The Coyote Connection
July 25, 2022
Welcome to the 2022-2023 School
If you are new to Copper Canyon, welcome! I look forward to meeting you! If you are returning, I am so excited to welcome you back!
Summer.Was.So.Welcome! Once we wrapped up all of the festivities for our high school graduate, the Furnish family kept things pretty low key. Relaxed and spent a some time up north in the pines. It was just what we needed! Now, we are in college/dorm-prep mode. That is a new gear for us, and this mom is rolling through all of the emotions of sending her oldest off to college! Wow!
We are very excited to start a new, fresh year! We are releived to have the strictest of covid mitigation strategies behind us, however, we will continue to encourage hand-washing, individuals may opt to wear masks, and covid-positive individuals will need to stay home for five days.
One of the most exciting changes we will have this year is the opportunity to offer an Engineering class to grades K-6 alongside our other special area offerings of Art, Music, and PE. We are still in the process of finding the best candidate for this program, so please stay tuned for updates!
Even though the teachers are not technically back on contract, many of them have already been working in their classrooms planning for a bright new year! Staplers have met bulletin boards, chairs have met desks, tape has met walls, and master copies have met duplicates. There has already been a lot going on! This level of dedication is only one of the many reasons why I love having the privelige of serving the Copper Canyon community. I am very optimistic about the start of a bright, new school year!
For those of you who are new, Copper Canyon is a very special and wonderful school! We think it's the best ... but you can give it a few days or so before you agree with us as well :-) haha This newsletter is loaded with information, so grab a nice, cool iced tea and enjoy!
Have a PAWSitively awesome rest of your summer!
Ann Furnish, M.Ed.
Principal
Meet The Teacher - Monday, August 8 from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Come on in, bring your school supplies, and meet your teacher!
We invite you to enter through our front lobby and head toward your grade level (we will have plenty of people in the hallways to direct you). Class lists will be posted outside of classroom doors. Edukits will have already been delivered to classrooms. This is also a great time to stop by the cafeteria to add money to your lunch account, and don't forget to pop in to say, "Hello!" to your Art, Music, and PE teachers! Remember, this event is a quick one just to simply meet your teacher; parents will be invited back for an informative Curriculum Night the second week of school. The front doors will open at 8:30, but you are welcome to stop on by anytime between 8:30-9:30 to meet your teacher!
Curriculum Nights
Parents, please save the date and join us!
Since our Meet the Teacher is just that, a quick meet and greet, we also host a curriculum night that is intended just for parents.
New to Copper Canyon? - Please join Principal Furnish in the Library from 5:00-5:30 for some general information and some casual Q&A. After that, you will go to your child's classroom for time with the teacher.
Returning to Copper Canyon? Welcome back! - Stroll on in at the 5:30 time and head straight to your child's classroom. No need to come early if you already know the ropes, but you are more than welcome to if you'd like.
During the classroom time, you will receive a more formal introduction to the teacher, curriculum, grade level, and classroom. After that time, if you would like to set up a more formal conference with your child’s teacher, we welcome you to make a scheduled appointment.
Here are the dates and times for our Curriculum Nights
8/15 - Gr 1-2 New Family Meet-n-Greet with Principal Furnish 5:00 in Library
8/15 - Curriculum Night Gr 1-2 in classrooms 5:30-6:30
8/16 - Gr 3-4 New Family Meet-n-Greet with Principal Furnish 5:00 in Library
8/16 - Curriculum Night Gr 3-4 in classrooms 5:30-6:30
8/17 - Gr 5-6 New Family Meet-n-Greet with Principal Furnish 5:00 in Library
8/17 - Curriculum Night Gr 5-6 in classrooms 5:30-6:30
Kindergarten First Day Info - Parents Attend with Students
Here is our plan:
- August 9 - Half day for students and parents to attend together
- 8:00 (please, not before) - Gather on the kindergarten playground. Please allow the children to mingle and play. We also appreciate your support of our PAWS playground expectations (see below).
- Most importantly, please do not allow students to throw sand, water, or climb up the slide. We also appreciate your support in reminding your child that our playground is not the place for physical tackling, hitting, play wrestling, or rough-housing whatsoever.
- The first bell rings at 8:10. At this time we ask that families line up based upon teacher assignment.
- The tardy bell rings at 8:15. At that time, teachers will bring students into the building and parents will say goodbyes at Kinder doors then proceed to the cafeteria.
