Good morning OCS Families... if your child takes the Antelope AM route, there have been some adjustments made to the time, starting earlier by 10 min. This is to ensure your child gets to OCS campus on time . The PM schedule will not be adjusted, the AM run only. Please check with the online route on our District website to make sure you have your student at the bus stop on time, as this is in effect as of tomorrow, 10/29/25. Thank you - Daniel Maldonado, Transportation Director


Thank you to everyone who stopped by to support our FFA program. Your support helps our students grow as future leaders in agriculture!


We do apologize for any inconvenience this will cause you and hopefully we can get the route back to two routes soon as possible. Thank you - Daniel Maldonado, Transportation Director



🎀 Rock the Ribbon Fashion Show Fundraiser! 🎀
Join us Saturday, November 1st at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds (500 E. Cherry St., Cottonwood, AZ) for a day of fashion, fun, and purpose — all to benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation 💗
👗 Sponsored by: Cato Clothing
🎤 Keynote Speaker: Jen Keenan
💵 Admission: $10
🕘 Event Time: 9AM – 5PM
💞 Mobile Onsite Mammography will be available from 9AM–5PM. All major insurance accepted — no referrals needed! Take care of yourself while supporting a powerful cause.
🎟 Tickets available at:
🛍 Cato Fashions
☕ Queen Bee Vinyl Café
Let’s stand together, celebrate strength, and Rock the Ribbon for breast cancer awareness and hope! 💕 #RockTheRibbon #BreastCancerAwareness #CottonwoodAZ #CatoFashions


Join us for a day of fall fun at The Farm at Bent River, co-sponsored by Verde Tech FFA! 🎃
✨ Free Admission ✨
Come enjoy:
🚜 Hayrides
🍏 Fresh apple cider made on-site by Verde Tech students
🎃 Pumpkins and farm-fresh produce for purchase
🌾 Plus, plenty of family-friendly activities

Each week, students enjoy reading time with our librarian friend, Mrs. Danielle and get to create a fun craft together afterward. The highlight has been every student receiving their very own library card to check out books each week!
We’re so grateful for this partnership that encourages our students to read, explore, and connect with their community. 💛



Our 5th graders at Cottonwood Community School are thriving in their 21st CCLC Gardening Club! 🌱💚
Each week they dig, plant, and care for their garden (or one of the classroom critters!) — and even sneak in a little math practice while they’re at it. It’s a perfect mix of learning, teamwork, and fresh air!
A big thank you to Mrs. Engle for creating such a safe and welcoming space for students to learn and GROW! 🌼



🎉 Congratulations, Becky Roland! 🎉
Becky was presented with a well-deserved award from the Arizona Association for Pupil Transportation (AAPT) at the Fall Conference on October 11, 2025, recognizing her years of dedication and service to student transportation across Arizona.
We couldn’t be more proud to have Becky on our board as an honorary member—she truly embodies excellence and commitment in everything she does. 🌟
A heartfelt thank you to COCSD for sharing such an outstanding employee with all of us in the state. Becky, your leadership and heart for students make a lasting impact every single day! 🚌💛
#AAPT #StudentTransportation #Leadership #Dedication #Congratulations #ArizonaEducation


🎃 Oak Creek School's Halloween Carnival & Haunted Housewill take you around the OCS campus to select 🎡carnival games 🎳 and trick or treating 🍬. Work your way down to the gym to get spooked in our 👻 Haunted House, 💃🕺dance in the cupcake walk🧁, visit with our fortune tellers🔮, pick a temporary tattoo 💪 and when done, enjoy some food!! 🌭

Join Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters for some Halloween fun!
🗓 Wednesday, October 30th
🕓 4:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 830 S. Main St., Cottonwood
Stop by for treats, games, and spooky good fun — all ages welcome! Come in costume and celebrate the season with your community. 🧡🕸️

Another Fall Break Bike Camp in the books. COCSD’s long partnership with Wheel Fun keeps growing. Thank you, Wheel Fun, for a week of riding, fresh fall air, and mountain bike skills. Serving students from OCS, CCS, DDB, and MVP, 25 riders built friendships with our amazing volunteer coaches and with riders from all four schools.
Thank you, Wheel Fun, and the 21st CCLC Out-of-School Time program for bringing these opportunities to kids. We’re already looking forward to Spring Break.
Wheel Fun’s post: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BKtkda538/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🦴 Strong Bodies Start with Healthy Bones!
October is the perfect time to focus on building healthy habits from the ground up — starting with strong bones! 💪
Enjoy these Healthy Bone Tips from Sodexo Food Service:
🥛 Drink Your Milk (or a Calcium Alternative): Choose low-fat milk, yogurt, or calcium-fortified plant-based options.
🍊 Get Your Vitamin D: Spend a little time outdoors or enjoy foods like eggs and fortified cereals that help your body absorb calcium.
🥦 Eat the Rainbow: Dark leafy greens, broccoli, and almonds are great bone-friendly foods.
🏃 Keep Moving: Activities like walking, dancing, or playing outside help strengthen bones and muscles.
💧 Stay Hydrated: Water helps nutrients move through your body efficiently—essential for bone health!
Healthy bones support healthy lives. Let’s nourish our students from the farm to the table and keep them growing strong! 🌱
#HealthyBones #Sodexo #StrongKidsStrongCommunities

