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

FEBRUARY DATES

5: Kindergarten OPEN HOUSE Infromation for Parents @ 7

6: CONFERENCES-Invitation only 4-7pm

10: PTO MEETING IN MEDIA CENTER @ 3:45

12: COUNT DAY

12: 6th Grade Counselors Visit

17-21: NO SCHOOL MID-WINTER BREAK

28: 5th Grade Growth and Development

Happy Last week Before MID-WINTER BREAK!

Greetings Collins Cubs! It was lovely to see all those families in attendance for our Early Childhood, Young Fives, and Kindergarten Open House last week on Wednesday, February 5th. Remember, all information to enroll is located ONLINE. Should you and your family need additional information, please be sure to visit the following:

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

THE WEEK AHEAD:

• WIDA TESTING CONTINUES
• PTO MEETING Monday, 2/10 in Media Center @ 3:45
• PTO Sponsored Candy Gram Sales Ends 2/10-delivered 2/14
• COUNT DAY!! FEBRUARY 12!! Please be sure to be in attendance.
• 13: Parent-Teacher Conferences RESCHEDULED from 4-7pm
• Valentine's Day on Friday, February 14
• NO SCHOOL FEBRUARY 17-21

Wishing you and yours a relaxing and wonderful MID-WINTER BREAK! See you back on Monday, February 24, 2025.

Make it a great week Collins Cubs!

Principal Ciacchella

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

Just a reminder that this week begins our required WIDA testing for all student receiving English Language Support. Letters were emailed last week and can be found below. Should you have any questions regarding the WIDA testing, please contact the office and/or Ms. Emily Jamnik our EL teacher. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!

Although we hope you all enjoyed the special two days together due to the inclement weather, as we navigate the next few weeks, we would like to take this time to share some updates and reminders regarding our behaviors.

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