Cooper Elementary Newsletter

Summer School registration is open!

April 3rd - April 6th ... NO SCHOOL!!!

April 8th ... Passport to the World All-District Event at SMS 4:30-6:30 pm

April 15th ... Science Night 5:30-7 pm

April 17th ... Popcorn Friday

April 24th ... NO SCHOOL!!!

April 30th ... PTA Connected: Ready Tech Go Event 5:30-7:30 pm

May 5th ... Kindergarten Transition Night 4-6 pm

May 15th ... Spring Concerts at 10 am & 1:30 pm

May 25th ... NO SCHOOL!!!

June 5th ... LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

After School Program is looking for some donations of items. We are wondering if, as people are doing their Spring Cleaning, they may find some of these items and want to donate them to us! Here is what we are looking for:

Craft/Art Supplies:
markers

coloring books

yarn

Games:

cribbage boards

dominoes/ Mexican Train

Spot It

Connect Four

Guess Who?

Our Cooper Glow Run was a GREAT SUCCESS!!! We surpassed our $15,000 goal and have our incredible Cooper Community to thank!!! A great big THANK YOU for your support! All funds raised will go directly back to our students!

Cooper Families,

We've officially wrapped up the month of March. We have a lot of fun activities planned for the final stretch of the school year! A reminder that we will not have school on Friday, April 3rd or Monday, April 6th. I hope you all have a great, long weekend!

Kristene Stariha, Principal

Tips on how to teach youth to accept, respect, and value differences:

1) Challenge the idea of “normal.”

Generally, people are treated differently because they’re seen as “the other.” For children, anything outside of “normal” may seem undesirable. It’s helpful to challenge the idea of “normal” to see past differences. All of us are born unique with different likes and preferences, so there is no one way to be “normal." Teaching children to see similarities is important, but the goal is not to eliminate our differences. By acknowledging differences and similarities simultaneously, kids will find they can learn from people who aren’t like them. Studies show that ignoring differences actually makes discrimination worse.

2) Teach children to not be afraid to ask hard questions. Don’t shy away from hard answers.

It can be embarrassing to hear your child ask questions about “different” people, but questions often come from a place of innocent curiosity. It’s best to be as honest as possible, and it’s okay to say “I don’t know.” By answering honestly, you create opportunities for more conversations about differences which also shows your child that it’s okay to ask respectful questions.

3) Cultivate empathy and community.

It can be hard for kids to see themselves in people who are different, which is why it’s important to encourage children to empathize and help them get to know people unlike themselves. Review your child’s media and related influences. Does it include diverse individuals and oppose cultural stereotypes? When kids see “different” people in a positive light, they are better prepared to challenge harmful stereotypes. It’s helpful to encourage children to make friends who aren’t like them. Getting to know people different from oneself leads to reduced prejudice and increased understanding.

4) Know your child is listening.

Is may seem easier to shield children from challenging issues, such as racism, bigotry, or oppression. But the reality is children will be confronted with these issues through the media, in day-to-day conversations, or with their peers. Generally, young people are able to recognize when somebody is being treated differently. Seize the moment to model empathy and make it clear that it’s unacceptable to use slurs, to use identity as an insult, or to treat somebody worse because they are different. Be thoughtful about your own words, too. Young people mirror what they hear.

5) Understand intent.

While adults may understand using nuanced language in reference to groups of people, children may not yet have the language or skill set to do so. If a child says something potentially offensive, it probably isn’t intended to be harmful. It’s best to correct the underlying misconceptions behind their statement or engage them in a conversation about how their words could hurt feelings.

https://www.poehealth.org/celebrating-differences/

The 2025-2026 school year calendar is available on our website! Find the 25-26 calendar here: https://www.superior.k12.wi.us/calendars

The link for Before and After School Programming be found here: Before & After School Programming Registration

***WE HAVE THIS GENERAL VOLUNTEER SIGN UP LINK WHICH INCLUDES ALL ACTIVITIES WE HELP WITH OR HOST THROUGHOUT THE YEAR! Please help to ease the load and choose something you would enjoy helping out with! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C45ABA62DA1F49-59587229-cooper

Our next PTA meeting will be Monday, April 6th at 6:00 PM via Google Meet.

These flyers are distributed as a courtesy to families in the School District of Superior; however, distribution does not imply that the School District endorses or approves the activities or viewpoints promoted in these materials.

Please email flyers to socialmedia@superior.k12.wi.us for approval in a png format.

We are exploring the launch of Superior Volleyball Teams for 4th–6th graders (as of the 2026-2027 school year)! This would be the first year of the program, and we’re looking to see how many athletes might be interested.

We would be starting with three teams:

• 4th Grade Team
• 5th Grade Team
• 6th Grade Team

The program will run between September and October:

• Up to 4 practices
• 3–5 play dates with other teams on Saturdays, playdates will require travel
• 10 players max per team

If there is enough interest, we may consider forming additional teams, provided we are able to secure coaches and there are available spots at play dates.

To make this possible, we will also need parent/guardian volunteer coaches.

If your athlete might be interested, please complete our quick interest survey below. It only takes a minute and helps us plan for the fall!

Please share this information with other families who may be interested in youth volleyball!

Thank you,

Kristin Riesgraf - Coach

• REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABLED PERSONS The director of human resource, who is the ADA Compliance Officer, shall ensure that the following notice is made a part of each communication concerning a District activity to which the public is invited: "Upon request to the director of human resource, the District shall make reasonable accommodation including the provision of informational material in an alternative format for a disabled person to be able to participate in this activity."

As a reminder, Cartwheel is a proactive resource for students struggling with anxiety, focus challenges, school avoidance, or any mental health concerns that need extra support — a chance to connect students with care before challenges escalate.

Cartwheel also provides parent guidance, giving families the opportunity to speak with a clinician about what they're observing and get support as they figure out how to best help their child.

Families can reach out directly via our interest form — every submission is reviewed and approved by our team before anyone is connected to care. You can make a referral directly here.

Elementary transfer requests for the 2026-27 school year are currently being accepted. Elementary transfer requests are for students residing in Superior who request an elementary school that is not in the boundary area. Forms are due via email to enrollment@superior.k12.wi.us by March 6, 2026. The form can be found on our website under Parents or by clicking this link to access the form.