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October Newsletter 2024

Cottonwood School

OctoberNewsletter 2024Cottonwood School

Cottonwood's Staff would like to Wish Everyone a Very Happy College Kickoff Month

Greetings Cottonwood Families

Greetings Cottonwood Families


I can’t believe we already have one trimester in the books.


Last month was busy with academics and fun.

  • We just completed our first PBIS Celebration. This is a great way to celebrate students that are here every day ready to learn and focused on their academics. We will be having a celebration every 6 weeks!!!

  • On Tuesday, October 1st @ 3:30 in our library, we will have our 1st Community School Meeting of the year. At this meeting, we will discuss the different ways our Community School Grant can benefit our community and school. This is your opportunity to influence and guide the way we invest back into our community. Please show up if you have the time. We need your help.

  • We will soon complete our second round of the Lexile Assessment, please talk with your child about their goals for this next round and how much they have improved after the test. The Reading Lexile Score is an indicator of College and Career Readiness and we should see a growth toward proficiency or advanced on their Lexile. Goal 1 on our School Plan for Student Success as a site this year is that we have 12 more scholars site-wide reach proficiency.

  • October’s Character Focus is Courage, which means choosing what to do right, even when you don’t feel like it or it is hard or scary to do. Encourage your children by noticing “little things” that reflect good character. Don’t overlook opportunities to recognize your children for courage when they tell the truth when it is hard or they do the right thing when no one else is. Praise your children this month when you see them showing courage.

  • October is also College Kick-Off Month and we will be celebrating and encouraging education beyond High School.

  • Coming October 24th we are having our Fall Festival. I encourage you all to come out with family and friends to have fun and help raise money for our PTO and our 5th graders going to Pathfinders. I will also be there to enjoy the company of our great community. I hope to see you all there.


I hope you all have a great October. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need anything.


Mr. Trudel


Cottonwood News Forecast

Take Note

Check This Out!

Cougar Corridor

Take Note

Community School Meeting at the Library - October 1st

We will be holding a Community School Planning Meeting in the Library at 3:30 p.m. At this time we will come together to determine how to transform Cottonwood School into a Community School. Your voices are important and we hope to see you there!

CHAMPS Soccer Tournament - October 3rd

Our CHAMPS Soccer Athletes will be competing against Hamilton Elem and Idyllwild at home. Come and show your suppport. The Tournament will run from 2:45 p.m.t0 5:00 p.m.

PTO'S Family Bingo Night - October 4th

Come and join us for our first Family Bingo Night! Please help us raise funds for our fifth-grade class's trip to Pathfinder Ranch. All proceeds will directly benefit them. Cash or Check Only.

College Kick- Off Spirit Dress Up week October 7th - 11

College Kickoff focuses on preparing students for college and careers in line with the Riverside County Office of Education Pledge.This pledge ensures all our students graduate high school fully prepared academically and socially for college, the workforce, and civic involvement.

8:00AM - 9:00 AM

ELOP Parent Meeting - October 7th

This meeting is designed for new families interested in enrolling in the ELOP program. You'll have the opportunity to meet the staff and learn more about teacher-led clubs and sports activities.

Girls Volleyball Match - October 8th

Our Girls Volleyball Team will be playing at home against Idyllwild. Come cheer on our Cougars! The match will take place between 3:15-5:15 p.m.

Co-Ed Flag Football Match - October 8th

Our Co-Ed Flag Football Team will be playing at home against Idyllwild. Come cheer on our Cougars! The match will take place between 3:15-5:15 p.m.

PTO Meeting- October 8th

You are invited to join our PTO meeting on October 8th, from 8:00 to 8:30 AM.

Your participation will contribute to shaping our school's decisions and strengthening our school community.

Butter Braid Pastry Fundraiser - October 8th - October 22nd

The ButterBraid Pastry Fundraiser for the 5th-grade class trip to Pathfinder Ranch will kick off on October 8th and run until October 22nd. Delivery is scheduled for the 19th at 12:00 PM.

Girls Volleyball Match - October 10th

Our Girls Volleyball Team will be playing at home against St. Hyacinth. Come cheer on our Cougars! The match will take place between 3:15-5:15 p.m.

Co-Ed Flag Football Match - October 10th

Our Co-Ed Flag Football Team will be playing at home against St. Hyacinth. Come cheer on our Cougars! The match will take place between 3:15-5:15 p.m.

Saturday School - October 12th

This is an excellent chance for our students to regain a day of attendance credit. Breakfast and lunch will be offered.

