DECEMBER 2023

Principal Message

Families,

Happy December! We’re excited to welcome in a new month at Cottage Grove School.

We had such a great November at CGS! As you may have heard, our students participated in a new challenge called the “Great Wolfie Challenge”. This challenge brought team and community building throughout the school as students participated in weekly challenges that culminated in an all-school assembly and celebration. By successfully completing their challenge, the whole school earned an extra recess. I’m incredibly proud of our students and thankful for the staff who will continue to support this throughout the year.

Another highlight from the month was our Percussion Palooza. Our PALM (Phy Ed., Art, Library, and Music) team planned this amazing event, where students had the chance to blend together their art, music, and moves while keeping the beat. The gym was full of great energy.

And throughout the month, students continued to grow and learn within their classrooms, making tremendous progress each day.

Winter made a quick entrance, and it’s so important to ensure your students are coming to school dressed warm and with enough gear to be warm outside during these colder months. We will go outside as much as possible as we know how important the fresh air and movement is for our students.

Thank you all for your continued support and partnership!

Thanks,

Jesse Starr

Principal

Cottage Grove School

CGS School Events

CGS/MG School Store

We have a MG/CGS apparel store open!

If you would like items before our school goes on break, please submit your order by Monday, December 4th.

The shop is open until Friday, December 22nd. We will reach out to families as their items arrive. Families can plan to pick items up, or we can send them home with your student. Please reach out to Ilaina Smith, ilaina.smith@mgschools.net, with your decision.

Thanks!

2nd Graders sing the National Anthem

CGS Second Graders sing the National Anthem at the Madison Capitals game on November 17th, 2023!

2nd Grade Olympics

CGS 2nd Graders competed in the CGS Olympic Games!

Percussion Palooza

CGS Students participate in Percussion Palooza!

CGS School News

SEL/SJ

SEL lessons for December: Bystander power, tattling vs. reporting, and including others

SJ lessons for December: Learning about others, making friends, embracing differences

December Safety Drill

Cottage Grove School will hold a fire (evacuation) drill on Wednesday, December 13th for all students and staff.

The safety of our students is a top priority which is why it’s important for students to be present for monthly drills. This fire (evacuation) drill is designed to help students understand what they can do to protect themselves in the unlikely case of a critical event. In all cases of a safety drill, our staff will inform students beforehand of the drill and what they can expect so they are fully prepared. We follow best practices to use trauma sensitive language and exercises to mitigate fear and anxiety during the drill.

What your student will experience: Staff will prepare students by explaining the purpose of the drill, what they can expect and what they will need to do during the drill. The drill will begin when the fire alarm sounds throughout the building. The noise of the alarm will be loud and there will be blinking lights from the alarm device. Staff will calmly and quietly guide students out of the classroom by instructing them to walk through the building to the nearest exit. Once all students and staff are evacuated at a safe distance away, staff will call roll to ensure everyone is accounted for. Staff and students will be given the all clear after the building has been identified as safe to re-enter. Once inside, staff will use trauma sensitive language to help students process the experience.

Students with sensory and other special considerations will be accommodated according to their needs.

For resources on how to communicate with your student(s) about the importance of safety, visit our website.

Community News

Family Support Program

Looking for an opportunity to give back to your MGSD community this holiday season?

The MGSD Student Services team is once again coordinating the Family Support Program, which supports our MG families who need help accessing basic needs. Those wishing to support the program can purchase gift cards in $15, $20, and $25 amounts to grocery stores like Woodman's, Walmart, Piggly Wiggly, and Pick N' Save; as well as gas stations like Kwik Trip. These gift cards are collected and delivered to families in need during the year and over school breaks. If you'd like to donate this year, you can drop off gift cards at your student's school, or contact a Student Services team member for more information. We appreciate your generosity and support!

Community Resources Information

Is your family staying in temporary housing? Know your rights!

Monona Grove Education Foundation

The Monona Grove Education Foundation (MGEF) recently kicked off its fundraising campaign – MGEF CARES - Children, Awareness, Resources, Education, Stability. These are the pillars of the MGEF as it supports the Teachers and Students of Monona Grove.

As we kick off this campaign, Mark and Laurie Rundle have generously stepped forward to match the first $25,000 raised between now and the end of the year. Mark and Laurie are continuing the tradition to support the students of Monona Grove just as Mark’s parents, Dick & Marg, had done for many years. The Rundles’ support the programs offered by MGEF, which are instrumental in ensuring comprehensive access to all vital resources and opportunities for all students.

As a 501 c3, we fund our efforts through tax-deductible donations from families, community members, and businesses from Cottage Grove and Monona. Our original goal was to raise $35,000 this fall, however we would love to count you among our contributors to exceed that goal via the matching funds of the Rundles’. Please visit our website for more information on MGEF CARES, our five other programs and how you can support. It’s important to note that all money stays right here in the MG educational community! And remember that gifts through the end of the year will be matched by the generous support of Mark and Laurie Rundle. Thank you for your consideration – together we can continue to support educational excellence for all students in the Monona Grove community!

CG PTO

You're invited to the FREE CG PTO Candlelight Night Hike and Stories with extra special thanks to our literacy partners the Friends of the Cottage Grove Library and Village of Cottage Grove Library Board!

Saturday December 16th, 4:30PM-7PM