Over the past few weeks some phone calls have come to me from parents who have received letters regarding their children’s absences. They are concerned because they interpret the language in the letter to be intimating that they do not value education and/or do not instill a strong work ethic in their children.
This letter has been used for approximately the past year and a half, and I have received an occasional inquiry about it. However, the current situation (hearing from several families over the past two weeks) leads me to believe that there may be more concern out in the community than what has actually reached me.
This possibility, plus the need to revisit a procedure that has been in place for one and a half years, has led me to initiate a review of the process we use to notify parents of accumulating absences. We are gathering data from the SASI system (Schools Administrative Student Information) which the school district uses to maintain attendance information. We want to make sure that whatever decision is made regarding parent notification of absences, that decision will be based on as much factual information and data as possible. Until the review process is complete, we will be using a modification of our current process to ensure that parent notification will be more individualized, as well as reflecting more equitably the distribution of absences rather than just the total number.
I am indebted to those parents who have called me. I try to use many avenues to assess the pulse of the community and, in turn, try to be as responsive and timely in my response as possible. However, if there is a concern in the community that does not reach me, I can’t address it—therefore potentially causing a perception that I’m not doing anything about it! It is also a reality that some changes cannot be accomplished quickly, which also sometimes leads to the perception that the Principal isn’t doing anything about it, or just doesn’t care.

And while we’re on this subject, there is another phenomenon that I have encountered since coming to Coyote Creek. Very often when parents do share a concern with me, they are under the very strong conviction that dozens of parents have already contacted me when, in fact, there have been none or very few who have talked to me about that particular concern. So if you are concerned about something here at school, please don’t assume that I already know about it. Call me. Write a note or letter. Email me.
While there are some things I have no control over (issues around state and federal laws, and school district policy), I do believe in pursuing continual improvement. I am also aware that what might have worked well in the past may need to be updated to reflect changing needs of students or families.
So here’s to a wonderfully effective balance between mutual trust and respect, and continually monitoring how we do business!

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Congratulations to McKenna and Brooke! These two Coyote Creek 3rd graders with their Youth Elite team won the regional United Cheerleading Association competition. They went on to National competition at Disney World in Orlando, FL where they placed third. Watch for McKenna and Brooke
on ESPN soon!

The Scholastic publication, Storyworks, sponsored a “Create a Character” contest. Students from across the country had to invent a character that was between the ages of 8 and 12. Their character had to have hobbies, real-life problems, and detailed physical traits. Winners of the contest were recently announced. Out of the over 10,000 total entries, Megan , a 5th grade student in Mrs. Jensen’s class was one of the seventy-five runners up. Megan created a character named Shelby. Good job Megan!

CCE Website Goes International
The Coyote Creek website has been earning kudos for years. Recently, Herrick Forsyth, 3C teacher and CCE webmaster decided to do some research on the “ hits” the website has received, and discovered that people in the following locations have accessed the site and are reading about us!

Our website has been online since August, 1995, one of the first in Douglas County schools. A year later, Mr. Forsyth became webmaster and has been keeping it updated and fresh since then. One last tidbit of trivia—since December, 1998, the site has been visited 48,686 times as of March 22, 2004. Wow!

15 Minutes of Fame
Thursday morning before school, March 18 a group of staff members gathered around a television in one of our classrooms. Susie Grant, CCE Social Worker, was waiting to see her mother on CNN.
Mrs. Gill has seven children, one of whom is Susie Grant. The youngest was born with spina bifida, and Mrs. Gill found herself at one of life’s many crossroads. Such an event in people’s lives can result in resignation to dealing with a seemingly “bad luck” situation, or it can result in determination to maintain a positive and learning attitude. Mrs. Gill chose the latter. In fact, her experiences in raising her youngest child led her to adopt eight more children—seven of whom are special needs children. AND she gives much time as a volunteer for her church!
We saw a family picture that included Susie, and Mrs. Gill was interviewed live on CNN. What a gracious, giving and noble lady! Those of us who know and work with Susie now have a better understanding of how and why she possesses these same characteristics. Congratulations to Mrs. Gill and to Susie, who was bursting with pride to share her mother with us.

Field Trips

March 25
1B-Denver Mint
March 26
3B-Museum of Nature & Science
March 29
6D-Museum Of Nature & Science
April 19
KA-Greg & Steve Concert
April 20
KB-Greg & Steve Concert
April 30
6A&B-Walden Family Playhouse

At Coyote Creek Elementary, Douglas Johnson’s 5th graders and their 1st-grade buddies in Shannon Janes’ class created over 70 Valentine’s Day cards, which they delivered to residents at the Golden Orchard Assisted Living facility in Highlands Ranch. “This is another chance for children to reach out and realize they can make a positive impact in the lives of others,” said Johnson. The 1st grade buddy program brings students together from upper and lower grade levels in order to promote academics, good behavior and role modeling.

Lost & Found
Check our Lost and Found barrels near Door #4 (by the cafeteria). There are many lunch boxes and miscellaneous coats and jackets to be found there! Girl Scout Troop 1056 will be emptying the contents for donation to a local charity the week of March 8th.

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