Cragin Elementary School
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Welcome to Cragin Elementary School, a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning community where every child is valued and encouraged to grow.
Here at Cragin Elementary we believe learning happens best when students feel connected, supported, and confident. Guided by our Cougar Code, "Persevere, Be Accountable, Work as a Team, and Practice Safety," we partner closely with families and the community to create positive learning experiences that help every Cougar take meaningful steps toward success.
We focus on building strong foundations for learning through consistent instruction, student engagement, and positive school culture.
We emphasize clear learning goals, active participation, and arts-integrated instruction as an Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA) Gold School.
Through collaboration, data-informed teaching, and targeted support, we are strengthening academic growth while nurturing creativity, responsibility, and a love of learning for all students.
The mission of Cragin Elementary School is to provide a supportive and engaging learning environment where all students develop strong academic foundations, positive learning behaviors, and a love of learning. Through arts-integrated instruction as an Opening Minds through the Arts Gold School, clear expectations, and collaboration with families and the community, we work together to help every Cougar persevere, take responsibility, work as a team, and grow in excellence.
We are committed to continuous growth and improvement.
We work collaboratively to strengthen instruction, support students academically and socially, and maintain a positive, inclusive school culture.
Through consistent practices, family partnerships, and a focus on the whole child, we are building a strong foundation where every Cougar can thrive.
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Have a fun and safe summer! We can't wait to see you in August.
No school for grades K-12.
All schools and District offices are closed.
Oscar MellonSchool Monitor
Oscar is one of Cragin Elementary’s newest staff members, having joined at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. But so far, they have loved this new adventure in their life.
“The community is so much more intertwined than I thought it would be,” Oscar said. “It really brings everything together. It lets me see every little spark of life and it’s really inspiring to me to see all the big differences.”
Throughout their day, Oscar tries to slip in some American Sign Language in their interactions with students. It’s something they are learning and, in turn, like teaching to students. It leads to special little moments each day.
“I love Cragin and I love TUSD so far,” Oscar said. “And I want to come back again and again, even though it’s my first year.”
Cynthia MiltenbergerOMA Dance Instructor
Originally from Los Angeles, Cynthia moved to Tucson four years ago to join her mother, who resides in the Old Pueblo. Cynthia was looking to teach dance, which she had 20 years' worth of experience in back in LA.
As a child, Cynthia was very introverted and had low self-esteem, so her mom put her in dance classes to help bring Cynthia out of her shell. And it worked. She excelled in dance and soon that translated into a new-found confidence.
Now, as an arts integration teacher with a focus on theater and dance, she is able to help her students grow in the same way she did through dance.
“It’s amazing,” Cynthia said. “It comes full circle.”
Kim Dessen5th Grade Teacher
More than two decades ago, Kim used to babysit the children of a former Cragin teacher. Through that connection, Kim learned of a substitute teacher vacancy that needed to be filled. Shortly after, Kim was brought on as a full-time teacher and has been at Cragin for 22 years now.
Through her time at Cragin, some of Kim’s favorite memories are from the garden. When it was at its peak, it produced an abundance of produce. Staff would collect any extra produce and distribute it to different groups.
“We would collect the extras and give them to the fire department,” Kim said. “I remember going with a box of stuff that came from the garden, and I was running up and down the parent pickup line trying to get rid of carrots because we had so many.”