News from the Creek
Hippo Nation...Better Together! Feb 2020
A Note from your CCE Principal
Dear CCES Families--
February might be the shortest month of the year with only 29 days, but it's packed with some of America's most beloved national holidays from Groundhog Day (February 2) to Valentine's Day (February 14). There are over 87 holidays that can essentially be observed in February!
Here at The Creek, we are excited to celebrate some of these beloved February holidays & honor the month as Black Heritage Month! Be sure to be on the look out this month for performances and events to celebrate this wonderful time of the year!
Our campus theme this year is "Around the World" and our campus takes pride in welcoming and honoring all cultures, families, languages, and diversity! Everyone is welcome at The Creek!
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr left an iconic imprint in our American History- a legacy that continues to this day. The seasons of his life were undoubtedly filled with various experiences, some of the obstacles within those seasons must have seemed almost impossible. But he filled his thoughts and actions with positivity and dreamt of hope for a better future. Dr. MLK, Jr. knew that no matter what obstacles came his way during the seasons of his life his control always came in the way he chose to respond to those obstacles. There is always that choice and he chose peace, unity, acceptance, resilience, and hope.
This February, as we continue to think about the rich heritage and history of our country and the contributions of Black heroes such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we will promote positivity and peace at Cottonwood Creek Elementary. Let's make a choice and CHOOSE to be contagious, positive, and inspiring contributors to our campus and community. We welcome your contribution as volunteers, mentors, substitute teachers, and visitors at CCE! Know that in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, I thank you for choosing to continue to make a difference each and every day in the lives of our students through your partnership and support for our campus. Our students are the hope for our future and worth every bit of what we do, thank you for being an important part in your child's education!
Cottonwood Creek Elementary has the BEST Staff, Students, and Families! We truly are "Better Together"! Our students are "Legendary" at Cottonwood Creek Elementary!
With Hippo Nation in Mind,
Linda Pachicano
Principal, Cottonwood Creek Elementary
Notes and Reminders from....
What's Happening at the Creek...
Week of Feb 3rd: No BLAST Classes & PTA Candy Gram Sales & National Counselors Week. Thank you, Mrs. Kozak, for being our school counselor!
2/3:Voting Registration Date: Last day to Register to Vote
2/4: 100th Day of School!! Flyer Here. Help Us Celebrate!
2/7: PTA General Meeting @ 5:30 & PTA Movie Night: CCE Choir Performance @ 5:50 PM Followed byToy Story 6-8 PM, Thank you, PTA!
2/11: UIL Home Events at CCE; Students participating in UIL will participate in individual/group competitions during their school day. If you have questions, please contact your student's UIL Coach.
2/13: Attendance 101 Meetings at CCE Office (Truancy Letters sent on 1/31 to families)
Open Gym Night @ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM; Come on out and join the fun!
2/17: President's Day Holiday/No School for Students (Staff PD Day)
2/18: Spring Picture Day at The Creek; Students will take pictures during the school day
2/19: Author Visit: Vanessa Roeder for PK-1st @ CCE Library 9 AM
2/20: Black History Month Presentation: Elizabeth Kahura
PK Parent Meeting: Attendance and EOY Expectations 5:30 PM- 6:30 PM (Bilingual Meeting & Lots of Fun!) @ CCES Library
2/22 (Saturday): Hutto ISD Honor Choir Performance @ 3 PM HHS PAC
2/24: TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) Window Opens- Students who are classified as English Language Learners will begin assessments in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Parents of students will be receiving a notification letter if their student will be participating in this assessment.
Kick-Off Assembly: Day of Awesomeness 2-3 PM
2/27: School Board Meeting 6:00-9:00 PM at District Board Room, 200 College St
2/29: UIL District Event (All Day) at Kerley Elementary; More information from your student's coaches
Every Friday students are encouraged to show their Campus Spirit along with Staff! Wear your favorite Hutto or Cottonwood Creek T-Shirt! If you are interested in purchasing a campus shirt, please check out the PTA Store Here. Thanks!
Linda Pachicano, Principal
As our campus continues to grow, we welcome two new staff members to our campus:
Mrs. Courtney Miller, Functional Academics Instructional Assistant
Maria Gonzales, Kinder Dual Language Instructional Assistant
Please welcome them if you happen to see these two amazing staff members!
Thank you in advance for your support!
Email: linda.pachicano@huttoisd.net
Location: 3160 Limmer Loop, Hutto, TX, USA
Phone: 512-759-5430
Gregory Althoff, Assistant Principal
We now have speed bumps and a crossing walk rail to promote further safety in our front parking lot. Some things to note:
1. Remember that all vehicles must be displaying car tags in order to pick up a student.
2. Safety is our priority, please DO NOT get our of your vehicle if you are in the car line. Let's keep the traffic flowing.
3. Cell Phones are a distraction when driving~ We have had 2 minor accidents due to parents being on the phone while dropping off or picking up their children. Help us stay safe & focus on the drive instead.
4. Daycare vans arrive late sometimes, please share with your daycare vans/services that dismissal time is 3:00 PM. Dismissal time for vans is before 3:15 PM, this allows staff to continue with their after-school duties/responsibilities/meetings.
5. Drive Safe - Please drive slowly when leaving the school pick up lane. Let's not race, let's be safe.
6. Please use our crosswalk, it ensures safety for all.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me. I am here to support our processes at the campus! Thank you!
