CGE Family News

April 17: Incoming Kindergarten Meet and Greet 5-6pm

April 18: No School

April 21: No School

April 25: Family Glow Night - 6:30-8:00PM- More info to come

May 22: World Culture Night at CGE- 5:30-7:00pm

May 23: No School

May 26: No School

Calendar and Schedule Updates

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

Happy Friday!

I hope you had a great week. It's been busy here at CGE. Please remember that we do not have school April 18 and April 21.

Our next evening event sponsored by PTO is the Glow Night on April 25. See the flyer below for more details. It's sure to be a fun night at CGE.

The month of May is World Culture Month at CGE. More information will be coming home next week regarding the events of the month. Please mark your calendar for our First Annual Multi-Cultural Night at CGE on May 22 from 5:30-7:00pm. Students will have the opportunity to share about their culture, view artifacts from other cultures, grab dinner from one of the food trucks, attend performances from various cultural groups and participate in our very own CGE fashion show. Please see the flyer below and be looking for more information to come home next week.

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gram, Principal.

Students in grades 3-5 will participate in MCAs beginning April 14 at CGE. Students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) in math and reading, or the Alternate MCA test in science, which starts on March 31, 2025.

It is important for all students in those grades to participate in MCA testing because:

• SoWashCo Schools can identify academic standards that students are doing well on

• SoWashCo Schools can identify areas for improvement in curriculum and instruction

• Demonstrate the achievement of SoWashCo students on mandated state reporting

• SoWashCo Schools high school students can use scores for PSEO and college readiness

Please contact Candy Gram at 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.

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.

Sign Up for Summer Activities!

The Community Education Spring and Summer catalog will be coming out soon! Registration for classes is open! Spend your spring and summer staying active, learning a new skill or enjoying a fun hobby!

Get a sneak peek of the catalog at commed.sowashco.org/catalogs or sign up for classes at sowashco.ce.eleyo.com.

View Catalog

Register

Super Artist, Grade K-5

Draw motorcycles, boats, butterflies, and even a portrait of Beethoven in this fun afterschool art class.

3:50-4:50 p.m., Tuesdays, April 15-May 20, Valley Crossing Elementary

3:15-4:15 p.m., Wednesdays, April 16-May 21, Middleton Elementary

3:10-4:10 p.m., Thursdays, April 3-May 8, Pullman Elementary

3:15-4:15 p.m., Fridays, April 4-May 16, Armstrong Elementary

3:15-4:15 p.m., Thursdays, April 17-May 29, Cottage Grove Elementary

Register

Find More Classes and Activities

PTO Meeting Calendar:

All start at 4:30 pm in the Media Center at CGE

Tuesday, Apr 15th - Tuesday, May 13th

Fundraising Nights at Culvers:

May 6 - 3rd Grade

Books and Breakfast hosted by the PTO

Each grade level will have a chance to participate throughout the year. Here are the future dates for Books and Breakfast.

May 8- 2nd Grade

May 15th – 4th Grade

CGE will be able to host limited lunch time visitors between , October 22– May 1 this school year. Based on space and safety requirements, one family member listed in Parent Portal may sign up using our April Sign Up to accompany their child at our guest lunch table. Our reservation link for April is live CLICK HERE 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. One guest only.
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.
11. 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.

It has been a common practice to provide treats for the class in honor of a child’s birthday; however we are asking that NO EDIBLE TREATS be sent in to celebrate birthdays. We will make your child’s birthday special in the classroom without edible treats.

If you would like to send a little something to honor their day please consider an alternative birthday treat such as pencils or a book donated to the classroom. We ask that no edible treats be sent in due to varying allergy conditions and other issues related to edible treats in the classroom. Thank you for your help with following this new practice of celebrating birthdays in the classroom.

Birthday “parties” are not given in the classroom and dispersing non-edible treats is expected to take minimal time away from classroom instruction. In addition, teachers are not responsible for handing out birthday party invitations or sending email invites/RSVP reminders to the entire class. Thank you for respecting these guidelines.

If you wish to volunteer at CGE you MUST HAVE A CURRENT BACKGROUND CHECK Completed. You can visit:

https://www.sowashco.org/get-involved/volunteer

Click on The Volunteer Process.

There is a volunteer application and a link to complete your background check. It is helpful to do this early in the year so you are set in case a volunteer opportunity arises such as field trip or helping at track and field event.

If you have had a current background check WITH THE DISTRICT in the past two years and have volunteered during that time you do not need to complete another one at this time. Unfortunately we cannot accept background checks from any other organization. You must have one on file through our district.

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.

Candy Gram, Principal: cgram0@sowashco.org / 651.425.5803

Pam Olson, Office Coordinator: polson@sowashco.org / 651.425.5801

Desi Faletti, School Social Worker: dfaletti@sowashco.org / 651.425.5808

Marci Patchett, School Psychologist: mpatchet@sowashco.org / 651.425.5824

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

Email: cgram0@sowashco.org
Website: https://cges.sowashco.org/
Location: 7447 65th Street South, Cottage Grove, MN, USA
Phone: 651-425-5800