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 25th, 2025 at 10AM —
it’s time for some family fun on the trails! Join us at Go AZ Motorcycles, 2550 S. Union Drive, Cottonwood as the rubber meets the road at 10AM sharp!
A huge shoutout to our amazing sponsor, Go AZ Motorcycles, for making this event possible! 🙌
➡️ Entry Fee: $75 per vehicle
🍔 Lunch to follow at Cottonwood Community School
💙 All proceeds benefit teacher classroom grants in Yavapai County and support the Annual YCEF Tribute Magazine.
Grab your family, your rig, and your adventurous spirit — it’s all for a great cause!
📱 For more info, text Tricia at (928) 593-0196.
#YCEF #FamilyFunRun #SupportTeachers #YavapaiCounty

🌾 October is National Farm to School Month! 🌽
Celebrate with us and check out these great tips from Sodexo Food Service on supporting local farms and healthy eating in our schools.

🍁🎃 Autumn Harvest Festival at The Farm at Bent River Farm Store! 🎃🍁
Join us Saturday, October 25th, 2025 from 9AM–3PM for a day full of fall fun — held in conjunction with FFA Agricultural Education! 🌾
🍂 Enjoy:
🎯 Family games & activities
🎃 Pumpkins galore
🚜 Hay rides around the farm
🍏 Fresh apple cider
🍔 Delicious bites from local food trucks
Celebrate the season, support local FFA students, and experience the best of farm life — all in one place! Bring your family, your friends, and your love for autumn traditions.
📍 The Farm at Bent River Farm Store
We can’t wait to see you there! 🍂
#AutumnHarvestFestival #BentRiverFarm #FFA #AgriculturalEducation #FallFun #PumpkinSeason

💙 Support Our Students with an Arizona Tax Credit Donation! 💙
Did you know that any Arizona resident who pays state taxes can make a tax credit donation to support local schools or a child’s extracurricular activities?
Your contribution helps fund programs that enrich students’ educational experiences — things like sports, music, art, and other extracurricular activities that make school special!
💰 Tax Benefits:
If you make a tax credit contribution, you can receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on your state taxes — meaning the amount you donate is deducted directly from what you owe.
📊 Contribution Limits:
$400 for married couples filing jointly
$200 for single filers or other filing statuses
Your donation makes a real difference for our students — and it doesn’t cost you anything beyond what you already pay in state taxes.
👉 Learn more or make your contribution today! www.cocsd.us
#SupportOurCOCSDStudents #ArizonaTaxCredit #COCSD #EducationMatters


We’re proud to introduce and honor the dedicated individuals serving on the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District Governing Board:
💙 Mrs. Mary Valenzuela, President
🧡 Mrs. Janice Rollins, Vice President
💚 Mrs. Ruth Ellen Elinski, Member & Parent
💙 Mr. Neil Manzenberger, Member
🧡 Mr. Jak Teel, Member & Parent
We are deeply grateful for their leadership, vision, and commitment to keeping our community’s children at the heart of every decision. Their work ensures our schools remain places where students grow, thrive, and succeed.
Please join us in thanking our Governing Board for their service and dedication! 🙌
#COCSD #ThankYouBoard #Leadership #CommunityStrong #StudentFocused

Thank you to all the families who came out to support our learners, and to Sodexo for providing warm, freshly-baked cookies!
At Verde Tech, we don’t just talk about student voice—we empower it.

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. 🍁✨

Join us Friday, October 24th from 4 PM – 7 PM at 3405 E. St. Rte. Hwy 89, Cottonwood for a fun, inclusive Halloween celebration!
This FREE event is open to all special needs children and their families.
Enjoy decorated trunks filled with treats and activities created to be sensory-friendly — no loud noises, no flashing lights, just a safe and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy. 🧡
Come in costume, bring your smiles, and make some Halloween memories with us!
#SensoryFriendly #TrunkOrTreat #CottonwoodCommunity #InclusiveFun #FamilyEvent

