The Wednesday Weekly - Apr 3
4/3/24
April 3, 2024
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Kindly, Kara
Embracing Language Arts: A Journey of Discovery in Homeschooling
Dear Homeschooling Families,
Welcome back from spring break! We hope you had a rejuvenating and restful time with your loved ones, soaking up the sunshine and embracing the beauty of the season. As we transition back into our homeschooling rhythm, let's embark on a heartfelt conversation about one of the cornerstones of our homeschooling journey: language arts. It's a subject that often wears many hats—reading, writing, comprehension, communication—and can sometimes feel like navigating a labyrinth. But fear not, fellow homeschoolers, as there's magic to be found in the journey.
Discovering Through Stories
Think back to the first time your child stumbled upon a captivating story or wrote a heartfelt poem. Those moments are the beating heart of language arts education. It's through stories, both shared and created, that our children learn to empathize, analyze, and communicate. So let's cherish those moments of discovery and celebrate the power of storytelling in our homeschooling adventures.
Finding Meaningful Resources
In our homeschooling community, we're fortunate to have a wealth of resources at our fingertips. From beloved classics to innovative writing programs, there's something out there to suit every learner. Take the time to explore and discover what resonates with your child. Whether it's a cozy read-aloud session with a favorite book or a creative writing workshop that sparks their imagination, let's find joy in the journey of learning.
Tips for a Fulfilling Journey
As we navigate the winding paths of language arts, here are a few ideas to consider:
Create a Nurturing Environment: Cultivate a love of language by surrounding your child with books, poetry, and opportunities for creative expression. Let your home be a sanctuary for imagination to flourish.
Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: Language arts skills develop at their own pace. Celebrate each step forward, whether it's mastering a new phonics rule or crafting a beautifully written essay. Encourage perseverance and growth, and remember that mistakes are simply stepping stones on the path to success.
Make it Personal: Tailor your language arts curriculum to your student’s interests and passions. If they love animals, why not explore nature poetry or research their favorite creatures? By making learning personal and relevant, you'll ignite a lifelong love of learning.
Embrace the Journey: Homeschooling is a journey of discovery, filled with twists, turns, and unexpected detours. Embrace the adventure, and trust in the process. Remember that each moment, whether it's a triumph or a challenge, is an opportunity for growth and connection.
As you journey through the realm of language arts together, may you find joy in the stories you share, the words you write, and the connections you forge with your children. Aim to cherish each moment, savoring the beauty of learning together.
Kindly,
Kara Parkins
Don't Forget The 100 Hours Outdoors Challenge!
As the weather warms up, it's the perfect time to embark on our 100 Hours Outdoors Challenge! Remember, the goal is to explore and appreciate the beauty of nature by spending time outdoors engaging in various activities. Whether it's hiking, biking, picnicking, reading, or even studying, every moment spent in the great outdoors counts towards your challenge progress.
Exciting News: We're thrilled to announce that Leatherby's has generously donated certificates for free sundaes as prizes for completing the challenge! Yes, you read that right – free sundaes await those who conquer the 100 Hours Outdoors Challenge. So lace up your shoes, grab your sunscreen, and let's make the most of this outdoor adventure!
Keep an eye on your progress, and don't forget to share your outdoor escapades with us using #100HoursOutdoorsChallenge on our Facebook or Instagram pages. Let's embrace the beauty of nature together and savor the sweet rewards that await at the finish line. Happy exploring!
You can find more info about dates & events throughout the newsletter or on the Hawks' Nest Calendar.
Remember, this list does not include all events hosted by The Cottonwood School. Please check your personal calendar and email for field trip reminders, class reminders, and more.
Upcoming Week
- Wed, April 3:
- Cottonwood Regional Park Days
- General Ordering (everything except Amazon Punchout) CLOSES at 4:30 pm
- Mon, April 8:
- Mindset Mondays - see SELF Talk for details (LINK HERE)
- No Parallel Learning Time - CCC is occupied
- Storytime & Craft Club at the Lending Library, 2 - 3 pm
- Wed, April 10:
- Cottonwood Regional Park Days
- Library Van on Location (Auburn)
- Fri, April 12: The Cottonwood School's International Festival
- Come one, come all to see what our Student Tour Guides have in store for you!
