Student Handbook

SCHOOL INFORMATION

Important Phone Numbers

Main Office (Hours 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.): 720-972-5340
Fax Line: 720-972-5355
Attendance Line (available 24 hours a day): 720-972-5358 *Please call before 7:40 a.m. if your student will be absent or tardy.
BASE Program: 720-972-5357
Cafeteria: 720-972-5350
Library: 720-972-5349

School Hours

Kindergarten – Grade 5
First Bell 7:45 am Tardy Bell 7:50 am
Monday-Friday: 7:50 am –2:35 pm
Delayed Start 8:50 a.m. (end time remains the same)

If you arrive after 7:50 a.m., you are considered tardy.

Please ensure that your child knows the daily plan for pick up. If someone is
responsible for meeting them, please remind them to be on school grounds no later
than 2:35 pm at the designated pick up location.

Staff is present to assist with the supervision of our students starting at 7:45 am.
Staff will be available to assist with dismissal procedures at the end of each day
for a period of 5 – 10 minutes. If you are picking up your child prior to the end of
the school day, please make sure to bring your driver’s license to pick up your child.
Anyone other than the designated parent/guardian must be listed on a Student
Authorization Pick Up Form and bring their driver’s license to pick up your child.

Breakfast is served in our cafeteria daily from 7:30 to 7:50 a.m. Breakfast
students can enter the doors on the east side of the school at Door 12. Breakfast
will be eaten in the Cafeteria and then students will be sent to class to be on time
at 7:45 unless arriving off of a bus.

B.A.S.E. HOURS
Before School 6:30 am – 7:50 am
After School (M, T, Th, F) 2:35 pm – 6:00 pm
Delayed Start 7:30 am

Attendance - Reporting Absences

**Attendance Line: 720-972-5358

Absences must be reported on the school’s attendance line, even if the teacher has
been informed of the absence. The school’s attendance line may be called at any
time to report an absence or tardy. If your student is late to school after 7:50, a
parent will need to walk the child into the building and sign him/her in at the
office.

Before and After School Enrichment (BASE)

The BASE Program serves elementary students beginning at 5 years of age. BASE
is an extracurricular, optional, fee-based program. Space is limited and there is
often a list of families waiting for an opportunity to enroll in BASE.
Students in the BASE Program engage in a wide variety of activities and choices
providing students with opportunities to create, learn and grow through arts,
physical activity and academic enrichment activities during out of school time. All
BASE activities allow students opportunities critical to their social emotional
development. View information about our school's BASE program or contact the
BASE Site Director at 720-972-5357. Learn more about the District’s BASE
programs.

Bicycles and Scooters

Students riding a bike or scooter to school must take it directly to the specified
bike rack area and leave it there until the student is ready to return home. For
safety reasons, students are not permitted to ride their bike/scooter on school
grounds. They must walk their bike/scooter to the designated bike rack area once
they arrive at school. A lock is required to be used to secure bikes and scooters to
the bike rack. Bicycles and scooters will not be guarded by the school at any time,
so it is the student’s responsibility to lock the bike/scooter up safely.

Birthdays and Celebrations

In support of the District’s Policy on School Wellness, we strive to help our
students make healthy lifestyle choices. Simple steps can help children continue
making healthier choices as adults. In addition to healthier lunch choices and
increased physical activity during our school day, we have implemented a “Non-food
birthday treats” policy. Classroom teachers will share their non-food birthday
celebration information with parents.

The policy at Cotton Creek is that there will be no birthday celebrations within the
classroom for individual students. Please do not send snacks, balloons, flowers, etc.
Thank you in advance for your understanding!

Birthday Invitations

We understand that school is the easiest place to distribute birthday invitations;
however, doing so can cause many hurt feelings which disrupt the learning
environment. Please have students pass out any party invitations after school is
dismissed. Phone numbers and addresses, by law, cannot be given out.

