Cottonwood-Oak Creek Schools

🌟 COCSD Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Bryan Rank 🌟 We love celebrating the incredible achievements of our former students! Dr. Bryan Rank, a proud graduate of Mingus Union High School (Class of 1990), has been named Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at East Texas A&M University! 🎉👏 Dr. Rank’s journey started right here in the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District. He attended Oak Creek School, Clemenceau Middle School (now a museum!), and continued his education in Cottonwood before graduating from Mingus. Reflecting on his path, he credits many inspiring educators, including Dr. John Tavasci, Jr., Mr. Anthony Lozano, Mr. Schumacher, Mr. John Tavasci, Sr., and especially Mr. Steve Dockery, his agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, who influenced his decision to pursue agricultural education. From Cornville to leading an entire college, Dr. Rank’s story is a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and passion for agriculture. Congratulations, Dr. Rank! Your hometown is proud of you! 🎓🌱🐂 📖 Read more about his journey: https://www.tamuc.edu/news/dr-bryan-rank-selected-as-dean-of-the-college-of-agricultural-sciences-and-natural-resources-at-east-texas-am-university/ #COCSDProud #AlumniSuccess #AgriculturalEducation #FutureLeaders

A big thank you to our amazing community sponsor for treating everyone to delicious ice cream this morning at Verde Tech High School! Your generosity brought smiles to so many faces, and we appreciate your support. Thank you for making today even sweeter! 🍦💙 #VerdeTechHigh #VTHS

🎲✨ Roll the Dice Club Spotlight! ✨🎲 Looking for a club that’s all about fun, creativity, and learning? Roll the Dice Club is the place to be! Using donated games, dice, and activities, our club brings together math, science, ELA, and even coloring sheets for a unique and exciting experience every week. From strategic games to telling time, there’s something for everyone! A huge THANK YOU to our generous donors for providing prizes and supplies—we couldn’t do it without you! 💙 #RollTheDiceClub #FunAndLearning #ThankYouDonors #GameOn #COCSD #21stCCLC #OCSClubs

📣🎉 MVP 4-8 Grade Spirit Squad’s Debut Performance! 🎉📣 MVP’s Spirit Squad is officially here, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and school pride to our campus! 🌟 Led by our walking sunshine of a coach, Chelsey, this amazing group made their debut performance at our Learner Profile Assembly, where we celebrated our open-minded and inclusive student body. This special event also recognized the incredible achievements of our MVP Girls Basketball Team, who just secured 3rd place in the STATE under the leadership of our dedicated Athletic Director, Bri Young! 🏀👏 A huge shoutout to our Spirit Squad for bringing the hype, heart, and school spirit to MVP! 🎶💃 Stay tuned for more performances and moments of MVP pride! 📸 Drop a comment below to show your support for our Spirit Squad & MVP Basketball Team! ⬇️🎉 #MVPStrong #SpiritSquad #GoMVP #ProudAndLoud

🎉 What a fantastic time we had last Friday celebrating Read Across America Day at Dr. Daniel Bright Elementary! 📚✨ Students, teachers, and staff came together for a Seuss-tacular day filled with all kinds of fun! We kicked off the day with a delicious breakfast of Green Eggs and Ham in the cafeteria 🍳💚, then things really got creative with our door decoration contest – so many imaginative designs that brought Dr. Seuss' stories to life! 🎨🚪 From fun activities to books galore, the spirit of Dr. Seuss was alive and well all around our school! Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the day so memorable. We loved seeing the joy and excitement in every classroom! 📖🎉 Happy belated birthday, Dr. Seuss! 🎂🎈 #ReadAcrossAmerica #SeussicalFun #DrSeussDay #GreenEggsandHam #DrDanielBrightElementary #COCSDDDB

🎶 Feelin’ groovy with Ms. Sam and her after school Music & Theatre Club at CCS! 🎭 These talented kiddos are diving into a world of sound, exploring a wide variety of instruments! With hands-on learning, they’re not just playing notes—they’re discovering how music tells stories, builds confidence, and brings people together. It’s amazing to see their creativity shine as they experiment, perform, and grow! 🌟🎶

