january 2017 word of the month ~ kindness coyote...
TRANSCRIPT
Coyote Call Cottonwood Elementary School
9950 E Rees Loop * Tucson, AZ 85747 (520) 879-2602 * www.cwe.vail.k12.az.us
January 2017 Word of the Month ~ Kindness
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
NO SCHOOL
3
NO SCHOOL
4 Welcome Back!
Kindness Club & Guitar Club,
2:15pm
5 6 Coffee With Mrs. Mayeux, 7:45am
Coyotes Caught ACTing Assembly
(KAM-2nd), 8:45amCoyotes Caught
ACTing (KPM-3rd-5th),
1:15pm
7
8 9Coyotes Caught ACTing Lunch
(1st-2nd), 10:30am
Coyote Caught ACTing lunch (3rd-5th),
11:00am
Girls on the Run, Heart & Sole, Choir, Crazy 8
Math Club, 2:15pm
PTSA Meeting, 2:15pm
10 Reading
Ambassadors, Computer Coding Club & Crazy 8
Math Club, 2:15pm
Governing Board Meeting, 7:00pm
11 School-Wide
Screening
Heart & Sole, Kindness Club & Guitar Club,
2:15pm
12
Girls on the Run, 2:15pm
Family Reading Time, 3:00pm
Family Math Night, 5:30pm
13 District Spelling
Bee at Vail Theater of the Arts
Student Council School Store Open Before and After
School
14
15 16 Martin Luther
King Day, Jr. Day
NO SCHOOL!
17 Reading
Ambassadors, Computer Coding
Club& Crazy 8 Math Club, 2:15pm
Site Council
Meeting, 4:30pm
18 Heart & Sole,
Kindness Club, Guitar Club,
2:15pm
19 Girls on the Run & Bricks4Kidz,
2:15pm
20 21
22 23 Girls on the Run,
Heart & Sole, Choir, Crazy 8 Math Club
& Lego Club, 2:15pm
24 1st Grade Music
Assembly, 8:00am
Reading Ambassadors,
KidzArt, Computer Coding Club &
Crazy 8 Math Club, 2:15pm
First Grade Open House 5:00pm, Performance,
6:00pm
Governing Board Meeting, 7:00pm
25 Half Day, 11:35AM Dismissal
TGA Golf, 11:45am
26 Girls on the Run & Bricks4Kidz,
TGA Tennis 2:15pm
27 Student
Council Skate Night, 5:00pm
28
29 30 Girls on the Run,
Heart & sole, Choir, Crazy 8 Math Club
& Lego Club, 2:15pm
31Reading
Ambassadors, KidzArt,
Computer Coding Club & Crazy 8
Math Club, 2:15pm
Dear Cottonwood Families and Community Members,
Vail Pride Day is right around the corner! This fabulous event will take place on February 18, 2017. Thank you for taking the time to recognize the hard-work and dedication of our teachers and support staff by nominating them as teacher and/or support staff of the year. Our staff members work diligently to teach our students mastery and to teach good character.
As like many of you, this is the time of year where I like to reflect and think about what I am thankful for. I would like to extend my personal gratitude to our staff and community for their continuous efforts in creating a healthy school culture and high academic expectations. Teachers are working diligently to continue to provide instruction to meet the rigor expectations of Arizona College and Career Ready Standards and to provide character education. I would like to thank you for your continued partnership and support!
In closing, I would like to wish you and your family a happy, safe, and memorable holiday season.
YourPartnerinEducation,
Bobbi Mayeux,MA,MEdPrincipal
Volume 1 Issue 59
Mission: The Cottonwood community is proud to provide a quality, nurturing environment where we strive to motivate every student in developing their greatest learning potential.
Vision: At Cottonwood, our vision is to inspire a passion for learning and to create innovative thinkers who will be successful in their future endeavors.
January 2017
Spotlight on Specialists PE
Physical Education January 2017
,,,,,,,,,,
Running Club upcoming dates:
Monday- January 9th
Wednesday- January 11th
Wednesday- January 18th
Monday-January 23rd Monday- January 30th If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Sutton or Mrs. Malm.
Grades 1-2- Students will be focusing on working together in groups and locomotor moves.