Communication

An electronic communication will be shared each Sunday to remind parents of
important dates and events. Please make sure to keep your email address updated
through Infinite Campus so you receive these important messages. We try to send
all other communication home in daily or Friday Folders each week, but on occasion,
it may be necessary to send home other notes and memos. Please check with your
child each day to see if there are any additional notes that came home that day.
Several teachers utilize Dojo as well as a communication tool. We also have access
to several translation apps or services should your family desire assistance with
English translation.

Students will not be allowed to use the office phone to make after school social
arrangements. Students will be allowed to use the phone only in the following
situations:

● When requested by their teacher
● When requested by an administrator
● When requested by the health aide, nurse or office staff

School office staff will only deliver emergency messages to students. Please assist
us by making arrangements for after school pick-up and daycare prior to your child
leaving for school in the morning. Response to parent phone calls/emails will be
made within one business day.

Communication with your student’s teacher

Although teachers have telephones located in their classrooms, they have been
directed to keep their ringers turned off during instructional time. If you want to
reach your child’s teacher, you may do the following:

Call the classroom teacher and leave a voicemail. Teachers have been asked to check voicemail before and after school, and over their lunch break.
You may call the office, and they will deliver messages to your student’s teacher at the end of the day.
You may call the classroom teacher before or after school.

You may also reach your student’s teacher via email. Your student’s teacher will
provide you with the teacher’s email address, and you may email them at your
convenience. You may expect to hear back from them within one business day.

Early Departure/Late Arrival

Students who must leave school during regular school hours must be signed out
through the office by a parent or legal guardian. A student may not be dismissed
from their classroom until someone has signed the student out. Students cannot be
released to leave school alone. Students are involved in instruction until the end of
the school day.

We request that you do not pick your students up early unless it is extremely
necessary. Students who arrive late to school must check in at the office. If the
student arrives after 7:50 a.m., a parent/guardian must sign them in at the front
desk.

Field Trips

Field trips to nearby points of interest may be scheduled by various classroom
teachers throughout the school year. These trips are designed to supplement
different aspects of the classroom curriculum and to introduce students to
resources within the community. Parents will receive notice of scheduled field trips
well in advance.

Parents must sign a permission form for all field trips. Students without a
permission slip will not be allowed to accompany their class on the field trip.
Younger siblings may not attend Field trips with the class. Students must ride the
bus to and from the Field trips, unless an emergency arises, and is approved by
administration.

Inclement Weather/School Closure

Information on emergency school closures due to severe overnight storms or other
emergency situations is available on local television stations. Please listen for
announcements concerning Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Information on closures
may also be obtained by calling the District information number at 720-972-4000,
then press 7 for school closure information or check the District website:
www.adams12.org. Please note that school is rarely canceled.

Indoor Recess will be called if:

snow, rain or sleet is falling
temperature with the wind chill is 20 degrees or less
playground conditions are poor (mud, snow or standing water)

Students must be prepared for all types of weather. They should bring warm coats,
gloves or mittens, hats, weatherproof footwear and an extra pair of shoes for PE.

Lost and Found/Valuables at School

If your child misplaces an item, we encourage you to look in the lost and found by
the main office. Often it is difficult to identify what they have lost. Please label
coats, jackets, mittens, etc. Remaining articles are donated to a local charity
several times a year.

We highly discourage students from bringing valuables and toys to school. Items
having value for one individual usually have an attractive appeal for others and
unfortunately sometimes disappear. The school cannot be responsible for these
items. Teachers may have a special celebration which allows students to bring in a
favorite game, stuffed animal, etc. but please remember, at no time is it
appropriate for students to bring toy guns, toy knives, or toy weapons of any kind.

Lunch with Students

Parents are always welcome to join their children for lunch in our cafeteria. We ask
that you sit with your child at their regular lunchroom table. Due to various food
allergies, if you choose to bring in lunch please provide lunch for your child only.
This helps us keep all of our students safe. If you have any questions please feel
free to contact the office.

