Cottonwood Educational Services

Meet the staff at Camp Innovation! We are the makers of learning and fun, reaching over 200 campers across COCSD's four schools. Our high-quality, creative, and visionary staff share a common mission: Empowering tomorrow's leaders through holistic and experiential learning experiences, while enhancing every student's academic achievement, personal growth, and lifelong success. The Camp Innovation Team and Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District are recognized by the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) and the Best Summer Ever (BSE) organization. We will be presenting our evidence-based practices and summer learning experience in Washington, DC this fall. What an amazing group of educators!

What a gift the Science Vortex is to our community! For the past five years, COCSD has been fortunate to partner with the Science Vortex every summer. This year, Laurie Altringer and her incredible team at the Science Vortex are bringing their innovative STEM and project-based learning to Camp Innovation. Their approach fosters curiosity, high engagement, and hands-on learning, building critical thinkers and lifelong learners!

More pictures from Camp Innovation Farm Stand at Bent River Farm

COCSD Camp Innovation students have the wonderful opportunity to work at Bent River Farm this summer in Clarkdale. Students pull vegetables not only to take home and to cook with their family but also have the opportunity to sell them. As you see, they interact with many animals as well as collect eggs on the farm. There was also a lesson on how eggs are graded. The question that always comes up... which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Enrollment for Mariposa Developmental Preschool is now open. If interested, please fill out the Google form. https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeobZktflCF5UU_w0L7dQORfQnNeponhPOb-cJLzQU9jyrArg/viewform?usp%3Dsf_link&source=gmail-imap&ust=1718304877000000&usg=AOvVaw2NwmqY_R2BeMV7i05gSbZ3

Summer Football Camp. Contact Christina Montiel, Athletic Secretary at Phone: 928-649-4455 | cmontiel@muhs.com for more information

COCSD 8th Grade Aviation students attended the MESA STEM Competition at University of Arizona and earned 2nd and 11th places out of 24 schools in the paper helicopter challenge; bravo! They also got to tour the expansive Pima Air & Space Museum :)

Hello COCSD Families! Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District is excited to announce enrollment for Camp Innovation! Camp Innovation is the District-Wide summer school program! Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, and spaces are limited to ensure individualized attention for students. Please complete the enrollment form to secure your child's spot in our no-cost summer program, running from Monday, June 3rd, to Thursday, June 27th (Monday-Thursday) from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. During this month-long program, your child will receive academic support and engage in hands-on learning at the Science Vortex and Bent River Farm. The curriculum not only promotes academic success but also nurtures creativity through STEM enrichment, art, and outdoor activities. Please note that there will be no programs on Wednesday, June 19th. Additionally, we offer optional sign-ups for 'Friday's at the Farm,' providing your child with the opportunity to immerse themselves in our growing district agriculture program at Bent River Farm! Kindly fill out a separate form for each child in your family who has been invited to attend. Your child must attend one of the four K-8 schools in our district. For more information, please contact your school's front office. We look forward to a summer filled with learning and fun for your child! https://forms.gle/ACQ68mnku1BnZNkp7

Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District would like to wish our IT Director, Kathy Epperson, and IT Manager, Greg Epperson, a long and joyful retirement! They will both be missed. Their legacy and dedication to the district will not be forgotten! Kathy has insured there are small tokens of her playful personality all around the district! #IT #littlepig #retirement

Summer is right around the corner! Low Income Student Aid, Inc. can help students financially with their swim lessons, summer camps, sports registration, summer classes, extracurricular activities, clothing and things to help keep students engaged and learning! Please visit their website: http://www.oakcreeklisa.org #lowincomestudentaid #cottonwoodoakcreekschools #cottonwoodcommunityschool #drdanielbright #oakcreekschool #verdevalley #lowincomefamilies #summertime #swimlessons #summercamp #studentaid

You're invited to the 2024 Verde Valley Fair! On With The Show May 1-5, 2024 Senior Day is Wednesday, May 1st Seniors 60+ receive free admission Come enjoy the fair before the Carnival opens and the crowds arrive! Gate Hours 10 am-10 pm Art & Craft exhibits open at 10 am A limited selection of Food Vendors will open in the afternoon. All attractions open at 4pm Verde Valley Fair Association 800 E Cherry St PO Box 1974 Cottonwood, AZ 86326 www.vvfair.com. 928-634-3290

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY? Become Clarkdale’s Parks and Recreation Youth Advisor DO YOU LIVE IN CLARKDALE? ARE YOU 14 - 17 YEARS OLD? APPLY TODAY! Address youth issues in Clarkdale. Build leadership skills. Learn about local government. Attend a monthly Parks Commission meeting. Earn volunteer hours. Scan the QR code to apply Learn more at: clarkdale.az.gov/parksyouthadvisor or call 928-639-2460

