|
|
|
|
| News from Principal Foster |
Happy Fall Cottage Grove Families,
As we wrap up our fall conferences it becomes clear to me how connected our community is to CGS and we appreciate that we are in this together. We believe in having a fresh start at CGS each day and we are continuing to build great relationships with all of our students and families. With the shorter days we are reminded that time is marching to the end of the calendar year. What does this mean at school? Students are wearing mittens and hats as they head out to recess wearing cold weather jackets. Thanks for preparing students for the cooler temperatures.
We need students to be on time and in class. Students are learning attendance habits, good or not, that will either serve them well in the future or be a chronic problem. Certainly, there are valid reasons for a tardy or absence, but students need to have excellent school attendance. Need help with ideas for how to manage that at home? Just call or email me. With the size of my family, we have plenty of days when we are tossed a curve ball and have found a few ways to help the morning run smoothly.
Families and staff are looking ahead to time with friends and family over the Fall Break at the end of the month. Enjoy the gorgeous fall days with your friends and family!
Reed Foster
|
| 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!
|
| Notes from the Office |
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.
|
| School Fee Reminder |
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.
|
| Winter Wishes |
Help needed! We have many unclaimed gift tags at this time, and would love your help spreading some cheer this winter.
For those interested in donating, please stop by the snowman display outside our main office and pick up a gift tag (or a few!). Contact Peg Zizmann (839-8715 or [email protected]) with any questions or if you would like us to help your child select a gift tag. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
|
| Indoor Recess |
The Lunchroom/Playground Supervisors need your help! During the course of the school year, the students are kept indoors for recess due to the weather. If you have any games that are appropriate for second, third, and fourth graders that you are no longer using, please consider donating them to the school to be used during those "indoor days." The games can be dropped off at the office. Thank you so much for your consideration!
|
| VFW Teacher of the Year |
The VFW Teacher of the Year award contest recognizes three exceptional teachers for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students. Each year, a certified/licensed elementary, junior high and high school teacher whose curriculum focuses on citizenship education topics can be nominated for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. Click
here for more information.
|
| Support the MGEF Innovation Grants |
On November 2, 2019 the Monona Grove Education Foundation is proud to present their Annual Celebration at the Eastside Club to honor the 2018-19 Innovation Teacher Grant winners. The MGEF will be honoring ten recipients with a short program highlighting their groundbreaking grants. The primary funding source of these grants is the Annual Celebration. Each year the MGEF earmarks $10,000 for Innovation Grants. These grants go directly Monona Grove Teachers to help support innovation within each school. The Innovation Grants have been used as pilot programs (rocker chairs), for teachers to attend seminars, purchase new equipment (paint sprayer for H.S. Art dept.) and enhance maker spaces
Without great sponsors like Monona Bank, TDS, Boardman Clark, Monona Motors, UW Credit Union
and many others we would not have the ability to continue this vital opportunity to push the educational and teaching boundaries of our MGSD students. Please consider going to the MGEF page on the MGSD website to become a sponsor or purchase tickets to attend this year's event. Join us in the Celebration of this year's Innovation Grant Winners.
|
| Save the Date! Math Night! |
Cottage Grove School and Taylor Prairie School will be hosting a combined Family Math Night at Taylor Prairie on:
Tuesday January 14th
5:30 - 7:00pm
More details will follow soon. We hope to see you there!
|
| School Library Volunteers Needed! |
The library is about to undergo a few large projects and could use some volunteers who are detailed orientated and have a few hours to volunteer each week. No experience necessary. Email Lucas Franklin at [email protected]
|
| Article Headline |
Be Brave and Give Blood!
On January 20, 2020, I would like to invite you to Be Brave and participate in the Sixth Annual Be Brave Blood Drive. Please consider scheduling an appointment or volunteering to help show your support of all of our Cottage Grove families who are battling Cancer!
There will be a Sign-up Genius link in December's newsletter for those interested in volunteering. You can also email (
[email protected]
) with your interest and I will send you the link as soon as the sign up is complete.
When: January 20, 2020 from 11:30-5:30
Where: St. Patrick Church - Parish Hall
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and your continued support of all those children and adults fighting the fight of their lives against Cancer.
|
| Social Emotional Learning |
Through classroom counseling lessons, students learn social-emotional skills such as emotion management, empathy for others, and how to stand up to disrespectful behaviors.
To learn more about social emotional learning covered in classroom counseling, check out the family letters here:
|
| Food Pantry Delivery |
|
This month the 3rd graders delivered over 1,300 items to the local food pantry to help fill baskets for the holidays.
Thank you for all the generous donations!
|
|
Early Learning Fair
|
EARLY LEARNING FAIR -
Monday, February 3rd, 2020
On Monday, February 3rd, 2020, the Monona Grove School District will hold its annual Early Learning Fair and Together 4 Kids Registration at Nichols School (MG District Office) in Monona. This event is a free service to families of pre-school children. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with a professional to share information about their child's development and to register for the 2020-2021 T4K program. Registration information will be sent to families in mid December. Parents will need to schedule an appointment upon receipt of registration materials. If you have any new neighbors with young children aged birth to 4 ½, please have them call Gina in the Early Education Office at 839-2113.
|
| Homecoming Assembly |
MGSD Homecoming Spirit Week included a visit from some of the High School Students on October 10th!
|
| National Geographic GeoBee |
The National Geographic GeoBee is an annual competition designed to inspire and reward students' curiosity about the world. Please encourage interested students to start studying now for the CGS.
Geography Bee to be held on Tuesday, December 17th, 2019, at 8:30 in the library.
Here are some resources you can use to learn more about the competition:
Kahoot (There are 15 different Kahoot quizzes they could play!!!)
After Thanksgiving break, all 4th classroom teachers will give their students the Preliminary Classroom Geography Bees from that data, we will select 10-12 of the students to compete in the all-school Bee on the 17th (will be at least one person from each homeroom).
In 2018 we had 2 students representing the MGSD district (Winnequa and GDS) at the State Geography Bee in Madison. The knowledge level of the competitors was incredible, and we hope to send another student this year!
|
| CGS Calendar |
Keep updated on school events by clicking
here
|
| PTO News |
November 11th 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.
|
| 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 |
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 |
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.
|
| 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
