Alamo Superhero Headquarters News
Alamo Elementary Weekly Headlines - September 10, 2018
Important Dates
Sept. 10-28 – Fountas & Pinnell Reading Benchmark testing
Sept. 10 - OPS Board Meeting @ Otsego Administration building, 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 12 – First Delayed Start (School starts at 10:00 a.m.)
Sept. 14 - Homecoming Football game @ Bulldog Stadium, 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 17 – PTO mtg. – 4 p.m.
Sept. 25 – Tots “n Tunes 9:30 a.m.
Sept. 25 – Fall Festival @ 6:00 p.m.
Sept. 27 - Fun Run
Sept. 24-Sept. 28 – Book Fair
Oct. 1 – School Pictures (Preschool, K-2)
Oct. 2 – School Pictures (Preschool, 3-5)
Welcome to a SUPER year!
We would like to welcome new and returning families back to Alamo Elementary. The first week of school for our elementary students was a success, and it was fun to see the excitement among the students to be back at school surrounded by friends, teachers, and staff. We are looking forward to a great year!
Updated Contact Numbers
Office - 269-692-6150 or 269-694-7600
Attendance 269-694-7680
Transportation 269-692-6245 or 269-694-7940
Base 269-694-7635
Fax 269-694-7699
Get Involved, Make a Difference
September 17th @ 4:00 p.m.
October 1st @ 6:30 p.m.
November 12th @ 4:00 p.m.
No December meeting
January 7th @ 6:30 p.m.
February 11th @ 4:00 p.m.
March 4th @ 6:30 p.m.
April 8th @ 4:00 p.m.
May 6th @ 6:30 p.m.
Alamo Fun Run!
Alamo’s one and only fundraiser is coming up on Sept. 27th. Our goal is to raise $15,000. As students begin to get 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 were sent home on orientation night. So, get out and start collecting those pledges. Pledge forms are due on Friday, September 28th.
Fun Run Company Sponsors Needed
This fall we are holding our 12th annual school Fun Run as our one and only school fundraiser. In addition to students, raising funds, we are also seeking business sponsorship. Do you know of a business who might be willing to contribute? Any business that is still willing to donate can receive the following sponsorship level:
Business name would be listed in our newsletter the entire month of October and on a poster at our parent-teacher conferences in November.
If you know of a business who would be willing to contribute to our elementary as a tax deduction, please feel free to pass on this information to them. All checks may be made to Otsego Public Schools and may be mailed to Alamo Elementary School, 8184 N. 6th St., Kalamazoo, MI 49009 prior to Sept. 29th.
Pick-Up Procedure & Secure Entrance Reminder
It is of upmost priority to us to keep your child safe while he/she is at school. With the addition of our new entrance we ask that parents wait outside to pick up their child at the end of the day. We LOVE interacting with our students' families and welcome you into the building after dismissal is complete. If you need to pick your child up early or need to speak with the office you are welcome to enter the office prior to the end of the day. Please note that our new security system requires visitors to ring the doorbell, for us to secure identification and to unlock the doors.
• All parents who are picking up their child will need to wait outside the building.
• Kindergarten students will exit out the west side of the building near the bus loop.
· Pick-up students will exit out the cafeteria doors.
- Bus students will exit out the main doors.
Alamo Parking Lot Safety video
Pick Up & Drop Off Procedures
As you may know, the parking lot is a busy location during pick up and drop off. For the safety of our students and families we ask that you follow the guidelines below:
- The space along the sidewalk has become a pick up & drop off zone only and parking is NOT allowed. Please use this area to either drop off or pick up your students before or after school. Be sure to pull up to the front of the pick up/drop off zone if and when it is not busy. This allows for more cars to drop off/pick up at the same time. Our hope is these no parking zones will be used as places to pull through & drop students while allowing folks to pass safely on the left. Keeping the zoned area clear will also allow for the assistance of any emergency vehicles if needed.
- The driveway has been repainted to help keep the traffic flow moving and to help direct parents when dropping off in the morning or picking up in the afternoon. When dropping off or picking up, please follow the yellow arrows to help keep traffic flowing and for the safety of students & families.
- When dropping off your child, please pull all the way up to the front off the drop off zone when possible. This allows for multiple vehicles to pull up and drop off their child at the same time and keeps the traffic moving.
- During drop off, students should exit the vehicle from the curbside only. Parents, please do not get out of your vehicle as this slows down the flow of traffic.
- If you are picking up your child after school and arrive prior to dismissal, please park in an available parking space. You are welcome to meet your child on the sidewalk when he/she is dismissed.
- For the exception of the grass area near the parking lot entrance, please DO NOT park outside the identified parking spaces. This creates congestion and can block the view of the rest of the parking lot.
- If you need to enter the building, leave your vehicle, or need to wait for any duration of time we ask that you park in a parking space to help keep the traffic flow moving.
Guests & Visitors
We love visitors at Alamo, but want to make sure we are keeping our students safe. Upon entering the building, you are required to check in with the office. You can drop off the forgotten homework, lunch or note to your child in the office. We will make sure it gets to the classroom teacher. If you are going to the classroom, please stop in the office to register and pick up a visitor’s pass.
