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The Wednesday Weekly: June 18, 2025 6/18/25
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Summer Learning – Your Way
Dear Cottonwood Families,
We’re halfway through June, and summer is stretching out in all its sun-drenched, slow-paced glory. If you’re anything like me, you may find yourself caught between savoring the freedom and wondering whether your kids are “doing enough.”
Let me reassure you: learning is absolutely happening, even when it doesn’t look like school.
Whether you’ve planned a light academic schedule or you’re letting the days lead the way, here are a few simple ideas to gently weave learning into your summer rhythm:
Keep it low-pressure with short, meaningful lessons. Think reading aloud in a hammock, journaling after a trip, or tackling one math page before heading to the park.
Not sure where to begin? A great story can be the foundation for rich, meaningful learning. Here are a few read-alouds that spark imagination and connection across different ages:
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The Hundred Dresses or Charlotte’s Web for younger kids
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The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street or Because of Winn-Dixie for middle grades
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The Giver or I Will Always Write Back for teens
Choose one as a family and build on it with a journal entry, a nature walk inspired by a scene, or a discussion over lemonade.
Try a family project like building a birdhouse, planning a picnic, or planting something small. These hands-on experiences build confidence, responsibility, and connection.
Make outings count—a visit to the zoo, museum, or historical site can spark weeks of questions and curiosity. Let your child guide the exploration and see where it leads.
And if you’re looking for a little more structure, try a simple, student-led unit study. Pick a topic your child is curious about and explore it together through books, outings, and hands-on learning:
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Ocean Life – Visit an aquarium, build a paper coral reef, or read up on sea creatures.
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Insects & Pollinators – Go on a bug hunt, observe bees in your backyard, or draw different species.
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California History – Visit a mission or Gold Rush site and keep a travel journal.
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Kitchen Chemistry – Bake something together, talk about chemical reactions, or make ice cream in a bag.
Summer schooling doesn’t need a rigid plan; it just needs presence, curiosity, and a willingness to see the learning in everyday moments.
Stay tuned for our next edition, when we’ll celebrate the wide-open freedom that homeschoolers enjoy and explore how to harness that freedom for deeper learning, creativity, and joy.
Kindly,
Kara
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Looking for ways to keep your kids reading all summer long? These local and national programs offer fun incentives, prizes, and free books to keep readers motivated:
📍 Sacramento County Library
📍 Placer County Library
📍 Roseville Public Library
📍 Elk Grove Library
📍 El Dorado County Library
📍 South Lake Tahoe Library
📍 Amador County Library
🍕 Bonus National Programs
Encourage your readers to pick one or more and make a summer reading plan that works for your family!
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Wednesday, June 25: Cottonwood Regional Park Days
- Promontory Park in El Dorado Hills, 10 am
- Glen Willow Park in Roseville, 9:30 am
- Johnson-Springview Park in Rocklin, 10 am
- Morse Community Park in Elk Grove, 9:30 am
Wednesday, July 2: No Park Days
* Please Note that Roseville and EDH/Folsom Park Days begin at 10 AM. There was an error on the Summer Park Day Flier.
The Cottonwood School Summer Park Day Schedule
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Instructional Materials Purchasing Events:
Opportunities for families to choose curriculum and educational resources in person, supported by their instructional budgets.
*Registration Coming in July
Lending Library opens July 7th!
Visit the Lending Library section of this newsletter for more details.
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You can find more info about dates and events throughout the newsletter or on the Hawks’ Nest calendar. And, check your personal calendar and email for field trip reminders and more opportunities to connect with your Cottonwood community.
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Changes to Enrollment?
If your plans for the 2025–26 school year have changed, please email enrollment@cottonwoodk12.org as soon as possible so we can update our records and your enrollment status right away. Please don’t wait for your HST to return in August to communicate any changes to your enrollment. |
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🚧 Nest Under Construction
Our Hawk’s Nest website and parent portal will be off-line and under construction from June 23–July 4. We appreciate your patience as we make updates and improvements to better serve you in the coming school year!
