Alamo Headlines
Alamo Elementary Weekly News, April 26, 2021
Important Dates
Monday, 26th - Board of Education Workshop @ 7:00 p.m. Middle School Media Center
Tuesday, 27th - 5th Grade M-Step
Wednesday, 28th - Delayed Start, School starts @ 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, 27th - 5th Grade M-Step
Thank you for showing your P.R.I.D.E.
R-Responsible Actions
I-Integrity Within
D-Determination to Succeed
E-Expect Excellence
Kindergarten: Jack Buck, Josiah Severence, Austin Geren & Bentlee Rupe
1st Grade: Brendon Herdegen & Emily Basse
2nd Grade: Dawson Carr, Aubrey Nobel, Danica Deveraux & Bryce Kahl
3rd Grade: Melody Pickin & Stella Borton
4th Grade: Jack DeBoer, Brayden Remillard, Mackenzie Palmer & Cooper Mejeur
5th Grade: Emma Hiestand, Liam Raseman, Reid Anderson & Gracie Miller
Staff Appreciation
Staff Appreciation Week is next week. Please join us in recognizing the staff for their hard work and dedication to the students and families of Alamo Elementary. If you would like to sponsor a staff member check out the link below. If you have questions you may contact Kim Jacobs, jkolcrjacobs@gmail.com
M-Step 2021
2021 Michigan Department of Education Testing Updates
Students in grades 3 – 8 and 11 will be assessed on Michigan’s current content standards in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies. This year, the M-Step (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) will be given April 12th through May 28th in an on-line format.
The following is important information regarding this test and your child’s participation.
All components of the test will be given on–line. It is a computer based test.
· Grades 3, 4 and 5 will be tested in ELA (reading, writing & listening comprehension) and Mathematics.
· Grade 5 will be tested in Science and in Social Studies.
Testing will consist of an on-line test and will be administered within the following guidelines:
1. Online Test Session:
· The Online Test Session may be administered in 1 session with a scheduled break (not to exceed 20 minutes) or in 2 separate sessions of equal length (45 minutes each for grades 3‐5 and 60 minutes each for grades 6-8 and 11) on the same day.
· Breaks may be provided during test sessions using the software’s pause feature.
· Although the Online Test Session is not timed, schools should allow about 1.5 hours of testing time for students in grades 3‐5 and 2 hours for students in grades 6‐8 and 11.
State Testing Window for M-Step is as follows:
· The 5th grade Science assessment will consist of one 45 minute session.
· The 5th grade Social Studies assessment will consist of two 30 minute sections (total of 1 hour).
· The State testing windows for the M-Step assessment is as follows:
o Grades 5 ............ April 12th – May 4th
o Grades 3 & 4...... April 30th – May 25th
· Each school is scheduling these assessments individually; a schedule for Alamo Elementary is below.
· The test will be administered in the computer lab and/or on laptops.
For further information on this upcoming computer based assessment of student achievement, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-22709_70117---,00.html. A Practice Test for students can also be found at: https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/
IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT STUDENTS ARE IN ATTENDANCE THE DAYS OF TESTING!
Inflatable Frenzy Fun Run
Alamo’s one and only fundraiser took place on Thursday, April 22nd. Our goal is to raise $15,000. As students collect pledges, many contributors (and parents too!) want to know “How are these funds used?” Funds raised by the PTO are used to provide enrichment activities, rewards, recognition celebrations, building needs, playground equipment, technology, assemblies and library books. All we need is for each student to get 10 people to sponsor them $10 each to meet our goal.
Fun Run packets can be turned in anytime. We have extended the date for students to be elligible for prizes to Monday, May 3rd.
You can also give people the option to make their donation
online at: http://www.otsegops.org/apps/form/alamofunrun. This is a quick and easy way to make a donation. Please make sure they put the student’s name in the box so that the student gets credit.
2020-21 Class Placements
Spring is the time of year when we begin planning for next school year. Placement of children in classes is a part of that planning, and a most difficult task. Responsible placement decisions take time and many consultations among staff members. Our goal is to make the best match between student, teacher and learning environment. Many factors must be considered such as gender ratios, academic ranges, social behavior, personalities, special needs and learning styles. If you feel you have special insights regarding your child that could assist with our selection, it is certainly welcome. We ask parents to adhere to the following guidelines:
• Provide information about your child’s needs.
• Do NOT request a specific teacher or friendship group. A detailed description of your child’s learning style and individual needs is more helpful.
• Information must be in writing and must be in the office on or before May 17th
Remember that due to many factors involved, we are unable to make any guarantees, other than the fact that we will put much thought, consideration, and individual attention into each and every placement. We hope you will rely on our expertise and know that the best possible placement will be made for your child.
COVID 19 Reporting
Emergency Contact Information - Infinite Campus Parent Portal
It is extremely important to have up-to-date contact information available for each student. When emergencies arise, we need to be able to contact parents/guardians. This is also the contact information that is used for school closures and district updates.
Please log in to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to check that your contact information is current and to make any necessary changes. If you need assistance or login information for the Parent Portal, please contact the Alamo office. Thank You!
Alamo Elementary
Email: nknight-lucas@otsegops.org
Website: https://alamo.otsegops.org/
Location: 8184 North 6th Street, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
Phone: (269) 694-7600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/415538888654020
Twitter: @otsegoschools