Altamont Elementary School
September, 2017 Newsletter
Principal's Welcome-Back Message
I hope this finds you enjoying a wonderful summer filled with many happy family moments. Summer is a special time for families. Being outside and spending time together on trips and adventures creates those memories that last forever. The elementary years are magical times. It is my hope that your child’s return-to-school is also part of your many happy summer experiences and both you and your child are excited to begin a new school year in a caring and nurturing school environment.
Your child’s school year is a partnership between the home and school-community. This partnership requires time, effort, and good communication. Children need time to adjust and adapt to the school year. They also need encouragement from home and the teacher to work hard and try their best. Lastly, parents need to take time to talk to their child about the school-day, work with him/her on facts and reading and continue the child’s education through enriching family activities.
Communication extends beyond just the child/student. Parents and staff need to communicate often and regularly. We need to listen with the intent to understand and ask questions to clarify understanding. When both the school and the family commit the time and effort necessary, the student/child benefits the most and that is why we are all here. We’re fortunate to be in this school and this community working together to help these amazing kids learn and grow.
If you are interested in volunteering in the Lunch Room , Library, and/or classrooms this school year, please give us a call. Our number is 861 8528.
Hopefully, you and your child are reading some great books over the summer and practicing some math facts. Make sure you become active in our PTA this year. The PTA does so much for your child and our PTA members make a difference. We keep the meetings as brief as possible and the parents that do attend feel more informed about their child’s education.
This is the most exciting time of year for educators; everything is new and full of endless potential. I look forward to working with each of you and ensuring your child enjoys a safe and enriching school year. On behalf of the entire Altamont staff, I welcome you back to school and pledge to do my best for your child. I can’t wait to see everyone on the first day!!
Peter Brabant
Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/altamontelementary
Communication & Updates
It is important you sign up for the School News Notifier (SNN) system. This system is where the district and schools communicate information to parents. At the very least, you should sign up to receive information from Altamont and The District Office. Please use the link to sign up if you haven't already. https://snn.neric.org/guilderland/
The school's Facebook Page is also a great place to get information and communication. I'll post more events there and often share pictures of special events occurring at our school. The link is: https://www.facebook.com/altamontelementary?ref=hl
Your child's teacher may share other communication methods with you at Open House. Anytime, please feel free to call or come by the school. Face-to-face is always the best method:-)
First Day of School Procedures
Staff will help students to the locations, either upper or lower gym. Students get off the bus by grade levels and Kindergarten is first. Once everyone is in, the students will proceed to their new room as a class.
Kindergarten Teachers and TAs will meet the students in the front hallway by the office.
*Please have your child ride the bus the first days of school. This is the time the drivers are getting to know students, faces, and drop-offs. If you want to see your child walk into school the first day, then put him/her on the bus and zip over to the school for the picture.
Information Blitz
ART CLASS: Please be sure your child has an old T-shirt or dress shirt with sleeves cut short for a smock.
P.E. Class: Always wear sneakers on physical education days. Also, be sure your child regularly wears a good shoe he or she can play and climb in as our students have recess on most days.
After-School Activity Periods: After-school activity period is from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays for special activities, pre-arranged, with classroom or special area teachers. Late buses are provided.
~Orchestra - Thursdays after school
~Band - Tuesdays after school
~Chorus– Mondays after school
Student Drop-Off: The buses release students at 7:45 to go to the classrooms. Students can be dropped off in the cafeteria at 7:30, not earlier.
Late Arrivals: Students should be at school by 7:50. Students are considered tardy after 8:00.
Bus Notes: A written note is REQUIRED when you child is going anyplace other than the normal drop-off location. Please plan ahead and send a note to school with your child. Any last minute changes must be called in to the school before 1:30.
Release of Student From School: When your child needs to leave school for any reason during the day, you MUST sign him or her out at the office. If your child returns to school that same day, they must stop in the office so we are aware that they have returned. A note given to the teacher informing him or her of the early dismissal is always appreciated.
Absentee Calls & Notes: Please call the school in the morning or evening before (leave message) whenever your child will be absent. If we are not notified, we will try to contact the parent.
News From The Nurse
Medications: Students are not allowed to carry prescription or over-the-counter medications (including cold medications, sore throat spray, or aspirin, etc.) while at school or on school property. If your child needs medication during the school day, please follow the guidelines below:
1. A parent needs to deliver the medication directly to the school nurse.
2. The nurse must have written instructions from the child’s doctor for both prescription and over-the-counter medications which indicates frequency and dosage.
3. The nurse must also have written permission from the parent to dispense the medication as prescribed by the physician.
4. Prescription medications must be in the original container and should include the student’s name, type of medication, and dosage information. *Please ask your pharmacist to dispense medications in two containers-one for school and one for home.
Physicals: Physical exams are required for all
students new to the district, as well as, Kindergarten, Second, and Fourth graders. Please send completed forms to the school as soon as possible.
Music at Altamont
The music department offers band and orchestra to 4th and 5th graders. Through the learning of an instrument they gain motor skills, social skills and problem solving skills. The instrumental program fosters responsibility in children through remembering their belongings and how to take care of their belongings. Once a week, the new musicians have small group lessons to work on their individual playing with rhythm and tonal skills. Once in 5th grade, they are also involved in a large ensemble setting where they learn how to multi-task by reading music, playing their instrument, and listening to their music all at one time. In these large groups they become team players. Band and orchestra provide a fun environment for discovering creativity, self-confidence, and talent! Enjoy their achievement and progression in concerts held in the winter and the springtime!