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At the heart of our Cottonwood community is a team of Family Liaisons who play a vital role in fostering connection, support, and community. They:
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Host weekly Park Days across our regions
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Run our vibrant Facebook Community Group
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Coordinate Cottonwood Community Groups (CCGs)
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Plan and support Cottonwood’s School Field Trips
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Offer a listening ear and a wealth of experience as fellow homeschoolers
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Act as a bridge between families and school resources, helping you navigate all that Cottonwood offers
Whether you’re looking for a friendly face, a place to plug in, or guidance on where to find support, your Family Liaison is here to walk alongside you. Learn about our Family Liaison team and the areas they serve below.
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Amanda Bell – Placer County/Roseville Area
I’m Amanda Bell, family liaison serving the Roseville area at The Cottonwood School. I have 5 homeschoolers, ranging in ages from 7-15. I’m going in to my 7th year of homeschooling! I love creating an environment where each of my homeschoolers can thrive individually based on their unique needs. My favorite part about homeschooling is being out in the community and exploring all that is available to us. I’m passionate about creating connections for families where they can thrive in a supportive environment!
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Maria Obolonchik – Antelope, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks Area
I’m a homeschooling mom of five and have been on this journey since 2008, when I pulled my kids from public school after my husband passed away. It was a heartbreaking season, and the early years were incredibly difficult, especially with the added challenge of a language barrier. But homeschooling gave us something precious: time together, healing, and hope. Fast forward 16 years, and I’ve seen the long-term fruits. My older children have gone on to careers in aviation, law enforcement, holistic health, and college success. My youngest is now entering 8th grade. What I love most about homeschooling is the freedom to be with my kids, make memories, and support their learning in a way that fits who they are. Childhood is fleeting, and I want to savor it while I can. I’m especially passionate about supporting Slavic families and helping others who feel overwhelmed or unsure. I remember that feeling well, and I want to be the kind of support I once needed: kind, practical, and full of hope.
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Saralynn Downing – HWY 50 Corridor
I am a proud homeschooling mom of two boys. My oldest is going into 7th grade, and my youngest will be starting 3rd grade this fall. We have been a Cottonwood family since 2021 and have gained so much more than we ever expected. Some of our favorite things about The Cottonwood School are our HST, who is our trusted advisor and biggest cheerleader, the lending library and staff, field trips and events, and the overall support of the school. We chose to homeschool in 2020 as it brought consistency, structure, and balance to our lives. We were new to homeschooling and really didn’t know what we were getting into, but we were excited to jump in and learn. I had to "deschool" my brain, and once I did, the sky felt like the limit. The gift of time with my children and seeing how they both learn and grow differently have been two of my favorite aspects of homeschooling. We are constantly involved in sports, enrichment programs and classes, field trips, park days, and more. When I am not teaching my boys or shuttling them around, you can find me outside soaking up the sun with a good book or camping with my family and friends.
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Jana English – Sacramento Region
Hi! I’m Jana, and I’m thrilled to be serving as the Sacramento Family Liaison for The Cottonwood School. I’ve just wrapped up my 8th year of homeschooling and am currently homeschooling my three boys, who will be in 2nd, 4th, and 6th grade this fall. As someone who was homeschooled myself, I’m deeply passionate about home education and love encouraging and supporting others on their journey. Our family has been part of the Cottonwood community since 2021, and we’ve loved every minute of it! What I love most about homeschooling, especially with Cottonwood, is that each child is able to approach school in the way they learn best. My family and I enjoy exploring all that Sacramento has to offer and look forward to discovering new adventures with fellow Cottonwood families. In my free time, you can find me behind a camera, trying out new recipes, or helping out with my kids’ sports programs. I can’t wait to meet you and your students at park days and CCG events soon!
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Lina Pittman – Elk Grove Community
As a public school teacher turned homeschool parent, I think I have finally found the perfect balance for my family. I can continue my passion for teaching while being an active participant in my children’s education. In the fall, my daughter will be starting Kindergarten and my son will be in TK. Although we only started our homeschool journey last year, it was filled with countless new field trips, events, and most importantly, friends! My favorite part about homeschooling has been that we can do it anywhere. My family loves to travel so being able to homeschool while exploring the world has been so rewarding. Along with traveling, I personally enjoy cooking, baking, and reading, so please share with me any delicious recipes or new books you would recommend. I cannot wait to see what this next year of homeschooling will bring and am so excited to share this adventure with other Cottonwood families!