Grades 3-5- Students will be continuing to learn different skills and techniques in volleyball. We will continue with spiking and game play.
PE Dress Code Heart and Sole Running Club
What Are We Learning in PE?
Just a friendly reminder that students should be wearing appropriate clothing and shoes for PE class. Please help remind your child what day they have PE and to wear something comfortable with tennis shoes. It is very important for their safety and for them to correctly perform exercises and activities.
Fitness
AshleySutton,[email protected]
Spotlight on Specialists Music
JANUARY MUSIC NEWS
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I hope you all had a wonderful winter break with friends and family. I am so excited to get 2017 rolling and back to making music with our wonderful students
What are we doing this month in music class? 1st grade We will be preparing for our performance of TOO Much Noise! We hope to see you there!
2nd grade Our 2nd graders will be working on putting together their knowledge of rhythms and pitch to sing and play songs on instruments and write them on the staff.
3rd grade
This group will be working on music forms using songs for our upcoming Rodeo Performance.
4th grade In 4th grade we will be adding our right hand to the recorder and learning even more great songs and learning about different kinds of articulations in our playing.
5th grade Band and Orchestra will be building their reading skills and developing a greater range of notes with our Vail Pride Day music!
General Music will be moving into our classical music unit and learning about how to write parts for instrumental perfiormers.
Questions? – Call or email Mrs. Morris @ (520)879-2616 or [email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS Upcoming Performances:
1st grade Show – Too Much Noise! -When: Jan. 24, 2017 @6pm -Where: Cottonwood MPR Vail Pride Day -When: Feb. 18, 2016 -Where: Pima County Fairgrounds 2nd grade Rodeo Show -When: Feb.21, 2017 @6pm -Where: Cottonwood MPR
Health News HAPPY NEW YEAR! The weather is getting colder as we head into January. Colds and the Flu are not uncommon, especially during this time of year. But how do you know if it’s a cold or the flu? Here’s a symptom list to help you figure it out. Symptom Common Cold Influenza Fever Rarely High(102-104) Lasts 3-4 days Headache Rarely Very Common
Aches & Pains Mild Usually, often severe
Stuffy nose Common Sometimes
Sore throat Common Usually
Cough Moderate hacking cough Can be severe dry cough
While this list is far from complete it’s a good place to begin when identifying a common cold vs. the flu. Doctors say vaccination is the best prevention. They also recommend washing your hands to keep clean and help prevent the spread of flu causing germs. For information or vaccine locations, please call the Arizona Flu Hotline at 877-764-2670 or visit StopTheSpreadAZ.org.
Niki Cannito, Cottonwood Elementary Health [email protected](520) 879-2610
Cottonwood’s Site Council
Tracy Kurz, Parent Member & Chair Mary Helen Douglas, Parent Member & Clerk Amanda Jensen, Parent Member Tom Kruszewski, Parent Member Chrissy DeBono, Certified Member Anabelle Pearson,Certified Member Carol Saldana, Classified Member
The next Site Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17th at 4:30PM in the conference room. Meetings are open to the public and your attendance is encouraged.
The Site Council serves in an advisory capacity to the principal at Cottonwood. Site councils give parents and community members of each school site the opportunity to provide input into the decision-making process. In addition, school employees are given representation on the site council.
Mrs. Bonnie Bordner Art Specialist Cottonwood Elementary [email protected] 520.879.2639
2017Cottonwood Elementary
CWE ART
WITH MRS. BORDNER
January 2017
What we’re up to…
1st grade: Students started their winter cardinal project where they are learning more about crayon resist and shape to create their cardinal scene.
2nd grade: Students read a book by Faith Ringgold called Tar Beach and are creating an artwork based on the book! The artwork is a cityscape with a self portrait flying over it!
3rd grade: Students are finishing up their “Trees of Thankfulness where they created a collage of leaves and words. The leaves are
made from different patterned papers and the words represent specific things they are thankful for.
4th grade: Students began creating their winter birch trees. This process involves making tape, watercolor, salt, and shadow. They learned about light source and how to make shadows look more realistic.
5th grade: We are finishing up our personal mixed media self portraits. What a great job on facial features they’ve done already! They are adding
an inspirational message to their artworks. Our next project will be starting the next few weeks working on a full body self portrait that goes with our overall school theme.
