🧠 Fueling Big Dreams Starts with Great Meals! 🥪

Did you know students who eat a balanced breakfast and lunch focus better, have more energy, and do better in class? We’ve got you covered every single school day - and it's free for all students!

✨ Why eat at school?
🥣 Delicious & Balanced: Delicious meals planned to keep minds sharp and bellies full.
⏰ Stress-Free Mornings: Save time at home—let us handle the cooking!
🍎 Fresh & Healthy: Daily choices of fresh fruit, veggies, and student favorites.

Check out the menu here: COCSD Nutrislice Menu 📋
Come hungry, leave ready to learn! See you in the cafeteria! 👋✨

#SupportSchoolMeals #NutrisliceMenu #SchoolBreakfastMatters #EatWithUs

What Can Capital Bond Funds Be Used For?
Capital bond funds may be used for voter-approved projects such as building repairs, HVAC systems, roofs, transportation, technology upgrades and campus security improvements. They cannot be used for salaries or everyday operating expenses.

Estimated tax rate of $0.43 per $100 of net assessed valuation.
Learn more at www.cocsd.us

Program Cancellation at Science Vortex

Science Vortex Families,

Unfortunately, the strong rain yesterday caused a roof leak and flooding at Science Vortex. Because we need some time to clean up and make sure the space is ready for everyone, we will be cancelling:

Family Makerspace this evening (Thursday)
Little Learners STEAM tomorrow morning (Friday)

We apologize for the inconvenience! We’ll be busy getting everything cleaned up and plan to be back open and ready for our regular weekend hours on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM.

Thank you for understanding, and we hope to see you this weekend!

Ms. Laurie
Science Vortex Director

🚌🌟 A HUGE SHOUT-OUT TO OUR COCSD TRANSPORTATION ROCKSTARS! 🌟🚌

Today’s powerful storm brought flooding, hail, blinding rain and delayed releases—creating an incredibly challenging situation for getting our students home.

Through it all, our transportation team remained calm, focused and committed to what matters most: the safety of our students. Their professionalism, patience and dedication were nothing short of outstanding.

Please join us in celebrating these incredible people who safely navigated difficult road and weather conditions to get our students home. We are grateful beyond words for each and every one of you! 👏💙

We also extend a heartfelt thank-you to our COCSD families for your patience, flexibility and understanding throughout the afternoon. Your cooperation made a tremendous difference.

Today was challenging—but our people rose to the occasion in a BIG way! 💪🚌🌟

#COCSDProud #TransportationRockstars #StudentSafetyFirst #Teamwork

TRICIA WINTERS RECOGNIZED AS A COMMUNITY CHAMPION FOR MISSION-DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS
Tricia Winters of Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District has been acknowledged today as an exceptional leader helping to drive impact for their organization and community.
Diligent’s Community Champions program celebrates exceptional people serving in communities around the globe who are helping to build successful, equitable and sustainable education, government and nonprofit organizations.
These individuals are leading with purpose and driving their organizations toward sustainable and simplified governance practices and greater visibility across the organization.
“At Diligent, our vision is to enable mission-driven organizations to deliver on their promises and build better communities through effective governance. We understand that mission-driven organizations face unique challenges but often don’t have dedicated governance professionals or risk and compliance practitioners.” - Andrea Walsh, Senior Director Marketing for Mission-Driven Organizations at Diligent.
The program recognizes exemplary professionals that contribute to their local communities across two Diligent brands:
1. Diligent Community
2. BoardEffect
“To the dedicated leaders serving in mission-driven organizations, we celebrate their positive impact on day-to-day operations and better decision-making, as well as their impact on their local communities. We salute you!”
Further information about the Diligent Community Champions program is available here:
https://www.diligent.com/resources/blog/community-champions
For more, see #leadingwithpurpose and follow us on social media.

ABOUT THE DILIGENT COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS PROGRAM
Diligent honors the exceptional individuals in mission-driven organizations in the public sector, government, education and nonprofit sectors who show leadership with purpose and who help to steer their organization toward better governance practices with impact on the communities they serve.

🍎 New This Year: Arizona Healthy Schools Act

COCSD Families, beginning July 1, 2026, Arizona schools must follow new requirements for foods sold, served, or shared during the school day. The new law restricts certain artificial food dyes and additives.