- Mon, April 15:
- Mindset Mondays - see SELF Talk for details (LINK HERE)
- Mondays at the CCC, 9 am - 4 pm
- Storytime & Craft Club at the Lending Library, 2 - 3 pm
- Fri, April 17:
- Cottonwood Regional Park Days
- Library Van on Location (Fair Oaks Park)
- Fri, April 26: Spring Makers Market
- Fri, May 10: 2024 Annual Curriculum Showcase
- Thur, May 23: Last Day of School
Welcome back from Spring Break! As we move closer to the end of the school year we have an upcoming cutoff date for ordering!
A reminder that April 3rd is the last day to request:
- 0-3 Month Passes/Memberships/Subscriptions
- Parent-Led Field Trip Tickets
- Curriculum Orders
- Service Vouchers (No partial or prorated requests will be accepted)
Save the Date - Curriculum Showcase 2024 - 5/10/24
AUDITIONS: Calling all 7th - 12th Graders
Audition for the 8th Grade Promotion and High School Graduation
Are you a performer at heart? Do you want to help add something special to our celebration? We are looking for 7th-12th grade students who would love to share their talents and passions!
Recite a poem, give a short speech, sing a song, or perform music - all of these are options to help make our 8th Grade Promotion or High School Graduation an extra special showcase of our students and their talents. Interested students are encouraged to submit a video audition of their act.
Audition video submissions are due by May 3, 2024.
Click the Ceremony Newsletter Links Below for Complete Details
Mondays at the CCC
Next week we will not have Mondays at the CCC on April 8th. We will resume the fun on Monday, April 15th! Stay tuned for more details next week.
Cottonwood's Weekly Park Days
Join us at our Weekly Park Days listed below!
- Join Amanda & Maria in the 80 Corridor Area: Roseville, Citrus Heights, Rocklin
- Join Alina in the 50 Corridor Area: Placerville, Cameron Park, Folsom
- Join Alaynah in the Elk Grove Area
It's Spring Cleaning Time: Assessing Your Cottonwood Supply and Curriculum Inventory
- Assess your Cottonwood supply and curriculum inventory now.
- If you need an inventory list, reach out to your HST.
- Not returning in the fall? Return unused materials by May 23, 2024.
- Returning? Evaluate what to keep and return.
- Check what you borrowed from the Lending Library and what you purchased with instructional funds.
- Keep items you purchased with instructional funds as long as you're a Cottonwood family and still using them.
- Return any items you have borrowed from the Lending Library. Everything is due by the last day of school, and checkouts will begin in July 2024 for the 24/25 school year.
- Refer to the infographic for FAQs and tips.
- Need help? Contact Lending Library staff or your HST.
Our CAASPP window is about to begin. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that our students can take these tests comfortably and with ease. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your HST or a Family Liaison!
Participation in these assessments not only benefits individual students but also plays a crucial role in demonstrating the health and vitality of our charter school to state authorities and our authorizing district. Achieving a 95% participation rate is essential for showcasing how our model of education not only works but is an excellent alternative to traditional schooling. It ensures that we continue to receive the necessary support and resources to maintain our unique option of homeschool education for our students. Failure to meet the 95% participation requirement could have implications for our school, including the risk of losing authorization and funding. EVERY student counts to help us reach the participation requirement.
Thank you for your partnership and participation!
International Festival: April 12 - Come one, come all!
Join us on Friday, April 12th at the Community Connect Center from 10-12:30 for the International Festival. Grab your luggage and passport and learn about other countries and their cultures. It will be a fun day with activities and food!
Come to Visit Germany, Iraq, Turkey, England, Romania, United States
Title: Elective Registration for Session 2 is OPEN until Friday, April 5th!
Do you have a 6th-8th grade student who is not in RISE but is in need of friendships in their homeschool circle? Here’s an idea: if they register for an elective class (Spanish, Music, or Art), they can join us on our epic RISE Retreat on April 26th. It’s a great way to deepen their connections with their homeschool peers.
Boost Session 2: April 8 - May 13th
RISE Session 2: April 16-May 16
- Registration is required for this Free Pilot Program.
- You can use the TK-8 Class Request Form below to secure your student's spot in one of our elective programs (Spanish, Music, or Art).
- Classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Join us for the 2024 - 2025 school year!
Boost registration for the 2024-2025 school year will launch soon! Boost classes ignite your child’s curiosity and creativity with engaging activities designed to make learning enjoyable and memorable. We hope you will join us!
High-Quality Direct Instruction
Boost classes combine the rigor of direct instruction with the convenience and accessibility of online learning. It is all about bringing the fun and engagement of high-quality, direct instruction right to your living room (or wherever your little learner likes to hang out).
