Halloween
Halloween is just around the corner! Your child will be bringing home a letter with further details about our afternoon festivities on Monday, October 21^st. As a reminder, please do not send in any edible treats with your child for their class party. No food items will be served during our classroom parties.  Room representatives have also arranged for volunteers to help run the parties.  Only those who have been previously arranged will be able to go to the classrooms.  All volunteers will check-in and receive a visitor sticker.  We thank you in advance for your patience as we check everyone in and for helping to ensure our students’ safety.  Please see below for timeline of the afternoon:

11:45-12:45 Lunch for all students

1:00 -1:30     All school Halloween parade (Parade will be outside weather permitting)

1:30 – 2:40    Classroom Parties

2:40 – 3:00    Students clean up and prepare to go home

3:00              Dismissal​​​​​​​

We ask that you be especially thoughtful in creating costumes which will be worn at school.   The District 54 School Board has a policy which prohibits weapons or look-alike weapons at school.  In choosing an appropriate costume for your child to wear at school, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• No fake blood, gore, scary costumes or costumes depicting violence
• No weapons or “look-alikes” of any kind (squirt guns, chains, whips, plastic swords, etc.)
• Ensure that costumes are appropriate and inoffensive to all ages at our school
• Keep make-up to a minimum (there is only a short time given to students to change into costume)
• No one may wear make-up or costumes to school in the morning
• Be certain that your child can see through any mask or head covering

Dear Collins Community,

Thank you all for taking the time to attend our student goal setting conferences last week. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to a wonderful year ahead.  We know you have all been patiently waiting for your child’s pictures from picture day to arrive.  We should have them by the end of the day today and passed out to go home with all students tomorrow.  Picture retake day is scheduled for Monday, October 21^st.  Please see below for some important information and reminders.

Annual Turkey Trot
Run for a great cause! This Wednesday, October 16^th at 4:30 we will be holding our Annual Turkey Trot. This year the runs take place at Dirksen Elementary School.  All students are welcome to participate if they have a signed parent permission slip and are accompanied by an adult.  Each participant is asked to bring at least one non-perishable food item. All collected items will be donated to the District 54 food pantry to help families in need during the holiday season.

Collins Cares Club
The Collins Cares Club has started an old gym shoe drive. We are asking Collins students & teachers to donate their used gym shoes. The shoes that they have outgrown can be put into boxes around the school. We will have a box by the front door and at the top of the Happiness stairwell. We will donate the shoes to Nike where they will repurpose them and make turfs, basketball courts, tracks, and even carpet padding. We will accept all brands of gym shoes for our collection. Our drive started today, Tuesday, October 15 and ends Tuesday, October 29. Please note that we’ll only take old gym shoes, no other shoes will be accepted.

Collins Cares Members

Collins Socktober
Collins wants to prove that even the smallest act of caring, like donating a pair of NEW socks, can help make a huge difference in the lives of our neighbors who are in need. An estimated 600,000 people spend each day without a home and need simple things like SOCKS! If you would like to donate please send a NEW pair of socks with your Collins student and they will put them in a box outside of their classroom. Each box will be sent to a shelter or given to a family in need.

Halloween
Halloween is just around the corner! Your child will be bringing home a letter with further details about our afternoon festivities on Monday, October 21^st. As a reminder, please do not send in any edible treats with your child for their class party. No food items will be served during our classroom parties.  Room representatives have also arranged for volunteers to help run the parties.  Only those who have been previously arranged will be able to go to the classrooms.  All volunteers will check-in and receive a visitor sticker.  We thank you in advance for your patience as we check everyone in and for helping to ensure our students’ safety.  Please see below for timeline of the afternoon:

11:45-12:45 Lunch for all students

1:00 -1:30     All school Halloween parade (Parade will be outside weather permitting)

