The Scoop
Process over Product
The transitional time of year is here, and as we shared last week, it's important for all of us, at home and at school, to adjust our routines to fit the new schedules. The routines we establish now will set our students up for success in and outside the classroom. The strong foundation we're building at Cooper depends on our Colts being ready to win the moment every time one is presented to them!
At Cooper, we have set a goal to increase our M-STEP scores by 3% each year, and if we focus on our process, we will not only achieve that, we will go beyond it. But here's the key: we aren't focusing on the goal itself. We're focusing on our process. That's because our ultimate goal at Cooper is bigger than any test score. It's about guiding our students in building a strong foundation of learning, and being great humans along the way.
Coach Nick Saban built one of the greatest dynasties in college sports by talking less about championships and more about "winning the moment." His philosophy, "Process over Product," taught his players to focus on what they could control right now: the fundamentals, the effort, the next play. Win enough moments, he believed, and the results take care of themselves.
The same is true in the classroom. When our students put their energy into sharpening their skills through strong routines and habits, achievement follows naturally. And here's the part we want our Colts to really understand: failure is part of the process. Coming up short isn't the end of the story. It's a chapter. When students are supported in an empathetic and strategic way, those setbacks become exactly what helps them reach their goals.
So as the season changes and schedules shift, let's keep partnering together. Ask your student about their process this week. What did you work hardest on? What's one thing you tried, even if it didn't go perfectly? Celebrate the effort, not just the outcome. That's how our Colts win the moment, at Cooper, at home, and beyond.
Go Colts!
Mr. Witherspoon & Mrs. Dzikowski
November 13
- Assembly (5th Grade): Marissa Woloczyn, ABC Channel 7 Meteorologist
November 16
- Bagel Forms are Due
- Colt Corral Opens this Week
November 18
- PTA Dine to Donate: Senate Coney Island
- Student Council Meetings (Lunchtime)
November 19
- Colt Connection
- Game Room Open
November 23
- PTA: Staff Charcuterie Board Lunch
November 24
- Bagel Day/Snack Cart Day
November 25
- No School: Thanksgiving Break
Reflections Contest is Here!!!!
Time to show off our creative side Cooper! Cooper students have been recognized for their creative talents in this competition each year and...we would expect that this year will not be any different! Let's go Cooper!!!!
Reflections is a multi-level arts program that brings students, families, and communities together through the creativity.
Each year, students create original works of art in response to a student-created theme. Students can enter one or more arts categories and participate the program division that best fits their grade level or support needs. Based on options available in each state, winning entries may advance for additional recognition at the state and national levels.
The following link will give you some more in-depth information about the contest: "What My Culture Means to Me" Reflections 2026!
Cooper Gear is Here!!!
Apologies about the delay! We are working with a new vendor in bringing our Colts some new gear! Click on the following link to get your Cooper gear: The Mascot Shop
Canned Food Drive Coming (November 2)!!!
Our Student Council is collecting canned goods, dry goods, and shelf-stable foods from Nov 2 – Nov 13 to support Cooper and Cooper triad families for the holidays. Last year our Cooper community brought in nearly 3,500 items!
To add to the fun, the top-donating 5th AND 6th grade classrooms will each win a pizza party courtesy of the Cooper PTA! Send in those cans and boxed goods with your student starting Monday!
Camp Fundraiser is Coming!!!!
Hungry Howie's Fundraiser for camp is coming! *NEW THIS YEAR* All funds earned by a student (including 5th graders) will go to their individual account towards 6th grade camp. Any unused funds will go to the school pot that covers extra supplies and scholarships. This is your opportunity to get the ball rolling on earning money towards camp!
Cooper Welcomes Livonia Career and Technical Center Students!!!!
We had the pleasure of welcoming high school students that are enrolled in the Educator Preparation Class at LCTC!!!! The opportunity that they had to observe our outstanding staff work their magic is one that will be unforgettable!
Art To Remember
Please click on the following link if you would like to order items with your child's art on it: Art To Remember
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
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 (CODE: hlorp7rh)
If you are interested in being a chaperone for 6th grade camp, please complete the form here: Chaperone
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!!
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
IEP Binder Event: November 10
Livonia Public Schools PTSA (LPTSA Council 2nd Vice President Andrea Malenfant) welcomes you to come and learn more about Individualized Educational Plans. The event will be hosted by Grant Elementary School and begin at 6 pm. Please rsvp @ IEP Binder Organization by November 6, 2026.
NOTE: This is an Adult Only Event.
Thankful for our Cooper Staff!!!
Who doesn't love a good charcuterie board?? We're making a larger and life charcuterie for our staff just in time for Thanksgiving on Monday November 23!. Check out our signup genius here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054BAAAE2FAAF8C61-67367517-charcuterie
Givebacks link here:
Skate Night is Coming!!!!
The next skate night will take place on January 26, 2027!!!
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!
Thank you to JET Landscaping for the hard work in making the front of the building look incredible!!!!
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.
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.
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!
