Greetings New and Returning Cold Spring School Families!

I hope this letter finds you well! There is so much to share with you. It has been a busy summer.   This Back-to-School update will summarize all the beginning-of-school activities you need to know for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, including our Strategic Goals, school procedures, and much more. Enjoy! 

Strategic Goals
The Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) is a three-year plan that describes the goals, actions, services, and expenditures to support positive student outcomes that address state and local priorities. We just began a new cycle and updated our goals to hone in on what is important to this community. Every action and service provided is designed to meet one or more of these three (3) goals. 

1. Foster a Standards Aligned, Integrated Project-Based Approach to Teaching and Learning;

2. Engage community partners in order to provide meaningful input into the decision-making process;

3. Foster a positive school culture and climate that emphasizes a balance of academic achievement, healthy personal development, social and environmental responsibility, and enthusiasm for lifelong learning.

The comprehensive LCAP describes the goals, actions, services, and expenditures to support positive student outcomes.  You can find more information regarding the 2024-25 LCAP on the District website: https://www.coldspringschool.net/page/lcap-california-dashboard

Cold Spring School Meal Program
On July 9, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 130 establishing the California Universal Meals Program. Beginning in the 2022-2023 academic year, all school districts, county offices of education and charter schools serving TK through 12th Grades must provide two meals free of charge (breakfast and lunch) during each school day to students requesting a meal, regardless of their free or reduced-price meal eligibility. This new requirement is codified in Section 49501.5 of the California Education Code.

To comply with this new mandate, the Cold Spring School District is providing free Breakfast and free Lunch to any family requesting a meal for their child. 

In order to reserve meals, you must notify the school office at least a week in advance. If you sign up a student they will continue to receive the meal(s) they are signed up for throughout the school year. If you decide to discontinue your student from the program, it is your responsibility to notify the office of the change. Otherwise, they will continue to be required to pick up their meal daily. Confirming your income is a State requirement of the program.

Breakfast will be served between 8:00 AM and 8:15 AM.

Lunch will be served during the regular grade level lunch period between 11:30 AM and 12:15 PM.

Thank you for Completing the Annual Student Registration
Here are quick links to the start of school information:

●  Annual Notification to Parents (ANTP)

●  Welcome Letter/Supply List by Grade Level

●  Acceptable Use Policy and Care of Laptop/iPad

●  Truancy Information

●  Lunch Program Information

●  After School Program: Dolphin Center

●  District Calendar and Daily Schedule

●  6 Ways to Get Involved at Cold Spring School

 Teachers and Supply Lists
Teachers have updated their classroom supply lists.  Click the following link to view the supply list by Teacher and Grade: https://www.coldspringschool.net/page/classrooms

 Communication
The Cold Spring School website and app are where you can find a wealth of information regarding our school. We continue to use the ParentSquare platform to communicate with you (parents), our staff, and the community. I encourage every parent to download the ParentSquare app on their device to receive instant alerts and information about school activities and events. 

After-School Care - Dolphin Center
We will be offering the Dolphin Center after school child care program again in the 2024-2025 school year.  Dolphin Center will begin and be available for all students on Thursday, August 22nd.  Dolphin Center opens immediately following dismissal for all grades. Dolphin Center will accommodate TK/Kindergarten early dismissal (11:30 AM) between August 22 - September 6 and will run until 2:30 PM.  Dolphin will be offered to parents at the rate of $11.00 for the first child, $6.00 for the second child, and no charge for the third child. All families who plan to use The Dolphin Center, must update their information, including credit card information in Procare. If you have any questions, please contact the school office. Click here for a link for more information about the Dolphin Center.  

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS/DATES  
Transitional Kindergarten Orientation – Thursday, August 8th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
New Families and Kindergarten Orientation – Tuesday, August 13th, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
We are looking forward to hosting our New Cold Spring School parents and Kindergarten parents during an orientation meeting on Tuesday, August 13th from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM and Transitional Kindergarten Orientation on Thursday, August 9th from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM.  These events include an opportunity for New Families, Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students to visit their classrooms, meet their teachers, and participate in a few activities.  Parents will join me in the auditorium to receive an overview of the school and learn how to get involved with our many volunteer opportunities.

 Campus Beautification Day – Saturday, August 10th, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Every family is encouraged to attend our campus beautification day, Saturday, August 10th. We need parent volunteers to power wash outdoor lunch tables and eating areas, rake leaves, spruce up the garden, paint, etc…  Together, we can make our campus shine bright for our students.  

Back-to-School Picnic – Tuesday, August 20th, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
The Parent Club and Cold Spring Foundation is hosting an all-school family picnic on Tuesday, August 20th from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM. It’s a “bring your own blanket and picnic dinner” event.

Class Lists Posted – Wednesday, August 21st, 2:30 PM
We will be posting class lists and room assignments on Wednesday, August 21st at 2:30 PM at the front of the school.

Popsicles on the Playground Meet and Greet – Wednesday, August 21st, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
The Parent Club is sponsoring a “Meet and Greet” on the playground from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM for all TK-6th grade students and families! All students are invited to enjoy a cold popsicle before meeting their teacher.

First Day of School – Thursday, August 22nd, beginning at 8:25 AM 
Our first day of school is Thursday, August 22nd.  School will start promptly at 8:25 AM for all students. The playground will be supervised beginning at 8:00 AM. Release times are as follows:

■  Transitional Kindergarten/Kindergarten will end the day at 11:30 AM      
            (August 22nd - September 6th)

■  First and Second Grade will end at 2:40 PM 

■  Third through Sixth Grades will end at 3:00 PM

Wednesday will be an early dismissal for all students to provide time for teacher professional development, collaboration, and planning.  The Wednesday release times are as follows:

■  TK/Kindergarten will end the day at 1:45 PM

■  First and Second Grade will end at 1:55 PM

■  Third through Sixth Grades will end at 2:30 PM 

*Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students are dismissed at 11:30 am every day from August 22nd September 6th. The optional Dolphin Center will begin on Thursday, August 22nd at early dismissal and will be available until 2:30 PM. The regular dismissal at 2 PM for TK/Kindergarten will begin on Monday, September 9th. 

“Welcome Back” Superintendent/Principal Coffee – Thursday, August 22nd, beginning at 8:25 AM 
Everyone is invited to my first informal Superintendent/Principal coffee on Thursday, August 22nd at 8:30 AM in the Gazebo. This is a great opportunity to meet new families, the Governing Board, and the presidents of the Parent Club and the Cold Spring Foundation. Coffee and pastries will be provided. 

Back-to-School Night – Wednesday, September 4th, beginning at 6:00 PM
All families are formally invited to attend our annual Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, September 4th beginning at 6:00 PM on the basketball courts.  I will introduce this year’s staff and share how we all are continuing to work towards providing a robust whole-child approach to teaching and learning. 

My presentation will be followed by a visit to your child’s/children’s classroom(s) where every teacher will be presenting his/her year-long plans and goals for your child.  This is an adult-only event.   

We are looking forward to working together as an “All Star” team to make the 2024-2025 school year the very best it can be!

Sincerely,

Dr. Amy M. Alzina
Superintendent/Principal