Pets on School Property

In an effort to keep our school feeling safe for all students and families and in
accordance with District Policy, only service animals and therapy dogs are
permitted on school property. District Policy requires prior authorization from the
principal to have a therapy dog on school property. We ask that all other pets
remain off school grounds during school hours. We appreciate your cooperation
with this request.

Physical Education

Students will be provided opportunities to engage in physical education (P.E.)
classes. If a student is unable to participate in P.E., the student must present to
the principal or principal’s designee a statement from a licensed health care
practitioner stating the reason for the student’s inability to participate. A licensed
health care practitioner means a physician (MD, DO), nurse practitioner or
physician assistant who has prescriptive authority and is licensed to practice in
Colorado.

Reporting Student Progress

Your student’s progress will be reported at individual parent conferences at least
twice a year. Report cards are sent home at the end of each grading period.
Academic progress can also be found via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Safety Information

Your child’s safety is of utmost importance to us. It is imperative that students
are dropped off no earlier than 7:45 a.m. and picked up at 2:35 p.m. Adult
supervision is only available at 7:45 and for 5-10 minutes after school.

Student Safety- Please help us keep students safe:

Remind your child to use sidewalks and crosswalks.
Drop off and pick up of students is along the curb only, so they don’t have to cross traffic other than at the crosswalk. Hug and Go lanes are located on the south and west sides of the school and are marked with banners & signs. Please do not get out of your vehicle or park in the Hug and Go lanes.
Avoid picking up or dropping off students in the parking lots. Our lots are closed during arrive/dismissal unless a special pass is obtained via Administration. Please inquire if needed.
Avoid parking within 15 feet of school crosswalks.
Parents should encourage children to adhere to all safety rules established for pedestrians. This emphasis on safety is also a concern of the school’s staff, and is an important part of the instructional program.
Students are expected to go directly to and from school. They are to respect the rights and property of all people in the neighborhood.

School Security System

In our ongoing efforts to provide the safest and most secure environment for our students, an additional security measure has been installed, which requires the following safety measures.

ALL exterior doors will be locked at all times.
Please do not open the door or hold the door open for others.
In order to enter the building, you will need to press the button located on the brick wall inside the main entrance front doors.
An office member will release the doors, allowing access to the building.
Once entering the building, ALL visitors must check in at the office, show ID and, and obtain a visitor pass. This pass is for volunteering in your child’s classroom or visiting them for lunch/event. Please allow your child to walk to class on their own, our staff is there to help. If you need to deliver something to your child throughout, the office will bring it down to them.
If you would like to wait with your child before school or wait for your child after school, you will need to wait outside.

Visitor/Parent Check-In

District Policy requires that all parents and visitors must present a drivers
license/I.D. at the front desk and sign in at the office upon entering the building.
Your license will be scanned through our Raptor system and a visitor’s
badge/sticker will be provided. You will be asked to wear a visitor’s badge/sticker
at all times.

If you would like to spend time with a teacher, please call and make arrangements
prior to visiting. Also, if anyone other than a parent or legal guardian will be visiting
the school (such as a grandparent coming for lunch) you must call the office ahead
of time to let us know.

INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON DISTRICT WEBSITE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

View a summary of the Student Code of Conduct for Adams 12 Five Star Schools.
This information is also available on the District’s website. For complete
information, please view the latest version of each District policy.
This summary includes information such as:
● student conduct
● student attendance
● cell phones and personal electronics
● District technology and Internet usage
● student dress code
● bullying and harassment

COMMONLY REQUESTED INFORMATION

A summary of commonly requested information is available on the District’s
website. For complete information, please view the latest version of each District
policy.

“Commonly requested” information includes topics such as:

complaints or grievances
consolidated billing
service animals on District property
student transportation video and audio monitoring
visitors to schools

STUDENT HEALTH INFORMATION

Information about student health and wellness, including immunizations, health
screenings, COVID-19, and when to keep your child home from school, is available
on the District’s website.

