Collins Cadence
2018-2019 School Year Vol. 99
Collins Cobras
Shelli LeBlanc, Principal
Sabrina Pomales, Assistant Principal
Emily Hosier, Counselor
Website: http://collins.conroeisd.net/
Location: 6020 Shadowbend Place, The Woodlands, TX, USA
Phone: 281-298-3800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollinsCISD/
Twitter: @CollinsCobras
From The Principal
I am so thankful to the teachers and staff of Collins that dare greatly everyday to provide a learning environment that helps the students grow both academically and personally.
I am also so very grateful to our supportive and generous parents that work side by side with us. We appreciated your thoughtful gifts and kind notes during Teacher Appreciation week. We felt the love and support for our learning community.
There are still 7 1/2 days left of school. Attendance is vitally important - even on the last half day of the school year. The belief that missing school doesn't matter until a student is at the secondary level is a misunderstanding. The state uses our attendance rate in the school accountability system. If our attendance rate is too low by state measurement we will not be able to earn our distinctions. For the last five years Collins has earned all state awarded distinctions available. We are the only school in Conroe ISD to have done so.
We also also ask for your help in reminding students to be patient and respectful of each other these last days of schools. At this time of year students are less likely to use their problem solving skills when other students say or do things they might find irritating. We are here to help students when they are in conflict or need assistance with peers.
College Park Feeder Schools
We ask that each family take about 10+ minutes to share feedback.
We look forward to utilizing the information you provide to inform and improve our practice.
Thank you for taking sharing your time and feedback.
Upcoming Dates
Monday, May 20th
- PTO Meeting 1:15 PM
- Library Books - Past Due
- Colossal Cobras 6th grade Ceremony 3 PM - Gym
Tuesday, May 21st
- 11:15 AM KCOL Special Broadcast / Seniors Last Walk
- Collins Band Concert College Park High School - Times TBA
Wednesday, May 22nd
- College Park Feeder String Fling Concert - College Park HS Gym 6PM
Thursday, May 23rd
- College Park High School Graduation
Friday, May 24th
- N.E.A.T. Attendance Celebration
- Incoming 5th Grade Instrument Selection Page Due to Child's Elementary School
Monday, May 27th
- School Holiday
Tuesday, May 28th
- Collins Yearbook Distribution during school day
- VERY Limited Quantity Yearbook Purchase - (First Come First Serve) $50 cash only - exact amount - not change given.
- Colossal Cobras 5th grade Ceremony 3 PM - Gym
Wednesday, May 29th
- 5th Field Day
- 6th Field Day
Thursday, May 30th
- Required School Attendance Day
- Early Dismissal 12:45 PM
Sunday, June 16th
- Deadline to order School Supplies (School Planner included with purchase)
Bell Schedule:
8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
Lunch Times
5th: 12:00—12:30 p.m.
6th: 12:30—1:00 p.m.
Front Office Times:
8:00 a.m.—4:15 p.m.
Collins 5th Grade Field Day
We have an exciting end-of-year celebration planned for our kids! The event will be held at the YMCA, directly across from Collins, on Wednesday, May 29th from 10:30-2:00. There will be several “stations”, including water activities. Please help us by reviewing the following guidelines:
- Sunscreen should be applied before school.
- Girls should wear one-piece suits or tankinis. No bikinis allowed, except if worn with a dark T-shirt.
- Students need to wear their swimsuits to school under regular clothing. They will be allowed to change if they wish, once they return to Collins. Be sure to send a towel and bag to hold wet clothes, if needed.
- Students need to bring their own lunch in a disposable zip loc bag, including a drink. Lunches will be kept in coolers. Additional snacks/treats and water will be provided by the PTO at various stations.
Please remind your children to be on their best behavior. They will understandably be excited but should still remember their manners!
Thank you all so much! It has been a pleasure serving our 5th graders and their families!
Parent Permission slips must be completed and returned in order to participate in field day.
