Cottonwood Elementary
Phone: (307) 253-4700
Principal: Janie Woolson
Office Manager: Jennifer White
Address: 1230 West 15th St., Casper, 82601
 |
 |
“The heart of Cottonwood Elementary is to create a caring community of learners through relationships, relevance, and rigor; one student at a time.”
Vision: Cottonwood School exists to create responsible, independent students who have the knowledge and attitude to be successful in an ever-changing world.
Welcome to Cottonwood Elementary: Home of the Wildcats!
At Cottonwood Elementary, we believe in the power of uniting together—students, families, and community—to create an exceptional learning environment. As the Wildcats, we take immense pride in partnering with families to ensure every student's needs are met, both academically and social-emotionally.
Our core commitment is to provide strong, impactful instruction that equips our students to thrive in an ever-changing world. Our staff regularly collaborates to review the holistic needs of every child—academic, social, and emotional—to determine the best approach to collectively meet their individual needs. We understand that truly exceptional education means meeting students where they're at and providing them with the intentional and purposeful instruction needed for growth and achievement. To further support our students, Cottonwood Elementary is home to a Functional Life Skills (FLS) program, offering specialized instruction for qualifying students. Through this program, students gain essential life skills and benefit from numerous opportunities for inclusion, working closely with their general education peers to build a supportive and integrated school community.
What truly sets Cottonwood apart is our unwavering dedication to doing whatever it takes to meet the unique needs of each student. We foster a collaborative environment where staff members work closely together, driven by a shared goal: to ensure that every student is learning and growing through a positive and enriching learning experience. This commitment extends to our strong partnerships with families, as we believe that working hand-in-hand is key to student success.
At Cottonwood, we live by our core values of being safe, respectful, and responsible. These principles guide our actions and create a nurturing atmosphere where every Wildcat can flourish.
Curriculum
At Cottonwood, all students have access to Natrona County School District’s Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum. Cottonwood uses a standards based instructional model for reading and writing. All students are explicitly taught phonics skills in kindergarten through second grade. Additionally, we ensure that any student who needs foundational reading support receives it, regardless of their age or grade level. UFLI, Secret Stories, and Heggerty are used to support all areas of quality ELA instruction. Eureka2 is our primary math resource for grades K-5. ELA and Math concepts are embedded in Science and Social Studies instruction, and students have the opportunity for hands-on learning and field trips throughout the year. All students have weekly Art, Music, PE, and Library instruction with our highly qualified staff. Students also learn self-regulation, community building, empathy, and conflict resolution skills through the Conscious Discipline framework and Second Step Social and Emotional learning curriculum.
Activities
Students may participate in a variety of clubs. Clubs may include, Art Club, Mindfulness, Palz Club, Tennis Club, Cooking Club, and Student Council. Fourth- and fifth-graders may participate in volleyball and basketball through the Casper Recreation Center.
Preschool
Half-day preschool is available for children who are 3 or 4 years old prior to August 1 at all Natrona County Title 1 schools. The NCSD Preschool Program is funded through two federal grants. Priority is given to families who document financial need based on Federal Income Guidelines. The NCSD preschool program is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Cottonwood provides two half-day sections of preschool:
8:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 12:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Hours
Classes at Cottonwood begin at 8:45 a.m. and run to 3:30 p.m. Supervision begins at 8:00 a.m. and the building closes at 4:00 p.m. Breakfast is served from 8:15 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.