🧶 Stitching friendships together at Mrs. Wright's after school Crochet Club at CCS! It’s not just about making scarves, hats, and occasionally mysterious shapes we swear were supposed to be coasters — it’s about slowing down, chatting, laughing, and getting to know each other one loop at a time. Between the knots and giggles, students and teachers are building something even more special than yarn creations — real connections. 💛 Sometimes the best conversations happen when your hands are busy, and your heart is open.

📣🎉 MVP 4-8 Grade Spirit Squad’s Debut Performance! 🎉📣 MVP’s Spirit Squad is officially here, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and school pride to our campus! 🌟 Led by our walking sunshine of a coach, Chelsey, this amazing group made their debut performance at our Learner Profile Assembly, where we celebrated our open-minded and inclusive student body. This special event also recognized the incredible achievements of our MVP Girls Basketball Team, who just secured 3rd place in the STATE under the leadership of our dedicated Athletic Director, Bri Young! 🏀👏 A huge shoutout to our Spirit Squad for bringing the hype, heart, and school spirit to MVP! 🎶💃 Stay tuned for more performances and moments of MVP pride! 📸 Drop a comment below to show your support for our Spirit Squad & MVP Basketball Team! ⬇️🎉 #MVPStrong #SpiritSquad #GoMVP #ProudAndLoud

🚗🎉 Join us for Verde Tech High School's First Annual Car Show! 🎉🚗 Come out and enjoy a day of amazing cars, fun, and community spirit on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Cottonwood Education Services campus. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Verde Tech FFA program, helping to support future leaders in agriculture and education. 🌱🚜 Bring the whole family and support a great cause! 💚 #VerdeTechHigh #SupportFFA #VTHS

🎉 Join us for the Rec Expo on Saturday, March 8th from 10 AM - 1 PM! 🌟 Explore all things parks and recreation with tons of activities, local vendors, and exciting community partners! 🎨🏃‍♂️🌳 ✨ Don’t miss out on free swag and the chance to connect with our amazing community! Whether you're a fitness fanatic, a nature lover, or just looking for something fun to do, there's something for everyone! See you there! 🏞️🎉 #RecExpo #CommunityEvent #ParksAndRecreation #FreeSwag #FamilyFun

🚍 Now Hiring: Bus Drivers for Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District! 🚍 Join our team and make a difference in the lives of local students! Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District is now hiring school bus drivers – no experience necessary! Training is provided, and we’re offering a sign-on bonus for new drivers. ✔ Competitive pay ✔ Flexible schedules ✔ Rewarding work environment Help us keep our community moving safely! Apply today or share with someone who might be interested. 📞 For more info, call (928) 634-9679 💻 Apply online at: https://cottonwood.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx #COCSDNowHiring #BusDriversNeeded #CottonwoodOakCreek #JoinOurTeam

🌟 Verde Tech Sophomores Visit Yavapai College! 🌟 Our students had an exciting day exploring Yavapai College! They toured the campus and got a feel for college life. Plus, they took the ACCUPLACER to kickstart their academic journey. Thank you, Yavapai College, for hosting us! 🎓 #VerdeTech #YavapaiCollege #VTHS

🌿 Help the CES/Science Vortex Garden Grow! 🌿 Calling all volunteers! The CES Garden needs your helping hands this Saturday to keep our community space thriving. Whether you have a green thumb or just want to lend a hand, we’d love to have you join us! Date: This Saturday Come dig, plant, weed, and connect with fellow community members. It’s a great way to give back and enjoy some fresh air! 🌱✨ Tag a friend and spread the word. See you there! 💚 #CESGarden/ScienceVortex #CommunityStrong #VolunteerDay