LEGAL NOTIFICATIONS

The District’s legal notifications/annual notices are available on the District’s
website.

These notices include information concerning:
● non-discrimination (including Title IX)
● rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
● directory information under FERPA
● rights under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)
● other opt-out provisions

Our Commitment to Families at CCE

Cotton Creek is committed to developing a collaborative working
relationship between parents and staff. We want to involve parents to
the fullest extent possible. There are several options for parents to
address concerns, including calling the school, writing an email (see our
website for addresses), or sending a note with your child to the teacher.
Concerns are addressed in a professional and timely manner with all of
the appropriate personnel.

Cotton Creek PTO

Cotton Creek derives much of its support from the PTO. Our parents provide many family
activities throughout the school year. Through a series of fundraisers, PTO supports many
opportunities and resources that our students and staff would not otherwise have. All Cotton
Creek families are welcome! PTO holds monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month beginning at 6:30 pm in the school library.

Translators and Interpreters

School District Twelve maintains an in-district translators and interpreters resource bank list,
which provides us with the name of several district employees with bilingual skills who are
willing to translate or interpret for building or program needs. If the translator or interpreter
services are needed, please contact the school office. We can easily use a phone service called Propio to support families as well.

School Accountability Committee

The Cotton Creek School Improvement Team meets four times yearly, to refine
and update the School Accountability Plan as required each year. Parents and
community members are cordially welcome to be a part of this team. School
Improvement is an on-going process of goal setting and problem-solving to bring about
increased student achievement. It involves local school administrators, school staff,
parents, non-parent community members, and students where appropriate,
interacting in a collaborative model.

Medical Information at Cotton Creek Elementary School

Administration of Medication at Schools

Occasionally children need to take medicine during the school day. When a medication has
been prescribed by a doctor to be taken at school, the following procedure must be
followed for the safety of your child and other children in school. This policy is a Colorado
State Law.

1. All medicine given at school must have a medication request form signed by both a
parent/guardian and a physician. It must provide information stating the name of the
medication, dosage, when it needs to be taken, and why it is being given. These forms are
available at school. This policy applies to prescription and all over-the-counter medications
such as aspirin, Tylenol, cough syrup, eye drops, ointments, etc.
2. Medication will be provided by the parent in an individual pharmacy labeled container for
the student or in the original over-the-counter container.
3. All medication is to be kept in the clinic. Students are not allowed to keep medication
with them in backpacks, desks, lunch boxes, etc.

Immunizations

View information about immunizations and district policy including resources and
requirements.

Screening Programs

Vision and hearing screening is mandated for all students in kindergarten, first, second,
third, fifth, seventh, and ninth grade levels; for children new to the district; and for any
child with a suspected deficiency. This screening does not include extensive testing, but if
a deficiency is found, the parents are contacted and advised to arrange for a more
complete examination by a doctor.

Monitoring Student Progress at CCE

Communication between parents and teachers is a key to success at school. Parent-teacher
conferences are held twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. We look forward to
visiting with each of our families at these times! Cotton Creek is on a semester attendance/grading period. Report cards are completed twice a year.

Standards-Based Grading:

Adams 12 Five Star School District uses a standards-based grading. Below you will find
some general information about Standards-Based Grading. This information is taken
directly from the Adams 12 website. View Adams 12 Standards Based Grading.
What is standards-based grading? In a standards-based system, teachers report what
students know and are able to do in relation to the Colorado and District Standards. The
system includes:
● The improvement of student achievement of required learning outcomes in all
content areas,
● The mastery of defined learning outcomes instead of the accumulation of points,
● The reporting of student achievement toward meeting learning outcomes at a given
time by analyzing recent trend information based on various forms of evidence,
● A record-keeping system that provides teachers with information that allows them
to adjust learning practices to meet the needs of students,
● A system that encourages student reflection and responsibility

What are the purposes of standards-based grading? The purpose of standards-based
grading is to raise student achievement by clearly communicating students’ progress
towards learning outcomes in a timely, accurate, fair, and specific manner. SBG accurately
communicates student achievement to students, parents, and educators. The influence of
work habits on student learning is reported separately from academics.

