Cottonwood News
May 1, 2018
News You Can Use
Summer Office Hours--Due to construction, the Cottonwood office will be closed beginning June 14th. If everything goes as planned, we will re-open July 23rd. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to email Mrs. Rooks. rookss@usd385.org
After School Safety--The last track meet is May 1st. Be prepared, there will be 10 other schools who are participating. Be patient as we work to get everyone home safely.
Cottonwood Field Day--Mr. Smith is starting to plan for the annual Cottonwood Field Day, so mark your calendars for May 17th. K-2 will participate in events from 9:00-11:00 and then 3-5 will have their turn from 1:00-3:00. Parents are welcome to walk around with their children during the events and then join their students for lunch. Tennis shoes, water bottles, and sunscreen are all encouraged.
Cottonwood Bond Update--The playground equipment has been cemented in and the border is being poured. If the weather cooperates, we hope the kids will get to play on the new equipment before school is out.
USD385 Bond Update--Want to follow the progress throughout the district? Check out the website for news and pictures. Click here
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. Anything left after May 23rd will be taken to Goodwill.
PTO Officers
The current PTO consists of:
President - Tijen Owings
Vice President - Michael Scolari
Secretary - Rachel Neibling
Treasurer - Sarah Osburn
These officers are willing to serve again next year, however, as part of the by-laws, we are required to hold officer elections at the May meeting. If anyone is wanting to run for a position on the PTO Board or nominate someone, they are asked to email Michael Scolari at guntherlab@att.net.
Upcoming events
There is so much happening in the last month of school. This list is subject to change.
May 1st Trojan Children's Choir to Perform @ CES @ 10:45
May 1st PTO Meeting @ 6:30
May 2nd 3rd Grade Career Fair at the Park 9:15-11:15
May 4th 18-19 Kindergarten Visitation 9:15-11:15 and 1:15-3:15
May 4th District 3rd Grade Kansas Kids Fitness Day 9:15-11:15
May 4th "May the 4th be with You"--PTO Spring Fling 6:00-8:00 pm
May 10th 5th Grade to AMS for Band Practice and visit
May 10th 5th Grade Band Concert 6:00-6:45
May 11th 5th Grade Amazing Race
May 11th 2nd Grade to Tanganyika
May 15th Last Day for AR tests
May 17th AR Parties for grades 1-5
May 17th Field Day (K-2 from 9:00-11:00; 3-5 from 1:00-3:00)
May 18th AR Party in the Park 10:00-2:00
May 21st Cottonwood Buddy Olympics 9:30-10:45
May 21st Staff BB game @ 2:00
May 22nd Report Cards go home
May 22nd 11:30 K Celebration @ 11:30
May 22nd 1:30 5th Grade Promotion
May 23rd Early Out @ 1:45
Counselor's Corner
Career Fair--If you are a 3rd grade parent and would like to speak at our career fair, please let me know. It is Wednesday, May 2nd from 9:15 to 11:15 at 13th St. Park.
State assessment testing has begun! These assessments are for 3rd to 5th graders. Please make sure they are here, have a good breakfast and are well rested.
Information about summer programs will be coming out soon. You can check Peachjar for flyers or email me for more information. Camp Invention is offered at Robert Martin Elementary. If your child likes exploring, creating and inventing, this is the camp for them.
As we close out the year, we want to finish strong. Please talk to your child about making good behavior choices and doing their best on their work.
Marcie Faust-Cottonwood Counselor-LCPC/NBCC
Library Corner
The William Allen White Children’s Book Award program began after the famed journalist’s death on Jan. 29, 1944 — Kansas Day — when two memorial foundations were created in his name. Emporia State University launched the William Allen White Children’s Book Award, which was guided by Ruth Garver Gagliardo, who was hired by White to write for The Emporia Gazette.
Passionate about books, Gagliardo wrote a regular column that commented on books, music and art, and often concentrated on books for children. She was one of the first to review children’s books for a newspaper, which gave parents, teachers and librarians the chance to know about good quality books for children.
A list of WAW books can be found here. Students in grades 3-5 are encouraged to read up to 11 of these books throughout the school year. Students have until April 20th to finish their books and enjoy a pizza party. If you have questions, please email Mrs. O @ mmccall@usd385.org
Nurse's News
The health office has completed all required hearing and vision screenings. If your child failed one of the screenings, you should have been contacted by mail or phone. If you haven't heard from us, your child passed. If you have questions, please give us a call. You can also see results on CareDoc's.
Just a reminder that if your child has over the counter medication or daily prescription medication at school, it will need to be picked up by a parent. All emergency medications, such as rescue inhalers, epi-pens or Diastat will be sent home with the student on last day in a sealed bag unless other arrangements are made by parent and health office staff. All medication left in health office will be destroyed at the of the school year.
Stay Healthy!
Mrs. Tauke and Mrs. Peay
Cottonwood PTO
Check out our Facebook page for more information. Our next meeting is May 1st from 6:30-7:30 in the Cottonwood Lounge. Please join us to see what is happening at Cottonwood.
Spring Fling--May 4th from 6:00-8:00. PTO wants to thank our families with an evening of fun. Raffles, baskets, games, sno-cones, light sabres and an obstacle course will all be part of the "May the 4th be with You" event. You can help by volunteering your time the evening of the event. Email Tijen Owings or Sarah Osburn to sign up. You can also send donations for the grade level baskets. Item suggestions for the baskets can be found on Peachjar
School Safety
Breafast is served from 8:20-8:50.
After school dismissal is at 3:45. Please continue to follow the traffic patterns. It helps the adults if you have the name cards in the side windows. If you have suggestions on how to make our process and flow of traffic safer, feel free to share your ideas.
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
Cottonwood Twitter: https://twitter.com/CottonwoodElem
Teacher Facebook/Twitter pages:
Mrs. Defebaugh https://www.facebook.com/MrsDefebaugh/
Mrs. Fox https://www.facebook.com/foxin5th/
Mrs. Gallagher https://www.facebook.com/mrsgallaghers5thgradeclass
Mrs. Plank https://www.facebook.com/Mrs-Planks-Fourth-Grade-1490196337947267/?fref=ts
Mrs. Ralston Twitter @Mrs_Ralston https://www.facebook.com/MrsRalstons4thGrade/?ref=settings
Mrs. Rich https://www.facebook.com/emmonsa/?fref=ts
Ms. Wright https://www.facebook.com/wrightces/?fref=ts
Mrs. Hachen https://www.facebook.com/HachenHighlights/?fref=ts
Mrs. Davis https://www.facebook.com/dayswithdavis/
Mrs. Highfill https://www.facebook.com/highfill2nd/?fref=ts
Mrs. Barscewski https://www.facebook.com/Mrs-Barscewskis-First-Grade-1295655550474548/?fref=ts
Mrs. Kindle https://www.facebook.com/kindle2014/?fref=ts
Ms. McKenna https://www.facebook.com/1stgrademckenna/
Mrs. Hanna https://www.facebook.com/MrsHannasKindergarten/?fref=ts
Mrs. Johnson/Mrs. Hays -- Hays & Johnson Kindergarten Connection (Ask for permission to join)
Mrs. Wilson https://www.facebook.com/Wilsonart2015/?fref=ts
Ms. Martinez https://www.facebook.com/eliana.martinez11
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.
Andover Food Service-- Andover School Lunch Menus are digital. Look for the link on our district website at USD385.org, or go to usd385.nutrislice.com. There is also an app available. Just look for Nutrislice in your app store. Please call Nutrition Services, 316-218-4603 with any questions.
Last Cottonwood News--May 10th
Cottonwood Elementary
Email: rookss@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