Cottonwood News
March 2024
A Note from our Principal
Welcome to Spring! While we know we’ll likely see another batch of freezing cold weather, it’s good to see some hints of green, and jackets coming off at recess because of the warm weather.
Speaking of jackets coming off, our students are leaving jackets all over the building and our Lost and Found is full! We are reminding students regularly to check it. But if your child is missing a jacket, let the office or your child’s teacher know so we can remind the student to go and carefully check.
After a short week and Spring Break, we return to a skating unit in PE and a WindSurge Reading program for our 3rd - 5th graders. Things really pick up in April with programs, Explorations, and field trips. Please make sure to check your child’s class calendar and the school calendar so you know what’s coming up.
Finally, I want to thank everyone for a wonderful Leap into Learning night. That was the first night event we’ve hosted in a couple of years, and it was so fun to see families out together enjoying the evening. We will be thinking through the possibilities of more evening events as we plan for next year.
Wishing your family a wonderful start to spring and a super and safe Spring Break!
With education at heart,
Dr. Michelle Adler
Sharing a book with our Kindergarten friend
Student Council serving pizza to our Cottonwood families
Joslyn's beautiful art work
P.E. SKATING UNIT
We will begin our in-house skating program on March 18th. A permission slip must be submitted to the P.E. Department in order for your child to participate. They were due 3/1/24.
The fee for this unit is $9.00 per student. The fee includes delivery and pickup of the equipment and use of the skates for the duration of the skating unit (5 PE Days). Skatetime provides wrist guards for each student during this program. Students may bring helmets, elbow pads, and/or kneepads for extra safety precautions. Due to insurance purposes, we will use Skatetime skates exclusively.
This skating unit provides an emphasis as a "Lifetime Activity." Skating provides a variety of benefits, which include balance, coordination, motor skills, and a top rated cardio-respiratory workout. Students will also learn basic skating skills such as starting, stopping, forward skating, backward skating, cornering, and a number of safety tips for being a smart skater.
If you would like to sponsor another student just add $9.00 for each additional student. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Greg Smith
Kindergarten Preview Night
April 2, 2024
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Come and learn all about kindergarten at Andover Public Schools! Meet teachers, tour classrooms and get your questions answered. You'll also receive information about transportation, your school's Parent-Teacher Organization and the YMCA's Key Academy (latchkey).
Please note: This meeting is for parents/guardians only. (Kindergartners for the 2024-25 year must be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2024). This event is held at your child's school. Not sure which school they will attend? Find out using our School Assignment Locator at www.usd385.org.
Move your clocks forward on Sunday March 10th, 2024 🌼
Thank you to our Exploration Volunteers!
Parents and Care-Givers,
We will be wrapping up the 2nd round of Explorations beginning Thursday, March. 7th, from 8:55-9:25. This session of Explorations ran every Thursday for the last 5 weeks.
We want to say THANK YOU to all of our amazing parent volunteers and to the beautiful Andover High School Dance Team volunteers!
Because of your help, we offered about 40 explorations of every kind. Well done Cottonwood Community!
If you are interested in knowing more about helping with Explorations in the future, please email Dr. Adler or Mrs. Brown for more information!
Thank you again for supporting CES in our Explorations!
In March, we will begin working on Controlling our Anger. I will teach students some strategies to de-escalating when they are feeling out of control. We will also be working on Self-Esteem. This is area that many struggle with. Self-Esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It’s based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves, which can feel difficult to change.
Students participate in the Kansas State Assessments in grades three, four, and five. Mrs. Faust will be sending home an informational letter about the state assessments. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Faust, Dr. Adler or the 3rd , 4th & 5th grade teachers. This will help the
parents understand the assessment information, and the academic expectations that we have for the students. Please make sure that your child is here every day during testing and that they get a good breakfast and plenty of rest. We will start testing after Spring Break.
Regards,
Marcie Faust-LCPC/NBCC
Cottonwood Counselor
316-218-4620 ext. 2
Dear Cottonwood families,
The health office staff has completed this year's routine screening of hearing and vision for your child. If your child did not pass the screenings, you would have received a phone call and/or written notice to follow up with a physician. On 2/12/24 Grace Med came to Cottonwood and completed
our state required Dental Screenings. All students received a toothbrush, compliments of Grace Med, and all students were sent home with a dental report. If you did not receive a dental report and did not opt out of the screening, please contact the health office with any questions.
Reminder of school policy for illness:
If your child has been ill or sent home ill from school
● Wait until your child has gone 24 hours without vomiting or running a fever
(100 degrees or above) without the aid of medication, before sending them
back to school.
● If your student is being treated with antibiotics for a contagious disease
(such as strep throat), the student may return 24 hours after the initial dose
has been administered.
● If your child tests positive for Influenza or Covid, they will need to stay
home for five days following onset of symptoms and be fever free for 24
hours.
If you have questions, feel free to contact your school nurse. We appreciate your
cooperation and communication.
As you get ready for spring cleaning and clearing out closets, consider donating clothing to health office. The health office is always in need of clean gentle used clothing. We are currently needing pants/sweatpants for both girls and boys; sizes 5-10.
Thank you!
Denis Rebel, school nurse
Emily Graber, health clerk
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. Also, we have several pairs of glasses missing their owner. Please visit the office if any of these belong to your child.
Dates to Remember:
March 11-15 - SPRING BREAK
March 18 - Skating Unit begins in PE Class
March 22 - Deadline to order a Cottonwood Yearbook
March 29 - NO SCHOOL
April 2 - Kindergarten Preview
April 22 - NO SCHOOL
April 25 - K/1 Music Program
Need more current information? The Cottonwood website is updated weekly.
The Butler County Interlocal is in need of Paraprofessionals
Teacher's Amazon Wishlist
Mrs. Kadel, Kindergarten - Wish List
Mrs. Wood, Kindergarten - Wish List
Mrs. Carney, 1st Grade - Wish ListMrs. Barscewski, 2nd Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Danielsen, 2nd Grade Wish List
Mrs. Davis, 2nd Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Hesterman, 3rd Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Braddy, 3rd Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Reed, 5th Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Schwartzbeck, 5th Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Davidson, Self-Contained - Wish List
Mrs. Pentz, Self-Contained - Wish List
Mrs. Michler, Resource - Wish List
Mrs. Nobach, Music - Wish List
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
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.
Cottonwood Elementary
Email: adlerm@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