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The Cardinal Connection

William F. Cooke, Jr. Elementary School

The CardinalConnectionWilliam F. Cooke, Jr. Elementary School

September 19, 2025 September 19, 2025

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Upcoming Open House Upcoming Open House

We are excited to invite parents & guardians to our upcoming Open House event, which is a wonderful opportunity for you to visit your child’s classroom, meet their teacher, and see firsthand the learning environment we are cultivating. At this event, we aim to strengthen the partnership between home and school, which is key to your child's success. By attending, you will gain valuable insights into their daily routines and experiences. This connection fosters a positive and supportive learning community for everyone.


During the Open House, we will also provide an overview of the curriculum your child will be engaging with throughout the year. Understanding the curriculum is essential, as it outlines the key learning goals, skills, and concepts your child will be working on. It will also help you better support their academic growth at home. Your presence at this event is crucial, as it provides an opportunity to ask questions and ensure that we are working together to create the best possible learning environment for your child.


We look forward to seeing you there and building a strong partnership for a successful school year!


Mrs. Jacobs & Mrs. Gearheart


*Please note that Open House is intended for Parents & Guardians.

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Nurse Information Nurse Information

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Red Clay and the State of Delaware are using Infinite Campus as our Student Information System (SIS).


Infinite Campus is a district-wide system designed to manage attendance, grades, schedules, and important information about students. The Infinite Campus Parent Portal is the replacement for Home Access Center.


What’s Changed: Infinite Campus will replace Home Access Center (HAC)

What You Can Do: Infinite Campus will be your one-stop shop for:


● Viewing grades, class schedules, and report cards.

● Checking attendance and assignments.

● Accessing bus routes and other important updates.

● Filling out your Student Data Card: once you put the information in this year, it will be easier next year to fill out.


Access Anytime, Anywhere: Use it from your desktop or download the mobile app.


Here is the link to the district website with all information in regards to Infinite Campus:

https://www.redclayschools.com/students-families/technology-support/grading/infinite-campus-family-portal?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExY04zdkpnU3ZIR1diNGtGRwEegonQuNFScv3DtIgcEfUPMWS9Jzi0tsyB602WZbeB0ZqjJPGFPHy23gYb4aQ_aem_zNUjDJOl2afqajbLVuTQTA


Directions to get your account started:

Activation Key

Red Clay will provide you with an Activation Key through your email. Use this key to create your own user account.

  1. Go to the Parent Portal
  1. Click 'New User?'
  1. Enter the activation key that you received in your email.
  1. Create your username and password and verify your email address.

*If you have multiple students, you may receive multiple emails about activating your account, but you only need to set up your account once.


If you do not have your original email with the ACTIVATION CODE that was assigned to your family, every FRIDAY the district will send out activation links to those families who have not created an Infinite Campus account. The link will EXPIRE IN 5 DAYS. You can push on that link to activate the steps to set up your account. Once you have an account you will no longer get those emails every Friday to activate an account.


If you have the ACTIVATION CODE from the original email that was sent in August, you can access your account at any time by pushing on the NEW USER button and putting in your code.


If you already made an account but cannot remember your “password” or “username”, you can hit on forgot username or forgot password options to reset your account.


Once you are in your account you should see prompts to update your information. The place to fill out the Student Data Card, is on the right-hand side and says Student Data/Emergency Card Update. Click on this and follow the prompts.


If the student goes between two households, the person who is listed under the PRIMARY household is the only one who can make changes in Infinite Campus. Both households can view the account but only the PRIMARY can edit.


Please remember that students are required to have a completed Student Data Card to go on any field trips. Your student will not be able to participate in these activities if the Student Data Card is not completed.

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Fall Book Fair Fall Book Fair

Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books they’ll dive into again and again.


The easiest way to let your child shop the Fair independently is by creating an eWallet. It’s easy to set up and easy for others to add funds.


Create an eWallet, and you’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to Share the Fair - the giving program that supports students at our school who need help buying books. Consider participating so that no child leaves the Fair empty-handed!


Here’s everything else you need to know about the Book Fair:

Dates: October 6th – October 9th

Location: Cooke Library


Family Event schedule and location: Tuesday, October 7th 6:00-7:30 pm


For full details, and to create an eWallet, visit our school’s Book Fair homepage:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/williamcookeelemschool


More than ever, we need to get students reading. Studies prove* that children with more books at home have higher-level reading skills, and attain more years of education overall.


Lastly, this is a great opportunity to be a Book Fair volunteer! When you give your time, it helps make our Fair an unforgettable reading experience where every purchase benefits our school directly.


Happy reading!

Click Here to Volunteer at Cooke's Book Fair

*You must follow the process to become an approved volunteer in order to volunteer at the Book Fair. Please see below.