Sincerely,
Melissa Parsons & Melinda Malone
5th Grade Coordinators
Collins 6th Grade Field Day
We have an exciting end-of-year celebration planned for our students! The event is at the
school, on Wednesday, May 29 (1:00-3:30). There will be water slides, an obstacle course,
games, delicious treats, photo booth, and music. We are looking forward to giving the kids one last hurrah before junior high!
Please go over the following guidelines with your child:
- CISD allows students to apply sunscreen at school, but it must be the lotion form. Sprays (including aerosols) are prohibited. Teachers are NOT allowed to apply sunscreen.
- Students need to wear their swimsuits to school under regular clothing. They will be allowed to change, if they wish, before they leave school. Please be sure to send a towel and bag to hold wet clothes, if needed.
- Girls should wear one-piece swimsuits or tankinis. No bikinis allowed, except if worn with a DARK T-shirt!
- All children need to bring a sack lunch in a gallon ziplock bag, labeled with the student's
- name, as well as a clear drink.
Please remind your child to be on his/her best behavior. The kids will understandably be
excited, but should still remember their manners and to make SAFE choices!
Parent Permission slips must be completed and returned in order to participate in field day.
Thank you all so much! It has been a pleasure serving our 6th graders and their families!
Sincerely,
Missy Sears and Maxine Pettitt
6th Grade Coordinators
Thursday, May 30th Student Half Day
Thursday, May 30st - last day of school - a 1/2 day but still a required attendance day.
If possible, please have students bring lunch to school that day.
Teachers do have activities planned for students.
We will begin dismissal at 12:45 p.m.
Attendance
As we progress through the school year, please continue to remember the importance of school attendance and arriving to school on time. In addition, children who arrive late to school miss the important groundwork that is laid by teachers at the beginning of the day.
The instruction and learning that occur on a daily basis in the classroom is our central mission. Parents who make regular school attendance and punctuality a high priority are helping their children learn to accept responsibility, which is an important lesson for a successful life.
As we work to increase Collins Intermediate’s daily attendance – please continue to support your child’s educational process by limiting the amount of school missed except for illness. Collins Intermediate daily goal is 98.4%.
Our current yearly average 97.29%
4th Grading Period
Hours of Missed Instruction (Early Checkout) as of May 17th = 8409 Hours
N.E.A.T. Kids—Never Ever Absent or Tardy
As we get ready to begin our second nine weeks of the school year, we want to remind everyone of the Never, Ever, Absent or Tardy (NEAT) program. This program is designed to encourage and offer incentives for perfect school attendance and no tardies. Students arriving late to school miss the important groundwork that is laid by teachers at the beginning of the day. The instruction and learning that occur on a daily basis in the classroom is our central mission. Parents who make regular school attendance and punctuality a high priority are helping their children learn to accept responsibility, which is an important lesson for a successful life.
If you know that you will be moving out of the Conroe School District over the summer, please stop by the front office and fill out a Summer Mover Form. You can also contact Cheryl Cast and have a form sent home with your child. If you plan on moving to another Conroe ISD School please let us know, in order to have the proper paperwork filled out.
2019-2020 Collins Cobra Students
Monday, August 12th
Collins Express & Teacher Meet and Greet
(Homeroom/LC information given to families,
Schedules, School Club Selection, Supplies, Spirit Wear)
5:00—7:00 PM Come & Go
Students/Parents unable to join us for Collins Express will receive all items the first day of school.
Wednesday, August 14th
1st Day of School
Monday, August 26th
Parent Information Night @ Collins 6:00 p.m.
Monday, September 2nd
Labor Day - School Holiday
2019-2020 Updates
Lockers
Collins students will not be assigned lockers this coming school year. All students will utilize their backpacks to keep their belongings with them during the day. Things to keep in mind as you prepare for the new school year; weight of backpack, size of binder. We ask that student not use rolling backpacks due to classroom configurations.
During the last few months some of our teacher and students piloted not using lockers.
What we found was an increase of instructional time (20 -35 minutes), students are better prepared with classroom materials, allows teacher to better monitor students during all transitions.
Things we will need to continue to work on:
- Student Cell Phones: Students will need to follow school/teacher directions with storage of phones.
