Alamo Superhero Headlines
Alamo Elementary Weekly Newsletter - March 4, 2019
Important Dates
Mar. 4 - Girls on the Run @ 3:53-5:25 p.m.
Mar. 4 - PTO meeting @ 6:30 p.m.
Mar. 5 - Destination Imagination
Mar. 5 - P.A.W.S.
Mar. 6 - 1/2 day students (dismissal at 12:10 p.m.), evening Parent Teacher Conferences
Mar. 7 - 1/2 day students (dismissal at 12:10 p.m.), afternoon & evening Parent Teacher Conferences
Mar. 8 - No School
Mar. 11 - Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m. at the Otsego Administration Office
Alamo PRIDE
Responsible Actions - Ty Fitzgerald & Mitchell Hazelhoff
Integrity WIthin - Kaylen Robertson & Sarah Woodin
Determination to Succeed - Braelin Perry & Ariah Bagley
Expect Excellence - Phoenix Orona & Reid Anderson
March Is Reading Month
During the month of March, students are encouraged to read for 15-20 minutes 5 days. Students who meet their weekly reading goal are entered into a drawing at the end of each week for a new book. Each student is encouraged to meet his/her goal in order to help his/her class meet their weekly reading goal. Students will track their reading progress by displaying a target on their locker. Teachers will dress in their Super Reader capes on Friday if their class meets their reading goal. At the end of the month classrooms that meet their reading goal each week will get an opportunity to silly string their teacher. In addition, we are encouraging students to reach the school wide goal of 150,000 minutes in order to silly string the principal at the end of the month. Reading logs are due on every Thursday of the month and totals/winners will be announced on Friday's.
During the month of March, there are many exciting activities taking place to encourage a love for reading. Check out the reading month calendar for more events.
Congratulations January Students of the Month!
Back Row (left to right): 3rd grader Kaitlin Haskins, 4th grader Jack Badiner, 5th grader Aydn Roth
Congratulations February Students of the Month!
Back Row (left to right): 3rd grader Kate Littel, 4th grader Makenna Leonard, 5th grader Dylan Duong
Winter Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Just a reminder if you haven’t signed up already for parent-teacher conferences, please do so soon as spots are filling up quickly. Spring parent-teacher conferences will be held on Wednesday, March 6th and Thursday, March 7th. Students will have a ½ day on both days and will be released at 12:10 p.m. There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, March 8th. You will receive an email requesting that you select a conference time. As a courtesy to your child’s teacher, we ask that you sign up for only one conference session per child. We have also included each teacher’s link for your convenience as well. If you do not have internet access, please contact our office at 694-7600 to schedule. We are hoping for 100% attendance!
Internet Awareness
The Internet is a wonderful educational resource that can be a very positive experience. We use online resources in school and many access the Internet at home for education and entertainment.
The seemingly endless scope of the Internet can be used for positive aims, yet we also know that there are people who use it to provide content that is inappropriate for children. At school, OPS monitors all searches and flags anything that is questionable so administration and staff can address issues with students.
As parents, we also need to monitor Internet usage and discuss possible dangerous content. Through the OK2Say program in the fall, students learned about telling a trusted adult whenever they encounter something or someone that makes them feel uncomfortable while surfing the Internet.
I feel that a school/family partnership is the best way to keep our children safe while using online resources. If you haven't already, please begin and continue to have an open discussion with your child(ren) about safety on the Internet as well as your expectations for guarding personal information while online. At school, we we will continue to provide lessons and exercises that address safe internet usage and digital citizenship.
Below is a video from a Technology Educator, Josh Ochs, who regularly provides information for parents concerning the latest trends in student internet usage, both positive and negative. He also offers tips about how parents and teachers can set healthy boundaries, as well as discussion starters for families when talking about Internet safety,
Please take a few minutes to watch the video which addresses a recent development on the internet, the MoMo Challenge. Students around the world are being affected by this dangerous and scary content.
Thank you for being a great partner in your child’s education.
Annual Outstanding People for Education Nomination Going on Now!
Do you know someone (teacher, aide, administrator, secretary,custodian, bus driver, volunteer, etc.) who deserves to be honored and recognized for making an impact in the educational field and/or who is making an impact in the quality of public education? The nomination period for the annual Outstanding People for Education awards is now open! Nominations will be taken through April 1st.
Click on the link below to learn more. The link includes an online article with all of the details and links to a paper form and an online form.
Outstanding People for Education - https://www.otsegops.org/apps/news/article/1004533
6th Grade Camp Fundraiser is a Success!
For the 2nd year in a row, Alamo wins the challenge!!!
Each classroom at Alamo collected $107.70 each - totaling $215.40. As a 5th grade class, the students collected $337.70! The classes will receive a pizza party from Mrs. Koening and Mrs. Emmons. Thank you for all of your support!!!
Butter Braids on Sale at Conferences
Lost and Found!
Dress Code Review
As we begin to ride the temperature roller coaster that is the norm here in West Michigan, it is a good time to review the recess dress code.
All students must wear snow pants, coat, and boots to go off the paved areas of the playground when there is snow on the ground or if it is muddy. Also as the weather and temperature fluctuates our policy for outdoor gear is as follows:
50’s – Jackets are suggested, but optional
40’s – Jackets, coat, sweatshirt, or sweater
required.
30’s – Coat, hat, gloves, boots, & snow pants
required.
We use the wind chill temperature to determine the dress requirements. The office will inform the students when the temperature is questionable.
Alamo Elementary Goal #3
Alamo Elementary will improve discipline procedures & protocols by:
Reviewing and Revising a Behavior Flowchart
Reviewing and Revising the Student Reflection
Review and Revise the Discipline Rubric
Implement an Electronic Behavior Tracking Protocol
Michigan's 3rd Grade Reading Legislation
In 2016, Michigan legislators passed a law to help more students be proficient in reading by the end of 3rd grade. The document in the link below is a parent's guide to the law. The ways schools will help and ways parents/families can help is also included on the document. For information on how to read with your child can be found at this link. Thanks to the St.Clair ISD for permission to use the document. Please contact the Alamo office if you have any questions.
Kindergarten Registration Now Open
Register for Preschool Today!
Alamo WatchD.O.G.S. ROCK!
We still need a WatchDOG for:
Monday-Tuesday, March 4th-5th
Tuesday-Thursday, March 12th-14th
Register to be a WatchDOG and sign up by clicking on the link at VolunteerSpot: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/1998773/false#/invitation
2019-20 School Year - Pre Labor Day Start
Get Involved, Make a Difference
March 4th @ 6:30 p.m.
April 8th @ 4:00 p.m.
May 6th @ 6:30 p.m.
Remind for Alamo Parents
Join Alamo Parents REMIND
Would you like to receive text updates on important dates and activities taking place here at Alamo Elementary? REMIND is a safe and efficient communication app designed for teachers/schools to communicate important classroom/school information. If you are interested in receiving updates from Alamo Elementary via text, text this message @aebulldogs to the number 81010.
Alamo Peachjar
Alamo Elementary
Email: nknight-lucas@otsegops.org
Website: www.otsegops.org
Location: 8184 North 6th Street, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
Phone: (269) 694-7600