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Cottonwood News
May 2024
A Note from our Principal
And it’s May! We did it! Field trips are in full swing, end-of-year activities are set, 5th grade fun times are happening, the kinder alphabet countdown has reached the middle, and the weather is warmer and stickier. In other words, the end is in sight!
Please keep an eye on the calendar and follow your child’s newsletter/communication home so you’re fully aware of all of the dates and activities. The office usually knows everything that’s happening, but changes often occur due to weather and then we sometimes miss something.
Our final parent engagement activity for the year will be on Thursday, May 9th, when we have Ice-Cream Sandwiches to Celebrate the Start of Summer. We hope you’ll join us on the playground as we share a final hurrah together and celebrate a fun year!
Finally, I want to thank you for an amazing first year. I’ve learned a lot, but what I really learned is that our staff is more incredible than I knew, the students are more engaged and fun than I suspected, and our community is more dedicated than ever. I’m already excited for next year as I settle more into my role.
We’re wishing you all a fun end to the school year and a wonderful summer!
With education at heart,
Dr. Michelle Adler
Please welcome our new Financial Admin. Asst!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Val Osborne. She is our new Financial Admin. Asst. We are so excited to have her join our front office team! Welcome, Val!!
New Student Registration for 2024-25
Do you or someone you know have a NEW student who will attend Cottonwood Elementary for the first time in August 2024? If so, please click here to complete our 2024-25 Intent to Register form. Note: This form does NOT need to be completed for CURRENT Pre-K or other current students in the Andover Public Schools.
The Andover School District requires the following items in order to register your child for school:
- copy of state issued birth certificate
- copy of housing contract or signed lease and utility bill (water, gas or electric)
- copy of current immunization records
These documents can be uploaded during the registration process or emailed to Shari at taskers@usd385.org.
Registration for current Andover District students will open on July 16, 2024.
Attention Future 6th Graders!!
First graders at the zoo!
Hangin' with the gorillas
Playing at the Zoo
America Answers Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl Contest
Several Cottonwood Elementary 5th grade students competed in the Spring America Answers Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl Contest on April 8th & April 16th. This contest is a self-scoring, computerized quiz that consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Topics range from math, geography, government, sports, spelling, science, literature, English, history, general information to just plain fun trivia. Points are earned based on time and accuracy. The Cottonwood students scored a total of 813 points with 72% accuracy! They earned 5th place in the Andover School District and 37th place out of 63 other 5th grade teams across the nation.
The 2024 America Answers team members include: Conner G., Kane L., Mason M.,
Campbell C., Abigail N., Braelynn H., Ariya P., Elijah M., Zoey R., and Luke N.
Congratulations to the team for all their hard work!
Saying Goodbye...
Mrs. Sorensen, our 5th grade teacher, is retiring! She has made an impact on so many lives and we wish her the very best on her next adventure!!
Others who are moving on, as well:
Montana Severe - Self Contained teacher
Travis Thayer - 4th grade teacher
Richard Alano - Instructional Aide
Marcus Greene - Instructional Aide
May Counselor Time Theme is Bullying.
In Fifth Grade we will also be working on Prepping for Middle School. We will be taking tours of ACMS for those transferring and AMS for all attending. To my fabulous fifth graders, I wish you all the best at middle school. I know you are all ready and will do an incredible job there next fall. We wish you all the best!
I hope you all have a fabulous summer! Enjoy your time off. Get outside and enjoy a new adventure. I look forward to seeing you all again in the fall. Parents let me know if you need support for the summer. I have some names of tutors. If your child needs therapeutic services over the summer, I can help with that as well. If you need any other summer ideas please let me know.
Have amazing adventures!!
Marcie Faust-LCPC/NBCC
Cottonwood Counselor
316-218-4620 ext. 2
Letters have been sent home with students that have Over the Counter medication in our health office. All Emergency and OTC medications must be picked up by a parent in the health office before 5/21/24. Any medication left in our office after school lets out will be destroyed.
Additional letters were mailed out notifying you if there are any missing documents/immunizations from your student’s health office file that need to be addressed over the summer before school resumes. If you received a letter and have any questions, please call the health office 313-218-4620, ext 3 or email me at rebeld@usd385.org. As you clean out closets and find clothing that no longer fits, the health office is always in need of gently used and clean underwear and shorts/pants for both boys and girls.
Have a safe, healthy and fun summer!
Denis Rebel, school nurse
Emily Graber, health clerk
Our goose is a momma!
Momma proudly showing off her goslings!
Taking the goslings on their first adventure!
Lost and Found
If you child is missing items, please check out the lost and found!
Any items that are left at the end of the school year will be donated to Goodwill.
Dates to Remember
May 8 - 3rd/4th grade to WindSurg
May 9 - 2nd grade field trip to Tanganyika, Ice Cream sandwiches on playground 6:15 - 7:45 pm
May 10 - 5th grade Amazing Race, CES WindSurg Night 7:00 - 9:00 pm
May 13 - 5th grade Orchestra concert @ AMS 6:00 pm
May 14 - 5th grade field trip to Tanganyika
May 15 - Cottonwood Talent Show 9:00 am
May 16 - 5th grade to 13th Street Park
May 17 - Field Day
May 21 - Last Day of School for Elementary ONLY (dismiss at 3:45 pm)
Need more current information? The Cottonwood website is updated weekly.
The Butler County Interlocal is in need of Paraprofessionals
Teacher's Amazon Wishlist
Mrs. Kadel, Kindergarten - Wish List
Mrs. Wood, Kindergarten - Wish List
Mrs. Carney, 1st Grade - Wish ListMrs. Barscewski, 2nd Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Danielsen, 2nd Grade Wish List
Mrs. Davis, 2nd Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Hesterman, 3rd Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Braddy, 3rd Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Reed, 5th Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Schwartzbeck, 5th Grade - Wish List
Mrs. Davidson, Self-Contained - Wish List
Mrs. Pentz, Self-Contained - Wish List
Mrs. Michler, Resource - Wish List
Mrs. Nobach, Music - Wish List
Communication is Key
School website: http://cottonwood.usd385.org/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CottonwoodElementary
PTO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cottonwoodelementarypto/
Andover Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndoverSchools
Peachjar-- Peachjar is an “electronic backpack” system where schools post calendars, activity information from enrichment providers, and school letters. This system is used exclusively for distribution of school-approved fliers. Your email address will not be shared or used for any other purpose.
Cottonwood Elementary
Email: adlerm@usd385.org
Website: http://cottonwood.usd385.org/
Location: 1747 N Andover Rd, Andover, KS, United States
Phone: 316-218-4620
Facebook: facebook.com/CottonwoodElementary/
Twitter: @CottonwoodElem