Alto All Star Gazette
April 16, 2021
SCHOOL BEGINS AT 8:45 A.M.
AM Student Drop Off Time 8:35 am in drop-off zone
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
From the desk of Principal Papes
Dear Alto Families,
We hope it was a great Spring Break for all of you! It was great to be back in the building this week. The kids were excited to see their teachers and classmates, and they demonstrated an eagerness to continue their learning at school. We’re looking forward to a strong finish to the 2020-2021 school year!
NWEA MAP and M-Step testing began this week. Our 5th grade students did an excellent job on the ELA test this past week and should be commended for the outstanding effort they demonstrated. Students completing the NWEA MAP test also demonstrated this same strong effort and are applauded for their effort. Please encourage your students to give their personal best on all assessments. It is, of course, a positive life skill to always put forth your best effort. It also provides us with accurate and meaningful data. We’re excited to see the results of our Spring testing as we’re confident these results will reflect the outstanding teaching and learning that has occurred this school year!
Testing for Virtual Students
NWEA MAP Testing: It is time for Spring MAP testing. Please access the following link to sign your children up for testing: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b094eaaaa2ea2fd0-virtual1
Students will be completing the Reading and Math NWEA MAP tests. These will take place on separate days. If you have more than one student, you may sign them up on the same days. Testing will take place in our computer lab and will be limited to 17 students per session. All participants will wear masks and maintain appropriate social distancing. Work stations will be sanitized between users. Testing windows are scheduled for two hours, but the length of each test is typically closer to one hour. We ask that parents wait in their vehicles while their child completes the test. Please contact me at ppapes@lowellschools.com if you have any questions.
Acadience Testing: It is also time for our Spring Acadience testing. Please access the following link to sign your children up for testing: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A48AAA82CA5FB6-spring
The assessment will take place in a private room in the Cherry Creek Elementary office with a reading teacher. All participants will wear masks and maintain appropriate social distancing. All materials will be sanitized. The assessment will take 10-20 minutes depending on the grade level. If you have more than one virtual student, please make an appointment for each student. Contact Jaclyn Stouten jstouten@lowellschools.com with any questions.
COVID-19 Mitigating Measures
Kent County Health Department School Toolkit:
https://www.accesskent.com/Health/CommDisease/pdfs/SchoolChildcareToolkit.pdf
Page 21: If a student/staff member is exhibiting symptoms that are concerning for COVID-19 (see below), a healthcare evaluation is indicated. A clear alternative diagnosis or COVID-19 testing will be indicated. While test results or alternative diagnosis are pending, the student or staff member should stay home from school. Additionally, household members should also stay home until test results or healthcare evaluation results are back.
If student/staff has the following symptoms concerning for COVID-19, healthcare evaluation is needed:
Any Two of the following: Fever, chills, headache, extreme tiredness/fatigue, sore
Throat, congestion or runny nose, body aches, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea
OR
ONE of the following: New cough, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath
Please note that due to increasing case rates and variant spread in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has reinstated the standard 14 day quarantine period for individuals who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
The Trial of Goldilocks
This weekend is the performance of The Trial of Goldilocks! This performance is put on by the LowellArts program at Lowell High School. It is a 45 minute show and perfect for any elementary age student. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online (https:// href="http://www.lowellartsmi.org/trial-of-goldilocks">www.lowellartsmi.org/trial-of-goldilocks) or at the door. There is also the option to stream it at home as well. Check it out if you can!
Performances: Friday, April 16 - 7:00 PM; Saturday, April 17 - 11: 00 AM and 2:30 PM
M-Step, NWEA MAP, and Acadience (Formerly DIBELS) Testing
5th grade students will be taking the math test on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. They will be taking the Social Studies test on Thursday. 5th grade students will end with the Science M-Step on Tuesday, April 27th.
4th grade students will start with the ELA M-Step on April 28th and 29th. They will be taking the Math M-Step on May 4th
3rd grade students will start with the ELA M-Step on May 5th and 6th. They will also be taking the Math M-Step May 11th.
