HOME OF THE COLTS

Cooper Upper Elementary School Mission

The Cooper Upper Elementary School Community is dedicated to meeting the individual needs of every child, every day with Purpose, Passion, Pride, and Perseverance.

Quick Links

Cooper Website | ParentConnect | StudentConnect | LPS District Calendar

ICHAT | Arrival/Dismissal | PTA Member Hub | Lunch Menu I Report an Absence

Health Forms I PBIS School Store Donations I LPS Elementary Handbook

Report An Absence

Report your child's absence from school using Parent Connection. (Cannot be used for early dismissal).

Weekly Welcome!!!!

Welcome Back!!!!

Happy Weekend, Cooper!

WIN.THE.MOMENT. As parents and educators, life continuously presents us with decisions where, until we make them, we won't know if they are the correct ones or not. We can only rely on our past experiences to guide us, knowing a choice was a "winning" decision only after we take that step forward. Every single day, our students are presented with so many opportunities to make winning decisions both academically and socially, and we, as adults, play a vital role in guiding those choices. Ultimately, our goal is to help our Colts become the best version of themselves each day and we get there by winning more moments than not.

We make it a priority to celebrate the winning decisions and walk alongside our students to reflect on the ones that did not lead them to success. The students are an essential part of this process as we encourage them to work together and support one another in winning each moment presented before them. Together, we will continue to grow as a community and move forward in building the strongest foundation upon which all future learning rests!

Have a great weekend and, as always, Ride on Colts!

Mr. Witherspoon & Mrs. Dzikowski

Important Dates:

September 28

No School for Students (District Data Analysis/Professional Development)
LPS Foundation Dine to Donate: Buddy's Pizza (Plymouth Road)

Promo Code (phone/online orders): GIVEBACK

October 1

Mum Delivery Date (@ Emerson Middle School)

Mum Fun

October 2

PTA Color Run

COLOR RUN VOLUNTEER

October 5

Book Fair (through 10/9)

October 7

Parent Teacher Conferences (5-8 pm)
Student Count Day
Dine To Donate: Applebees 4-9 pm

October 8

No School for Students: Parent Teacher Conferences

Staff who "want" color dumped on them!!!

Color Run Update

Weekly Updates

Color Run Progress

Let's goooo Cooper...we are sooooo close!!!!

Goal: $12000

Today: September 25, 2026: $9660

Days Left: 7

*donations can be accepted after October 1, 2026 @ 11:59 pm; however, anything prior to that will be counted for prizes/raffles.

Prizes Announced: Nitendo Switch 2, Beats Headphones, $200 Gift Card (winners choice)

Looking for Volunteers: COLOR RUN VOLUNTEER

"Mum's The Word": Delivery is next week...looking for volunteers to help with distribution

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR DELIVERY: There is a wonderful opportunity for you to volunteer as we are looking for help on the day of flower delivery. Please click on the following link to volunteer (can be as little as 1 hour of your time): Mum Fun

Flowers will be delivered to your organization on 10/01/2026 at Emerson Middle School.

Parent Teacher Conferences are Coming!!!

The time coming that we get to come together to make a gameplan for the learning that will take place during the first trimester! Our partnership is paramount when it comes to strengthening the foundation that we are forming at Cooper! Please be on the lookout for sign-ups from your child's teacher!

Food Service (Action Needed)

Livonia Public Schools continues to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) as part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for the 2026-2067 school year.

We are asking that our families click on the following link to complete the form in efforts of maintaining our funding (as well as offering our families many of the other benefits that are offered): EdBenefit Form (click on the link first and then it will ask you to sign into your account from there).

If we can be of any further assistance, please contact our Food Services Department at 734-744-2820.

Curriculum Night

Thank you to each family that came out to our Open House on Thursday! The videos below are highlights of what was shared by our staff during the presentations! Please reach out to your child's teacher for any classroom specific questions. Thank you again for your partnership!!!!

Amira Reading Assessment (5th Grade Only)

Livonia Public Schools is committed to providing high-quality reading instruction and support for every student. As part of this commitment, LPS is piloting the Amira reading assessment with all 5th grade students during the 2026-2027 school year. Click on the following link to find out a little more: Amira Assessment Pilot

Book Fair is Coming!!!!

