Cory Caregivers,
We had a wonderful week at Cory. Between our 2nd- and 3rd-grade musicals, Principal/Gym Teacher/Office Assistant of the Day, and cooking with Skeeter, we were very busy. Everyone enjoyed the activities, and we’re so fortunate to have so many fun events that bring together students, families, and staff. Thank you for your support as we continue exploring new ways of learning with our students. We are looking forward to next week with all our end of the year celebrations with students as we wrap 2025.
🎉 Cory Teacher Shoutouts - Is there a Cory staff member you would like to recognize? Send them a celebration! With just a few kind words, you can brighten an educator's day and remind them how much their hard work means. After you submit your message, we will find the best way to share the celebration. Let’s make the end of 2025 extra special for our educators! 🎉
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec 15th - Spirit Week
Monday 12/15: Cory Colors
Tuesday 12/16: Crazy Socks
Wed 12/17: Kids Dress Up, Teachers Dress Down
Thurs 12/18: Anything But a Backpack
Friday 12/19: Pajama Day!
Dec 18th - Rainbow Club meeting @ 3:20
Dec 19th - Coffee with the Principal and Assistant Principal @ 8:30
Dec 21st - Jan 5th - Winter Break
Jan 6th - Welcome students back to school
Jan 9th - PTA Meeting @ 8:30
Jan 19th - No School - MLK Day
Jan 22nd - PTA Dine Out @ Dave & Busters
Food for Families
We are partnering with the Merrill Middle School food pantry/ backpack program to ensure all families have access to food. If you are in need of food during this time for your family, please read below! If you would like to receive extra groceries one-time per month, please complete this private and anonymous survey, so we can provide the food items that your family likes to eat and match your preferences. Anonymous survey
Food will be anonymously dispersed on: Friday, December 12 / Friday, January 16 / Friday, February 6 / Friday, March 6 / Friday, April 10 / Friday, May 8
Our lost and found area is growing. Please stop by to check to see if your student has anything in the area. We will be donating all items left after Winter Break
YEARBOOK
Share Your Cory Memories!
We’re collecting photos for the 2025–26 Cory Yearbook and need your help! Upload your favorite pictures from school events, classroom fun, and Cory celebrations. It’s easy — just visit https://books.yearbooks.me/ca/3r54megdwut898hesercck5w9xgmswg6p and use the code Pics4Cory! to submit. Let’s fill the yearbook with all the amazing moments that make Cory special!
Mental Health Corner:
What is TSEAL? Transformative Social Emotional Academic Learning
“Transformative SEAL” is a process whereby young people and adults build strong, respectful, and lasting, relationships that facilitate co-learning to critically examine root causes of inequity, and to develop collaborative solutions that lead to personal, community, and societal well-being.
This form of TSEAL is aimed at redistributing power to promote social justice through increased engagement in school and civic life. It emphasizes the development of identity, agency, belonging, curiosity, and collaborative problem solving
It's critically important that school wide TSEAL implementation intentionally nurtures an environment in which educators gain social and emotional competence by learning, collaborating, and modeling their social and emotional skills. Along with these social and emotional skills, schools must also fold in conversations about race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, language and ability so that the conversation about TSEAL takes into account the student’s fullest identities. It is recommended that schools do a deep dive into understanding how educators, students, and community can navigate conversations about race, sex, gender, ableism and other social identities in order to establish systems and supports that strengthen both adult and student Social Emotional Academic Learning.
Come along on our Cory TSEAL journey!
Unit 1: Positive School Culture and Classroom Community - Value of the month is Caring
Unit 1 Part 2: Sportsmanship - Value of the month is Caring
Unit 2: Self-Awareness - Value of the month is Caring
Unit 4: Unit 4: Social Awareness & Gratitude - Value of the month is Inclusion
Unit 5: Relationship Skills and Responsible Decision Making: Bullying Prevention and New Value of the Month: Respect - starting Monday, December 1st!
Our goal is that students leave Cory not only academically prepared but emotionally literate—able to repair harm, build healthy relationships, and contribute positively to their communities. Education coupled with consistent, supportive measures is what helps students internalize these skills and reduce incidents like bullying.
Below are the resources we shared during the evening:
Presentation - 25-26 Cory Anti-Bullying Parent Presentation
Parent handouts and resources - Cory Parent Anti Bullying Resources
GT Corner -
Events for Families of Gifted Students:
Did you know DPS has a parent facing newsletter for our Gifted and Talented families? Check it out here for all the new updates related to GT!
The Art of Storytelling! A Student Showcase Project
Share with your students and/or families: Does your student love graphic novels or comics? Library Services encourages students in first through 12th grade in non-charter schools to participate in the The Art of Storytelling Cartooning Student Showcase! Middle and high school students can also submit speech bubbles and artwork for the The Art of Storytelling Interactive Cartoon Panel/Comic Strip! Prizes and activities will be featured at the Steam Expo on May 2, 2026. Reach out to Library Coordinator Jenn Brown if you have questions.
CORY WINTER WISH DRIVE: Update
If you are able and willing to donate, the donation board has been posted by the front office (by the water fountain). Donated items will be due to the front office ON Monday, December 15th. A solid bag (that you cannot see through) or inclusive wrapping paper (i.e. not specific wrapping paper to one holiday) is preferred for donated items. A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL FAMILIES WHO HAVE OFFERED TO DONATE! We are so grateful for you and appreciate your willingness to support our community during this winter season!
Donated items will be dispersed to families in need between December 16th-19th. Please message Ms. Wilberg with any questions.
Stay warm! 🩵🩵🩵 The Cory Equity Collaborative Committee