News from the Creek
Hippo Nation...Better Together! Jan 2020
A Note from your CCE Principal
Dear CCES Families--
On behalf of everyone here at Cottonwood Creek, we hope that you have enjoyed this holiday season with your family, friends, and lots of great food! As 2020 gets going, it is important to know that our work in education does not begin with a new calendar year, but continues with the same focus set by our district. That is exciting to know and provides the foundation for all that we do at Cottonwood Creek Elementary each and every day: Hutto ISD aspires to be the premier choice in education through innovation, leadership, and diversity. Our staff works to support all of our students so that they can show excellence in academics, character, and in their community!
Closing out the Fall semester at CCE, our students and staff demonstrated many of these skills as they collected 118 toys for needy students, 50 pairs of socks were collected for families, safety patrol and student council teams started their work to support and lead our school, robotics participated and won honors at competition, honor choir sang carols during the holiday in our community festival, etc. Trunk-or-Treat, Jingle Walk, and Santa Supper were a huge success; thanks to our families and community support! There are so many great things to celebrate!
During this Spring semester, students will be preparing for many things. There will be field trips, family nights/performances, state testing and assessments, 5th grade will be getting ready for the next school year and visiting with middle school representatives, etc. Our students will be ready for anything that comes their way thanks to the support that they receive from our wonderful staff and teachers. Our hearts are in everything that we do and students are thriving because of that. When you see or communicate with your student's teacher, please let them know that you appreciate them. Please join our PTA if you would like to show your support for our school and be part of the planning of events that take place here at the Creek~ We know that we appreciate our families!
Cottonwood Creek Elementary has the BEST Staff, Students, and Families! We truly are "Better Together"! Our students are "Legendary" at Cottonwood Creek Elementary!
With Hippo Nation in Mind,
Linda Pachicano
Principal, Cottonwood Creek Elementary
Notes and Reminders from....
Linda Pachicano, Principal
Here is some information to be aware of when visiting our campus:
- Please check in at the front office & check out at the front office; exit through the front doors when leaving the building; return your badge upon exiting
- Office Hours are from 7:10 AM - 4:00 PM
- School Hours are from 7:40 AM - 3:00 PM; Please pick up students on time each day
- Instructional Day begins at 7:40 AM; Please drop off your students in the cafeteria before that time. Visitors to classrooms are discouraged to protect student learning during instructional times. Teachers are available to conference with parents during their conference times.
- Transportation changes need to be made by 2:00 PM to allow our office staff enough time to notify teachers and staff of any changes. Please call the school office, send an email to our front office staff & teacher, or in person.
- Families are welcomed to join their students during lunch. We have parent tables available for your convenience.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Email: linda.pachicano@huttoisd.net
Location: 3160 Limmer Loop, Hutto, TX, USA
Phone: 512-759-5430
Gregory Althoff, Assistant Principal
Parents sometimes have questions about supports that their student may be eligible for under Section 504 based on a student's diagnosis that may impact life activities. I am including a link with more information about 504 services if you would like to learn more about the federal program. If you have any questions about this program or currently have a student in 504 and have questions, please reach out. I am here to support and answer any questions. Thank you!
Email: gregory.althoff@huttoisd.net
Location: 3160 Limmer Loop, Hutto, TX, USA
Phone: 512-759-5430
Valerie Kozak, Counselor
Happy New Year CCE families!
Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center (WCCAC) is a child serving organization that prides itself by providing hope, healing and justice to children and families across Williamson County. In addition to the variety of free services offered at WCCAC, prevention and early education has become a primary focus to further support safe and healthy families across the county. The week of January 27th, WCCAC will provide body safety lessons called “Play It Safe” to all students during their specials.
There will be an optional Parent Information Meeting on Monday, January 27th 5:30 p.m-7:00 p.m at Cottonwood Creek Elementary cafeteria with important information about keeping our students safe in our community.
Please contact me directly if you have any questions about this resource and would like to learn more.
