Cottonwood Educational Services

Wanted to get this out early so everyone can prepare a little better heading into tomorrow and our first full upcoming week. The National Weather Service has yet to issue an Excessive Heat Warning because the current forecast package is just below their temperature threshold criteria (105 and 75). But that doesn't mean it's not dangerously hot out there! I think a lot of people were caught off guard today and experienced some heat related symptoms due to the amount of stress and physical exertion that comes with powering through the first day. Please take the necessary precautions to avoid overheating. - Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and at night, not just when you start to feel hot - Limit sun exposure and where a wide-brimmed porous hat when outdoors - If outdoors for an extended period of time try to stay in the shade of a canopy or tree - Take frequent breaks inside an air conditioned building - Limit your caffeine intake and eat light meals - Wash your face with cool water multiple times a day or where a wet towel around your neck to regulate your body temperature - If you start to feel dizzy, faint, flush, nauseous, or begin sweating profusely but are still hot, get into an air conditioned building immediately and begin cooling down the body and rehydrating; or better yet, check in with your Health Aide. They'll know what to do. We've still got 2 more months of this blazing heat to go, and the forecast models don't look very promising. As you probably already noticed, our Monsoon moisture made a quick return last night. So not only is it hot, but humid as well with dew points approaching 60 degrees. The good news, however, is that rain and thunderstorm chances are back in the mix... But if, when, and where they decide to let loose is really difficult to pinpoint. Think of it this way, for some reason we've been conditioned to believe that 40% is pretty good with regards to the odds of precipitation falling at any one location, but the reality is that there's actually a 60% chance that nothing will happen. Likewise, the term relative humidity is exactly that, 'relative' to the amount of moisture the surrounding air can hold. That might sound a little confusing, but the gist is it's merely a math formula used by the media to simplify humidity values. The closer the air temperature is to the dew point temperature, the higher the percentage of humidity. That may work in Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, or Texas, but it fails to accurately depict humidity values in desert locations where the air temperature far exceeds the dew point temperature. Professional Meteorologists' use dew point temperature to determine the 'real feel', not relative humidity. And when the dew point reaches upwards of 60 degrees, you can really start to feel it. The body has to work twice as hard to cool itself because the evaporation process is restricted by the high content of surrounding moisture. That's also why our evaporative coolers in the gym aren't working very well this week. I could go on, but this is getting a little lengthy, and don't wanna take up anymore of your time. Bottom line... It is HOT. It is HUMID. And we're not getting much relief at night either under these conditions, so try and stay safe out there! Mr. Ryan Lead Custodian, MVP B.A. Atmospheric and Geographic Science, University of Oklahoma Boomer Sooner!

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Please spread the word, and share on your FB page! Great opportunities within an amazing school district.

Professional development is flourishing at COCSD. Under the leadership of our esteemed Director of Curriculum, Jamie Woodward, the district has been equipped with a range of valuable resources, including the Capturing Kids' Hearts program, made possible through grant funding. #cocsd #ckh

Weather forecast for the week of Monday, July 29th #cocsd

One Dr. Daniel Bright School teacher was looking for an innovative way to implement handwriting skills to her 1st grade classroom. In collaboration with our school district's occupational therapist and technology department, the Amazon Fire Tablet platform was recommended as it supports the Writing Wizard app seamlessly, offering a responsive and user-friendly experience for handwriting practice. Low Income Student Aid, Inc. was able to provide 6 Amazon Fire tablets for this classroom. Investments like this are only made possible because of donations and grants from our community! This will allow many 1st graders the opportunity to support their handwriting development in the classroom for years to come. #lowincomestudentaid #cottonwoodoakcreekschools #cocsd #makinganimpact #communitychildren #buildingconnections #lifechangingeducation #supportingstudents #curriculum #handwritingskills #teaching #technology #kindergarten #classroomassistance #cityofcottonwood #donations #classroominvestments

