CUBS COMMUNITY COMMUNICATION

Our mission at Collins, with the help of the community, is to foster a caring and enriching environment that enables all students to grow academically and socially, to reach their individual potential as they become lifelong learners.

SCHOOL HOURS: 8:25-3:15 DAILY

HALF-DAY HOURS: 8:25-11:29

BREAKFAST OPENS @ 8:10-8:25

email: mailto:officecollins@uticak12.org

website: https://collins.uticak12.org

Location: 12900 Grand Haven, Sterling Heights, MI 48312

Phone: 586-797-4200

Attendance Line: 586-797-4299 (24 hours)

COLLINS Facebook: www.facebook.com/CollinsCubs

PTO Facebook: www.facebook.com/BruceCollinsPTO

MARCH DATES

3: DIGITAL RSVP to FAMILY GAME NIGHT DUE!

3-17: PTO Sponsored Spring Flower Sale

3: SPIRIT DAY: Wear Red and White

4: Bagel Day and UP NORTH DAY for March is Reading Month

6- WEAR JEANS

10: PTO Meeting 3:45 Media Center

11: Wear a Hat Day!

13: Gizmo Family Game Night

14: PTO RESTAURANT NIGHT-CHUCK E CHEESE

17: WEAR GREEN!

18: WEAR A SHIRT WITH WORDS

20: PAWS ASSEMBLY

21: WEAR PJ'S

21: HALF-DAY DISMISSAL 11:29 AM

24-28: NO SCHOOL SPRING BREAK

24-28: SPRING BREAK NO SCHOOL

31: LAST READING LOG TICKETS DUE

APRIL DATES:

7: MSTEP TESTING WINDOW BEGINS

HAPPY MARCH COLLINS CUBS!

MARCH IS READING MONTH: This week, we will kick off our March is Reading Month with an assembly together to explain our theme this month: CAMP OUT WITH A BOOD BOOK!

Students will be receiving a paper calendar of events and have this month's Reading Challenge explained to them. Please be sure to turn in the log tickets by March 31!

PRACTICE SAFETY DRILLS: In addition, we have several drills scheduled for this week. Please do not be surprised if your student discusses a Fire Drill or Tornado Drill this week.

RSVP FOR FAMILY GAME NIGHT BY MARCH 3: Please be sure to RSVP for our FREE TITLE ONE EVENING by the end of day today! We look forward to this event on March 13th.

OAKLAND NURSES: We are excited to begin to welcome our Oakland University Nurses for the next six weeks. They will be visiting classrooms on scheduled Tuesdays. Welcome!

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR SUCCESS: Lastly, a big thank you to Mrs. Taubitz and all our family volunteers for helping to run the Successful Scholastic Book Fair! We could not do this without your support. THANK YOU!

KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP INFORMATION:

• https://www.uticak12.org/Kindergarten
• https://secure.smore.com/n/b5a7w
• Enroll in UCS / Welcome

THE WEEK AHEAD:

• Oakland Nurses Begin Rotation
• 3/3: SIGN UP FOR FAMILY GIZMO NIGHT!! RSVP DUE BY March 3rd. Tentative time 5:30-7
• 3/3: PTO FLOWER SALE BEGINS
• 3/3: Wear Red and white and Reading Assembly
• 3/4: Wear an UP NORTH shirt
• 3/6 Wear Jeans Today!
• 3/7 FLASHLIGHT READING in CLASS
• 3/7 REAINDG TICKET LOGS DUE

Make it a great week Collins Cubs!

Principal Ciacchella

Attention Collins Cubs-

We are pleased to announce a FREE TITLE ONE FUNDED FAMILY GAME NIGHT hosted and sponsored by Learning Gizmos. This event will take place on MARCH 13th from 6-7pm in the GYM. This is a FREE FAMILY GAME night but spots are limited. RSVP TODAY!

HOW TO RSVP:

• SUBMIT THE DIGITAL RSVP FORM BELOW
• SUBMIT THE PAPER COPY TO YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER
• SEE YOU AT GAME NIGHT!

• This Family GIZMO GAME night will be a special event and REQUIRES a PARENT to be present during the event-STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE PRESENT BY THEMSELVES.
• PARENT/GUARDIAN MUST REMAIN WITH STUDENTS AT EACH GAME TABLE.
• We encourage you to attend this FREE EVENT with prizes and educational game fun that is paid for by our TITLE ONE FUNDS!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

• We are in need of 10 volunteers to help run a GAME STATION.
• If you are interested, please be sure to sign-up using the RSVP link as well.
• TRAINING FOR THE GAMES will take place at 5:15-6pm.
• Volunteers will need to stay at the game table the duration of the event.
• NHS students from Stevenson are welcomed to VOLUNTEER!