- 8:30- 9:30 - Parent presentation in cafeteria
- 9:30-10:15 - Parent presentations with classroom teacher
- 10:15 - 10:30 - Everyone moves to cafeteria one classroom at a time - eight people per table
- 10:30 - 11:10 - Lunch: A school lunch choice of mini corndogs or a sandwich pac will be available for students only (be sure you have paid in advance using Visit EZSchoolPay (more info below). They are welcome to bring their own lunch if they prefer, or they could wait until you leave to pick up a special lunch with your family.
- When finished with lunch - Dismiss out cafeteria doors.
- See you bright and early on Wednesday, August 10 for a full day of school!
We're Hiring!
Volunteers Opportunities! We'd like your help!
Volunteer Only - Someone who helps out in and around the school, but is not the only adult in charge of a group of students. Volunteer must complete a volunteer form available for pick-up in the front office.
Volunteer+Chaperone - Someone who accompanies teachers and students on field trips or works with one or more students without being accompanied by a staff member. This level of Volunteer+Chaperone. Individuals must complet BOTH a volunteer form from our front office as well as the application process available at this LINK
- PTO - There are all types of commitement levels from supporting a small, one-time endeavor all the way up to participating on the executive board or chairing a committee or event.
- Grade Level Parents - New twist on an old gig. In past years, we've had the role of "Room Parent," someone who helped to organize celebrations/events, gathered additional volunteers as needed, helped the teachers with tasks (in and out of classroom), etc. In this upcoming year, our PTO would like to facilitate the role of "Grade Level Parent." They are hoping for one parent representative per classroom, but really 2-4 people per grade level would be great! It will be a shared role that supports the grade level however requested by the teachers. More info to come!
- Classroom Volunteer - These volunteers might help from home by organizing materials, or maybe the come into the classroom to help with different activities/events. You will receive more information about these opportunities from your child's teacher.
- Before School, After School, Lunchroom, Playground - Do you have 20 minutes to spare before or after school? How about an hour or so in the middle of the day? Maybe only available one day a week. It's all good! We'd love to have your support! Here is a LINK to let us know you'd like to help. Thank you!
~ Arrival & Dismissal Procedures ~
Morning Arrival
Walkers and Car Riders
Students may arrive between 7:55-8:15 am.
No students will be permitted on campus prior to 7:55 am.
The gates will open at 7:55 am.
The playground WILL be open and supervised after 7:55 am.
The cut-through to the north neighborhood WILL be open.
The bell for students to line up rings at 8:10 am
Doors to the building will open promptly at 8:15 am.
No front office entry
Coyote Club will dismiss students to the playground at 8:00 am.
Please consider the following common courtesies and safety notes:
Speed limits are 5 mph in school parking lots and 15 mph in school zones
Plan to allow your child(ren) to exit the passenger side of your vehicle
Please pull all the way to the front of the lane even if there are no cars behind you
Please do not park or get out of your vehicle for any reason. If you need to stop, please park in one of the available parking spaces in the visitor parking lot.
When parking on side streets, be courteous not to block residential drives
Parking is not permitted across from the school on 54th street or in the cul-de-sac
Follow all directions of crossing guards as they guide children safely across street
Stop for buses loading and unloading children
Drive slowly and with caution in parking lots and follow arrows. Traffic areas are dangerous
Please do not allow students to go under the railings
Remind your child to stay on sidewalks and walk around, not through, parking lots.
Do not drop children off across the parking lot or street and expect them to walk across traffic
Use only designated drop-off locations, Please, teach our children to respect and follow the instructions of our duty aides. Their job is student safety.
Afternoon Dismissal
Do not enter the bus lane until directed to do so by a staff member.
Do not, at any time, form two lines in the roadway. Stay in a single file line.
2:35-2:40 pm - Parents picking up a kindergarten student only will be invited by a staff member to move out of the line and into the car pick-up lane. If a kinder parent arrives after 2:40, they will be asked to get into the line with the rest of the cars.
2:40-2:45 pm - all other cars will be invited into the lane
Please do not cut into the car pick-up line from side streets
Students who take the bus will walk to the media center
Students for car pick up and cut-through will exit to the back of school based upon classroom location
Students who walk home will exit either the north or south entrance that is nearest to their classroom and then proceed around to the front of the building via sidewalk.
No students will exit the front office lobby.
The playground will not be open or supervised after school.
Students who walk home should leave campus immediately after dismissal.
