Dear Collins community,

Thank you all for making time to come to our Annual Collins Back to School Picnic last evening.  It was so wonderful to see so many of our families walking through the halls and enjoying the evening. Our Collins staff is ready to welcome our students to the 2018-19 school year. We have been busy preparing for a wonderful year and look forward to our first day!

First Day of School for 1^st-6^th Grades – Monday, August 20^th
As in years past, for the first day only, students will line up outside between 8:15 AM and 8:40 AM with each of their teachers.  We have attached the map for your reference.   Staff will be available to direct students that may be getting off a bus or unsure of where to go for the first day. We ask that you say good-bye to your child in line or at the school doors. Only students will enter the building, even on the first day of school. Several staff members will be on hand to assist any children that are unsure of where to go.  The school day begins at 8:40 AM and will dismiss at our regular time of 3:00 PM.

Collins First Day Line Up 2018.pptx

Lunch Information
Milk order forms are in your child’s blue Collins folder.  We will not be distributing milk to any student that has not ordered or been approved for milk. Please be sure to send a beverage with your student if you have not completed the milk order form yet.

11:15 – 11:35          3rd and 5th recess, 4th and 6th eat

11:35 – 12:00          4th and 6th recess, 3rd and 5th eat

12:00 – 12:20          1st and 2nd recess, kindergarteners eat

12:20 – 12:45          kindergarteners recess, 1st and 2nd eat

Arrival and Dismissal
We strive to provide a safe and efficient process for both arrival and dismissal.  We appreciate your cooperation and we thank you for helping out by doing your part in keeping our students safe on their way to and from school.  Please speak to your child(ren) prior to the start of the school day about how they are getting home each day to avoid any confusion.  Please read the attached letter for details.

Arrival_and_Dismissal_Procedures 2018.2019.pdf

Curriculum Nights – Tuesday August 28^th and Wednesday, August 29^th 
Save the date(s)!  Our Curriculum Night(s) will be held on two separate evenings again this year in an attempt to limit the crowding.  Parents of students in 4^th through 6^th grades are invited to attend on Tuesday, August 28^th. Parents of students in grades kindergarten through 3^rd are invited to attend on Wednesday, August 29^th.

Both evenings will begin at 6:00 PM in the Collins gym with a short presentation followed by classroom presentations.  On Tuesday, August 28^th there will also be a brief PTA meeting in the gym prior to the classroom presentations. During the classroom presentations, our teachers will be sharing valuable information about your child’s curriculum, classroom procedures, and our school wide behavioral program.

New this year… On Tuesday, August 28^th, a special presentation will be held for parents of 5th and 6th grade students regarding Chromebooks.  Come to hear about acceptable usage, student responsibilities and insurance options.

Specifics on the session times will be sent as the dates get closer.

Important Dates
August 20^th  – First Day of School Grades 1-6
August 27^th  – First Day of School for Kindergarten
August 27^th – Sept. 7^th – MAP Assessment Window
ugust 28^th – Curriculum Night (grades 4-6)  & General PTA meeting 6:00
August 29^th – Curriculum Night (grades K-3)
Sept. 3^rd – No School Labor Day
Sept. 10^th – Picture Day

We hope you enjoy the weekend!

Sincerely,

Nell Haack   and   Katie Kurtz

Principal                   Assistant Principal

Dear Collins community,

We are very excited to see you and your families this coming Thursday for our Annual Back to School Picnic! The classrooms and staff are ready for our students to return.  We wanted to send along important information regarding the first day line-up, arrival and dismissal procedures along with upcoming events.  Please read all the information below and the attached documents for more information.

New Collins Staff
There have been a few staff additions that we would like to share with you. Ms. Brooke Harris – 1^stgrade, Ms. Ashley Jones – 5^th grade, Ms. Kellie Freese – 5^th grade, Ms. Megan Cothroll – Speech Pathologist, Ms. Cali Parisi – Acceleration, Ms. Erica Heffernan – Acceleration, Mrs. Ellen Cruse – Nurse, Mrs. Kristen Martin – Itinerant LRT, and Ms. Brianna Allbritten – Paraprofessional. We hope you will join us in welcoming all of our new staff members to Collins.

