Pine Press
October 28, 2022
We are SO EXCITED about the amount of learning going on at school! Teachers are beginning to monitor student progress using DIBELS as they work through Differentiated Instruction (DI) lessons in class and are seeing great growth in our students as readers! Continue to encourage reading at home, practicing math facts, and supporting learning outside of school. When we all work together, great things happen!
If there is anything we can do to help your students here at school, just reach out!
Have a great weekend!
~Mrs. Adams
Important Upcoming Dates
November 1 - NO SCHOOL
November 10 - 1pm Walking trip to AHS to watch "The Addams Family" performance
November 18 - Half Day - Students dismiss at 11:20 am
November 21 - PTO Meeting, 6:30p, Pine Avenue Elementary Library
November 24 - 25 - NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Break)
December 22 - January 3 - NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)
Information Available in Office
- His Kids at His Place
- Ithaca Youth Cheerleading
- Boy Scouts of America
THINGS TO KNOW: Halloween
Students will need to have appropriate footwear and apparel to keep comfortable that day!
Here are a few guidelines to consider.
- Classes will have Halloween activities in their classrooms on Monday, October 31st
- Teachers will be sending out information about their classroom activities.
- Costumes will be allowed, but teachers will provide more information about what times they will be wearing them in their classrooms.
Guidelines for Costumes:
- Students are prohibited from wearing/using face paint, blood, gore, or weapons and costumes must be school appropriate. Students are not allowed to wear masks in the building, but will be able to during the parade outdoors.
- Students must be able to put on their costume without assistance.
- Parents are not permitted to help with costumes, parties, or bring food/snacks to the building throughout the day.
- If sending snacks, please consider healthy options (such as pretzels, popcorn, fruit snacks, fruit, cheese sticks, etc.)
Parking Lot Reminder
When dropping off or picking up a student, it is imperative to pull beyond the cones or park in the lot if it is necessary to leave the vehicle and enter the building anytime during the day. We need to leave that lane clear at all times.
If you are dropping a student off after parking in the parking lot, they must be walked across the parking lot by an adult. Student safety is essential.
Thanks!
Building Safety
Thank you!
Coins for a Cause - United Way
November is Homeless Awareness Month and here at Pine Avenue, we want to help bring awareness of homelessness and housing insecurity in our communities. That’s why we’re partnering with United Way to raise money for Gratiot County Hope House through a coin war challenge called “Coins for a Cause”!
United Way is committed to matching all funds raised (up to $10,000) so now’s your chance to double your donation! Students can bring in their spare change until November 23rd. The classroom that raises the most money will win a pizza party from United Way!
Panther Paws
Alma Elementary PTO
The Alma Elementary PTO is made up of parents and teachers who want to give students in the three Alma elementary schools the opportunity to participate in enriching experiences and to have the best material and equipment we can provide. Examples of PTO sponsored events include: field trips, assemblies, carnivals, concerts, science alive, reindeer visits, playground equipment, etc.
When parents get connected to the schools, children do better. In addition to the ideas and opinions that we love to hear, the children also benefit from parent volunteers who can donate a little time to make it happen. Please consider attending our monthly meetings and/or volunteering for a particular event when future messages are sent home or contact one of the representatives listed here.
To find out more about what the PTO is doing, please join us at our monthly meetings on the third Monday (usually) of each month at 6:30 pm. Free child care is always provided! The first meeting will be at Luce, the second one at Hillcrest, the third one at Pine and then the rotation begins again. The dates for the PTO meetings are the third Monday of each month unless there is no school on that Monday. If that is the case, then the meeting will be moved to the following Monday.
Start Time and End Time
Supervision at the school begins at 7:35 am. Doors open and school officially starts at 8:03 am. The school day ends at 3:10 pm and supervision is provided until 3:20 pm daily.
Please make sure your student and their teacher is aware of how each student will be getting home each day. We know things come up and changes need to be made throughout the year. Please remember to send a note with your child in the morning if there are any changes. If you need to call during the day to make a change, please do so by 2:00pm, so we can make sure we make the proper arrangements.
Pine Ave Elementary Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures
To help keep things running smoothly in the MORNING:
Pull all the way forward to the light post to drop off students.
Keep students in the vehicle until you are past the overhang at the entrance.
To help keep things running smoothly in the AFTERNOON:
Pull all the way forward until you are asked to stop by an adult. This is usually 2 car lengths past the light post.
For student safety, students will enter vehicles when told to do so by an adult.
This occurs when the vehicle is past the light post.
The biggest thing everyone can do to help:
AVOID MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS INTO THE PARKING LOT!
Traffic on Pine Avenue WILL deadlock.
For those choosing to park in the parking lot and pick up their student afterschool:
- Approach the school at the crosswalk which is located outside our main doors, by the overhang. This is the only location people should be crossing the parking lot for safety. We have a paraprofessional there to assist students in crossing upon seeing an adult.
Together, we can do small things to help these busy times run smoother!
Thank you for your cooperation and help with this!
Afterschool Pickup
You MUST walk to the crosswalk in our parking lot to cross to the sidewalk. This area is CIRCLED IN BLUE on the picture.
Areas marked with a RED X are NOT appropriate locations to cross the parking lot.
This is to keep our STUDENTS and PARENTS safe! Accidents do happen and this is one thing we can do to prevent one from occurring.
APS Behavior Expectations
ROARS
Volume Levels
Medication Authorization Form
Families: A medication authorization form must be filled out annually if your student requires medications to be distributed at school. Contact Mrs. Schaub in the office at 989-466-7651 if you are in need of a form.
APS K-12 Parent/Student Handbook
Staff Shout Out!
There is an OUTSTANDING team of educators, paraeducators, and other staff members here at Pine Avenue!
Would you like to recognize any of them?
Take a moment to fill out this form and recognize all the WONDERFUL things they do for our students!!
2022-2023 School Calendar
Birthday Treats
Contact Information:
Do we have the most recent contact information on file at school? If you have changes to your home address or a new phone number, please make sure to contact the office at (989) 466-7651 to update this important information.
Pine Avenue Daily Schedule:
Pine Avenue Office Hours: 7:30 am-4:00 pm
Drop Off Supervision begins at 7:35 am
School Begins: 8:03 am
Lunch: 4th Grade 11:15-12:00pm
5th Grade 12:05-12:50pm
Dismissal: 3:10 pm
After School Supervision ends at 3:25 pm
1025 N. Pine Avenue
Alma, MI 48801