Cobra Connect
Teacher Newsletter - 12/6/18
Home of the Cobras
Collins Intermediate is committed to academic success and general well-being of all students. Through collaboration and teamwork, we will provide meaningful strategies and interventions for all students to reach their learning goals.
Website: http://collins.conroeisd.net/
Location: 6020 Shadowbend Place, The Woodlands, TX, USA
Phone: 281-298-3800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Collins
Twitter: @CollinsCobras
Two Plus Weeks at a Glance
Please check Parent Calendar, Collins Staff Forum, and your personal Outlook Calendar in the event an event was missed.
Monday, December 10th
- Band/Orchestra Full Ensemble Rehearsals
- 8:50 - 9:30 6th Band
- 10:00 - 10:40 6th Orchestra
- 1:50 - 2:30 5th Band
- 2:40 - 3:20 5th Orchestra
- PTO Meeting 1:15 PM
- 6th Google Exploration Demonstration (Hollis in AM and Cockshott in PM)
Tuesday, December 11th
- Core Leader Meeting 7:45 AM - PLC Room
- 5th Social Studies DCC #2
- Emily out all day - district counselor meeting
- Photo for Collins Family Video Due
- 6th Social Studies DCC #2
- Shelli Out - Principal Meeting 8:00 - 12:00
- Emily Out All Day
- PTO - Cookie Exchange
- Collins Orchestra Concert PM
- RtI Meeting - 7:45 Front Conference Room
- Orchestra Concert for Student
- Collins Band Concert PM
- Collins Band Concert AM
- Load Button Goes On
Monday, December 17th
- Colossal Cobras 6th Grade 3 PM
Tuesday, December 18th
- Colossal Cobras 5th Grade 3 PM
Wednesday, December 19th
- Early Release 12:50 PM
- Staff Lunch - As seen on TV gift exchange after lunch
- Grades Pulled 5 PM
December 20th - January 4th
- Winter Break
Monday, January 7th
- Teacher Workday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- CPR - Practical part of certification @ Peet Jr. High
Tuesday, January 8th
- First Day of Second Semester
Every time we have a concert/benchmark the schedule is as follows:
Collins Family Fall Video
Please have your picture - of whatever you would like to share - to Shelli by Wednesday, December 12th. Please send by email. We would love every staff member to share something.
Breakfast
We look forward to your feedback during the trial of this new timeline.
2019-2020 Calendar Feedback
The District-Level Planning and Decision-Making Committee is in the process of developing the 2019-2020 School Calendar. The DLPDMC has developed two drafts for review and comment.
OHI
Please spend some time reflecting on the explanation of each dimension as well as our target of being at the advocacy level or reflection questions for each dimension. If there are areas we can work on as a school family, a PLC or LC I would love the opportunity to work to meet those needs so we continue to grow as a learning community.
SLO - Progress Check In Number 1
Attendance - Taking it on Time
We still working on 100% attendance taken at 10:00 AM each day by teachers. We will be moving the reminder bell to 9:45 AM so that attendance is in the computer by 10 AM. I completely understand that it is not always easy to stop in the middle of teaching to take attendance, however it is required by the state. The district is really cracking down, on this issue, this year. Please read the email below that was sent to all PEIMS clerks.
We have been hearing for some time that TEA is very concerned about the actual time that attendance is taken for ADA. At the beginning of this year, the principals were reminded that we would be looking into this issue.
ADA attendance is a point in time, not a period. The time for your campus must be set before school starts and should be in the 2nd or 5th hour of instruction. Our campuses almost all use the 2nd hour. Having said that, it is a POINT IN TIME and not the entire 2nd period for the correct attendance taking time by teachers. For instance, if your campus ADA time is 10:00 and attendance is taken at 10:45, that is not correct. During an audit, funding would be lost for that class. As it was explained to us by TEA, if TEA audits your campus or your district, and finds that the attendance time is not being met, they will take away funding. The example we were given is that they could take away $30 per student per class of all classes with the time outside of the actual time. If you have a class of 30 students and the teacher is not taking attendance promptly, you would loose $900 per day per class, multiplied by the number of days that the time was incorrect, potentially a staggering amount of funding to be lost on each class.
I am receiving emails from the PEIMS office reminding us of the attendance rules , and also reminders at audits. We have been asked to send letters to the teachers explaining the consequences, that the school will face, if their attendance is not taken exactly at the attendance time. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
“Make an IMPACT, Not Just an Impression” presented by, Dr. Rick Rigsby
The Junior League of North Harris County and South Montgomery County will be offering a guest speaker to teachers/staff in area districts, including Conroe ISD. This year the event will take place on Saturday, February 9, 2019, at The Woodlands United Methodist Church.