Office Hours – Building Closed Wednesday, August 15^th 
Please remember our building will be closed all day this coming Wednesday, August 15^th.  Our entire staff will be participating in a professional development opportunity together.  Our office will be open Thursday, August 16^th from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Friday August 17^th 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM andbeginning August 20^th we will return to our regular hours, 7:30 AM-4:00 PM.  If you have any questions, please call our office at 847-357-6100.

Annual Collins Back to School Picnic/Teacher Meet & Greet – Thursday, August 16^th
Please join us this Thursday for our Back to School Picnic/Teacher Meet & Greet.  The picnic will take place behind Collins school on the black top and in Apollo Park.  Classroom open house visits and supply drop off will take place between 4:30-6:00 PM. The picnic will be from 5:00-7:00 PM.  There will be food and beverages available for purchase from a variety of vendors for your convenience.  Food sales will take place between 5:00-7:00.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to come meet the Collins staff, other Collins families, join PTA, and much more!

First Day of School for 1^st-6^th Grades – Monday, August 20^th 
Our first day is just one week away!  As in years past, for the first day only, students will line up outside between 8:15 AM and 8:40 AM with each of their teachers.  We have attached the map for your reference.   Staff will be available to direct students that may be getting off a bus or unsure of where to go for the first day. We ask that you say good-bye to your child in line or at the school doors. Only students will enter the building, even on the first day of school. Several staff members will be on hand to assist any children that are unsure of where to go.  The school day begins at 8:40 AM and will dismiss at our regular time of 3:00 PM. Information regarding our first day of kindergarten (August 27th) coming soon.

Collins First Day Line Up 2018.pdf

Arrival and Dismissal
We strive to provide a safe and efficient process for both arrival and dismissal.  We appreciate your cooperation and we thank you for helping out by doing your part in keeping our students safe on their way to and from school.  Please speak to your child(ren) prior to the start of the school day about how they are getting home each day to avoid any confusion.  Please read the attached letter for details.

Arrival_and_Dismissal_Procedures 2018.2019.pdf

Curriculum Nights – Tuesday August 28^th (4th-6th) and Wednesday, August 29^th (K-3rd) 
Save the date(s)!  Our Curriculum Night(s) will be held on two separate evenings again this year in an attempt to limit the crowding.  Parents of students in 4^th through 6^th grades are invited to attend on Tuesday, August 28^th. Parents of students in grades kindergarten through 3^rd are invited to attend on Wednesday, August 29^th.

Both evenings will begin at 6:00 PM in the Collins gym with a short presentation followed by classroom presentations.  On Tuesday, August 28^th there will also be a brief PTA meeting in the gym prior to the classroom presentations. During the classroom presentations, our teachers will be sharing valuable information about your child’s curriculum, classroom procedures, and our school wide behavioral program.

New this year… On Tuesday, August 28^th, a special presentation will be held for parents of 5th and 6th grade students regarding Chromebooks.  Come to hear about acceptable usage, student responsibilities and insurance options.

Specifics on the session times will be sent as the dates get closer.

Reminder for Sixth Grade Parents
Mailed home in January was a packet regarding health requirements for entry into sixth grade. A current physical examination (dated 8-15-17 or later) is required for all students entering sixth grade. These students must show proof of receiving 1 dose of Tdap, 3 hepatitis B vaccines, 2 doses of varicella vaccines and 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine.  Please have the sixth grade physical examination form completed by the physician and documentation showing proof of required vaccines. Please turn this document into the nurse by the first day of school. Sixth grade students will be excluded from school October 15^th if this requirement is not met. 

