Cottonwood Elementary

February 2025 Newsletter

Dear Families,

Parents,

We survived the snow days in January and 3 weeks of indoor recess! We're excited to get back into our routine and make the most of February.

I wanted to share some important information with you. We have started planning for Kindergarten Round-Up for the 2025-2026 school year. If you know any families in the Paola area with a child who will turn 5 on or before August 31st, 2025, please feel free to share this newsletter with them. There is a lot of important information regarding Kindergarten and Sign Up links.

Additionally, I want to remind you that March conferences are fast approaching. If you have any concerns about your child's progress, please reach out to their teacher for a progress update. Teachers will be scheduling conferences by the end of the month.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me at brennan_riffel@usd368.org

Have a wonderful February!

Valentine's Day Reminder

Information about Valentine's Day at Cottonwood!

Students will be celebrating Valentine's Day on Friday, Feb 14th.
Teachers will be scheduling their own classroom parties throughout the day on Feb 14th.
We will not be allowing parents into the building for classroom parties.
Students may bring their own Valentine's Day Box on Friday, Feb 14th. We are asking families not to have their students bring their boxes before Friday. Students will take home their boxes at the end of the day.
We encourage treats to be store-bought and individually packaged.
We ask that any special gifts or flowers that you plan to give your children be saved as an activity for home. Students who ride the bus cannot bring any flower arrangements or balloons on the bus.
Please check in with your child's classroom teacher for any additional details.
If your child will not be able to bring Valentine's Day Box or Valentines to school on please reach out to our social worker Erin Hamm at erin_hamm@usd368.org

January PAW Award

The following students were recognized during the month of January for doing something positive for the staff or other students. Each student who is nominated receives a certificate of recognition and some free treats from Sonic. January PAW Award Winners are:

Kindergarten: Lydia Rhynerson, Jetlyn Dowd, Brady Stass, Saylor Miller, Mackenzie Johnson, Watson Shay, Annaleise Lofing

1st Grade: Skylar Stratton, Trey Sullivan, Rylee Campa, Raelyn Weaver, Neymar Paez-Sanchez, Kinley Hilligoss

2nd Grade: Dayton Brummer, Harrison Weis, Aizen Vickers, Lylla Carpenter, Ellery Kirk, Naiellie Antwine

Kindergarten Round-Up

Please note that Kindergarten Round-Up will take place on March 27th and 28th this year. Our current Kindergarten students will NOT HAVE school on those dates.. Current 1st and 2nd graders will have a normal day on both days.

If you have a future Kindergartener or know any families that will have a Kindergartner next year please feel free to share the below link with them. Click the link below to find our more information.

Click HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP

Save the Date: 1st Grade Music Program - March 4th

1st Grade Parents, please make sure you mark March 4th for the 1st-grade music program. .Please note all music programs will take place at the high school this year at 6:30pm. Doors will open at 6:00pm.

February Calendar

February- Black History Month

Feb 10th- Site Council Meeting at 4:30 and Board Meeting 6 pm at Central Office

Feb 14th- Valentines Day Parties- (times determined by classroom teacher)

Feb 17th- No School - President's Day

Feb 18th-PTO Meeting at 6:30

Feb 19th- Spring Pictures

Breakfast

Please have students at school before 8:00 am if you would like them to eat breakfast. Students will not be allowed into breakfast after 8:05. This is to ensure students are arriving to class by 8:10, which is the scheduled start of our school day. Any questions can be sent to brennan_riffel@usd368.org

Lunch at Cottonwood

If you would like to join your child for lunch at Cottonwood for a special occasion, please email Mr. Riffel at brennan_riffel@usd368.org. Please be sure to make contact a day in advance.

iDismiss

Make sure you have those numbers ready if you pick your child up after school. Please feel free to make your own signs if needed.