How does standards-based grading work? Traditional grading averages a student’s
achievement data with other characteristics, such as work habits. SBG removes
extraneous factors and focuses solely on a student’s academic achievement and continued
mounting evidence that indicates a true assessment of the student’s present attainment
of learning. Other characteristics are reported separately.

How is standards-based grading different? The student’s grade more accurately
represents the progress toward proficiency of standards than traditional grading does.
Subject areas are subdivided into big ideas related to standards and their respective
learning outcomes that students need to learn or master. Each target is assessed. Scores
from activities that are provided solely for practice will not be included in the final
assessment of the learning outcome.

Monitoring Student Progress at Cotton Creek Elementary School Assessments used at Cotton Creek

Kindergarten:
● TS Gold-Kdg. Readiness Assessment
● Language Arts Assessments
● Math Assessments
● Writing Samples
● Reading Assessment (Dibels 8)
● MAP (Measure of Academic Progress)

First Grade:
● Language Arts Assessments
● Math Assessments
● Writing Samples
● Reading Assessment (Dibels 8)
● MAP (Measure of Academic Progress)

Second Grade:
● Language Arts Assessments
● Math Assessments
● Writing Samples
● Reading Assessment (Dibels 8)
● MAP (Measure of Academic Progress)

Third Grade:
● Reading Assessment (Dibels 8)
● MAP (Measure of Academic Progress)
● CMAS (English Language Arts & Math)
● District Math Assessments
● Writing Samples

Fourth Grade:
● Reading Assessment (Dibels 8)
● MAP (Measure of Academic Progress)
● CMAS (ELA, Math & Social Studies)
● District Math Assessments
● Writing Samples

Fifth Grade:
● Reading Assessment (Dibels 8)
● MAP (Measure of Academic Progress)
● CMAS (ELA, Math & Science)
● District Math Assessments
● Writing Samples

Additional Information for Cotton Creek Elementary School

Student Phone Calls, Cell phones, and Texting During the Day

Students are asked to use the classroom or the office phone if it is important to
communicate with a parent/guardian during the day.

Cell phones and smartwatches that have the ability to text/message
parents/guardians are not to be used independently during the school day until after
dismissal at 2:35. These devices can be distracting to the learning environment.

Phones and watches should be off and stored in the students’ backpack. If you have
extenuating circumstances or a medical reason for the device, please contact
administration. Please pass along any needed messages during the day, through the
office.
You are welcome to call anytime and messages can be given to students during appropriate
times to avoid interruptions to instruction. Please make all after school play arrangements
in advance. Also note, it is against Superintendent Policy for students to use their cell
phones to take photographs, videos, or audio recordings without asking permission of staff
to do so.

Library-Media Program

Late or Lost Books – Students will be notified of overdue materials, the library does not
charge overdue fines, but we do expect patrons to pay for damaged or lost materials. If an
item is returned that has been paid for, the money will be refunded.

Student Programs

Adams 12 Five Star Schools Gifted & Talented Program

Cotton Creek offers extension activities to those students identified as Gifted and Talented (GT). We also will have a halftime GT teacher and coach this year. These activities are offered in a small group setting at various times throughout the school year. Students are referred to the GT program by their teacher or parent based on observable GT characteristics or behaviors. Students exhibiting such characteristics are tested at the beginning of the second semester. Please contact the office for more information.

Extracurricular Activities

Many of our staff members host after school clubs and co-curricular activities this year.
Please watch for details as the school year progresses through our weekly email and Dojo.