This new publication will look a little different from the Wednesday Weekly you’re used to. The Chronicle will be packed with celebrations, showcases of what’s happening across our school, highlights of our amazing students, and plenty of community announcements. Expect this on the first Wednesday morning each month!

You’ll notice that Kindly, Kara is not included here since we are making an exciting shift. Beginning in September, Kindly, Cottonwood will appear biweekly on the school website under the Kindly, Cottonwood Tab in the Resources menu.

HINT: the Nest is your go-to hub, while your HST remains the best resource for what you need to know right now, including academic deadlines and important school news. We’re excited to share this new way of celebrating our community with you. Welcome to the very first issue!

HINT: Instead of our former upcoming dates section, this new section will spotlight the highlights that bring our whole community together. Each month you’ll find our heritage focus, main event, all school celebrations, and more.

Monthly Heritage Focus – Hispanic Heritage Month – see Everybody Belongs section below for ideas

Sept 11 – October events open for registration at 12:30 pm on WeGo

Sept 12 – Cottonwood Presents Everybody Counts Math event at the CCC – registration is closed

Sept 26 – Academic Achievement Ice Cream Socials at various parks – register on WeGo

We are excited to launch our new Math Initiative, “Everybody Counts,” beginning NOW with the 2025-26 school year. In response to recent studies highlighting the challenges students are facing in math across our state and nation, we are committed to fostering an environment where every student can thrive in mathematics. At Cottonwood, we firmly believe that every individual counts, and this initiative underscores the critical collaboration among parents, students, and staff in enhancing each child’s math proficiency.

You may recall our successful Superstar Readers program, developed in line with Superintendent Thurmond’s initiative to promote reading fluency for all students by third grade throughout California. We are incredibly proud of the success that our shared efforts have achieved with Superstar Readers, and we aim to replicate that success in math.

This year, we are thrilled to introduce several FREE and NEW opportunities designed to support our students in their math journey, including:

• FREE Academic Achievement Ice Cream Socials this September

• FREE i-Ready – Access to individualized assessments and adaptive lessons and activities

• FREE Tutoring with “BrainFuse” – Universal access for all 3rd-12th graders through Clever

• FREE Everybody Counts Math Events during Family Liaison Park Days

• FREE Cottonwood Presents: “Everybody Counts Math Day” in September

• FREE Everybody Counts T-shirts for all students, available at the Lending Library, the Library on Location Van, and math-focused Park Days

• NEW Curriculum Bundle options and inclusions:

• Choice: Saxon OR Singapore

• Included: Nicole the Math Lady video instruction!

We believe that with the right support and resources, every student has the potential to excel in mathematics. We invite you to join us (3500 students & 260 staff) in this exciting initiative and look forward to working together to nurture a love for math in all our students.

Let’s celebrate our students’ hard work and growth on the Spring CAASPP together! Join us for a sweet afternoon of community, certificates, and ice cream (with all the toppings). All Cottonwood families are welcome to register; bring siblings, grandparents, and big cheers! All must be registered to attend.

What to expect

• Student spotlights: Acknowledgement for academic growth and/or meeting/exceeding grade-level standards

• Sweet treats: Build-your-own sundaes

• Good vibes: Music, photos, and park playtime

• FREE Cottonwood Everybody Counts shirts for all student attendees!

When & Where (choose your park!)
Fri, Sept 26, 2025 · 11:00 am–1:00 pm

• Promontory Park — El Dorado Hills

• Kammerer Park — Elk Grove

• Johnson Springview — Rocklin

Certificates: Your student’s HST will hand-deliver certificates by the end of September; honorees will be recognized at the social.

Pro tips: Bring a picnic blanket/chairs, water, and sun protection.
Sign-up: Log in to the Nest → Field Trip Sign Up and select your park when registering on WeGo. See you there!

This Cottonwood magnet is the perfect place to check dates throughout the year! You’ll find all of the below:

• School Holidays
• LP dates
• Ordering deadlines
• A place for all your student and HST info

HINT: If you haven’t gotten yours yet, make sure to talk to your HST to get your magnet!

Looking to rep some fun Cottonwood gear? HINT: Please check out our Spirit Wear Store linked on the Nest homepage to find a wide selection of apparel. We will be adding Everybody Counts shirts for parents soon, too!

