🍎📚 A heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing community volunteers for putting together a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Luncheon for our CES/Verde Tech staff! ❤️👏
We are so grateful for the time, generosity, and support from:
🌟 Steve & Ginny Rench
🌟 Jack Van Rixel
🌟 Tom Coultas
🌟 Mary-Ann Gajewski
Our teachers and staff were treated to a delicious BBQ pulled pork luncheon 🍖🥗, an incredible variety of desserts 🍰🍪🧁, and even had the opportunity to choose from a wonderful selection of brand-new books and bookmarks! 📚🔖✨
Your kindness and support made our staff feel truly appreciated and celebrated. Thank you for showing such love and appreciation for the educators who make a difference every day! ❤️🍎
#TeacherAppreciation #CES #VerdeTech #CommunitySupport #ThankATeacher #COCSD 🍎📚🔖👏
🐰✨ Special Visitor Alert! ✨🐰
On Tuesday, our students had a hoppin’ good time meeting Luna the Bunny! 🥰🐇
Keira, our amazing VT volunteer, brought in her sweet 1.5-year-old bunny to visit with the kids. Luna was soft, gentle, and oh-so-cute — and the students absolutely loved getting to see her up close! 💕
This special visit was the perfect addition to our new preschool unit all about farm and zoo animals 🐄🦁🐷🐒. What a fun way to bring learning to life!
Thank you, Keira, for sharing Luna with us! 💛✨
#HoppinGoodTime #PreschoolFun #LearningIsFun 🐰📚
Join us for a Parent Meeting on Monday, December 1st from 5:30–6:30 PM at the District Office Board Room (1 N. Willard, Cottonwood).
This meeting is not required, but families who attend will be able to enroll for camp at the meeting. Come with your questions and learn about our district’s amazing partnership with the historic Mingus Mountain Camp and Retreat Center.
District-wide enrollment opens Tuesday, December 2nd.
As with last year, a non-refundable $25 t-shirt payment will be due at registration.
We are always grateful for wonderful parent volunteers. Please remember that all volunteers must be cleared through Human Resources and have a valid IVP card on file.
We cannot wait for our 3rd annual Winter Camp at Mingus Mountain.
We’ll see everyone OFF GRID! 🌲❄️
Principal Heather Langley from Mountain View Prep is proudly sporting her Yavapai County “I VOTED” sticker today! 🗳️ Have you turned in your ballot yet? There’s still time!
If you haven’t already mailed it, be sure to drop off your ballot for the Cottonwood-Oak Creek and Mingus Union High School Special Override Election at the Yavapai County Administration Building, 10 S. 6th St., Cottonwood — today!
Every vote matters for our schools and community. ✅
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🌟 Staff Spotlight! 🌟
Meet Mrs. Laurie Altringer — our amazing Algebra teacher and the inspiring Director of the Science Vortex! 👩🏫🔬
Laurie has shared her passion for learning all around the world — teaching in Flagstaff, the Verde Valley, Washington State, Oregon, Guatemala, and even Abu Dhabi! 🌍 In late 2019, she helped launch the Science Vortex children’s STEAM center, a place that continues to spark creativity and curiosity in young minds every day. 💡✨
When she’s not teaching or leading hands-on science fun, you’ll find Laurie hiking, doing yoga, traveling, or spending time with her family. 🏞️🧘♀️✈️ She also loves a good challenge—like her latest DIY adventure: building a backyard patio! 🛠️
Laurie and her husband, Lance (who works at Verde Valley Medical Center), have two awesome kids—Mica, a junior at Mingus, and Kellan, an 8th grader at OCS—plus two dogs and two cats who keep life lively! 🐾
We’re so grateful to have Laurie as part of our COCSD family—her energy, creativity, and love for learning make a difference every single day! 💙📚 #COCSDProud #StaffSpotlight #ThankATeacher
At CES, we’re proud to have passionate professionals like Brenda Houck making a difference in students’ lives every day!
With over 10 years of experience providing counseling services to children and adults from diverse backgrounds, Brenda brings a wealth of knowledge, empathy, and heart to her role. Now in her third year as a certified school counselor with Cottonwood Education Services, Brenda is especially committed to supporting high-risk students—helping them build resilience, grow in confidence, and develop the problem-solving skills they need to thrive.
💬 “I believe in helping young people recognize their strengths and empowering them to make positive choices that lead to academic and personal success.”
Brenda’s approach is rooted in patience, compassion, and understanding, and she’s known for building strong, trusting relationships with students and families alike.
When she’s not at school, you’ll find Brenda enjoying the great outdoors—traveling, camping, and making memories with her family. Her love for balance and self-care carries into her work, helping her support our students with renewed energy and purpose.
We’re so grateful to have Brenda as part of the CES community. 💚 Her dedication and heart make a lasting impact every single day.
#CES #StaffSpotlight #StudentSupport #CounselorHighlight #WeAreCOCSD
#MariposaPreschool #BusSafety #SoProud
At COCSD, we believe in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our students so they can reach their full potential—both in school and in life. 💙
That’s why we’re excited to share that we’ve partnered with Cartwheel, a trusted mental health provider for K-12 schools, to bring additional support to our students and families.
Through Cartwheel, our students and families have rapid access to telehealth services, including:
✅ 1:1 therapy
✅ Medication evaluation & management
✅ Parent guidance
✅ Family therapy
If you think your child could benefit from these services, please reach out to a member of our school counseling team.
Together, we can help our students thrive—academically, emotionally, and socially. 💬✨
#COCSD #StudentWellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #CartwheelCare #StrongerTogether
