Keeping Arts Alive through Cold Spring’s Annie Jr.

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We have such talented students! This past June 2021, Cold Spring School District 6th graders put on a production of Annie Jr., a student version of the Broadway musical inspired by the Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie.

Students put together their ideas to bring Annie Jr. to life with props, costumes, singing, and dancing, and rehearsed diligently. The Music and Drama teachers at Cold Spring provided direction, inspiring students to be creative and make Annie Jr. their own.

The students and teachers’ creativity exceeded expectations! Cold Spring’s production of Annie Jr. is unique in its set design. Students rehearsed together at school and inventively produced scenes both onstage and virtually for a new visual experience of live student theater. Here is the full production.

As part of the district’s approach to educating the “whole child,” providing Visual and Performing Arts opportunities for students to thrive in is a critical part of the curriculum and student development. According to Create CA, the California Alliance for Arts Education, students with an arts education are 5 times less likely to drop out of school, 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, 4 times more likely to receive a bachelor’s degree, and 30% more inclined to pursue a professional career. Cold Spring is preparing students for success!

“I’m so proud of our exceptional Music and Drama teachers and students for their great accomplishment during such a challenging year.” says Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring School District.

“We look forward to showcasing even more of our students’ amazing talents in the coming school year,” says Yuri Calderon, Chief Business Officer, Cold Spring School District. 

The new school year brings new opportunities for students to shine and reach their potential in Visual and Performing Arts, and the variety of activities available at our district. The show must go on! 

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Students at Cold Spring School District Achieved Remarkable Results with Key State Testing

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As schools everywhere experience an influx of students, teachers, and families returning to the normalcy of educational routines, Cold Spring School District is celebrating the success their students have accomplished during the 2020-2021 academic year, following the results of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).

This past spring, 102 Cold Spring students took the CAASPP in grades three through six, resulting in a 95% participation rate (five students opted out). This participation was critical considering the 2019-2020 CAASPP was canceled nationally in the wake of COVID-19 closing schools and interrupting learning patterns. But in preparation for the 2020-2021 CAASPP, Cold Spring students and teachers persevered, studied, and proved their incredible creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Cold Spring School District is proud to announce that 97% of students Met/Exceeded the English Language Arts (ELA) Standards, and 95% of students Met/Exceeded the Math Standards of the CAASPP. 

The district has achieved a remarkable feat after experiencing both remote learning and a successful transition to having 90% of students attend in-person instruction by September 22nd, 2020.

“The number of students in our district who exceed the standards for Math and ELA increases every year,” says Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Springs District. “Our students, families, and staff experienced the uncertainty of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but our students overcame the separation, safely returned to class, and continued to excel academically. We are committed to preparing our children  to be successful members of society, and they are proving  they are capable of thriving  regardless of the situation.”

Cold Spring School District provided accessible learning options for all students, ensuring that each one of them continued to receive a quality education and continued to be nurtured through social-emotional learning. At the beginning of the 2020 academic year, all students with learning disabilities received their specialized services in person immediately, and a small cohort of students was supervised in the auditorium while participating in remote learning. 

“The efforts our teachers, staff, and families have given in support of the stability of our students’ learning environment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic have once again contributed to proven academic success,” says Yuri Calderon, Chief Business Officer, Cold Spring School District. “We thank the community for its constant collaboration in keeping our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn every day.”

Since the reopening in September 2020, the Cold Spring School campus remained open during the academic year, serving in-person learning students with a five-day week model. The zero-transmission rate from in-person instruction strengthened the students, teachers, and families’ willingness to provide students with a stable learning environment, thus reinforcing the children’s motivation to study. 

As part of Cold Spring’s mission to educate the “whole child,” prepare students for success, promote participation in the community, and provide a comprehensive approach to elementary education, all in-person and remote learning students received instruction in all core subject areas including Art, Music, Drama, and STEAM. Cold Spring School District is ready for another year of great student achievement!

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Walking and Bicycling to School with the Safe Routes Program

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Cold Spring School District anticipates back-to-school festivities and excitement and will be an active partner in promoting walking and bicycling to school. Through the implementation of the Safe Routes to School Program, the district aims to improve traffic safety around school areas.

“We are excited to continue working with the community to further develop the Safe Routes Program and ensure our students have safe travel accommodations to school each day,” says Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring School District.

