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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January 15 - 2:35 dismissal

January 16 - Open Mic Night (see details below)

January 20 - NO SCHOOL, MLK Jr. birthday

January 21-24 - Spirit Week (see below!)

January 22 - 2:35 dismissal

January 23 - PTA's Red Robin Fundraiser (more info below)

January 27 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Training

January 29 - 2:35 dismissal

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We had an exhilarating end to 2024 here at school with several fun activities and celebrations for our staff and students. I hope you all had an enjoyable Winter vacation, and the start of 2025 is healthy and hopeful.

We are preparing for several upcoming events here at school. This month we have our Collins Community Event on the 16th. We are hosting numerous community resources for folks to visit. We are hoping to also host an Open Mic for students to share their written work. This event is from 5:30-7:00.

This week our students are completing reading and math benchmark assessments to measure their growth from October. The assessment data will be compiled and reviewed by our ELA, Math instructional leaders and classroom teachers to determine how best to continue the growth of each student. Please continue to encourage a healthy sleep routine so that your student is rested for the assessments.

Next week we will have a spirit week to continue highlighting the work of Martin Luther King Jr. and others for our nation. Please see below for the daily challenge and theme for each day. This is a continuation from the amazing assembly our student council presented last Friday.

Our student council is also preparing for their fundraiser in February. Their goal is to raise money to add recess equipment that is more inclusive for all our students. In a couple of weeks, you will receive information about this fundraiser. If you recall from last year, it is a dance-a-thon students participate in during the school day. Students are challenged to send emails to their friends and family, requesting monetary donations. The date of the dance-a-thon is Feb. 11th. All students get to participate, regardless of the number of emails they send, or money collected. If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer for this event, please contact our front office.

The new year allows us an opportunity to pause and reflect on our journey and the path forward. I am incredibly grateful to work along the team of professionals we have at Collins to support healthy growing and learning. I am especially grateful for the students in our community who inspire me every day with their kindness towards to each other and commitment to learning.

As always, we are here for you if you have any questions.

Kindest regards,

Katie Kehoe

We want to thank Mark Baumgarten, Alex Davis, Angenette Pickett Call, Tono Sablan, and Jeff Wolff for the many hours they volunteer on behalf of every child in our school district. Their duties include setting the vision and mission of education in the district; establishing policy; adopting an annual budget; approving all expenditures; employment of personnel; curriculum, textbooks and courses; and deciding on school sites, building plans, and construction. We also want to thank our student representatives: Kaden Mills, Payton Ortiz, and Christian Cager.

Monday, January 21(NO SCHOOL): Today, take some time to talk to your family about MLK and what you have been learning in school about accepting differences.

Tuesday, Jan. 21- Hat Day- Wear a hat to celebrate HAT’S off to appreciating differences!

DAILY CHALLENGE- Today look around at recess. If you see someone you don’t know, take a minute to introduce yourself. Look around for kids who are alone and invite them to play.

Wednesday Jan 22: Work- out Clothes- Wear work- out clothes to show that we can overcome when we work- out our problems together!

DAILY CHALLENGE Today take some time to help a grown up in your life. It may be at home or at school. Ask them what you can do for them and do it joyfully and the best you can.

Thursday Jan 23: Western Day- Wear your boots to stomp out hate, and your Western gear to jump into the saddle of accepting everyone!

DAILY CHALLENGE- Today pick up trash on the playground or around your classroom.

Friday Jan24- Team Day- Wear your Collins gear to show your pride!

DAILY CHALLENGE- Today fill someone’s bucket. Say something positive to another student or help someone if you see them struggling.

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 phone message
• SMS message for families/staff
• Email from info@fpschools.org
• Visit: www.fpschools.org
• ·Social Media: Facebook and Instagram

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!

We often time have lots of items in our lost and found with no names on them. Please take a moment to label their belongings so we can return them in a timely manner!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Please read these important reminders from the 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 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!

• • Stop by and say hi! We'll have a PTA table at the upcoming family resource night on Thursday, January 16th from 5:30-7PM at the school. We'll have the blue Collins youth T-shirts for sale if you still need to grab one!
  • Heading out to dinner? Come dine at Red Robin (16904 Meridian East, Puyallup, WA 98375) on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 and a portion of sales that day will go to the Collins PTA! Make sure to mention Collins to your server or navigate to "fundraisers" for online orders.
  • Our next PTA meeting is Tuesday, January 21st. 5-6PM at the Summit Pierce County Library (5107 112th St E, Tacoma, WA 98446). Hope to see you there.
  • 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