Collins Coyotes Howler Newsletter

Creating connected, capable, contributing learners who achieve their highest potential every day

Location: 1920 128th Street East, Tacoma, WA, USA
Phone: 253-298-3400
Facebook: facebook.com/collinscoyotes

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November 13 - World Kindness Day!

November 13 - 2:35 dismissal

November 15 - Picture retake day

November 15 - Wear your college gear

November 18-22 - Substitute Appreciation Week

November 20 - 12:35 dismissal (report card planning)

November 22 - Pajama day

November 25 - Food Drive starts!

November 27 - 12:35 dimssial

November 28-December 1 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Dear Collins’ Families,

Thank you to everyone who sent pictures for our Veterans Day recognition. Students were engaged in a presentation that explained what a veteran is and why we celebrate, and then enjoyed all of the photos of the people connected to our community who served our country.

The month of November always flies by and includes several dates to keep in mind. But this is also a month to remind ourselves about gratitude, thankfulness and helping others. At our November CHAMPS assembly, we challenged students to find ways to help others in our school and community. Each day, when we acknowledge students for earning Be Slips, we pause for a moment to reflect on something we are thankful for. Also, we will begin a schoolwide food drive, starting on Nov. 25, as one way to collectively give back to our community. We will have a class competition for the most items collected. Personally, I am exceptionally thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Collins community to promote and celebrate learning of our students and staff.

Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with the team at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center. If you have not heard of them, they have an abundance of resources and support systems that are free to our community. We have invited them to attend our Family Resource Fair in January. But if you are curious to check them out, their website is apcc96.org.

Teachers have been hard at work learning about our new report card system. Next week they will be given additional time to enter grades into the system and start to print the reports. On December 6th, students will bring home their report cards. The report does look a little different than previous reports, so if you have any questions, please reach out to us.

Looking ahead to December, we have several fun days planned for our community. Aside from our school newsletter, teachers will send home dates for you all to keep in mind. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to our amazing office staff who will direct you in the right direction.

Kindest regards,

Katie Kehoe

Did you know that students are required to wear tennis shoes during fitness? To help ensure that all of our students have tennis shoes, the student council is continuing to collect donations. If your student has outgrown their tennis shoes, please consider donating to our drive!

Thank you!

Collins community,

Please remember to drive the posted speed limit as you approach the school to drop off or pick up your student.

The safety of all is a priority, and that includes driving the posted speed limit of 20mph.

Thank you for your attention.

Pieces are missing when kids are not at school! We want our Coyotes to be here every day, all day, on time, and ready to learn. As an attendance incentive, on days when all students are in class, on time, and at school the entire day, classes will receive a piece of a coyote (similar to Mr. Potato Head). They will receive a class reward whenever a class has earned all pieces of the coyote. We understand that sometimes children must miss school due to illness or special circumstances, but we want to encourage being present as much as possible in fun, positive ways. Thank you for having your child/children here regularly!

Attendance is key for students to thrive so please try to schedule appointments outside of the school day. Every absence, tardy and/or early dismissal needs to be reported to the office.

If you know your child will be absent or will be either leaving early or arriving late, please call our office. The number is 253.298.3406. If your child is sick and you cannot see a doctor you can bring your child in to see the nurse. If the nurse says the child is too ill to be at school the absence will be excused.

The number of days missed matters!

Whether excused or unexcused, the number of days your student misses can greatly impact their academic success. Families should strive for regular attendance. Regular attendance means having, on average, less than two absences per month. An absence is defined as missing 50% or more of their scheduled day.

Most children miss a few days of school each year without long-term consequences. However, when students miss too many days, the effects are almost always negative. We are continually working to make our school environment a place where everyone is safe, healthy, and ready to learn

What Can Families Do?

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Families can start building this habit in preschool, so they learn right away that students go to school on time, every day. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and in their careers. Here are some suggestions:

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine,

• Set out clothes and pack backpacks the night before,

• If they choose to pack lunches do so the night before,

• Schedule appointments and travel when school is not in session,

• Have a back-up plan in place with family members, neighbors, or other parents for getting your child to school in case something comes up,

• Keep track of your child’s attendance,

• Talk about the importance of regular attendance and about how your child feels about school. Regular attendance helps to make and build connections with friends and staff. It also supports learning!

• Reach out for support. If you need support and resources to address the barriers to school attendance, or a reason that they aren’t looking forward to school regularly please connect with your child’s teacher, counselor, or the front office staff so we can address it. We are here to help!

