Principals Corner - #2
"Johnson Journal" just didn't do it for me...
Back to School Night
What they said: “The teachers are so happy.”
What I heard: You set a positive environment for our families, and they are excited about sending their children to us each day.
What they said: “It feels good here.”
What I heard: We have created a culture where people want to be!
What they said: “The building looks great.”
What I heard: We are making progress.
Thank for your making this a school where kids want to be and families feel good about sending their children.
Halogen Update
Begin thinking about our SLO and PP goals. We will go over a few more details during our August 29th staff meeting to help you write these goals.
We only had one submission.... please help us own this space. Feel free to ask our students.
Teacher Effectiveness - Administrator Alignment
Coming Soon - Intervention Plan
2018-2019 Committees
I will be meeting with our PAC this week to determine our Committee Schedule.
SpEd Collaboration Days
SpEd Collaboration Days (formally known as Articulation days) will be structured a little differently from the past. These days will be reserved for our students who have current IEP's or are in the midst of the Special Education process. This will be an opportunity for our general education teachers to collaborate with our Special Education team. Please use this time for the following:
- to discuss upcoming annual IEP meetings, revaluation meetings, eligibility meetings
- to review and ask questions about goals and/or accommodations
- to discuss upcoming curriculum; this will allow our SpEd team to gear their specially designed instruction around what is being taught in the classroom
If you have a student(s) with a current IEP or a student(s) going through the Special Education process, please plan to attend these collaboration days during your specials time in the conference room.
- Tuesday, Sept. 25
- Tuesday, Nov. 27
- Tuesday, Feb. 5
- Tuesday, April 2
- Tuesday, May 14
Few updates on Communication
I have had the opportunity to process our conversation around communication, and it is my goal to help streamline communication between us and our community. I've agreed to send one monthly communication from Cottonwood Creek to our community; this will be known as the Cottonwood Creek Cougar Chronicle. If you have information you'd like our entire community to know about, please email me and I will include this information in the CCCC (you do not HAVE to submit a grade level message for the CCCC.) However, I am asking that at a minimum you send some sort of monthly communication/newsletter with your families. The purpose of this is to inform your families of the great opportunities students in your class have coming up and to share exciting things their children have learned. If you are sending this electronically, please Bcc (Blink Carbon Copy) your families and Administration. This allows you to send an email to multiple recipients while keeping their email addresses private. If you are sending home hard copies, please provide a copy to both Administrators.
Katie: 719-393-3167
Ashley: 303-917-0955
Thinking Maps
Thinking Maps
If you have an extra set of Thinking Map Materials (binder and/or posters), please let me know.
If you are interested in Thinking Maps training, please see the flyer below.
If you haven't already read the email from Ashley, please take time to read her email from Tuesday regarding our Fire and Tornado Maps.
Our first drill is scheduled for Wednesday, August 22nd at 8:30, and our Security Coordinator, Steve Wallisch, will be here to support us. We are still waiting for the updated Emergency Code – Quick Response Guides. In the meantime be sure to follow the steps below for evacuations:
- Grab your red backpack, which should include a class roster and colored cards
- Organize students and prepare to exit the room.
- Exit room and proceed to exit (according to map); be prepared to use an alternative route if danger is in your planned route
- Turn off lights and close door
- Go to designated staging area
- Take attendance and report using colored cards
- When given an "All Clear" return to the building
- Wait for further instructions from administrator or law enforcement
Walkie-Talkies
Please let Ashley know if you have a Walkie-Talkie. We want to be sure everyone knows where they are located. If you are outside for duty OR with your class for an assignment or recess, please take a Walkie-Talkie with you. In the event of an emergency, we want to be sure you have a way to communicate with the office immediately.
An important message from our PTO
Hello Cottonwood Creek Elementary Teachers & Staff!!!
We are excited about our upcoming Run4Fund$ fundraiser and want to share the details with you.
First off, we are so lucky to have such supportive teachers and staff- thank you so much for all you do to help us with this fundraiser.
We are trying to raise $35,000 and we can’t do it without your help! The funds this year will be used for to benefit all of our students.
