January 23-27- Student Council Spirit Week

January 30 - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day

Calendar and Schedule Updates

The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.

Believe it or not, January 23rd marks the half-way point in our school year! Wow did that creep up on us.

Student Council has created a fun Spirit Week to help with the celebration. Here are the different dress-up days for next week:

• MONDAY, January 23- Pajama Day

• TUESDAY, January 24 - TWIN Day
• WEDNESDAY, January 25 -Fancy Day
• THURSDAY, January 26 - Favorite Sport Team Day
• FRIDAY, January 27 - Crazy Hair and Sock Day

It should be a fun-filled, half-way week!

Candy Gram, Principal

Cottage Grove Elementary

In January, CGE will be highlighting our wonderful student diversity with our first annual CGE’s World Culture Month.

This is an optional student activity completed at home for students K through 5th. CGE Students are invited to create a project at home with pictures, images, words, maps or illustrations that show your unique heritage or culture. This could be as simple as drawing and writing on a piece of paper or creating a poster to share. You could also create something digitally to share with your class. This is your project. Be creative.

Here are some ideas of what to include: What countries did your family come from? What are some special foods from your culture? What are some special traditions your family has? Do you or family members speak another language? What is something special about your culture or heritage?

Your child’s teacher will be planning activities in the classroom to share these finished products and they will be on display at CGE! You’re welcome to dress in clothing or bring in an artifact that also represents your culture on this day. Thank you for taking the time to share about your unique culture!

You should have received more information from your child's teacher.

Please visit https://www.sowashco.org/about-us/emergency-procedures for further information regarding these procedures.

Did you know?

The PTO meets monthly and gives parents and staff the opportunity to work together to fundraise, plan activities, support volunteers and designate extra funds for classroom, specialist & building needs. All funds raised by the PTO supplement and enrich the educational experience. Programs recently supported by PTO funds include Art Sparks, roller skating unit in Phy. Ed, Spring field day, grade level field trips and staff appreciation, in addition to purchases like inflatable arch for school events, music subscription for the gym – just to name a few!

Join us!

Parents, teachers and staff are invited to attend monthly meetings. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7th at 4:30 p.m. in the Media Center. Upcoming topics include things like next year’s fundraiser, PTO committees, annual teacher & staff appreciation and year end events.

Upcoming PTO Events

• Culver’s Night on Tuesday, February 14th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. We’re hosting a very special Valentine’s night. Join us for fun activities, stickers & valentine face paint. And a reminder, 10% of all funds raised during CGE Culver’s nights goes directly to the school.
• Teacher & Staff conference night potluck is back! The PTO is organizing a meal for Tuesday, February 23. Look for Sign-up Genius in future communication.
• CGE Chipotle Night in April. More information to come!

CGE will be able to host limited lunch time visitors between , October 1– May 26th this school year. Based on space and safety requirements, one family member listed in Parent Portal may sign up using our January Reservation Link to accompany their child at our guest lunch table. Our reservation link for January IS LIVE LINK. We ask families to review the process below so that we can ensure this practice is available:

1. Sign up for the visit no later than the day prior to your visit.
2. Upon arrival for the visit, present identification and complete the Raptor screening.
3. Wear the visitor badge so that it is visible during the entirety of the visit.
4. Go directly to the lunchroom and eat in the guest space with your student.
5. No friends or additional students will be permitted to join the guest space.
6. Visitors may not visit recess time.
7. The visit is limited to guest space during the student’s identified lunch period.
8. Any outside food brought in can only be shared with your student.
9. Do not take pictures, record, or film while at school. Use of cell phones is strongly discouraged for safety and privacy.
10. You may sign up for one spot a month to allow for other families to sign up as well.

We ask that you limit your visit to the lunchroom and not accompany your child back to the classroom. We also ask that you not visit your other children in their classroom or drop something off for them.

You will get a new link monthly to reserve your spot.