Alto All Star Gazette
December 4, 2020
SCHOOL BEGINS 8:45 A.M.
Inclement Weather drop-off time 8:39
HALF-DAY DISMISSAL 11:35-11:55 a.m.
DISMISSAL TIME 3:18 -3:38 p.m.
24-Hour Attendance Line- 616-987-2625
News from Mr. Papes
Alto Families,
I hope it was a wonderful Thanksgiving Break for all of you! It was a great week back, and we’re excited to have a strong finish these last two school weeks of 2020.
We had many students return to face-to-face learning this past week, and they fit in very well in their new classrooms. It was awesome to welcome these students back to the building and observe their enthusiasm to be here. It was also exciting to open the new wing for K-5 music classes, Mrs. Fox’s kindergarten class, and Ms. Tourison’s first grade class. The new rooms provide great learning spaces for our students. We’re eager to have Mrs. Conlin’s class and Mrs. Happie’s class join them after the break.
A central focus for our staff is to not only teach our students academic skills but also to teach character traits that help our students be productive citizens of our school community. These traits and behaviors reach far beyond the walls of our school and help to prepare students for success in all areas of their lives. The current focus of our True Success classroom lessons (https://truesuccesstools.org/) is Responsibility. Our Alto All Star PBIS re-teaching lessons have been focused on procedures and expectations for hallway arrival and dismissal. We will have our next PBIS celebration on December 18th before students leave for break. It is important that we continue to recognize and provide positive reinforcement for the outstanding efforts of our students!
The Winter Holiday Break will be here before we know it. Please encourage your children to make a strong push to finish the 2020 calendar year with a successful two weeks. I am continually impressed with the outstanding staff and students we have. The teaching and learning that takes place each and every day is extraordinary. Enjoy the weekend with your children! We can’t wait to see them again on Monday.
With Care,
Paul Papes
P.E. Happenings!
The weather has finally cooled, but this hasn’t stopped us from hitting the track for our class warm-up. Our students continue to impress. Students are running faster and are doing so with fewer walking breaks. We may have some future marathoners in this group.
Last week concluded our throwing and catching unit. Our throwing unit consisted of the underhand roll and toss, as well as the overhand throw. We did a variety of activities and games to help us practice these skills. I encourage students to continue to practice at home. These skills are essential for many future sporting opportunities.
This past week was dedicated to scooters and teamwork. In every activity, students were reliant on teammates to help them achieve a goal. A few of the games we played were scooter ships, hungry hippos, and garbage wars. The next two weeks of physical education will be dedicated to bowling.
Please make sure to send your student with appropriate athletic shoes on physical education days. I would also like to give a big thank you to the wonderful editor of this newsletter. Stay healthy and keep active!
Mark Your Calendars!
12/19-01/03: Winter break
01/04: School Resumes
Breakfast and Lunch Menu Week of 12/07-12/11
12/07: Apple Cinnamon BeneFIT Bar OR Mini Cinnis
12/08: Apple Cinnamon BeneFIT Bar OR Mini Cinnis
12/09: Apple Frudel OR Fruity Cheerios
12/10: Apple Frudel OR Fruity Cheerios
12/11: Apple Frudel OR Fruity Cheerios
* each breakfast is served with fresh fruit and milk*
Lunch:
12/07: Crispy Chicken Sandwich w/ fries OR Cheddar, Grapes and Cracker Fun Lunch
12/08: Rotini in meat sauce OR PB&J Fun Lunch
12/09: Turkey, Ham and Cheese Sub OR Cereal Fun Lunch
12/10: Pepperoni Pizza OR Muffin & Goldfish Fun Lunch
12/11: Sloppy Joe w/ fries OR PB&J Fun Lunch
* each lunch served with fresh fruit, vegetable and milk*
Office Notes
With colder weather approaching, please have your kids come prepared with hats, gloves, snowpants (yikes!), boots...unfortunately we do not have any extras in the office this year.
The attendance line is available 24/7 @ 616-987-2625. Thank you in advance for calling in your child's absence/tardiness. Please leave the reason for absence as well.
Holiday Festivities in Lowell
Please check out https://www.discoverlowell.org/christmas-festivities/ for lots of fun holiday opportunities coming up! This Saturday, 12/05 from 6-8 pm is the "Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Parade" at the Kent County Fairgrounds. More info can be found by following the link!
Wittenbach Wege Center
https://www.facebook.com/events/378158023425027/?event_time_id=378158023425027
Lowell Area Schools Community Activities Link
Alto Elementary
Website: lowellareaschools.com
Location: 6150 Bancroft Avenue Southeast, Alto, MI, USA
Phone: 616-987-2600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/altoelementary