Cubs' Communication
May 5, 2023
Collins Elementary
Email: officecollins@uticak12.org
Website: http://www.collins.uticak12.org
Location: 12900 Grand Haven Drive Sterling Heights, MI 48312 586.797.4200
Phone: 586.797.4200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollinsCubs
Collins Families:
We have a busy month of May coming up at school! In addition to our daily learning opportunities, we will continue with MSTEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) Mathematics and Reading testing for 3rd through 6th graders. 5th graders will be testing in all four subject areas. We will also have NWEA testing for all students in the coming weeks.
With the last marking period of the school year upon us, it is important for students and their families to stay focused on learning. Feel free, as always, to check PowerSchool, to call or email your child’s teacher with questions/concerns about your child’s progress. One thing sure to be on everyone’s minds is the placement of students into next year’s classrooms. As we enter the final marking period, the teachers and I begin to plan for the following school year’s class assignments. The classroom teachers, learning center teachers, and I will collaborate to place your child in the most cohesive classroom. They know their students, and together we will design a stable classroom. As students are placed together into classroom groups, we look at many factors such as general academics, gender, reading abilities, sociability, and disciplinary situations to create a well-balanced classroom. Once classroom groups are designed, that is when a teacher is assigned to that group of students. If you have specific thoughts on their learning environment it is best to have that conversation with your child's teacher. They know your student the best, they work with them day in and day out and have the bigger picture of your child's learning needs.
Staffing changes and grade level assignments also play a role in expectations for your child. Quite often in the Spring, parents (with their child at their side) will say to me, “their brother had Mrs. XYZ, and we loved her. He is really looking forward to having Mrs. XYZ next year!” This sets up the unrealistic expectation that teachers will be assigned based on previous siblings’ teachers, and results in initial disappointment for your child when things do not go according to your plan.
Classroom placement is an extremely long and arduous process each year that is well thought out by your child’s current teacher and other staff. I am asking you not to request a particular teacher for your child as I feel every teacher in the building is as equal as his/her cohort. I am not able to honor specific teacher requests, as it is extremely difficult to keep the balance needed throughout each grade level. Thank you in advance for your support and trust in this area.
Mrs. Lenz
Dates to Remember...
May
8th- PTO Meeting 6:30
5th- Kentucky Derby Day - Wear a Hat
12th- Mothers' Day Flowers
22nd- Armed Forces Day - Wear Camo
29th- No School- Memorial Day
June
5th- PTO Meeting 6:30
8th- 1/2 Day 11:44 Dismissal / 6th Grade Graduation 9:30
9th- 1/2 Day- 11:44 Dismissal- Last Day Of School / Kindergarten Celebration 9:30
No Food on busses
Thank you to Ms. Audrey for being amazing!
Stickers on Laptops and iPads
We will be collecting all iPads from Kindergarten and First grade students as well as laptops from 6th grade students and any students that will not be attending Collins Elementary School next year. You will need to turn in the charger and the device. Any chargers that are not the original or manufacturers specifications will not be accepted, and you will be charged the replacement cost.
Devices must be clean and free of stickers. You will be charged a $10 fee if the district has to remove any stickers. You will also be charged if you did not buy insurance and the device is damaged.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Job Opportunities for 2023-2024
A number of Utica Community Schools employment opportunities are anticipated to be available for the 2023-2024 school year. This includes but is not limited to professional positions, paraprofessional, bus driver, food services, school age childcare, trades, mechanics, and other important support work. District personnel serve as excellent ambassadors for the organization and are encouraged to promote the UCS employment website to persons interested in being part of the UCS team. Related resources include:
- The district general employment website can be found at https://uticak12.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx. Interested persons must follow the described process for each position.
- In addition to the general employment website, some position postings are additionally and/or separately distributed internally within the organization to promote or foster interest from existing staff who may not be regularly reviewing the website.
- EDUStaff opportunities please visit https://www.edustaff.org/.