Mrs. Merrifield, our fabulous Behavior Interventionist, is working on ways to celebrate our CUBS and their special behaviors. From the lunch room puff ball incentives to the WALL OF FAME-we are ready to celebrate ALL OUR CUBS who SHOW THEIR P.A.W.S.. A special thank you to Mrs. Merrifield's continued commitment to helping our students make successful strides of improvement in behavior. Stay tuned for the WALL OF FAME!

Dear Collins Cubs-

We loved having so many future UCS Early Childhood families attend our Open House Event on Wednesday. In case you missed it, please be sure to see some of the information below and check out our PowerPoint within our SPECIAL EDITION KINDERGARTEN NEWSLETTER!

Please also be sure to sign up for the SCREENER!

Please be sure to review the Attendance Policies and Procedures. If your child is absent, please be sure to call the office attendance line. We need to be fever free for 24 hours. Cough drops and lotions are not allowed in the building, due to allergy concerns. Tardies will be marked after the official start of our school day which begins at 8:25. Thank you.

POLICY 5115- Attendance Regular attendance and active participation in class are integral parts of a student’s total education. Students can achieve optimal educational benefits only through regular class attendance and a serious commitment to an educational program. Expecting good attendance fosters a habit that will be beneficial to the individual student throughout life, as school attendance patterns are often repeated in the work place. The Utica Community Schools considers absenteeism and tardiness a serious disruption to the educational process, not only for the student, but also for the teacher and the entire class. In order to protect the integrity of the classroom and to encourage students to establish good attendance attitudes and habits, students who are absent/tardy may be subject to disciplinary action by the school. Attendance in school is the responsibility of the student and the parent(s)/guardian(s). The school’s task is to provide instruction, encourage attendance and notify parent(s)/guardian(s) of absences from class. Exemplary class attendance should be the desired goal of students, parent(s)/guardian(s) and teachers

SHOWING OUR P.A.W.S:

• POSITIVE CHOICES (includes keeping our hands, feet, and objects to ourselves)
• ACT RESPONSIBLY (Hands to ourselves, following class rules and board policies, being prepared for class)
• WILL BE RESPECTFUL (Kind words, no swearing in any language, following directions the first time they are received.)
• SHOW INTEGRITY (Honest and Bully-Free)

STUDENT INCENTIVES

• Earning PAWS tickets for assemblies and awards
• Recognized by teachers and staff
• Shout-outs on Morning Announcements, Call home, or note from Principal!
• Earning extra rewards such as recess, lunch, etc.

CLASS INCENTIVES

• We try to recognize classrooms that have adhered to our GOAL for the week. Our goal is typically set by our Character Strong. This month is PERSERVERANCE!
• Classes get to house the CUB TROPHY award for the week and enjoy an additional recess.

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES

• We use our restorative practices to help guide students through reflection and redirection with behaviors.
• Did you know that use of Restorative Practices is a law in Michigan: MCL - Section 380.1310c?

ANTI-BULLYING

• We take this matter to heart. Please be sure to review the UCS SCHOOL BOARD Policy regarding this matter.
• We have Friendship Fridays on morning announcements that review part of our CHARACTER STRONG initiative to support anti-bullying friendships and support Social Emotional Learning.
• CHECK OUT OUR FAMILY CHARACTER STRONG COMMUNICATION regarding Anti-Bullying.

Families, we need your help with our parking lot procedures.

• KIND and PATIENT: We appreciate your attention to being kind and patient with one another. Our new parking lot was designed with you all in mind and we appreciate your patience with the amount of traffic we receive. :)
• DROP OFF LANE: No one should be parking or stopping to open doors in this lane. It is meant to be quick for students to exit and proceed to their doors.
• PULL VEHICLE ALL THE WAY PASSED CROSS WALK by GYM: In addition, if you are able to pull your vehicle as far down and passed the crossing lanes, that would be greatly appreciated.
• VISITOR PARKING LOT: If your child requires you to accompany them across the parking lot, we ask that you are please hold their hands and should only be crossing at the designated safety crosswalks.
• HANDICAP PARKING FOR HANDICAP ONLY
• ONE DIRECTION: As you enter the parent drop off, it is a one way only.

Thank you for your help with this matter.

We try our best to get outside at ALL costs, weather permitting! Please be sure to send your students with hats, gloves, snowpants, boots, etc. Make sure to put their name inside!

If you need support with items, please let us know as we are happy to help provide some donations to your family in need.

TEMPERATURES: We do adhere to staying inside if it is 10 degrees (real feel) or below. This includes altering our safety posts if weather conditions are too cold for extended stretches.