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Summer Newsletter Schedule & Delivery Notes
Our Wednesday Weekly is on a biweekly summer schedule—the remaining editions will hit your inbox on:
These lighter editions include field trip announcements, park day info, and key updates to keep you connected all summer long.
📬 Please note:
The newsletter (and all school communication) is sent to the Primary Parent email on file. A new list is generated each time based on current enrollment. If another caregiver would like to stay informed, we encourage you to forward it to them directly.
🔒 For safety reasons, please do not share this newsletter outside your immediate family. It may contain internal details about student gatherings, locations, and times.
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The Back-to-School Forms Newsletter will arrive the week of July 7. These required forms are essential for activating your access to all resources – The Parent Nest, Lending Library, instructional funds, service orders – everything you need to get the new school year off to a great start.
‼️Check email daily: Back to School Form are time-sensitive!
Prep Tip: Gather your Proof of Residency now.
✅ Accepted: Utility bills, mortgage/lease, property tax, or homeowners’ insurance
- Your document must include a service date of June 1, 2025, or later.
❌ Not accepted: Cell/internet bills, vehicle registration, driver’s license, water bills
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Keep an eye on your inbox mid-July for the Instructional Planning & Ordering Newsletter, packed with everything you need to prepare for ordering educational materials for 2025–26.
Inside, you’ll find:
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Key policies, timelines, and budget info
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Links to planning tools, recommendations, and approved vendors
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Step-by-step instructions for requesting curriculum, materials, and services in Procurify, our online ordering platform.
- Tips for smooth, timely, and accurate ordering
🗓️ Ordering opens the week of July 21
You’re welcome to browse and plan early, but you’re not expected to place orders before meeting with your assigned HST. If you’re working with a Summer HST, they can help guide your preparation. Your assigned HST will partner with you this fall to finalize selections that align with your child’s educational plan and goals for the school year.
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Our Lending Library team is busy restocking shelves and processing returns to prepare for the new school year. That means full curriculum kits from popular programs will soon be available—an excellent way to stretch your funds and save for field trips, academic enrichment, and other needs.
📦 The library is closed to the public until July 7th, but returns may be accepted during designated hours in June.
📅 See the graphic below for important dates and return info!
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We’re excited to offer a playful and connected summer across all regions of Cottonwood with:
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🛝 Weekly Park Days – Relaxed, drop-in gatherings hosted by our Family Liaison team in every region. We are thrilled to be joined by Summer HSTs at various park days this Summer.
(No registration required)
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The Cottonwood School Summer Park Day Schedule
👋 New Faces This Summer:
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Lina is now hosting Elk Grove park days.
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Jana, our new Sacramento Region Liaison, joins in July, bringing us five weekly park days by midsummer!
📅 Helpful Resources:
📲 Stay in the Loop – Join Your Local Remind Group:
Come connect, play, and make memories with your Cottonwood community all summer long!
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Now that you’ve met our amazing Family Liaison Team, it’s the perfect time to join a Community Group (CCG) and stay connected all year long!
Starting this fall, families can opt into regional groups led by our liaisons, offering consistent opportunities to:
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Attend local park days and field trips
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Build friendships with the same families
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Enjoy familiar faces and meaningful connections throughout the year
Originally piloted in Roseville, this model was a huge success—and we’re now expanding to all regions, including a Slavic-speaking group led by Maria Obolonchik.
💡 CCG members receive access to exclusive field trips in addition to our regular school-wide offerings!
📍 Sign up for the group closest to you (one per family). Flyers and links are included below for each region!
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What is a Cottonwood Community Group?
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50 Corridor CCG
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Elk Grove CCG
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Slavic-Speaking CCG
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Roseville Area CCG
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Sacramento CCG
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Come out to Lake Natoma and spend a day lakeside! This will be a great opportunity to get to know other Cottonwood staff & families.
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This is where to find links to join waitlisted trips.
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On this page, you will find work samples, educational resources for specific trips, Field Trip Journal pages, and more!
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- 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.
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General Resources for Parents
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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
Phone: (530) 285-2003
email: info@cottonwoodk12.org
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Kara Parkins
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