🐸📚 Mr. Toad got a makeover! 📚🐸
Our DDB Falcons in 3rd grade wrapped up their first CKLA unit, The Wind in the Willows, in the most creative way—by disguising Mr. Toad! 🎩🥸
The students put their creativity to work as they transformed Mr. Toad into some very clever characters. What a fun way to celebrate all their learning from Unit 1! 💚
Way to go, 3rd grade! We love seeing our Falcons learn, create, and have fun! 🦅✨
Our DDB Falcons in 3rd grade wrapped up their first CKLA unit, The Wind in the Willows, in the most creative way—by disguising Mr. Toad! 🎩🥸
The students put their creativity to work as they transformed Mr. Toad into some very clever characters. What a fun way to celebrate all their learning from Unit 1! 💚
Way to go, 3rd grade! We love seeing our Falcons learn, create, and have fun! 🦅✨
🍎 Highlights from the COCSD Governing Board Meeting!
It was a great evening celebrating partnerships, leadership, and the work happening across the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District!
🔬 Science Vortex Partnership – Mrs. Laurie Altringer shared the many ways Science Vortex partners with COCSD to bring hands-on STEAM learning to our students and families, including Camp Innovation, BioBlitz, coding and robotics, field trips, and free community programs.
👏 Celebrating Our Principals – Our COCSD principals were recognized for their leadership, commitment to school safety, professional growth, and the incredible work they do each day for students, staff, and families.
📘 Governing Board & Volunteer Handbooks – The Board approved the revised Governing Board Handbook as well as a new Volunteer Handbook designed to strengthen expectations and student safety for volunteers and community partners.
📚 Student Learning – The Board heard encouraging updates on reading and math trends while also discussing continued efforts to strengthen early literacy and kindergarten readiness.
🏫 Facilities & Community Engagement – Updates were shared from our recent community facilities tour, highlighting the importance of keeping our schools safe, functional, and ready to serve students.
We are grateful for our Governing Board, staff, families, and community partners who continue to support COCSD students and schools! 💙🍎
#COCSD #COCSDProud #CommunityPartnerships #StudentSuccess
🎪 Save the Date for a Day of Family Fun! 🎪
Bring the whole family out for the Family Fall Carnival & Health Fair on Saturday, September 12, from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM at the Clemenceau Museum in Cottonwood!
🍂 This FREE community event will feature games, a bubble zone, face painting, health screenings, community resources, and plenty of fun for all ages!
📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Clemenceau Museum | 1 N. Willard St., Cottonwood
🎟️ FREE EVENT
Come enjoy a fun fall day while connecting with valuable resources for children and families in our community. We hope to see you there! 🍁
#COCSD #CottonwoodAZ #FamilyFallCarnival #CommunityStrong #FamilyFun #HealthFair
🐛🦋DDB's 2nd Grade Entomologists Get Creative! 🐞✨
Mrs. Montgomery’s 2nd graders recently wrapped up their CKLA unit on insects with a fun, hands-on project!
After learning about insect characteristics, body parts, habitats, diets, and life cycles, students put their knowledge and imaginations to work. Each student designed and created a one-of-a-kind insect using a variety of insect body parts. 🐜🎨
They even gave their creations creative names and wrote about their insect’s appearance, diet, habitat, and interesting fun facts!
What a wonderful way to show what they’ve learned while having a little fun along the way! We love seeing our DDB Falcons learning, creating, and using their imaginations! 🦅💚
Mrs. Montgomery’s 2nd graders recently wrapped up their CKLA unit on insects with a fun, hands-on project!
After learning about insect characteristics, body parts, habitats, diets, and life cycles, students put their knowledge and imaginations to work. Each student designed and created a one-of-a-kind insect using a variety of insect body parts. 🐜🎨
They even gave their creations creative names and wrote about their insect’s appearance, diet, habitat, and interesting fun facts!
What a wonderful way to show what they’ve learned while having a little fun along the way! We love seeing our DDB Falcons learning, creating, and using their imaginations! 🦅💚
Community Tours: See. Learn. Ask Questions.
Today, members of our community, including COCSD Governing Board President Mary Valenzuela, kicked off our first Community School Tour at Cottonwood Community School! 🐺🏫
The tour gave community members an opportunity to see firsthand some of the facility and infrastructure needs facing our schools. At Cottonwood Community School, we learned about:
🔹 Sidewalk and pedestrian safety needs
🔹 Sewer traps between the 700 and 500 buildings that run uphill and require frequent maintenance
🔹 Needed repairs to the school’s well system
🔹 Roofing needs, including leaks affecting some classrooms
🔹 Aging HVAC systems — including an HVAC failure this week that required Mrs. Tufte’s class to relocate to another classroom
These are real examples of the challenges our schools face as critical systems and infrastructure continue to age.
