For years, now, we have watched the traffic around Coyote Creek with many prayers that no child will be injured or killed as a result of drivers not following traffic laws and school requests to drive with caution. We have attempted to utilize a parent task force to assist with the problem. We have asked law enforcement agencies to assist us in our efforts and some steps have been taken. However, the success of those steps is always dependent on drivers obeying new signage and county law enforcement manpower to issue tickets to those who are in violation. At one point we even witnessed a group of mothers surround our DARE officer when he attempted to enforce one of our No Parking zones, telling him that he had no right to tell them where to park at their children’s school.

Various stakeholders have suggested that PTA use their funds to pay for a “fix” to this problem. I have hesitated to use funds raised largely by and from parents for this purpose. My preference is to use this funding source for instructional materials and other equipment that directly affect our students.
But there is the fact that a child who has been killed as a result of traffic violations and inconsiderate drivers will not be able to benefit from instruction. And that fact has haunted us for too long.

So after years of behind-the-scenes attempts to develop a concrete plan to address this problem, I acquiesced and began working with school district-approved vendors to determine the cost of a Traffic Study that will result in proposals for a solution to our problem. The Coyote Creek PTA couldn’t approve funds for this cause fast enough—they leaped at the chance! So a Request for Bids was presented to the vendors, and on October 7 I met with district officials to select the company that will be conducting our traffic survey.

This week I contacted that company, and verified that the study should be completed within eight weeks. There will be people on site during that time to collect data and make sure it is accurate and valid. They should have some type of identification showing when they are here, so all of us can know who they are. When their proposal is completed, we are hoping to provide representative drawings so the community can see just what is coming!

Keep your eyes on Thursday folders and future issues of The Chronicle for updates on our progress!

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Readers are encouraged to submit items for this column. Often we at school do not know the accomplishments of students outside school. Please include your phone number so we can reach you if we need more information.
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TEAMS ARE FORMING FOR DESTINATION IMAGINATION!!
Destination Imagination is a fun team-based program for students of all ages. It is also an international program sponsored locally by our school district and supported by our PTA. Think of it as a program AND a competition. Students work together on teams to tap their creativity and find innovative, unique solutions to fun and complex challenges. Then teams present their solutions at a local tournament. Participants develop skills in teamwork, cooperation, improvisation, fast thinking, brainstorming, time management -- and the list goes on. Look for an application in Thursday folders. There will also be an information meeting on Wednesday, October 27th at 7:00 pm in the Coyote Creek Library. Meet students and parents who have been in the program before and who will answer all your questions. Last year a team from Coyote Creek made it all the way to the Global Finals!

If you cannot attend the meeting but are interested in the program and have some questions, please contact Sally Helblig at Helblig@msn.com or at 303 981-2977. Deadline for applications is November 15, 2004.

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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!

Field Trips

Oct. 21st
KB1 & D Anderson Farms
Oct. 27th
K A & B2 Anderson Farms
Oct. 27th
1D Museum of Nature & Science
Nov. 1st
2 B & D Butterfly Pavilion
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