Superintendent's Weekly Newsletter

Labor Day: No School, Monday, September 2nd
There is NO School on Monday, September 2nd as we celebrate Labor Day.

Back-to-School Night Early Dismissal: Wednesday, September 4th at 12:30 PM
As a reminder, students in grades 1st through 6th are dismissed at 12:30 PM on Wednesday, September 4th, to allow our teachers ample time to prepare for Back-to-School Night. TK and Kindergarten will be dismissed at 11:30 AM. Our Dolphin Center will be available after school to support your childcare needs.

Back-to-School Night: Wednesday, September 4th, beginning at 6 PM - 7:30 PM.
All parents (adults only) are encouraged to attend our annual Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, September 4th beginning at 6 PM.

Parents will meet in your child's classroom to start off the evening. Teachers will be presenting their year-long plans and goals for your child. If you have more than one child, we ask that you divide your time between the classrooms.

After classroom presentations, parents will meet in the school auditorium and I will introduce this year’s staff and share how we are continuing to work towards achieving our three priority goals.

The following is the Agenda for Back-to-School night:

AGENDA
6:00 PM - 6:45 PM: Teacher Presentations - Classrooms

6:45 PM - 7:30 PM: Superintendent’s and Specialist Teachers Presentation -All Parents and Staff - Auditorium

School Site Council/LCAP Advisory Committee
We have three parent openings to serve a 2-year term on the Cold Spring School Site Council/LCAP Advisory Committee. This is a great opportunity to participate in the evaluation of our strategic goals, our safety plan and a variety of other plans required by the State of California. The time commitment requires a once-a-month morning meeting from 7:30-8:25 AM. If you are interested in serving on the School Site Council/LCAP Advisory Committee, please send Coral Godlis (cgodlis@coldspringschool.net) a brief paragraph explaining why you would like to serve on the School Site Council/LCAP Advisory Committee. Please submit your interest by no later than Monday, August 28th to Coral Godlis at cgodlis@coldspringschool.net

Cold Spring School District Alumni Shine at the Olympics
Cold Spring School has long been a nurturing ground for excellence, fostering not only academic achievements but also inspiring a legacy of athletic prowess. This legacy was proudly displayed on the world stage as two recent alumni, Nick and Stamatia Scarvelis, competed in the Olympics, representing their school, community, and country with distinction.

Nick Scarvelis, a 2005 graduate of Cold Spring School, first blazed the trail for his sister in the world of athletics. After continuing his education and athletic career at Dos Pueblos High School, Nick's dedication to the discus throw earned him a spot in the Olympics, where he competed with the world’s best. His journey from the classrooms of Cold Spring to the Olympic stadium serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of perseverance and excellence that Cold Spring School instills in its students.

Four years after Nick's Olympic debut, his sister, Stamatia Scarvelis, followed in his footsteps, carving out her own place on the global stage. Competing in the shot put, Stamatia's participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics highlighted the remarkable athletic talent that has emerged from Cold Spring School. Her journey, like her brother's, began in the supportive and encouraging environment of Cold Spring, where the foundation for her future success was laid.

The Scarvelis siblings' achievements in the Olympics are a source of immense pride for the Cold Spring School community. Their success not only reflects their personal dedication and hard work but also underscores the impact of a strong educational foundation. Cold Spring School is honored to have played a role in their journey, and their accomplishments will continue to inspire future generations of students.

As Nick and Stamatia's stories show, Cold Spring School alumni are making their mark on the world, proving that with the right support and determination, the sky is truly the limit.

Join Us for a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
The Montecito Fire Department warmly invites the Cold Spring School community to join them for a special remembrance ceremony honoring the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Time: 6:55 AM - 7:05 AM

Location: Montecito Fire Station 2, Cold Spring Road, Montecito

This brief ceremony will include a bell ringing and a moment of silence as we come together to remember and reflect. All are welcome. Let’s gather as a community to honor this significant day in our nation's history. NEVER FORGET.

Fall After School Enrichment
We are beginning our Fall After School Enrichment with some fabulous offerings: Academic Chess will begin on Friday, September 6th. This program is offered for our 2nd grade students and above:

After School Drama for 2nd Grade:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:45-3:45 PM

Picture Day is Thursday, September 12th
Thursday, September 12th is School Picture Day. There is no need to pre-pay or submit any forms. Approximately 2-3 weeks after Picture Day, you will receive an email link to view and order your portrait online through a secure personal access code.

If your child cannot attend school on September 12th, a make-up day is scheduled for October 18th.

Reminder: After-School Care - Dolphin Center
Dolphin Center opens immediately following dismissal for all grades. Dolphin Center accommodates the TK/Kindergarten early dismissal (11:30 AM) between August 22 - September 6 and will run until 2:30 PM. If your child is not picked up 10 minutes after their scheduled dismissal time, they will be admitted to Dolphin Center.

Smart Choices for Smart Devices
Parenting comes with many challenges, and managing your child’s screen time is certainly one of them. Fortunately, we have a policy that does not allow students to bring smart devices (phones or watches) to school. However, I often hear from parents about concerns related to this very personal aspect of parenting. To support you, I’ve put together some essential resources to help you teach digital citizenship at home using the same technology standards (ISTE) that all school districts follow, along with the Common Sense Media curriculum.

These resources align with the Digital Citizenship lessons that all students will be receiving during the first few weeks of school from Mr. Francisco (Innovation Teacher), Mr. Garfield (Technology Teacher), and your child’s classroom teacher.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership as we work together to ensure our children become responsible and smart consumers of technology.

Smart Choices