Thank you to our community members who joined us today to learn, ask questions, and see our schools firsthand. 💙
#COCSD #CottonwoodCommunitySchool #CommunityTour #SafeSchools #StrongerSchoolsStrongerCommunity
Is the District Living Within Its Budget?
The fact sheet states that COCSD manages its operational budget responsibly. Arizona law requires voter approval for capital bonds that address large facility, infrastructure and school safety projects not fully funded through the state's regular school funding formula.
Estimated tax rate of $0.43 per $100 of net assessed valuation.
Learn more at www.cocsd.us
🌟 STAFF HIGHLIGHT: MRS. MARCY WRIGHT 🌟
Today, we’re excited to highlight a familiar COCSD face in a brand-new role! 💜💛
Mrs. Marcy Wright is the new secretary at Cottonwood Education Services! 🎉 Many of our students, families, and staff already know Mrs. Wright from her time as the librarian at Cottonwood Community School, where she helped create a welcoming space for students to learn, explore, and discover a love of reading. 📚
Now, Mrs. Wright is bringing that same welcoming spirit and dedication to Cottonwood Education Services, supporting our staff, families, and community each day. 😊
💜💛 Congratulations on your new role, Mrs. Wright! We’re so glad you continue to be part of the COCSD team!
#COCSD #StaffHighlight #COCSDProud #TeamCOCSD #CottonwoodEducationServices
🎒 September is Attendance Awareness Month!
We’re kicking off the month with DDB's Principal, Mrs. Nicole Barrier and a simple reminder: Every Day Matters!
Regular attendance gives students more opportunities to learn, participate, build relationships, and feel connected to their school community. Each day in the classroom helps build the foundation for continued growth and success. 📚✨
Thank you to our COCSD families for partnering with us to make every school day count! 💜💛
Be Here. Belong. Succeed.
#AttendanceAwarenessMonth #EveryDayMatters #COCSD #StudentSuccess
🌟 STAFF HIGHLIGHT: ASHLEY SCHILZ 🌟
Today, we’re excited to recognize Ashley Schilz, COCSD’s AzEDS Coordinator and resident Synergy expert! 💜💛
Ashley works behind the scenes to keep our student information systems and student data accurate, organized, and running smoothly. 💻📊 She is also a go-to resource for our campus secretaries, supporting them with everything from Synergy questions to student records and data reporting.
With so much important information flowing through our schools each day, Ashley’s knowledge, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills are invaluable to our district. ⭐
💜💛 Thank you, Ashley, for supporting our schools, our staff, and the systems that help keep COCSD moving forward!
#COCSD #StaffHighlight #COCSDProud #TeamCOCSD #AzEDS #StudentData
🥜🍇 Snack your way into National Trail Mix Day!
August 31st is National Trail Mix Day—the perfect excuse to enjoy a handful of this crunchy, sweet-and-salty favorite. Whether your ideal mix includes nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, or a little bit of everything, grab your favorite combination and celebrate! 😋
Thanks to Sodexo for sharing this tasty reminder!
#NationalTrailMixDay #TrailMix #Sodexo
Proposed Improvements at the Bus Barn
Proposed capital bond projects at the Bus Barn include lighting, parking lot and asphalt work, building renovations, two buses, a public address system, safe and secure entry access and network infrastructure. Proposed bond investment: $2,100,000.
Estimated tax rate of $0.43 per $100 of net assessed valuation.
Learn more at www.cocsd.us
How Arizona Funds School Facilities
Arizona school facilities are supported through multiple funding sources, including District Additional Assistance, the School Facilities Division and voter-approved capital bonds.
Estimated tax rate of $0.43 per $100 of net assessed valuation.
Learn more at www.cocsd.us
🍔 It’s National Burger Day! 🍔
August 28th is the perfect excuse to enjoy a classic favorite! Whether you like yours loaded with all the toppings or prefer to keep it simple, celebrate the day by grabbing a burger and enjoying every bite. 😋
Thanks to Sodexo for sharing this fun reminder!
#NationalBurgerDay #BurgerTime #Sodexo
District Facilities Included in Capital Bond Projects
The proposed capital bond project list includes work at Dr. Daniel Bright School, Cottonwood Community School, Mountain View Preparatory, Oak Creek Elementary School, Cottonwood Education Services, the Bus Barn and the District Office.
🔢✨ Number Bonds in Kindergarten! ✨🔢
Our kindergarten mathematicians at Oak Creek School are building their number sense one bond at a time! 🧠💛 Today, they’re exploring number bonds up to 5 and discovering all the different ways numbers can come together to make a whole.
