Paw Prints - March , 2020    
In This Issue
News from Principal Foster
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Greetings CGS Families,

Two trimesters down and one to go!  Wow, where did the time go? I'm not sure, but things at CGS are going so well.  We are excited about each new day. We are especially happy about Spring Parent/Teacher conferences (March 12th and 19th) and our annual music concert that is coming up on March 26th.  Please see the listing of what concert you should attend to allow for adequate parking and seating. This year's program is titled, "Big World, Small World," includes music from different places across the world.  I have always been impressed by the result of a full school concert. It's an excellent foundation for our district's fantastic fine arts opportunities. Also, it is an excellent example of how the teachers at CGS work together for the betterment of all our students.  
Although we are getting Spring Fever, it is essential to embrace the gift of today. Each day counts at CGS, and we are glad to work with a supportive community.

Two Important Reminders
1. Please remind students not to bring personal items to school, like technology, toys, trading cards, or similar items.  The concern is the distraction it might cause and the worry of items being misplaced or broken. CGS might have special days students can bring personal items, but that will be clearly communicated for those days.
 

2. Please review the bus expectations with your children to ensure a safe, respectful and responsible bus ride.  The bus is an extension of the school day and SAFETY is the primary focus of CGS. Everyone deserves to ride comfortably on the bus and CGS students need to do their part!  

Parent/Teacher Conferences
Conferences are March 12th and 19th.

If you have not signed up yet, please be sure to do so!  
 
Spring Concert
This year's program, "Big World, Small World", will be presented at two different times.  The 9:00 program will include the following classrooms:

Ms. Hixon, Ms. Melde, Ms. Piehler, Ms. Schieferdeker, Ms. Arlt, 
Ms. Currie, Mr. Esch, Ms Pastika, Ms. Dilcher, Ms. Haas, and 
Mr. Johnson.

The 1:15 program will include Ms. Emmerich, Ms. Kroll, Ms. Lemery, 
Ms. Schneier,  Ms. Casto, Ms. Emmons, Ms. Lawler, Ms. Braley, Ms. Friberg, 
Ms. Grunow, and Mr. Knutson.
 
Notes from the Office
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Reminder:
The first morning bell is at 7:40am and the second bell at 7:45.  Students should be in their classroom and ready to start the day at 7:45.  Students may arrive at school at 7:20, when supervisors are outside.      


If your child will be absent or has an appointment, please call the office before 8:00 a.m.  We will be sure your child's teacher knows.

Pre-Arranged Extended Absence Forms:
Please remember to fill out a form if your child will miss more than 2 days in a row.  They are available online under MG Family Information, Forms For Families.

Infinite Campus:
PLEASE keep your information on Infinite Campus up to date.
Be sure to check your phone number(s) and emergency contacts.

2019-2020 Student Calendar
The 2019-2020 Student School Year Calendar is now available by clicking  here.

Parent Input Regarding Student Placement for 2020-2021
If you there is anything about your child's needs that you would like us to consider in the placement process, please complete this form.

2020-2021 Student Calendar
The 2020-2021 Student School Year Calendar has been approved and is now available to view by clicking here.

Forward Exam
3rd and 4th Grade Families - The state Forward Exam is coming up after spring break. Our school testing window is from April 6-May 1. Please see your child's teacher for their specific testing times. 
Attached is an  Informational Brochure for Families  which gives more information about the assessment, including its purpose, what is tested, and what scores will be provided.

Here are the links for the brochure  in English and  in Spanish

Summer School 2020

Monday, June 22 through Friday, July 17
(no class Friday, July 3)


The registration window for Summer School will be open from 4:00 pm on March 2nd through 4:00 pm on March 13th. Registration occurs online through your Infinite Campus Portal Account. To prepare for registration, families will want to be sure that their portal account is activated and that they are able to login. 
 
The Course Guide and transportation form, along with directions on how to Request Summer School Courses through your Infinite Campus Portal Account, is currently on our Summer School Website. Please note: transportation forms must be submitted by May 3. No late forms will be accepted. Registering for summer school courses does not automatically register you for transportation; you must submit your request for transportation separately from course selection.  
 
Please click here to bookmark the Summer School Website for the most updated information.
 
What should I do if I forgot my user name, password or am having trouble logging into my Infinite Campus account?
First, use the Help options found on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal login page. A link to that portal is on  this page . Please note there are options for "Forgot your password" and "Forgot your username" in this area. If those options don't work for you, please fill out the Infinite Campus Portal Help Request form. A link to the form is on  this page .

 
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run will meet at Cottage Grove School for it's spring season!  Registration is now open for your 3rd-5th graders.  The spring season starts the week of March 23rd.  There will be two teams- a Monday/Wednesday team and a Tuesday/Thursday team.  Each team will start at 5:30 and end at 7:00 pm at CGS.  (drop off outside the rotunda!) 
 