The Safe Routes to School Committee promotes a safer neighborhood for the students and their families to walk and ride bikes to school and schedules numerous safety programs (bike rodeo, assemblies) for the students.

Four goals are outlined for the Safe Routes Program:

Goal 1: Reduce car traffic

Goal 2: Create a safer environment

Goal 3: Promote walking and biking among students

Goal 4: Educate parents and students

In an effort to supplement STEAM learning with environmental literacy and student engagement with environmentally friendly projects such as the Native Garden, Cold Spring School District’s Safe Routes Program will focus on student health and the important benefits of reducing traffic around schools.

“The Safe Routes to School Program provides another supplemental activity to students’ daily learning,” says Yuri Calderon, Chief Business Officer, Cold Spring School District. “Establishing safe routes to school fosters student and family associations with their environment and neighborhood and increases student safety. We encourage the connectivity in our Cold Spring community, and the program supports this objective.”

The Cold Spring School District website includes current walkable pathways to school and potential routes for future use. Community support will further this initiative and assist students and families on their daily commute. The current map is available at https://coldspringschool.net/sites/default/files/cold-spring-walkmap-v13.pdf

The school district will also conduct semi-annual student mobility surveys to determine the best implementation of the program. Overall, the safety and health of students and families are a priority to the school district. As the district moves forward in this new school year, it is important to be even more committed to preparing students for prosperous futures, by providing a learning environment that supports the “whole child.”

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Engaging for Student Success: The Parent Club at Cold Spring School District

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Parents play an integral role at Cold Spring School. So crucial, that there is a club devoted to their involvement, called Parent Club! Its mission is to create opportunities for the students, families, and the larger community to connect with each other in order to engage and empower all the students at Cold Spring School. 

“Our district has a variety of extracurricular activities to support students’ learning environments, and we also provide parents and guardians with the opportunity to be more involved with the school district to support their students’ experience as well,” says Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring School District.

The Parent Club actively helps the school community by sponsoring social events, welcoming new families, and raising funds to acquire playground equipment and classroom learning materials. In addition, the Parent Club coordinates after-school enrichment programs and many other programs that benefit our students.

This is achieved by collaboration. Parent Club works with organizations and talent throughout the community to establish premium opportunities and access for every student.

“Parent involvement is critical to the progress of our district,” says Yuri Calderon, Chief Business Officer, Cold Spring School District. “Our school is shaped by our community, and we support our community in return. By working together, we optimize the resources available for our students, staff, and families, thus planning for a future of student success.

”Parent Club endeavors to create a diverse organization that offers possibilities for direct involvement with student life, as well as solidifying relationships within the larger Cold Spring School community. Parent Club provides direct classroom support in collaboration with the teachers and staff to furnish an enriched setting for all students and to help inspire each child’s success.

With the anticipation of the back-to-school season, Cold Spring School District encourages parents to participate in the Parent Club. Learn more by visiting https://coldspringschool.net/parent-club

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Amy Alzina Superintendent | The Inspiring Harvest of the Native Garden

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Time flies. During the 2016-2017 school year, second graders at Cold Spring School District worked together to plant a Native Garden. Four years later, 6th graders had the opportunity to garden one last time before leaving for middle school. Students were able to see the plant growth and know they had contributed to the local ecosystem, while being part of the district, and feel proud of their accomplishments. The Native Garden marked an important passage of time and remains a gift for the current students at Cold Spring School District.

Santa Barbara is known for its diverse ecosystem due to its shared coastal and mountainous geography. Cold Spring’s approach to the Native Garden is to use local resources as a supplement to education standards while teaching students important lessons. 

“The Native Garden at Cold Spring is an opportunity for students to develop environmental literacy skills and support their creativity,” says Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring School District. “Providing students with hands-on plant biology experience is just one of many wonderful supplemental activities our district offers.”

The care for the Native Garden supports the local ecosystems but also presents a new perspective to STEAM lessons at Cold Spring. 

“Nurturing the garden over the years has been a unique learning experience for students,” says Yuri Calderon, Chief Business Officer, Cold Spring School District. “The garden promotes responsibility and teaches students to set long-term goals in the form of caring for the garden.”

The US Forest Service states that native gardens are beneficial because native plants do not always require fertilizers or pesticides, they require less water than lawns, help prevent erosion, and promote biodiversity and stewardship of the natural heritage.