Extension Activities
Various cross-curricular extension activities allow students to continue their Boost learning throughout the week!
Community Building
Through collaborative projects, interactive discussions, and shared learning experiences, our students are not only mastering academic content, but also fostering meaningful relationships with one another.
The Cottonwood 2024 Prom - Masquerade Ball
2024 Masquerade Ball: April 19, 2024 - Rocklin, 6 pm
Ticket sales close this Friday, April 5th.
- All students interested in attending must fill out the form below to receive an email with the password to purchase tickets.
- Please allow three days for your forms to be processed before you will receive your password to purchase tickets. Due to this processing time, please submit your forms TODAY to ensure you can purchase tickets by Friday.
- This event is open to high school students only.
- Ticket sales will close April 5, 2024 or when sold out. Graduated ticket prices will apply.
- March 23 - April 5: $65 per person
Sac Library Prom Giveaway
Is your student looking for formalwear for the upcoming Prom? (Don't forget to register below!) The Sacramento Library knows that prom can be pricey and wants everyone to have a chance to shine on the dance floor! Check out the Prom Drive website to see when formalwear will be at your nearest library.
CVHS Parent/HST Info Session
Info Session for the 24-25 School Year April 24th in Zoom from 3:30-4:30 pm. See this flyer for details.
CVHS Visitation Day
For all 8th-11th interested students: April 18th, 2:00-3:00 PM. Students will tour two Live classes, meet CVHS teachers, and hear about the CVHS core, elective, and CTE class offerings. To register, go HERE.
April 8-12 is CAASPP Testing Week for grade 8th- and 11th-grade CVHS students: 11th-grade CVHS students are invited to test with RISE the week of April 8-12. Register your 11th-grade student HERE.
CVHS 24-25 Class Registration
Registration is open for the 2024-2025 school year. We have added additional sections for core classes and new electives: Music Theory, Advanced Art, and Personal Finance 2. Students can choose from Live! Zoom classes and Self-Paced Edgenuity classes. CVHS is:
University Prep Academics (Live! & Self-Paced)
Student-Centered, Collaborative, & Engaging
Relevant with Real-World Connections
Infused with 21st Century Skills
Integrated with Cross-Curricular Study (24-25 Live!) in CTE, the Arts, & Core Academics
Go HERE for our 2024-2025 Class List and Live Class Schedule
April Links:
Homestudy High School Student April Edition Link
HST and Parent CVHS Presents Quarter 3 Newsletter
High Schoolers & Parents
Join us to learn about our CTE Program and Personal Finance Classes!
High School Resource Hub
- CVHS Quick Start Guide
- TCS High School Announcements Facebook Page - announcements, college fairs, etc.
- High School Concurrent Enrollment Guidelines
- The Cottonwood High School Course Catalog
- The Cottonwood High School Family Resource - contact Carey Brown, High School Success Coordinator/HST with questions.
All fee-based events for the remainder of this school year are closed (excluding prom, which is a paid out-of-pocket event). Please visit one of the links below to see free events that are still open for registration.
Our Community Team is excited to host many upcoming spring field trips, and is busy planning for the 24/25 school year!
Field Trip Registration Hub:
- How to Register for Field Trips and Events: Never registered for a field trip/event? Start here for instructions.
- Eventbrite Collection - View all of our published trips with full trip details directly on Eventbrite
- Upcoming Field Trips & Events - All school-wide field trips & events here in list format
- Parent Hawks' Nest Event Calendar - Login required
Social Media Resource Hub
- OFFICIAL Facebook Community Group
- Official and private, moderated by Cottonwood School staff.
- Ensures accurate information and verifies active members as parents/legal guardians.
- A secure space for information, updates, and community connections.
- Public Instagram
- Pinterest - Tons of resources and ideas to be found.
⏰ Park Day & Parallel Learning Time Reminders
Click the links below to add yourself to our REMIND list for our Park days. A weekly text will be sent to remind you of our upcoming event. Additionally, if there are last-minute location or time changes, you will be updated.
REMIND: Parallel Learning Time
REMIND: Rocklin/Roseville/Lincoln Park Day
Resource Hub
- The Parents Hawks' Nest - Everything you need to know and more is found here.
- School Instructional Calendar 2023-24 - PDF version for print/download
THE COTTONWOOD SCHOOL
Serving transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students in El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Placer, and Sacramento Counties.
Location: 3921 Sandstone Dr. Ste 100, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762, USA
Phone: (530) 285-2003