As we wrap up a meaningful month of Disability Awareness, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we’ve learned and experienced together. Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored resources (with more included in this newsletter), gained insights from our Assistant Director of Special Education, and celebrated the lives and achievements of famous individuals with disabilities. We’ve also considered disabilities from a homeschooling parent’s perspective and participated in an incredible workshop with A Touch of Understanding. Through these experiences, we’ve grown in knowledge, empathy, and connection.

This week, I’m pleased to share a few additional resources to continue the journey. First, I’ve included a fun scavenger hunt for Mahany Park, an inclusive playground in Roseville. For those who joined us there last year during our Disability Awareness focus, you’ll remember what a special place it is for fostering inclusive play and connection. It’s a wonderful opportunity to combine outdoor exploration with a focus on accessibility and inclusion.

Additionally, I’m sharing two fantastic programs that help build friendships between individuals with and without disabilities:

• Best Buddies International: This nonprofit organization works to end the isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Their programs include one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and more. The e-Buddies program allows participants to connect virtually, fostering inclusive friendships from anywhere. Learn more at bestbuddies.org.

• WeEMBRACE Buddy Match: This program promotes neurodiversity and inclusion by matching individuals of all abilities in one-to-one friendships. It’s a wonderful way to foster understanding and connection within our communities. Learn more at weembracefamilies.org.

As we close out this month, let’s keep asking ourselves: How can we be a friend to someone with a disability? And inversely, how can we, as individuals with disabilities, find friendship and belonging in our community? Friendship starts with kindness, patience, and understanding, and it grows through intentional acts of care and connection.

I hope these resources inspire you to keep the spirit of this month alive throughout the year. Together, we can continue to build a homeschool community where everyone feels valued, included, and celebrated.

Kindly,
Kara Parkins, Parent Support Supervisor

Over the past two years, we’ve compiled a treasure trove of resources, information, and education about a wide variety of disabilities during our Week of Awareness. While we didn’t send daily newsletters this year, we’ve made all previous newsletters available in a single, easily accessible Google Drive folder.

This collection is filled with valuable insights and tools designed to raise awareness, foster inclusion, and support our community in understanding diverse abilities. We invite you to explore the folder and take advantage of the resources it offers.

• Behind the Screens & Behind the Scenes: Meet our High School Coaches!
• Final Call: Cottonwood Talent Showcase Submissions
• Educational Design Experts: Charlotte Mason Study & Parent Education Opportunity
• National Honor Society: 2025 Induction Ceremony
• TK-8 Instructional Programs: Superstar Readers and Boost
• HS Counseling: Incoming 9th Graders & Community College Apps
• CTE: CTE & PF Students are AMAZING!
• CCPA: Mock Crime Scene Investigation
• Everybody Belongs: Make Your Own Nesting Dolls
• Lending Library: Upcoming Storytime, Literati Book Fair, Cottonwood 1:1 Tech Pickup
• And More…

And always at the end of The Wednesday Weekly (only visible if you open the newsletter in a browser – click "View in browser" at the top of this email):

• Registration links and schedules for Park Days, Mondays at the CCC, and the Lending Library.

You can find more info about dates and events throughout the newsletter or on the Hawks’ Nest calendar.

Remember, this list does not include all events hosted by The Cottonwood School. Please check your personal calendar and email for field trip reminders, class reminders, and more.

• Mon, Feb 3:
• Mondays at the CCC, 10 am – 2 pm
• Mindset Mondays (See SELF Talk Newsletter for details)
• Storytime & Craft Club at The Lending Library, 2 – 3 pm

• Weds, Feb 5:
• Library on Location Van: Rocklin & Auburn
• Regional Park Days

Looking Ahead:

• Mon, Feb 10:
• Mondays at the CCC, 10 am – 2 pm
• Mindset Mondays (See SELF Talk Newsletter for details)
• Storytime & Craft Club at The Lending Library, 2 – 3 pm
• Weds, Feb 12:
• Library on Location Van: Roseville & Antelope
• Regional Park Days
• Thurs, Feb 13: March Event Registration, 12:30 pm
• Fri, March 14: The Cottonwood School’s Annual Science Fair
• Fri, April 4th: Prom for all 9th – 12th grade students
• Fri, April 11th: The Cottonwood School’s Annual Maker’s Market

The Homestudy High School Coaches report to the Associate Director of Instruction and work closely with the High School Success Coordinator to support homeschool students in achieving college and career readiness goals. While you may not interact with them directly, all high school students reap the benefits of the support they provide for our HSTs to serve you best!

They provide direct support and guidance to Homeschool Teachers (HSTs), helping them assist students with their current academic progress and post-high school aspirations. The High School Coaches are dedicated and passionate Cottonwood staff committed to empowering teachers to be the best they can be.

The HS Coaches are:

• Supportive
• Collaborative
• Insightful & Knowledgeable

Each year, we invite parents and students (3rd grade and older) to share your thoughts and experiences with us through our annual survey. Your feedback is essential in helping us grow and improve!

The insights you provide directly influence our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), which guides how we allocate resources to best support our programs and meet the needs of our school community.

