Cold Spring Elementary Update
This week at CSE...
...We're off to a great start!
It’s been a busy and exciting week here at Cold Spring Elementary! Our teachers have been hard at work in trainings, preparing their classrooms, and getting everything ready to welcome students back. Wednesday’s Open House was a wonderful opportunity to connect with families, and we’re so grateful to everyone who came.
Looking ahead, the first day of school for grades 1–5 will be Tuesday, September 2nd. On that same day, Kindergarten families will attend their Entrance Conferences. Conference times were mailed out earlier this month—if you did not receive yours, please call the school office at 320-685-4952 so we can assist you. Kindergarten’s official first day of school will be Wednesday, September 3rd.
We’re excited to welcome both students and staff into a brand new school year full of growth, learning, and community. Thank you for sharing your children with us—we can’t wait to see all the ways they’ll shine this year!
Your Principal
Jim Mitteness
Social Media Reset - From the Spark and Stitch Institute
Summer is many things! But one thing that many families have in common is that screen time routines and agreements come off the rails by late summer. No shame, no guilt... just the inevitable chaotic juggling that comes with the season.
This is the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and make a plan.
The trick is making sure a back-to-school “reset” of media habits doesn’t feel like a sneaky way for adults to swoop in with tighter control and a mountain of new rules. This tends to ignite battles and power struggles. Real change sticks when it’s built on connection and shared decision-making, not just restriction and control.
That's why we created a simple guide to help you focus on what matters most for your family, your kids, and for the school year ahead.
Skyward: Student Membership Update
Be sure to log into Skyward and complete the Student Membership Update before the beginning of the school year! This includes important verifying or updating things like contact information, medical history, and how you would like the District to communicate with you. It also includes our Parent Permission and Emergency Closing Form, which helps us know where to send students in case of an early release. If you have any questions or are unable to log into Skyward, please contact the office.
Daily Logistics
- Drop-Off: Morning drop-off begins at 7:45 a.m. Staff will be outside to greet students and help them get to class safely. Parents may drop students off at the designated doors, but for safety and efficiency, parents will not be able to enter the building or walk children to their classrooms. Please do not drop students off before 7:45 a.m., as supervision will not be available.
- School Day: The school day runs from 8:20 a.m. to 2:55 p.m. Students should be in their classrooms and ready to learn by 8:20 a.m.
- Dismissal: School ends at 2:55 p.m. Parents picking up students are asked to stay in their vehicles. Staff will check families in outside and call for students to be sent out. We will again be using the iDismiss system this year: each family will be assigned a number (placards were distributed during Open House). Please display your placard clearly on your dashboard at dismissal.
- Attendance/End of Day Changes: We kindly ask parents to contact the school office to report absences, late arrivals, or any changes to a student’s after school plans. For end-of-day changes, please notify the office via phone call no later than 2:00 PM to ensure we can accommodate the adjustment. Our attendance line is 320-685-4952.
- Hours: Our school office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Teachers are available until 3:30 p.m., and we encourage families to reach out during that time frame if they need to connect.
Communication Expectations
Each week, families will receive an email from the principal with important reminders, upcoming events, and highlights from around the school. Classroom communication may look a little different depending on your child’s teacher; each teacher will share the method that works best for their classroom community, whether that’s email, a classroom app, or a weekly newsletter. You’ll receive those details directly from your child’s teacher at the start of the year. Please note that during the school day, our teachers’ first priority is working directly with students. They may not be able to reply to messages or emails right away, but families can expect responses during teachers’ prep times or before and after school hours. If something requires immediate attention, please contact the office and we will ensure the message reaches the teacher.
In the event of a late start, early release, or school cancelation, notifications will come directly from the district through the email or text preferences you selected during registration. If you’re ever unsure where to find the latest information, our office is always happy to help.
Attendance
Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in your child’s success at school. Being present and on time each day not only supports academic growth, but also helps children build routines and confidence in their classroom community.
Excused Absences: Absences may be considered excused for reasons such as illness, medical appointments, family emergencies, funerals, or pre-approved family trips. Parents should call the school office within 24 hours of an absence, or send a written note when their child returns, to explain the reason.
Unexcused Absences: Absences without a parent call or note, or for reasons outside of these guidelines (for example oversleeping, missing the bus, or shopping), will be considered unexcused.
Tardy: Students arriving late are marked tardy if they are fewer than 20 minutes late; if they arrive 20 minutes or more after the start of the day, it counts as an absence. All late arrivals should be checked in at the office by a parent or guardian.
Bussing Information
Transportation Registration
As we prepare for each upcoming school year, the ROCORI District Office works to update your student’s record for bus routing purposes. Please read the information below and follow the directions. Your assistance is vital in getting correct student data to the bus contractors for routing purposes. We no longer utilize the transportation form via our website.
Each year, we ask that you submit your information to us through the MyRide K-12 App.
- It is very helpful for efficiency purposes if we know your student(s) is not planning to use the transportation system. If you do not have a computer available, please call the district office at 685-4901 for assistance.
- You may decline transportation now and if your situation changes at any time during the school year, you may sign up for transportation during the year.
- Route changes usually take 3-5 business days before taking effect.
My Ride App
Join our PTO!
Our PTO plays a huge role in making Cold Spring Elementary such a welcoming and supportive place for students and staff. From organizing events to helping with classroom needs, their work makes a real difference. If you’d like to get involved, we would love to have you! Joining the PTO is a wonderful way to connect with other families, support your child’s school, and be part of the fun.
For more information about joining, please contact the PTO at csepto@rocori.k12.mn.us or connect on Facebook!
A Huge Thank You to Our PTO
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing PTO for their tireless efforts in helping staff prepare for Open House. From lending a hand with set-up to decorating the school so beautifully, your hard work and dedication made the event welcoming and special for our families. We are so grateful for everything you do to support our students, staff, and school community!
Students of the Week!
What is a Student of the Week?
At Cold Spring Elementary, our Student of the Week program is an important part of our PBIS framework and the Spartan Way: Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Responsible. Each week, one student in every grade (K–5) is recognized for consistently demonstrating these values. Winners are celebrated with an announcement over the intercom and get to choose from a fun menu of prizes, such as having lunch with a staff member or writing with a special pen. By highlighting positive choices and celebrating students who model the Spartan Way, we encourage all learners to see the impact of kindness, respect, and responsibility in their daily actions. This focus on the positives helps build a supportive, motivating school culture where every child feels valued and inspired to do their best.
Helpful Links
Dates to Remember
Upcoming Dates:
9/2 - First Day of School - Grades 1st-5th, Kindergarten Entrance Conferences
9/3 - First Day of School - Kindergarten
9/22 - Picture Day (details to follow)
9/24 - 1 Hour Late Start
10/10 - CSE PTO Color Run
Interpretation Needs
School Office
Andrea Kuechle: kuechlea@rocori.k12.mn.us - 320-685-4951
Ali Anderson: andersona@rocori.k12.mn.us - 320-685-4952 (also the Attendance line-- please call for absences)
Jim Mitteness, Principal
601 Red River Ave N
Cold Spring, MN 56320
320-685-4185