Thank you for your patience and grace as we launched our new field trip system. The rollout had some bumps (setbacks + delays), but WeGo is now up and running on improved servers with faster speed. It’s fully customizable, and we’ll keep refining and adding features throughout the year.

What to know right now

• No waitlists (for now). If an event is sold out, keep checking back—any canceled tickets are released immediately up to two weeks before the event. Reservations close two weeks prior, and no additional tickets are released after that window.

• Payment time-out? Go to your Reservations tab. You’ll see a payment link next to any unpaid tickets; complete your payment there. Your tickets remain secure while you finish.

• Plan with ease. Browse all events in list or calendar view—perfect for mapping out Academic Adventures and Cottonwood Presents.

• Faster checkout. Your student info is pre-loaded, so data entry is minimal.

• New home for signups. You’ll now find field trips in WeGo (no more WW buttons). Bookmark the site and check in regularly.

HINT: How to get there: Log in to the Nest → Events → Field Trip Signup (WeGo).

Registration for these events is still open in WeGo.

Sep 12, 2025 10:15am – 12:45pm

Get Ready for Our 3rd Annual Everybody COUNTS at Cottonwood Math Celebration!

Last year was a total blast—and this year, we’re turning up the fun!

Students of all ages will have an amazing time, and families will go home with awesome math manipulatives from the Lending Library, plus a folder packed with hands-on, high-energy math activities, and an Everybody Counts student T-shirt!

Tue, Sept 16 · 10:00–11:00 am

Now open to all Cottonwood families! Step into a charming, old-world big top for an hour of joy, acrobatics, comedy, and heart—perfect for little ones and grandparents alike. This special Cottonwood performance gathers artists from around the globe for a one-of-a-kind celebration of family and fun.

Sep 18, 2025 12:15pm – 1:15pm

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a high-energy Zumba party made for everyone, kids, teens, and parents, too. We’ll groove to Latin-inspired beats, follow easy steps, and keep the vibes joyful. No experience needed, just comfy shoes, water, and your best smile. This is an active, super-fun way to spend the afternoon together.

Want a preview? Try this family-friendly Zumba video on YouTube to get in the mood.

Sep 24, 2025 11:45am – 1:15pm

Ready for an art adventure? Join us at the home studio of Native American artist Sarah Sense (Chitimacha/Choctaw) for a behind-the-scenes look at her dazzling photo-weaving, where modern photography meets traditional basket techniques. Born in Sacramento and former curator/director of New York’s American Indian Community House Gallery, Sarah will guide us through her entire creative journey: from photo editing to printing to precise cutting to weaving into mesmerizing patterns.

Expect studio secrets, big “wow” moments, and tons of inspiration for makers of all ages.
Bonus: Every family goes home with a special book about Sarah’s work.

At Cottonwood, we believe in honoring the rich cultural backgrounds that make our community so special. Each month, we highlight a heritage that reflects the diversity of our families—and we invite you to be a part of it!

September is Hispanic Heritage Month, and October is Filipino American History Month. We’re currently looking for families who would like to serve as Cottonwood Ambassadors for these months. As an Ambassador, you’ll have the opportunity to share your family’s story, traditions, and culture with our school community.

Being an Ambassador is simple and meaningful:

• write a short paragraph about your family
• share activities you enjoy together
• include a favorite family recipe
• send in a cherished photo—whether it’s a recent family picture or one of your grandparents from years past

Your submission will be featured in the Cottonwood Chronicle and on our Everybody Belongs page in the Parent Nest. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your heritage while helping our community grow in understanding and connection.

HINT: Are you interested in incorporating learning opportunities about our monthly heritage focus into your studies this year?

Check out the Everybody Belongs page in the Nest (Nest→Academics→Everybody Belongs) for:

• Book suggestions with study guides
• Curriculum resources
• Local and virtual field trips
• And see examples from past Ambassadors

Register for our Zumba Fiesta on Sept 18th in Rocklin – check out the Event Highlights section above for more information.

Each month, we invite families to take part in the Let Grow Challenge—a simple but powerful way to help kids step outside their comfort zones, try something new on their own, and grow in confidence.

Research shows that when children are given safe opportunities for independence and reasonable risk-taking:

• They develop stronger self-confidence and resilience.
  

• They strengthen problem-solving skills and creativity.
  

• They learn to manage emotions and stress more effectively.
  

• They build a lasting sense of competence and responsibility.
  