Art Club Announcements: 4th-5th grade art club begins in late January! Be on the lookout for more details soon!
News from Title One: Building Vocabulary
Building Your Child’s Vocabulary
Beginning readers use knowledge about words to help them make sense of what they’re reading. The more words a reader knows, the more they are able to comprehend what they’re reading or listening to.
Talking to and reading with your child are two terrific ways to help them hear and read new words. Conversations and questions about interesting words (“The book says, ‘The boy tumbled down the hill,’ and look at the picture! How do you think he went down the hill?”) are easy ways to get new words into everyday talk.
Sharing a new word with your child doesn’t have to take a long time: just a few minutes to talk about the word and then focus back on the book or conversation. In addition, there are many ways that you can build vocabulary with your child when not reading a book. As you are running errands, tell your child the proper terms for things that they see (cabbage vs. vegetable OR Doberman vs. dog). Another family activity that you can do is to create a “word of the week” that is hung on the refrigerator. All week you try to use that word as much as possible!
Helpful Hints When Introducing a New Word
1. First, provide a simple, kid-friendly definition for the new word: Enormous means that something is really, really big.
2. Second, provide a simple, kid-friendly example that makes sense within their daily life: Remember that really big watermelon we got at the grocery store? That was an enormous watermelon!
3. Third, encourage your child to develop their own example: What enormous thing can you think of? Can you think of something really big that you saw today? That’s right! The bulldozer near the park was enormous! Those tires were huge.
4. Last, keep your new words active within your house. Over the next few days and weeks, take advantage of opportunities to use each new vocabulary word in conversation.
For more resources, visit the vocabulary section on Reading Rockets: www.ReadingRockets.org/atoz/vocabulary
Free Apps to Encourage New Words
Bluster! is a vocabulary game app that can be played solo, as a team, or competitively against another player. Kids race against time and weather to match as many words as they can.
Chicktionary is a chicken themed spelling and vocabulary-building word game. Children create as many words as possible out of seven letters. Completed words can be tapped to view their definition. There are multiple levels and children can choose a timed or untimed mode.
Bluster! Chicktionary
The Mad Libs app is just how you remember the classic fill-in-the-noun/verb/adverb game, but with a twist! Fill-in-the-blank sections are now interactive, and hints are offered to educate and entertain.Mad Libs
STEM - January 2017
Happy New Year from Cottonwood STEM!
1st and 2nd graders (Chemical Engineers)The last few weeks have been very exciting for our 1st and 2nd grade STEM students. They have been working very hard to find a mixture of play dough materials that is “just right” for making play dough. It has taken a lot of trial and error to reach this point. However, nearly all of the classes have discovered the perfect measurements and which order the materials should be mixed. Students will finish the unit by mixing and coloring the perfect, high-quality play dough we have been seeking the last few months.
3rd graders (Optical Engineers)The 3rd graders have spent the last several visits perfecting the lighting systems in their “Egyptian” tombs. There have been some very creative use of mirrors and lights to illuminate the hieroglyphs hanging on the walls of the tombs. Students have also been faced with the challenge of budget constraints and are discovering the value of strategic budget planning. One of our 3rd grade teams managed to light every hieroglyph while spending the minimum budget amount of $3.50! As we wrap up our lighting unit we will begin moving more toward the technology aspect of STEM with computer science and coding.
4th graders (Mechanical Engineers)The 4th graders at Cottonwood have finished designing and creating the blades for their windmill projects. Next, they built their windmill towers and began testing the efficiency of their blades to do work (lift metal washers off the table). So far we have a grade level record of 25 washers held by a team in Mrs. John’s 4th grade. After the first round of testing, students improve their designs by making small adjustments to the angle or position of the blades and return to testing. Thank you to all of the families that sent in paper milk/juice cartons for us to use on this project!
5th graders (Aerospace Engineers)The initial parachutes testing results are in! Students spent several days testing different parachute variables to use on the design of parachute that would theoretically work in an atmosphere thinner than Earth’s. Student groups will have much more freedom in terms of size, material, and line length for their new parachute designs. Students will be scored based on the size and drop speed of their new parachutes. Our goal is to keep parachutes relatively small as space in the “spacecraft” is limited. We will continue this project into the new year before moving on to our new project.
