Cottonwood News
February 2, 2016
Global School Play Day 2016
Cottonwood students learned lessons in how to negotiate with their peers, solve potential conflicts and stimulate their creativity Wednesday. But those weren’t structured classroom lessons. They were skills developed while playing. Yes, we played!
We joined more than 60,000 students worldwide on today as we participated in the 2nd Global School Play Day, founded by Earl Warren Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Tim Bedley. The school is in the Lake Elsinore Unified School District in California.
As I walked around the building, I saw fun, laughter and learning all day. Spoons, My Little Pony, lego's, hot wheels, transformers, Uno, puzzles, Headbandz, forts, play dough, creative art, dolls, pool....... The students and teachers were having fun playing together.
Please continue our conversations about team work, sharing and good sportsmanship. Thank you for sending your students to Cottonwood.
Building together
Don't Break the Ice--Strategy
Spoons--Good old fashioned fun!
Pre-Enrollment--Counting Kids for 2016-17
Kindergarten 2016-17
Cottonwood Spelling Bee
The annual Cottonwood Elementary Spelling Bee took place on Wednesday, January 20th, 2016 in the school cafeteria. The spelling bee was broadcast live over the internet and now there is a link on the district website where the spelling bee may be viewed.
The 2016 winner is Jeremiah Rather, a fifth grade student from Mrs. Brackeen’s classroom and our runner-up is, Jama Leastman, a fifth grader from Mrs. Brackeen’s class. There were eighteen contestants in this year’s bee. Other contestants included: 3rd graders: Luke Osburn, John Rather, Peyton McDonald, Daniel Kinnane, Allie Conard, and Kamden Thorton ; 4th graders: Drew Tingley, and AidenFyffe, Geremi Onentia, Kyler Johnson, Tommy Pantle, Mariah Goldston, and 5th graders: Richa Dasgupta, Kaden Hauck, Chloe Fields, and Mahika Shah
Mrs. Katherine Munson pronounced the words for the students with Mrs. Hodge and Mrs. Smith serving in the role of judges for the bee. Jeremiah will be representing Cottonwood Elementary at the Butler County Spelling Bee on February 5, 2016 at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kansas. Congratulations to all of the spellers for a successful spelling bee.
School Community Yearbook Opportunity
Members of the school community can upload images for consideration in the yearbook! Go to community.lifetouch.com and use the upload access code TYTLHN. Pictures will be considered as the yearbook is developed. Deadline for pictures is March 1st or you can send them to Jennifer at yamamotJ@usd385.org
From the Counselor--Mrs. Faust
Classroom Guidance: This month’s themes are caring and compassion. Caring is displaying kindness and concern for others. Compassion is sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
National School Counselor Week is February 1st through the 5th. This year’s theme is “School Counseling-Recipe for Success.” We are celebrating each day with a character trait. Wednesday is-Be Responsible-Dress like your hero. Thursday is Be Trustworthy-Have the courage to do the right thing all day long. Friday-Respect-What matters most-The Golden Rule-Treat others the way you want to be treated. Wear Gold. Have a great week!!!
We are about to complete banana splits for this year. If your child needs additional support please let me know. We will start the groups back up in the fall. I can always provide individual support for your child. Just contact me here at CES-218-4620 ext. 2 or faustm@usd385.org. Please also remember to send your child’s banana split money if you haven’t already done so.($1.50) Thanks for all you do!!
Happy Valentine’s Day!! J
From the Nurse's Office--Mrs. Whiddon and Mrs. Tauke
From the Health Office Staff: All Hearing and Vision screenings are complete. We will contact you by phone if we noted any concerns. If you have any questions, please contact us at 316 218-4620 ext 3.
We have Dental Screenings set for Friday February 19th from 9-12:30.
Although this years "flu" season hasn't hit yet, we are seeing lots of coughing, runny noses and sore throats. The best defense against spreading this or any type of "cold" is to WASH YOUR HANDS with soap and warm water regularly. It's simple but effective!
From the Library--Mrs. Ohlund
We are working on a project and need your help. Would you take a minute and see if you can send something from the list below? Any help would be appreciated.
CES families to save and bring to the library:
empty tissue boxes
empty wax paper/aluminum foil/parchment paper (please save the tube inside)
Tic Tac or similar containers (empty)
Altoid or similar containers (empty)
baby food jars
Velveeta cheese or similar containers
leftover wrapping paper
plastic lids (all shapes and colors)
We will share our projects when they are complete.
PTO News
Watch for notes in backpacks on Friday -- Sock Hop information is being distributed. March 4th from 6-8, Cottonwood will be a hoppin!
The Cottonwood PTO is now part of the Amazon Associates LLC program. If you are an Amazon shopper, log in to your personal Amazon account through this website and earn money for school. Just click on the provided banner anytime. http://cottonwood.usd385.org/106267_2
Andover Public Schools Mobile App
We are excited to announce that a mobile app for Andover Public Schools is now available. This free app for your Apple and Android devices will be your one-stop shop for everything Andover. From district & school news pulled directly into the app to links to PowerSchool, athletic information, breakfast & lunch menus and payment all in one place makes this app the convenient way to stay connected to your school and district happenings.
Communication
School website: http://andover1.gabbartllc.com/
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 pages:
Mrs. Brackeen https://www.facebook.com/MrsBrackeen/?fref=ts
Mrs. Highfill https://www.facebook.com/highfill2nd/?fref=ts
Mrs. Plank https://www.facebook.com/Mrs-Planks-Fourth-Grade-1490196337947267/?fref=ts
Mrs. Rich https://www.facebook.com/emmonsa/?fref=ts
Mrs. Kindle https://www.facebook.com/kindle2014/?fref=ts
Mrs. Hachen https://www.facebook.com/HachenHighlights/?fref=ts
Mrs. Wilson https://www.facebook.com/Wilsonart2015/?fref=ts
Ms. Wright https://www.facebook.com/wrightces/?fref=ts
Mrs. Burrus https://www.facebook.com/burrust/?fref=ts
I also try to call home on School Messenger once a month to share upcoming activities and highlights and of course our Smore newsletter. If you have suggestions on how to help communicate our learning and teaching, please don't hesitate to e-mail me rookss@usd385.org