📢 Reminder for COCSD Families
There will be no school on Monday, September 1st in observance of the Labor Day holiday. 🛑🍎
Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 2nd.
We wish all of our Cottonwood-Oak Creek families a wonderful, safe weekend filled with quality time together. ❤️
Enjoy the holiday! 🇺🇸
There will be no school on Monday, September 1st in observance of the Labor Day holiday. 🛑🍎
Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 2nd.
We wish all of our Cottonwood-Oak Creek families a wonderful, safe weekend filled with quality time together. ❤️
Enjoy the holiday! 🇺🇸
Leading with Heart, Teaching with Purpose. ❤️📚
The recent COCSD District PLC (Professional Learning Communities) was a powerful reminder of what makes this community special. Educators came together to dig in—asking questions, discussing pacing, and exploring new assessments with curiosity and purpose. That inquiry mindset is what keeps us moving forward.
A special shoutout to the PLC facilitators and school administration who leaned in alongside staff. That is the COCSD way—we do it together, all hands on deck! 🙌
We’re also proud to share the COCSD Top 10 Core Values, collected at the Welcome Back gathering. The image below highlights what staff lean into most—with TEAMWORK and COLLABORATION rising to the very top.
These shared values give us the COURAGE to show up fully—for each other, and for our students. 💪🏼
The recent COCSD District PLC (Professional Learning Communities) was a powerful reminder of what makes this community special. Educators came together to dig in—asking questions, discussing pacing, and exploring new assessments with curiosity and purpose. That inquiry mindset is what keeps us moving forward.
A special shoutout to the PLC facilitators and school administration who leaned in alongside staff. That is the COCSD way—we do it together, all hands on deck! 🙌
We’re also proud to share the COCSD Top 10 Core Values, collected at the Welcome Back gathering. The image below highlights what staff lean into most—with TEAMWORK and COLLABORATION rising to the very top.
These shared values give us the COURAGE to show up fully—for each other, and for our students. 💪🏼
✨ Yavapai County Education Foundation and Findlay Subaru of Prescott honored 25 outstanding educators from across Yavapai County through the Subaru Loves Learning program!
Among the honorees was our own COCSD, Mrs. Teddy Armstrong, 21st Century District Coordinator. We are so proud to see her recognized for her dedication to students and commitment to education! 👏
Mrs. Armstrong received a classroom supply box and a $500 grant to support student programming. She was also recognized earlier this spring in the YCEF Teacher Tribute Magazine.
In attendance for this celebration were Yavapai County Superintendent Steve King, Mrs. Jamie Woodward, Superintendent Jessica Vocca, and Mrs. Tricia Winters.
We are deeply grateful to Findlay Subaru of Prescott for their generous support in celebrating the teachers who inspire and shape the future of Yavapai County. 💙🍎
#YCEF #SubaruLovesLearning #COCSDTeacherTribute #ThankATeacher
Among the honorees was our own COCSD, Mrs. Teddy Armstrong, 21st Century District Coordinator. We are so proud to see her recognized for her dedication to students and commitment to education! 👏
Mrs. Armstrong received a classroom supply box and a $500 grant to support student programming. She was also recognized earlier this spring in the YCEF Teacher Tribute Magazine.
In attendance for this celebration were Yavapai County Superintendent Steve King, Mrs. Jamie Woodward, Superintendent Jessica Vocca, and Mrs. Tricia Winters.
We are deeply grateful to Findlay Subaru of Prescott for their generous support in celebrating the teachers who inspire and shape the future of Yavapai County. 💙🍎
#YCEF #SubaruLovesLearning #COCSDTeacherTribute #ThankATeacher
🎉 Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District Families! 🎉
Our 21st Century After School Programs are now OPEN for enrollment! 🌟
✅ Snacks provided
✅ Clubs & activities for every interest
✅ Safe, fun, and engaging environment
It’s all about FUN, FUN, FUN while kids play, learn, and grow together. 💡🎨⚽🎶
👉 Check in with your school’s front office for enrollment details today!
We can’t wait to see your kids after school! 💙
#COCSD #AfterSchoolPrograms #KidsPlayAndLearn
Our 21st Century After School Programs are now OPEN for enrollment! 🌟
✅ Snacks provided
✅ Clubs & activities for every interest
✅ Safe, fun, and engaging environment
It’s all about FUN, FUN, FUN while kids play, learn, and grow together. 💡🎨⚽🎶
👉 Check in with your school’s front office for enrollment details today!
We can’t wait to see your kids after school! 💙
#COCSD #AfterSchoolPrograms #KidsPlayAndLearn
🎉 We’re at the National Rural STEM Learning Summit in Fort McDowell, AZ (Aug 26–29)!
