The Pine Press
February 26-March 1, 2024
Message from the Principal
March is known as Reading Month across schools in America. As your partner in your child's education, here are some questions you can use to support your fourth- or fifth-grade child's reading at home. Using the questions below will help deepen your child's understanding of the text and encourage critical thinking.
Literal questions are the who, what, when, where, and how types of questions:
- What happened in the story?
- Who are the main characters?
- Where did the story take place?
- Why do you think the author chose this setting?
- Why do you think the character made that decision?
- What clues from the text helped you understand the character's feelings?
- What might happen next based on what you've read?
- What do you think will happen in the next chapter?
- Can you predict the ending?
- What do you think will happen next, and why?
- Why do you think the author included this detail?
- What clues does the author give us about how the story might end?
- What does the word "_____" mean? (Choose a challenging word from the text.)
- Can you find synonyms or antonyms for this word?
- How does this word contribute to the overall meaning?
How is the text organized? (e.g., headings, subheadings, paragraphs)
- Why did the author use bullet points or numbered lists?
- How does the structure help you understand the information better?
- Describe the main character's personality traits.
- How did the character change throughout the story?
- What motivates the character's actions?
- What do you think the character is feeling right now?
- What lesson or message do you think the author wants readers to learn?
- How does the theme relate to real-life situations?
- Can you connect the theme to your own experiences?
- Have you ever felt like the character? Can you share a similar experience?
- How does this story remind you of something that's happened in our family or community?
Below is the calendar for Pine Avenue's reading month activities. Asking some of the questions above is a great family activity to support your child's understanding of the text and build their critical reasoning skills.
Your partner in education,
Dr. Konowalow
Mark Your Calendar!
March 1, 2024 End of the second Trimester
March 7, 2024 PTO School Carnival
March 11, 2024 Student Early Release 11:43 a.m.
March 15, 2024 Trimester Awards, Report Cards Go Home
March 20, 2024 Title I K-5 Family Engagement Night
March 22-29, 2024 Spring Break-No School
April 12, 2024 Parent Teacher Connection Night
April 23, 2024 Arts Night
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.