Not only are Cold Spring students supplementing their science learning, but they are contributing to a clean environment each day by reducing air pollution through the growth of the garden. Cold Spring School District is proud to provide environmental literacy opportunities for students through the Native Garden. Sowing seeds for success. Let the expectations grow!

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Cold Spring School District Partners with Care Solace to Provide Free Mental Health Services for Families and Staff

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We support mental wellness during Mental Health Awareness Month 

Santa Barbara, Calif. – In recognition of the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Cold Spring School District announces their partnership with Care Solace, a concierge service linking families and school staff to free mental health support resources. 

“In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and as we approach the end of the school year, I want to remind our community that mental health wellness is critical. Access to adequate mental health services is a necessity and available to our families and staff,” says Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring School District. “The year behind us has been so difficult with the COVID-19 pandemic that it has been critical for all of us to maintain our mental health by practicing wellness as best we can. Care Solace is a great resource for all ages. I encourage our community to take advantage of these resources now and over the summer as we prepare for another great school year.”Care Solace has been a tool in guiding school communities through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This service remains available to support children and adults through the constantly changing environment as the 2020-2021 academic year comes to an end. Care Solace can support students, families, and staff members who are experiencing anxiety, stress, depression, or other mental health conditions. 

“Providing quality mental health resources is a service that benefits all of our school district community,” says Yuri Calderon, Chief Budget Officer, Cold Spring School District. “By using Care Solace, we are contributing to a safe and nurturing environment.”  

Care Solace is uniquely equipped as a virtual mental health support resource. The Care Concierge team members are experts in navigating a vast database of carefully vetted mental healthcare therapists and programs. Their proprietary web-based tool makes it easy to connect with screened mental healthcare resources and providers in the community. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

Cold Spring School District encourages students, families, and staff members to utilize Care Solace’s free services, noting that their Care Concierge is a virtual resource available 24/7 by phone, email, text, or video chat.

Those in need of support may contact Care Solace at 1-888-515-0595, email weserve@caresolace.org, or access Cold Spring School District’s unique page at caresolace.com/coldspringsd

About Cold Spring School District: Cold Spring School is a TK-6 public school that serves approximately 180 students in a small classroom setting. Cold Spring was designated a California Distinguished School in 1986, recognized as a Blue Ribbon School in 1992, recognized as a Gold Ribbon School in 2016, and received an Exemplary Arts in Education Award in 2020. The students of Cold Spring have consistently performed in the top 5 to 10% of all elementary schools in the state of California. We believe the high achievement level of our students to be linked with several factors including a professional teaching staff, nurturing home environments, and excellent student motivation and effort.

 

For more information: https://coldspringschool.net/

 

About Care Solace: Care Solace is on a mission to calm the chaos of mental health care. The organization provides mental health care coordination services for school systems, existing to ensure that students, staff and their families are not alone through the laborious process of accessing needed services. Care Solace offers proprietary software to aggregate mental health care providers and substance use treatment options. As of November 2020, Care Solace proudly serves two million students, over six million family members, and 150,000 staff members in over 200 school systems. The Care Concierge team has responded to 250,000 inquiries for support, connected over 100,000 students, and families to care and over 12,000 staff members to services. 

 

For more information: https://home.caresolace.com/

 

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Amy Alzina Superintendent | Remodeling Classrooms and Building Community

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The new school year brings opportunities to enhance campus spaces. Cold Spring School District has unveiled unique additions for students to enjoy. Recently, a greenhouse was built, and the garden and outdoor space was renovated for the new academic year. These outdoor facilities were provided and constructed by parents and local organizations who volunteered their time to ensure structures were properly built.

Cold Spring is proud of the student learning spaces. The children know how to make their day efficient across campus as they reach their daily learning goals. This year, the school is excited for students to also enjoy new renovations and a variety of special classroom enhancements that will supplement their academic routine.

A second-grade classroom has been redesigned with new flooring and new classroom furniture such as desks and chairs. The increased enrollment at Cold Spring has allowed for the growth of the facilities, and its new features will support the district’s safety protocols to avoid the spread of germs. The general renovations help keep Cold Spring an updated campus for everyone to enjoy. What better way to begin a school year than to start with good habits that will last, and a comfortable classroom environment for the growing student body?