From 1 + 4 to 2 + 3, these little learners are proving that math can be hands-on, engaging, and FUN! 🎉👏
We’re so proud of our Roadrunners as they learn, think, and grow! 🏃♀️🏃♂️💚
Small numbers, BIG learning! 🔢⭐
#OakCreekSchool #OCSRoadrunners #KindergartenMath #NumberBonds #MathIsFun #LearningTogether
Our kindergarten mathematicians at Oak Creek School are building their number sense one bond at a time! 🧠💛 Today, they’re exploring number bonds up to 5 and discovering all the different ways numbers can come together to make a whole.
From 1 + 4 to 2 + 3, these little learners are proving that math can be hands-on, engaging, and FUN! 🎉👏
We’re so proud of our Roadrunners as they learn, think, and grow! 🏃♀️🏃♂️💚
Small numbers, BIG learning! 🔢⭐
#OakCreekSchool #OCSRoadrunners #KindergartenMath #NumberBonds #MathIsFun #LearningTogether
🌟 STAFF HIGHLIGHT: BARBARA AMATO 🌟
Today, we’re excited to recognize Barbara Amato, Human Resources Manager for Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District! 💜💛
Barbara plays an important role in supporting the people who make COCSD such a special place to learn and work. From welcoming new employees and assisting staff to helping keep the many pieces of Human Resources moving, Barbara’s work helps ensure our employees have the support they need to serve students and families each day.
Her commitment to our staff, attention to detail, and willingness to help make her a valued member of the COCSD team. 👏
💜💛 Thank you, Barbara, for all you do behind the scenes to support our employees and our schools!
#COCSD #StaffHighlight #COCSDProud #TeamCOCSD #HumanResources #PeopleWhoMakeADifference
📣 COCSD IS GOING CASHLESS! 💳🍎
Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District is making school payments safer, faster, and easier for families!
COCSD schools are moving to online payments for items such as:
🏫 Field Trips
🏅 Athletics
🎟️ School Activities & Fees
📚 Other Eligible School Expenses
Cash and checks will no longer be accepted at individual school sites. Families who need to pay with cash or check may do so at the COCSD District Office, 1 N. Willard Street in Cottonwood, Monday–Friday from 7:30 AM–4:00 PM.
💻 Making an online payment is easy!
Visit cocsd.us → open the Menu → select Quick Links → choose Online Payments and follow the instructions.
Going cashless helps us improve safety, reduce the amount of cash handled at our schools, maintain accurate payment records, and save valuable staff time—all while making payments more convenient for families.
💙 Thank you for helping us keep our schools safe, secure, and focused on student success!
#COCSD #StudentSuccess #COCSDCommunity #CashlessSchools #OnlinePayments
🍕 Support Verde Tech PTO's fundraiser one slice at a time! 🍕
📣 They are excited to announce their Little Caesars Fundraiser! To support go to https://fundraising.littlecaesars.com/fundraiser/meal-deal/e9592188-0b96-4151-931c-165d6f629c87/products and add all your favorites to your cart. Once you’re ready, proceed to check out and add in your payment information.
🍽️ That’s it! Your Meal Deal Code(s) will be sent to you via email. Please follow the instructions provided in that email to redeem your code at your local store.
🎉 COCSD TEACHERS — MORE GRANT MONEY IS AVAILABLE! 🎉
Happy Futures Inc. has more money to give, and they want to invest it in YOUR classroom ideas! 💙🍎
Have an innovative project that would enhance student learning? Need materials, technology, equipment, manipulatives, or something creative that goes beyond the District’s regular budget?
💰 Educational Impact Project Grants: $300–$500
📅 Applications are due THIS FRIDAY, August 28!
Happy Futures has previously funded everything from classroom technology and aviation drones to math manipulatives, adaptive science equipment, horticulture materials, Spanish classroom visuals, and more.
✨ You have the idea. Happy Futures may have the funding to make it happen!
📧 Submit applications to happyfuturesinc@gmail.com
A huge THANK YOU to Happy Futures Inc. for continuing to support our teachers, classrooms, and COCSD students! 💙
#COCSD #HappyFutures #SupportingTeachers #ClassroomInnovation #StudentSuccess #CommunityPartners
Your Voice. Our Community. Our Future.
🗳️ Are you registered to vote?
Take a minute to scan the QR code below to register or check your voter registration status.
An informed and engaged community helps build a stronger future for everyone. This is a nonpartisan voter registration reminder provided as a public service.
#RegisterToVote #COCSD #CommunityFirst
