CRE Weekly Newsletter August 21

Dear Coyote Ridge Community,

It’s been so fun getting back into the swing of things here at CRE. By walking the hallways and getting into classrooms, you wouldn't know it’s only the second week of school. Our students have settled into their routines, are forming new friendships and showcasing our PACK traits every day. 

A couple of safety reminders for pick up and drop off, ALL members of the community please use the designated crosswalks, as we are modeling safe pedestrian behavior for our students every day. Additionally, you must dismount from all types of bikes and scooters as soon as you are on campus, this includes our bus lane. We’ve had some close calls with bikes and students this week, please be cautious.

PBIS at Coyote Ridge

At Coyote Ridge, we are a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) School. Our PBIS model is anchored in our PACK traits, which drives how we engage with each other and our learning each day. I love spending time in our kindergarten classrooms during the first two weeks of school, as our kindergarten teachers do an excellent job of introducing these traits and recognizing students who have displayed them exceptionally. This week was our Coyote Character week school wide and students have had an opportunity to recognize each other for showcasing our PACK traits and it’s been so empowering to see the way our students embody these traits everyday. As a reminder, P (Perseverance), A (Accountability), C (Courage) and K (Kindness)- are our PACK traits! One of the ways that we reward students for showcasing their PACK traits is through the Coyote Cart, if you’d like to help out you can volunteer here: Coyote Cart Volunteers 

 

 

Student Led Initiatives

We are proud of the opportunities we give to students to lead at Coyote Ridge each day. One example is our student run morning announcements. It’s been exciting to see a new group of eager 5th graders take the reins. I’ve met with 5th graders this week and listened to their proposals for student-led clubs. They have some excellent ideas! At Coyote Ridge, we believe in the power and importance of growing future leaders and giving students the opportunities to share their talents with others.

 

Back to School Night

We look forward to seeing you at our Back to School night on Tuesday, August 25th at 4pm. This night provides an opportunity for you to learn more about the routines and expectations in your child’s classroom along with what types of learning and content they will engage in this school year. Each teacher will offer two sessions. From 4- 4:15, we invite you to join us in the gym for some staff introductions and a message from our PTO presidents. Our first classroom session will be from 4:15- 4:45 and our second will be from 4:45- 5:15. This will allow you to attend two different sessions if you need to. Our sessions are back to back, so please be mindful that after your session our teachers will need to get ready for the next session quickly or need to head home after a long day. This is an adult only event, thank you for your understanding.

Morning Meetings, start right at 7:50

Every morning at Coyote Ridge, our classrooms begin the day with a Morning Meeting, grounded in our schoolwide Conscious Discipline approach. These intentional moments help students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. Through connection, encouragement, and community-building, students have a chance to check in, build relationships, practice important social-emotional skills, and prepare their brains for learning. When students are tardy, they miss this special time with their classmates.

 

 

Molina

We are so excited to (re) introduce Molina, our school therapy dog! Molina will be visiting Coyote Ridge every Thursday, bringing plenty of tail wags, comfort, and joy to our students and staff. Her visits will provide opportunities for connection, calming, and a little extra support throughout the school week. We are so lucky to have Molina as part of our CRE family.

 

 

Choir at the Rockies

The Coyote Ridge Choir has been invited to sing the National Anthem for the Rockies again!  The game is on Tuesday, September 1st at 6:40pm vs. the Baltimore Orioles.  Our choir has been practicing and I can’t wait to see them showcase their talents at the Rockies game on September 1st. Thank you to Ms. Harris, our fabulous music teacher, for organizing this wonderful community event.

New to the newsletter: Mental Health Minute!

Welcome to the weekly Mental Health Minute! We’re Abbey Young (Social Emotional Learning Specialist) and Michele Pupacic (School Social Worker), and we're excited to partner with you, your students and their teachers this year to support our students' well-being.

Adjusting to back-to-school routines can stir up big feelings for both kids and parents. Research from the Child Mind Institute reminds us that small steps make a big impact:

• Validate feelings: Let your child know that back-to-school nerves are completely normal.

• Establish consistent routines: Predictable bedtime, wake-up, and morning habits go a long way in lowering daily stress.

• Model self-regulation: Children co-regulate with the adults around them. Taking a slow breath, pausing when overwhelmed, and staying grounded helps set a calm tone for your child when their emotions run high. This can be really hard for busy parents, make sure you are taking care of yourself as well! 

Find more information at Child Mind Institute: Back to School.

Did you know there is more to Free & Reduced Benefits than just free lunch? Families who qualify may have access to a variety of valuable resources and benefits beyond meals at school. Completing the application helps our school and district connect families with programs and supports they may be eligible to receive. Even if you think you may not qualify, we encourage you to take a few minutes to apply, it’s worth checking! Every application helps ensure families have access to the resources available to them. Apply now for Free and Reduced Benefits for the 2026-2027 school year! Remember, all families must reapply each year. Apply today through the SchoolCafe Family Hub. 

Panorama Survey

Between September 9-18, students in grades 3–5 will participate in the voluntary Panorama survey during class. This brief survey helps us understand students' social-emotional needs, confidence, and feelings about our school environment so we can better support them throughout the year. Please click here for more information 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

In partnership,

Carolyn Webb, Coyote Ridge Principal