The Wednesday Weekly - October 9

Dear Homeschool Families,

As we move further into the school year, it’s easy to get caught up in what still needs to be done or the challenges that may arise. But this week, I’d like to encourage you to take a moment and celebrate the small wins.

Maybe you finished a project that your child was really excited about. Maybe you finally figured out a routine that works for your family (at least for now!), or you had one of those sweet “a-ha” moments where a concept just clicked for your child. These little victories are often the building blocks of a fulfilling homeschool experience, so let’s take some time to reflect on them.

Tying in Passion First

This month, we’ve been exploring the Passion First mindset as part of our 7 Mindsets program with SELF, which emphasizes the importance of discovering and nurturing what excites us. This same principle applies to homeschooling; when we focus on what our kids are truly passionate about, learning becomes a joy rather than a chore. If you haven’t yet, consider using the Explore Your Interests activities from our SELF Talk newsletter earlier this week to help your kids reflect on their interests. You can find those SELF lessons here.

Practical Tip: The “Small Wins” Journal

This week, consider starting a simple “small wins” journal. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy — just a place where you and your child can jot down one or two highlights from each day. It could be completing a math lesson without frustration, reading a new book, or even successfully getting outside for a nature walk. At the end of the week, look back and see all the progress you’ve made, no matter how small it may seem at the time.

Resources of the Week

If you’re looking for more tools to reinforce the Passion First mindset, revisit this week's SELF Talk newsletter and visit the Seven Mindsets page and SELF page in the Parent Hawks' Nest. Don’t forget the resources we provide from Big Life Journal, which help your kids develop introspection and self-reflection. New activities will be in your SELF talk Newsletter every week. These free printable activities are great for students to explore their interests and passions:

• Big Life Journal: Explore Your Interests Activity (all ages)

Action Idea: Reflect Together

As part of this week’s reflection, take a few minutes with your kids to ask them about their favorite parts of the week. What did they enjoy learning? Was there something they felt proud of? Encouraging these conversations helps your children see their own progress and reminds them that learning happens in all kinds of ways.

Remember, homeschooling is a journey, not a race. You’re doing incredible work every day, and it’s those small, steady steps that add up to something amazing. You’ve got this!

Kindly, Kara

You can find more info about dates and events throughout the newsletter or on the Hawks' Nest calendar.

Remember, this list does not include all events hosted by The Cottonwood School. Please check your personal calendar and email for field trip reminders, class reminders, and more.

Coming up

• Mon, Oct 7 - Fri, Oct 11: Usborne Book Fair at the Lending Library
• Thurs, Oct 10: November Event Registration, 12:30 pm
  

• Mon, Oct 14:
  
• Mondays at the CCC, 10 am - 2 pm
  
• Culture Corner Storytime & Crafts at the Lending Library 2 pm
  
• Mindset Mondays (See SELF Talk Newsletter for details)
  
• Weds, Oct 16:
• Weekly Regional Park Days (Scroll down to the Connect section for details)
• Library Van on Location, Fair Oaks & Rancho Cordova
  
• Fri, Oct 18:
• 9th and 12th grade Financial Aid presentations with High School Counselors (scroll down to High School Counseling section for details)

Looking Ahead

• Mon, Oct 21:
  
• Mondays at the CCC, 10 am - 2 pm
• Storytime & Crafts at the Lending Library, 2 pm
• Mindset Mondays
• Wed, Oct 23:
• Cottonwood Regional Park Days
• Library Van on Location, Rocklin & Auburn
• Tues, Oct 22: The Cottonwood School Board Meeting, 6 pm
  
• Fri, Oct 25: End of LP 2

We’re stepping up our Instagram game, and we want YOU to be a part of the fun! Follow us @thecottonwoodschool for daily inspiration, sneak peeks into our vibrant homeschooling community, and updates you won’t want to miss. From creative learning ideas to heartwarming stories, our page is a place to celebrate all things Cottonwood.

We’d love to feature your homeschool journey! Whether your kids are diving into their favorite subject, exploring the great outdoors, or showing off their talents in sports, music, or performance, we want to see it all! Snap a photo or record a quick clip, and send it our way. Email Kara at kara.parkins@cottonwoodk12.org with your submissions and include a short description of your child’s amazing moments.

Let’s showcase the awesome diversity of our community and inspire each other along the way. Don’t forget to tag us in your posts @thecottonwoodschool and use our hashtag #CottonwoodCommunity to connect with others!

Let’s make our Cottonwood community shine together!

Click on the IG photo to watch the fun video.

Important Upcoming Deadlines:

• November service order requests are due by October 16th.
• The last day to submit annual pass, subscription, and membership requests is October 30th.

Please review the order cycle, starting from when the order is requested, through to when the vendor submits an invoice and the order is paid.
Click on the image to the left to enlarge it and use it as a reference for tracking the status of your order.