“Make an IMPACT, Not Just an Impression” presented by, Dr. Rick Rigsby
What a great opportunity for our teachers and staff of CISD to hear Dr. Rigsby’s inspirational message.
Important Details for the Event:
- Registration opens at 8:00 am
- Presentation begins at 9:00 am
- Sign Language Interpreters will be provided.
- Please register by Thursday, February 7th.
Teachers and staff will register through Eduphoria by using the following link:
https://conroe.schoolobjects.com//wshop/default.aspx?cid=15952
The top three campuses in CISD with the highest percentages of staff in attendance will receive professional development books of their choice.
In addition, the Jr. League will continue its “Dollar$ for Districts” incentive contest. The school in each district with the highest attendance receives $500!
Google Expedition
We have Lee Anne Jones coming in on Monday with the district's VR kit!
We have full orchestra and band practice also!
So we will be flexible with schedules!
By far, the most powerful way to see the virtual field trips with Google Expeditions demo'd is by stopping in either Hollis' or Cockshott's classroom while Lee Anne is leading the students because you will be amazed at their excitement and wonderment!
She will be working in Laura Hollis' room 610 in the morning, each session is 30-40 min.
10:30 first class
11:20 second class
Then she is moving to Melanie Cockshott's room 607 in the afternoon, each session is 30-40 min.
1:00 3rd class
1:50 2nd class
If you have LC/PLC time during those times, please make time to spend a few minutes in one of those classrooms.
I will also be coming around to cover classes in an effort to make sure that every 6th grade teacher gets an opportunity to see this equipment in action with students.
Thanks for your effort, I realize your time is important!
And thanks for reading to the bottom of the email!
:)Kellie
We have the money budgeted to purchase this kit for Collins this school year. Please commit to visiting these classrooms to learn more about the wonderful, creative, and cutting edge learning we can bring to our students. Thanks,
Shelli
The Giving Tree
FOR: ANY COLLINS’ FAMILY IN FINANCIAL NEED OF CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE HOILDAY SEASON
INFORMATION: IN THE SEASON OF GIVING, COLLINS STAFF WOULD LIKE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES IN FINANCIAL NEED WITH CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR COLLINS’ STUDENTS AND THEIR SIBLINGS.
Hello Everybody,
I wanted to send a quick update and reminder about the giving tree. First off, thank you SO MUCH to all of you who already picked up an ornament/gift off of the tree! Please remember that the gift you choose needs to be wrapped/gift bagged, with the ornament taped on the outside, and returned to the counseling office by next Monday, Dec. 10th.
There are still 19 more "gifts" that need to be filled. If you have not had a chance, can you please look over the options and consider taking an ornament? All of the families who have requested these gifts for their kiddos are in great financial need.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated, and thanks to all for your consideration!
CHEERS,
RtI Tier II Progress Reports
Just a friendly reminder that RTI Tier II Progress Reports are due tomorrow. Please place them in my mailbox once your forms are complete.
Should you have any questions or need any help please let me know.
Thank you for all you do,
Doreen
Student Clubs
Would love to publicize your meeting day/time in the parent newsletter. Would also love updates and pictures from your club meeting. Can't wait to see and hear about the amazing things our groups are doing.
- Announced on KCOL - have announcement written as you want it read - and window of time to make announced.
- Placed in PowerPoint that runs on Havivison - send announcement electronically to Marie Willingham with window of time to say in PowerPoint.
- Placed in the Weekly Parent Newsletter.
- Work to collect email addresses of club members to email parents directly with regular/needed updates.
- Open to any other suggestions.
the parent newsletter. Information due Monday - Noon. Targeted publication Monday PM or Tuesday AM.
Assistant Principal Prose
GT
GT Nominations begin October 1 through December 18, 2018. You can download forms from our Collins Website or ask Assistant Principal for a copy.
Initial 30 GT foundation hours due by Dec December 19.
The updated 6 hours must be completed by beginning of May.
Please turn in certificate of completion as early as possible to Sabrina Pomales.
Technology
Did you see who is being recognized for their work using technology w/students?
Did you see the new Tech Tidbits link (to help you fix some situations) on the bottom of my web site?
I have all of this info, and more, on my web page! Book mark it!
Reminder: When you check out a cart, please return it at the end of the day...if you think you may need it for another day, go ahead and check it out for that day, too! We had a teacher today who could not find one of the extra carts, so there had to be a change in plans! That's a hard start for a Monday.
