream sandwiches & recess)
3rd grade (10:30-11:00)
4th grade (11:00-11:30)
1st grade (2:00-2:30)
2nd grade (2:30-3:00)
5th grade (3:10-3:40)
May 17th Field Day (K-2 from 9:00-11:00; 3-5 from 1:00-3:00)
May 18th AR Party in the Park 10:00-2:00
May 21st Cottonwood Buddy Olympics 9:30-10:45
May 21st Staff BB game @ 2:00
May 22nd Report Cards go home
May 22nd 11:30 K Celebration @ 11:30
May 22nd 1:30 5th Grade Promotion
May 23rd Early Out @ 1:45
Counselor's Corner
Counselor Time---During May, we will review what bullying is and what to do if you are being bullied. We will also continue talking about stranger danger.
AMS transition- Please let me know if your child is struggling with this. I can spend some extra time with them on this topic.
Summer Help and Activities-If you are in need of finding a tutor or help for your child this summer please feel free to contact me for assistance. Information about summer programs is available through Peachjar or email me for more information.
Marcie Faust
Cottonwood Counselor/LPC/NBCC
316-218-4620 ext. 2
Nurse's News
The health office has completed all required hearing and vision screenings. If your child failed one of the screenings, you should have been contacted by mail or phone. If you haven't heard from us, your child passed. If you have questions, please give us a call. You can also see results on CareDocs.
Just a reminder that if your child has over the counter medication or daily prescription medication at school, it will need to be picked up by a parent. All emergency medications, such as rescue inhalers, epi-pens or Diastat will be sent home with the student on the last day in a sealed bag unless other arrangements are made by parent and health office staff. All medication left in health office will be destroyed at the end of the school year.
Stay Healthy!
Mrs. Tauke and Mrs. Peay
Cottonwood PTO
Check out our Facebook page for more information. Our next meeting will be in August. Please join us to see what is happening at Cottonwood.
We want to thank everyone who was able to volunteer throughout the year. Your support benefits our students and staff. We look forward to working with you again soon!
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/MrsDefebaugh/
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 Twitter @Mrs_Ralston https://www.facebook.com/MrsRalstons4thGrade/?ref=settings
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. McKenna https://www.facebook.com/1stgrademckenna/
Mrs. Hanna https://www.facebook.com/MrsHannasKindergarten/?fref=ts
Mrs. Johnson/Mrs. Hays -- Hays & Johnson Kindergarten Connection (Ask for permission to join)
Mrs. Wilson https://www.facebook.com/Wilsonart2015/?fref=ts
Ms. Martinez https://www.facebook.com/eliana.martinez11
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.
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