💦🐦 THE ROADRUNNERS ARE MAKING A SPLASH! 🐦💦

Our Oak Creek 4th graders traded their classroom for the great outdoors this week and headed to the Prescott Water Festival with Project WET! 🌵💧

These kids are getting their hands dirty (and maybe a little wet 👀😂) while learning all about Arizona’s water, watersheds, groundwater, conservation, and the water cycle!

They’re exploring.
They’re experimenting.
They’re asking questions.
And they’re proving that learning is WAY more fun when you get to get out there and do it! 🔬🌎💦

A huge thank you to Project WET and everyone who makes this incredible experience possible for our students! ❤️

And of course… a special shoutout to our Oak Creek 4th graders for being curious, enthusiastic, and representing our Roadrunner family so well! 🐦❤️

💧 Lesson: Water is pretty important.
💧 Adventure: Pretty awesome.
💧 Roadrunners: Absolutely crushing it. 😎

GO ROADRUNNERS! 🐦💦

#OakCreekRoadrunners #OCS #PrescottWaterFestival #ProjectWET #FourthGrade #HandsOnLearning #LearningIsAnAdventure #RoadrunnerPride

🏐❤️ One last home game. One last time on our home court. One more memory to hold onto.

There’s something a little bittersweet about watching our 8th grade volleyball players play their final home game. These girls have spent years growing, learning, laughing, competing, and making memories on this court—and tonight, our younger middle school volleyball players made sure they knew just how much they mean to them.

Our younger players took the time to write heartfelt cards and give special gifts to our 8th graders,

creating a moment that was about so much more than volleyball.
Because that’s the beautiful thing about being part of a team. ❤️
You may start the season as teammates, but somewhere along the way, you become friends, role models, cheerleaders, and family.

Our 8th graders may have played their last home game, but they leave behind something that will last much longer than a volleyball season. They leave behind memories, friendships, and younger players who have watched them, looked up to them, and will now carry on the tradition.

To our 8th graders: we are so proud of you. We hope you know how special you are, how much you will be missed, and how much your presence has meant to this team. The final whistle may have blown on your last home game, but your time as a Roadrunner will always be part of our story. ❤️🖤

And to our younger players—thank you for showing our 8th graders just how loved and appreciated they are. What a beautiful way to celebrate the end of their home-court journey. 🥹

One last home game.
One last cheer.
One last memory on this court.
And a whole lot of memories to carry with them. 🏐❤️

Once a Roadrunner, always a Roadrunner. 🖤❤️

Oak Creek School PTO Dollars Are Getting Spooky! 🎃🕷️

The OCS PTO is helping bring some Halloween magic to our students by purchasing decorations and supplies for the Halloween Carnival & Haunted House that will be at OCS October 30th from 5-7pm. 🕸️🏚️

Events like the Halloween Carnival & Haunted House give our school community a chance to come together, have spooky fun, and create memories outside the classroom. 👻

When you support the OCS PTO, you are helping make these special experiences possible for our students. Every fundraiser, donation, and purchase helps us give back to our school and create opportunities for our kids. 🧡🖤

#cocsd #cottonwoodoakcreekschools #oakcreekschool #ocs #pto #fundraiser #community #halloween #ruralschool #title1

❤️🖤 Thank You, YCSO! 🖤❤️
A huge THANK YOU to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) for spending time with our Oak Creek School middle school students ! 👏

Our students had the opportunity to learn about some incredibly important topics, including cyberbullying, internet safety, drug warnings, and marijuana awareness. 📱💻🚨

We were especially happy to see how engaged our students were throughout the presentation. They listened, participated, asked thoughtful questions, and had the opportunity to have honest conversations about making safe and responsible choices.

These real-world conversations are so valuable for our students, and we appreciate YCSO taking the time to connect with them and help keep our Roadrunners informed and safe. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Thank you, YCSO, for supporting our students and our school community! ❤️🖤

#OakCreekSchool #OCSRoadrunners #YCSO #InternetSafety #CyberbullyingAwareness #DrugAwareness #MarijuanaAwareness #SchoolCommunity #BeRoadrunners

Oak Creek School needs your help! ❤️💙
We are currently in urgent need of boys’ clothing for Kindergarten through 6th grade, especially pants, shorts, and T-shirts.
Donations in decent condition would be greatly appreciated and will help us make sure students have a change of clothes when they need one during the school day.
Thank you for supporting our OCS students! 🐦❤️

Oak Creek school families and community!

This Thursday kicks off the PTO's annual classroom candy drive to gather candy and prizes for their Halloween Carnival and Haunted House! Bags of candy/prizes can be brought to your student's classroom teacher or community members can donate bags to the school office. The contest ends October 28th and the Carnival and Haunted House is Friday, October 30th!