WEATHERBUG APP: Our building uses WEATHERBUG.com for Sterling Heights to determine our REAL FEEL temperatures.

Sometimes, it is necessary to hold indoor recess for a variety of circumstances including: icy black-top in spite of salting and plowing.

Safety remains a priority for our school. Collins Elementary is once again providing training to our students on our safety protocols. The protocols identify actions that students may be asked to take in the event of a potential incident: hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate and shelter.

The training is provided through a short, animated video. In the video, the teacher – Mrs. Appleton – and her students walk through the different responses in a very relaxed and engaging way for younger children. The script was written by our staff.

The protocols will continue to be part of the training while practicing our regular school safety drills, such as fire drills, security drills, tornado drills, evacuation procedures, etc.

The video is available for you to review at this link: UCS School Safety: Standard Response Protocol - Elementary - YouTube If you have any questions, please contact our office.

Dear families-

"All meals are free this year thanks to the Michigan School Meals law. Students that would like to be eligible for benefits, such as pay-to-participate sports, college entrance fees, AP testing fees and more still need to fill out the Education Benefits Form or the School Meals Form. These forms are available at https://utica.familyportal.cloud."

Parents/Families, although our meals are free thanks to the Michigan School Meals, you are highly encouraged to still complete form to ensure our school receives proper TITLE I funds to be utilized on INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT for ALL our Cubs! Please complete the form below and applications will be sent home as well. Only ONE form from each home at each school is required (if you have multiple students at Collins, only one form is required to be completed and submitted).

FOOD ALLERGIES

"Students with food allergies that wish to use school meals must have a Special Dietary Needs form filled out and signed by a physician. Forms need to be submitted to the office of Food and Nutrition Service. Without this form we cannot make accommodations. This form must be updated every year to ensure accuracy. Since all schools have vegetarian options available, parents do not need to fill out a form for this option.

MEAL MAGIC:
"Families that wish to put money in their students’ Meal Magic account(s) via credit card will need to create a Family Portal account. Please go to https://utica.familyportal.cloud to create the account. This is also where parents can fill out the Educational Benefit Forms (EBF). Menus are online at https://uticak12.nutrislice.com .

FREE MEALS

Great news, free meals will be provided again this year due to Michigan School Meals. However, in order to continue to provide service, we will still need the Educational Benefit Forms completed in order to maintain our Title I funding.

• Please complete this form to apply online below.
• Families with food allergies should complete the MDE Special Dietary Needs form filled out and signed by a physician each year and submitted to the Food Service Office. SEE BELOW

We love having volunteers into Collins Elementary! Each year, every volunteer must complete a NEW volunteer form. Please be sure to view and complete the form below. THANK YOU! Volunteer background checks may take longer than 4 weeks, please plan accordingly and they will do the best they can to get it approvied as soon as possible.

SECURITY:

We appreciate all family members complying with our security measures. Please be sure to have your ID ready to be displayed to our front cameras, prior to entry. ALL VISITORS MUST BE BUZZED IN THROUGH THE MAIN FRONT OFFICE DOORS (Not DOOR 1 or any other door entry). We appreciate your support and cooperation in keeping all our CUBS safe and secure.

We have several positions that will be open and available for Utica Community Schools for the 2024-2025 school year. If you have every considered getting involved in this amazing community, this is the time to do so! Please be sure to check out the website FREQUENTLY!!

https://uticak12.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

If you'd like to SUBSTITUTE TEACH in our building, please visit the website below!!

https://www.edustaff.org

There is always support available to you and your family. Should you need to contact our Care Match site is always running. At anytime, students, staff, or families can submit an anonymous request to care through your district's custom link caresolace.com/utica.

SUPER CUBS SHOW THEIR P.A.W.S!

P: Positive Choices

A: Act Responsibly

W: Will be Respectful

S: Shows Integrity

All Collins Cubs are expected to follow protocols and procedures while showing their PAWS! That includes inside the classrooms, during the hallways, on the playgrounds, and for arrivial/dismissal as well. Teachers will be on the lookout for ways to celebrate students showing their PAWS and have a chance to earn incentives.

Please review all Utica Community Schools behavior policies in the Parent Handbook attached to the link below. It is expected that all UCS policies and procedures will be adhered to at any/all school functions and on school properties. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Bond Issue Updates / Bond Issue Updates (uticak12.org)

Principal of Collins Elementary

Email: collinsquestions@uticak12.org
Website: https://www.uticak12.org/Collins
Location: 12900 Grand Haven Drive, Sterling Heights, MI, USA
Phone: (586)797-4200
Facebook: facebook.com/collins