Email: gregory.althoff@huttoisd.net
Location: 3160 Limmer Loop, Hutto, TX, USA
Phone: 512-759-5430
Valerie Kozak, Counselor
Mentor Program-
Would your child benefit from having an adult mentor or are you interested in becoming a mentor to one of our students? Please email me for additional information at valerie.kozak@huttoisd.net
Recently Divorced? Separated? Moved to a New Home/State?
Sometimes changes like these can cause a bit of uncertainty, mixed emotions, and/or insecurity in a child. If you have recently gone through something like this and you feel that it may have had a difficult impact on your student and would like to see what supports you can tap into for yourself, family, or student, please reach out and ask me. I am here to support you!
Lost an Item? Come to our "Lost at the Creek" area located in the cafeteria. Our amazing PTA has organized all student items in a friendly way to help families locate their missing things. Thank you!
Email: valerie.kozak@huttoisd.net
Location: 3160 Limmer Loop, Hutto, TX, USA
Phone: 512-759-5430
Billie Duncan-Smith, Principal's Secretary
Interested in subbing at our campus?
Please ask me how to get started, we would love to have you on board here at The Creek!
Volunteering or Chaperoning?
If you are planning on attending any upcoming field trips, please stop by to see me about what the difference is in these two processes. We want to ensure that you know the expectations for those before you head out on your trip.
A note from our PTA~
If you not had the opportunity to sign up for being a volunteer, please go to https://www.hipponation.org/Page/1971 to register.
General Information about CCE:
- Please check in at the front office & check out at the front office; exit through the front doors when leaving the building; return your badge upon exiting
- Office Hours are from 7:10 AM - 4:00 PM
- School Hours are from 7:40 AM - 3:00 PM; Please pick up students on time each day
- Instructional Day begins at 7:40 AM; Please drop off your students in the cafeteria before that time. Visitors to classrooms are discouraged to protect student learning during instructional times. Teachers are available to conference with parents during their conference times.
- Transportation changes need to be made by 2:00 PM to allow our office staff enough time to notify teachers and staff of any changes. Please call the school office, send an email to our front office staff & teacher, or in person.
- Families are welcomed to join their students during lunch. We have parent tables available for your convenience.
Estella Alvarado, Registrar/PEIMS/Attendance
Have Legal Paperwork? Please send a copy of any documents that you would like to be included in your child's records. Campuses always protect confidentiality and ensure that we collaborate for the best for our students. Please remember that sometimes divorce or separation can be difficult, we ask that our staff not be placed in the middle to communicate decisions that need to be made between guardians involved. Thank you for working with us to ensure that we have the best in mind for our students! Come by if you have any questions.
Need to know more about Attendance Laws: Click here for information that we share at our Attendance 101 Meetings.
Next Attendance Meeting is Thursday, February 13th, 2020.
- You can always email any doctor notes to estella.alvarado@huttoisd.net
Thank you!
Nicole Baker, Campus Receptionist
Happy Birthday!
- Please let your child's teacher know at least the day before if you are planning on sending birthday cupcakes to celebrate your student's birthday. Our teachers plan/adjust their plans to accommodate cupcakes at the end of the school day.
- Birthdays are celebrated the last 15-20 minutes of the day to protect instructional time and keep us in compliance with school lunch & nutritional guidelines.
- Take advantage of our PTA Birthday Gram, for $5 students receive their personal Birthday Gram delivered to their classroom on their birthday. See the PTA facebook page or email them directly for more information.
- Please pick up students on time after dismissal. Our students have had a long day and are ready to head home and our office staff is working to complete their day. We understand that sometimes emergencies may arise, but please make arrangements to have someone else pick up your students if you are running late and communicate changes to the front office at 512-759-5430 as soon as you know that you are running behind. Help us keep the office running smoothly. Thank you!
From TEXAS PTA~
For those who are able to watch, the Texas PTA will be conducting a live stream discussion about the critical issue of vaping on Tuesday, February 25, at 12:00 pm.
More information is available at https://www.txpta.org/straight-talk
Rodney Mcelyea, Nurse
Flu season is upon us! Please help us fight the flu, here are a few things parents can do.
Please remember:
- If your student is diagnosed with Influenza (type A or type B), please inform the school nurse and keep your child home from school for at least 24 hours after their fever (above 100°F) is gone.
- Fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
- If you have any questions, please contact your health care professional or the school nurse.
Please review the information at the links from the CDC website.
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/family/flu-guide-for-parents-2018.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/spanish/flu_guide_parents_flyer_sp.pdf
Thanks
Nurse Rod
Campus Mission, Vision, and Staff Belief Statements
CCE Mission:
Fostering Growth, Strengthening Relationships, Inspiring Excellence
CCE Vision:
Cottonwood Creek aspires to be a safe, positive, and innovative learning environment in which each unique individual is accepted, respected, encouraged, challenged and supported.
Cottonwood Creek Elementary Staff Core Belief Statements
We believe in creating a diverse school and classroom environment where emotional and physical safety and security is a top priority for all students and staff.
We believe that taking into consideration that every students’ educational needs are important, every decision should be made in the best interest of all students and their individual success.
We believe parents/guardians and community involvement are vital to the success of our students.
We believe character and social/emotional well-being is as important as academic achievement.
We believe communication is a two-way process for the school-home learning connection as well as for delivery of information.
We believe in enriching academics and the social-emotional environment by providing various innovative learning opportunities to prepare students for their individual pathways towards success.