Girls on the Run is an after-school program like no other!  Twice per week for 10 weeks, girls will have fun, make friends, increase their physical activity levels and learn important life skills.  Trained and caring volunteer coaches lead the team through interactive character-building lessons and running activities.  The celebratory 5K event will take place on Saturday, June 6th!

Interested in coaching?  We are in need of an additional coach on the Tuesday/Thursday team!  https://www.girlsontherunscwi.org/Coach

 
Youth Drama Class

 
School Fee Reminder
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Just a reminder that school fees for the 2019-2020 school year ($50.00) were due September 3rd. If you need to pay fees, please do so via the IC Parent Portal, or you may bring cash/check to the CGS Office.  
 
Safety First!
Please plan for your students 
safe arrival at school!

Remember that supervision starts at 
7:20 am.  and crossing guards are not at the cross walks until 7:15 am.
 
Volunteer Background Checks

If you are planning to help in the classroom or accompany your child on a field trip, you MUST complete the on-line form here.
PTO News

March 9th Meeting

@ Taylor Prairie in the IMC at 6:30 p.m.



Scrip is one of PTO's most successful fundraising programs.  Scrip is just another way to pay for everyday purchases using gift cards in place of cash, checks and credit cards.  Scrip fundraising allows you to raise money for our school without selling anything - and it doesn't cost you a dime!  Click here for order form.

MARCH MADNESS!
March is a month full of fun activities for the families of Cottage Grove!  Please read the attached flyers for all the information on all the activities!  Your student brought home the information as well!
GEM
Attention parents of Girls-
 
GEM (Growing Early Minds) classes are designed to challenge and engage advanced learners finishing grades 1 through 4. Students will be exposed to advanced concepts and themes that feed their curious minds. Social and emotional curriculum components focus on fostering autonomy, encouraging development of growth mindset, and developing effective collaboration skills.  Please go here for more information.
Friends of the Cottage Grove Library - Wisconsin
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The Friends of the Library is becoming very active again and are always looking for new members.  Click here for their flyer.

Also check out their Facebook:
Friends of the Cottage Grove Library-Wisconsin

Bookmobile 
Bookmobile stops in Cottage Grove on Wednesdays at the following times: 

Dublin Park -  2:00-4:00pm
Piggly Wiggly - 
5:00-8:00pm


National Bookmobile Day will be Wednesday, April 22.  National Bookmobile Day celebrates our nation's bookmobiles and the dedicated library professionals who provide this valuable and essential service to our community each week.  Join the Friends of the Cottage Grove Library and celebrate our Bookmobile from 2-4pm at Dublin Park and 5-8pm at Piggy Wiggly!
**** Want to pickup a specific Bookmobile item you found in LINKcatWe have a large collection and can't fit it all onboard at once. Please call us in advance to ensure we have your item onboard when you visit!   (608) 266-9297 ****
Area Library News
MONONA PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES



 

Storytimes. Read with a Dog, Construction Zone (LEGO), STEAM Saturdays, Nature Explorers, and more! Sign up to receive a monthly eNewsletter: Check the Events Calendaron the website or call 608-222-6127. Follow Monona Public Library on Facebook and @mononalibrary on Instagram.

Pinney Library is NOW OPEN in our INTERIM location at 211 Cottage Grove Road. For more information or updates on the progress of the new library being built at Royster Corners, visit   http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/pinney .
Visit  https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/kids  for more information.

 
The Sun Prairie Public Library is open to everyone!  We have programs for all ages -- from babies through teens (adults, too!) and we're open 7 days a week.  Don't have a library card?  No problem!  Just bring a photo ID and we can issue you one today.  From Storytime to Legos to Gaming and more...there's always something happening at the library and you never know what you might find next!  Check our website for current program days and times: www.sunlib.org
SPPL hours: Monday through Thursday 9am-9pm; Friday 9am-6pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 1-5pm

CGS Calendar

Keep updated on school events by clicking here
 
School Day Schedule for 2019 - 2020

First bell; students may
enter building
7:35 a.m.
Classes begin
7:45 a.m.
2nd Grade Recess
9:20 - 9:35 a.m. 
4th Grade Recess
9:35 - 9:50 a.m.
3rd Grade Lunch and Recess
10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
4th Grade Lunch and Recess
11:35 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
2nd Grade Lunch and Recess
12:25 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.
3rd Grade Recess
1:10 p.m. - 1:25 p.m.
Dismissal
  2:35 p.m.

CGS Parking Lot
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Drop Off and Pick Up:  Please use the lot closest to the building for Drop Off and Pick Up for the safety of everyone.  The far lot is busy with the buses coming in and out.

Supervision begins at 7:20am.  For the safety of your child please do not drop off before that.