Spring NWEA MAP Test - All K-5 students will be taking the Spring MAP test. The testing window is 4/12-5/15.
Acadience Reading Test (Formerly DIBELS) - All K-5 students will complete the acadience reading assessment. This is a 1:1 reading test administered by our reading intervention staff. The testing window is 4/26-5/12.
We look forward to receiving meaningful data to reflect the outstanding learning that has occurred this school year!
Kindergarten Enrollment
Plans are being finalized for Kindergarten Round Up in mid to late May or early June. Stay tuned for more details soon. Please contact the school at 987.2600 as soon as possible if you have an incoming 2021-2022 kindergarten student and have not registered them yet. Kindergarten enrollment for next fall is open. If you have a student who will turn five years old by September 1st, 2021, they can start their school journey! You may also sign a waiver for your child to start school if they turn five by December 1st, 2021. Paperwork required includes proof of residency, original birth certificate, up to date immunizations and a health appraisal. Information can be found on our Lowell Area Schools website: https://www.lowellschools.com/our-district/enrollment/
Please contact our office at 987.2600 with any questions you may have.
Schools of Choice Parents
Internal and external schools of choice applications for the 2021-22 school year will be available from April 12-May 14. You must submit your internal choice application to the elementary building of residence. The district will not accept internal choice applications prior to or after these dates. If you applied and were approved, it is not necessary to re-apply. Applications and open grade levels will be available on our website, www.lowellschools.com, April 12, 2021.
Thank you for your continued partnership in support of your child’s education. Enjoy the weekend!
Sincerely,
Paul Papes
Principal
Alto Elementary
Kids Heart Challenge
Alto Elementary Families,
I hope you all had an amazing Spring Break! I am excited to announce that we kicked off our Kids Heart Challenge event on Wednesday, April 14th. When your student joins Kids Heart Challenge, not only will they raise funds to help kids with special hearts, but they will also learn about heart health.
This year, any student who raises $100 will receive the limited edition, leader of our Heart Heroes, “Agent KHC”. Students that raise $200 or more will get to choose a teacher off a selected list to pie in the face! Click the link below to get started today and be sure to share on social media. It is super fun and simple. Thanks so much for the support!
Kickoff Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEH5fHijaFQ
Get started today: http://www2.heart.org/goto/alto
Logan McLeod
Physical Education Teacher
Alto Elementary
News from the Art Room
The return to school after Spring Break always gives me a sense of urgency. While many may be counting down the days until we are finished; I am counting how much time we have left, to accomplish as many creative works as possible.
This last part of the year always goes too fast for me!
Portfolios are being filled with past works and current projects are at hand. We will be working very diligently, learning much, and creating beautiful and meaningful works of Art. I am excited for the children to present their portfolios to parents at the end of the school year.
What a precious gift, is the compilation of your child’s Art work?! I just know you are gong to love their creations, and you may even find some pieces to frame and hang up in your home.
Artfully Yours,
Anna Marie Carabellese
Breakfast and Lunch menu week of 4/19-4/23
4/19: Apple Cinnamon BeneFIT bar or Mini Cinnis
4/20: Apple Cinnamon BeneFIT bar or Mini Cinnis
4/21: Skewered Sausage Pancake or Banana Muffin
4/22: Skewered Sausage Pancake or Banana Muffin
4/23: Cherry Frudel or Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
*each served w/ fresh fruit and milk.
Lunch:
4/19: Crispy Chicken Sandwich w/ french fries or Muffin & Goldfish fun lunch
4/20: Rotini in meat sauce or PB&J Fun Lunch
4/21: Grilled Cheese Sandwich or Strawberry Parfait w/ granola
4/22: Pepperoni Pizza or Muffin & Goldfish fun lunch
4/23: Mini Strawberry Pancakes or PB&J fun lunch
*each served w/ fruit, veggies and milk.
Alto Elementary School
Website: lowellschools.com
Location: 6150 Bancroft Avenue Southeast, Alto, MI, USA
Phone: 616-987-2600
Facebook: facebook.com/altoelementary