Cottonwood-Oak Creek Schools

📚🚨 While students enjoy their summer break, our district administration is hard at work preparing for a safe and successful upcoming school year! We are diligently reviewing and revising our emergency operations plans. This week, we had the privilege of working with Michael Nelson, a trained FEMA consultant, who led a valuable safety training session. District leaders were joined by staff and dedicated community partners including Rick Contreras from the Cottonwood Fire Department and Deputy Alex Hawkins from the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office. Together, we focused on communications, emergency protocols and the National Incident Command System to ensure we're ready to respond effectively in any situation. We’re committed to keeping our schools safe and prepared—because student safety is always in session. 💙👮‍♂️🚒 #COCSDSchoolSafety #CommunityPartners #EmergencyPreparedness #CottonwoodStrong

📚✨ Avoid the Summer Slide! ✨📚 Did you know that kids can lose up to two months of reading skills over the summer if they don’t keep practicing? This learning loss is known as the “Summer Slide” — and it can make the return to school much harder for students each fall. The good news? You can help prevent it with just 20 minutes of reading a day! 📖 Whether it’s a chapter book, graphic novel, magazine, or reading aloud together, those daily reading minutes really add up and help kids keep their minds sharp and their love for learning strong. 🌞 Make reading part of your summer routine: Read together at bedtime or after lunch Visit the library and let kids choose their own books Join a summer reading challenge or log your minutes Let’s keep our kids growing and learning all summer long! What’s on your child’s reading list this week? Share in the comments! 👇📚🧠 #StopTheSummerSlide #ReadEveryDay #COCSDSummerReadingFun

📣 Calling all future Marauders! 📣 MUHSD Spiritline is bringing the energy this summer with our Mini Marauder Summer Camp—starting June 2nd! 💙💛 Does your little one love to dance, cheer, and show their school spirit? This is the perfect opportunity for them to learn from the best—our very own MUHSD Spiritline athletes! 🌟 Open to Elementary Students 📅 Camp starts June 2nd 🎉 A fun-filled week of cheers, chants, dances, and a special performance! Spots are limited—don’t miss out! ➡️ For more information, follow us on Instagram @ mingus_spiritline

Book Bonanza at Oak Creek! Thanks to the Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program, every student from Preschool to 8th grade picked out a brand-new book to kick off summer reading! Ms. Borden’s room was buzzing with excitement as students swapped recommendations, planned book trades, and dove into their next adventure. Extra books? They’re now in our Little Community Library, outside the Preschool gate! #toysfortotsliteracy

Celebrating the End of a Great School Year! 🎉🍔 The COCSD Governing Board, administration, teachers, and staff came together to celebrate the end of another amazing school year with a delicious BBQ provided by our friends at Sodexo! 🌭🍉 The afternoon was filled with laughter, love, and smiles as we reflected on the hard work and accomplishments of the year. A special moment was dedicated to honoring Nurse Bob Clark as he heads into retirement. 🩺💐 He was presented with a thoughtful gift basket as a small token of our immense gratitude for his years of dedicated service to our students and school community. Thank you, Nurse Bob—you’ll always be part of the COCSD family! Here’s to rest, renewal, and an exciting year ahead! 💛 #COCSD #EndOfYearCelebration #ThankYouNurseBob #SodexoBBQ #SchoolFamily #CottonwoodOakCreekSchools

🎾 Summer Tennis Lessons with Andrea Meyer! 🎾 Looking for a fun and active way for your kids to spend the summer? Join Coach Andrea Meyer for beginner-friendly Summer Tennis Lessons in Cottonwood! 🏃‍♀️☀️ 📅 Session Dates: ✅ June 2–13 ✅ June 16–27 ✅ July 7–18 🕗 Class Times: 🎾 Ages 8–10: 8:00–9:00 AM 🎾 Ages 11–13: 9:00–10:00 AM Whether your child is picking up a racket for the first time or looking to improve their game, these small-group lessons are a great way to learn skills, build confidence, and have a blast on the court! 📞 To register, call Andrea at (928) 300-4352 📧 Or email: andreaimeyer@yahoo.com Spots are limited—reserve yours today! #SummerTennis #TennisWithAndrea #YouthSports #CottonwoodAZ #GetInTheGame

