Welcome to Cokato Elementary School
"Celebrating Success"
Activity Day
Wednesday, May 16
Students in grades 1-4 had the opportunity to show the skills they have learned and refined throughout the year. The students within each grade level also competed for a class sportsmanship award that was awarded to one class per grade.
Cokato Olympic Day
Location: D-C High School track
Date: May 24th (Thursday)
Grades 3 and 4 will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Grades 1 and 2 will be from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
11-12 fun events
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to make this day possible (see below).
Volunteers Needed & Appreciated
Thank you too all of the volunteers who continue to make a difference here at Cokato Elementary! They are cutting and counting Box Tops and soup labels, sorting and counting milk caps, tracing, pasting, reading, listening, the list goes on and on! Thank you! The last few months will be busy around here!
Looking ahead to upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:
- Wednesday, May 16-Activity Day Gr.3-4 8:30-11:15, Gr. 1-2 12:00-2:45
- Wednesday, May 16 - Miss Melquist’s class displays art at the DQ
- Thursday, May 24 - Olympic Day
- Monday, June 4 - Variety/Awards day program
If you would like to volunteer at either Activity Day or out at the high School track for Olympic Day, please contact the volunteer coordinator at marykay.morris@dc.k12.mn.us.
Grandparents and college students are welcome. We need MANY volunteers for these last few weeks, especially with Activity and Olympic Days. Please spread the word to anyone you think may want to give the gift of time to help with any of these special events.
Thank you to each and every volunteer!
You are awesome and greatly appreciated!!
Paragraphs from the principal…
Mrs. Force
As a staff, we have had many changes. Retirement and other job opportunities have meant that many dear people have physically left the Cokato Elementary family, but we have a saying around here that goes like this. "Once you’re part of the Cokato Elementary family, you’re always a part of it."
I look around the building now and realize that over half of the teaching staff has changed since 2001! We’ve celebrated engagements, weddings, new babies, and the completion of master's degrees. We’ve been there for each other during house fires, illnesses, and deaths. All of this has helped us grow stronger as a team and closer as a group of people who greatly love working with children. Because our Cokato Elementary families have gone through the same cycles of life, these experiences have made us empathetic with the families we serve.
Best of all, we get to work hand-in-hand with the children and families of the community. Think of all the spelling words you’ve practiced and all the math facts that have been studied over the course of your child’s education! Not to mention all the permission forms you've signed and all the library books you’ve discovered under the bed as the bus pulls up in front of the house! How many trips have you made to the school bringing tennis shoes and forgotten lunches?
This staff, whether licensed as a teacher or serving in another capacity, give their all to their jobs. It has been extremely gratifying watching them celebrate all the growth the children have made throughout the years. I can truthfully say that each year feels the same at the beginning and at the end; there is great excitement and anticipation at the beginning of the year, and there are celebrations and a sense of accomplishment at the end of the year.
Whoever is chosen as the new principal of Cokato Elementary will inherit a tremendously committed staff, a loving student body, and extremely supportive families who are partners in the education of their children! This is what I’ve been surrounded by in the past 11 years! Lucky me!
New Cokato Elementary Principal Hired
At their April 9 board meeting the Dassel-Cokato School Board hired Sandi Arndt from Canby, Minnesota as the new principal at Cokato Elementary replacing Lorene Force who is retiring at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Ms. Arndt comes to Dassel-Cokato with 12 years of experiences as a principal. Prior to her work in Canby she taught grades 1,2,4, special education, and technology integration in Chokio-Alberta. Ms. Arndt has an excellent background in elementary education and administration. Her strengths will compliment initiatives already in place at Cokato Elementary and add new insights making our elementary program even stronger.
DC SAINTS READING CHALLENGE
"Take me out to the ballgame…" Baseball season is in full swing and it has provided Cokato Elementary with a great opportunity to read and enjoy America's favorite pastime.
The DC Saints are presenting a 4-week spring reading program that will start on Monday, April 30th and will go through Monday, May 28th. This incentive based program challenges students to read a set number of minutes per week. At the end of the 4 weeks, students who reached their reading goal and turn in their calendars for all 4 weeks will earn a free FAMILY PASS and treat coupon for the June 1st DC Saints home game against Green Isle at 7:30! This game will be designated as the "DC Saints Reading Challenge" night. Students who reach their weekly goal and turn in their calendar each Monday will qualify for a weekly drawing for a DC Saints prize. Game tickets and treat vouchers will come home the week of May 28th. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your child's teacher. Hopefully we will see you at the ball park!
New Milk Cartons This Spring
We want to you inform you of an exciting program we will be participating in from April through June. We will partner with our milk supplier, Agropur (formerly Schroeder Dairy) to provide milk in a new style of carton. The carton may look different but the milk inside will be the same.
Only the package is different:
The milk will still have the same great nutritional benefits and same taste. The new milk box does not require refrigeration until it is opened. The milk will still be served chilled to students.
Milk in the new "shelf fresh" package is the same wholesome milk kids know and love. The milk is pasteurized at an ultra-high temperature (UHT) and then is put in a sterile carton from Tetra Pak that protects the milk from air and light. This keeps the milk safe for many months longer when compared to standard paper or plastic containers. The milk does NOT contain additives, growth hormones or preservatives.
This Tetra Pak packaging has been in use through out the world for over 50 years and is most commonly found in Europe and Latin America. Stores in the United States also have many products in this type of package: juice boxes, soy milk, soup broth, coconut water and milk as well.
Benefits for schools from "shelf fresh" milk:
- Cost savings compared to refrigerated milk due to the longer shelf life. We simply refrigerate each day’s milk supply and no longer worry about spoilage.
- Cost savings by receiving milk once a week or every two weeks instead of two or three times a week.
- Fewer deliveries mean fewer trucks on the road. This will reduce our carbon footprint by eliminating deliveries with refrigerated trucks - a strong environmental action we know you and your kids will support.
This new carton is recyclable too. Visit www.recyclecartons.com to see where carton recycling may be available in your community.
Frequently asked questions:
What is different about the cartons?
The cartons are the same as a "juice box." Each carton will come with a straw for easy drinking and pull-tab for pouring over cereal.
What is "shelf fresh" milk?
Shelf fresh milk is premium Grade A fluid milk. It requires no refrigeration until the package is opened. Just check the date code printed on the package.
How can milk not require refrigeration?
The ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization and Tetra Pak cartons eliminate bacteria while keeping out light, air and food borne illness. This enables storing without refrigeration.
Does it taste the same?
You bet. It has the same great milk taste, without additives, growth hormones or preservatives – just chill and serve.
The Cokato Elementary Newsletter Is Now Online
Last month parents were given the choice to continue to receive a paper copy of the newsletter or view it online. There was a clip-off note in the newsletter that needed to be returned. We only printed newsletters this month for those families who wished to receive a paper copy. Please call the office at x 1300 or email margaret.pokornowski@dc.k12.mn.us if you'd like a paper copy each month. We want you to read about the exciting things happening at Cokato Elementary!
| Awarded School of Excellence 1991-1992 2004-2005 |
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Cokato Elementary is a School of Excellence because...
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Mission Statement Cokato Elementary provides an enriching educational experience for all children. We create an environment that helps each child reach their maximum potential. Our school community works together to prepare students for continued personal growth and responsible citizenship. |
200 5th St. S.W. Lorene Force, Principal |