The Pine Press
March 18-21, 2024
Message from the Principal
Our Pine Panthers will be on spring break this week. When school resumes, students will participate in learning activities that prepare them for the next grade and the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP). The M-Step is an online assessment administered in the spring for students in grades 3-8 and 11. This comprehensive assessment gauges how well students master Michigan State Standards.
Parents can support their children by encouraging good habits such as getting a good night's rest, ensuring physical activity, and eating nutritious foods. Ensure your child consistently does their homework and practices multiplication facts. In addition, parents can seek out resources and additional support via ROOMS or leave a message with the office regarding additional support and practices their child may need. Communication with teachers is essential.
It's important to remember that for some students, tests like the M-Step can be stressful. However, having test jitters is a normal response and not a sign of weakness. If your child expresses concerns about taking the assessment, provide reassurance and encouragement. Maintaining a positive attitude towards the test is essential. Please share their problems with your child's teacher. Knowing this information, we can support the students with the best testing environment and methods to support them while they are taking the assessment. Ensuring students have a stress-free morning, beginning with a good breakfast and a calm start, will also help support children before taking the test. Remember, the M-STEP is just one measure of your child's academic progress. Continuous support and involvement in your child's education will contribute significantly to their success. Additional information and a schedule will be sent home the week of April 1, 2024.
Your partner in education,
Dr. Konowalow
Title I Family Engagement Night
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Luce Road, Hillcrest, and Pine hosted a PreK-5 Title I Family Engagement Night. Our Panther families enjoyed participating in the Science and Magic Show, PBS KIDS, Anderson & Girls farm pets, and reading and math activities. Everyone had a great time, and we look forward to hosting more events like this one in the 2024-2025 school year.
Student Efforts
The staff at Pine Avenue work hard to support student learning and provide them with extra incentives, leadership opportunities, and the skills they will need as young adults. Below are snapshots of our students' activities with Alma College Football team members and high school students and incentive rewards for a job well done.
Mark Your Calendar!
March 22-29, 2024 Spring Break-No School
April 12, 2024 Parent Teacher Connection Night
April 23, 2024 Arts Night
April 17, 2024 Late Start 11:43- Professional Development
April 8, 2024-May 17, 2024 M-Step
May 1, 2024 Late Start 11:43- Professional Development
May 3, 2024 PTO Fun Run
May 10, 2024 Hillcrest moving up to Pine day
May 13-23, 2024 NWEA
May 17, 2024 PTO Community Book Fair
May 24-27, 2024 No School Memorial Day Weekend
June 6, 2024 Last day of school
PAES Student and Staff Values
The Pine Staff and students see failure as an opportunity to learn rather than a negative reflection on oneself. We value the lessons learned from our mistakes.
The Pine staff and students are committed to one another and treat each other with respect. We value high expectations of ourselves and others too.
The Pine Staff and students value kindness. We strive to be kind to one another, being considerate of one another, and always using our manners.
The Pine Staff and students value integrity and strive to always do the right thing, even owning and learning from our mistakes. As a school we are driven by a clear moral compass.
The Pine Staff and students strive to ensure all learners feel welcomed and accepted. We value the inclusion of everyone and want everyone to feel they belong.
PAES Student Behavior Norms
Always show your ROARS.
Look ahead, not back. Each moment and day are a new beginning.
Meet high expectations and goals for yourself, and always display GRIT.
Build positive relationships with everyone. Care about each person, and make sure they know you care.
Follow directions, procedures, and always do your best.
Respect yourself and others.
Always play fair, include others, and use words to resolve problems and conflicts.
Take responsibility for your actions, accept consequences, and the word no.
Do not spend time engaging in rumors or making fun of someone, and always remember words can hurt.
Panther Paws and Student of the Week
PPanther Paws are used as an incentive to promote positive school behaviors throughout the school setting. Students earn Panther Paws when they are caught displaying their ROARS behaviors. As students acquire Panther Paws, they turn them to enter Panther Paw drawing every Friday. Mr. Nevins draws Panther Paws and announces the winner over the loudspeaker. Panther Paw winners pick a prize from the Panther Paw Prize Cart.
Each week, one student per class will receive the teacher-selected Student-of-the-Week. Teacher-selection is based on students consistently displaying their ROARS, PAES Behavior Norms, and learning grit. Student-of-Week winner will receive a mini certificate and will have the class Student-of-the-Week trophy sit on their desk for the week.
We look forward to celebrating all of our students and their accomplishments. Please know that each week we attempt to get all the pictures of our winners, student pictures are updated regularly.
Alma Public Schools Behavior Expectations
Volume levels are being taught and reinforced in classrooms and buildings with K-5 students. This structure allows students to be mindful of their voice level across the various school settings when interacting with others throughout the school day. Volume levels are being taught and reinforced in classrooms and buildings with K-5 students, and this structure teaches students to be mindful of their voice level when interacting with their peers across various school settings. Throughout the school day, students utilize the appropriate level based on the learning activity they are engaged in based on the direction of the teacher.
ROARS stands for Respect Others, Act Responsibly, and be Safe. These are district-wide behavior expectations that all staff members reference as they provide instruction in the classroom and move throughout the school setting. ROARS is the anchor to all school procedures and routines.
APS App/Rooms
Please make sure you are using and checking the APS app, Rooms. Using APS APP-Rooms is how your child's teacher will communicate with you throughout the year. Studies show that parent involvement in a child's education increases the student's education. Your partnership with this program is essential. Each week, you will learn about what is happening in class and the many excellent learning opportunities the teacher provides for your child. Remember to turn on the notifications.
Pine Avenue Elementary Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
MORNING Drop Off:
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.
AFTERNOON Pick Up:
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.
Parents are asked to refrain from making left hand turns into the parking lot. This vehicle maneuver will cause the traffic to backup on Pine preventing a smooth flow of traffic.
Parents/guardians who are choosing to park in the parking lot and pick up their student afterschool:
- To ensure students' safety , please use the school's 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 assigned to assist students in crossing upon seeing their parent/adult.