Karen Cross, STEM [email protected]
Kelly Simons, Title One Reading Jill VanAsdlan, Title One [email protected] [email protected] 520-879-2651
A Note From the Achievement Office
Happy New Year and welcome back! It is hard to believe that we are embarking on the second half of the school year. As I reflect back, I am amazed and warmed by all of the great achievements our students have accomplished. I just know the rest of the year will be nothing short of awesome!
As we move into Quarter 3, you may find yourself struggling to help your child with the content being taught in class. Have no fear, there are many different websites out there that can help! Check out the few sites I’ve listed below. Each is very unique and offers a wide variety of videos, lessons, and support. The best part is: they don’t take long to watch! Enjoy!
http://www.khanacademy.orghttps://www.teachingchannel.org
Check out this website! It offers fun games for your children to play that works directly with their standards for Math and Reading. Best part is- it’s free!
www.adaptedmind.com/videos
Hope you all have a great start to a wonderful year!
Stephanie MagnusonStudent Achievement [email protected]
January 2017
SAVE THE DATE Vail Pride Day Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Thursday, February 16th
Natalia SkillicornVolunteer Coordinator/ Parapro
(520) 879-2619 [email protected]
Cottonwood Science and Engineering Showcase
The CWE Science and Engineering Showcase is right around the corner. This year the showcase will be held on January 19th from 5-7pm in the Cottonwood MPR. Students should have projects to their teachers between January 17-18th. The showcase committee is seeking volunteers to judge the projects prior to the showcase. Judging will take place on the evening of the 18th and the morning of the 19th. The top winners of our 4th and 5th grades will then have their projects entered into the SARSEF fair in late March 2017. at the Tucson Convention Center. Our top winners will also be featured at Vail Pride Day in February. If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering for the showcase please contract Mrs. Cross at [email protected].
PTSA NEWS JANUARY 2017
PTSA
News January 2017
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! COTTONWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
I can’t believe it’s already 2017!!! The second semester has lots of PTSA events in store for you…
Coffee with the Principal
The PTSA sponsors monthly “Coffee with Mrs. Mayeux”. Please join us for coffee/tea/juice and learn about upcoming school events, as well as ask questions, and get to know Mrs. Mayeux. Please join us on Friday, January 6 at 7:45am in the Library.
PTSA Meeting
Our next PTSA meeting is Monday, January 9, at 2:15pm in the library. If you would like to be involved in your child’s education, support Cottonwood and the students and teachers, meet other parents & staff, help with upcoming events, and be a voice in decision making, please join us at the meeting. We are excited to see you there!!!
Vail Pride Day
Vail Pride Day is quickly approaching. Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 18. Come support the Vail School District, support you children, and see their awesome work!!!
Thank You PTSA Members!!!
We would like to thank all of the PTSA members who have attended any meetings, took on Room Parent, or helped by volunteering your time to PTSA this year. Your time is greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!!!
T-Shirts for sale…
Just wanted to remind you that T-shirts are for sale in the front office year round. Sarah Vickery will be able to help you out, just ask her! Thank you Sarah!!!
Father Daughter Dance
The Father Daughter Dance was a hit this year! Thank you to those who attended, and a huge thank you to all of the volunteers who came together to make the dance a success. The MPR looked beautiful and everything went so smoothly thanks to all of the help we had.
Boosterthon Update
The PTSA’s annual fundraiser, Boosterthon Fun Run, was again a success. We are able to buy a set of Chromebooks and a cart to store them in. We will be ordering those early in 2017, so that our students can begin using them as soon as possible. Thank you to everyone who donated!!! Because of you, we are able to put more technology at the fingertips of our students!
Upcoming Mother Son Event
We can’t have a Father Daughter Dance without a Mother Son Event coming right around the corner. More information will be going home soon about this event, planned for March 31 from 6-8pm. So save the date!!!
Spring Carnival
Mark your calendars for the Spring Carnival on Friday, April 28. It’s going to be a great event. More information coming soon. We will need plenty of volunteers to run this event. If you have a few hours to spare, please contact the PTSA at [email protected]
Upcoming PTSA Sponsored Events & News
About 220 students in grades 3-5 from across the city competed at the math league regional competition today at Rincon High School!! Cottonwood, Sycamore, Ocotillo, and Desert Willow were there representing Vail.