1:30 – 2:40    Classroom Parties

2:40 – 3:00    Students clean up and prepare to go home

3:00              Dismissal​​​​​​​

We ask that you be especially thoughtful in creating costumes which will be worn at school.   The District 54 School Board has a policy which prohibits weapons or look-alike weapons at school.  In choosing an appropriate costume for your child to wear at school, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• No fake blood, gore, scary costumes or costumes depicting violence
• No weapons or “look-alikes” of any kind (squirt guns, chains, whips, plastic swords, etc.)
• Ensure that costumes are appropriate and inoffensive to all ages at our school
• Keep make-up to a minimum (there is only a short time given to students to change into costume)
• No one may wear make-up or costumes to school in the morning
• Be certain that your child can see through any mask or head covering

Schaumburg Parent University – October classes
Schaumburg Parent University (SPU) is designed to involve more parents in the life of the school, to strengthen family relationships, and to improve parenting skills that will ultimately result in improved student success academically, socially and emotionally. There are two evening programs scheduled for October. Please note that child care is always available.

Escape Room Family Math Night – Oct. 23Locked boxes and puzzles to solve. Unlock the fun as you put your family’s numeracy skills to the test. Can you escape these math rooms? Come for a fun and educational experience of problem solving, creative and logical thinking and collaboration. Practice important mathematical skills and language through games and puzzles. Parents, guardians and students in kindergarten through sixth grade are welcome. This workshop will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at the District 54 Professional Learning Center, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Math Night Flyer

Stress Management for Anxious Children – Oct. 24
When children are anxious, their parents can become anxious as well. Join Dr. McGrath, Ph.D., Clinical Director of the Center for Anxiety and OCD at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, as he talks about how to work with your anxious child so that they learn to face their fears. Learn to allow them to feel anxious without rescuing them from the experience. (Before the presentation, the PTA Council will have a short meeting to adopt its audit report and approve its budget for the year.) This workshop will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 at the District 54 Professional Learning Center, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Stress Management Flyer

La Universidad Schaumburg para Padres – Clases de octubre
La idea de la Universidad para Padres es envolver más a los padres in la vida escolar, para fortalecer las relaciones familiares, y mejorar los conocimientos de crianza que finalmente resultarán en un mejor éxito académico, social y emocional del estudiante. Hay dos programas nocturnos para octubre. El cuidado de niños está siempre disponible.

Salón de Escape: Noche Familiar de Matemáticas – 23 de octubre
Cajas y acertijos bloqueados para resolver. Desbloquea la diversión a la vez que pone a prueba las habilidades aritméticas de su familia. ¿Podrá usted escapar estas salas de matemáticas? Venga a experimentar diversión y educación al colaborar para resolver problemas usando pensamiento creativo y lógico. Practique habilidades importantes de matemáticas y de lenguaje a través de juegos y acertijos. Padres, guardianes y estudiantes en kindergarten hasta sexto grado son bienvenidos. Este evento tendrá lugar de 6:30 a 8 p.m. Miércoles 23 de octubre en el Centro de Aprendizaje Profesional del Distrito 54, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Noche Familiar de Matemáticas

¡Bajo presión! Manejo del estrés para padres de niños ansiosos – 24 de octubre
Cuando los niños están ansiosos, sus padres también pueden experimentar ansiedad. Únase al Dr. McGrath, Ph.D., Director clínico del Centro para la ansiedad y el OCD en el Hospital de salud conductual Alexian Brothers, el cual hablará sobre cómo trabajar con la ansiedad de su hijo/a. Usted aprenderá a cómo ayudarle a enfrentar sus miedos y experimentar ansiedad sin tener que rescatarlos de la experiencia. (Antes de la presentación, el consejo de la PTA tendrá una breve reunión para adoptar su informe de auditoría y aprobar su presupuesto para el año escolar.) Este evento tendrá lugar de 6:30 a 8 p.m. Jueves 24 de octubre en el Centro de Aprendizaje Profesional del Distrito 54, 522 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. ¡Bajo presión!

Happiness Hub
Don’t forget, October is “Fun 15” month!  A couple days a week we are starting our day with an all school “Fun 15 (seconds)” of cardio activity.  Ask your child(ren) what we have done so far this month to get our blood pumping during morning announcements.  Here are some ways to add the “Fun 15” to your daily happiness plan!

*Plan and complete a 15 minute cardio exercise each day.

