Dear Cold Spring Families,
We’ve had a vibrant week full of hands-on learning, fresh air, and community connection and we’re just getting started!
First, a huge thank you to Mr. Garfield for leading every class through our garden-to-pizza project this week. Students harvested tomatoes and basil straight from our school garden and used them to make fresh, delicious pizzas, with many trying basil (and even tomatoes!) for the very first time. It’s been a joy to watch their curiosity and excitement grow along with the garden.
This morning, we also kicked off our “Run with the Superintendent” at 7:45 AM, and it was a great success! Every Wednesday morning from 7:45–8:25, all students, parents, and grandparents are welcome to join me on the field for a community run before school begins. It's a great way to start the day. Please remember to pack an extra pair of shoes for your child, as the grass can be pretty wet in the mornings.
Looking ahead, I’m especially excited for Principal’s Coffee on Tuesday, October 7th, featuring Adam Brotman, former Cold Spring parent and current CEO of Forum3. Adam will be sharing insights on AI now and into the future — a topic he explores in his recent book, AI First, published by the Harvard Business Review this past June. You won’t want to miss this engaging and forward-thinking conversation!
A few more quick updates:
🧑🏫 We're hiring! We're looking for a part-time instructional assistant (3.75 hours/day). If you're interested or know someone who might be, please email me directly.
🌲 California’s State Park Adventure Pass is available for all 4th graders! Details are included in today’s newsletter.
🗳️ Student Council applications are due this Friday. Ms. Shaupeter is our student council advisor.
🏫 Middle School Info Night is happening October 15th from 5–6 PM. We’re hosting nine junior high/middle schools alongside Montecito Union. This is a great opportunity to meet school leaders and explore options for your child’s next chapter.
🚶♀️ Walk to School Day is October 8th! We’re encouraging as many students as possible to walk or bike to school that day.
📅 Reminder: No school on Monday, October 13th. It’s a Professional Learning Day for teachers, where we’ll be engaging in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training as part of our continued commitment to student safety and team strength.
🎃 Pumpkin Patch is open! Every family has the opportunity to purchase a pumpkin, thanks to our amazing Parent Club volunteers. Thank you for making this seasonal tradition possible!
Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of what makes Cold Spring such a special place.
Warmly,
Dr. Alzina
🍅 From Garden to Pizza — and a Lot of Joy in Between! 🍕
This week, every class is getting the chance to make fresh pizza using tomatoes they picked straight from our school garden, and the excitement is real! We’ve never seen so many students this eager to eat tomatoes, and that’s something to celebrate.
A huge thank you to Mr. Garfield, who is leading each and every class through this hands-on, delicious experience. From harvesting to sauce-making to assembling their own pizzas, students were engaged, proud, and hungry!
This project beautifully brought together nutrition, science, teamwork, and real-life skills, all under the sun and with a whole lot of smiles. 🌿
Thank you, Mr. Garfield, for turning tomatoes into magic this week!
Wednesday Running Club Kickoff!
This morning we had an amazing start to our before-school Wednesday Running Club!
We all laced up for a morning of movement and community-building on the field. A special shoutout to Lucca Gower, our top runner of the day, who ran over four miles alongside his grandfather! What an inspiring example of perseverance, family connection, and school spirit.
This is what it’s all about: wellness, relationships, and leading by example. I can’t wait to do it again next week!
The Future is Now: Exploring AI with Adam Brotman
I am thrilled to invite you to our upcoming Principal’s Coffee on Tuesday, October 7th from 8:30–9:30am in the Cold Spring School Auditorium.
We are honored to welcome Adam Brotman, former Cold Spring parent and CEO of Forum3.com. Adam is a nationally recognized leader in innovation and technology, known for creating the Starbucks mobile app and co-authoring the book AI First.
At this special event, Adam will share his unique perspective on artificial intelligence—now and in the future—and how it is shaping industries and communities. Parents will have an opportunity to hear insights, ask questions, and better understand the role of AI now and beyond.
We hope you will join us for this exciting conversation!
An Opportunity to Join Our School Site Council!
We are looking for two more parents to join our School Site Council, where your input helps guide important decisions that support student success and our school community. Please contact Dr. Alzina if you are interested.
Meetings will be held at 7:30 AM on the following dates:
October 20th
December 15th
January 12th
April 27th
Now Hiring at Cold Spring School
Cold Spring School is currently accepting applications for:
Morning Aide (3 ¾ hours) – Support our classrooms and students in a part-time morning role.
If you’re interested in joining our dedicated school team, please visit our website for details and application information.
California State Park Adventure Pass for Fourth Graders and Families
The California State Park Adventure Pass is a program that waives day-use entrance fees to 54 state parks for fourth graders and their families for a full year. Details are available on the California Department of Parks and Recreation Adventure Pass web page.
The program is overseen by California State Parks, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and the California Natural Resources Agency.
Parent Middle School Informational Night
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Middle School Information Night on Wednesday, October 15 from 5:00–6:00pm in the Cold Spring School Auditorium.
This is a valuable opportunity to:
Meet representatives from middle schools across Santa Barbara
Ask questions directly to school staff
Learn more about the unique programs and offerings available
Discover which middle school might be the best fit for your child
📍 Location: Cold Spring School Auditorium, 2243 Sycamore Canyon Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108
We encourage all families of upper grade students to attend and take advantage of this evening to explore your options for junior high.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Walk to School Day is Next Wednesday!
Calendar of Upcoming Events
OCTOBER
October 7: Superintendent/Principal's Coffee 8:30 - 9:30 AM
October 8: National Walk/Bike to School Day
October 13: No School (Staff Development Day)
October 22: Picture Day!
October 24: Early Dismissal (TK/K at 12:15 PM, 1st - 6th at 12:30 PM)
NO DOLPHIN DUE TO FALL FESTIVAL SET-UP
October 24: Fall Festival 2:30 - 5:30 PM
October 28: TK - 1st Fall Sing 8:45 AM & 2nd - 3rd Fall Sing 9:30 AM
October 29: 4th - 6th Fall Sing 9:15 AM
October 31: Pumpkin Carving Contest!