Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District will be on Fall Break from October 13th–17th, 2025.
No School during this time.
District Office Closed on Monday, October 13th.
We wish all our students, staff, and families a wonderful break! Take time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the beautiful fall weather with your loved ones. 🍁✨
📅 Shows begin tonight and run through October 11th.
🎟️ Get your tickets now at ATORt.Ludus.com and save — tickets will be $3 more at the door.
👥 Recommended for middle school aged children and older.
Don’t wait… come experience the mystery, the tension, and the thrill of Trap!
🌟 October is National Principal Month 🌟
Today we celebrate our very own Mrs. Heather Wacker, a dynamic principal whose leadership sets the tone for the entire campus.
Mrs. Wacker is strong, competitive, and driven—never stopping in her pursuit of growth and learning. She models a growth mindset every day, inspiring both staff and students. She has her teachers’ backs, encourages shared leadership and teamwork, and holds herself fully accountable for everything that happens on campus.
Her extreme leadership, commitment to excellence, and unwavering dedication to our students make her stand out. She builds morale, cultivates positive relationships, and understands the vital role of school culture in creating a thriving community.
Mrs. Wacker is the heart of our “Lobo Pack.” She grows our community, advocates for all, and ensures every decision is made with a mindful respect for each child’s unique strengths and needs. With her energy and engaging style, she keeps us all rowing in the same direction—toward having the very best campus in the district.
Simply put: no one outworks her. Her hustle, heart, and dedication elevate us all. 💙🐺
Join us in thanking Mrs. Wacker for everything she does to lead, inspire, and empower our students, staff, and community!
#ThankAPrincipal #NationalPrincipalMonth #LoboPack
Bring the whole family for a day full of food, fun, rides, and games. 🎠🍔🎯
This community favorite has something for everyone—and all are welcome!
Come out, support our Wildcats, and enjoy a fantastic fall day together. 🐾💙
✨ Governing Board Highlights from Last Night’s Meeting ✨
We are proud to recognize two outstanding staff members, Juanita Wilson and Duane Barto, for going Above and Beyond when a student experienced a medical emergency on the bus. Their quick thinking and calm response ensured the student received help right away. 💙👏
The Board and Administration also celebrated our Sparklight Award recipients:
🏆 OCS Student – Brian Castro
🏆 OCS Teacher – Stevie Culver
🏆 MVP Student – Madeline White
🏆 MVP Teacher – Mrs. Romey
Each recipient received a plaque and a $25 gift card, generously provided by Sparklight.
In addition, the Governing Board approved the 2026–2027 School Year Calendar and the Teacher 301 Pay for Performance plan.
We’re grateful for the dedication of our staff, students, and community who make COCSD a place where excellence shines every day! 🌟
What Is an Override Election?
An Override Election allows a school district to ask voters for approval to increase its budget beyond the state’s revenue limit.
Purpose: To fund operational needs such as teacher and staff salaries, programs, class size, and student services.
Amount: Districts may request up to 15% above the state-imposed budget limit. COCSD is being fiscally conservative and only asking for 10% at this time.
Duration: Overrides are approved for up to 7 years. Funding decreases by one-third in year 6 and two-thirds in year 7 if not renewed.
Funding Source: Overrides are funded through local property taxes, based on assessed value.
Failure to Pass: Without approval, districts must operate within the state revenue limit, which may require budget reductions.
Did you know your taste buds can detect five basic tastes? Tell us your favorite in the "comments" section below.
Each one plays a unique role in how we experience food:
🍫 Sweet – signals energy-rich foods (think fruits & treats)
🧂 Salty – helps the body balance minerals and fluids
🍋 Sour – often points to vitamin-packed fruits (or foods that have gone bad!)
🥬 Bitter – your body’s natural warning system, but also found in healthy greens
🍄 Umami – the savory “fifth taste” found in foods like mushrooms, soy, and cheese
Together, these tastes create the amazing flavor experiences we enjoy every day. Next time you take a bite, pay attention — which tastes are you picking up? 👅✨
#Sodexo #BiteScience #FoodFacts #TasteBuds
🍴 Bring your questions and your appetite!
Superintendent Vocca will be hosting a Lunch & Learn to share important information and answer questions about the upcoming COCSD Override Election.
📅 Date: Monday, September 30, 2024
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM
📍 Location: Verde Valley Senior Center
500 E. Cherry St., Cottonwood
This is a great opportunity to learn more about what the override means for our schools and our community. Everyone is welcome—come be part of the conversation!
#COCSD #CommunityMatters #LunchAndLearn #OverrideElection
A huge thank you to Bedrock Landscape Supply, Sedona Plant Company, Sedonuts, Verde River Growers, and an anonymous donor for making this possible. 💚
We’re still looking for a bench to complete the space—if you’d like to help, please reach out!
A big thank you to Coach Day for making it all happen—we appreciate your time and dedication! 💚
One of our favorite parts has been watching the older, more advanced students step up as mentors and help teach the younger kiddos. Such a great example of leadership in action! 🌟
Looking for something light, fresh, and delicious? Try making our Berry Crunch Salad, a Sodexo favorite! 🫐🍓🥬 It’s the perfect blend of sweet berries, crunchy textures, and wholesome goodness.
Whether you need a quick snack between classes or a refreshing light meal, this salad is packed with flavor and nutrients to keep you energized.
👉 Ask for the Berry Crunch Salad recipe from Sodexo — or better yet, look for the key ingredients right on the salad bar at your school and build your own!
#Sodexo #HealthyEats #BerryCrunchSalad #SnackSmart
The 21st CCLC after school program at Cottonwood Community School is thrilled to share a brand-new partnership with The Den MMA & Fitness in Cottonwood! 🥋✨
Through movement and exercise, students are learning lessons that go far beyond the gym—respect, focus, teamwork, and perseverance—skills they can carry into school, home, and daily life. 💪 Our students have been talking about it non-stop since their very first day at the gym on Monday and can't wait to go back!
Our after-school clubs are all about keeping kids engaged, active, and connected in positive ways. This partnership is another exciting step toward helping our students grow both inside and outside the classroom!
🎨 Mrs. Joan is back at Cottonwood Community School with our 21st CCLC after-school clubs, and this time she’s guiding students in creating a mural on one of our 90-foot walls! 🙌
Right now, the artists are still in the design phase, but we can’t wait to see what they come up with. 🌟 These students are bursting with creativity, and this project is going to be something special.
We’ll keep checking in on their progress and sharing pictures along the way—stay tuned! 👀✨