The classroom and campus updates were also provided by members of the local community. Parents, teachers, administration, and neighbors helped with construction and decoration. The district is proud to have a supportive community that cares about the quality of education students receive.

“Cold Spring teachers are working hard educating our students with the most updated standards and learning expectations to meet goals for each grade level. While our students and staff are focusing on the everyday lessons, we are also improving the classrooms and campus to better fit the needs of our growing district,” says Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring School District. “Our students exceed expectations with their academic achievements, and we support their growth through supplemental, hands-on curricular and extracurricular activities. We are excited for students to enjoy the latest renovations.”

The back-to-school season is in full swing. Students have adapted well to new school routines, including their arrival process and daily safety protocols. Parents are becoming involved with district opportunities at meetings. The district anticipates an astounding year with the use of the new student spaces.

“The district is fortunate to have volunteers that care about keeping the school a great environment for students,” says Yuri Calderon, Chief Business Officer, Cold Spring School District. “The community-building that Cold Spring has been able to do in the last year is remarkable because it shows how committed the Cold Spring family is.”

Cold Spring is supportive of creating an academic environment that is welcoming for all students. When students find comfort in their classroom, they are comfortable enough to learn and challenge themselves in their studies. Updating campus facilities ensures that Cold Spring School District remains a wonderful school setting that staff and students can call home.

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Amy Alzina Superintendent | The Sound of Music

This article is shared by Amy Alzina Superintendent.

The hills of Cold Spring School District are alive with the sound of music. Practicing diligently with the guidance of music teacher Sara DiSalvo, our students are embarking on a successful year of visual and performing arts curriculum.

This year, Cold Spring is delighted to have a new recording studio for students to use! This is one of the many new additions to the campus. The studio is located inside the music classroom in the auditorium. Children will be able to record their music in high quality for practice and sharing!

“Under the direction of teacher Sara DiSalvo, we are excited to have a new resource for our students’ music education,” says Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring School District. “Our district believes in providing supplemental resources to support our students’ learning and interests. The recording studio will benefit our music education program’s growth.”

Cold Spring is proud to provide a diverse curriculum where students not only excel but find their passions. Comprehensive music classes teach genre, history, theory, and individual instruments. Students meet two to three times a week to practice and learn, and during classes, children are also encouraged to get creative and improvise with their instruments.

At Cold Spring, music education promotes student learning across the disciplines of science, history, English Language Arts, and art. By doing so, it contributes to the district’s mission to educate the “whole child.”

The music program is part of the curriculum for every student, and everyone receives an opportunity to share their talents year-round. In their music classes, children motivate each other to practice and improve. All students participate in three major performances: the Fall, Winter, and Spring Sings. While it is a fun chance for children to perform, they are also assessed on their progress each semester.  Our students achieve their learning goals, making the music program an enjoyable experience that inspires them to dream big and reach their goals.

Students have a variety of opportunities to show their musical advancement to their teachers, parents, and peers. 6th-grade students look forward to performing a full-length musical each Spring as a culmination of their learning. In the past, children were able to be part of the show both virtually and in person, boosting their creativity and innovation in their experience with Visual and Performing Arts.

“The new recording studio at Cold Spring is one of the many new additions we have gained in the last year that will help our students in their path to academic achievement,” says Yuri Calderon, Chief Business Officer, Cold Spring School District. “Visual and Performing Arts is an essential part of our district’s curriculum, and we are proud to support our students and teachers with this new resource.”

Not only do students perform year-round, they also have opportunities to learn from the best local performers! Cold Spring has previously hosted guest artist residents who offered experience in multi-cultural music and movement. These guest visitors serve as another element of hands-on music involvement that enriches student learning.

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Amy Alzina Superintendent | The Great Opportunity to Participate in Cold Spring Councils

This content has been shared by Amy Alzina Superintendent, Cold Spring School:

It’s never too late to get involved with your school! Cold Spring School District encourages our community to take an active role in the education of the students. Parents, guardians, and community members are welcome to participate in the Cold Spring School Site Council.

The composition of the Council includes 3 classroom teachers, 1 other school staff member, the school principal, and 5 parents or community members. Council members serve a term of two years.

“School Site Council is a great way to get involved with our district,” says Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring School District. “New voices and perspectives are always welcome, and when you participate in our school events such as School Site Council, community meetings such as Principal’s Coffee, or a variety of other community events, you support the learning environment of our students. We are all working together to ensure they thrive.”

