Welcome Back Letter to Families

Dear Coyote Families,

We’re thrilled to share that the first week of school has been off to an amazing start! It’s been wonderful to see our students back in the classrooms, filled with energy and excitement as we dive into this new school year together.

Highlights from the First Week:

• "Clapping them In": We warmly welcomed our new 3rd graders with our tradition of "Clapping Them In." The entire school community came together to cheer on our newest members, making them feel right at home.

• Engaging Activities: Throughout the week, students have participated in activities that help them connect with their classmates and teachers. This has set a strong foundation for a supportive learning environment.

• Classroom Success: We’ve already seen great things happening in the classrooms, from lively discussions to hands-on projects that spark curiosity and creativity.

What’s Next:

• Establishing Routines: As we continue through this first week, we’ll be focusing on establishing routines and setting the tone for a successful year ahead.

• Check-in: Please take a moment to check in with your child about what they’ve enjoyed so far and how they’re settling into their new routines.

We are so grateful for your support and partnership as we embark on this journey together. Let’s continue to make this a fantastic year of growth and learning for all our students.

Thank you for being a part of our Coyote family!

Mrs. Morgan & Mrs. Sparks

1. Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.

2. Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.

3. Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.

4. Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.

5. Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.

Who to contact if your child doesn't want to come to school:

• No Left Turn: Please remember, there’s no left turn when exiting the parking lot. A visual reminder is posted to assist.

• Morning Drop-Off:

  • If your child needs help getting out of the car, please pull into a parking spot to assist them.
  • Signal to Mr. Sartin (our Physical Education teacher with the friendly smile) after parking. He will ensure you can safely exit the lot and that your child gets into the building securely.

• Afternoon Pick-Up:

  • We load approximately 15 cars at a time, prioritizing student safety.
  • We will walk students to cars to ensure all are safely inside before releasing cars.
  • Please stay in your car to avoid holding up traffic and to help us clear the roads quickly.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our car rider process smooth and safe for everyone!

• Account Reminders: We will send reminders when your child’s lunch account needs additional funds.

• Timely Payments: Please try to clear any charges as soon as possible. It’s much easier to pay a smaller amount than to manage a large bill later.

• End-of-Year Balance: Schools are required to cover overdue accounts at the end of the year. It would be wonderful if we could end the year with no outstanding balances.

• Free and Reduced lunch forms: The form must be renewed annually. Requirements can change, so please complete the form—you never know if you qualify until you apply. Rest assured, when your child goes through the lunch line, no one knows if they receive free or reduced lunch, as all students simply enter their student ID. Link to the form.
  

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for helping us keep lunch accounts in good standing!

This year, we have two school counselors: Mrs. Monju, who is full-time, and Ms. Virginia, who is part-time and shared with CPS. If you need any assistance from our counselors, please don’t hesitate to reach out. They are here to help and support our students and families.

We’re making a small change to how we handle water bottles in the classroom to ensure that our students stay focused and hydrated. Students will now keep their water bottles in their cubbies during instructional time. They are welcome to access them when instruction is not directly being delivered and can also bring them to recess, lunch, and PE.

We appreciate your support in helping us create an environment that balances learning with the well-being of our students.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Parents:

This year, we are focusing on reducing the use of Chromebooks in our classroom. As part of this initiative, we will not be sending home Chromebooks with students. We believe this will allow our students to enjoy their evenings with less screen time, encouraging them to engage in more offline activities and spend quality time with family.

We appreciate your support as we strive to create a balanced approach to learning and well-being.

Thank you for your understanding.