It was a great day to do good at the John McCain Memorial Bike Park on Saturday!
It was a day filled with community, friendship, and service. United in a common cause, Wheel Fun, Mingus High School National Honor Society, LISA (Low Income Student Aid), and Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District came together to clear and prepare the bike park for our Beyond the Bell fall season of riding.

There is something special about people coming together, rolling up their sleeves, and giving their time to create opportunities for kids.

Thank you to everyone who came out, worked hard, and helped us get the park ready for another season of kids on bikes!

Service to others never gets old.

Oak Creek School PTO Dollars Are Growing Something Special! 🍅🍳🧄🫑

The OCS PTO helps support the school's Agriculture Program by purchasing pots, pans, and other cooking supplies for students to use in hands-on learning.

Our students don’t just grow vegetables and fruits in the school gardens, they get to harvest what they grow and turn it into healthy, delicious dishes! From planting and caring for crops to harvesting, preparing, and cooking their food, students experience the entire process from garden to table.

These hands-on experiences teach valuable lessons about agriculture, nutrition, cooking, sustainability, and healthy choices while giving students skills they can carry with them for life.

When you support the OCS PTO, you are helping provide students with real-world learning experiences that happen right in our school gardens and kitchen. 💚

#agriculture #culinaryclass #lifechangingeducation #cocsd #oakcreekschool #healthyfood #classroomsupport #ocspto

🌧️ OCS Facilities Tour Rescheduled

Due to the rain, today the Oak Creek School Facilities Tour has been rescheduled.

📅 New Date: October 9
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM

We appreciate your flexibility and hope you’ll join us on October 9 to tour the OCS campus and learn more about our facilities and the impact Prop 409 will have on our campus.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to seeing you!

🥕 SMART Snacks Are Back at OCS! 🍎

We’re excited to announce that SMART Snacks are returning to Oak Creek School!

Every Tuesday, students across the school will enjoy a healthy, delicious snack made from scratch as part of our continued commitment to promoting healthy choices and wellness.

Thanks to a grant-funded opportunity, we’re able to bring this program back and continue building a strong, healthy culture at Oak Creek School. We’re thrilled to provide our students with nutritious snacks while helping them discover that healthy food can be fun and delicious!

Thank you for supporting our efforts to keep our Oak Creek students healthy, happy, and ready to learn! 💚

SMART Snacks are back—and we can’t wait to get started!

🌱 Oak Creek School’s Agriculture & Culinary classes are off to a fantastic start! 🍅👩‍🍳
As we slowly creep into fall, our students have been busy harvesting, cooking, and selling the bounty from our school garden—putting their hard work and classroom learning into action!

Mrs. Ludden would personally like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of the generous donors, grant organizations, families, and our PTO who make this program possible. Your contributions help our students grow valuable skills, confidence, and a love for agriculture and good food. 🌻🥕💚

We are so grateful for our amazing community!
Thank you for helping our program thrive! 🌱

Proposed Improvements at Oak Creek Elementary School
Proposed capital bond projects at Oak Creek Elementary School include lighting, gutters and downspouts, sidewalk safety improvements, HVAC and roofing repairs, gym renovation, plumbing and water line improvements, well and septic systems, a public address system, safe and secure entry access and network infrastructure. Proposed bond investment: $5,300,000.

Estimated tax rate of $0.43 per $100 of net assessed valuation.
Learn more at www.cocsd.us

🏈 WE’RE HIRING! Oak Creek School is looking for a Flag Football Coach for the upcoming school year!

This is a great opportunity to mentor student-athletes, build confidence, encourage teamwork, and help students grow both on and off the field.

Interested candidates should email Principal Julie Tatum at jtatum@cocsd.k12.az.us.

Join the Oak Creek team and make a difference! ❤️🖤

#OakCreekSchool #COCSD #WereHiring #FlagFootball #StudentAthletes

🎒✏️ Ready, Set, Learn!

Oak Creek Elementary School is excited to welcome our incoming kindergarten students to Kindergarten Bootcamp!

This two-day experience will give students an opportunity to become familiar with school, learn about being a kindergartner, and feel more confident as they prepare for the new school year.

📅 Thursday, July 23 & Friday, July 24
⏰ 8:30–11:30 a.m.
📍 Oak Creek Elementary School

We can’t wait to welcome our newest students and help them begin their kindergarten journey! 🍎📚

🎒✨ Back to School Night is Almost Here! ✨🎒

Oak Creek School families, we can't wait to welcome you back for the 2026–2027 school year!

📅 Tuesday, July 28, 2026
🕠 5:30–6:30 PM
📍 Oak Creek School Cafeteria

Come meet your teachers and staff, learn about transportation and our 21st CCLC program, and get ready for an amazing school year!

📚 Reminder: Please bring your school supplies to your child's classroom during Back to School Night.

📝 Class lists will be posted at the front office beginning July 24.

