🎲 Happening Now: Teen Maze – A Real-Life Game About Real-Life Choices
Teen Maze, sponsored by Yavapai County Health Services and made possible through the support of many dedicated community volunteers, is happening NOW at the COCSD District Office!
This interactive, community-driven event gives youth the opportunity to experience the real-life consequences of everyday choices in a safe, engaging environment. Designed to resemble a life-size board game, Teen Maze walks participants through realistic scenarios that highlight the impact of decisions related to health, relationships, finances, peer pressure, and more.
We’re excited to share that Oak Creek Elementary School’s Mrs. Alagna’s class was one of the first groups to experience Teen Maze today!
The goal of this powerful event is to equip students with practical information and resources so they can make informed, healthy decisions for their future.
A big thank you to Yavapai County Health Services and all of the incredible volunteers who help make this meaningful experience possible for our youth!
💻 MACBOOK AUCTION ALERT! 💻
Hey Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, Camp Verde, Sedona, and Cornville residents! COCSD is clearing out surplus Apple MacBooks and they are up for auction NOW. 🍏
✅ Reliable Apple Tech
✅ Local Pickup
✅ Great for Students & Families
Check out the details and terms and conditions here:
🔗 https://www.cocsd.us/page/auction-terms-and-conditions
Get your bids in before they're gone! 🏃♂️💨
Please share far and wide!
#CottonwoodAZ #VerdeValley #AppleAuction #SchoolSurplus
Looking for a MacBook without the "brand-new" price tag? 💻✨
The Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District is officially auctioning off excess Apple MacBooks! Whether you’re a student, a small business owner, or just need a reliable laptop for home, this is your chance to snag a deal right here in our community.
👉 View the items and read the auction terms here: https://www.cocsd.us/page/auction-terms-and-conditions
Don’t wait—these surplus items move fast! Tag a friend who needs a tech upgrade! 👇
#VerdeValley #CottonwoodAZ #OakCreek #MacBook #LocalAuction #COCSD #VerdeValleyDeals
Whatever the case may be, these inspired youngsters know how to have fun after the school day is over. Thank you for enrolling your children in our After-School Clubs, where the creativity and fun never end! Thank you also to Club Leaders Ms Sherry, Ms Grace, and Officer Scarim for being such kind and engaging caregivers to our students!
🌟 Staff Spotlight: Tanya Barrett 🌟
We’re proud to shine the spotlight on Tanya Barrett, our district-wide Sodexo Food Service Manager at Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District!
Tanya takes tremendous pride in her work, and it shows in the way she supports all of our campuses each and every day. She is dependable, hardworking, and always willing to step in wherever she’s needed. Her steady, positive presence makes a difference not only on our campuses but across the entire district.
Outside of school, Tanya enjoys spending time in Phoenix with her family — especially her new grandson, Caysen! 💙
Thank you, Tanya, for all that you do for our students, staff, and community. We appreciate you!
This week, students began working on paper bag masks — and we can’t wait to see what they transform into! 👀✨ Will they be inspired by animals, traditions, celebrations, or something completely unique? The creativity is already shining!
A huge thank you to Mrs. Hazelton for her dedication and positive influence on our students. She creates a safe, welcoming, and creative space where kids can express themselves, learn about the world, and grow after school. We are so grateful for the impact she makes every day!
From shaping and molding to adding unique details, our students are building fine motor skills, artistic confidence, and a whole lot of imagination along the way.
A huge thank you to Ms. Rhyme for sharing her passion and creativity with our CCS students. Your enthusiasm makes such a difference, and we are so grateful for the inspiration you bring to our program!
✨ Staff Highlight: Kaley Badger – OCS Title I Reading Aide Extraordinaire! ✨
At OCS, we are incredibly fortunate to have Kaley Badger as our amazing Title I Reading Aide. Kaley’s dedication to helping our students grow as readers is nothing short of inspiring. Every single day, she works tirelessly to support students in strengthening their reading skills, building confidence, and mastering new strategies that set them up for lifelong success.
Kaley has a special gift for helping children believe in themselves. She shows them that hard work truly pays off and creates a safe, encouraging space where their personalities can shine. The joy and confidence we see in our students is a direct reflection of her patience, positivity, and unwavering support. It’s no surprise that our kids absolutely love working with her!
Beyond the classroom, Kaley is always ready to lend a helping hand wherever she’s needed. She is also a huge part of our PTO, consistently going above and beyond to ensure our teachers and staff feel appreciated and supported throughout the year.
And as if that weren’t enough, Kaley balances it all while raising three wonderful OCS students of her own!
Kaley, thank you for the heart, dedication, and enthusiasm you bring to OCS each and every day. We are so grateful for you and the incredible difference you make in the lives of our students and staff! 💙📚
We’re looking for caring, dependable individuals to join the COCSD family as Bus Drivers! 🚌
This is more than a job — it’s a chance to support students, connect with families, and serve our community every single day.
