December 2022

Principal Message

Dear Cottage Grove Families,

Wow, it is December already! It’s the time of the year for hats, gloves, snow pants and snow boots. We ask that if you bring in cold weather gear, that you label them accordingly and send additional masks to be changed throughout the day. Please remind your scholar that this year we are truly focusing on, “being safe, even when no one is watching”. This means that during recess we are being mindful of how we play with each other in the snow, both playgrounds, and the baseball field. Our teachers will review a teach-to-video to remind our scholars about safety during recess.

Volunteers:

If you would like to sign up to volunteer in the classroom, field trips, or the library please know that as a building we are slowly welcoming volunteers back. As we continue to create systems that keep our smallest learners safe, the district has supported the return of volunteers into the building. All volunteers must complete a background check through raptor. If you have any further questions about volunteering opportunities please contact myself or Mrs. Dawn May.

Thank you:

A big Thanks to the YMCA of Dane County’s eastside location off Cottage Grove road. The Director of Financial Development, Kristin Fabisch, blessed Cottage Grove School in the most amazing way. Ms. Fabisch heard that our focus this year is on supporting teachers' mental health post pandemic and she donated free YMCA memberships to all of our staff here at CGS. Our teachers at CGS work effortlessly to make sure that our students are safe, see themselves in their learning, grow as lifelong learners and can authentically be themselves in each space of the building. Ms. Fabisch’s simple gesture is not only greatly appreciated but will help the mental, physical and emotional health of our staff at CGS so that they can continue to show up as their bestselves for our students each and every day. Thank you YMCA and Ms. Fabisch for your generosity.

PTO:

Are you looking for other ways to be involved? You can join the PTO! If you are interested in joining the PTO, please reach out to Ginger Veith, PTO President (ginger.veith@mgschools.net), or visit us on Facebook on CG PTO.

In Partnership,

Dr. Danyelle Wright

Winter Wishes "Giving Tree"

Dear CGS Families,

As you may have heard, we are providing gift cards to families in lieu of gift/toy baskets this holiday season and hope to be able to provide support to families year-round. We are asking for donations of gift cards in $15, $20, and $25 denominations to grocery stores such as Woodman's, Piggly Wiggly, and Pick N' Save, as well as larger retailers such as Walmart or Target. Gift cards to gas stations such as Kwik Trip are also appreciated. Gift cards can be brought to the main office and we will distribute them to families who have indicated a need.

There will be a “giving tree” in the front office with snowflakes you can take with various donation amounts/locations as one way to indicate your initiative to give. You may also sign up on this Sign Up Genius form https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EABAB2EABFAC43-family or simply drop off a gift card when you are able!

We appreciate your donations to support this new initiative to provide for families in need in a way they find most meaningful.

If you have questions about the giving process, please contact a student services member at:

Julianne Snyder

School Psychologist

608-839-8089

julianne.snyder@mgschools.net

Michael Bergemann

School Counselor

608-839-8093

michael.bergemann@mgschools.net

Estimadas familias de CGS:

Como habrán escuchado, estamos proporcionando tarjetas de regalo a las familias en lugar de canastas de regalos/juguetes en esta temporada de fiestas y esperamos poder brindar apoyo a las familias durante todo el año. Estamos solicitando donaciones de tarjetas de regalo en denominaciones de $15, $20 y $25 a supermercados como Woodman's, Piggly Wiggly y Pick N' Save, así como a tiendas más grandes como Walmart o Target. También se agradecen las tarjetas de regalo para gasolineras como Kwik Trip. Las tarjetas de regalo se pueden traer a la oficina principal y las distribuiremos a las familias que hayan indicado una necesidad.

Habrá un "árbol de donaciones" en la oficina principal con copos de nieve que puede tomar con varias cantidades/ubicaciones de donación como una forma de indicar su iniciativa de donar. ¡También puede inscribirse en este formulario Sign Up Genius https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EABAB2EABFAC43-family o simplemente dejar una tarjeta de regalo cuando pueda!

Agradecemos sus donaciones para apoyar esta nueva iniciativa para ayudar a las familias con necesitadas de la manera que consideren más significativa.

Si tiene preguntas sobre el proceso de donación, comuníquese con un miembro de servicios estudiantiles en:

Julianne Snyder

Psicóloga escolar

608-839-8089

julianne.snyder@mgschools.net

Michael Bergemann

Consejera escolar

608-839-8093

michael.bergemann@mgschools.net

A Note from the Nurse's Office

On behalf of the MGSD Health Team, we have a few reminders for students and their families.

With winter weather upon us please make sure your child is dressed properly for

the weather. This includes snow pants, boots, warm coats, hats, and gloves.

Students may also soak through their winter gear, if possible, keep a spare outfit

for your student to change into. We have extras if needed but not enough for

everyone. If your child has borrowed clothes from the health office, please wash

and return them. Thank you!

Cold and flu season is upon us, and we are seeing numerous illnesses throughout the school. If your child is sick, please keep them at home! The following is a list of symptoms that warrant

students staying at home and communicating with their physician:

Fever (100° or higher), chills or shaking chills. Must remain at home until 24 hours fever-free without the use of fever reducing agents
Nausea or Vomiting. Must remain at home for 24 hours from last episode of
vomiting
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Headache (in addition to other symptoms)
Fatigue (in addition to other symptoms)
New loss of taste or smell
Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies)
Muscle or body aches
Cough (not due to other known causes, such as a chronic cough)
Sore throat
Eye Drainage that is green/yellow and crusty
Rash on hands, feet, or mouth not due to exposure to allergen

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ashley at Ashley.Kraft@mgschools.net or call 608-839-2184.

Art Room Donations

The art room is asking for donations of brown paper grocery bags and bubble wrap. If you can donate one or both of these items please drop them off in the office by December 9th!