Greetings New and Returning Cold Spring School Parents!

I hope this letter finds you well!  There is so much to share with you.  It has been a busy summer.   This Back-to-School update will summarize all of the beginning-of-school activities you need to know for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year, including our Strategic Goals, re-entering school procedures, Annual Student Registration, and much more. Enjoy! 

Strategic Goals

The LCAP is a three-year plan that describes the goals, actions, services, and expenditures to support positive student outcomes that address state and local priorities.  We are in the second year of our current LCAP.  Every action and service provided is designed to meet one or more of these goals. 

1.     A collaborative and integrated project-based approach to learning;

2.     Engaged and active stakeholders providing meaningful input into the decision-making process;

3.     A positive school culture and climate that emphasizes a balance of academic achievement, healthy personal development, social and environmental responsibility, and enthusiasm for lifelong learning.

The comprehensive LCAP describes the goals, actions, services and expenditures to support positive student outcomes.  You can find more information regarding the 2022-23 LCAP on the District website: https://www.coldspringschool.net/page/lcap-california-dashboard  

Cold Spring School Meal Program

Beginning in the 2022-2023 academic year, all school districts, county offices of education and charter schools serving TK through 12th Grades must provide two meals free of charge (breakfast and lunch) during each school day to students requesting a meal, regardless of their free or reduced-price meal eligibility. This new requirement is codified in Section 49501.5 of the California Education Code.

To comply with this new mandate, the Cold Spring School District has partnered with the Santa Barbara Unified School District to provide free Breakfast and free Lunch to any family requesting a meal for their child.  In addition to the free Santa Barbara Unified meal menu, Cold Spring School District will continue to partner with Locally Grown Kids for those families wanting to purchase a custom hot lunch for their child.

The annual registration package has additional information to register for the Cold Spring Meal Program.

Very Important: Annual Registration - Required for All Students
Prior to the beginning of each school year in the Cold Spring School District, parent/guardian(s) of all students are required to complete the Annual Registration for their child(ren).  The required Annual Student Registration form can be found in the directions listed below, please complete one form per family. The deadline to complete the Annual Student Registration Form for 2022-23 is Friday, August 5th.

If you need any assistance completing the form, please contact the school office at (805) 969-2678. Thank you for taking the time to register your child(ren)!

Directions to Complete the Annual Student Registration Form:

1.     Please review the information below prior to completing the Annual Student Registration and Declaration of Residency.  This information can also be found on the District’s website. 

●      Annual Notification to Parents (ANTP)

●      Welcome Letter/Supply List by Grade Level

●      Acceptable Use Policy and Care of Laptop/iPad

●      Truancy Information

●      Lunch Program Information

●      After School Program: Dolphin Center

●      District Calendar and Daily Schedule

●      6 Ways to Get Involved at Cold Spring School

2.  To access the Annual Student Registration & Declaration of Residency , please contact the school office at (805) 969-2678.

All New, TK/Kindergarten, and returning students are required to complete the registration form before they are officially registered to Cold Spring School.

Teachers and Supply Lists

Click this link to check out the Teachers by Grade, Classroom Supply Lists/Welcome Letters, and additional resources by grade level: https://www.coldspringschool.net/page/classrooms .

Communication

The Cold Spring School website and app is where you can find a wealth of information regarding our school. Our primary internal communication system will continue to be served through ParentSquare.  I encourage every parent to download the ParentSquare app on their device in order to receive instant alerts and information about school activities and events.. 

Health and Safety Procedures

We are continuing to make every effort to create a safe learning environment for our children and staff.  In doing so, we are committed to maintaining our outdoor classrooms, small class size, frequent hand washing protocols and optional indoor mask wearing. 

We will continue to update the COVID-19 Dashboard on our school website with the latest information on COVID-19 cases at Cold Spring School. Cold Spring School District follows the latest safety measures recommended by Santa Barbara County Public Health Department including quarantines for positive COVID cases.  