Important Dates
August 16^th  –Annual Collins Back to School Picnic/Teacher Meet & Greet (4:30-6:00 classrooms 5:00-7:00 Picnic)
August 20^th  – First Day of School Grades 1-6
August 27^th  – First Day of School for Kindergarten
August 27^th – Sept. 7^th – MAP Assessment Window
August 28^th – Curriculum Night (grades 4-6)  & General PTA meeting 6:00
August 29^th – Curriculum Night (grades K-3)
Sept. 3^rd – No School Labor Day

Sincerely,

Nell Haack   and   Katie Kurtz

Principal                   Assistant Principal

Please see the attached form if you are interested in purchasing Student Accident Insurance for the 2018-2019 school year.

Dear Collins community,

We hope you are enjoying a relaxing yet fun filled summer with your family and friends.  The staff is already beginning to prepare classrooms and hallways in anticipation of our students’ return.  Although it is only August 1^st, we are sure some of you have already begun to hit the school supply aisles in preparation for the new school year and maybe even a few of you are like me and ready to get back into the routine of school.  We are looking forward to welcoming your children back and hearing all about their summertime adventures!  Below are a few updates and reminders for the upcoming weeks.​​​​​​​

Office Hours
Our main office will be open beginning August 3^rd from 8:00 AM-3:00 PM each day until August 17^th.  As a note, our office will be closed on Wednesday, August 15^th from 8:00 AM-3:00 PM as our entire staff will be participating in a professional development opportunity together.  Beginning August 20^th the office will be open from 7:30 AM-4:00 PM.  

School Information Day – Wednesday, August 8^th   9:00 – 12:00  and  6:00-8:00
Stop by  Collins one week from today during the hours listed above to find out student classroom assignments, join the PTA, order hot lunch, learn about volunteer opportunities and have your questions answered by our office staff.  Please note, the staff has worked diligently to place every child in an environment which will best meet his/her needs.  Placement changes will not be honored unless there is an extreme circumstance.  Accelerated math placement letters for students who met the criteria in 3^rd – 6^th grades will be included with the classroom assignment.  Medical forms for our school nurse may also be dropped off on this day or any day beginning August 3^rd.  Any classroom assignment that is not picked up on August 8^th will be sent via US mail on August 9^th.  Please understand that we are not able to hand out any classroom assignments to friends or neighbors. 

Annual Collins Back to School Picnic/Teacher Meet & Greet – Thursday, August 16^th
This event is definitely one of my favorite evenings of the year!  Please join us for our Back to School Picnic/Teacher Meet & Greet.  The picnic will take place behind Collins school on the black top and in Apollo Park.  Classroom open house style visits and supply drop off will take place from 4:30-6:00 PM. The picnic will be from 5:00-7:00 PM.  There will be food and beverages available for purchase from a variety of vendors for your convenience.  Food sales will take place between 5:00-7:00.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to come meet the Collins staff, other Collins families, join PTA, and much more!

First Day of School
We look forward to welcoming all students in Grades 1-6 on Monday, August 20^th  and our Kindergarten students on Monday, August 27^th.   More information will be coming closer to the first day with specifics regarding drop-off/pick-up and our first day line up procedures.

School Supply Lists
Stores are ready with school supplies! If you need a copy of the supply lists you can find them on our Collins website under “Family Resources” or click here.   If you purchased the pre-ordered supply kits at the end of last year, you can expect to find it in your child’s classroom during our Back to School Picnic on Thursday, August 16^th.

Curriculum Nights – Tuesday August 28^th and Wednesday, August 29^th 
Save the date(s)!  Our Curriculum Night(s) will be held on two separate evenings again this year in an attempt to limit the crowding.  Parents of students in 4^th through 6^th grades are invited to attend on Tuesday, August 28^th. Parents of students in grades kindergarten through 3^rd are invited to attend on Wednesday, August 29^th.  

Both evenings will begin at 6:00 PM in the Collins gym with a short presentation followed by
classroom presentations.  On Tuesday, August 28^th there will also be a brief PTA meeting in the gym prior to the classroom presentations. During the classroom presentations, our teachers will be sharing valuable information about your child’s curriculum, classroom procedures, and our school wide behavioral program.  