🏐 MINGUS YOUTH VOLLEYBALL CAMP 🏐 Hosted by Mingus Coaches & Former High School Players Calling all young athletes! Ready to bump, set, and spike your way into summer? Join us for the Mingus Youth Volleyball Camp—a fun, skills-based camp for boys and girls entering 1st–9th grade for the 2025–2026 school year! 📅 Dates & Grades: ➡️ June 16–18: 1st–5th Grade | 💲Cost: $60 ➡️ June 16–20: 6th–9th Grade | 💲Cost: $100 🎽 Includes a Mingus Volleyball T-Shirt! 🕒 Camp Times by Grade: 8:00–10:00 AM: Grades 1st–3rd 10:00 AM–12:00 PM: Grades 4th–5th 1:00–3:00 PM: Grades 6th–9th (first 3 days) 8:00–10:00 AM: Grades 6th–8th (last 2 days only) 📍Location: Mingus Union High School Gym 🛒 Register at: mingusbookstore.com 📆 Deadline to Register: June 2nd Spots fill fast—don’t miss your chance to learn from experienced coaches and former high school players! 🏐🔥 #MingusVolleyballCamp #YouthSports #CottonwoodAZ #SummerVolleyball #MingusUnion #TrainWithTheBest

Last evening, Wheel Fun Directors Brad Viereck, Marty Glinsky, and I had the privilege of witnessing a powerful moment. Witten Armstrong carefully opened a manila envelope and read aloud the letter from the Arizona Community Foundation announcing that he had been selected as the first-ever recipient of the Logan’s Hero Dirt Scholarship. When he reached the part that revealed the scholarship amount, $22,000, he paused, visibly moved. The Logan’s Hero Dirt Scholarship Fund was established in 2022 at the Arizona Community Foundation and is now fully endowed. It is open to all Wheel Fun alumni across Arizona annually, regardless of where they live when they apply, and supports any post-secondary educational pursuit. The scholarship honors the legacy of Logan, a then 12-year-old student rider whose impact helped inspire the creation of this fund. 2025 represents the first high school graduating class of students who began riding with Wheel Fun in our earliest days. As Wheel Fun expands to all 15 Arizona Counties, the Logan’s Hero Dirt Scholarship will be able to touch countless lives.

🏀 Cottonwood Parks & Recreation Basketball Camp 🏀 Ready to shoot, dribble, and score this summer? Join us for our Basketball Camp for 1st–8th Graders, coached by the talented Mingus Union High School Basketball Team! 🏆 🗓 Dates: June 23rd – June 27th 📍 Location: Cottonwood Recreation Center 📅 Register by: June 1st 📲 Contact: Tristan Wright at (928) 639-3200 or twright@cottonwoodaz.gov This week-long camp is perfect for all skill levels—whether your child is just getting started or looking to sharpen their game. Don’t miss this awesome opportunity to learn from high school athletes and have fun on the court! Spots are limited—register today and get ready for a great week of hoops! 🏀🔥 #CottonwoodRec #YouthBasketball #MingusBasketball #SummerCamp #CottonwoodAZ

📣 To Our Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District Families 🌞 As we wrap up another incredible school year, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you—our students, families, and community—for your support, dedication, and partnership. This year has been full of growth, learning, and unforgettable moments, and we couldn’t have done it without you. 💙 Wishing each of you a safe, relaxing, and joyful summer break! Whether you're traveling, exploring new hobbies, or simply enjoying time with family, we hope it’s filled with fun and good memories. We’ll see you back in the fall, refreshed and ready for another amazing year together! ✨ With gratitude, Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District #COCSD #ThankYouFamilies #SummerBreak #COCSDPride

Verde Tech High wrapped up the year with a field trip to Crema Craft Kitchen! ☕🥐 Students and staff shared laughs, stories, and some seriously delicious pastries and coffee as we celebrated a fantastic year together. See you next year! 💚

🏈 Mingus Football Summer Youth Camp 🏈 Calling all future Marauders! 📣 Join us for the Mingus Football Summer Youth Camp—a fun, energetic, and skills-focused experience for students entering 1st through 8th grade! 🗓 Dates: June 9th – 10th ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 💲 Cost: $35 per student 📍 Location: Mingus Union High School Led by the Mingus coaching staff and varsity players, this camp is designed to help young athletes build fundamentals, improve technique, and most of all—have a blast on the field! Register early and don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn from the best and represent the future of Mingus Football!