✨ No nights, weekends, or summers
✨ Paid CDL training
✨ Competitive pay & benefits
✨ A team that feels like family
Ready to make a difference?
Apply here: https://cottonwood.schoolspring.com/
#COCSD #CottonwoodAZ #NowHiring #MakeAnImpact
💰 NEED EXTRA $$$? 💰
🗳️ BE A STUDENT POLL WORKER!!
Looking for a great opportunity in 2026? Yavapai County Elections is hiring Student Poll Workers for:
📅 Primary Election – July 21, 2026
📅 General Election – November 3, 2026
✨ Why students love this opportunity:
💵 $135 for each election worked
🎓 Looks great on college & scholarship applications
⭐ Get an exclusive Election Day pin
🗳️ Help conduct an official election
✅ No experience needed!
📌 Must be 16 years or older and have parent/guardian and School Principal permission.
Ready to apply?
📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer for more information and qualifications.
#StudentOpportunities #StudentJobs #YavapaiCounty #EarnAndLearn #StudentPollWorker
SCHOOL IS ON REGULAR SCHEDULE TODAY
COCSD school buses are rolling and schools are on a regular schedule today.
Please bundle your children up — it’s chilly out there! 🧥🧣
❄️ Weather Watch Update – COCSD ❄️
COCSD is closely monitoring the weather forecast over the next couple of days. As temperatures drop and winter weather approaches, we want families to be prepared in the event a schedule adjustment becomes necessary.
Cottonwood and surrounding schools may implement a Delayed-Start Schedule to ensure student safety and avoid unnecessary school cancellations.
🔹 If a Delayed Start is Implemented:
All schools will begin 2 hours later than normal
Morning bus pick-up times will run 2 hours later than normal
Dismissal times will NOT change
Afternoon bus return schedules will remain the same
On early release days, dismissal times will NOT change
The delayed-start schedule allows additional time for road conditions to improve and helps students walking or riding buses avoid hazardous early morning travel.
📢 How You Will Be Notified:
Local radio station announcements
COCSD website: https://www.cocsd.us/
Call the COCSD District Office at (928) 634-2288
COCSD Facebook page
We will make every effort to send a phone call, SMS, and email notification to families by approximately 6:00 AM if a delayed start or cancellation is implemented.
Please note: If severe weather conditions are anticipated, COCSD may cancel school the evening prior to the next school day if conditions could impact student safety.
Thank you for your flexibility and partnership as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff.
DDB’s 1st–4th grade students recently enjoyed a hands-on STEM experience led by Meteor Crater Education Alliance educator Brian Stark. Using a large inflatable planetarium, students traveled virtually to planets and moons throughout our solar system, including Saturn’s newly discovered moon, Cupid. They also identified constellations and learned about the history and stories behind how many of them were named. Experiences like this help bring classroom learning to life, and our students always enjoy seeing science come alive in engaging and interactive ways. #cocsd #ddb #stem #planetarium #funatschool #handsonlearning
🇺🇸 Presidents’ Day – No School! 🇺🇸
Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, February 16, 2026 in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Enjoy the long weekend and we’ll see students back on Tuesday!
📢 Public Notice: 8th Grade Health Curriculum Review
📅 February 12, 2026
The Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District invites parents, community members, and educators to participate in a 60-Day Public Review of a proposed 8th Grade Health curriculum:
Promoting Health Among Teens (Abstinence Only)
Provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services
Our previously used curriculum, Making a Difference, has been discontinued by the health department. We are now reviewing this proposed program as a potential option to enhance our 8th Grade Health curriculum.
🗓 Review Period: February 12, 2026 – April 12, 2026
🔐 Community members will need to create a login to access the online materials (30-day access).
🔗 Access the Curriculum Here:
https://www.etr.org/sample/?c=phatao&p=1
📘 More Information About the Curriculum:
Promoting Health Among Teens! (Abstinence Only) – Program Success Center
During the review period, stakeholders are encouraged to examine the materials, including teacher guides and supplementary resources. Feedback forms will be available for comments and suggestions.
📝 Feedback Deadline: April 12, 2026
📍 Board Study Session Review: March 4, 2026 at 4:30 PM
📍 Board Adoption Meeting: May 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Your input is valuable and plays an important role in selecting the most appropriate curriculum for our students. We appreciate your engagement and commitment to educational excellence in COCSD.
For more information, please contact:
Tricia Winters
Executive Assistant to Superintendent Vocca
📞 (928) 634-2288
📧 twinters@cocsd.k12.az.us
The online registration for new and returning families for the 2026-2027 school year is officially open and ready for customers!!
New this year is the addition to the athletic handbook, access to the sports physical, and AIA document and the ability to print them and upload them during registration. Also, new is the addition of the SPED questionnaire. Log on to the Parent Vue in Synergy and click 26-27 to get pre-registered for next year.
