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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February 28 - 2:35 dismissal

February 29th - CHAMPS assembly, 10:30

March 4-8 - Paraeducator Appreciation Week

March 6 - 2:35 dismissal

March 13 - 12:35 dismissal, teacher training

March 15 - Spring and group photos (packets coming home soon)

March 15 - PTA's Lucky Coyote BINGO, 6-8 (more info coming)

I hope you all had a wonderful mid-winter break and feel rejuvenated for the upcoming weeks. Our Collins team enjoyed Spirit Week that was planned by our student council and the 100th day of school leading up to the break.

Below are a few pictures for your enjoyment. Be sure to check out our facebook page for additional pictures that were shared.

March is here this week! But not before we celebrate Leap Day 2024. We will have a fun froggy scavenger hunt on leap day with a raffle at the end of the day. Students and staff have a chance to find a frog and enter the raffle.

Then we will be ready to kick off the month of March. March is filled with several dates to put on our calendar. If you have any questions, please contact our main office and they can direct you I the right directions.

Also in March is a free opportunity for parenting classes. If you or someone you know is interested, please check out our district’s website for more information, fpschools.org.

Thank you all for your continued support of our community of learners. Collins is a very special place to grow and learn. And our families are a huge reason why this is a special place!

Best regards,

Katie Kehoe

We have many excellent educators at our school and among them are our paras. They are truly exceptional - skilled, compassionate, patient, talented, caring and dedicated. They play a key role in the success of our students and school. We want to take this opportunity to recognize the AMAZING work they do every single day! Whether it's welcoming students in the morning, teaching students 1:1 or in small groups, supervising at recess or making sure that students go home having someone smile and wave at them, our paras care about our students, help them learn and keep them safe! They are Collins rock stars. Please join us in honoring our paras: Mrs. Bainbridge, Ms. Boone, Ms. Brandt, Ms. Jackson, Mrs. Kusander, Mrs. Morse, Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Rogge, Mrs. Squier, Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Ray.

Do you have a student who…

~ learns easily and quickly?

~ thinks up unusual ways to solve hard problems?

~ has a clever sense of humor?

~ dislikes doing the same thing over and over?

~ thinks logically and wants things to make sense?

~ is open to new ideas?

~ is persistent and wants to keep trying with difficult tasks?

Complete a Project Excel Program Referral here

Conoce a algún estudiante que…

¿Aprende fácil y rápido?

¿Piensa de forma inusual cómo resolver problemas difíciles?

¿Tiene un sentido del humor ingenioso?

¿Le desagrada hacer la misma cosa una y otra vez?

¿Piensa de manera lógica y quiere que las cosas tengan sentido?

¿Está abierto a nuevas ideas?

¿Es persistente y quiere seguir tratando con tareas difíciles?

Complete una referencia del programa Project Excel aquí.

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!

As we finalize the transition between Skyward and Qmlativ, we ask that parents and guardians review and update their student's information in our Qmlativ/Skyward database. This information allows FPS and your student's school to stay connected with you and access vital information about your child's health and safety.

For a tutorial on how to complete the Annual Student Information Update, visit https://www.fpschools.org/departments/k-12-office/asiu.

Thank you in advance for completing the Annual Student Information Update!

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.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absences for any reason (both excused and unexcused absences). It can translate into students having a difficult time learning to read by the third grade, achieving in middle school, and graduating from high school. Every day a student is absent is a lost opportunity for learning.

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!

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 have a limited number of Free Disposal Vouchers available. If you would like one, please contact our office at 253-298-3400. Vouchers need to be used by March 31.

Important reminders for drop-off:

1. Pull forward when there is room so other cars can enter our lot (rather than blocking the street).

2. Cars need to pull up to the curb before students exit them. Students may not cut through cars as this is a safety hazard.

Important reminders for pick-up:

1. Students will be waiting in their assigned pick-up zone. Zones are broken up by the first letter of their last name. Please review the map for details.

2. Cars must pull up to the curb before a child will be released by the supervising adult.

3. Please make sure to not block traffic by waiting for an open spot. Instead continue to drive around until another car departs (similar to an airport).

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 in the gym.

In the event of emergencies, a team of Franklin Pierce Schools staff work to balance safety and our commitment to support student learning. The choice to delay or cancel the start of a school day includes assessing road conditions and consulting with other local services. Franklin Pierce Schools will attempt to offer updates about delays and closures by 5am.

Staff and families can expect to receive information about school closures and delays in the following ways:

• Recorded Telephone Message contact the main office at your child's school to ensure your contact information is up to date

• SMS Message for families/staff who have opted-in, click herefor Text Message if you would like to opt-in

• Email from info@fpschools.org

• Website www.fpschools.org

• Flash Alert Notification sign up to receive email notifications and download the Flash Alert App, click here.

• Local Media including KIRO 97.3 FM, KOMO 1000 AM, KIRO TV Channel 7, KOMO TV Channel 4, and KING TV Channel 5

• Social Media Facebook and Twitter

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 and you won't be stuck in the end-of-the-day pick-up line! 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!

Due to a bus driver shortage, your child's bus may be cancelled. Our Transportation Department and Public Information Office are working hard to be sure our communication is timely and effective. If you experience a bus cancellation, please remember the following:

1. When a bus is cancelled in the morning, it is also cancelled in the afternoon. If you bring your child to school, please be sure they also have a way to get home. If someone who is not listed as an emergency contact is picking up your child, please be sure to call the school office.
2. If you are not able to drive your child to school, please call our attendance office at 253-398-4500 to report your child's absence, so that it will be excused.
3. If your child's bus has not come and you have not heard anything, please check the Franklin Pierce Schools website at www.fpschools.org for updated information. Bus cancellations are always posted on the front of the website. You may also contact the transportation department at 253-298-3865.

We apologize for the inconvenience these cancellations cause

⭐⭐PTA is hosting a LUCKY BINGO NIGHT!!! 🍀🌈Come out and test your luck!!! 🍀🌈

Friday, March 15th, from 6pm to 8pm we will be hosting Lucky Coyote Bingo Night, a free family event for Collins Families. There will be prizes for kids and adults, as well as snacks & drinks to enjoy! Each person will receive the first 2 cards for FREE, but additional cards can be purchased for $1 (CASH ONLY). ***Children must be accompanied by an adult, they cannot just be dropped off***

📚📚March is the PTA's Read-a-thon Month to celebrate Read Across America & Dr. Seuss' Birthday!

Charts will be sent home this week to keep track of your minutes during the month. At the end of the month, turn in your chart to see if your class will win!!! The class with the highest number of minutes from each grade will win a PARTY 🎉🎉🎈 We will be keeping track by minutes, not words, so it is fair to all grades and levels of readers. Remember kids, you have an awesome librarian with Mrs. Sanderson, so make sure to ask for some great books to read this month.

Back by popular demand...We will be having a SPRING DANCE!!!!

There was a huge, positive response to the Winter Dance, so we have voted and will be hosting a Spring Dance. Not all details are finalized, but it will be held on Friday, May 3rd, from 6pm to 8pm. Also, the most exciting part, DJ Master G (aka Mr. Gaulke) will be returning!!! Keep an eye out for the final details and volunteer requests.

Don't Forget, the PTA meets the second Tuesday of every month in the Collins Library at 4:30pm. Our next meeting will be March 12th.

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; Wendy Malich, Title IX Officer; or John Sanders, 504/ADA Coordinator at 315 129th ST S, Tacoma, WA 98444-5099 or at (253)298-3000