New this year… During Curriculum Night on Tuesday, August 28^th, a special presentation will be held for parents of 5th and 6th grade students regarding Chromebooks.  Come to hear about acceptable usage, student responsibilities and insurance options. 

Specifics on the session times will be sent as the dates get closer. 

Important Dates
August 8^th  – School Information Day  9:00-12:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM
August 16^th  –Annual Collins Back to School Picnic/Teacher Meet & Greet (4:30-6:00 classrooms 5:00-7:00 Picnic)
August 20^th  – First Day of School Grades 1-6
August 27^th  – First Day of School for Kindergarten
August 28^th – Curriculum Night (grades 4-6)  & General PTA meeting 6:00 PM
August 29^th – Curriculum Night (grades K-3)
September 10^th – Picture Day

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of school.   On behalf of the entire Collins staff, we would like to wish all of our families a wonderful summer break!  We are proud of every one of our students for the hard work and dedication they demonstrated consistently throughout the school year.  We will miss all of the smiles and energy they bring to our hallways and look forward to welcoming them all back in August!  Thanks to our unbelievable PTA, our 6^th grade students were able to make amazing memories last Thursday evening during their sports themed year end celebration.  It was truly an event to remember and would not have been possible without the hours of collaboration and hard work from the parent volunteers.  Thank you! All of our students had a great time on Track and Field day last Friday. Mr. Cahoj and Mr. Petzold along with our entire staff and parent volunteers made it a day to remember!   The sun was shining and it felt like a true celebration of a great school year.

Please note at our Trimester 3 report cards will be posted live on the Parent Portal starting on June 4.  If you have any questions about your portal account, please contact our main office at 847-357-6100.  Once logged into the Parent Portal, click on the Report Card link on the left side of your screen. This link will take you to another page, where you will be asked to log in again for security reasons. After logging in, you will see the report card files for all of your children. Click on any of the report cards to download the pdf file.

Join the District 54 Education Foundation for our 21st annual golf outing on Monday, June 11 and make a difference in the lives of District 54 students!  The golf outing at the Schaumburg Golf Club is the Foundation’s largest fundraising event. All proceeds support District 54 breakfast programs, STEM after-school clubs and grants for students from financially struggling households.

Please consider supporting District 54 children by becoming an event sponsor, volunteering at our outing or golfing. We are also looking for items for our silent auction, as well as gift cards from local businesses to award as prizes. Visit www.d54foundation.org/golf-outing  to sponsor, register or for more information.

We hope you all are enjoying the beautiful weather we have had this week. Things are finally starting to look and feel like summer. We have finished up our Spring MAP testing today, and it was incredible to see the results of our students’ hard work this year! You will receive your child’s Spring MAP report in their backpack before the end of the school year.  To keep the learning going over the summer, your child’s teacher will send home information about our summer learning incentive to help keep students actively working on their math and literacy skills.  Additionally, see below for the new Virtual Learning University website provided by District 54.  It includes activities for each grade level in Literacy, Math, Science, Social Sciences, and Language and Culture.  Don’t forget our community resources too, including the library, park district, and summer camps.

We will be distributing yearbooks to those students that already purchased one on Monday, May 21^st.  The PTA yearbook committee also has additional yearbooks that will be available for sale.  They plan to have yearbook sales during the lunch hour on Tuesday, May 22^nd and possibly Wednesday, May 23^rd should the supply last.  Yearbooks are $20.00.  We cannot guarantee that we will have enough extra for everyone that would like one.

We are all very excited about our Field Day scheduled for next Friday, May 25th! Hopefully, the weather will be on our side. We do not have a rain date for Field Day, therefore we will be having Field Day rain or shine. Mr. Cahoj and Mr. Petzold do have alternate indoor activities if the weather does not cooperate. A HUGE thank you to them both for all of the planning and organization! This is always such a memorable day for our students.  Prepare

**Lunch Friday, May 25th   – All students will be eating lunch on Field Day from 12:00-1:00**

It is a regularly scheduled pre-ordered hot lunch day.

If your child did not order hot lunch, they will need to bring their own lunch as they typically do.