What families need to know:
• You may still pack any lunch or snack for your own child.
• Food shared with a class must meet the new requirements. Please check ingredient labels before sending birthday treats, classroom snacks, or other shared foods.
• Foods sold to students during the school day, including fundraisers, must also meet USDA Smart Snacks standards.
• These requirements do not apply to events on non-school days or more than 30 minutes after dismissal.

If you’re unsure whether an item can be shared at school, please contact your child’s school office.

Thank you for partnering with COCSD to support healthy choices and strong futures for our students! 💙

What are the facts about Proposition 409?

As voters prepare for the November election, it's important to know what Proposition 409 would do.

✅ Proposition 409 is a capital bond for Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District that will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

If approved, bond funding could be used for:
🏫 Facility improvements
🔒 School safety enhancements
🔧 Infrastructure repairs
💻 Technology upgrades
🚌 Transportation needs

What it is NOT:
• It is not intended to pay teacher salaries or day-to-day operating expenses.
• It is not for building new schools. The district states the bond is focused on maintaining and improving existing schools and addressing aging infrastructure.

According to district estimates, the average tax impact would be approximately the cost of two cups of coffee per month for the average homeowner.

No matter how you plan to vote, take time to review the facts, ask questions, and make an informed decision.

🗳️ Election Day: November 3, 2026

Why Did COCSD Call for a Capital Bond?
COCSD facilities assessments indicate that critical systems across district schools and support facilities are aging, including water lines, wells, septic systems, HVAC systems, roofing and other infrastructure and safety needs.

Cost to tax payers, estimated tax rate of $0.43 per $100 of net assessed valuation.
Learn more at www.cocsd.us

🌟 Governing Board Meeting Highlights 🌟

It was a great week for celebrating innovation, planning for the future, and recognizing those who go above and beyond for our students!

☀️ Summer Camp Innovation Impact
Mrs. Teddy Armstrong presented the Summer Camp Innovation Impact Report to the Governing Board, highlighting the meaningful experiences, learning, and opportunities provided to students through this summer’s programming.

🎯 Strategic Plan Approved
Superintendent Vocca provided an update on the district’s Strategic Plan, which was officially adopted and approved by the Governing Board. This plan will help guide our work and priorities as we continue moving forward together in support of our students, staff, and community.

🚌 Special Recognition – Mr. Jimmy Montgomery
Superintendent Vocca also gave special recognition to Mr. Jimmy Montgomery for his work with the Safe Stop Coalition and his continued efforts to bring awareness to the serious issue of drivers illegally passing school buses when stop arms are extended.

Jimmy is always looking out for our kids and searching for ways to make our schools and community safer. We are grateful for his dedication, advocacy, and commitment to protecting our students! 💙

Thank you to everyone who continues to make a positive impact for our students and our community. Great things happen when we work together!

📢 Is your voter registration up to date?

Strong schools start with an engaged community. Whether you've recently moved, changed your name, or are registering for the first time, now is a great time to make sure you're registered to vote.

✅ Scan the QR code below to register or verify your voter registration.

Voting is one way to participate in the decisions that help shape our community and our public schools. This post is intended to provide voter registration information only and is nonpartisan.

#COCSD #CommunityMatters #RegisterToVote #CivicEngagement

The 45th Old Tyme Country Fair is coming on November 14th!

Oak Creek School PTO's vendor application is now OPEN! If you're interested in being a vendor this year, you can apply online here:
https://forms.gle/ACLvTPfX8s7Tfi9R7

They're also looking for volunteers and raffle prize donations to help make this year's fair a success!

🎁 Raffle Donations: Donations can be dropped off at the Oak Creek School office for the PTO.
🙋 Volunteers: They would love your help! As a small thank-you, every volunteer will receive a FREE hot dog combo lunch and our sincere appreciation for supporting our school and community.

Please help us spread the word by sharing their volunteer sign-up link: https://signup.com/go/xckWiMo

Thank you for helping make the 45th Old Tyme Country Fair another amazing community tradition! ❤️

What Is Proposition 409?
Proposition 409 is the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District capital bond question on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Bond funds may only be used for voter-approved capital projects and cannot be used for salaries or everyday operating expenses. Watch for more information to come.

Cost to tax payer is an estimated tax rate of $0.43 per $100 of net assessed valuation.
Learn more at www.cocsd.us