Alto All Star Gazette
January 6, 2023
School begins at 8:50 a.m.
1/2 Day Dismissal: 12:00 PM
24-hour attendance line: 616-987-2625
From the desk of Principal Papes
Dear Alto Families,
I hope it was a wonderful holiday season for your families! It is great to have students back in the building this week. There has been great energy centered around teaching and learning throughout the school. We’re excited for what promises to be a successful 2023 at Alto Elementary!
January is National School Board Appreciation Month
January is National School Board Appreciation Month. Our board of education members volunteer MANY hours and have done an amazing job of guiding our district to the success we have had over the years. Alto Elementary would like to say THANK YOU to each of our seven school board members: Brian Krajewski, Laurie Kuna, Pat Nugent, Tom Kaywood, Dan Stephens, Jared Blough, and Jennifer Dougherty.
Substitute Teachers Needed!
Have you considered being a substitute teacher? We are in need of more substitute teachers at Alto Elementary! Being a substitute teacher is a very flexible position. You can choose what days you want to work and what schools you want to teach in. In fact, we have some substitute teachers who choose only to teach at Alto. No prior experience is required. However, you must have at least 60 credit hours from an accredited community college or university. Please contact Alicia Hollern (ahollern@lowellschools.com) or Paul Papes (ppapes@lowellschools.com) if you are interested.
Half Day For Students on Monday, January 16th
Monday, January 16th will be a half day for students. Our half day dismissal time is 12:00 PM. During the afternoon hours on January 16th, our dedicated teaching staff will be participating in district professional development, working collaboratively in our continuous effort to improve teaching and learning throughout the district.
Coats and Backpacks
We have many new or like new coats and backpacks that have been donated to the school. Please do not hesitate to e-mail me (ppapes@lowellschools.com) if your child would benefit from either of these. Also, please reach out if your child is in need of winter hats and gloves as well.
NWEA MAP and Acadience(formerly known as DIBELS) Assessments
Our students will begin NWEA MAP testing (grades 1-5) and Acadience reading testing (grades K-5) next week. These assessments are given three times a year. This helps us track and monitor how students are growing in each subject area. Teachers use this data to inform their instruction.
The kids seem energized and ready to be back at school. The building always feels better when it is full of amazing kids and staff. I have seen many quality examples of high level teaching and learning going on in our classrooms this week. Alto Elementary is a GREAT place to be!
Enjoy your weekend!
Sincerely,
Paul Papes, Principal
Popping back into POPCORN!!!
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Mark your calendar!
1/16: 1/2 Day, dismissal at noon
1/18: 3W to WWC
1/20: Popcorn Friday!
Lowell Youth Lacrosse will be opening registration for the Spring 2023 season beginning 1/1/2023!
Registration will be open for all boys and girls K-8th Grade.
Indoor winter lacrosse for boys 5th-8th grade is open and runs Sundays from 1/4-2/26. Register here: https://michigansportsacademies.com/facilities/msa-woodland/
Want to explore lacrosse but don’t know where to start? We will be holding an open gym Saturdays @Cherry Creek starting 1/14. For questions, please contact us: lowellyouthlax@gmail.com.
Girls on the Run!
Student Activities
Alto Elementary
Website: lowellschools.com
Location: 6150 Bancroft Avenue Southeast, Alto, MI, USA
Phone: 616-987-2600
Facebook: facebook.com/altoelementary