Designed for rural educators, administrators, and community leaders, the summit is all about elevating science, technology, engineering, and math in our communities. We’re soaking up inspiring keynotes, rolling up our sleeves in hands-on workshops, and networking with folks who share our love for STEM. 💡🔧🔬
👉 Interested in shaping the next generation of watershed stewards?
Join the Verde Watershed Fellows! Reach out to Laurie Altringer at the Science Vortex: laurie@sciencevortex.org
.
#RuralSTEM #STEMEducation #Arizona #CommunityEducation #HandsOnLearning #VerdeWatershedFellows
Designed for rural educators, administrators, and community leaders, the summit is all about elevating science, technology, engineering, and math in our communities. We’re soaking up inspiring keynotes, rolling up our sleeves in hands-on workshops, and networking with folks who share our love for STEM. 💡🔧🔬
👉 Interested in shaping the next generation of watershed stewards?
Join the Verde Watershed Fellows! Reach out to Laurie Altringer at the Science Vortex: laurie@sciencevortex.org
.
#RuralSTEM #STEMEducation #Arizona #CommunityEducation #HandsOnLearning #VerdeWatershedFellows
📢 Override Election Information for COCSD Families
The Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District has released the Override Fact Sheet to provide families and community members with information regarding the upcoming election.
Ballots Mailed: October 8, 2025
Election Day: November 4, 2025
Type of Election: All-mail ballot election
The Override Fact Sheet includes details about what the override means for our schools and how it impacts students, staff, and programs.
📄 Families are encouraged to review the Fact Sheet to learn more about the upcoming election.
The Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District has released the Override Fact Sheet to provide families and community members with information regarding the upcoming election.
Ballots Mailed: October 8, 2025
Election Day: November 4, 2025
Type of Election: All-mail ballot election
The Override Fact Sheet includes details about what the override means for our schools and how it impacts students, staff, and programs.
📄 Families are encouraged to review the Fact Sheet to learn more about the upcoming election.
Mr. Dambrov's Verde Tech biology class took a hands-on field trip to the Tuzigoot River Access Point today! Students collected leaf litter as part of a biodiversity assessment of the Verde River. They'll be preserving and studying the organisms they found to learn more about the river's ecosystem.
Oak Creek School PTO is excited to welcome vendors to this year’s 44th Old Tyme Country Fair!
Vendor spaces are assigned on a first-come, first-paid basis—so don’t wait! They truly appreciate your promptness in submitting your form and completing payment.
We can’t wait to see you at the fair!
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSel.../viewform...
Vendor spaces are assigned on a first-come, first-paid basis—so don’t wait! They truly appreciate your promptness in submitting your form and completing payment.
We can’t wait to see you at the fair!
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSel.../viewform...
This week, Mr. Dalton, YCSO Deputy Hawkins, and Officer Roger Scarem attended the Arizona School Administrators (ASA) School Safety & Security Summit in Litchfield Park.
They joined state and national leaders in school safety, including Dr. Kenneth Trump, Dr. Paul Tighe, John Michael Keys of The “I Love You Guys” Foundation, Yavapai County Superintendent Steve King, and retired Superintendent Tim Carter.
The focus of the summit was on making schools safer through:
💙 Preparedness in uncertain times
💙 Supporting student mental health as part of safety
💙 Working together as a whole community
💙 Preventing violence
💙 Strengthening reunification protocols
Parents and families can feel confident knowing our school and law enforcement partners are actively learning, planning, and working together to keep our schools safe, supportive, and ready for any challenge.
They joined state and national leaders in school safety, including Dr. Kenneth Trump, Dr. Paul Tighe, John Michael Keys of The “I Love You Guys” Foundation, Yavapai County Superintendent Steve King, and retired Superintendent Tim Carter.
The focus of the summit was on making schools safer through:
💙 Preparedness in uncertain times
💙 Supporting student mental health as part of safety
💙 Working together as a whole community
💙 Preventing violence
💙 Strengthening reunification protocols
Parents and families can feel confident knowing our school and law enforcement partners are actively learning, planning, and working together to keep our schools safe, supportive, and ready for any challenge.
Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Richard Dambrov
Mr. Richard Dambrov is in his 15th year of teaching and his 4th year at Verde Tech High School, where he serves as Lead Teacher and teaches high school math, science, and first-year agriscience.
Mr. Dambrov is passionate about creating real-world learning opportunities for his students. In his agriscience classes, students learn the science of agriculture through hands-on labs and then apply their knowledge at a local farm, gaining valuable skills while helping to grow healthy food in the community.
Outside of school, Mr. Dambrov enjoys mountain biking, traveling, and camping with his family.
We are proud to recognize Mr. Dambrov for his dedication, creativity, and leadership at Verde Tech High School and within the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District.
Mr. Richard Dambrov is in his 15th year of teaching and his 4th year at Verde Tech High School, where he serves as Lead Teacher and teaches high school math, science, and first-year agriscience.
