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Hello Spring Creek Elementary families and staff, 

As we approach the opening of Spring Creek Elementary, I wanted to communicate with you some key updates that have occurred over the previous months. 

School Construction & Start Time

We are excited to share that the Spring Creek Elementary construction project is moving forward exactly as scheduled. As we prepare to welcome a new community of teachers and staff at Spring Creek next year, we are pleased to report that our facility improvements are on track to provide the beautiful, collaborative learning environment our students, teachers, and community deserve.

After meeting with school families and teachers, we are also excited to announce that Spring Creek Elementary and Cedar Ridge Elementary schools will have an adapted start and end time. School will begin at 8:30 am and end at 3:00 pm on Mondays through Thursdays. School will begin at the same time but end at 1:45 pm on Fridays. Spring Creek Elementary doors will open 20 minutes before school to allow students enough time to transition and obtain school breakfast, if desired. This change is meant to provide families with more time at home and aid parents in transporting students across multiple schools (e.g., Secondary and Elementary). 

School Logo and Colors

As we prepare for the significant transitions ahead, from our facility upgrades to our evolving DLI model, it felt like the perfect moment to ensure our school’s identity reflects the energy and new adventure we are embarking on together.
I am thrilled to unveil our refreshed school colors and brand-new logo!

Why Rebrand Now?

A school’s brand is more than just a symbol; it’s a reflection of its heart and mission. As we move toward a more integrated, collaborative community, we wanted a visual identity that feels:

• Modern and Vibrant: Representing a new life and community coming into Spring Creek.
• Unified: Celebrating the coming together of our new DLI magnet program and communities.

Here is what to expect with the new logo and colors:

• Campus Signage: New banners and office branding will be updated over the summer months.
• Spirit Wear: We will be launching a new line of spirit wear so students, families, and staff can wear the new colors with pride! Shirts and sweatshirts will become available this spring. 

This rebranding marks the beginning of an era of unity and excellence at Spring Creek Elementary. Thank you for being a part of this journey. We can’t wait to see our new colors all over the hallways and students donning their new colors! 

Exploring an Integrated Model

As we prepare for the 2026-27 school year, our goal at Spring Creek Elementary remains constant: providing the highest quality education and social environment for every student. With a myriad of changes coming to our district, we have been looking for ways to strengthen our program at Spring Creek to ensure its long-term success and vitality.

Recently, our leadership team, including future Cedar Ridge Principal Joel Winkler and DLI Director Shauna Winegar, visited Hillcrest Elementary (Logan City School District) to observe their new approach to integrating students in English classes. 

Currently, our DLI students often stay with the same peer group for their English and Target Language blocks in a Partner-Teacher approach. Under the Integrated Model, students participate in their target language and are thoughtfully mixed during their English instructional time, meaning an English class may be composed of both Spanish and French program students. 

Why we are moving toward this model: After thoughtful review, observation, and discussion with Hillcrest teachers and administration, the benefits were clear:

• Social Growth: It breaks down language-specific groupings and allows students to build friendships across the entire grade level. This Integrated approach prepares older students for secondary education.
• Greater Teacher Collaboration: Teachers work collectively to ensure every child reaches their academic potential.
• Flexibility: It provides more opportunities for student placement and specialized support when needed.
• Unanimous Support: Every teacher we spoke with unequivocally preferred this integrated approach for the well-being of the students.

Our Transition Plan

To ensure a smooth experience for students and staff, we will implement a two-year transition alongside our partner school, Cedar Ridge Elementary.

Year One: 2026-2027 (The Pilot Year)

We will begin the integrated model in specific grade levels to refine our processes:

• Spring Creek: 4th and 5th Grades will begin integration.
• Cedar Ridge: 2nd and 3rd Grades will begin integration.
• Preparation: All other grade levels will spend the year collaborating, mapping curriculum, and designing whole-grade cultural experiences to prepare for the following year.

Year Two: 2027-2028 (Full Implementation)

We will expand integration to Grades 2-5 at both schools.

• Note on Early Years: To ensure a strong foundation in language acquisition, 1st Grade will remain in the traditional model to help students solidify their language skills before integrating in 2nd Grade.

Looking Ahead

We are committed to supporting our teachers through this change. Our 4th and 5th-grade teams will soon visit Hillcrest Elementary to observe their classrooms firsthand and bring those best practices to Spring Creek.

We believe this shift will foster a more inclusive, collaborative, and academically rigorous environment for all our students. We look forward to embarking on this journey with you.

Finally, thank you for your ongoing support, your feedback, and your commitment to making Spring Creek Elementary a place where every child can thrive. We aren't just changing our colors and our classrooms; we are building a stronger, more inclusive foundation for the years to come.

I am honored to lead such a dedicated community into this next great adventure.

With appreciation,

Joe Cottrell

Principal, Spring Creek Elementary