We are excited to begin providing monthly Zoom seminars for our parents on various curriculum options. Save the Date!

Upcoming Seminars:

Oct. 23rd - 3:30 pm

Get Familiar with Bright Thinker Online

Nov. 13th - 3:30 pm

Acellus Observer Accounts

Nearpod is an award-winning instructional software that engages students with interactive learning experiences. With Nearpod, students have the ability to participate in lessons that contain virtual reality, 3D objects, PhET simulations and so much more! Nearpod is used by many of our virtual teachers already and requires no student sign-in to participate - just a simple link from your child's teacher to access a pre-designed lesson! Our teachers are getting additional training in Nearpod. Please look for an opportunity to try this great tool with them soon!

Reminder: Workshop 2 begins Oct 16th! Please click on the image to enlarge it.

If you have a student signed up, they should have access to the course and Zoom link via Canvas!

Dr. Shannon Carpenter has had the privilege and honor of working in the field of education for over 25 years and is also a homeschooling mom to 7 children and 6 grandchildren.

She holds a special affection for the Unit Study approach, as it can be easily employed in a family setting with minimal effort while yielding maximum academic results and creating lasting memories. Shannon has written 10 months of unit studies that are available free of charge on the Nest under Educational Design exerts. If you have questions about Unit studies, please contact: shannon.carpenter@cottonwoodk12.org

We are excited to continue offering our TK Circle Time, a special space for our Transitional Kindergarten students to connect, learn, and have fun together. Every TK student is welcome and encouraged to join us for daily activities designed to engage young minds and foster a love of learning. Each day brings something new, from interactive stories to playful learning activities, making it an enriching experience for all participants.

We cap off the week with our Fun Fridays, where our Spanish, music, or art electives teachers join in to make the day extra special. It’s a wonderful way for your child to explore creative learning in a joyful, engaging environment.

We’d love to welcome your TK student soon!

Time flies when we are having fun! It is hard to believe we’ve just wrapped up our first month of Boost classes. From engaging discussions to collaborative projects, Boost classes have truly come alive with creativity and enthusiasm. Students have dived into new concepts, shared their ideas, and built lasting friendships with their peers. Their curiosity and passion for learning shine through every session!

Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for information about spring registration. We hope your students will join us on a fun-filled learning adventure!

Do your teens know about Cottonwood’s Fall Ball happening on October 25th? This dance is for all 9th-12th grade students and will be epic! Tickets are on sale now at the event's HS FALL BALL registration link.

Ticket Sales have been extended to Oct 18 - get yours now!

Progress reports show a student's Quarter 1 grades and progress in all of their high school classes. Here are a few things to keep in mind about progress reports:

• Progress Reports are a snapshot in time and grades can improve all semester long

• This mid-semester check is a helpful tool to know if your student is on track or needs more support

• Use this opportunity to open up dialogue about classwork, assignments, and topics being studied

• Make sure your students attend and participate in their Live classes. Attendance is mandatory and participation shows engagement. Both lead to increased learning, success, and achievement.

• Celebrate the successes

• Identify areas for growth and support

Wherever your student is on the continuum of achievement, your CVHS teachers are committed to their academic and personal growth and success. Click the button below for the CVHS Student Support Guide

This week we are featuring Animal Science in CTE 🐱🦌🐷

• Feel free to preview the Animal Science presentation!

CTE is studying Behavioral Economics in Personal Finance. See the graphic below for a sneak peek!

On October 18th, we will be launching our Grade Level Presentation Series for families and students. These presentations will highlight key areas high school students should focus on or work toward during their academic year.

Additionally, we will be offering a Financial Aid Presentation, designed to provide you with essential information on when and how to begin the financial aid process for college.

These presentations offer a valuable opportunity for families and students to ask questions and, if needed, schedule individual meetings with their school counselor.

Sierra College: Applications are now open for students who have never taken a college class or did not enroll for the Fall semester. Everyone needs an Academic Enrichment Form, and these can be submitted starting on October 9th. All students must submit these forms, including new students and those continuing their college coursework. The anticipated registration date is November 15th mark your calendar and remember to log into MySierra on registration day to add your classes.

Los Rios Colleges (American River, Folsom Lake, Cosumnes River, and Sacramento City College): Applications are open for students who have never taken a college class or did not enroll for the Fall semester. Special Admit Forms can be submitted starting Nov 4th, with registration expected on December 19th. New for this spring is self registration; students will be assigned a registration date and will go into eservices to register for their classes.

For more information and forms, check out the Concurrent Enrollment Guidelines below.

Important: Don’t forget to send a POE (Proof of Enrollment) to karson.davis@cottonwoodk12.org; once submitted they will be added to your high school schedule so you get credit.