- Student Organization: What is the most beneficial organizational tool?
- Weight of Backpack: We no longer have textbooks. But classes use ISN's, folders, and binders as well as library books. The teachers will work with students and families to make sure that the materials they require do not weigh down the backpack.
We appreciate your support and assistance as we transition to this new process.
School Supplies
PTO
Collins Intermediate PTO Meeting Dates for 2018-2019 School Year- all begin at 1:15pm in the conference room at Collins. Most are on the second Monday of the month but not all so please mark your calendar and plan to attend.
May 20, 2019 Date Change!
2019-2020 PTO Open Positions
Collins PTO needs your help. If you are interested in serving the students and learning community of Collins by serving on the PTO Board – please email: collinsptopresident@gmail.com
We are still in need of filling 1 position:
- Yearbook Coordinator
VERY Limited Quantity 2018-2019 Yearbook Purchase
First Come First Serve $50 cash only - exact amount - no change given.
on Tuesday, May 28th Time TBA
Nurse
Now that May is here, we will begin notifying parents to come pick up their child’s medication from school before we release for the summer. Any medications that are left at school after May 30 will have to be discarded.
Field day is approaching so the following is the Conroe ISD health policy on sunscreen:
Sunscreen Protocol:
Students may possess and use an FDA approved topical sunscreen product while on school property or at a school-related event or activity to avoid overexposure to the sun. It is our position that CISD staff will not actually apply any sunscreen product to our students without parent permission. For safety reasons, Sprays should not be used indoors. No aerosols should be used. There are dangers with pressurized cans and aerosols stay airborne longer thus exposing students with respiratory issues. Parents should label sunscreen product container with student’s name. Sunscreen products should be stored away when not in use such as in totes, lockers, backpacks, or some other reasonable location. Special Needs Students assistance on case by case basis.
Thank you!
Nell Kendall, RN 281-298-3809
Library
All library books will be due Thursday, May 16. There will be no checkouts the last 2 weeks of school so that an inventory can be completed. Thank you for taking care of lost and overdue books by that date.
Remember that if you need to pay for a lost library book, you can send exact cash (we are unable to make change) or a check made out to Collins Intermediate. The check must include your driver’s license number and date of birth. Once a book is paid for, it is yours to keep if found at a later date because books are removed from the system when they are paid for.
Be on the lookout for summer reading opportunities coming soon. You can start with 2 free audio book downloads per week. Visit https://www.audiobooksync.com and sign up.
Orchestra
Important Dates
- May 17 is our Spring Orchestra concert at Collins for staff and students..
- May 22 is String Fling, our College Park feeder system orchestra celebration and concert.
- Please check Canvas for detailed information about the upcoming events. Our calendar is in Canvas, as well as course information.
- Students will not need to bring instruments and binders for orchestra until Thursday, May 16. PLEASE encourage your students to practice at home each day this week. We will only have Thursday to practice in class at school before we have our concert on Friday. Practice at home is essential to our success. Even though students have turned in their final practice report form they are still expected to practice daily.
Honor Orchestra has no more rehearsals. Our last rehearsal would have been the Friday that school was cancelled.
Friday, May 24th Last Day for Orchestra Instruments at School
School instruments need to be returned to the school by May 24th. Rental instruments need to be taken home or arrangements made with the dealer for pick up. We cannot be responsible for rental or personal instruments left in the orchestra room.
Uniform Donation Welcome
If your student is leaving Collins and no longer needs or has outgrown white shirts and black pants or skirts we could use these donations. Orchestra books and accessories that are no longer wanted will also be accepted.
Summer Info
Students are encouraged to keep their instruments over the summer so that they can practice. Summer is a great time to take private lessons, too. If you are renting your instrument you may lose any money that you have built up towards eventual purchase if you return the instrument over the summer. When rental begins again in the fall your purchase money would start over from zero. For that reason it can make financial sense to keep the instrument over the summer.
