May 2024

We’re pleased to announce a change in our school photo schedule based on the valuable feedback from our families. 

This year, all MGSD students are invited to attend our districtwide photo days on either August 12th at Monona Grove High School or August 22nd at Granite Ridge School. 

Siblings are welcome to attend the same time slot, making this a smoother experience for all. Each location will serve any MGSD student, regardless of their home school. While we strongly encourage attendance in August, make-up days will be available after school starts for those who cannot make the earlier dates. 

Sign up for a photo session online (time slots are available every 15 minutes but will fill quickly–sign up now for more options).

The week of May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week. Below is a message from the PTO recruiting your help to celebrate our staff.  

In addition, we are asking families to join in the following:

Thursday, May 9th, is Dress like a Teacher Day !! We welcome students to come to school dressed as an educator.  Also that day we ask that students and families send in words of affirmation. A simple thank you note from yourself or your child would be so appreciated.

PTO Message:

To make this week extra special, the PTO is organizing a sign-up for donations for ALL staff at our elementary schools! This year, we're offering two options for contributions: online monetary donations for PTO-organized gift cards OR food donations to be dropped off at the schools. See school-specific links below for more information. The PTO will be providing additional funds and lunch for all staff 4K-5th grade.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and for helping us make Staff Appreciation Week truly special. 

Warm regards,

Cottage Grove PTO

Join us Friday, May 3, 2024 for the Fine Arts Festival at CGS! This combined music concert and art show will showcase all students. 

ALL family members are invited to celebrate this event! Please check the concert and art show times carefully as different classes are scheduled to perform at different times.

Medication Pick Up

MGSD Board Policy does not allow any medications to be sent home with students. Parents and guardians may stop in the school office to pick up their child’s medication. Since medications will need to accompany students on end of the year field trips, please pick all medications up from the health office on or after Thursday, June 6th. If your student is attending summer school, medications may remain at school. Thank you! 

Immunization Information

Public Health Madison & Dane County is partnering with Madison Metropolitan School District and SSM Health this spring to offer a school vaccine clinic to get students up to date on their school vaccines ahead of the 2024-25 school year. This clinic will take place on Saturday, May 11th 2024. Both clinics will be from 10am to 2pm at the Holtzman Learning Center in Madison. It is highly recommended that people schedule an appointment. Scheduling is very simple through the PHMDC website, and there is important information in the appointment confirmation and reminder emails to help families prepare for the clinic so that it’s a faster and more positive experience for everyone. See the attached link for more information and sign-up. 

School Vaccination Clinic Information and Sign-up

If you plan on moving, please fill out a withdrawal form that will assist us in forwarding your child's records to the next school. Email your withdrawal form to: ilaina.smith@mgschools.net. 

Most current students are eligible to continue attending Monona Grove schools even if you move out of district boundaries. If you have moved or are planning a move that takes you out of the district, you need to apply for Open Enrollment through Wisconsin DPI: https://dpi.wi.gov/open-enrollment.  Application deadline is April 30. If you plan on moving after that date and wish to attend next year, you will need to fill out a tuition waiver for the 24-25 school year. If you have questions, please email openenrollment@mgschools.net.

The Monona Grove School Board has selected Dr. Tanya L. Fredrich as the next Superintendent of Monona Grove School District, pending final contract negotiations and a final comprehensive background check.



Dr. Fredrich will begin her superintendency in Monona Grove on July 1, 2024. 

Cottage Grove School will hold a fire evacuation drill on May 15th for all students and staff.

For the months of May and June the social justice lessons will focus on Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage month and welcoming people who are different from us. Fostering an environment of inclusivity teaches children invaluable life lessons, preparing them for a diverse world. Understanding and embracing differences cultivates empathy, compassion, and a deeper appreciation for the richness of human experience. By encouraging kids to be welcoming to those unlike themselves, we instill the foundations of respect and understanding.

The social emotional lessons will highlight career exploration. Introducing careers in elementary school ignites curiosity and broadens children's perspectives about the world of work. Early exposure to diverse careers empowers them to envision their future possibilities and make informed choices as they grow. By integrating career education into their learning journey, we equip children with essential skills, such as goal-setting and decision-making, while fostering a sense of purpose and ambition from an early age. In addition to careers, we will also discuss how to process mixed feelings about the end of the school year and discuss what it will feel like to transition to a new grade level or school building.

Cottage Grove School’s School-Wide Read Aloud for Building Positive Culture in April featured the read-aloud, The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be, by Joanna Gaines, where creativity can come together to celebrate our strengths and build a strong learning community. We are extending this learning to CGS families by sharing the link that families can listen to with their child(ren).



Enjoy the April Read-Aloud!

CGS 2nd graders take a field trip to Old World Wisconsin.

Henry Vilas Zoo came to CGS to show our 1st graders some cool animals!

CGS students participate in activities during out school wide assembly!

Monona Grove High School is hosting its first annual Culture Fair. This event will showcase the many cultures that Monona Grove School District has in our schools and community. We invite all students, families, and the community to join us in celebrating the diversity that makes our schools and community special. The Culture Fair takes place on Tuesday May 21st from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Monona Grove High School. Email Jack Jackson with questions: jack.jackson@mgschools.net

CG PTO

• Cottage Grove PTO
• CG PTO Website
• SCRIP Form
• Meet the PTO

CG Parks and Recreation

• Spring/Summer 2024 Village Guide
• Parks and Rec Website
• Community Bike Rodeo - May 18th Event

Library Resources

• Bookmobile Schedule
• Monona Public Library
• Pinney Branch Library
• Monona Family Page
• Digital Story Room
• Calendar of Events
• Friends of CG Library
• Village of Cottage Grove Library Board Facebook Page
• Sign up for the Library Board's Monthly Newsletter

5301 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716  Phone: (608) 221-7660  Fax: (608) 221-7688