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October 24, 2025

Dear Cottle Families,

As we wrap up another wonderful week at William E. Cottle School, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights from October 20th through October 24th. On Thursday, we had the pleasure of hosting both our in-person Principal’s Coffee in the Cottle cafeteria and a virtual session that evening. It was great connecting with so many of you in both settings to share updates and engage in thoughtful conversations about our school community.

This month’s PAWS theme was “Be Brave, Be You!” Students explored confidence and growth mindset through our One Book, One School story, The Dot. We loved seeing them try new things, take risks, and show pride in who they are! We are so excited to celebrate students nominated by their teachers for demonstrating bravery, perseverance, and self-belief. Next week these students will receive a special visit from our principals, Cody the Cottle Cub, a certificate, and have their picture displayed on the PAW of Fame for the month. As we look ahead to November, our theme will be “Grateful and Giving,” focusing on respect, kindness, and empathy. We’ll be reading The Honest-to-Goodness Truth and encourage families to enjoy this story at home to continue conversations about honesty, caring for others, and the power of giving. #STAYPAWSOME

Our “Not a Box” project has been an incredible success! We are so proud of our students for their hard work, imagination, and creativity—the final products were truly mind-blowing. Their enthusiasm and innovation perfectly capture the spirit of Cottle learning.

Last Friday’s PTA Halloween Party was a spooktacular event! It was heartwarming to see our students laughing, dancing, and celebrating alongside their families. Events like these remind us that Cottle School is more than a building—it’s a community built on connection and joy. We extend our deepest thanks to the Tuckahoe PTA and all of the volunteers, especially Michelle Moffett, Gina Passaiume, Linda Duhaine-Candeias for their tremendous effort in taking charge  in organizing this awesome event for the students.

The Cottle Halloween Parade is next Friday, October 31, 2025!  Below are the details for this year’s Halloween Parade, and information about costumes and treats. All THS Seniors arrive at Cottle at 9:00 am.

Parade Details:

• Students, led by the THS Seniors, will exit the building around 9:30 a.m. through the Security Vestibule or Cafeteria doors.
• Following the THS Seniors will be the Pre-K, followed by Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5.
• The students will all take two laps around Cottle turf field and re-enter the building through pre-designated entrances.
• If you are coming to watch the parade, we ask that you arrive no earlier than 9:00 a.m. to avoid traffic and congestion during drop off.
• All family members can view the parade from the turf.  
• To ensure safety and security during this traditional event, our WEC Security Monitors and TUFSD SRO, Michael Louros, along with additional WEC staff will be present to provide guidance for parents/guardians.
• As done in previous years, in the event of inclement weather, we will need to pivot to an indoor parade that will be for students only. Fingers crossed that the weather cooperates!  

Costumes and Treats: In the interests of safety please note:

• Please have your child come to school with their costumes on over their regular school clothes.   
• No PROPS rule (i.e. no swords, axes, toy guns, etc.).
• As always, NO food and NO goodie bags of any kind.  

If the decision is made to move the parade indoors, that communication will go out by 8:00 a.m. on the morning of Friday, October 31.  Thank you for your cooperation and partnership in ensuring the safety and success of this awesome Cottle tradition.

Join our After School Chess Club, where strategy meets fun! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, everyone is welcome to sharpen their skills, make new friends, and enjoy friendly competition. We’ll explore different tactics, play exciting matches, and even participate in tournaments. Come checkmate your afternoon boredom and unleash your inner grandmaster!  Session 1 dates :11/7-11/14-11/21-12/5-12/12-12/19-1/9-1/16-1/23-1/30-2/6-2/13

Please click here https://www.events4chess.com/events/?event_ID=2458 to registre The Passcode remains the same: COTTLE

PTA EVENTS AT A GLANCE 

• 10/31 (Fri), 2025 Spring Events Photos Deadline
• 11/21 (Fri), Sibling Picture Day 
• PTA Tuckahoe Spirit Wear is Back!

PTA EVENT DETAILS

2025 Spring Events Photos Needed for Cottle Yearbook! We are seeking photos for the Cottle Yearbook! Group photos are preferred, but individual shots are also welcome. Please ensure that the photos only include students from grades UPK-5. All submitted photos will be stored on the Cottle Yearbook's secure Google Drive. After the October 31 deadline, the Yearbook Committee will move the photos to the secure Yearbook website. Thank you for your contributions! Questions? Please email: wec.pictures.yearbook@gmail.com.

Sibling Picture Day is Friday, November 21! Sign up here if you would like your children's photo to be taken: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA5AB2EA7FACE9-59562389-sibling  Be sure to indicate in the Comment box  your students' names and classes. Thank you!

PTA Tuckahoe Spirit Wear is Back! The Winter 2025 Tuckahoe PTA Spirit Wear Online Store is open now! Tees, Hoodies, Knit Hats & Scarves, PJ Pants, Sweat Suits, Blankets, and more items to see-get ready to cozy up and show your Tuckahoe pride!  Shop. Support. Show Your Spirit! Visit https://tuckahoenypta.membershiptoolkit.com/spiritwear       

                             🎉 Join Us for the 3rd Annual Tuckahoe Youth Cheerleading Clinic! 🎉

Calling all future cheerleaders in grades K–6! Come spend the day with the Tuckahoe Cheer Team learning to stunt, tumble, dance, and cheer—all while having fun, making friends, and showing off your Tiger pride!!

Clinic Details:
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: William E. Cottle School Gymnasium
Cost: $75 (includes a T-shirt, bow, and pizza lunch!)

Participants will learn cheers, play games, and end the day with a showcase performance with the Tuckahoe Cheer Team!Payment Options:  Zelle or Venmo → Tigercheer2024@gmail.com Don’t miss out on this high-energy, confidence-building day of fun and spirit! Spots fill up quickly—register today and get ready to cheer loud and proud for the Tigers! 🐯💛🖤

As part of our ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and school community, we schedule fire evacuation and lockdown throughout the school year. These drills are more than routine—they fulfill important state requirements and help ensure that everyone knows how to respond calmly and safely during an emergency.

Here’s why we conduct these safety drills: Under New York Education Law § 807, schools must hold a minimum of 12 emergency drills each year—eight evacuation (fire) drills and four lockdown drills—to train students and staff to respond quickly and without panic.
Regular practice enables our school community to develop “muscle memory” so that, in the unlikely event of a real emergency, students and staff respond confidently and safely rather than react with confusion.
These drills help us test and refine our emergency-response plans—ensuring we know how to get students to safety, secure our building, and communicate clearly if something happens.
With your support and awareness, our students will see these drills as practice for safety—not cause for alarm—and will be comforted by knowing that their adults at school are prepared.

We appreciate your help in reinforcing at home that these drills are regular, positive events meant to keep everyone safe. If you’d like to discuss the drill schedule or our safety protocols, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for partnering with us to keep Cottle School safe and secure.

Lastly, as we enter the cooler months, children are coming to school with jackets and or sweatshirts. Please remind your child or children to keep track of their belongings and to check the lost and found periodically if they are missing any items. Lost and found is located in the Cottle Cafeteria.

Important Dates to Remember 

10/27 Board of Education workshop presentation (spotlight on Cottle and NYS Testing Data Presentation)

10/31 WEC Halloween Parade starts at 9:30 a

11/4 Superintendent Conference Day ( No school )

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