Student Dress Code at AES
Just a reminder that there is a Student Dress Code for Altamont Elementary School previously adopted by the Building Cabinet. In developing these guidelines, our goals are to ensure that students:
- dress in a manner that is safe;
- dress appropriately for the classroom and special area classes, such as physical education, music and art; and
- dress in a way that does not disrupt or interfere with the educational process.
The Student Dress Code guidelines include:
* Students should wear appropriate footwear at all times. Footwear, such as high heels or boots that may be a safety hazard is discouraged. Sneakers are necessary at all times for physical education classes and encouraged for outside recess.
* Hats and other head coverings (except for religious purposes) cannot be worn inside during the school hours. These items should be left in lockers during the day.
* Students should wear appropriate clothing for school and school functions. For example, clothing with writing on the seat of the pants would not be considered appropriate. Also students’ midriff, lower back, and undergarments should not be exposed at any time.
* For safety as well as discretion, students at the elementary grades should not wear extremely brief garments such as: halter tops or tube tops. To help ensure consistent application of the dress code for example, shorts or skirts/skorts should be long enough so that when a student’s arms are extended at their sides, their fingertips should align approximately with the bottom edge of the apparel.
Parents, thank you for your cooperation with this Student Dress Code.
Altamont Elementary School Staff List
Kindergarten: Tracy Stalteri*, Melissa Raguette
1st Grade: Colleen Ciccarelli, Mike Bucciferro*, Sue Graves*
2nd Grade: Trish Abatto, Kristen Johnson, Amy Nowak
3rd Grade: Annemarie Farrell, Laurie Poelma
4th Grade: Amy Martin, Carolyn Vogel
5th Grade: Karen Shaffer, Robert Whiteman, Jennifer Gregory*
Primary Skills Class: Rose McKee
Intermediate Skills Class: Karen Lockwood
Music: Diana Ackner
Instrumental Music: Dan Cordell
Physical Education: Don Favro, Jeremy Barrs
Art: Trisha Zigrosser
Special Education: Molly Bradley, Rachel Ehatt, Kirsten Ippolito*
Reading: Michelle Rispole, Laura Flynn, Katie Meckem*
Social Worker: Deirdra Harwick*
Library: Anne Johnson
Math Specialist: Katie Sanger
OT: Michelle Kirnozek, Sarah Pasquini PT: Kelly Vrooman ESL: Shannon Spollen*
Speech: Bonnie Martel, Karen Lajeunesse
Psychologist: Dr. Jennifer Rickert
School Nurse: Kathy Oliver
Teaching Assistants: Suzanne Arduini, Deb Blaauboer, Carol Candeloro, Linda Ciabotte, Kathy Dillinger, Jenn Hale, Barbara Levingrub, Kim Miller, Tammy Owen, Alice Plue, Joann Pommer, Katlyn Trestick, Shannon Whelan, Amy Miller, Jeanette Mundell, Ryanne Shull.
Secretaries: Theresa Clemons, Sandra Huber
Custodial Staff: Michael Papa, Patricia West, Brandon Dederick
Kitchen Staff: Chris LaTorre
Cafeteria Monitors: Christie Celatano, Michelle Sanchez
* Indicates new staff to Altamont this year
Open House Dates
Thursday, Sep. 14 Grades 3-5 at 6:00 Grades K-2 @ 7:15
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE & INFORMATION
Please join us for our Open House. At Open House, parents will have an opportunity to meet the teacher, see the classroom, and learn important information about your child's school program this year.
Because space is limited in the classrooms with so many adults, and we do not have adequate supervision for children, we ask that parents do not bring their children to school for Open House.
The schedule for Open House is as follows:
6:00-6:15 Mr. Brabant welcomes 3-5 parents and introduces teachers
6:15-7:00 3-5 parents meet with teachers in their child's classroom
7:00-7:15 Mr. Brabant welcomes K-2 parents and introduces teachers
7:15-8:00 K-2 parents meet with teachers in their child's classroom
Parents, please consider joining out PTA, signing up to volunteer, and visiting our special area teachers such as art, music, PE, reading, library, etc.
**I anticipate parking to be a concern, so parents can also park at St. Lucy's Church and St. Lucy's Parish Center. ** If you have any questions, please call 861 8528. We hope to see you on Thursday evening.
Important Dates & Events
Sept. 5 - Student Drop-In from 4:00-5:00; Students can drop by the school and drop off supplies in the lockers. Teachers will not be here at that time. Please do not come before 4:00.
Sept. 5 - Kdg Ice Cream Social @ 6:00PM: New kindergarten students come to the school to see the classroom, take a bus ride, and eat some ice cream
Sept. 6- First Day of Class
Sept. 12 - Bus Drill for students at 9:00AM; PTA Meeting at 6:00PM
Sept. 14 - OPEN HOUSE: 3-5 @ 6:00 & K-2 @ 7:15
Sept. 21 - NO SCHOOL
Sept. 29 - Fun Run for students at 1:20
Oct. 6 - 15 Minute Early Dismissal for all students
Oct. 9 - NO SCHOOL
Oct. 12 - Picture Day; PTA Mtg at 6:00PM
Oct. 20 - & BINGO Night at 6:30PM
Oct. 26 - Early Dismissal for all students at 11:30 (Parent Conferences)
Oct. 31 - AES Costume Parade at 1:20PM
Nov. 1- No School for all students (Parent Conferences)
Cafeteria Information
Students who arrive at school by 7:50 AM may have breakfast in the cafeteria. For all other information please consult the district web-page to sign-up and pay for your child's lunch at http://www.guilderlandschools.org/district/cafeteria/ParentOnline.cfm
At the time of creating this newsletter, prices and menus were not yet posted. Please call 861 8528 with any questions.