If your Coyote comes to school late, we ask that you please come in with them to sign them in. Often times, students are just dropped off at the door, and we are trying to avoid that. Thank you for your cooperation!

If you are interested in volunteering as a chaperone for field trips or in any other capacity that may come up, please complete the volunteer application as soon as possible. It may take up to two weeks to process an application and we don't want you to be left out of a volunteer opportunity because you are not approved yet! Click here to begin your volunteer application. If you were cleared as a volunteer last year, please complete a new application. Volunteer applications must be completed every year.

Medications

If your child needs to have medication(s) administered during school hours, we must have a physician's order. The order has to be signed by both the prescribing physician and the parent. This applies to all prescription AND over-the-counter medications (i.e. cough drops, eye drops, ear drops, etc...). All medications are required to be transported to and from school by a parent or another designated adult. We do not allow students to carry medications, unless they have an order that states otherwise.

Illness

Please continuously monitor your child for symptoms. If your child is sick, keep them at home. If exhibiting Covid-like symptoms, testing is recommended. Please see the attached document for guidance. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the health room.

We will have outdoor recess as much as possible as long as daily conditions are safe for students to be outside. Please be sure your students come to school dressed for the weather. Wear coats, hats, gloves, socks, shoes that protect their feet, and maybe even a change of clothes in case they get wet.

Please also take a moment to label outer-wear with a permanent marker in case it is misplaced. If your child is missing their coat, please ask them to check the lost and found next to the gym.

Our school district office has a Family Resource Center. They can offer connections and resources for families who need support. The Family Resource Center is open to all community members.

The Farm at Franklin Pierce. Food at the farm is grown by and for the community! Everyone is invited to visit the farm on Thursdays from 4-6pm to receive “Fresh and Free Veggies”!

The Farm is located at 9516 Waller Rd E.

If you have any questions about either of these resources, please check out our school district’s website, fpschools.org; or call our school’s front office.

Please read these important reminders from the office!

1. If you need to come into the building, please press the intercom button on your right as you look at the front door. This will enable the office to see you and to buzz you into the entry if needed.
2. Please notify the office of any changes in the way your child will go home at the end of the day. We need this information before 3:30 so we have time to get a note to the teacher.
3. Call the office (253)-298-3400 if your child will be absent. If they have an appointment, please ask the doctor, dentist, counselor, etc. for a note for school. Offices that treat children are used to giving notes to students for excuses! Tardies and leaving school early shows on your child's attendance record. Please make appointments outside of school hours when possible.
4. If you need to take your child out of school before the end of the school day, please come before 3:30 so we can easily locate your child! You will need to sign your child out and wait for them to come from their classroom, so allow plenty of time.
5. If your phone number, email address, or home address changes, please let us know so we have the most up-to-date contact information for you. If students become ill, or otherwise need your help, we need a way to contact you! Thank you.

If your student is absent and we haven't heard from you, you will receive an automated safety call to let you know that your student is not in class. When you receive this call, please call the office at 253-298-3400 to let us know the reason for the absence. Alternatively, you could send a signed note with your student when they return to school. Please remember that all absences remain unexcused until we hear from you. Thank you for your help in this important matter!

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  Thank you to everyone who participated in the Cherrydale (Shopfund) catalog fundraiser! This fundraiser helps us give each grade a significant field trip grant to pay for all transportation and bring costs down for the students.

  
  

  • World Kindness Day - Wednesday, November 13th - Look out for our table during lunch recess to write a kind note to a fellow student or staff member. Show that kindness matters and receive a pencil and sticker for involvement.
  • Save the Date! The winter dance will be on Friday, December 20th!
  • Our next PTA meeting is Tuesday, November 19th. 5-6PM at the Summit Pierce County Library (5107 112th St E, Tacoma, WA 98446). Hope to see you there. Come and share your winter dance ideas!
  • Join the PTA! Click to join - https://collinsptacoyotes.givebacks.com/store. Everyone is welcome, and whether you have a little time or a lot, your involvement makes a huge impact.

  
  

Franklin Pierce Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to James Hester, Compliance Coordinator for State and Civil Rights Laws; Dr. Julian Pollard, Title IX Officer; or John Sanders, 504/ADA Coordinator at 315 129th ST S, Tacoma, WA 98444-5099 or at (253)298-3000