Mr. Dambrov is passionate about creating real-world learning opportunities for his students. In his agriscience classes, students learn the science of agriculture through hands-on labs and then apply their knowledge at a local farm, gaining valuable skills while helping to grow healthy food in the community.
Outside of school, Mr. Dambrov enjoys mountain biking, traveling, and camping with his family.
We are proud to recognize Mr. Dambrov for his dedication, creativity, and leadership at Verde Tech High School and within the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District.
🍎 FREE Meals for All Students – All Year Long! 🥪
We’re excited to share that Sodexo is providing FREE breakfast and lunch for every student, every school day, all year long – no forms, no fees, just delicious, nutritious meals!
Fuel your student’s day with a healthy start and a satisfying lunch to help them learn and grow.
📅 Breakfast + Lunch = Always Free
📋 Check out our daily menu here: https://cocsd.nutrislice.com/menus-eula
Because when students eat well, they learn well! 💙
#COCSD #FreeMealsForAll #Sodexo #SchoolMeals
We’re excited to share that Sodexo is providing FREE breakfast and lunch for every student, every school day, all year long – no forms, no fees, just delicious, nutritious meals!
Fuel your student’s day with a healthy start and a satisfying lunch to help them learn and grow.
📅 Breakfast + Lunch = Always Free
📋 Check out our daily menu here: https://cocsd.nutrislice.com/menus-eula
Because when students eat well, they learn well! 💙
#COCSD #FreeMealsForAll #Sodexo #SchoolMeals
📱 Have you heard about the Wait Until 8th Pledge?
It empowers parents to join together in delaying smartphones for kids until at least the end of 8th grade—helping reduce pressure on both students and families.
This movement aligns with Arizona HB 2484 and COCSD’s new policy: students may not use cell phones or electronic devices on school grounds—including lunch and breaks—unless a teacher gives explicit permission. Phones must also be stored during instructional time.
Learn more about the pledge here ➡️ https://www.waituntil8th.org
It empowers parents to join together in delaying smartphones for kids until at least the end of 8th grade—helping reduce pressure on both students and families.
This movement aligns with Arizona HB 2484 and COCSD’s new policy: students may not use cell phones or electronic devices on school grounds—including lunch and breaks—unless a teacher gives explicit permission. Phones must also be stored during instructional time.
Learn more about the pledge here ➡️ https://www.waituntil8th.org
Good evening MVP families... if your student was riding the Wild Burro bus route and your bus stop was canceled, we have great news. We are able to reintegrate a larger bus into our fleet which will allow us to transport more students for this route. Starting Monday, 8/18/25 the following stops are reactivated:
Fir & 12th St/Verde Dr
Fir & 6th St/Paradise Rd
Fir & Monte Tesoro
The times will be the same as they were before the cancellation. Routes are available to view on our district website or click the link below. Again, we are sorry for the inconvenience the cancellation has caused, but we're happy we were able to come up with a solution before too long. Have a great weekend! -Daniel Maldonado, Transportation Director
https://www.cocsd.us/o/cced/page/transportation
Fir & 12th St/Verde Dr
Fir & 6th St/Paradise Rd
Fir & Monte Tesoro
The times will be the same as they were before the cancellation. Routes are available to view on our district website or click the link below. Again, we are sorry for the inconvenience the cancellation has caused, but we're happy we were able to come up with a solution before too long. Have a great weekend! -Daniel Maldonado, Transportation Director
https://www.cocsd.us/o/cced/page/transportation
🍎 FREE Meals for All Students – All Year Long! 🥪
We’re excited to share that Sodexo is providing FREE breakfast and lunch for every student, every school day, all year long – no forms, no fees, just delicious, nutritious meals!
Fuel your student’s day with a healthy start and a satisfying lunch to help them learn and grow.
📅 Breakfast + Lunch = Always Free
📋 Check out our daily menu here: https://cocsd.nutrislice.com/menus-eula
Because when students eat well, they learn well! 💙
#COCSD #FreeMealsForAll #Sodexo #SchoolMeals
We’re excited to share that Sodexo is providing FREE breakfast and lunch for every student, every school day, all year long – no forms, no fees, just delicious, nutritious meals!
Fuel your student’s day with a healthy start and a satisfying lunch to help them learn and grow.
📅 Breakfast + Lunch = Always Free
📋 Check out our daily menu here: https://cocsd.nutrislice.com/menus-eula
Because when students eat well, they learn well! 💙
#COCSD #FreeMealsForAll #Sodexo #SchoolMeals
🚨 Parents – Quick Check! 🚨
We need YOUR help to keep your child safe! 🛡️💙
Log in here: https://cocsd.apscc.org/PXP2_Login.aspx and make sure:
📲 Emergency contacts are current
🩺 Health forms & conditions are complete
📘 Handbook user agreement is signed
⏳ Must be completed by TODAY or your account will be locked and you’ll need to contact your school’s office to regain access.
