The end of the school year is near! As we wrap up this month, we will be saying goodbye to a wonderful group of students, as well as some incredible teachers and staff. I hope you agree that it has been a fantastic year at Cottonwood. Our year has been full of learning and growth for your children, and we truly appreciate your partnership in their education. I would like to give a huge shout-out to our amazing PTA for an incredible Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week last month. Our PTA and parent volunteers truly went above and beyond and we are so grateful! Thank you also to all of our families for the thoughtful “favorite” gifts, kind notes, and cards. Your generosity and kindness were deeply appreciated.
With each new year comes change—and that’s not a bad thing. I recently came across a quote that really resonated with me: “In times of change, it’s easy for worry or rumors to grow. But when we lead with kindness, choose optimism, and trust one another, we build a community that supports every child.” Thank you for helping us stay focused on what matters most.
I invite each of you to welcome the changes ahead with a positive outlook. We have some staffing updates for next year that we’re excited to share. I, too, am embracing these changes knowing that great things happen when we work together.
We will have a few staff changes next year. First, I would like to share our goodbyes:
- Miss Kelly Gilchrist, one of our outstanding 4th grade teachers, will be retiring. Thank you for your many years of service—you will always be a part of Cottonwood!
- Ms. Bri Fullmer will be moving to Jordan School District. We are grateful for the time she spent with us and wish her the very best as she moves closer to home.
- Miss Kate Hatch will be getting married this summer and beginning new adventures in her educational career. We wish her all the happiness in this exciting new chapter.
We are also excited to welcome new staff members to Cottonwood:
- Mrs. Barbara Dodson will be joining our 1st grade team. She comes highly recommended, and we are thrilled to have her join our Cottonwood family.
- Mrs. Emily Kordakis will be joining our 4th grade team. She also comes with glowing recommendations, and we are confident she will be a wonderful addition.
We are excited about these changes and the positive impact each of these educators will have on our students. We look forward to the 2026–2027 school year and embracing these changes together—with hope and smiles.
Below is our tentative grade-level teaching assignments for next year:
- Kindergarten: Mrs. Bench & Mrs. Hyland
- 1st Grade: Mrs. Dodson & Mrs. Gleave
- 2nd Grade: Miss Blackham & Mrs. Woolf
- 3rd Grade: Ms. Butler & Mrs. Koloc
- 4th Grade: Miss Holmes & Mrs. Kordakis
- 5th Grade: Mrs. Alamo & Miss Williams
As you begin preparing for next year, please watch your email over the summer for important information. All students—both new and returning—must complete registration through your online Focus account. Teacher placements will be available after registration is completed. The first day of school is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12th.
We also encourage you to review the district calendar on the district website (a copy is enclosed). Our school calendar will be updated throughout the summer as needed.
As we look ahead, we will continue working to improve attendance and reduce tardies. Being at school and on time each day is essential to your child’s academic and social success. Thank you for supporting an “education first” mindset at home.
I hope you enjoy a wonderful final month of school and have a fantastic summer!
