
This Monday the Concurrent Online classes began. There are seven students taking classes through Adams State University this spring. The classes range from Communication Arts II, Introduction to Psychology, and Aeroscholars II. We also have two students taking Speech Communications through Pueblo Community College for concurrent credit. Concurrent classes allow students to earn credits that count toward high school graduation requirements, while simultaneously earning college credit hours. This allows students who will be attending college the ability to get a jump start on their college degree at more affordable prices.

Before Christmas break, the 5th grade had a taste for Project-Based Learning to exhibit all we've learned in our Math lessons. As we've dove into working with decimals, the 5th grade found that decimals help us better understand money. Students broke into small groups and had to plan to raise funds by selling dog collars. We practiced estimating to reach our goal to raise funds for an animal shelter. We used multiplication and division for double-checking our answers, which is very important when dealing with money. The 5th grade also practiced social skills as they worked together to accomplish their fundraising plans. This project was an enjoyable way to exhibit our math knowledge other than testing!

PIZZA!
This Thursday afternoon the 6th grade class will be having a Pizza Party! Their class had the highest online attendance percentage during the two weeks of remote learning in November.
Good job 6th graders!

The Middle School Computer class has begun a new project! They will produce a Podcast on a topic of their choice through the website, Podbean.

This week we started our mid-year MAPS testing. These tests help us identify a student's strengths and where they might need more help. We will continue this next week since we had to move to remote learning.

Sixth-grade art students created colored pencil bird drawings. Students focused on the layering of colors and accurately depicting their chosen bird.


Eureka! Our 4th grade class just finished their Language Arts Invention series. They were able to utilize learning about inventors and their inventions while improving writing skills. Students worked in groups and learned about collaboration with others while solving problems with inventions.

Before break, English I and English III students worked on writing and designing Found Poetry projects. Choosing from literature they had read from the first semester, students tapped into their creative sides to recreate the stories through their own poetry. Found poems are created from pieces of literature that already exist. A poetic collage of sorts, found poems are created by taking words and phrases from the original text and reorganizing them into a new poetic form.



Cotopaxi Early Learning Center celebrated the new year all week with color pages, streamers and party blowers. We want to wish everyone a Happy New Year - 2022!


7th graders rehearsed in instrument groups today! Groups were assigned section leads that lead their small groups to rehearse measures from our concert music to be played in January.

The first grade enjoyed some fun holiday books and activities before our break. We are well-rested and ready to get back into growing our brains. One of the first things we looked at coming back was "Pumpkin Jack," our science experiment. We wanted to see all the changes he had made. Boy, has he changed? Jack is looking less like a pumpkin and more like a wrinkly blob. He has been decomposing well, and we are very hopeful that he will sprout into a new pumpkin plant by spring.



Welcome back Pirates! School is back in session for the second semester, starting today, January 4, 2021. We look forward to the second half of the school year. Parents and students, please reach out to the school if you have any questions or concerns. School website - www.cotopaxire3.org
Cotopaxi School District phone number - (719)942-4131, Early Learning Center (719)-942-3676, Transportation Department (719)942-4142.

Winter SEL Challenge!
Use the following link to see fun activities you can do over the break!
https://5il.co/13hvj

Please be aware, due to today’s weather the school has been experiencing brief intermittent power outages, affecting the school’s electrical, heating and internet systems. Staff is familiar and adjusts accordingly as weather often impacts the area. Instruction and activities continue as scheduled with adjustments as appropriate. In the event of a major outage parents will be contacted with further updates.

The Band Concert originally scheduled for Wednesday, 12/15, has been postponed to January 31 @ 7:00PM. There was a significant loss of rehearsal time due to the two weeks of remote learning and the
Thanksgiving Break. Moving the performance will give the students an adequate time to prepare for their concert. Thank you for your patience!

Please join us next month if you are interested in joining Booster Club or PTC (Parent Teacher Club). We are having an informational meeting for you to learn about these clubs. Both clubs do great things for our school, but they need volunteers to continue to do great things. If you have ever thought about being involved with the school, please come to this meeting. Everyone has different strengths that they can contribute to these clubs. If you have any questions, please reach out to us!


It's been said many times, many ways, but 'Thank You' to our generous community and staff for making the season bright for our Christmas Angels! Distribution to our District families will begin this week before our students leave for Christmas Break!


Imagine the life of a colonist? That's exactly what the 5th grade is doing during Social Studies. This week we are diving into the early stages of colonization in the Americas. To understand what people were going through during this time period we have been researching and writing. Students have been writing journal entries from the perspective of a new colonist. Students are also creating flipbooks! This was a very fun activity where students took notes about the geography of the colonies on the Eastern coast of America. Students also used their knowledge of fractions from our math class to create their flip book. It is safe to say the 5th grade is busy learning!





Thank you to our generous community members and staff for picking all the angels from our angel tree! Our office is soon to be brimming with presents that will be sure to brighten the Christmas of students in our district!

Please join us for the Conversation with the Superintendent - Community Town Hall, tonight starting at 5:30 PM. The public is welcome to attend and discuss and share thoughts and concerns .
Zoom Meeting Link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76671924538?pwd=VTRVNUMyd3lRd2dyTGV2bExwMDJIdz09
Meeting ID: 766 7192 4538
Passcode: WGR9aa