It only takes a few minutes – but makes a BIG difference!
✅ Update now to help us care for your child in any situation.
#COCSD #UpdateNow #StudentSafety
We need YOUR help to keep your child safe! 🛡️💙
Log in here: https://cocsd.apscc.org/PXP2_Login.aspx and make sure:
📲 Emergency contacts are current
🩺 Health forms & conditions are complete
📘 Handbook user agreement is signed
⏳ Must be completed by TODAY or your account will be locked and you’ll need to contact your school’s office to regain access.
It only takes a few minutes – but makes a BIG difference!
✅ Update now to help us care for your child in any situation.
#COCSD #UpdateNow #StudentSafety
📚✨ Celebrate Readers in Sedona! ✨📚
Join us for the Celebrate Readers! event on Saturday, October 4th at the Community Library Sedona.
This special day is brought to you by Imagination Library and Unisource—two organizations dedicated to sparking the joy of reading and supporting lifelong learning. 📖💡
Bring your friends, family, and little book lovers for a day filled with stories, fun, and community spirit. Let’s come together to honor the power of books and the magic of imagination!
📅 When: Saturday, October 4th
📍 Where: Community Library Sedona
Let’s make this a chapter to remember! ❤️📚
#CelebrateReaders #SedonaLibrary #ImaginationLibrary #Unisource #LoveToRead #CommunityEvent
Join us for the Celebrate Readers! event on Saturday, October 4th at the Community Library Sedona.
This special day is brought to you by Imagination Library and Unisource—two organizations dedicated to sparking the joy of reading and supporting lifelong learning. 📖💡
Bring your friends, family, and little book lovers for a day filled with stories, fun, and community spirit. Let’s come together to honor the power of books and the magic of imagination!
📅 When: Saturday, October 4th
📍 Where: Community Library Sedona
Let’s make this a chapter to remember! ❤️📚
#CelebrateReaders #SedonaLibrary #ImaginationLibrary #Unisource #LoveToRead #CommunityEvent
Good afternoon OCS families... due to shortage of drivers we will not be able to run the Big Horn Sheep AM route tomorrow, Fri 8/15/25. If your student rides Big Horn in the morning, please find an alternate way to get to school that day. We WILL be able to run the PM route and your kids will get home on Fri. We do apologize for this major inconvenience. - Daniel Maldonado, Transportation Director
✈️ Girls in Aviation Day – Hosted by our Women in Aviation Chapter ✈️
📅 Date: September 20th
📍 Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
💵 Cost: FREE!
Girls ages 6–18 are invited to join us for an exciting day exploring the world of aviation and aerospace! 🚀
✨ What to Expect:
Meet inspiring aviation and aerospace professionals
Participate in hands-on aviation activities
Take guided tours of our state-of-the-art facilities
Whether you’re curious about piloting, engineering, air traffic control, or space exploration, this is your chance to discover endless possibilities in the skies!
🛫 Spots are limited — mark your calendars and join us for this high-flying adventure!
#GirlsInAviationDay #WomenInAviation #EmbryRiddle #STEM #AviationCareers #GirlsFlyToo
🌟 Supporting Student Mental Health & Wellbeing 🌟
At COCSD, we believe in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our students so they can reach their full potential—both in school and in life. 💙
That’s why we’re excited to share that we’ve partnered with Cartwheel, a trusted mental health provider for K-12 schools, to bring additional support to our students and families.
Through Cartwheel, our students and families have rapid access to telehealth services, including:
✅ 1:1 therapy
✅ Medication evaluation & management
✅ Parent guidance
✅ Family therapy
If you think your child could benefit from these services, please reach out to a member of our school counseling team.
Together, we can help our students thrive—academically, emotionally, and socially. 💬✨
#COCSD #StudentWellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #CartwheelCare #StrongerTogether
At COCSD, we believe in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our students so they can reach their full potential—both in school and in life. 💙
That’s why we’re excited to share that we’ve partnered with Cartwheel, a trusted mental health provider for K-12 schools, to bring additional support to our students and families.
Through Cartwheel, our students and families have rapid access to telehealth services, including:
✅ 1:1 therapy
✅ Medication evaluation & management
✅ Parent guidance
✅ Family therapy
If you think your child could benefit from these services, please reach out to a member of our school counseling team.
Together, we can help our students thrive—academically, emotionally, and socially. 💬✨
#COCSD #StudentWellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #CartwheelCare #StrongerTogether
Come celebrate with us!
Grand Opening of the Selna Mongini S.T.E.A.M. Park
Saturday, August 30 at 9:00 a.m.
701 Second North Street, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
