This is an exciting time of year! The weather starts to warm up (fingers crossed). We see more of Mr. Sun! The smell of spring is in the air. It is also that time of year when we start planning for next year. We need to know if you are not returning to Cottonwood next year. (We don’t need to hear from you if your youngest child is in 5th grade). Please email Mrs. Kelly Franz at kfranz@graniteschools.org or call us at 385-646-4798 as soon as possible if your family is moving and/or your child(ren) will not be returning to Cottonwood for the 2024-2025 school year. We are appreciative when you tell your teachers, however, those messages don’t always make it to the office. We ask that you let us know as well.
Also, for those of you interested, Learning Environment Forms are available for pick up only (by a parent) from our main office beginning Friday, March 1st. Please carefully read all of the information on the form before completing it!
The deadline to return the form is Monday, April 8, 2024. Late forms will not be accepted! PLEASE turn them in on-time, even early! We apologize in advance for not accepting them if you choose not to adhere to the deadline. As a reminder, these forms are NOT teacher request forms and requests for specific teachers will not be honored. We have AMAZING teachers here at Cottonwood and students benefit from a variety of teaching and learning styles.
Many times we are asked by parents, “What can I do at home to help my child be successful at school?” Our answer is quite simple, First, make sure your child is in school every day! Then, “Read with your child every day.” Before, during, and after the reading, direct a discussion about the story, ask questions, visualize the story, offer information, share personal reactions, praise your child, and relate the story to life experiences. The best part of reading at home with your child is the quality time you get to spend with them—even if it’s just 5-10 minutes. Enjoy this time together.
A few more ways to help your child be successful is to check backpacks and Gradebook often. Look over learning activities. Talk to your child about what they are learning in school. Have “real” conversations about school and about your expectations for your child.
Ask: What made you smile today? Can you tell me an example of kindness you saw/showed? What did you do that was creative? Who did you sit with at lunch? Was anyone in your class gone today? Tell me something you know today that you didn’t know yesterday. What was the hardest rule to follow today? If you could change one thing about your day, what would it be? What made your teacher smile? What kind of person were you today?
As always, thank you for your wonderful support of our AMAZING school!
Love,
Mrs. Cooper