• They are more likely to show perseverance when things get tough.

September’s challenge is all about stretching independence. For younger kids, that could mean chalk art, making lunch, or pouring their own cereal. By early elementary, it might be walking to a friend’s house, playing at the park, or trying a new game without adult direction. As students grow, so can the challenges—like baking a cake, organizing a family project, or shopping for ingredients.

Every step toward independence—big or small—stimulates growth in the brain’s confidence pathways and strengthens skills they’ll use for a lifetime.

Parent Tip

This month, choose one task your child normally asks you for help with—and let them try it on their own. Offer encouragement, not step-by-step instructions. You might be surprised at how capable they really are!

For fresh ideas and encouragement all month, check our weekly SELF Talk newsletter and join Mindset Mondays on Zoom starting September 8—details are in the Parent Nest!

HINT: More resources, ideas, and inspiration are waiting for you on the Parent Nest.

We are excited to offer families an opportunity for a Back to School Photo Session at regional park days, September 10th – October 8th! These sessions are being brought to you by a fellow Cottonwood parent, Kazhmir from KG Photography. Kazhmir is a professional photographer who specializes in family portraits.

2025 Dates & Locations

September 10: Glenn Hall Park in Sacramento
September 17: Jack E. Hill Park in Elk Grove

September 24: Heritage Park in El Dorado Hills

October 1: Kaseberg Park in Roseville
October 8: Glen Willow Park in Roseville

Pricing

• $30 for first student
• $25 for each additional student

Prices include three image proofs to review and one digital photo download. Optional print packages are also available.

Questions? Contact owner.kgphotography@gmail.com.

No more hunting around! Everything hosted by our Family Liaisons—Cottonwood Community Groups (CCGs), weekly Park Days, and more—now lives in one easy place on the Nest. You’ll find live pages and printable docs: monthly park-day schedules by region, CCG sign-up forms, quick links to join our text reminders and more. Need to reach a Liaison. No problem. Navigate to the Family Liaison page to find the Liaison you are looking for! Easy peasy!

HINT: Just log in to the Nest and navigate to Events → Park Days (for schedules) or Events → Community → Family Liaisons (for CCGs & team info). Bookmark it for fast access all year.

Quick-links:

• Family Liaisons Hub

• Park Days Hub – Get Text Reminders & Printable Schedules

• Cottonwood Community Groups

We are exited for students to dig into their Art Supply Kits, and get creative in their Creative Arts Collective classes through Boost and RISE. Most enrolled students have already received their art kits. If your student is enrolled in a CAC art class (Boost & RISE) and still needs their art kit, you will be able to pick up their kit at the Lending Library this week. Art supply kits cannot be shipped due to weight and size.

Join our school in collaboration with Take Note Troupe! Students will receive coaching on acting, teamwork, and personal growth using TNT’s play theory curriculum. Spots are limited, so please sign up soon so you don’t miss your chance to follow Simba as he grows up in the savanna. This musical theater experience is open to 4th-10th-grade students.

Register your student on WeGo for this amazing opportunity!

• TK Explorers are off to an incredible start with Ms. Gina and Ms. Lorraine leading Circle Time. Beginning this month, Fridays will bring an extra dose of fun as Ms. Santana joins the class to introduce Spanish in an engaging, hands-on way! All TK students at Cottonwood are welcome to join anytime! Our first TK Explorer park day will be September 17th from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at Woodbridge Park in Roseville. Looking forward to seeing many of you there!

• Superstar Readers are off and running! Live classes have officially begun, and Ms. Zuev is thrilled to welcome both new and returning students. Our Cottonwood readers are ready to dive in, build confidence, and strengthen their literacy skills in an engaging, hands-on environment. There’s still time to join. Registration is open through September 19th!

• Boost students wrapped up their orientations this week, getting to know their teachers and classmates. Next week, they’ll dive into their subject areas, and our teachers can’t wait to guide them through an exciting year of learning and growth. There’s still time to join. Registration is open through September 19th!

• RISE students have already hit the ground running! Classes are in full swing, and the energy and enthusiasm have made for an amazing start to the school year. We can’t wait to see all the incredible things our RISE students will accomplish in 2025–26! Last day to register for a RISE class or drop for the Fall semester is this Friday, September 5th.