We took our 9th and 10th graders on a culinary adventure with an immersive entry event to get them excited for their upcoming garden project! As a follow-up to their "Global Taste Trek" activity, we transformed one of our classrooms into a full-on bistro, complete with servers, a host, string lights, place settings, and even a chef! The atmosphere was electric as students stepped into a restaurant experience designed to spark their creativity and interest in sustainable food. This hands-on, interactive event was a fun and unforgettable way to set the stage for their garden bed project. We went all out to ensure they felt completely immersed in the world of farm-to-table dining!

"The possibilities are unlimited as long as you are true to your life's purpose" - Marcia Weider

Join us for Mindful Movement with Ms. Kelly, our SELF coordinator! This special activity helps students connect body, mind, and emotions through movement and engaging lessons on mindset and emotional awareness. It’s a great way to build mindfulness and focus, all while having fun!

Catch Ms. Kelly three times a month:

• Once at Mondays @ the CCC
• Next session: October 14th from 1:00 - 2:00 pm
• Park Days:
• October 23rd @ Deer-Okamoto Park, Elk Grove at 10:30 am

Come ready to move, learn, and grow! Perfect for students of all ages.

At Cottonwood, we believe that everybody belongs, and this commitment to inclusivity applies to all of our events, programs, and community initiatives. Through our Everybody Belongs program, we actively promote inclusion, cultural awareness and respect for the diverse perspectives within our school community. Whether it's through field trips, enrichment programs, or school events, we strive to create an environment where every student and family feels welcome and supported.

Inclusion goes beyond recognizing differences — it’s about embracing them. Regardless of personal backgrounds, beliefs, or experiences, we are dedicated to ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. We offer resources and opportunities that reflect our commitment to equity, making sure that our programs and events are accessible to everyone.

At Cottonwood, we believe that when we respect and uplift one another, we build a more connected and compassionate community. We are proud of the diversity that strengthens our school, and we will continue to ensure that everybody belongs — because that’s what makes us stronger together.

We are so excited to have two Filipino Ambassador Families for the month of October, which is Filipino Heritage Month. We have the Marigmen Family and the Florante Family. Please take the time to read their family stories in the Parent Nest.

The Marigmen family shared a photo of their family and one of their favorite meals, Pancit. We will be making a Pancit dish on October 18th at the CCC, so please sign up using the button below to join us in making this delicious dish.

• 10 am - 1 pm: Quiet explorative play & schoolwork
• 1 pm - 2 pm: Staff-led, parent-guided activity - details below
• 2 pm: Head to Craft & Storytime at the Lending Library or home!

Park Days have been gaining in attendance each week! Remember to check this Connect section and our Upcoming Field Trips & Events spreadsheet to keep up to date on all events. Our goal is to connect you to the Cottonwood community by hosting these regular meet-ups where we hope both parents and students can get to know each other. Don't forget to check Mindful Movement dates and Lending Library Van dates that will sometimes coincide with our park days. See you there!

• All registrations and payments are final. Please carefully read all details before registering for a field trip.
  
• Punctuality is crucial. You must arrive at the designated start time for all events. If you arrive late, you will not be allowed to join, out of respect for the venue, coordinators, and other families.
• Direct parent supervision is required for the entire duration of all events, unless it is a designated Teen Drop-Off event.
  
• Registration closes two weeks prior to the event date.

Events listed below open tomorrow! Set your alarms for 12:30 PM so you don't miss out on any of these awesome trips!

Unless noted otherwise, events are open to all ages of students.

Listed below you'll find the October trips that are still open for registration at the time this newsletter was sent. If you would like to join the waitlist for other trips, please visit the Upcoming Field Trips & Events list or the Parent Hawks' Nest Calendar (login required) to see all of our available trips.

Preview all upcoming events on the website and spreadsheet linked below or on the Hawks' Nest Calendar (log-in required).

• OFFICIAL Facebook Community Group
• Official and private, moderated by Cottonwood School staff.
• Ensures accurate information and verifies active members as parents/legal guardians.
• A secure space for information, updates, and community connections.
• Public Instagram
• Pinterest - Tons of resources and ideas to be found.

Click the links below to add yourself to our REMIND list for our Park days. A weekly text will be sent to remind you of our upcoming event. Additionally, if there are last-minute location or time changes, you will be updated.

REMIND: Mondays at the CCC

REMIND: Rocklin/Roseville/Lincoln Park Day

REMIND: 50 Corridor: Folsom/Placerville/Rancho Cordova

REMIND: Elk Grove Park Day

REMIND: Antelope/Fair Oaks/Citrus Heights

General Resources for Parents

• The Parents Hawks Nest - Everything you need to know and more is found here.

• Past Wednesday Weekly Newsletters
• 2024/25 School Calendar

THE COTTONWOOD SCHOOL

Serving transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students in El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Placer, and Sacramento Counties.

Location: 3921 Sandstone Dr. Ste 100, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762, USA

Phone: (530) 285-2003