Alto All Star Gazette
Friday, February 10, 2023
SCHOOL BEGINS AT 8:50 A.M.
Dismissal time: 3:43 PM
1/2 Day Dismissal: 12:00 PM
24-hour attendance line: 616-987-2625
From the desk of Principal Papes
Dear Alto Families,
It has been another fantastic week of teaching and learning at Alto Elementary! As a reminder, Friday, February 17th is a half day and there is no school on Monday, February 20th. The district has posted the 2023-2024 Kent ISD Common Calendar on the LAS website:https://www.lowellschools.com/our-district/calendar/
Alto All Stars Golden Tickets
As you know, students can receive golden tickets for demonstrating Alto All STAR (Safe, Thoughtful, Accountable, Respectful) behaviors. In the past, we have held a drawing on Friday where students can submit tickets. If chosen, they would win a prize from our prize collection. The Building Leadership Team has recently decided to change this up a bit. We now have a school store every other week, on Wednesday, where students can buy prizes with the golden tickets they have collected. Our first school store was this past week, and it went very well. In addition to motivating students and recognizing pro social behaviors, we hope this concept helps students learn to save. Prizes vary in “price,” so students will have to set goals and save for some of the prizes they may want!
2nd and 3rd Grade Music Program
The 2nd and 3rd grade music program will be held at the school on Wednesday, February 22nd. We have scheduled two program times (10 AM and 2 PM) to provide more flexibility for those attending and to spread out the crowd. We do not have the room in our gym to accommodate all attendees comfortably for one show. Therefore, we ask that parents and other attendees select one time to attend. We are looking forward to this special event!
Attention families with incoming kindergarteners!
Kindergarten enrollment for next fall us open! If you have a student who will turn 5 by September 1st, 2023, they can start their school journey. You may also sign a waiver for your child to start school if they turn 5 by December 1st, 2023. Required paperwork for enrollment includes proof of residency, original birth certificate, up to date immunizations and a health appraisal. Information can be found on our school website:
https://www.lowellschools.com/our-district/enrollment/
Free Project Kidsight Vision Screening Provided by the Local Lions
The Lions of Michigan Foundation funds a free vision screening program called Project KIDSIGHT aimed primarily for children. Identifying kids at this age with vision issues gives them a chance to have remedial action to correct the problem and maybe by doing so at this early age, they might not need further correction when they are older. Presently, the Kent County Health Department conducts sight and hearing evaluations for children in the first, third and fifth grades. The local Lions group would like to offer vision screening for kindergarten, second and fourth grades to augment the Health Department’s vision checks. The vision screening will occur on February 15th and 16th. Please see the attached information. If you would like your student(s) to participate in this free screening, please complete the Vision Screening Consent Form (attached) and return it to school at your earliest convenience. For your convenience, a paper copy was sent home last week Friday with all kindergarten, second, and fourth grade students. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this free vision screening.
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.
Have a wonderful weekend!
With Appreciation,
Paul Papes, Principal
Happy Valentine's Day from the Art Room!
Student artwork has been on a rotating exhibit at the Alto Public Library (KDL) since November. Kindergarten penguins have been on display for two weeks now and will be switched out this weekend for Valentine artwork. If you get a chance to go to the library, please be on the lookout for the twelve frames featuring our Alto Student artwork.
Congratulations Blake!
5th grader, Blake S, has a picture that will be on display at the Region Nine art exhibit in Grand Rapids for a few weeks this month.
Mark your calendar!
2/16: 5S to WWC
2/17: 1/2 Day- DISMISSAL AT 12:00
2/21: NO SCHOOL- Mid-winter break!
2/22: 2/3 Grade Concert, please attend either 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.
2/23: 5th to Forest Hills Aquatic Center
2/24: 5th to Forest Hills Aquatic Center
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Student Activities
Alto Elementary School
Website: lowellschools.com
Location: 6150 Bancroft Avenue Southeast, Alto, MI, USA
Phone: 616-987-2600
Facebook: facebook.com/altoelementary