The Pine Press
February 12-16, 2024
Message from the Principal
As your partner in education, we know the benefits of helping our students do well in school; our goal is to support them in learning the soft skills they will need in life. These skills go beyond the academic arena of students' public education. Pine Avenue staff focus on ten soft skills. There are more than ten skills; these are essential skills to ensure our students are ready for college careers, skill trades careers, or workforce-ready.
- Communication Skills: It is vital to teach students how to express themselves clearly, listen actively, and collaborate with others. Effective communication helps build solid relationships and fosters understanding.
- Empathy: Encouraging empathy helps students understand and share the feelings of others. It promotes kindness, compassion, and a sense of community.
- Resilience: Teaching students to bounce back from setbacks, handle challenges, and persevere is crucial. Resilience fosters a growth mindset and prepares them for life's ups and downs.
- Self-Control: Helping students manage their emotions, impulses, and reactions is essential. Self-control enables better decision-making and conflict resolution.
- Time Management: Introducing basic time management skills early on can benefit students throughout their lives. Learning to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively contributes to productivity.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Encouraging cooperative learning, group projects, and teamwork helps students develop interpersonal skills. They learn to work together, appreciate diverse perspectives, and achieve common goals.
- Creativity and Problem-Solving: Nurturing creativity allows students to think outside the box and find innovative solutions. Problem-solving skills empower them to tackle real-world challenges.
- Adaptability: In an ever-changing world, adaptability is crucial. Students should learn to embrace change, be open-minded, and adjust to new situations.
- Leadership: We believe that Pine Avenue students can develop leadership qualities. Please encourage them to take initiative, inspire others, and contribute positively to their classroom and school environment.
- Critical Thinking: Teaching students to analyze information, evaluate evidence, and make informed decisions enhances their cognitive abilities. This soft skill is essential due to the amount of misinformation on social media.
Learning these skills will support our students academically and provide them with the tools and experiences they need to prepare for the adult world.
Your partner in education,
Dr. Konowalow
Pine Avenue Swim Program
Each year as part of our physical education program fourth and fifth grade students receive swim instruction at their level. This week fourth grade participated. Monday, fifth grade will begin their lessons. Fourth grade students had a great time!
Mark Your Calendar!
March 1, 2024 End of the second Trimester
March 11, 2024 Student Early Release 11:43 a.m.
March 15, 2024 Trimester Awards, Report Cards Go Home
March 22-29, 2024 Spring Break-No School
PAES Student and Staff Values
The Pine Staff and students see failure as an opportunity to learn rather than a negative reflection on oneself. We value the lessons learned from our mistakes.
The Pine staff and students are committed to one another and treat each other with respect. We value high expectations of ourselves and others too.
The Pine Staff and students value kindness. We strive to be kind to one another, being considerate of one another, and always using our manners.
The Pine Staff and students value integrity and strive to always do the right thing, even owning and learning from our mistakes. As a school we are driven by a clear moral compass.
The Pine Staff and students strive to ensure all learners feel welcomed and accepted. We value the inclusion of everyone and want everyone to feel they belong.
PAES Student Behavior Norms
Always show your ROARS.
Look ahead, not back. Each moment and day are a new beginning.
Meet high expectations and goals for yourself, and always display GRIT.
Build positive relationships with everyone. Care about each person, and make sure they know you care.
Follow directions, procedures, and always do your best.
Respect yourself and others.
Always play fair, include others, and use words to resolve problems and conflicts.
Take responsibility for your actions, accept consequences, and the word no.
Do not spend time engaging in rumors or making fun of someone, and always remember words can hurt.
Panther Paws and Student of the Week
PPanther Paws are used as an incentive to promote positive school behaviors throughout the school setting. Students earn Panther Paws when they are caught displaying their ROARS behaviors. As students acquire Panther Paws, they turn them to enter Panther Paw drawing every Friday. Mr. Nevins draws Panther Paws and announces the winner over the loudspeaker. Panther Paw winners pick a prize from the Panther Paw Prize Cart.
Each week, one student per class will receive the teacher-selected Student-of-the-Week. Teacher-selection is based on students consistently displaying their ROARS, PAES Behavior Norms, and learning grit. Student-of-Week winner will receive a mini certificate and will have the class Student-of-the-Week trophy sit on their desk for the week.
We look forward to celebrating all of our students and their accomplishments. Please know that each week we attempt to get all the pictures of our winners, student pictures are updated regularly.
Alma Public Schools Behavior Expectations
Volume levels are being taught and reinforced in classrooms and buildings with K-5 students. This structure allows students to be mindful of their voice level across the various school settings when interacting with others throughout the school day. Volume levels are being taught and reinforced in classrooms and buildings with K-5 students, and this structure teaches students to be mindful of their voice level when interacting with their peers across various school settings. Throughout the school day, students utilize the appropriate level based on the learning activity they are engaged in based on the direction of the teacher.
ROARS stands for Respect Others, Act Responsibly, and be Safe. These are district-wide behavior expectations that all staff members reference as they provide instruction in the classroom and move throughout the school setting. ROARS is the anchor to all school procedures and routines.
APS App/Rooms
Please make sure you are using and checking the APS app, Rooms. Using APS APP-Rooms is how your child's teacher will communicate with you throughout the year. Studies show that parent involvement in a child's education increases the student's education. Your partnership with this program is essential. Each week, you will learn about what is happening in class and the many excellent learning opportunities the teacher provides for your child. Remember to turn on the notifications.
Pine Avenue Elementary Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
MORNING Drop Off:
Pull all the way forward to the light post to drop off students.
Keep students in the vehicle until you are past the overhang at the entrance.
AFTERNOON Pick Up:
Pull all the way forward until you are asked to stop by an adult. This is usually 2 car lengths past the light post.
For student safety, students will enter vehicles when told to do so by an adult.
- This occurs when the vehicle is past the light post.
Parents are asked to refrain from making left hand turns into the parking lot. This vehicle maneuver will cause the traffic to backup on Pine preventing a smooth flow of traffic.
Parents/guardians who are choosing to park in the parking lot and pick up their student afterschool:
- To ensure students' safety , please use the school's crosswalk which is located outside our main doors, by the overhang. This is the only location people should be crossing the parking lot for safety. We have a paraprofessional assigned to assist students in crossing upon seeing their parent/adult.