Cottonwood News
September 19th
From the Principal--Mrs. Rooks
Kansans Can School Redesign Project
Four Andover schools are embarking on a journey to reimagine education for the 21st century. Staff and administrators at the schools – Andover Central Middle and Cottonwood, Meadowlark and Robert Martin elementaries – will spend this school year researching, planning and conducting pilot projects as part of the Kansans Can School Redesign Project through the Kansas State Department of Education. The statewide program, which launched last school year, aims to focus advancements in four key areas: student success skills; personalized learning; real-world application; and family, business and community partnerships. Our teachers are already incorporating aspects from these principles, and "redesign" will push us to innovate and expand upon our tradition of excellence.
The state process
The Kansans Can project stemmed from a statewide listening tour conducted by Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education, and the Kansas State Board of Education in 2015. They asked Kansans what they wanted from K-12 education and how the education system could achieve those goals.
Five main themes developed from those conversations: social-emotional growth, kindergarten readiness, individual plans of study based on career interest, high school graduation rates and post-secondary success.
“Our goal is to redesign our schools to match what Kansans and our local community said they want and need from our education system,” says Jill Lachenmayr, assistant superintendent for academic affairs. “The process is an opportunity to help students reach their full potential while strengthening community partnerships for a robust future workforce.”
Our process
Mrs. Barscewski, Mrs. Hachen, Mrs. Ralston and Mrs. Fox will lead the redesign process, with me supporting their work. During times when these staff members are attending meetings and professional learning opportunities, substitute teachers will lead classroom learning. Additionally, all certified staff members will serve on an investigation team to collaboratively research and plan throughout the year. The investigation teams will meet a couple of times per month during the school day for two hours, which will require substitutes to lead instruction in some classrooms during the meeting times. The school district will work to provide the most consistent schedule of substitutes possible to provide continuity in student learning.
Preparing for the future
For Andover, this is the beginning of a process that will eventually include redesign processes in all schools. While state education standards will remain the same, each school has flexibility in how it chooses to redesign. Examples presented by other school districts that completed the redesign process in June included flexibility in schedules, project-based learning, students in different grade levels working together, increasing parent engagement, job shadowing and a focus on students’ emotional health.
“This is an exciting opportunity to take a big-picture look at the way we teach our students,” says Superintendent Brett White. “Every student is different, so creating a school environment that allows for a student-by-student approach to education will help them achieve their goals. This is the first step toward making that happen.”
Help us dream. Please take a moment and complete the parent survey. Your help now will help us plan and grow for the future.
Our Grands can do so much!
Check out all our Grands in the cafeteria!
We learn to play together with our Grands!
Splash for 2nd Grade!
Please watch for more information regarding dates and permission slips. If you have questions or would like to donate to this program, please call or email Mrs. Rooks.
Tardies
Walk to School Day 2018
Walk to School -October 10th-Walk To School emphasizes safer routes for walking and bicycling and the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families and schools. Please join CES staff at either the 13th Street Park Community Building at or at Allison and Lakeside at 8:15 am. We will use the Red Bud Trail and walk to school together. Watch for more information in back packs soon!
Greater Andover Days
Rise and Shine
School Safety
After school dismissal is at 3:45.
You can help us by:
- Always keep a name sign in the vehicle. Staff will call the building using walkie-talkies to get your student ready.
- Pull forward into the parking lot, if you need to buckle your child. This will keep the line moving.
Buses are leaving school at 3:55 daily. We have 5 buses that transport about 200 kids to and from school each day. We continue to review and update our procedures. Thank you for your patience.
Counselor's Corner--Marcie Faust
Counselor Time-During counselor time, I am working with the students on The Seven Habits of Happy Kids. The First One is Be Proactive. You are responsible for you.
Small Groups-
- Friendship--I will be starting friendship groups at lunchtime. If you feel like your child would benefit please let me know.
- New Student-It has been a pleasure getting to know all the students at CES. am working We will finish this group soon. If your child needs any additional support with their transition to Cottonwood please let me know and I will help them in any way possible.
- Banana Splits-In the next few weeks, I will send home permission slips for banana splits. This is a divorce support group that I do here at school. Children from 2nd to 5th grade can participate. I do one group for each of those grade levels. If I miss your child’s name please let me know and I will get them a permission slip. If you have any questions about the group please contact me.
Happy Fall!
Mrs. Marcie Faust Cottonwood Elementary 218-4620 ext. 2
“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
Cottonwood Library
Nurse's News
It has been a busy first month of school! Rachel and I have been going through Care Doc's and checking up on students with health concerns, doctor's orders and immunizations. Thank you for sharing your information with us. Please know that if you ever have any concerns regarding your child, we would love to help you. Our goal is to keep Cottonwood healthy and ready for learning.
The health office throughout the school year is need of donations. Currently, we could use boys underwear size 4-8 and 8-10. Flip-flops ore gently used shoes are always appreciated, as we have had a few mishaps on the playground. Thank you for your help!
Denise Tauke and Rachel Peay
Ext: 51104
Cottonwood Site Council
All Kansas schools are required to have a council of patrons that meet regularly. We would love to have you. Future meetings will be held November 6th, February 5th, March 5th, April 2nd, and May 7th.
Call Mrs. Rooks (316) 218-4620 or rookss@usd385.org for more information.
Cottonwood PTO
At the first meeting, Mrs. Rooks shared information about the beginning of the school year, Tijen discussed upcoming fundraising efforts and the GAD parade float. It was decided that the office will print a school-wide directory with student names, parent names, and addresses to be available upon request from the front office. A parent volunteered to combine teacher wish lists and Holiday Hugs to create a sign-up genius type of a form that will share what our teachers might like or need for their classrooms.
Throughout the year there are several opportunities to volunteer. Check out our Facebook page for more information.
PTO officers for the 18-19 school year are:
President—Tijen Owings
Vice President—Mike Scolari
Secretary—Rachael Neibling
Treasurer—Sarah Osburn
Andover Advantage
Pre-K Openings
Food Service -$10.00
end of this three-day period, Andover Food Services has not been notified as to payment arrangements or if payment has not been made, further charges will not be allowed. The student must bring payment to purchase a lunch or bring a lunch to school.
Free & Reduced Meals are available to qualifying households. They are available through www.usd385.org Parents/Free/Reduced Lunch Forms or through Bonnie Scarth at Support Services, 202 W Market, 316-218-4604
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/MrsDsClass/
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 @Mrs_Ralston
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. Hinz https://www.facebook.com/1stgradehinz/
Mrs. Hanna https://www.facebook.com/MrsHannasKindergarten/?fref=ts
Mrs. Wilson https://www.facebook.com/Wilsonart2015/?fref=ts
Mrs. Nobach https://www.facebook.com/groups/2114346102210974/about/
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.
Next Newsletter--October 5th
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