📚✨ COCSD Teachers Hard at Work! ✨📚 Our dedicated COCSD teachers are putting in the effort during their Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)! 👏 They’re diving into pacing guides, curriculum, and assessments—all with one goal in mind: making student learning more authentic, engaging, and rigorous. 💡📖 Thank you to our amazing educators for your commitment to student success! ❤️👩‍🏫👨‍🏫 #COCSD #TeacherExcellence #AuthenticLearning #EngagingEducation #StudentSuccess

🌟 Verde Valley Teen Maze: Empowering Youth for a Brighter Future! 🌟 This week, the Verde Valley Teen Maze is taking place at the COCSD District Office, offering our youth a chance to experience the consequences of their choices in a safe and educational setting. 🎯 The event, coordinated and sponsored by Yavapai County Community Health Services with the support of many community partners, is a wonderful opportunity for young people to gain valuable insights on making healthy and positive decisions that will impact their lives. 🙌 A huge thank you to everyone involved in bringing this important event to life and helping our youth make informed, responsible choices! Let’s come together as a community to support and guide the next generation. 💡 #VerdeValleyTeenMaze #CommunityDriven #EmpoweringYouth #HealthyChoices #YavapaiCounty

🌟 Verde Valley Comic Expo 2025! 🌟 Get ready, comic fans! The Verde Valley Comic Expo is back on March 29, 2025, from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Cottonwood Public Library! 🎉 🦸‍♂️ Comics, Cosplay, Panels, Vendors, Food & More! 🎟️ Admission: $5 | $3 with 2 canned food donations | Kids 10 & under FREE 🌟 Special Guests: Chris Giarrusso, Steve Rude & Michael Gallagher! 📍 Location: 100 S 6th St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 🔗 More info: verdevalleycomicexpo.com Mark your calendars and bring your best cosplay—we’ll see you there! 🎭📚✨ #VerdeValleyComicExpo #ComicCon #Cosplay #CottonwoodAZ

🚍 Congratulations to Sherry Kelley - COCSD's Transportation Driver of the Month for February! 🎉 We are excited to announce Sherry Kelley as the Transportation Driver of the Month for February! 🏆 Sherry consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our students have a safe and positive experience every day. Her dedication, kindness, and reliability make her an invaluable member of the COCSD family. Thank you, Sherry, for all you do! Your hard work and commitment are truly appreciated. 🌟 Keep up the amazing work! 👏💙 #COCSDDriverOfTheMonth #ThankYouSherry #COCSD #Teamwork

🌟 Shoutout to Our Amazing 21st CCLC Staff! 🌟 Our 21st CCLC team at CCS is truly incredible! Their dedication to our students doesn’t stop when the school day ends. 💙 Take Mrs. Michelle, for example—after a full day of teaching, then leading her "Crafts & Things" club after school, you’ll still find her playing alongside our kiddos, making every moment special! 🎨✨ We are so grateful for staff who go above and beyond to create a fun, enriching environment. Thank you for all you do!

🎨✏️ Drawing Club with a Twist! 📖✨ Mrs. Davis' 21st CCLC after-school Coloring Club at CCS is so much more than just drawing! These young artists are bringing their creativity to life by making their very own comic books! 🦸‍♂️📚 The best part? They don’t even realize they’re sharpening their reading skills while having fun! 🤩 Way to go, kiddos—keep creating and learning! 🎉

🎨✨ Calling all young artists! 🎨✨ The Matforce "Stand With Me, Be Drug Free" Youth Poster Contest is here, and we want YOU to create an original poster with a powerful anti-drug message! 🖼️💪 This is your chance to use your creativity to inspire others and WIN CASH PRIZES! 💸💥 📅 Deadline: April 4th, 2025 📞 Questions? Contact Matforce at (928) 708-0100 or email info@matforce.az.org. Let your artwork make a difference in the fight against drugs. We can't wait to see what you create! 🎉 #StandWithMeBeDrugFree #YouthPosterContest #AntiDrugMessage #Matforce2025 #CreateForChange