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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April 28 - 5th Grade Camp information meeting, 5-6:30

April 30 - 2:35 dismissal

May 3 - WizFit Fundraiser ends

May/June - State Testing (see calendar below)

May 5-9 - Teacher and Nurse Appreciation Week

May 7 - 2:35 dismissal

May 8 - Wizards Game, 7pm, Washington High School

May 14 - 2:35 dismissal

May 15 - 1st Grade Concert, 6:30

May 31 - Franklin Pierce Pow Wow

Greetings Collins community!

We have had a few exciting weeks in our community! First of all, a huge kudos to Mr. Schultz and our second and third grade teams! That was truly a phenomenal performance. What makes it even more special is that the third grade classrooms collaboratively wrote the songs they sang!

I am looking forward to our next musical performance in May for our first graders.

Next, we have had some visitors from the Harlem Wizards to promote their upcoming basketball game against our district staff hoop team. Ms. Robbins and Mr. Kiepert are representing Collins this year! We agreed to promote the game so that we can fundraise for our Student Council and their endeavors. If you haven’t yet, there is still time to register and/or buy tickets for the game next week.

Speaking of Student Council’s efforts for our school, we have an addition to our playground! Buddy benches were installed last Friday. Kids are already enjoying them at recess (see pictures). The benches serve a dual purpose- a nice spot to sit with buddies; or, a place to ask a student to join in some fun.

Also occurring at recess, we had a ducks nest in the bushes adjacent to the playground. Our kids did a great job of respectfully keeping their distance as they sneaked a peak at momma duck. I contacted a wildlife biologist to make sure we were doing all we could to keep everyone safe. Fortunately, the ducklings safely hatched, have gone off to their new water home and no harm occurred. What a fun lesson for everyone!

If you have a student in 3rd-5th grade, please check out the important information about our upcoming SBA testing. If you have any questions, please contact your student’s teacher or Mrs. Brugman. She serves as our school’s testing coordinator.

Did you notice the signage along the front of the school? We are now an approved Blue Zone Project school and work site! What is the Blue Zone Project? Check out this website about our local chapter and all of the good they are doing for our community. https://parklandspanaway.bluezonesproject.com/ We are extremely proud to be one of the first approved sites in all of Pierce County!

As we roll into a new month, please remember to reach out if you have any questions or compliments for us.

Kind regards,

Katie Kehoe

Online enrollment opens for kindergarten and new students is now open! At this time, we are taking registration only for those children who live within our attendance boundaries, or have daycare in our area. Enrollees must provide a copy of their child’s birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residence by uploading them to our district's website along with their registration information. To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be five years of age by August 31, 2025.

Along with our kindergarten enrollment, we are once again offering Kindergarten Jump Start! This event's purpose is to allow our incoming kindergarten students to see what it is like to be in school, having breakfast, lunch, specialist and some academic time. This is also a wonderful time to meet classmates and school staff. Once your kindergartener is enrolled, you will receive information on registration. Kindergarten Jump Start is August 12, 13, and 14th from 9:20-1:20.

*The program is not designed to address any Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

Please visit fpschools.org - click on the red "Enrollment" circle - follow the instructions for the 2025-26 school year.

Teaching is one of the best jobs in the world and one of the most challenging. Our teachers go above and beyond to make school a positive and productive experience for our students. We are grateful to our teachers for their heroic efforts, dedication, heart, and skills to break down barriers and open the doors to our students' unlimited potential. Please join us this week in expressing our appreciation for our wonderful teachers: Miss Ketner, Mrs. Luebke, Mrs. McGowan, Mrs. Nasinec, Miss Robbins, Ms. Ramos, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. Rushton, Ms. Bishop, Mrs. Bartel, Ms. Caldera, Ms. Glover, Mrs. Sandoval, Ms. Isaacson, Mrs. Lufrano, Mrs. Yevchev, Miss Dandridge, Miss Demke, Mrs. Johnson, Miss Shadlow, Mrs. Walton Ms. Poole, Mr. Burnett, Mrs, Dobner, Mrs. Fayth, Mr. Fitch, Miss Schramm, Ms. O'Neil, Mr. Schultz, Mrs. Sanderson, Mrs. McKee, Miss Kragel and Mr. Kiepert!.

Mrs. Cruz is an extraordinary school nurse. Her skills, expertise, kindness, and calm demeanor help keep our students safe and sound. Mrs. Cruz is a treasured member of our team. She takes great care of all our Collins Coyotes, and we appreciate her every day. Please join us in celebrating her during Nurse Appreciation Week

🏀The Wizards are coming to take on your favorite teachers in a game full of fun, tricks, and action! Miss Robbins and Mr. Kiepert will be representing Collins!

You won’t want to miss it! 🎟

🗓 Date: May 8th @ 7pm

📍 Location: Washington HS Gym

We no longer use Remind as our messaging app! In order to stay up to date, please click the link below to sign up for Parent Square!

https://www.fpschools.org/about/contact-us/parentsquare-staff

We once again have free dump vouchers for our families! The vouchers are good from April 1 - June 30. Please let us know if you would like one!

To honor and celebrate the rich cultural backgrounds within our community, we are creating a display to showcase the diverse heritages at Collins. We invite students, families and staff to contribute items, artifacts or information that represent their cultural traditions and heritage.

If you would like to participate and share something meaningful for the display, please contact Kacy Hallett at khallett@fpschools.org.

Let's come together to celebrate the vibrant diversity that makes our community unique!

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.

Heath Conditions:

Please notify the nurse with any updates or changes regarding your student's health condition(s) or concerns. Safety is a priority and having this information assists in planning of care.

Looking Ahead:

It may seem early to start thinking about the next school year, but we are already starting to prepare for the 2025-2026 school year!

Medications:

For families with students that have medications at school, please be on the lookout soon for a letter from the health room. Students that also have an individual health plan will receive a call from our district nurses for the yearly review. Each year health plans must be reviewed and updated. Remember, a new physician medication order forms are required for each school year. Contact your provider to determine if an appointment is needed. All medications must be picked up by the last day of school, June 18th, 2025, with the consideration of inhalers and epi-pens which can be stored over the summer with written permission slips signed.

Immunizations:

For families with new incoming students, please be sure that your child's immunizations are up to date. They need to be complete prior to starting school.

Families with students that are in a "conditional" status, please have your follow up appointment scheduled ahead of time to avoid lapsing into a "not complete" status.

Call the health room at 253-298-3408 with any questions or concerns. Thanks!

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!

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.

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.

1. The end of the day at Collins is a hectic time! If you forgot to send a note in the morning and need to call the office with a change to your child’s schedule, please do so before 3:30 so the office can get a message to your student before they leave for the day. All end of day schedule changes must be made through the office, not with the classroom teacher. The office will ensure the teacher is informed of the change.
2. Please 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 text and email to let you know that your student is not in class. When you receive this text, please call the office at 253-298-3400 or click on the link in the text 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!

• Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week! - During the week of May 5th - 9th, let's celebrate the dedication and impact of the Collins educators and staff. It's a time to acknowledge their hard work and show appreciation for the positive influence they have on our students' lives.
• Thank you for your support! - A big thanks to the Collins community for your support during our fundraising efforts. This year, we are able to contribute $900 per grade to help with field trip costs! That's an incredible $5,400!
• 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