Islands of Hope
I have learned many valuable lessons in my time as both a home educator and school administrator, many of which I gleaned from living on a regenerative agriculture farm. In 2014, my family and I moved to a farm nestled in the Sierra Nevada Foothills to attempt to grow...
Embracing the Season of Growth
As we step into March, the world around us begins to shift—winter loosens its grip, and signs of spring peek through in fresh blooms and longer days. Just like the changing seasons, homeschooling follows its own rhythms, and this time of year brings a wonderful...
The Magic of Science & the Power of Curiosity
One of the best elements of homeschooling is the freedom to lean into curiosity—to ask questions, explore possibilities, and embrace hands-on learning in a way that sparks genuine wonder. Science isn’t just a subject; it’s all around us, woven into every season, every...
Looking Back to Look Ahead
One of the beautiful things about homeschooling is the flexibility to shape our children’s education in a way that works best for our families. But with that freedom comes the ongoing process of reflecting, adjusting, and planning ahead. At this point in the year,...
The Trail Ahead: An Educator’s Perspective
Hello Cottonwood Families, My name is Lizette Sweiven, and I am the Associate Director of Instruction for High School here at Cottonwood. At the beginning of my journey as an educator, I worked at Adventure Education. I led all age groups in hikes, ropes courses, and...
Making the Most of February
Hello, Homeschool Families, As we dive into February, we’re finally getting the rain we’ve all been waiting for! While the weather may keep us inside on some days, February is full of unique opportunities for learning—both indoors and out. From celebrating the...
Reflecting Together on Disability Awareness
As we wrap up a meaningful month of Disability Awareness, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we’ve learned and experienced together. Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored resources (with more included in this newsletter), gained insights from our...
Celebrating Homeschooling Parents with Disabilities
Dear Cottonwood Families,Last week, our Assistant Director of Special Education reminded us of the incredible diversity within our school community, sharing inspiring stories of famous individuals with disabilities and reflecting on the many students our school...
Raising Legends: Celebrating Potential and Perseverance
Hello Wonderful Cottonwood Families, I’m so excited to connect with you in this month’s newsletter and share a perspective from the world of Special Education. Did you know that here at Cottonwood we currently have 314 students with active Individualized Education...