Band
Upcoming Dates
May 21st: Spring Concert for 5th and 6th Grade Band
May 23rd: SK8TOWN social for all band members
Thursday, May 23rd - LAST DAY FOR INSTRUMENTS
Art
5th grade art student parents: Does your child want to continue doing art over the summer but need some ideas? They can get a “Make Art this Summer” form from Mr. Hunt and Mrs. Ferguson. Complete as many of the activities as you can over the summer and turn it in the first week of school next year for a chance to win a prize!
Here are some other fun art activities and programs that are in the Houston and Montgomery area:
Counselor
Character Counts at Collins!
Our goal is to create a culture of kindness where students learn to be caring, respectful and responsible citizens. Positive character traits are fostered through our school rules and expectations as well as character lessons in our guidance curriculum.
We are looking for great character in all of our Cobras. Each month, we will focus on a new character trait, which includes a new principle each week. Students will be chosen from each LC to win our Colossal Cobra Award for this trait every month.
Resilience
Using setbacks & failures as a learning tool
Being able to overcome the unexpected
Seeing challenges as a way to grow
Looking for the “silver lining”
From the Tech Coach:
Does your student like to tinker with things, create videos, or/and artistic? Check out the challenges at the “Future Engineers” web site! https://www.futureengineers.org/ There are 3 challenges available for students to enter- Pasta Power, Name that Molecule, and (my favorite!) Bright Art.
Also, there are some great summer camp opportunities for 5th-6th grade students interested in learning more about robotics, web design, video production, engineering, building computers, and drone technology: Click to find out more: Lone Star College- http://www.lonestar.edu/discovery-college.htm
University of Houston- http://www.uh.edu/nsm/teachhouston/summer-camps/
Anytime Collins Reminders
SCHOOL REPORT CARD INFORMATION
The final 2017-2018 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) and Federal Report Card can be found through the Collins website at the link below. To request a hard copy of our TAPR please contact the front office.
http://www.conroeisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/TAPR-2018-COLLINS-INT.pdf
http://www.conroeisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Collins-Federal-Report-Card.pdf
The TAPR combines details regarding campus academic performance with financial reports and information about staff, programs, and demographics.
2018 Accountability Summary
Full 2018 Accountability Summary can be located:
http://www.conroeisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Collins-Intermediate.pdf
Need Online Textbook Help?
Morning Drop Off
Please remember students should not be dropped off before 8 a.m.
No adult supervision is present before 8 a.m. Only honor performance groups with scheduled practice are permitted early arrival.
Students Walking to Kroger at End of School Day
We have also been told that students are running in the very crowded parking lot and we are concerned that our children could be hurt by motorists moving in and out of the area.
Please do not move to the neighborhoods - parents parking on lawns of homeowners and blocking traffic in and out of neighborhoods is not an alternate solution for avoiding the car line.
Thank you so much for your help!
Bad Weather Dismissal
Collins Dismissal Procedures During Inclement Weather:
· Collins will make a call by 3:45 p.m. to announce a “rainy day dismissal”
· Bike riders and walkers will NOT be allowed to bike or walk home during extremely severe rain or when lightning occurs within 5 miles of Collins.
· Families of bike riders and walkers should have a predetermined plan that when heavy rain/lightening is present, the student will ride the school bus or be picked up in the car line.
Attendance
As we begin an exciting new school year, I want to remind everyone of the importance of school attendance and of arriving to school on time. In addition, children who arrive late to school miss the important groundwork that is laid by teachers at the beginning of the day. The instruction and learning that occur on a daily basis in the classroom is our central mission. Parents who make regular school attendance and punctuality a high priority are helping their children learn to accept responsibility, which is an important lesson for a successful life.
N.E.A.T. Kids—Never Ever Absent or Tardy
Awarded to students each nine weeks who reported to each day of school and all classes on time. More detailed information soon to come.
Dress Code
· The District prohibits pictures, emblems, or writings on clothing that are any of the following: lewd, violent, suggestive, offensive, vulgar or obscene, or advertise or depict tobacco products, alcoholic beverages drugs, or any other substance prohibited under FNCF(LEGAL).
· Halter-tops, muscle shirts, and spaghetti-straps tops are not permitted unless covered by another shirt.