Sign In - Sign Out
Every staff member - no matter the reason that leaves campus should go to Eduphoria and electronically sign out and then sign back in when they return. Even for a quick McDonald's lunch run!
Click on Image for Steps in Eduphoria for Sign Out/In
Recycling
Dear Teachers & Staff,
The students from the recycling club will be coming around this morning and putting recycling bins in those rooms that do not have them.
These recycle bins are for PAPER ONLY.
If you have any extra bins that are not being used, please give these to the students to put in other rooms.
Starting in a few weeks they will be coming by and emptying the bins.
Please let Meredith Kajdan or myself know if you have any questions!
Heather Ramsey
Language Arts & Social Studies
Collins Intermediate School
Conroe Independent School District
Warm Up Wednesday
Pants
Black warm up pants of your of your choice (either solid or a stripe down the sides)
Shirt
Current PTO Collins school shirt "Work Hard, Be Kind, Dream Big, Collins Cobras"
An LC created team shirt (that the entire team is wearing)
A PLC created team shirt (that the entire team is wearing)
IF we were to create a Collins Staff shirt - it could be worn in the future.
To conclude - four shirt options and one warm up pant option.
If jeans are worn on Wednesday - staff member must use a "Jeans Pass".
Please remember for our staff picture we are are wearing the Gray "Work Hard, Be Kind, Dream Big, Collins Cobras".
CARE Team - Foundations
Heather Ramsey: LC 5-1, 5-2, 5-3
Paige Kirbo: LC 5-4, 5-5
Melanie Cockshott & Julie Berg: LC 6-1 & support staff
Shawna Yates: LC 6-2, 6-3
Lisa Lackey: LC 6-4, 6-5
Collin Henry: PE and Fine Arts
One-liners
★ Check your Feet
★ Third Tile - Single File
★ Check your Hands
★ Check your Voice
★ Right Side, Safe Side
★ Hats/Hoods off
****** Next Meeting Thursday, December 6th********
Copy Machine Important Update - Dark Print
Teachers & Staff.... regarding item #4 below....in addition to dark borders creating issues with printing and possible jamming problems, it also sucks up toner. Sooo, when printing items with a dark border, please erase those edges.
Something new regarding cardstock copying...
Not only do you have to:
- load the card stock in the side (tray 5)
- select the appropriate paper weight (heavy)
- select the correct paper size
- ensure orientation of the inserted paper matches the selection of the paper size
But, you also should NOT use the duplex function. If you need your card stock to be 2-sided, you should run 1 side...collect your copies and turn them over to run the second side.
Ugh...I know...it's a pain in the tail to have so many rules and processes and procedures, but know they are for the good of us all so our beloved copy machine stays in tip-top shape. Thanks for being rule-followers!
Copy Machine - Please review #5
- When loading paper in his trays, be patient...wait for the tray to completely lower before dropping in a ream of paper. He looks like a strong, tough guy...but he doesn't like surprises and his tray cables are more delicate than we think. They can't handle the force of a ream of paper being dropped in unexpectedly.
- Before loading a ream of paper, it may even be helpful to slightly thumb through/fan the paper to help separate those sheets of paper.
- Mr. Copy Machine is smart. Follow his instructions - in order. In the event of a paper jam, he will tell you how to locate the jam in great detail....be sure to follow the steps listed on his display monitor. Don't automatically assume that the jam initiated in the paper tray. Following his steps in the order listed will reduce the potential for ripped paper pieces getting stuck in unreachable areas of the machine. If it states to turn knob 3, then open tray 1, then remove the paper from slot C...that's what you should do (even if you see the paper in slot C sticking up and waving at you). I can't stress it enough....please FOLLOW the sequence of instructions listed on the display screen.
- Please ensure that all of his levers & lids are shut, lowered and/or replaced properly before pushing the guts back in the machine after clearing a mis-feed/jam.
When things aren't closed properly, it throws off the alignments and sensors to allow paper to flow freely and correctly.
- If you are printing something with a dark border, please make sure the margins are set to at least .4 - anything smaller/narrower than that confuses our otherwise brilliant copy machine and will create problems when printing.
Cardstock...this is a biggie and requires it's own set of bullets
cardstock should always be loaded in the side bypass tray 5 (never in the main trays)
- always identify the paper as heavy weight
- always verify the correct size & orientation of the paper
- If staples need to be replaced, please check with me or Karen Kline to obtain staple cartridge & instructions on the replacement process.
Yearbook
When taking group shots make sure you know the students that are not allowed to have pictures taken. Mrs. Cast will share those names with teachers that have the student in their LC's.
Yearbook on sale now!
$40.00 Now
$45.00 In the Spring