Dear Families and School Community,        

We are thrilled to share some incredible news with you! Our school has officially been awarded the Austin Ed Fund Inspire the Future Grant for our brand-new project titled "Built on Belonging." We received $10,000 to ensure “every paw (big or little) has its place” here at Cowan Elementary.

Built on Belonging is a year-long, whole-school wellness initiative centered around a transformative House System model. Designed to unite our students, staff, and families, this initiative pairs character-based House communities (or “dens” as we will call them) with evidence-based educator wellness supports, social-emotional learning (SEL) and Character Strong concepts, and strong family and community partnerships.

Through this program, every staff member will be sorted into one of four Den communities that foster connection, mentorship, and school pride throughout the year. From there, each student will be in the same den as their homeroom teacher. Our unified goal is simple: Do Better. Be Better. By focusing on four core character traits, we are taking deliberate steps to enrich the culture across our entire campus. 

What "Built on Belonging" Means for Our Community

• For Students: A vibrant, supportive House system where every child is known, celebrated, and empowered to grow both academically and socially.

• For Educators: Evidence-based wellness supports and a sustained community environment that nurtures their passion for teaching.

• For Families & Community: Meaningful opportunities to participate, collaborate, and partner with us in shaping a welcoming school culture.

When students feel they belong, educators feel sustained, and families feel welcomed, our whole community thrives. We are deeply grateful to the Austin Ed Fund for believing in our vision and investing in our future.

We look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks about Dens, upcoming community events, and ways you can get involved. Thank you for your continued partnership as we embark on this exciting journey together!

Warmly,

Crysta Wohleb

Grant Writer, Den Coordinator, but more importantly, Proud Music Teacher