After-School Care - Dolphin Center

The Dolphin Center will begin on Thursday, August 18th for all students.  Dolphin Center opens immediately following dismissal for all grades.  Dolphin Center will accommodate TK/Kindergarten early dismissal (11:30 AM) between August 18-September 9 and will run until 3:30 PM.  New families will need to enroll in order to participate in the Dolphin Center program.  All families enrolled in Procare must update their information, including credit card information. If you have any questions please contact the school office. Click here for a link for more information about the Dolphin Center.   

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS/DATES

 SB Public Mobile Library - Thursday, August 4th, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

The SB Public Library Mobile Library will be on our campus the first Thursday of the month from 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM.  I encourage all of our students to take advantage of this great opportunity to check out a few books. 

 New Families and Transitional Kindergarten/Kindergarten Orientation – Friday, August 12th, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

We are looking forward to hosting our New Cold Spring parents and TK/Kindergarten parents at our orientation on Friday, August 12th from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. During this time, all TK/Kindergarten students will also get an opportunity to see the classrooms, meet the teachers, and participate in a few activities.  Meanwhile, the parents will join me in the Auditorium to receive an overview of the school and learn how to get involved with our many volunteer opportunities.

 Class Lists Posted – Wednesday, August 17th, 2:30 PM

We will be posting class lists and room assignments on Monday, August 17th at 2:30 PM at the front of the school.

 Popsicles on the Playground Meet and Greet – Wednesday, August 17th, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

The Parent Club is sponsoring a “Meet and Greet” on the playground from 2:30 PM -3:30 PM for all TK-6th grade students and families! All students are invited to enjoy a cold popsicle before meeting their teacher.

 First Day of School – Thursday, August 18th, beginning at 8:25 AM 

Our first day of school is Thursday, August 18th. School will start promptly at 8:25 AM for all students. The playground will be supervised beginning at 8:00 AM. Release times are as follows:

■      Kindergarten will end the day at 2:00 PM*;

■      First and Second Grade will end at 2:40 PM; and,

■      Third through Sixth Grades will end at 3:00 PM. 

Wednesday will be an early dismissal for all students to provide time for teacher professional development, collaboration and planning.  The Wednesday release times are as follows:

■      Kindergarten will end the day at 1:45 PM;

■      First and Second Grade will end at 1:55 PM; and,

■      Third through Sixth Grades will end at 2:30 PM. 

 *Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students are dismissed at 11:30 am every day during the first three weeks of school.  The optional Dolphin Center will begin on Thursday, August 18th at early dismissal and will be available until 3:30 PM.

 “Welcome Back” Superintendent/Principal Coffee – Thursday, August 18th, beginning at 8:30 AM 

Everyone is invited to my first informal Superintendent/Principal coffee on Thursday, August 18th  at 8:30 AM in the Gazebo.  This is a great opportunity to meet new families, the Governing Board, and the presidents of the Parent Club and the Cold Spring Foundation. Coffee and pastries will be provided. 

 Back-to-School Picnic – Friday, August 19th, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

The Parent Club is hosting an all school family picnic on Friday, August 19th from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM.  It’s a “bring your own blanket and picnic dinner” event.

 Back-to-School Night – Wednesday, August 31st, beginning at 6:00 PM

All families are formally invited to attend our annual Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, August 31st  beginning at 6:00 PM on the field.  I will introduce this year’s staff and share how we all are continuing to work towards providing a robust whole child approach to teaching and learning. 

My presentation will be followed by a visit to your child’s/children’s classroom(s) where every teacher will be presenting his/her yearlong plans and goals for your child.  This is an adult only event.  Please bring your own beach blanket or chair. 

 We are looking forward to working together as an “All Star” team to make the 2022-2023 school year the very best it can be!

 Sincerely,

Amy M. Alzina, Ed.D.
Superintendent/Principal