Mentor Program-
Would your child benefit from having an adult mentor or are you interested in becoming a mentor to one of our students? Please email me for additional information at valerie.kozak@huttoisd.net
Lost an Item? Come to our "Lost at the Creek" area located in the cafeteria. Our amazing PTA has organized all student items in a friendly way to help families locate their missing things. Thank you!
Email: valerie.kozak@huttoisd.net
Location: 3160 Limmer Loop, Hutto, TX, USA
Phone: 512-759-5430
Billie Duncan-Smith, Principal's Secretary
Happy New Year!
Interested in subbing at our campus?
Please ask me how to get started, we would love to have you on board here at The Creek!
A note from our PTA~
If you not had the opportunity to sign up for being a volunteer, please go to https://www.hipponation.org/Page/1971 to register.
Estella Alvarado, Registrar/PEIMS/Attendance
Transfer window is currently open for the Spring, please check out the district page for more information or stop by my area and ask.
Need to know more about Attendance Laws: Click here for information that we share at our Attendance 101 Meetings.
Next Attendance Meeting is Thursday, January 9th, 2020.
- You can always email any doctor notes to estella.alvarado@huttoisd.net
Thank you!
Nicole Baker, Campus Receptionist
Happy Birthday!
- Please let your child's teacher know at least the day before if you are planning on sending birthday cupcakes to celebrate your student's birthday. Our teachers plan/adjust their plans to accommodate cupcakes at the end of the school day.
- Birthdays are celebrated the last 15-20 minutes of the day to protect instructional time and keep us in compliance with school lunch & nutritional guidelines.
- Take advantage of our PTA Birthday Gram, for $5 students receive their personal Birthday Gram delivered to their classroom on their birthday. See the PTA facebook page or email them directly for more information.
- Please pick up students on time after dismissal. Our students have had a long day and are ready to head home and our office staff is working to complete their day. We understand that sometimes emergencies may arise, but please make arrangements to have someone else pick up your students if you are running late and communicate changes to the front office at 512-759-5430 as soon as you know that you are running behind. Help us keep the office running smoothly. Thank you!
Rodney Mcelyea, Nurse
Flu season is upon us! Please help us fight the flu, here are a few things parents can do.
Please remember:
- If your student is diagnosed with Influenza (type A or type B), please inform the school nurse and keep your child home from school for at least 24 hours after their fever (above 100°F) is gone.
- Fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
- If you have any questions, please contact your health care professional or the school nurse.
Please review the information at the links from the CDC website.
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/family/flu-guide-for-parents-2018.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/spanish/flu_guide_parents_flyer_sp.pdf
Thanks
Nurse Rod
What's Happening at the Creek...
1/6-1/17: Middle of the Year Student Screeners Continue (Measuring Progress in K-2)
1/6 - 1/10: Interim Assessments (Curriculum Assessments for Grades 3-5)
1/6: Student Holiday/Staff Development Day (No School for Students)
1/7: Students 1st Day Back to School from Winter Break
1/9: Open Gym Night @ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM @ CCE Gym "Come on out and have some fun!"
1/13: Patrick Carman, Author, Visits CCE 3rd-5th Grade Classes @ 11:00 AM
1/16: SLAM (Science, Literacy, and Math) Night at the Creek! 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
There will be lots of teacher led activities and events scheduled for the evening. Science Fair
projects will be on display this evening as well. Our RobotAMUS club will be presenting and
you can earn a homework pass for attending.
1/20: MLK Day/ Student and Staff Holiday (No School)
PTA Double Dave Spirit Night (Mention our School when Ordering) We get 20%! Thank you!
1/22: 2nd 9 Weeks Awards Assembly/HippoWay Awards
PK- 2nd Grades 8:00 AM- 9:30 AM; 3rd- 5th Grades 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
1/23: Hutto ISD School Board Meeting 6 PM - 9 PM "Come Join Us"
1/27: WILCO Children's Advocacy Center Parent Info night 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM "Play It Safe"
1/31: Last Day to Return your Schlitterbahn "Waves of Pages" Reading Log to your teacher for a free Schlitterbahn Pass
Cottonwood Creek Elementary has Spirit! Yes, we do!
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.