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Cooper October 5 - 9!

Students will attend during their LMC time or a specially scheduled time. Book fair will be open during conferences, too! See you there! Happy Reading!

Colt Corral is Opening Soon (and we need you)!!!

Please click the following link to work in our school store as the student will have the opportunity to spend their Cooper Cash!!!! Colt Corral Volunteer Sign Up

Volunteer Sign Up

Sixth Grade Camp

6th Grade Camp information! To stay on top of all 6th grade camp information, please join our Google Classroom. All necessary camp information will be posted here throughout the school year. Keep your eyes peeled for more information on camp meetings and fundraising coming soon!

Sixth Grade Camp Google Classroom

Character Trait of the Month: Growth Mind Set

At Cooper Upper Elementary, we are taking on bigger academic challenges every day. Having a GROWTH MINDSET—the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—is key to building resilience and confidence!

Here are 5 simple ways your family can practice a growth mindset at home:

1. Praise the Process, Not Just the Grade

Swap "You’re so smart!" with: "I love how hard you worked on that strategy!" or "I can see how

much focus you put into studying." (This teaches kids that effort and strategy lead to improvement.)

2. The Power of "YET"

Whenever your child says, "I can't do this" or "I'm not good at math," encourage them to add one

powerful word to the end: "...YET!" (It instantly turns a dead-end phrase into a journey of growth)

3. Normalize & Celebrate Mistakes

Share a mistake you made during your workday at the dinner table and what you learned from it.

Ask your child: "What was a good mistake you made today, and what did it teach you?"

4. Remember: The Brain is Like a Muscle

When a subject or skill feels frustrating, remind your student that their brain is literally building

new neural connections. Hard work makes your brain stronger—just like lifting weights!

5. Focus on Personal Growth

Help your student measure success against their past self rather than their peers or classmates

"Look at how much easier this is for you now compared to last month!"

Volunteer Opportunities

ICHAT

Our School Store: The Pride Corral

Please consider donating to help us keep our school store stocked up for our students to spend their Cooper Cash on!!

The Pride Corral Amazon Wish List Donations

Colt Corral Volunteer Sign Up

Color Run Volunteers

Mum Delivery Volunteers

Title I @ Cooper

We need your help. Cooper is at Title I school and with that come some Federal requirements. Please watch the video below that explains what Title I is at Cooper and help us by completing this year's Cooper Compact.

The Cooper Compact is a written statement outlining the partnership schools and families need to have in order to work together for student success. We appreciate your help and look forward to working with you this year.

We invite you to review the Cooper Family Involvement Plan and complete the 2026-27 Compact (please complete a separate one for each child).

Cooper PTA Updates

Meet the PTA!!

The Cooper PTA board members are an incredibly hard working group of volunteers that go above and beyond for our students!!!! Please click on the following link to meet: AMAZING COOPER PTA

Parent Teacher Conferences are Coming

The PTA often will do some extras during the week of Parent Teacher conferences and here are some ways you can help out:

Taco bar signup for conferences (staff dinner):

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BAAAE2FAAF8C61-66060577-2026

Bake sale signup for conferences (PTA Fundraiser):

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BAAAE2FAAF8C61-66060623-2026

Join the Cooper Upper Elementary PTA: Big Impact Starts Here!

At Cooper Upper Elementary, these middle years are a fast and foundational time in our kids’ lives. Joining the Cooper PTA is the single best way to shape this pivotal chapter and invest directly in our school community.

When you join, you help:

Support Our Students: Fund rich classroom resources, special events, and unforgettable field trips.
Stay Connected: Keep a pulse on school news and partner closely with our dedicated staff.
Build Community: Connect with other families and ensure every student thrives.
Advocate: Have a direct voice in shaping initiatives that benefit our school.

Whether you can volunteer an hour, assist at an event, or simply support us through membership, your involvement matters. You don't need tons of free time to make a massive difference.

Together, let's make this an incredible year for our Cooper Colts.