🎉 Celebrate the End of the School Year with Us! 🎓✨ As the school year wraps up, let’s take a moment to celebrate our students' amazing accomplishments—from the smallest steps to the biggest milestones! 📸 Did your child just finish preschool? 🎈 Move up from kindergarten? 🎓 Get promoted from 8th grade? 🎉 Graduate from Verde Tech High School? We want to celebrate with you! 💖 Please share your special moments by uploading a photo of your student along with: 📝 Their name 🏫 Their school 🎉 And the occasion they’re celebrating! Whether it’s a proud smile in a cap and gown or a cheerful preschool performance, let’s fill this space with joy and pride for all the hard work, growth, and memories our students have created this year! 👇 Drop your photos in the comments below! #EndOfYearCelebration #StudentSuccess #PreschoolToGraduation #ProudParents #CottonwoodAZ #COCSDWeCelebrateYou

Calling all young performers! Join us for an exciting week of creativity, fun, and theater at the MUHS Summer Theater Camp! 📅 Dates: June 2nd – June 6th 🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM 📍 Location: MUHS Auditorium, 1801 E. Fir St., Cottonwood 🎓 Open to: Students entering 5th–8th grade 💵 Cost: FREE! 🥪 Lunch included! Whether you're new to the stage or a seasoned performer, this camp is the perfect place to learn, grow, and have fun with fellow theater lovers. 👉 Register now at: mingusperformingarts.com Have questions? Contact jball@muhs.com Spots are limited—don’t miss your chance to shine on stage this summer! 🌟 #MUHSSummerTheaterCamp #CottonwoodAZ #YouthTheater #FreeSummerCamp #PerformingArts

🧪 Be Part of the Scientific Process! 🌱🌬️ Join us in collecting environmental samples and contribute to real-world science! This is a great opportunity to learn, engage, and make a difference in your community. ✅ FREE sampling materials provided 🔬 Help collect: Indoor/Outdoor Dust, Soil & Air Samples 📍 Cottonwood Recreation Center – Cottonwood Room 150 S 6th St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 🗓️ Dates & Times: • June 13th | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM • June 14th | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Whether you're a science enthusiast, a curious parent, or just want to support local research — we’d love to see you there! #CitizenScience #CottonwoodAZ #EnvironmentalAwareness #CommunityScience #GetInvolved

Dear Cottonwood-Oak Creek Staff and Families, The Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District Governing Board has officially called for an override election to be held in November 2025. This election will ask voters to consider continuing additional funding that directly supports our students, staff, and schools. The override plays an essential role in helping us: Maintains class sizes and improves teacher retention. Prevents cuts to essential services that affect student success. Provides updated technology and instructional resources. Supports extracurricular programs that enhance student learning. To help our community understand the purpose and impact of the override, we are sharing a copy of the Override Fact Sheet (attached). It outlines what the override would fund, how it would affect the district, and what it means for students and families. We encourage you to read through the fact sheet and stay informed. While district employees may share factual information, please keep in mind that any advocacy efforts must take place on personal time and without the use of school resources. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your school office or the district office. Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools.

🎓✨ Tonight, we proudly celebrated the 2nd graduating class of Verde Tech High School in the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District! Please join us in congratulating our seven incredible seniors: Sedona Schreibman, Macy Francis, Anthony Olstadt, Jase McCarty, Elizabeth Akers, Max Caldwell, and Thomas Amundson. Each of these students has worked hard, grown tremendously, and made us proud. We can’t wait to see where the future takes them. 💙 Wishing them all the best in their next chapter! #COCSDClassof2025 #VerdeTechGraduates #ProudMoment

🎉 Honoring Years of Dedication! 🎉 The COCSD Governing Board recently recognized two incredible members of our school community: Debbie Rodriguez, Casper Preschool teacher, and Bob Clark, District Nurse, for their outstanding years of service. Together, they’ve dedicated over 40 years to the district, making a lasting impact on students, staff, and families alike. Both Debbie and Bob will be retiring at the end of the year, and while we will deeply miss them, we wish them all the best in their next chapter. 💙 Thank you for everything, Debbie and Bob! #COCSD #ThankYou #Retirement #SchoolHeroes #CommunityStrong

Partnering with a Friends of the Verde River scientist, Verde Tech students collected water samples from the Verde River right next to the Farm at Bent River. Their mission? To help monitor the health and quality of our local watershed. 🌿💧 We’re so proud of their teamwork and dedication to protecting the beautiful river that runs through our backyard!