MINING IN THE VERDE VALLEY. DID YOU KNOW! A Deeper Dive Into Mining & Effects on Health. What You Will Learn. Lunch & Learn Keynote Speaker Yavapai County Supervisor Dr. Donna Michaels Mining activities in our community (Jerome, Clarkdale, & Cottonwood), past and present. Where we stand with testing & remediation 1:- 1:45 Dr. Raina Maier, Professor of Environmental Science, & Dr. Mónica Ramírez-Andreotta, Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Public Health, University of Arizona - Brief overview of Environmental Health Science Research with Mining Communities. How to collect samples for pXRF analysis in preparation for Soil Workshop tentatively May 2024 2 – 3 PM Ginny De LaCruz - Childhood Lead Prevention Program Manager AZ Dept Health Services (Phoenix). ADHS – Ways to protect oneself from potential exposure to contaminants. Focus on dust and incidental ingestion 3:15 – 3:30 PM Where: Clemenceau Gym, Old Cottonwood School House 1 N Willard St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 When: Saturday, April 6, 2024 Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Dr. Shaida Sina Facilitator of the lecture. Question or reserve seat text to (928) 554-5779 or email to reserve seat – Office@breakthroughmed.com Live Presentation, capacity 75 at the Gym , or Sign up on Zoom Link to hear live. Zoom capacity 500. Click for zoom link. lhttps://arizona.zoom.us/j/82932712843#success

COCSD and Sodexo are so proud of our 2024 Future Chefs! Please use the link to see pictures from this year's event. Congratulations to Lilah Elinski and her winning recipe: Lilah's Healthy Chocolate Chip SurPRIZE! Click the link to enjoy a slideshow of this wonderful event. https://docs.google.com/document/d/11P02cACqnb-43hszbjJd7xWdeyVMOuEg7OQdd8G9Pew/edit?usp=sharing

COCSD Food Service Department was recognized by the Yavapai County Health Department for exemplary service with food safety, receiving multiple Golden Plate Awards. Food Service Director Tanya Barrett and Bethany Campista accepted this award from Elaine Bremner and Yavapai County Health Department Director Leslie Horton. #cocsd #octtonwoodoakreekschools #lifechangingeducation #sodexo #goldenplateaward #yavapaicountyhealthdeparrtment #schoollunch

City of Cottonwood Parks & Recreation Department Presents Annual Easter Eggstravaganza March 30th 2024 10am Riverfront Park (1284 E River Front Road) Egg Hung, Prizes, Candy, Meet the Easter Bunny Open to kids up to 8 years old! Sponsored by State Farm Jennifer Griffin Agent 547 S Main St 928-634-7689 Click to view flyer https://5il.co/2d3o2 #cocsd #cottonwoodoakcreekschools #cityofcottonwood #parksandrec #lifechangingeducation #communitypartnerships #communityactiviites

Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world." - John Muir COCSD and Mingus Mountain Camp and Retreat Center joined forces to facilitate an enriching experience for our 7th/8th grade and 5th/6th grade students from four schools, guiding them towards "Finding the YETI" (You Belong, Everyone Matters, Tenacious Courage, Inclusion for All). This invaluable opportunity, provided at no cost, left an indelible mark on our students, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Over two nights at Mingus Mountain, our students forged connections with peers from across the district, embarked on thrilling mountain adventures, and discovered the incredible qualities within themselves. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Mingus Mountain and Mr. King, whose visionary dream brought children into the embrace of nature. We are also deeply grateful to the families who entrusted their children to support our inaugural Winter Camp at Mingus Mountain! #cocsd #cottonwoodoakcreekschools #lifechangingeducation #mingusmountaincamp #wintercamp #leadershipcamp

On Monday, March 4, 2024, a diverse committee of community members, staff and administration interviewed several quality candidates for the position of principal at Dr. Daniel Bright Elementary School (DDB). I am so pleased to announce that Mrs. Nicole Barrier has been selected as the new principal at DDB. Our district is committed to ensuring a seamless transition of leadership for students, staff, and families at DDB. Mrs. Barrier will assume this new role after spring break on March 18, 2024. Additional district administrative support will be provided to DDB through the end of the year. Click to view the entire press release https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EggCLuag2hxCZOlxMf7V2WhDpd5kVRKvDYE0Znmqt3g/edit?usp=sharing #cocsd #cottonwoodoakcreekschools #lifechangingeducation #principal

7th Grade Cottonwood Condor Aviation Club toured Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and got VIP treatment: they toured 3 state-of-the-art labs (crash lab, ATC lab, and flight simulation lab) and even got to sit in a Diamond plane and learn the controls on the flight line! We are so lucky to have this partnership with ERAU! #cottonwoodcondors #embryriddle #communitypartnerships #aviatoninschool #aviation #erau #cottonwoodoakcreekschools #cocsd #21stcclc @cclc #flightsimulator

Please congratulate Dr. Trish Alley for being awarded the Council for Exceptional Children, Arizona Outstanding Leadership Award! Please enjoy this wonderful video showcasing Dr. Alley and Cottonwood Education Services. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rV2yxco-CDGKpLsiCNagHdPZWH_QdutX/view