• *New this year, RISE students are invited to join RISE Homeroom every day at 8:45 am in the Homework Help Zoom room! RISE Homeroom is geared towards helping students develop community and build digital literacy and study skills to support their middle school journey. Week One of RISE Homeroom focused on getting to know each other and making plans for upcoming interest-based clubs. Find out more here on the Nest.

HINT: Information for all these programs and the Creative Arts Collective, including the registration form can be found on the Nest: Parent Nest→ Academics→Instructional Programs

• Read-along books, word help, interactive activities, gamified lessons and based on the Science of Reading = FUN and effective learning.
• Click this 30-second YouTube Short below that shows it all

HINT: Check the Parent Nest for more Superstar Reader info: Parent Nest→ Academics→Instructional Programs→Superstar readers

Exploring courses The Cottonwood School offers our high school students and which curriculum is A–G approved?
We have a wonderful resource available: The High School Curriculum Resource including:

• Course details and outlines

• Program offerings and curriculum options

• A–G approved curriculum listings

• Vendor and curriculum costs

• Ordering instructions

• Types of instruction your student will receive

HINT: You can find this on the Nest→Academics→High School→High School Curriculum Catalog.

This year’s CVHS theme is Voices and Choices! Our “Live” classes and events will bring this theme to life in powerful ways. For example, in Mr. L’s Government class, students can choose between a final project or an immersive simulation. In the simulation, they’ll create a class government, take on leadership roles, and work together to pass mock legislation. It will be an unforgettable, collaborative experience in how democracy works!

In Ms. Tompkins’ 11th-grade English class, students will bring our Voices and Choices theme to life with the activity Which Planet Wins? Working in teams, students must use their voices and make strategic choices to convince the class that their assigned planet would be the best new home for humans. Every argument is backed by evidence, and collaboration is key, because how they use their voices and make their choices will determine the winner!

Students have already enrolled in over 1,000 classes. Wow! Our first couple of weeks of CVHS classes have been such a joy. Students are logging in, getting started, attending ELT/Office Hours, and most importantly… having fun!

And the teachers? They’re loving it, too! A couple of my favorite quotes so far (with lots of emojis and hearts from the rest of the team, of course):

• “I forgot how much I love them”

• “Right?! My classes are so beautiful”

It’s honestly such a special community, and it’s not too late for your high schooler to be part of it. HINT: Head to the Nest for all of the CVHS program details.

We were honored to welcome California State Assemblyman Joe Patterson to The Cottonwood School during our Open House event! Our team was thrilled to show him around and share the heart behind our mission to serve more than 3,500 students. His visit was more than just a tour—it was a powerful affirmation of the work we do every day to support diverse learners across our community.

Even more exciting? Assemblyman Patterson featured Cottonwood in his official newsletter and shared highlights from his visit on his social media channels! His message, titled Supporting Local Charter Schools, emphasized the importance of school choice and his continued opposition to AB 84—a bill that could limit families’ ability to choose the educational path that best fits their children.

As a parent and advocate, Assemblyman Patterson’s words deeply resonated with our community. We’re grateful for his support and proud to be part of the conversation about preserving flexibility and innovation in education. Check out Joe Patterson’s Facebook post detailing his visit!

HINT: You can also find information about Charter School Advocacy in the Nest→School Info→Charter School Legislation.

Looking for fast answers and friendly support? Our Cottonwood Parent Community Facebook Group is a buzzing hub where families swap tips, ask questions that help everyone, and celebrate wins together. You’ll also see timely updates—including posts from the Lending Library and other departments—so you know the info is accurate and current. This page is managed and monitored by our knowledgable Family Liaison team.

Remember: events, forms, and details live on the Nest; the Facebook group is the conversation layer that helps you connect and crowd-source ideas.

HINT:

• If your question is personal or student-specific, a liaison may reply via direct message—please keep an eye on your Messenger inbox.
• Also, no vendor posts, please. If you are a parent and a Community Partner, your post must be from a parent perspective. Advertising is not permitted on the Community Facebook Page.

• OFFICIAL Facebook Community Group
• Official and private, moderated by Cottonwood School staff.
• Ensures accurate information and verifies active members as parents/legal guardians.
• A secure space for information, updates, and community connections.
• Public Instagram
• Pinterest – Tons of resources and ideas to be found.

THE COTTONWOOD SCHOOL

Serving transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students in El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Placer, and Sacramento Counties.

Location: 3921 Sandstone Dr. Ste 100, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762, USA