The survey includes questions related to California’s eight educational priorities, including:

• Conditions of Learning
• Student Outcomes
• Parent Engagement

This is your opportunity to let us know what’s working well and where we can do better. The survey is open now through February 7th, and your input helps us shape the future of The Cottonwood School for all of our students.

Thank you for taking a few moments to partner with us in this important effort. Together, we’re building an even stronger school community!

We’re almost ready to enter the production stage for our Cottonwood Got Talent Virtual Showcase, but there’s still time to shine! Submissions are open for just a few more days, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting event.

We’ve received amazing entries from musicians, athletes, Ping-Pong, singers, and even a chess player, but so far, not a single dance or theater submission! There is nobody who does their thing the way your student does. We know there are tons of talented students at Cottonwood, and this is your moment to share your skills with the school community.

Whatever your student’s talent—dancing, magic, comedy, art, or something unique—let’s see it! Submissions are due by end of day, February 3rd, so gather your courage, showcase your creativity, and help make this year’s showcase unforgettable.

Submit your student’s entry today and let your talent take center stage!

• If your student(s) is attending a ticketed event or using passes for the first time, please ensure you have all needed information prior to the event date. If any information is needed, please reach out to your HST.
• Please report any missing items (physical or digital) to your HST within two weeks from its purchasing date. The Business Department is more than happy to help locate any missing items.

Next week we begin our Physical Fitness Testing gatherings at local parks for 5th, 7th and 9th graders. We hope you are ready for PARTY FITNESS TIME! Come ready to enjoy some inspiring music, activities with friends, snacks, and prizes!

Our SELF Coordinator, Kelly McIntosh, will incorporate some of the PFT tasks at her Mindful Movement event today at the Roseville Park Day. If you are unable to attend, please go over the videos below with your students so they are comfortable and familiar with what will be asked of them at PFT.

1. Aerobic Capacity​ One-Mile Run Video [4:08 minutes]

2. Abdominal Strength and Endurance Curl-Up Video [4:54 minutes]

3. Upper Body Strength and Endurance​ Push-Up Video [3:29 minutes]

4. Trunk Extensor Strength and Flexibility​ Trunk Lift Video [3:37 minutes]

5. Flexibility​ Shoulder Stretch Video [3:27 minutes]

Teaching kids persuasive writing for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) can be a rewarding and important process. It’s essential to equip students with the skills to develop strong arguments and present them clearly.

Here’s the next three steps for parents on how to help their kids succeed with persuasive writing:

7. Peer Review and Revision

• Teach your child how to self-edit and revise their work.

• Have them review their essays for clarity, grammar, and organization. They can ask themselves:

• Does my thesis statement make sense?

• Have I supported my arguments with evidence?

• Are my ideas presented logically?

• Encourage peer reviews by having them exchange essays with a friend or family member for feedback.

8. Modeling Persuasive Writing

• Parents can model persuasive writing by creating their own essays or letters on topics of interest.

• Write a letter to a local official, school, or family member expressing an opinion, using persuasive techniques. Show the kids how you support your opinion with clear reasons and evidence.

9. Create Practice Prompts

• Use CAASPP-style prompts to give your child practice. Some examples:

• "Do you think students should have longer recess? Why or why not?"

• "Should the use of cell phones be allowed in schools? Provide reasons for your answer."

• Allow them time to brainstorm, outline, and then write a complete essay

Next week we’ll continue talking about the steps to help your child succeed with testing.

Happy prepping!

Here is a fun seasonal activity that you can try at home to explore this educational methodology!

Nature Studies: Go for a "What-Don’t-You-See" nature walk, and look for aspects of nature that are missing compared to your walks in warmer months; e.g., leaves, insects, certain birds, green grass, certain warm-blooded mammals, cold-blooded reptiles… Talk about why they are missing at this time of year and where they are.

The Charlotte Mason teaching philosophy focuses on the whole child. The approach is both gentle and thorough. Want to know more or have questions? Please reach out to Julia Bertaina, our Charlotte Mason Educational Design Expert! You’ll see more from her and all our EDEs at our Educational Philosophies Workshop next month!

The National Honor Society is diligently reviewing your applications and we are excited by the continued growing interest in our program. Student applicants will receive a response no later than the end of the day on Friday this week. Students who are accepted will receive our Official Induction Invitation by email with steps on what our new members should do prior to the Induction Ceremony. Students who are accepted should be prepared to attend our Virtual Induction Ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 5-6 pm. Details and a Zoom link will be included in the invitation.

This Virtual Induction Ceremony will also be open to the families of our new inductees who wish to attend in support of their students. We thank everyone for all their interest in our program this year!

For questions or comments: kyle.lutkemuller@cottonwoodk12.org

Hello 8th-grade families,

Meetings with your student’s High School Counselor have begun, and you can still schedule one with us! During this meeting, you’ll receive important information about high school, including the two pathways available to students, graduation requirements, college and career readiness, concurrent enrollment, and more. We will also introduce your student’s Individualized Graduation Plan, which is a fully customizable plan to help guide your students through their high school journey!

