CGE Family News
March 24, 2023
Important Dates Ahead...
April 7- No School
April 21 - No School
April 17-21 - Reading MCA grades 3-5
April 24-28 - Math MCA grades 3-5
May 1-5 - Science MCA grade 5
Calendar and Schedule Updates
The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.
News from the Principal
March is coming to an end quickly. This means warmer weather and wet conditions on the playground. We recommend packing an extra pair or two of dry socks and an extra pair of pants in your student’s backpack in case they need to change during the day. This will help to prevent frequent visitors to the nurse's office looking for dry clothes.
I hope you all have a great weekend and a wonderful week ahead. As always, thanks for your partnership in your child's education.
Candy Gram, Principal
Cottage Grove Elementary
Kindergarten Open House
All incoming Kindergarten students and families are invited to our "Welcome to Kindergarten" open house!
Cottage Grove Elementary
Thursday, April 20
5:00-6:00 pm
We can't wait to meet you!
Long Range Facility Planning
Community Meetings
SoWashCo Schools is beginning to develop a new 5-year facility plan. Those in attendance will learn about the planning process and have an opportunity to share feedback and ideas that will guide our new plan.
Community meetings:
- Oltman Middle School
- Tuesday, April 25 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
- Share a preliminary 5-year facility plan and gather community feedback.
- East Ridge High School
- Tuesday, May 23 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
- Review the final 5-year facility plan and gather community feedback
MCA Updates
The MCA/MTAS testing dates for Cottage Grove will be from April 17- May 5th. We recognize that the testing window overlaps with a number of religious observances and holy days. SoWashCo Schools is committed to honoring and being responsive to the needs of all families and students. Please contact Candy Gram, 651-425-5803, cgram0@sowashco.org if you have concerns or questions about school testing dates and times, needed accommodations, and/or your student’s participation in MCA/MTAS testing.
For more information about the purpose and uses of the MCA/MTAS, please visit the Assessment and Grading website.
- April 17th - 21st - MCA III Reading, 3rd - 5th Grade
- April 24th - 28th - MCA III Math, 3rd - 5th grade
- May 1-5 - MCA III Science, 5th grade
Minnesota author to Visit 1st and 2nd Grade
Community Education Classes
SoWashCo Community Education Youth Activities
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) offers activities and classes for youth through SoWashCo Community Education. Activities and classes are conveniently offered at your child's school, partner locations within our community and online.
The latest activities and classes can be found on our website under Get Involved > Youth Activities.
Featured Class
IMPROV: Acting without a Script
Come out and play! Learn communications skills, self-confidence and respect towards others’ ideas while playing improve games and learning theater basics.
- 6-7 p.m., Wednesdays, March 29-May 17, East Ridge High School, Grades 3-5
- 6-7:15 p.m., Tuesdays, March 28-May 16, East Ridge High School, Grades 6-9
PTO Corner
Upcoming PTO Events:
- SAVE THE DATE: Join us for Glow Bingo on Friday night, April 14th! We’ll have more information and sign-up in future newsletters.
- SAVE THE DATE: CGE night at Noodles & Company in Cottage Grove. Join us on Tuesday, April 25th. A percentage of funds raised goes directly to our school. More information to follow.
Yearbook Sales - Final opportunity
Scroll down to search for Cottage Grove Elementary. Make sure you are choosing the one located in MN. This will take you to the link to pre-order your yearbook.
Lunch Visitors
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 MARCH Reservation Link to accompany their child at our guest lunch table. Our reservation link for MARCH IS LIVE LINK. We ask families to review the process below so that we can ensure this practice is available:
- Sign up for the visit no later than the day prior to your visit.
- Upon arrival for the visit, present identification and complete the Raptor screening.
- Wear the visitor badge so that it is visible during the entirety of the visit.
- Go directly to the lunchroom and eat in the guest space with your student.
- No friends or additional students will be permitted to join the guest space.
- Visitors may not visit recess time.
- The visit is limited to guest space during the student’s identified lunch period.
- Any outside food brought in can only be shared with your student.
- Do not take pictures, record, or film while at school. Use of cell phones is strongly discouraged for safety and privacy.
- You may sign up for one spot a month to allow for other families to sign up as well.
- PLEASE delete your reservation if you are unable to come to allow for other families to sign up.
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.
School Hours
7:30 am - School office opens
8:25 am - School opens to students
8:40 am - School day begins
3:10 pm - School day ends
3:30 pm - School office closes
NOTE: The earliest students can arrive at school in the morning is 8:25 am. All students must be picked up at 3:10 pm if not riding the bus home.
CGE Contact Information
Candy Gram, Principal: cgram0@sowashco.org / 651.425.5803
Judy Nicklay, Office Coordinator: jnicklay@sowashco.org / 651.425.5801
School Website: https://cges.sowashco.org/
District Website: www.sowashco.org
CGES Office: 651-425-5800
CGES Attendance Line: 651-425-5806
CGES Health Office: 651-425-5802
CGES Fax Number: 651-425-5815
SoWashCo Student Information: 651-425-6218
SoWashCoTransportation: 651-425-5303
Cottage Grove Elementary School
Email: cgram0@sowashco.org
Website: https://cges.sowashco.org/
Location: 7447 65th Street South, Cottage Grove, MN, USA
Phone: 651-425-5800