Join the PTA today—let’s accomplish great things together!

Color Run is Coming!

Color Run is going strong!!!! Let's go Cooper!!!

Color Run Registration (and way to track your classroom's progress): PTA Givebacks

How to Donate: The preferred way is through the PTA Givebacks webpage; however, if you would like to send in cash/check, be sure to put it in a sealed envelope with all the identifying information on the outside.

Prizes!!!!

Top 3 Fundraisers will have a choice of larger prizes
Raffle Tickets can be earned for more giveaways (1/$50 and a free one just for registering)
Top 3 classroom fundraiser will have choice: Ice Cream Party, Glow Party, Pizza Party

Yard Signs and Color Run Drip for sale!!!

Visit the PTA Giveback Store to order
Orders due by 9/21
$6 for each item or Bundle them for $10!!!

Parent Resources

Food and Clothing Assistance

LPS Food Pantry and Clothing Depot: LPS has a food pantry and clothing depot that are housed at Franklin High School, and run by the Franklin Transition Program students and staff. Please contact Mrs. McLean at mmclean12@livoniapublicschools.org for details on how to gain access to the Clothing Depot or click on Garfield Garments.

Other Resources for Food Security:

Holiday Assistance

Please complete this FORM (prior to 10/16/2026) if your family is in need of holiday assistance. A member of our support staff will reach out to provide additional information. Thank you!

Community Shout Outs

Thank you to JET Landscaping for the hard work in making the front of the building look incredible!!!!

Livonia Public School News

Livonia Public School: E-Backpack Mail

2025-2026 Safety and Security Update

Livonia Public Schools prides itself in its commitment in providing a safe learning environment for all students. The following link will provide you with some insight on many of the things that are happening around the district in efforts to fulfill that commitment. Safety and Security Update: 2025-2026

Livonia Parent Advisory Committee

Livonia's Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of parents who work together with the school district to improve special education services and support for students.

Purpose

Family Voice: PAC gives parents of children with special needs a way to share their perspectives and ideas.
Collaboration: Parents and district staff work together to make sure services and supports meet student needs.
Information & Resources: PAC helps families learn about resources, programs, and supports available to help students with disabilities succeed in school and beyond.

How It Works

The PAC meets regularly to discuss topics related to special education and share resources.
PAC members may also participate in county-wide or state-level discussions to advocate for all students with disabilities.

Why Get Involved?

Learn more about special education processes and resources.
Build connections with other families who share similar experiences.

Livonia Public Schools Parenting Support

LPS Education Foundation: Star Awards

Looking for a unique way to thank a Livonia Public Schools staff member? A Star Award honors any LPS employee who has made a difference in a student’s, family’s or fellow staffer’s life. For a $25 donation to the Foundation, a personalized, color certificate will be presented to your honoree and they will receive recognition on the Foundation's website and social media platforms as well as the district's social media platforms. Donations received will be used to help fund the Foundation’s Grant Program so all funds will be going back into the schools to provide programs and supplies for our students and staff.

Star Awards Nominations

Mental Health Matters

News from Mrs. McLean:

Taking care of our mental health is important – for kids and adults! Here’s some information

about mental health and how you can support your child’s mental well-being. Please click on the following links to learn more:

Mental Health Matters

Supporting Mental Health in Children

Care Solace

As a school community, we want to encourage everyone to stay informed about the signs of bullying, the impact it can have, and what to do if you see it happening.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines bullying as behavior that is:

Unwanted: The behavior is not wanted by the victim.
Aggressive: The behavior involves some form of aggression, such as physical force, threats, or intimidation.
Repeated: The behavior happens more than once or has the potential to happen again.

Acts of bullying may involve physical contact, words or gestures, or social exclusion. Bullying can happen in person or online. The signs of bullying include:

Physical signs: bruises, cuts, torn clothing, missing items
Emotional signs: changes in mood, withdrawal from friends and activities, anxiety, depression
Behavioral signs: aggressive behavior, changes in eating or sleeping habits, truancy
Social signs: being excluded from activities, being made fun of or called names

If you see bullying happening, it's important to do something. Here are some things you can do:

Talk to the bully and tell them to stop.
Talk to the victim and offer your support.
Report the bullying to a trusted adult, such as a teacher, counselor, or parent.