Let's hear it for our resident meteorologist! #cocsd

🎉🍎 Exciting News for the 2024/25 School Year! 🍎🎉 We are thrilled to announce that starting August 1st, all students enrolled with Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District will receive FREE school meals! The Community Eligibility Provision Program ensures that every child, regardless of their family's financial situation, will have access to nutritious and delicious meals throughout the school year. 🥪 Here’s what you need to know: Eligibility: All students enrolled at CCS, CES, DDB, MVP, and OCS—no paperwork or applications needed! Meals Provided: 1 Breakfast and 1 Lunch, every day that school is in session. How It Works: Every meal a student eats is reimbursed to the district from federal funds. The more students who participate in school lunch and breakfast, the more money our schools receive. 🥪 For more details, please read our Food Service Information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f_00t-bSKCw4g3QOHo-81P2rxFbn-Dhs/view?usp=sharing🥪 Or visit our website: https://www.cocsd.us/page/food-services

We are excited to announce that Mountain View Prep and Oak Creek School have been awarded the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grant! They will be offering no-cost after-school programs, joining Dr. Daniel Bright and Cottonwood Community School in this fantastic opportunity. Information will be available at each campus's back-to-school night and in principal communications to families. #cocsd #21stcentury

Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District wants to send a shout-out to the Arizona Flywheelers for their support of local education and students! Thank you! #COCSD This morning the Arizona Flywheelers along with Tom Coultas delivered 83 book back stops to the Oak Creek school library. Workers included: Gary Covert, president Steve Rench, vice president Barry Adico, secretary Stan Hippensteel, member And of course Tom Coultas who makes aware of student needs.

Join our team! #COCSD #OAKCREEKSCHOOL

🌟 Teacher Spotlight 🌟 We're excited to highlight one of our incredible summer program teachers at Camp Innovation, Mrs. Engle! She has devoted her time and energy to teaching our campers about the wonders of agriculture. From exploring where our food comes from to observing the beautiful world around us, Mrs. Engle has made learning an adventure. Thank you, Mrs. Engle, for showing our campers what it means to be curious, inquisitive, and critical thinkers. Your passion for the outdoors and dedication to our campers have made a lasting impact on everyone involved. Here's to the endless curiosity and the joy of learning at Camp Innovation! 🌱🌻🍎 #CampInnovation #TeacherSpotlight #AgricultureEducation #Curiosity #Inspiration #LearningAdventure #bentriverfarm

With a focus on using proven methods and strategies to enhance student learning, Mrs. Humphrey's classroom embodies the summer camp spirit with experiential learning! These campers are making memories at Camp Innovation! #COCSD #Campinnovation

Movement, team building, and inclusiveness are a big part of Camp Innovation! We are so fortunate to have the very popular Coach Swenson bringing the fun to PE this summer! #COCSD #campinnovation

At Camp Innovation, building friendship and trust between students and staff is fundamental to creating a positive and supportive learning environment. When students feel connected with their educators and the school community, it fosters a sense of belonging that is essential for their overall well-being and success. We're so proud of the supportive atmosphere we're cultivating together! 🌟🤝 #campinnovation #sciencevortex #cocsd

Low Income Student Aid can receive a small donation from Waste Management! They need YOUR help to nominate them! No personal information is asked...just their info, which is: Low Income Student Aid, Inc PO Box 529 Cornville, AZ 86325 https://oakcreeklisa.org https://tinyurl.com/3t4n8das (copy and paste this link into your browser)

Camp Innovation students are learning the importance of "Farm to Table!" Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District's Camp Innovation's partnership with Bent River Farm provides an immersive and hands-on experience aimed at fostering sustainability, food cultivation, and environmental awareness among students. Through practical engagement, campers gain valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices, including organic farming techniques and biodiversity preservation. The farm's focus on growing food instills a comprehensive understanding of the entire food production process, from planting seeds to harvesting crops. This initiative not only provides participants with hands-on experience in marketing and selling the produce they have grown but also cultivates entrepreneurial skills and a deeper appreciation for the local community's support.

What better way to beat the heat than a Water Day at Camp Innovation Fun Fridays? Our students had an absolute blast cooling off with water games, sprinklers, and lots of laughter! 🌊🎉 Camp Innovation is the best when you can learn and play under the sun! 😎💧

Student performing experiments at the Science Vortex!

Art Class at Camp Innovation with the talented Ms. Holeman is a popular stop for our campers! Small class sizes, creativity, reflection, and paint! The campers painted "characteristic masks" where they were asked to paint representations of themselves using colors, shape, and expression. Opportunities for campers to be engaged in creative learning is an important part of Camp Innovation!