The School Site Council is an important decision-making organization responsible for carrying out the following duties:

• Obtain recommendations for the proposed Single Plan for Student Achievement. Develop and approve the plan and related expenditures in accordance with state / federal laws and regulations.
• Recommend the plan and expenditures to the governing board for approval.
• Provide ongoing review of the implementation of the plan with the principal, teachers and other school staff members.
• Make modifications to the plan whenever the need arises.
• Submit the modified plan for governing board approval whenever a material change is made in planned activities or related expenditures.
• Annually, (and at each semester, trimester, etc.), evaluate the progress made toward school goals to raise the academic achievement of all students.
• Carry out all other duties assigned to the school site council by the district governing board and by state law.
• Responsible for overseeing expenditure of categorical funding.

School Site Council provides an important structure to the long-term learning goals at Cold Spring School District. Agendas and minutes are available on the Cold Spring website for those unable to attend meetings, or those wanting to catch up on the past proceedings. Reading the agendas and minutes still provides community members with valuable information for future school and community involvement. School Site Council is one of many ways to stay connected with Cold Spring.

Along with School Site Council, the district also has a Student Council. Students from 3rd through 6th grade act as representatives for their classmates. The Student Council makes important decisions about school spirit days, Talent Show, community service opportunities, and Teacher Appreciation Day. This council provides leadership experience, enhances the students’ decision-making skills, and challenges them to reach out to their peers r through positive communication.

“When we model leadership and communication to our students, they become aware of the importance of teamwork and community involvement” says Yuri Calderon, Chief Business Officer, Cold Spring School District.

For questions about School Site Council positions, and student activities including student council, please contact Cold Spring School District by phone at (805) 969-2678.

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Amy Alzina Superintendent | Cold Spring School District Achieves an Incredible Feat and Announces 2020-2021 CAASPP Results

This content is shared by Amy Alzina Superintendent.

As schools everywhere experience an influx of students, teachers, and families returning to the normalcy of academic routines, Cold Spring School District is celebrating the academic success their students have achieved during the 2020-2021 academic year, following the results of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).

This past spring, 102 Cold Spring students took the CAASPP in grades three through six, resulting in a 95% participation rate (five students opted out). This participation was critical considering the 2019-2020 CAASPP was canceled nationally in the wake of COVID-19 closing schools and interrupting learning patterns. But in preparation for the 2020-2021 CAASPP, Cold Spring students and teachers persevered, studied, and proved their incredible creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Cold Spring School District is proud to announce that 97% of students Met/Exceeded the English Language Arts (ELA) Standards, and 95% of students Met/Exceeded the Math Standards of the CAASPP.

The district has achieved a remarkable feat after experiencing both remote learning and a successful transition to having 90% of students attend in-person learning by September 22^nd, 2020.

“The number of students in our district who exceed the standards for Math and ELA increases every year,” says Amy Alzina, Superintendent, Cold Spring School District. “Our students, families, and Cold Spring staff experienced the uncertainty of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but our students overcame the separation, safely returned to class, and continued to excel academically. We are committed to preparing our students to be successful members of society, and they continue to prove they are capable of succeeding regardless of the situation.”

Cold Spring School District provided accessible learning options for all students, ensuring that all students continued to receive a quality education and continued to be nurtured through social-emotional learning. At the beginning of the 2020 academic year, all students with learning disabilities received their specialized services in person immediately, and a small cohort of students was supervised in the auditorium while participating in remote learning.

“The efforts our teachers, staff, and families have given in support of the stability of our students’ learning environment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has once again contributed to proven academic success,” says Yuri Calderon, Chief Business Officer, Cold Spring School District. “We thank the community for its continued support in keeping our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn every day.”

Since the reopening in September 2020, the Cold Spring School campus remained open during the academic year, serving in-person learning students with a five-day week model. The zero-transmission rate from in-person learning contributed to the students, teachers, and families’ willingness to continue providing students with a stable learning environment, thus contributing to the students’ motivation to continue studying.

As part of Cold Spring’s mission to educate the “whole child,” prepare students for success, promote participation in the community, and provide a comprehensive approach to elementary education, all in-person and remote learning students received instruction in all core subject areas including Art, Music, Drama, and STEAM. Cold Spring School District is ready for another year of great student achievement!

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