· Midriff shirts, or shirts exposing the midsection of the body, are not permitted.
· Blue jean cutoffs or unhemmed shorts are not appropriate dress for elementary/intermediate school classes.
· Make-up/cosmetics may not be worn or applied at school.
· Hats are not to be worn inside a school.
· Hair and hairstyle should not be distractive.
· Spandex clothing, yoga pants and leggings are to be worn under other outerwear that are at least fingertip in length.
· Pants/shorts may not be worn lower than undergarments.
· Students who choose to wear shorts to school must wear them at fingertip length when the student rests his/her arms at his/her side.
· Flip flops may not be worn during P.E. classes.
· Girls may wish to wear shorts under their dresses.
Dresses and skirts should be of appropriate length (fingertip) and tights should accompany shorter dresses, skirts or shorts.
Cell Phones, Smart Watches, and Electronics
Students are allowed to bring cell phones and smart watches to school.
· Once a student enters the building in the morning the cell phone/smart watch/electronic device must be turned off.
· A classroom teacher may allow a student to use a cell phone/smart watch/electronic device as an instructional tool. Once the class is over the device should be turned off.
· Once a student has left the building the device may be turned back on.
Tardy
A student is tardy if they are not in the classroom by the 8:50 bell.
A student tardy to class will:
· Have a tardy marked in the computer
· A note placed in the student planner by the teacher
· After the 3rd, 4th and 5th tardy a warning email will be sent home
· On the 6th tardy the student will be assigned a before school detention
· The tardy counts starts new each nine weeks
Some things to remember:
· Dropping students off by 8:30 a.m. is the best way to ensure a student has time to:
· Put instruments away
· Visit Locker
· Participate in KCOL Broadcast, Pledges, and Moment of Silence
· Be in their classroom prior to the 8:50 bell
Transportation Changes
Transportation changes should be communicated between the parent and the child prior to coming to school for the day. Should you feel your child needs a reminder you may contact the front office, prior to 3:15, for notice to be delivered to your child. We understand that an occasion may arise when it is necessary to make a last minute transportation change. These last minute changes should be reserved for emergency situations only. For the safety of our children, these changes should be made before 3:15 p.m.
Checking Out Early
Students leaving early for appointments at the end of the day must be signed out by 3:40 p.m.; we cannot call for students during dismissal.
Students will be called for dismissal upon parent's arrival in the front office. We cannot call for students prior to your arrival.
Afternoon—Students Walkers
We have a large number of students that have become walkers in the afternoon. We do not promote the practice of students meeting their parents in the Kroger shopping center, YMCA or community neighborhoods. Student safety is of upmost importance— it is imperative that students NEVER cross Showdowbend in the middle of the street. A cross walk should always be used when crossing the heavy traffic that exists on our main road.
Car-Line Rules and Procedures
· Cars are required to stop behind the stop sign and not proceed forward until the stop sign is moved approximately 3:55 p.m..
· Parents may not park in the small visitors parking lot and wait for your child.
· Be courteous to those waiting in the car line and not pull around those waiting and “cut” in line before we call for car riders.
· We do not want cars moving in the parking lot when we dismiss walkers and bikers for all students’ safety.
· Students leaving early due to appointments MUST be picked up by 3:40 p.m. so there is no interruption to the dismissal process.
· Walkers and bikers are dismissed at 4:00 p.m.
· For student safety—walkers and bikers should only cross the street using cross walks. · · Children should pause and watch traffic carefully to assure it is safe to cross.
· Car riders are dismissed at 4:05 p.m.
· For afternoon pickup process, please approach the driveway from Woodlands Parkway to Shadowbend turning right into driveway. NO LEFT Hand Turn in the PM. This will avoid traffic congestion from the Research direction.
· Parents may not park within the school zone on the sides of Shadowbend to pick up students. This disrupts traffic flow and it is unsafe for children and adults to be on the busy road.