Handbook Changes
Important information concerning changes to the Otsego Public Schools Elementary Student Handbook
Recently, the State of Michigan has increased focus on chronic absenteeism and the effect of missing school on student achievement. As a result, the Otsego Board of Education approved changes to the elementary policy concerning attendance. This policy mirrors the Otsego Middle School handbook, and was developed in partnership with Truancy Office of Allegan Area Educational Service Agency. The following paragraph is the change to the handbook.
Attendance
Punctual and regular attendance by students is necessary to facilitate the development of skills necessary to function in society. Parents and students share the obligation under state law to insure compulsory school attendance. Therefore, after 6 absences in a trimester, the student will be considered unexcused for each additional day, unless proper documentation is provided for the absence. Documentation to excuse an absence previous to the 7th day a student is absent can be provided by a parent. Verification will be requested for additional absences beyond the 6th day from a physician, dentist, orthodontist, optometrist, or other appropriate medical personnel. The Truancy Office of Allegan Area Educational Service Agency will be notified when 10 unexcused absences for the school-year have occurred without proper documentation. All work due to absenteeism is expected to be made up. A student will be marked tardy if he or she arrives after the starting bell for either morning or afternoon. After the first hour, the student shall be marked absent for 1/2 day.
Another change to the Elementary handbook concerns cell-phone use and electronic devices. The Otsego Board of Education approved changes that clarified existing policy concerning electronic devices. The following is the change to the handbook.
Electronic Devices/Cell Phones
Students may not be in possession of, or use, cell phones or other electronic communication devices (ECD) during the school day. Upon entering the building cell phones and other ECD’s need to be stored in backpacks and kept in lockers. Students found to have a disallowed electronic device in class will earn a referral and the device will be confiscated. Students refusing to give their device to the teacher and/or administration will be disciplined for insubordination. Confiscated devices may be picked up the same day within ½ hour after school, or any day following. See consequences below for information about who can pick up the device.
Offense 1 – Student may pick up device
Offense 2 – 1 recess detention. Student may pick up the device.
Offense 3 – 2 recess detentions. Student may pick up the device.
Offense 4 – 2 recess detentions. Parent or guardian must pick up the device.
The Elementary Student Handbook is available on-line at www.otsegops.org, under Useful Links on each building page, or a paper copy can be obtained in any OPS Elementary School office.
Delayed Start Wednesdays Begin Sept. 12th
Every Wednesday, beginning on September 12th, Alamo will begin the day at 10:00 a.m. Teachers and staff will be using this time to plan interventions, take part in Professional
Development, and collaborate. If you will need B.A.S.E. services on these Delayed Start
Wednesdays, please sign up now to reserve your spot. If you have questions, please call the office.
Interested in Volunteering?
The PTO uses a website called Volunteer Spot. How it works is you will receive an email from Volunteer Spot with our PTO President/Volunteer Coordinator’s name, Kim Jacobs Volunteer Coordinator, in the subject line. When you open the email, it will list the event and dates we will need helpers. If you can help, click on the link in the email that says Sign Up Now/Learn More. This will take you to a calendar where you will see sign up icons. Click on the date you can help and this will take you to a box where you will see times, how many volunteers are needed and a job description. Click on Sign Up Here, then Save and Close, and you're all set! 1-2 days before the event, you will receive a reminder email. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Kim at 381-5514. Thank you!
Free & Reduced Lunch Forms
If you qualify for the free lunch program, you must complete a new form each year. Even if your child was eligible last year, you must complete a new form by October 16th. Forms were sent home the first week of school and are available in our office or can be filled out online at Lunchapp.com.
WatchD.O.G.S.
The staff and parents at Alamo Elementary believe in providing a safe quality educational environment for our kids. WATCH D.O.G.S. is a one of a kind, school-based father involvement program that supports education and safety.
If you are interested in being a WatchDOG or would like to make a financial donation to assist in supporting this program please contact Nicole M. Knight-Lucas (nknight-lucas@otsegops.org) or Natalie Trumley (ntrumley@otsegops.org).
Information on our WatchD.O.G.S. kickoff/registration event will be coming soon.
Register to be a WatchDOG and sign up by clicking on the link at VolunteerSpot: https://signup.com/mobileweb/2.0/vspot.html?activitykey=376995131711960091#choose_event_page
To purchase a shirt (and other great WatchDOGS gear) please visit http://www.fathers.com/watchdogs/ and click on “Dogstore”.
Otsego Purple Community Week
Otsego Public Schools is gearing up for its 5th Purple Community Week to support cancer research at Van Andel Institute! For all questions and sponsorship opportunities, contact Holly McCaw, Director of Communications at hmccaw@otsegops.org or 269-692-6073.
Box Tops & Aunt Millie's
Box-Tops
Every year our PTO collects Box-Tops for Education. Send in those Box-Tops today!
Aunt Millie's School Spirit Program
Help earn money for your school by collecting Aunt Millie's UPC's.
Click on the link to learn more. http://schoolspiritprograms.com/how-it-works/
Recess & Lunch Volunteers Needed
PeachJar
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 Elementary
Email: nknight-lucas@otsegops.org
Website: www.otsegops.org
Location: 8184 North 6th Street, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
Phone: (269) 692-6150