Please check your email for an email from your student’s high school counselor. You can also reach out to your HST to connect you with your counselor. We look forward to meeting with you and your student!

• Cosumnes River College
• Sacramento City College
• Folsom Lake College
• American River College

If you are planning to apply for the Fall Semester, now’s the time to get started. Make sure you mark your calendar! Click here for more information on application steps!

Jonas Heppner, School Counselor https://calendly.com/jonas-heppner/counseling-appointment

Kiyoshi Mizutani, School Counselor https://calendly.com/kiyoshi-mizutani/counseling-appointment

Lindsey Romero, School Counselor https://calendly.com/lindsey-romero-cottonwoodk12/30min

CVHS students have been learning about the themes of human impact on the environment and innovation in their Live classes. On Thursday, March 6th CVHS will be hosting an in-person Sustainability Tour on the CSUS campus.

This field trip will be approximately 1:00-2:30 pm. Details and registration for CVHS students are coming soon.

RISE & CVHS 11th-grade students have the option to test with RISE teachers the week of April 7th. CVHS 11th-grade students who participate in CAASPP testing this week will be excused from assignments and classes. More details coming on HIP (Homestudy Instruction Program) CAASPP testing week.

CTE Students created Vision Board slide decks. Daniella P did a wonderful job with her project and we would like to share her beautiful slide deck. Please click below.

They just wrapped up a unit on Gambling & Sports Betting and have ventured into Paying for College. Vanessa S. did a wonderful job with her PSA below.

If you know a high school student who would thrive in a program like ours, we’d love to connect! Our school offers innovative, interdisciplinary classes designed to bring real-world learning to life. From uncovering the secrets of a crime scene to exploring sustainable food systems, our students are always engaged in meaningful, hands-on education. Reach out to us at (530) 285-2003 or email isabella.brenneman@cottonwoodk12.org to learn more about how your student can join our thriving learning community. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of a school where education is truly an adventure!

We’d love to see more of our creative students shine in the Cottonwood Student Art Exhibition!

When you are visiting the Lending Library to check out materials, pick up tech, or just for a visit, why not bring along a favorite art project to submit? Let’s fill the library with your amazing creations and celebrate the artistic talents of our TK-12 students this January and February.

Here’s How to Join:
1️⃣ Bring Your Art: Whether it’s a painting, drawing, sculpture, photo, or mixed media, we’d love to showcase it!
2️⃣ Drop It Off: Submit your piece at the Lending Library by January 31,2025.

Submission Details:

• Attach artwork to thick black cardstock or frame it.
• Mount multimedia pieces on a sturdy base.
• Include an index card with the following:
  • Title of Piece
  • Student Name
  • Grade/Age
  • Materials Used
• Photography submissions should be clear and high-quality.
• All artwork must be appropriate for all audiences.

Bonus: Your masterpiece will also be featured in our virtual gallery on The Hawks’ Nest!

Let’s transform the Lending Library into a gallery of student creativity and celebrate our young artists. We can’t wait to see what you bring!

Join your local Remind group to get updates about local activities led by the Family Liaison team! Sign up for your local Remind for park day reminders and other activities happening all semester long.

REMIND: Rocklin/Roseville/Lincoln Park Day

REMIND: 50 Corridor: Folsom/Placerville/Rancho Cordova

REMIND: Elk Grove Park Day

REMIND: Antelope/Fair Oaks/Citrus Heights

We do, however, ask that you use this signup to reserve your spots for our guided activities from 1-2 pm. Our specialty staff would like to be able to prepare for your students to have a great time! Check out the signup to see what activities are coming up, but please be sure to only sign up for the activities you plan to attend so we can resource appropriately.

We can’t wait to see you!

• All registrations and payments are final. Please carefully read all details before registering for a field trip. Tickets are not transferable.
• Student ID Numbers are now required for registration.
• Punctuality is crucial. You must arrive at the designated start time for all events. If you arrive late, you will not be allowed to join, out of respect for the venue, coordinators, and other families.
• Direct parent supervision is required for the entire duration of all events unless it is a designated Teen Drop-Off event.
• Registration closes two weeks prior to the event date.

Get ready to move, groove, and feel the rhythm! Join us for an exciting Fenix Drum & Dance Company field trip, where students will experience the power of traditional West African dance and drumming. This high-energy event is free-spirited, expressive, and rich in history and culture.

📅 Thursday, February 6, 2025
⏰ 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Students will watch a dynamic performance, learn authentic dance steps, and even try their hand at African drumming techniques. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and cultural exploration!

• 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.

Click the links below to add yourself to our REMIND list for our Park days. A weekly text will be sent to remind you of our upcoming event. Additionally, if there are last-minute location or time changes, you will be updated.

REMIND: Mondays at the CCC

REMIND: Rocklin/Roseville/Lincoln Park Day

REMIND: 50 Corridor: Folsom/Placerville/Rancho Cordova

REMIND: Elk Grove Park Day

REMIND: Antelope/Fair Oaks/Citrus Heights

• The Parents Hawks Nest – Everything you need to know and more is found here.

• Past Wednesday Weekly Newsletters
• 2024/25 School Calendar

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