Alto All Star Gazette
March 26, 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,
Your children continue to come to school eager to learn and have fun with their teachers and classmates. Thank you for all that you do to prepare them for school success each and every day!
As a reminder, school will not be in session next Friday, April 2nd, and Spring Break will run through April 11th with a return to school on Monday, April 12th.
March is Reading Month
The Bingo Reading Challenge slips are due Monday, March 29th. To complete this challenge, students need to mark BINGO with 4-5 boxes complete.
Our Book Madness has been great fun! Today, students are voting on the Elite Eight Matchups. After today, we will be down to the Final Four and will determine a champion for Alto’s Favorite Book next Thursday.
M-Step, NWEA MAP, and Acadience (Formerly DIBELS) Testing
M-Step testing will begin when we return to school the week of April 12th.
5th grade students will start with the ELA M-Step the week of April 12th. They will be taking the ELA, Math, Social Studies, and Science M-Step.
4th grade students will start with the ELA M-Step the week of April 26th. They will be taking the ELA and Math M-Step.
3rd grade students will start with the ELA M-Step the week of May 3rd. They will be taking the ELA and Math M-Step.
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.
We look forward to receiving meaningful data to reflect the outstanding learning that has occurred this school year!
Trading Cards
Our Building Leadership Team meets each month. The team includes representatives from each grade level, our social worker, PE teacher, and myself. At our March meeting, one topic we discussed was the increasing distractions and conflict caused by students bringing trading cards to school (Pokemon, sports, etc.). We have decided to no longer allow students to bring these to school. This includes the bus. Thank you for your support and cooperation in keeping these at home.
Kindergarten Enrollment
Attention families with incoming 2021-2022 kindergarten students! 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.
COVID-19 Mitigating Measures
While state and local COVID-19 cases have been on the rise, we have not experienced an increase at Alto Elementary. We remain dedicated to the implementation of safety protocols here at school, and we are grateful for your continued efforts.
Kent County Health Department School Toolkit:
https://www.accesskent.com/Health/CommDisease/pdfs/SchoolChildcareToolkit.pdf
As always, please contact me with any questions you may have. Have a great weekend!
With Gratitude,
Paul Papes
Principal
Alto Elementary
Music Notes!
MUSIC NOTES
Kindergarten and First Grade - I hope your child has sung the Leprechaun Song and The Rainbow Song at home. we have been playing "Oats, Peas, Beans" as well as "The Farmer in the Dell" and "Fly Away Little Birdie".
We are developing the HABIT OF SINGING!
Second Grade - We are finishing up with our study of "Peter and the Wolf" and continuing our study of the instrument families.
Third Grade - We are learning a French song - "Alouette". The children reviewed the call and response and even played the rhythmic chunk on the instruments. They learned about the "octave". We are taking a look at the sounds of our names and where the accent and no accent occurs in their own name. And then figuring out the names in the puzzles that I write on the board.
Fourth Grade - "Uncle Joe" is a new favorite! Also, we found the three beat meter pattern in "Lassie" and made up their own pattern using the music sticks.
Fifth Grade - We are taking a look at the various instruments and what they might like to play next year. We have studied Beethoven, Bach, Rossini, and this week a little John Phillip Sousa!
As always
KEEP A SONG IN YOUR HEART AND MIND
Mrs. Gumina
Breakfast and Lunch Menu week of 3/29
3/29: Cini Mini or Muffin
3/30: BeneFIT Bar or Frudel
3/31: Cereal or Waffle
4/01: English Muffin Sandwich or Frudel
4/02: Croissant Sandwich or Breakfast Bar
*each served w/ milk, juice and fruit.
Lunch:
3/29: Crispy Chicken Tenders or PB&J Fun Lunch
3/30: Mini Turkey Corn Dogs w/ french fries or Cheddar, Grapes and Cracker Fun Lunch
3/31: Cheese Pizza Cruncher or Muffin & Goldfish Fun Lunch
4/01: Sloppy Joe w/ french fries or Nachos Fun Lunch
4/02: NO LUNCH SERVED
*each meal served w/ milk, juice, veggie and fruit.
Spring Break Meals
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScypAn8h3CihEvdA806Vleh6E1eaRRIrrXsoeEJTsmkHJbriA/viewform
Office Notes
Alto Elementary School
Website: lowellschools.com
Location: 6150 Bancroft Avenue Southeast, Alto, MI, USA
Phone: 616-987-2600
Facebook: facebook.com/altoelementary