Elementary Awards Assembly - October 15

Elementary students who have earned awards for Quarter 1 will be recognized. The TK-1 Grade Assembly will be at 1:45 p.m. and the 2nd-5th Grade Assembly will take place at 2:25 p.m. in the Cafeteria. Please bring your ID and arrive early to sign in.

Girls Volleyball Match - October 15th

Our Girls Volleyball Team will be playing at home against the Dual Language Academy. Come cheer on our Cougars! The match will take place between 3:15-5:15 p.m.

Co-Ed Flag Football Match - October 15th

Our Co-Ed Flag Football Team will be playing at home against The Dual Hemet Language Academy. Come cheer on our Cougars! The match will take place between 3:15-5:15 p.m.

Monday Meet-Up Flag Salute - College Kick-Off Focus - October 21st

College Kickoff is one of many countywide initiatives aimed at taking a more proactive approach to preparing TK-12th grade students for post-secondary goals. We will be focusing on college and career readiness in the month of October.

BOO Grams October 17th-26th

Make sure to surprise your friends with a Boo Gram! Each Boo Gram costs 50 cents. You can purchase them at the office during lunch between October 14th and 26th. Boo Grams will be delivered on Halloween.

Great California Shake Out - October 17

Students across the state participate in this annual Earthquake Drill.

Non Student Day - October 18

There is no school in session, however the ELOP Program will host a day of fun activities for students. You can register your child online if you would like them to attend.

Girls Volleyball Match - October 23rd

Our Girls Volleyball Team will be playing at home against Noli. Come cheer on our Cougars! The match will take place between 3:15-5:15 p.m.

Co-Ed Flag Football Match - October 23rd

Our Co-Ed Flag Football Team will be playing at home against Noli. Come cheer on our Cougars! The match will take place between 3:15-5:15 p.m.

Fall Festival - October 24th

COME READY TO JOIN THE FUN! 5:00 -7:30PM

There will be food, games and fun for the whole family!

Red Ribbon Week - October 21st- October 25th

Daily Spirit days will take place during Red Ribbon Week. The theme for this year will be "Life is a Movie."

Scholastic Book Fair- October 21st - 25th

Come join us for our Scholastic Book Fair, October 21-25 at Cottonwood's library.

Non Student day - October 25th

There is no school in session, however the SAFE Program will host a day of fun activities for students. You can register your child online if you would like them to attend.

We will be holding a Community School Planning Meeting in the Library at 3:30 p.m. At this time we will come together to determine how to transform Cottonwood School into a Community School. Your voices are important and we hope to see you there!

Track or Treat - October 31st. 1:30 PM

We are thrilled to announce that we will be collecting donations at the office for our upcoming "Trick or Treat" event! During this exciting event, our students will walk around the track in their Halloween costumes, proudly showing them off while receiving candy and chocolate treats from the Cottonwood staff. Please remember, for everyone's safety, masks and costume weapons are not allowed. We are looking forward to seeing all the creative costumes and happy faces at the event!

Elementary CHAMPS Soccer Tournaments - October

Red Ribbon Week Spirit Day Schedule

October 21ST

Wear Red to show your commitment to be Drug Free.

October 22nd

Wear Hawaiian Wear to show that you are "Lei"ing Off Drugs.

October 23rd

Wear your Shades. Our Drug Free Futures are so bright we have to wear shades.

October 24th -Team Up Against Drugs

Wear sports gear, hats,T-shirts, or team Uniforms.

October 25th -Wear your Pajamas

Wear your Pajamas. We are tired of hearing about kids getting hurt from drugs!

October 31

Track or Treat - Students participate in a Costume parade and walk the track to collect candy. No full face masks, gore, or weapons allowed. Students must wear shoes.

Cougar Corridor

Cougar Corner

For October, Cottonwood will focus on the Character Trait of Courage. We are excited to focus on Courage this month! One way to think about Courage is "making choices that are helpful, right, and kind, even when faced with difficulty or fear."
To help us celebrate Courage, please send in photos of your child demonstrating Courage to aniaves@hemetusd.org. We would love to celebrate their efforts with you.

Check This Out!

October Saturday School

ELOP'S Scholarly Minds

Fall Festival is on October 24th - See You There!

The PTO Hosted Family BINGO Night and Raised money for Pathfinder Ranch!

Patriot Day

Triad 1 Reward Day - Ice cream day

PTO Fundraiser - Dunk the Principal

We celebrated Dot Day in celebration of creativity and courage.

Here are a few pictures of the celebration at the Cottonwood Library led by Miss Tamar.

PLUS Leadership Training. Our MS Students Attended at the HUSD Board Room

Girls Volleyball Tournament

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