If you are dropping off or picking up your student(s) without coming into the building yourself, please join the line of cars next to the curb in the lot closest to the building.  There will be supervisors along the sidewalk to help the students and direct traffic.

If you are planning to come into the building, please park your car (not along the curb) and use the crosswalk.  We ask that you escort your student(s) to and from the sidewalk.
  
We have noticed that some of our visitors have been parking in the "far" parking lot.  We, CGS Staff, park in the far lot so our visitors have closer access to the building. That is also the lot the buses use.  We welcome all visitors to park in the lot closest to the building.
School Supplies


If you need help getting school supplies for your student, please contact Kendra Atkinson.  608-839-8721
 
Student Handbook
The student handbook is located on the Cottage Grove website.  Please take some time to go over the Cottage Grove and District policies and procedures.  If you would like a printed copy, please contact the office.  You can read the handbook here.
 
Communication
CGS Website:  Click here

Monona Grove Website:  You will find all District news and information at www,mononagrove.org

CGS Monthly newsletter:  "PawPrints" is the CGS monthly newsletter put out the first week of the month.  You will receive an IC message that it is available.  Please keep your Parent updated, you will also receive other important messages via IC.

Teacher newsletters:  Teachers will send newsletters out for specific classroom news and events.
School Nutrition

You will find menus for both Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) and Lunch on the website.
Click here
 
Notes from the Health Room

If your child has a temp, is vomiting, has diarrhea, has a rash you do not know the cause of, or has a communicable disease (such as pink eye) do not send them to school -  keep them home.

Due to latex allergies among students, staff and visitors of Monona Grove Schools, latex balloons are NOT allowed. Latex Balloons have the biggest health risk for latex allergic people because of the latex particles that become airborne and can lead to respiratory distress if breathed in. 
Please do not bring Latex balloons into school buildings and grounds. School health office/first aid supplies include non-latex gloves and band aids/tape. For more information click  
here
Lost & Found
 
"I don't know where it is"...the words every parent hates hearing! The Lost and Found has
become the dark abyss of single gloves and lonely hats (not to mention lunch bags and shoes).
 
At CGS, our collection grows quickly, and all found objects were thrown into a heap that no one would have the time to sort. This was not a helpful system for anyone. Good news, we have a new system that should be easier for students and parents to find what is missing.
 
A continual sweep will be done to gather all the left behind articles and put in the lost and found area. The Lost and Found area is now more organized. All things will be on a hanger
or in one of the blue baskets. Reminder announcements will be made for students to look in the area. The last week of the month, the carts and baskets will be wheeled into the rotunda
area to be more visible.  At the beginning of the new month, all unclaimed articles will be put in a large bin and held for one month. This bin is in the lost and found area and is labeled  for easy access. When the month is over, the unclaimed articles from the bin will be bagged and donated and the bin will be filled with the new unclaimed articles.
 
Please feel free to come in and look, or if you are unable to come during school hours call the office and we can check for you!

TIP:  MARK ALL JACKETS, SNOWPANTS, BACKPACKS AND LUNCH BOXES - ANYTHING YOU FEEL IS VALUABLE. 

 

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REMEMBER THAT EVERY WEDNESDAY IS WOLF/SPIRIT WEAR DAY!
  

March

02-13  
      Summer School
      Registration 

03  4th Grade 
      Field Trip to 
      Mackenzie 
      Center (Braley,
      Grunow, Haas)

04   4th Grade 
      Field Trip to 
      Mackenzie 
      Center (Dilcher,
      Johnson)

06   End of 
      2nd  Trimester 

       No School
       Inservice

11    4th Grade 
      Field Trip to 
      Mackenzie 
      Center (Friberg,
      Knutson)


12   Parent/Teacher
       Conferences
       4:00-8:00

16   District Strings   
       Festival @ MGHS
       7:00pm

17   2nd Grade
       Field Trip to
       Overture Center

19   Parent/Teacher
       Conferences
       4:00-8:00

26   Spring Music
       Concert  7:00pm

27   No School 
       Inservice

30-5   Spring Break 
 

April

06   Classes Resume

10   No School

14   4th Grade 
       Field Trip to 
       Capitol/Historical
       Museum (Braley,
       Dilcher, Haas)

21   4th Grade 
       Field Trip to
       Capitol/Historical
       Museum (Friberg,
       Grunow, Johnson,
       Knutson)


May

04   3rd Grade 
       Field Trip to
       Arboretum (Arlt,
       Emmons)

05   3rd Grade
       Field Trip to 
       Arboretum         
        (Casto,Esch)

06   3rd Grade 
       Field Trip to
       Arbotrum 
       (Currie, Lawler,
       Pastika)


13   Arts Night 
      5:00pm-7:00pm

22   No School
       Inservice

25   No School
       Memorial Day 


June

11  Last Student Day







      



       
   






















       

 
 
 
  






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