If you or someone you know is being bullied, there are resources available to help:

In addition, Care Solace is available 24/7/365 to connect individuals to care. Call 888-515-0595 or visit caresolace.com/livonia.

Together, we can create a safe and supportive school community for all students!

No matter what you're experiencing, there is hope and help. We are confident that our new partnership with Care Solace will help us build a healthier, more vibrant school community.
If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1 or The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8. Care Solace is not an emergency response service or mental health services provider.

Local Community Resources

Translation Tips

There are, at times, we have families in our community that are new to the english langauge. The following link can help with translating different documents/messages (text, email, PDF, website, etc.): Translation Tips

Local Community Resources

Please view local community resources at the link below. This will be continuously revised, so please check back throughout the school year.

Community Resources

If you need any support, please feel free to reach out to our Cooper Support Staff.

Mallory McLean mmclean12@livoniapublicschools.org

Julie Serazio jserazio2@livoniapublicschools.org

Paige Demaree pdemaree@livoniapublicschools.org

Title I

Cooper Title I Website

Title I Information

Cooper is a school-wide Title I building. This means that Cooper receives additional federal funding to help support all students in our building. A condition of this funding requires all families review and sign the yearly Cooper Compact for each student that is enrolled at Cooper.

Please complete the Cooper Compact form and offer feedback for how we can improve the Cooper Compact moving forward!

Resources for Parents

Title I Annual Meeting

Math- Multiply Their Confidence

Inspiring Readers: How Families Can Help Kids Thrive

Playing for Connection:How Families Can Grow Through Games

Building Strong Minds and Kind Hearts

HOME OF THE COLTS HOME OF THE COLTS

Cooper Upper Elementary School Mission Cooper Upper Elementary School Mission

Quick Links Quick Links

Weekly Welcome!!!! Weekly Welcome!!!!

Welcome Back!!!!

Important Dates: Important Dates:

Staff who "want" color dumped on them!!!

Color Run Update

Weekly Updates Weekly Updates

Color Run Progress Color Run Progress

Let's goooo Cooper...we are sooooo close!!!!

"Mum's The Word": Delivery is next week...looking for volunteers to help with distribution

Parent Teacher Conferences are Coming!!!

Food Service (Action Needed)

Curriculum Night

Amira Reading Assessment (5th Grade Only)

Book Fair is Coming!!!!

Colt Corral is Opening Soon (and we need you)!!!

Volunteer Sign Up

Sixth Grade Camp Sixth Grade Camp

Character Trait of the Month: Growth Mind Set Character Trait of the Month: Growth Mind Set

Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Opportunities

Our School Store: The Pride Corral

Title I @ Cooper Title I @ Cooper

Title I @ Cooper

Cooper PTA Updates Cooper PTA Updates

Meet the PTA!!

Parent Teacher Conferences are Coming

Join the Cooper Upper Elementary PTA: Big Impact Starts Here!

Color Run is Coming!

Parent Resources Parent Resources

Food and Clothing Assistance

Holiday Assistance

Community Shout Outs Community Shout Outs

Livonia Public School News Livonia Public School News

2025-2026 Safety and Security Update

Livonia Parent Advisory Committee

LPS Education Foundation: Star Awards

Mental Health Matters Mental Health Matters

News from Mrs. McLean:

Care Solace

Local Community Resources Local Community Resources

Translation Tips

Local Community Resources

Title I Title I

Title I Information

Resources for Parents

"Every Child, Every Day" "Every Child, Every Day"

HOME OF THE COLTS

Cooper Upper Elementary School Mission

Quick Links

Weekly Welcome!!!!

Important Dates:

Weekly Updates

Color Run Progress

Sixth Grade Camp

Character Trait of the Month: Growth Mind Set

Volunteer Opportunities

Title I @ Cooper

Cooper PTA Updates

Parent Resources

Community Shout Outs

Livonia Public School News

Mental Health Matters

Local Community Resources

Title I

"Every Child, Every Day"