Bus Transportation
Registration for Bus Transportation
Students who were registered for bus service last year are automatically renewed each year, so only students who are new or have never registered for service will need to register for bus service. http://bus.conroeisd.net/RegisterTrans.aspx
In the coming days, CISD transportation will open the website to confirm and check all students bus information (pick up / drop off times and locations). https://routeinfo.conroeisd.net/infolocatorrc/info.aspx?OrgGuid=ORG-CONROE&profileguid=conroe_1718
Bus Rider Transportation Tags
Any student riding the bus will be issued a bus tag to be placed on the outside of their backpack. Student’s tag will be scanned as the board the bus to leave each afternoon. If a student loses their tag during the year the child should let his/her homeroom teacher know immediately so that we can provide a replacement.
Bus Dismissal At The End Of School
Students will be dismissed from class to report to their assigned bus. As buses arrive the bus number will appear on the screen in each homeroom. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor the screen and leave class to load their bus.
Changing Buses
Students may NOT ride another bus except in emergencies and only with the permission of Collins Administration. Parents must submit a written request at least 24 hours in advance of the change. Administration must have time to verify the change with both sets of parents. Riding home with a friend on Friday to spend the night is not a change that will be approved. Once approved the school will notify transportation and the bus driver.
Lunch & Breakfast
Beginning on the first day of school, parents may send money (cash or check) for their child to set up a lunch account. My School Bucks in an online account that may continued to be used from year to year or a new account set up at https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home A Parent Access Account allows parents to see the amount of money available to the child. Please visit: http://www.conroeisd.net/department/child-nutrition/ for menu options and more information. If a student’s account runs out of funds he/she will only be allowed to charge one meal. After the one charge a student will be provided an “alternate meal”. Students are given a reminder to take home to parents when their account is low or out of funds.
Breakfast Prices:
(meal Includes Entree, Fruit, and 1% or Skim Milk Daily)
Full Price $ 1.35
Reduced Price $ .30
Non-student Price/2nd Meal $2.30
Lunch Prices:
(meals include an entree, vegetable, fruit, and 1% or skim milk daily)
Full Price $2.85
Reduced Price $ .40
Non-student Price/2nd Meal $3.55
Entree A la Carte $2.00
Fruit/ Vegetable/ Juice/ Bread A la Carte $1.00
Milk A la Carte $.90
Parents may join their child during their scheduled lunch. We have guest table set up on the back wall for our lunch guests.
Parent Access Center
Collins will send our newsletter and other communication home by e-mail and/or phone messages. In order to make sure that we have your e-mail address, please follow the directions below to either update or add your e-mail address.
Go to the CISD homepage at http://www.conroeisd.net.
Click the “Student/Parent” tab,
Click “Parent Access Center”
Click “Register”
You will see an application for parents to view their student’s information online. Read all of the instructions. Complete the top few lines of information, making sure you use the official name of the student. Continue reading the parent access registration. Just below this paragraph is “Parent/Guardian Information.” The first item is the e-mail address. If your e-mail information is different, you will be prompted to update your e-mail address. If you do not have an account, fill in that information at this time. The student identification number is their CISD number which also happens to be their lunch number. If you are not sure of this number, please look at a previous report card or call the front office. Don’t forget to click the “I Agree” button.
Visitors/Volunteers
· Parents and family are welcome in our building but must check in and out through the front office with a current driver’s license or other form of identification.
· A new security feature has been added to the front doors. After school begins visitors will use a call box to announce arrival then the front desk will buzz you in.
· All parents must complete a volunteer application on-line before volunteering at the school or chaperoning field trips. The application process must be completed every year.
· We encourage you to complete the volunteer application at the beginning of the year instead of prior to a field trip. The approval process could take up to a week to process ad we would not want any parent missing an opportunity to chaperone a field trip due to the application process not being completed.
· To complete an application please click:
The Conroe Independent School District (District) as an equal opportunity educational provider and employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in educational programs or activities that it operates or in employment matters. The District is required by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Board policy not to discriminate in such a manner. For information about Title IX rights or Section 504/ADA rights, contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Section 504/ADA coordinator at 3205 W. Davis, Conroe, TX 77304; (936) 709-7752.