Dear Cold Spring Families,
We’re off to another wonderful week of teaching and learning for our students and our parents! Thank you again to everyone who joined Monday’s Principal’s Coffee to learn more about our educational program. I appreciate your time, thoughtful questions, and partnership as we work together to support every child.
I look forward to continuing these conversations through Cold Spring Learning Together, our monthly parent gatherings exploring education, technology, creativity, and student well-being. These informal conversations, chaired by Cold Spring parent Dr. James McNamara, will provide opportunities to connect, share perspectives, and ask questions.
Please join us at 8:30 a.m. in the Auditorium on the following dates:
2026: November 10 and December 8
2027: January 12, February 9, March 16, and April 13
I also want to share two valuable resources available to support learning and well-being at home.
The SBCEO Digital Learning Portal brings together high-quality, vetted educational resources through the Santa Barbara County Office of Education, available at no cost to all Santa Barbara County families. The portal includes the complete COMPASS collection, California Online Media Program for Access and Student Success, with digital books, streaming videos, research tools, and interactive learning experiences that support curiosity, digital literacy, and critical thinking.
A few examples include:
Alexander Street Performing Arts Collection
PBS Video Collection
SIRS Discoverer and SIRS Issues Researcher
Gale Interactive Science and Gale Environmental Studies
Britannica Escolar, with resources in Spanish
ParentGuidance.org, provided through the Cook Center for Human Connection, offers another meaningful source of support. Cold Spring School District pays for this partnership so our families can access these services at no cost. Whether you are navigating an everyday parenting question or looking for additional support, resources include:
Individual parent coaching: Connect with a coach for practical guidance tailored to your family’s needs. See the attached coaching flyer or get started here.
Videos and learning resources: Explore topics such as Tools to Support Your Child’s Mental Health and Your Active Child: ADHD, with short videos, recordings, and helpful takeaways.
Ask a Therapist Live: Hear from a licensed therapist and submit questions anonymously. Upcoming sessions are October 27, November 17, and December 15 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific.
October Mental Health Series: Upcoming topics include emotional regulation on October 13.
Thank you for being our trusted partners.
My best,
Dr. Alzina
Walk N Roll to School Day was a Success!
Thank you to everyone who participated in Walk ’n Roll to School Day this morning! We were thrilled to see more than 80% of our school community participate!
Congratulations to Mrs. Carey’s 1st Grade class and Mrs. Gomez’s 4th Grade class for achieving 100% participation!
A special thank-you to our amazing Parent Club volunteers and Skip Erickson for helping make the morning fun and creating such a memorable experience for our students.
Westmont College Spirit Squad Is Back! 🎉
Get ready to kick off the first Friday of each month with Westmont College’s Athletic Spirit Team! Every month, they’ll be at CSS cheering and helping us start the day with lots of energy and school spirit!
Students are encouraged to wear their favorite college gear or Cold Spring School swag. Let’s fill the morning with school pride, big smiles, and plenty of Dolphin spirit! 🐬🎉
Picture Day Portraits are Ready to View and Order!
School portraits taken by Cornerstone Photography are now available for viewing and ordering! All orders must be placed online, will incur a $5.50 shipping charge, and will be mailed directly home. To view your portrait, click the link below and enter your online code, which is COLD and your Student ID. If you do not know your child’s student ID, please contact our office and we will provide it for you.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR PORTRAIT
Online Code: COLD + Student ID (For Example:COLD123456)
What if I missed picture day?
A makeup opportunity is scheduled for Monday, October 26th for those who missed picture day or for those who are not satisfied with their portrait and want to try again.
For additional questions, you may contact customercare@cornerstone.photo or (805) 529-1635.
We will Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day in Class at Cold Spring on Monday, October 12th
Middle School Information Night - Oct. 22nd!
Please join us for Middle School Information Night on October 22, from 5:00–6:00 p.m. at Montecito Union School! Montecito Union Principal Dr. Nick Bruski and I have collaborated to organize this event so families from both school communities can receive a comprehensive overview of their options after elementary school. We alternate hosting each year, and this year it is Montecito Union’s turn to welcome our families.
You’ll have the opportunity to hear from nine private schools and Santa Barbara Junior High, our feeder school. This is a wonderful opportunity to ask questions and explore the possibilities for your child’s next chapter. Families from every grade level are welcome! I will be there as well and look forward to seeing you.
Fall Festival & Early Dismissal - Friday October 23rd!
Mark your calendars for Friday, October 23, 2026, from 2:30–5:30 PM and join us for one of the most beloved events of the year!
Please note: October 23 will be an early dismissal day, and there will be no Dolphin Center available that afternoon.
TK/Kindergarten will be dismissed at 12:15 PM
1st–6th grade will be dismissed at 12:30 PM.
Open to the entire CSS community and friends, this afternoon is packed with games, rides, yummy treats and food, a pumpkin patch, cake walk, and much more.
Stay tuned for ticket details, sponsorship opportunities, and ways to volunteer. We can’t wait to celebrate fall together with our amazing community! 🎃✨
Click Here for ticket details and sponsorship opportunities!