Way to go CWE 5th graders!!!Jenine Annett
Madelyne TwillingJesse Nichols
Marquise LivigniTalia Stahl
Luke FigueroaVictoria MuratiAbigail Plaga
Congratulations Jesse Nichols on his ninth place overall individual amongst 5th graders in the city! Congratulations to Jesse and Jenine Annett for qualifying for state competition in May. Many thanks to Mrs. Debono for organizing and for providing solid math instruction!!
Happy2017CottonwoodCoyotes!Welcomeback!!Ihopeyourbreakwaswarm,merry,andrestful!Asweshiftbackintotheschoolmindset,itcanbetoughtogetbackonschedule.SomeofyourveryownCottonwoodeducatorscametogethertocraftalistoftipstohelpyourstudent(s)getbackintotheroutine:
1. Setagoalforbedtime.Fivedaysbeforeyou’resupposedtoheadbacktoschool,makeitapointtogettobedearly!Especiallyinthesemonthswhenthemorningsaredarkandcold,gettinganextra30minutesofshut-eyecanmakeallthedifference!
2. Getupataconsistenttimeeachmorning.Inthesamewaythatyourstudentisgettingtobedearlier,besuretowake-upatthesametimeconsistentlyforatleastoneweek.Thishelpstore-trainyourbodytowake-upwhenthatalarmgoesoff!
3. Havethreebalancedmealseveryday.Ourbodiesneedfuel,thisweknow!Itcanbeeasytotradelunchforsnackingandmunchingasweloungearoundathome.However,thismakesittrickyforourbodiestostayontrack.Soastheysay,committothreeaday!
4. Read!!Weshouldnevertakeabreakfromreading!Notevenasgrownups!Readingisthefoundationforoursuccessinschool…readthosebooks!Gopickoutafuntitleandcurlupwithacupofhotcocoa…andREAD!!
5. Useit,don’tloseit!Trytokeepallthoseskillsfreshoverbreak!Playsomefungamesthatincludemath,writing,and/orreading.Hey…youhavetokeepcountofyourmoneytowinatMonopolyandusethoselettersoundswhenplayingWhat’sGnu?!
SeeyouaroundcampusCoyotes!~Mrs.Camden,[email protected] 520-879-2641
Quoteofthemonth:“Lookformagicinthedailyroutine.”~LouBarlow
Focusing On Our MistakesMeaningful Math with Mrs. DeBono
I recently came across this poster below and wanted to spend this month focusing on how we as adults can help our students more meaningfully learn from their mistakes. Check out the image below.
Using this image as a guide, adults can help children process through their thinking and work towards a correct solution. When working with my students, I see a clear picture of exactly where their understanding lies by analyzing their errors. After teaching this language to my students, they too are more aware of their work and how to appropriately proceed through their math.
Many students struggle with computation errors and problem solving errors. However, for some students, careless errors become a habit. You can help your child overcome these types of mathematical errors by using the language and spending time each night reviewing their work together.
Chrissy DeBono, Advanced Math [email protected] 520-879-2637Vail School District
Arizona Tax Credit Form Mail or deliver this form with your check to the Vail School District or school of your choice. A list of schools is available at www.vailtaxcredits.org Please check with your tax advisor to see if you are eligible for the school tax credit.
Name ____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code _______________________________________________
Phone ______________ Email Address (Optional) ______________________
Amount $______________Check # (If applicable) __________ Date____________
Tax credits can be made in any amount, from $1 up to your tax limit of $400(married,filingjointly)or$200(single).
If your contribution is made between 1/1/2017 - 4/15/2017, it may be used as a tax credit on either your 2016 or 2017 AZ income tax return. Please select the year to be used or the amount will be applied to 2017.
2016 or 2017 (circle year)
School to Receive Tax Credit (Required)
Student name (If applicable)
Please use my tax credit for:
The activity most in need of funding
Tutoring (Teacher Name if applicable)
Sports Programs
Fine Arts Programs
Other (Please specify: )
To pay online or complete a fillable form visit www.vailtaxcredits.org
For further information, please contact Melissa Scarbrough at (520) 879-2014 or [email protected]