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Grades 2-5: iReady Diagnostic Grades 2-5: iReady Diagnostic

In grades 2 -5 students take an adaptive assessment in Reading and Math that identifies the students' strengths and opportunities for growth. It is given at the beginning, middle and end of year. This information helps determine how to best support their learning.


Family access has been enabled for all schools for the Fall iReady test administration. Families can access the "For Families" report through their student's iReady Dashboard. The directions are shared below and we encourage you to view your student's iReady diagnostic results.

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Click Here to view the iReady Family Portal Information
iReady Parent Letter for Families
Presiona Aqui para Informacion de la Evaluación diagnóstica i-Ready

Lost and Found Lost and Found

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Our lost and found continues to grow every day! Please label your child's clothing, especially jackets and sweatshirts! Please note that unclaimed items from the lost and found are donated at increments throughout the year.

Attendance Matters! Attendance Matters!

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We ask that parents ensure that students are at school on time each day and limit early dismissals! Please only pick up your child if there is an emergency. Our schedules are packed with instruction from 9:05 AM until 3:45 PM! Every minute counts!


Please use the Red Clay calendar to plan vacation time. It is essential that students are present every day!

After School Opportunity: Lego League Jr. & Robotics After School Opportunity: Lego League Jr. & Robotics

Calling all LEGO builders!!! Lego League is registering now!!! Please fill out the correct Google Doc if interested. Deadline is Friday, September 26th!!!


LEGO JR 1st-3rd grade

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdU7rkjg0D8N1-Fyv2BAdzxlpwoz6KZirnHi8w2JKlIHjzfkA/viewform?usp=sf_link


LEGO Robotics 4th-5th grade

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbxxR1u7C2IzpwgF-6uL9UILCK18JFtVVhCT3cybmnASocFg/viewform?usp=sf_link

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Click Here to Sign Up for Lego Jr.: Grades 1, 2 & 3 ONLY
Click Here to Sign Up for Lego Robotics: Grades 4 & 5 ONLY

After School Opportunity: Girls Grades 3,4 & 5 After School Opportunity: Girls Grades 3,4 & 5

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Prepare NOW! VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Prepare NOW!

If you plan to volunteer at Cooke (chaperone a field trip, help in the classroom, help at a school event such as the Book Fair or Holiday Shop, etc.) you must complete the State of Delaware process to become an approved volunteer.


There are three documents you need to turn in:

1. Confidentiality Agreement

2. TB Risk Assessment

3. RECEIPT for the $14 online fee for the Child Protection Registry


Please turn in all of the documents at one time to your child's homeroom teacher.


Documents must be received in the office BEFORE the date of the volunteer opportunity/field trip.

Volunteer approval is good for ONE calendar year. So, if you completed this last October, you are cleared through October 2025. Then you must resubmit the three documents. If you are unsure when you expire, you can call the main office at 302-235-6600.


Some parents have expressed trouble with the Child Protection Registry site. We do not have tech support for this. We have learned that it is best to do this on a computer versus a phone. That seems to be more successful.

Click Here for the Volunteer Packet

Support our School-wide MTSS Program Support our School-wide MTSS Program

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Many of you have reached out looking for ways you can support our school. We would love to have donations for our MTSS School Store. Students visit this store once per month and use their Cardinal Credits they've earned for being respectful, responsible, and ready. We put together an Amazon Wish List. If you choose to donate, the items will be shipped directly to Cooke Elementary School. As always, thank you for your support!

Click Here For Our Amazon Wish List

Breakfast & Lunch Menu Breakfast & Lunch Menu

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Click Here for the Monthly Menu

SAVE THE DATES! SAVE THE DATES!

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2025-2026 School Year Calendars 2025-2026 School Year Calendars

Cooke At-a-Glance Calendar Cooke At-a-Glance Calendar

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Click Here for Red Clay's Calendar
Click Here for Cooke's Google Calendar
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Mark Your Calendars! Mark Your Calendars!

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Click Here to Sign Your Child Up to Be a Student Update Reader!

Don't Delay! Join the Flock Today! Don't Delay! Join the Flock Today!

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Click Here to Join the Cooke PTA!

Stock the Staff Lounge Stock the Staff Lounge

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CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO STOCK THE LOUNGE
Click Here for the Last Cardinal Connection

Translate this newsletter! Translate this newsletter!

¡TRADUCE ESTE BOLETÍN! ¡TRADUCE ESTE BOLETÍN!

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We have a translate feature! Simply click "translate newsletter" and you can pick from many different languages!


¡Tenemos un botón de traducción! Simplemente haga clic donde dice "translate newsletter" y podrá elegir entre muchos idiomas diferentes.

The Red Clay Consolidated School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, handicap, veteran status, domicile, genetic information, or any legally protected characteristic. Inquiries should be directed to Human Resources at 302-552-3783.
Roberta Jacobs
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