Please follow these common courtesies and safety notes:
The line forms from the south on 54th street using caution not to block cross streets
When parking on side streets, be courteous not to block residential drives
Parking is not permitted across from the school on 54th street or in the cul-de-sac
Do not form multiple lines on 54th street. Form one line. When Kinder cars are invited in, you may move out of the line when it is your turn to enter the lane
Kindergarten only cars will be given priority to enter the pick-up lane between 2:35-2:40 pm.
Parking lots are not to be used as a student pick up location
The visitor parking lot is designated for pre-school pick-up only. All others will need to plan to either use the back bus lane for drive-through pick-up or park in the neighborhood and walk up to the school.
Infinite Campus Parent Portal - Teacher Assignments
Garden Help!
Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) ~ Our Culture of PAWS
One of the foremost advances in schoolwide discipline is the emphasis on schoolwide systems of support that include proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments. Instead of using a piecemeal approach of individual behavioral management plans, a continuum of positive behavior support for all students within a school is implemented in areas including the classroom and non-classroom settings (such as hallways, buses, playground, and restrooms). We have developed specific expectations across campus as a means to set students up for success. We will also be using reflection sheets when needed as a means to increase communication between school and home with regard to behaviors that are not within acceptable expectations.
P.A.W.S.
- Practice Kindness
- Act Respectfully
- Wise & Responsible Choices
- Safety First
2021-2022 End of Year WINNERS!
School Lunches - No longer free
- Student Breakfast $1.00
- Student Lunch $2.50
- Extra Milk/Juice $0.25
Payment Options and Charge Policy
- Cash or check payments can be taken directly to your school's cafeteria.
- Pre-pay online: Visit EZSchoolPay to create an account. (EZSchoolPay also allows parents to set up email notifications for low balance reminders.)
National School Lunch Program Free and Reduced-Price Meals
- The National School Lunch Program provides students who meet certain criteria free or reduced-price meals at their school. For students who qualify, breakfast and lunch are offered at no charge. This program operates in all schools in the district; applications need to be completed ANNUALLY at the start of each school year.
- The Nutrition & Wellness Department will be charging students based on their free, reduced, or paid meal application status during the 2022-2023 School Year. Therefore, all families are encouraged to complete the new meal application come July.
- The online 2022-2023 Meal Applications can be completed at EZMealApp.com.
Lunch Schedule
Students will have their lunch for the first portion of this time and then go to the playground to play for the second portion of the time.
PreK 10:45-11:25
Kinder 10:45-11:25
First 11:20-12:00
Second 11:30-12:10
Third 12:00-12:40
Fourth 11:40-12:20
Fifth 11:10:11:50
Sixth 11:50-12:30
Community Education - Need before &/or after school care?
Teacher Retirements
... but only for now! We'll see you later.
General School Information & Phone Numbers,
District Calendar,
Covid Information,
General Health Information,
Attendance,
Homework, Grading, Communication & Conferences,
School Discipline
Upcoming Dates
7/25-7/29 - Front Office resumes regular business hours 7:30-3:30
8/8 - Meet the Teacher 8:30-9:30 am
8/9 - First Day of School (half day for kindergarten only)
8/15 - Gr 1-2 New Family Meet-n-Greet with Principal Furnish 5:00 in Library
8/15 - Curriculum Night Gr 1-2 in classrooms 5:30-6:30
8/16 - Gr 3-4 New Family Meet-n-Greet with Principal Furnish 5:00 in Library
8/16 - Curriculum Night Gr 3-4 in classrooms 5:30-6:30
8/17 - Gr 5-6 New Family Meet-n-Greet with Principal Furnish 5:00 in Library
8/17 - Curriculum Night Gr 5-6 in classrooms 5:30-6:30
8/30 - Early Release 12:00
9/5 - No School, Labor Day
9/26 - No School
10/5-10/7 - No School, Fall Recess
10/11 - Early Release 12:00
10/24-10/27 - Parent Teacher Conference Week
10/26-10/27 - Early Release 12:00
10/28 - No School
11/11 - No School, Veteran's Day
11/23-11/25 - No School, Thanksgiving Recess
12/6 - Early Release 12:00
12/16 - Last Day of Classes
12/17-1/1 - No School, Winter Break
1/2 - Classes Resume
Copper Canyon Elementary School
Email: afurnish@pvschools.net
Website: https://www.pvschools.net/schools/copper-canyon-elementary/home
Location: 17650 North 54th Street, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Phone: (602) 449-7200