We look forward to seeing all of our Oak Creek families as we kick off another fantastic year of learning! 💙🍎 #COCSD #OakCreekSchool #BackToSchool #WelcomeBack #GrowingTogether

Yesterday, our 5th grade students at Oak Creek School participated in a very special Manners Luncheon

This experience was about so much more than just sharing a meal. Students learned how to properly set a table, fold napkins, mingle before dinner, and most importantly, how to see themselves sitting confidently at the table.

They practiced the art of real conversation — no electronics, no distractions — just genuine interaction with peers and adults. Students learned how to politely request something from a waiter, how to handle trying foods they may not like, and how to engage respectfully in social settings.

A huge thank you to our amazing 7th grade volunteers, who served as our wait staff yesterday. These students participated in their own manners luncheon two years ago, and it was incredible to watch them step into leadership roles and model kindness, confidence, and professionalism for our younger students.

An extra special THANK YOU to Mrs. Clemson for organizing and putting on this wonderful manners luncheon each and every year. The amount of time, care, and heart that goes into this experience does not go unnoticed, and we appreciate her more than words can say.

A huge thank you as well to Mr. Wheeler for allowing us to use the library and helping create such a beautiful atmosphere for the event.

And the BIGGEST shoutout to The Krow for providing the absolutely amazing, amazing, AMAZING food! The students and staff loved every bit of it, and your generosity helped make the day even more memorable.

The students dressed up, showed wonderful manners, and had an amazing time. We are so proud of the growth, confidence, and character they continue to show each day at Oak Creek School.

There are not enough words to truly express how grateful we are for Tom Coultas and Kaley Badger. 💙

So many people have commented about how amazing our PTO is at Oak Creek School and how it seems like we must have a huge team of volunteers behind the scenes. The truth? It’s just these two incredible humans.

Tom and Kaley are the entire PTO for Oak Creek School.

They show up for our teachers, our students, and our staff day after day without asking for recognition or praise. They organize events, support classrooms, celebrate our kids, spoil our staff, solve problems before anyone even knows they exist, and somehow make everything look effortless.

Their generosity, dedication, and love for the Oak Creek School community are unmatched. They pour countless hours, energy, creativity, and heart into making our school a better place for everyone.

Because of Tom and Kaley, our students feel celebrated. Our teachers feel appreciated. Our staff feels supported. And Oak Creek School feels like family.

They are not only incredible at what they do — they are simply incredible people. The kind of people every school dreams of having and every community is lucky to know.

Thank you, Tom and Kaley, for every early morning, late night, event, fundraiser, kind gesture, encouraging word, and act of service you’ve given to Oak Creek School. We see you, we appreciate you, and we are endlessly thankful for you. 💙

🌍🍽️✨ Our 6th grade OCS students absolutely BLEW US AWAY with their Civilization Restaurant Project this week! 👏💙

What started as a history assignment turned into a full-blown real-world learning experience that combined 📚 history, ➕ math, ✍️ writing, 💼 business, 🎨 design, 🗣️ public speaking, 👩‍🍳 cooking, and 🤝 teamwork all in ONE incredible project!

Each student group created an entire restaurant concept inspired by one of the civilizations we studied 🌎🏺

They developed:
🍴 A restaurant name, logo, and theme
📝 A 3-paragraph written piece including an introduction, restaurant description, and future plans
📋 A full menu with realistic local pricing
🧾 Customer orders with 3.5% tax calculations and 15%, 20%, & 25% tip options
📐 Display signs and restaurant layouts drawn on graph paper with area calculations for each section and total space
⚠️ An allergen/ingredient list for safety and awareness

But they didn’t stop there… 👀🔥

Each group also:
👩‍🍳 Cooked one item from their menu
🎥 Recorded themselves prepping and cooking it
🍽️ Brought 25–30 sample servings to school
🏫 Transformed our campus into a REAL restaurant experience by serving their “customers” — teachers and classmates alike! 👏✨

The creativity 🎨, confidence 💪, problem-solving 🧠, and effort ❤️ these students showed was absolutely incredible. Watching them proudly explain their concepts, serve their dishes, and apply classroom skills in such a meaningful way was something truly special 🌟

We are SO proud of our OCS 6th graders and the hard work they poured into this project 💙💛 The future is BRIGHT for these students! ☀️🎓✨

#OCSPride #FutureLeaders #HandsOnLearning #6thGradeSuccess #CivilizationProject #RealWorldLearning #StudentCreativity #OCSFamily 💙

🌟 Congratulations to OCS student, Kellan Altringer, for being named a Sparklight Winner! 🌟

Kellan’s essay, “Using Social Media in a Healthy Way,” explored the impact social media can have on teens’ mental health, addressed cyberbullying, and shared ways teens and parents can promote healthy online habits and safety.

We are incredibly proud of Kellan for using his voice to encourage kindness, awareness, and healthy choices in today’s digital world. Kellan will receive his award during the OCS Promotion Ceremony. 🎉👏

#OakCreekElementary #SparklightWinner #StudentSuccess #DigitalCitizenship