*Start slow and then build up your activity level.

*This habit often leads to additional positive habits, so consistency is key!

*#CollinsFun15 – Take a picture of your family completing a Fitness activity this month.  Tag #CollinsFun15 on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook with a description of what you did!

Important Dates
Oct. 16^th – Turkey Trot @ Dirksen 4:30 – 5:30
Oct. 17th – PBIS Paint Along 5:00-6:00 PM
Oct. 21^st – Picture Re-Take Day
Oct. 31^st – Halloween
Nov. 6^th – PTA Meeting 6:00 PM
Nov. 7^th – 2^nd Grade Music performance 6:15 PM
Nov. 7^th – Vision and Hearing Screening

Sincerely,

Nell Haack   and   Katie Kurtz

Principal                   Assistant Principal

PBIS Painting Along – Thursday, October 17^th – 5:00-6:00 PM
Please join us for a fun night of painting and learning about PBIS. We will guide you through completing a painting of pumpkins that is appropriate for all ages. Each child will receive one canvas to create on and keep. All paints and brushes needed to create the painting will be provided. The finished piece will be yours to take home at the end of the evening. Please plan to take home a wet painting. A $1 donation per canvas is welcomed and 100% will go to support the PBIS Creed Store. Please complete the online sign up to reserve a spot. Seating is limited and you will be notified immediately if you have reserved a spot of if the event is full.

To Sign Up Online Please Visit: https://forms.gle/Nv99pFVe2y1DWtVc6

Please contact Ms. Andrew at lillianandrew@nullsd54.org  with questions.

Collins Student Happiness Shirts
Collins staff loves to spread happiness by wearing orange every Monday.  We would like to invite the students to join us in sporting orange on Mondays as a symbol of our collective commitment to spreading positivity and happiness!  Any orange is fine to wear, however if you would like to order an orange “Choose Happy” shirt please use the link provided below.  All orders and payments will be done online.  The last day to order a shirt is Tuesday, October 22nd.

https://www.customink.com/g/dcg0-00bz-saka

Dear Collins Community,

We hope you had a wonderful weekend and your week has started well.  We are looking forward to seeing you with your child this Thursday and Friday for our fall goal setting conferences.  Conferences provide a wonderful opportunity for your student(s) to share their progress and goals they have set for themselves. Please remember that Thursday, October 10^th is a half day with dismissal being at 11:40 AM for all students. Friday, October 12^th and Monday October 14^th there is no school for all students.

Dine to Donate at Frato’s – Thursday, October 10th
Please help support our PTA this month through Dine to Donate at Frato’s on Thursday, October 10^th.  It’s a great opportunity to support the PTA while dining with family and friends.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Fratos Dine to Donate.pdf

PBIS Painting Along – Thursday, October 17^th – 5:00-6:00 PM
Please join us for a fun night of painting and learning about PBIS. We will guide you through completing a painting of pumpkins that is appropriate for all ages. Each child will receive one canvas to create on and keep. All paints and brushes needed to create the painting will be provided. The finished piece will be yours to take home at the end of the evening. Please plan to take home a wet painting. A $1 donation per canvas is welcomed and 100% will go to support the PBIS Creed Store. Please complete the online sign up to reserve a spot. Seating is limited and you will be notified immediately if you have reserved a spot of if the event is full.

To Sign Up Online Please Visit: https://forms.gle/Nv99pFVe2y1DWtVc6

Please contact Ms. Andrew at lillianandrew@nullsd54.org  with questions.

