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

APRIL DATES:

14-15: 6th Grade MSTEP MATH 8:45

14: PTO MEETING MEDIA CENTER @ 3:45

14: MUSIC CONCERT

15: VA 3-6 ELA & MSTEP 8:30

16: 4th Grade and 4/5 Split MSTEP ELA 10:00

17: 4th Grade and 4/5 Split MSTEP ELA 10:00

17: VA 5th Grade Science and Social Studies 8:30-11:30

18: NO SCHOOL

21-22: 5th Grade Math MSTEP 9:30-10:30

21: VA 3-6 MAKEUPS 10:30-12:30

23: 3rd Grade ELA MSTEP 9:30-10:30

23: 6th Grade ELA/MATH MSTEP MAKEUPS

24: Take your Child to Work Day!

28: 3rd Grade ELA MSTEP continues 9:30-10:30

29-30: 5th SCIENCE MSTEP 9:30-10:30

MAY

1-2: 4th Grade and 4/5 Split MATH MSTEP

5: 5th Grade Social Studies MSTEP

6-7: 3rd Grade Math MSTEP

7: 6th Grade Career Focus

12: SMART MOVES @ 2pm

Week one of MSTEP testing is complete!

Students in 5th and 6th grade began their MSTEP testing in ELA this week. As a reminder, 6th graders will continue with testing next week as well as their MATH MSTEP testing. All 4th grade students and students in the 4/5 split will begin their ELA MSTEP testing next week. A few specials will be adjusted to accommodate our testing times. Just a reminder that we do not have SCHOOL on FRIDAY, APRIL 18th.

THANK YOU, PTO!!

What a wonderful GLOW DANCE event that was put on by the PTO last Friday. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to creating a FREE event for all involved!!! We truly appreciate you!

*REMINDER*-FRIDAY NEWSLETTER: In preparation for our upcoming MSTEP Assessments and end of the year celebrations, activities, and Quarter 4, our COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERS will be going home on FRIDAYS.

MSTEP: As we move into next week, we will begin our important MSTEP State Assessments. Please see the letters below regarding the critical MSTEP State Assessments as well as our testing schedule. Attendance on these days are vital as is getting a great night's sleep. Please see below for important information regarding MSTEP.

KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP INFORMATION:

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

Make it a great week Collins Cubs!

Principal Ciacchella

A very special CONGRATULATIONS to COLLINS ELEMENTARY'S very own, Mrs. Taubitz for being one of this year's 2025 UCS FOUNDATION Teacher Grant Recipient. We are thrilled for this honor and achievement as Mrs. Taubitz took the time to write a grant for her students at Collins Elementary and was celebrated at a staff meeting on Tuesday, April 8th from Mr. Bob Van Camp, UCS FOUNDATION, and Dr. Bender from Utica Community Schools.

Mrs. Taubitz wrote a grant to purchase Sphero Indi Robots for our students to learn about "unplugged" coding using colored mats in the MEDIA CENTER. We are excited to see all the great things that will take place. Thank you Mrs. Taubitz and CONGRATULATIONS!!

Dear Families-

We are about to begin our MSTEP State Assessment testing. During the next 6 weeks from April 8-May 15th, students in grades 3-6 will be assessed at Collins Elementary School.

APRIL DATES:

14: 6th Grade MSTEP MATH Session 1

15: Virtual Academy ELA/MATH 3-6

15: 6th Grade MSTEP MATH Session 2

16: 4th Grade and 4/5 Split MSTEP ELA SESSION 1

17: 4th Grade and 4/5 Split MSTEP ELA SESSION 1

17: Virtual Academy 5 Science and Social Studies

18: NO SCHOOL

21: 5th Grade MSTEP MATH SESSION 1

21: VA 3-6 MAKEUPS

22: 5th Grade MSTEP MATH SESSION 2

23: 3rd Grade MSTEP ELA SESSION 1

23: 6th Grade MSTEP MAKEUPS ELA/MATH MAKEUPS and FINISH SESSIONS ALL DAY

23-24: HEARING AND VISION SCREENING K, 2,4 ASD

24: Take Your Child To Work Day

25:ALL 6th GRADE MSTEP MATH MUST BE COMPLETED!