Below is an overview of the entire campaign, we will send out EBlasts as we go along so you can stay updated with upcoming dates and events. The things we are asking the most from you are in bold. Any questions? Please contact me at carahgelfand@gmail.com or melanie.weitzenfeld@gmail.com
This short, 4 minute video tells you everything you’ll need to know and do for the entire Fun Run process – it will answer most of your questions and we would really appreciate if you would watch it. https://run4fundscolorado.com/teacher-welcome-video.htm
Please note the following dates and important information:
ALL STAFF- please pick up t-shirt in conference room (they will be ready Tuesday 8/21)
Wear on Assembly Day Friday August 24th and Race Day September 7th!!!
8/24/2018: Fun Run Kick Off Assembly at 1:30
• A Run4Fund$ rep will lead this high energy Assembly and explain to the students how easy it is to earn the prizes and have a great time at the Run.
• Please make sure that all materials go home with students that day so that they can start contacting friends and family to raise funds towards their prize goals.
• Start handing out your Golden Tickets to students who go above and beyond in your classroom. They should keep half of the ticket to show off and fill out/turn in the other half for prize drawings!
9/7/2018: Run4Fund$ Event
• Runs will take place during specials time! Your class will need to be ready to run at that time, with their shirts on. We suggest that you have a Room Parent the day of the run to assist with shirts. We will have parent volunteers to help track the run but any help is always appreciated! We will also provide assistance 30 minutes prior to your class Run Time.
• You are welcome to run with your students or just come out and cheer them on.
• Win a prize for best School Spirit at the Run! Ideas- Create a theme, banner, decorate the students, decorate your shirts and wear silly socks! Be creative and have fun with your class!!!
9/14/2018: All Pledges Due
• Students will turn in pledges in the collection envelopes provided to them. Please collect these envelopes and put them into your Large Teacher Envelope. If students turn in pledge money after turn in day, the pledges need to go immediately to the office.
• Students can get more information, send out emails, get online pledges and check their pledge amounts at our school specific website - www.r4funds.com/cottonwood, User Name: cwood, Password: cougars
9/21/2018: Prize Day
Classroom Thermometers- Each class will have their own thermometer hung in the cafeteria that will have the prize goals for that classroom already filled in and then updated as your class’ funds roll in. These goals are based off Average $$ Per Student. Data will be updated on 9/7, 9/10, 9/14. Please keep an eye on your thermometers and let your class know how close to the class prize you are! The more you encourage your students to reach their goals, the more we will raise as a school – thanks for your help!
Class parties are:
• $75 Avg/Student = Inflatables Party
• $85 Avg/Student = Sandy Candy
• $95 Avg/Student = Leaps & Bounds Party
• Top Dollar Class = Hamster Ball Party
• Top Laps Class = Extra Recess
• Top Dollar Teacher = K-2/3-5 - Money Poster
Have Fun and make this a Great Experience for the Students!
Thank you so much for helping make this a Huge Success!!
Please let us know if you have any questions or need anything.
Thank you again!
Melaine Weitzeneld and Carah Gelfand
PTO - ETales
Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, August 21: Katie and Ashley here - ADCO was canceled
- Wednesday, August 22: 8:30 - Evacuation Drill
- Wednesday, August 22: PAC Meeting 3:00, Conference Room
- Thursday, August 23, 8:00-3:30 Guiding Coalition Tom Many Session and Collaboration
- Friday, August 24: Katie and Ashley out in the morning
- Friday, August 24: School Spirit Day - Wear your Green and Blue
- Friday, August 24: 1:45-2:30 Run4Fund$ Assembly-PM Assembly Schedule https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yrzZ8L90LtU1XA58i6tvCKoRmjEBh5uH72kUMmLGb_U/edit?usp=sharing
- Wednesday, August 29: Staff Meeting 3:00, Innovation/Media Space
- Friday, August 31: School Spirit Day - Wear your Green and Blue
- Monday, September 3: No School, Labor Day
- Wednesday, September 5: Picture Day
- Friday, September 7: Run4Fund$ Run