Cottonwood Connections February 2025 | Page 14

USD 428 holds a reading event each spring organized by the elementary school librarians. A book is selected and all youth grades K-6 receive a copy. The librarians develop activities and incentives for the 6-week program, including several speakers. For 2025, the book, “Dog Days” by Karen English, provided an excellent opportunity to talk about the 4-H Dog Project. Students at Riley and Park learned about care of dogs as well as understanding and identifying many categories of dog breeds. Michelle Beran has scheduled days in February for Lincoln, Eisenhower, and Jefferson Elementary schools.

January kicked off a great set of lessons with Cindy Wilborn’s 6th grade Leadership classes. Michelle Beran presented lessons from the 4-H Mind, Body, Wellness Tracker to help youth learn about emotions and stress as well as how sleep, diets, and exercise can impact not only our mood but our reaction to big emotions.

Leadership Classes for 6th Grade Students