Collins Student Happiness Shirts
Collins staff loves to spread happiness by wearing orange every Monday.  We would like to invite the students to join us in sporting orange on Mondays as a symbol of our collective commitment to spreading positivity and happiness!  Any orange is fine to wear, however if you would like to order an orange “Choose Happy” shirt please use the link provided below.  All orders and payments will be done online.  The last day to order a shirt is Tuesday, October 22nd.

https://www.customink.com/g/dcg0-00bz-saka

Important Dates
Oct. 9^th – School Spirit Day – Camo Day
Oct. 10^th – Half Day dismissal @ 11:40 – Student Goal Setting Conferences
Oct. 11^th – No School – Student Goal Setting Conferences
Oct. 14^th – No School – Columbus Day
Oct. 17th – PBIS Paint Along 5:00-6:00 PM
Oct. 21^st – Picture Retake Day 1:00-2:30 PM

Sincerely,

Nell Haack   and   Katie Kurtz

Principal                  Assistant Principal

Dear Collins Families,

This morning we practiced a Hard Lockdown Drill under the guidance of the Schaumburg Police Department. We hold at least two lockdown drills each year so that students and staff are familiar with the best practices should there ever be a crisis situation in the school. Today’s drill was an unannounced drill so that we could test our systems and evaluate how we respond.  Although the drill was a surprise, it was clearly announced that it was a drill so the students were not frightened.

After each drill, we reflect as a staff and with local emergency responders to determine if there are any procedures we might need to review with the staff and students. The police said they were impressed with how well our students and staff did during the drill.

We obviously hope never to need to use these procedures, but it helps all involved to know that they have the skills needed to respond if an emergency should arise.

The safety of your children is very important to our staff. Should you have any questions about this drill, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Nell Haack   and   Katie Kurtz

Principal                  Assistant Principal

October is “Fun 15” month!  This tactic is designed to add more oxygen to your brain and strengthen the belief that your behavior matters. Here are some ways to add the “Fun 15” to your daily happiness plan!

*Plan and complete a 15 minute cardio exercise each day.

*Start slow and then build up your activity level.

*This habit often leads to additional positive habits, so consistency is key!

*#CollinsFun15 – Take a picture of your family completing a Fitness activity this month.  Tag #CollinsFun15 on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook with a description of what you did!

We wanted to share some exciting news! Collins was recognized in the September issue of Chicago Magazine, ranking number 16 in the Top Elementary & Middle Schools category for Suburban Cook County.  We are so proud of the hard work of our staff and students and the support of our parent community.  Thank you for helping to make Collins such an amazing place.

Check out the news here!

In order to help parents better prepare for the severe cold weather and snow we often get during winters in our community, we wanted to share with you the District 54 Cold Weather Response Plan. Though District 54 makes every effort to keep our schools open and operational, circumstances beyond our control oftentimes dictate school closings.

Dear District 54 community,

Due to the dangerously cold wind chill, District 54 is cancelling all after-school and evening activities today, January 29. This does not include the after-school childcare programs at our schools run by the park districts and YMCA.

In addition, District 54 schools and the Rafferty Center will be closed on Wednesday, January 30 and Thursday, January 31. After-school and evening activities are also cancelled on January 30 and 31, including the Open Enrollment Fair. When schools are closed for a full day, the child care programs are also cancelled at our schools. People interested in open enrollment schools for their children, click here to view the list of school visitation dates and times.

District 54 makes every effort to keep our schools open, but circumstances beyond our control, such as extreme weather, sometimes dictate that we close. Our top concern is whether we believe the more than 15,000 students we serve and our employees can get to school safely whether they walk, take a bus or ride in a car. The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning until noon Thursday, which calls for wind chill values as low as -55.

Thank you for your understanding and support. For more information about our notification procedures and a link to our Severe Cold Weather Response Plan, you can visit https://sd54.org/schoolcancellations.

Childcare Options

• The Campanelli YMCA, 300 W. Wise Road, Schaumburg, will offer a drop-in childcare program for students in kindergarten through sixth grade on THURSDAY ONLY. The YMCA will be closed on Wednesday. For Thursday – the cost is $40 per child for YMCA members and $45 for nonmembers. Send your child with a lunch and a drink. Registration occurs at the Y front desk, limited on a first-come/first-served basis. R
• The Hoffman Estates Park District will offer childcare for children in kindergarten through sixth grade from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. The cost is $50 per child. Registration is on a first-come/first-served basis. Register online at [heparks.org]heparks.org and use code 156415-AA for Wednesday or code 156415-AB for Thursday. You can also register at drop-off at the Triphahn Center front desk, 1685 W. Higgins Road.