28: 3rd GRADE ELA SESSION 2

28: NWEA WINDOW OPENS

29: 5th Grade MSTEP SCIENCE SESSION 1

30: 5th Grade MSTEP SCIENCE SESSION 2

MAY DATES:

1: 4th and 4/5 SPLIT MATH SESSION 1

2: 4th and 4/5 SPLIT MATH SESSION 2

5: 5th Grade MSTEP Studies ONLY SESSION

6: 3rd Grade MATH SESSION 1

7: CAREER FOCUS 6th Graders

8: 3rd Grade MATH SESSION 2

12-15: MAKEUPS MSTEP ALL GRADES 3-5

16: MSTEP MUST BE COMPLETED

23: NWEA WINDOW CLOSES

26: NO SCHOOL MEMORIAL DAY

WEEK TWO: APRIL 14-18

Monday, April 14, 2025: 6th MATH Franks/Abbiss Session 1

Monday, April 14, 2025 VA 3-6 ELA & Math

Tuesday, April 15, 2025: 6th MATH Franks/Abbiss Session 2

Tuesday, April 15, 2025: VA 5 Science & Social Studies

Wednesday, April 16, 2025: 4th Grade and 4/5 Split ELA Session 1 Brusseau/Visca/Grimes SPECIAL SWITCH

Thursday, April 17, 2925: 4th Grade and 4/5 Split ELA Session 2 Brusseau/Visca/Grimes

SPECIAL SWITCH

• SPECIAL SWITCH: Brusseau switch with BRYANT 1:30-2:20
• SPECIAL SWITCH: Visca switch with Van Sickle: 8:35-9:25
• SPECIAL SWITCH: GRIMES switch with Doss: 8:35-9:25

WEEK THREE: APRIL 21-25

Monday, April 21, 2025: 5th MATH Session 1 VAN SICKLE/DOSS & MI-ACCESS

Monday, April 21, 2025: VA 3-6 MAKEUPS ALL

Tuesday, April 22, 2025: 5th MATH Session 2 VAN SICKLE/DOSS & MI-ACCESS

Wednesday, April 23, 2025: 3rd Grae Session 1 ELA Oltersdorf/Degenfelder

Wednesday, April 23, 2025: 6th ELA/MATH MAKEUPS ALL DAY!

*RUN NORMAL SPECIAL SCHEDULE*

WEEK FOUR: APRIL 28-MAY 2

Monday, April 28, 2025: 3rd ELA SESSION 2 Oltersdorf/Degenfelder

Tuesday, April 29, 2025: 5th Science SESSION 1 Doss/ Van Sickle/ Grimes SCIENCE (students split)

Wednesday, April 30, 2025: 5th Science SESSION 2 Doss/ Van Sickle/ Grimes SCIENCE (students split

Thursday, May 1, 2025: 4th and 4/5 Split MATH SESSION 1 Visca/Brusseau/Grimes

Friday, May 2, 2025: 4th and 4/5 Split MATH SESSION 2 Visca/Brusseau/Grimes

SPECIAL SWITCH

• SPECIAL SWITCH: Brusseau switch with BRYANT 1:30-2:20
• SPECIAL SWITCH: Visca switch with Van Sickle: 8:35-9:25
• SPECIAL SWITCH: GRIMES switch with Doss: 8:35-9:25

WEEK FIVE: MAY 5-9

Monday, May 5, 2025: 5th SOCIAL STUDIES ONLY SESSION DOSS/VAN SICKLE/GRIMES

Tuesday, May 6, 2025: 3rd MATH SESSION 1 Oltersdorf/Degenfelder

Thursday May 8, 2025: 3rd MATH SESSION 2 Oltersdorf/Degenfelder

FRIDAY May 9, 2025: 3rd/5th Makeups

*RUN NORMAL SPECIAL SCHEDULE*

WEEK SIX: MAY 12-15

Monday-Friday, May 12-15, 2025 MAKEUPS ALL GRADES

*RUN NORMAL SPECIAL SCHEDULE*

IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE:

1. Grade 6 Math needs to completed by April 25, 2025
2. NO SCHOOL APRIL 18, 2025
3. Take your child to work day(s) April 24 & (GM) 25
4. CAREER FOCUS May 7, 2025

Congratulations to ALL of our HAPPY CAMPERS for completion of our March is Reading Month Camping theme. For those students that turned in all four reading log tickets, enjoyed a Collins Camp Out this morning! We had S'Mores, made camp crafts, painted rocks, played backyard Camp games, and read a book in "tents" under the stars. A very special thank you to Mrs. Budnick, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Camaj, Mrs. Woodruff, and Mrs. Merrifield for help in making this a wonderful success. Keep reading!

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!

Jed S. – Mrs. Grimes,

Camden B. – Mrs. Franks

Jenna H. – Mrs. Bryant

Vincenzo M. – Mr. Doss

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. Thank you for your continued support for dressing appropriately for the weather! As always, if you need assistance, we are happy to help.

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.

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