Alamo News
Alamo Elementary Weekly Newsletter - April 9 , 2018
Important Dates
Apr. 9 - Girls on the Run practice @ 3:53-5:30 p.m.
Apr. 9 - Board of Education meeting @ Alamo Elementary 7:00 p.m.
Apr. 10 - Destination Imagination @ 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Apr. 11 - Coffee with the Superintendent @ Mezzo 10:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Apr. 11 - Girls on the Run practice @ 3:53-5:30 p.m.
Apr. 11 - Boys on the Move starts @ 3:53-5:30 p.m.
Apr. 12 - Destination Imagination @ 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Apr. 19&20 - Hearing & Vision Screening 4's Preschool & K-5
Alamo P.R.I.D.E.
Responsible Actions - Mackenzie Peloquin & Maddie Isaacs
Integrity Within - Annabella Chaivre & Caleb Payseno
Determination to Succeed - Oakley Corradini & Trevor VanderRoest
Expect Excellence - Camden Cunningham & Estelle McParlan
School Quality Survey for Parents
Dear Otsego Parent/Guardian,
Every voice matters in Otsego Public Schools. That’s why we’re asking every parent and guardian to take our School Quality Survey. (Staff, and students - in grades 3-12, will also be taking a survey.) The survey asks for feedback on student and academic support, safety and behavior, school leadership, and family involvement. The survey takes about 10 minutes; it will be open until April 10th.
We are hoping for 100% participation to get a full picture of the district. Thank you for helping us better understand our community’s needs, determine our strengths, and identify opportunities for improvement. Please click the link below to begin the survey.
Otsego Public Schools School Quality Survey for Parents
Sincerely,
Jeffery Haase
Superintendent, Otsego Public SchoolsSafety Forum Update
Please take a moment to read a letter from our Superintendent with an update on the Safety Forums that were held in March.
March is Reading Month
Congratulations to Mr. VanderKlok's classroom and Mrs. Jewett's (5th grade) classroom for reading the most minutes this week. Our students read a total of 150,896 minutes!
On Friday, March 30th we celebrated the students reading success with an all school 1 hour recess and popsicle party. This week we will celebrate our reading accomplishments with a reading month wrap up assembly in which we will announce the winning class from lower el and upper el, reward each classroom with their earnings for their classroom libraries and tape the principal to the wall.
Although reading month has come to a close we will continue to encourage the kids to keep reading. The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the more you grow!
Author Ruth McNally Barshaw visits Alamo Elementary!
2018-19 Class Placements
Spring is the time of year when we begin planning for next school year. Placement of children in classes is a part of that planning, and a most difficult task. Responsible placement decisions take time and many consultations among staff members. Our goal is to make the best match between student, teacher and learning environment. Many factors must be considered such as gender ratios, academic ranges, social behavior, personalities, special needs and learning styles. If you feel you have special insights regarding your child that could assist with our selection, it is certainly welcome. We ask parents to adhere to the following guidelines:
• Provide information about your child’s needs.
• Do NOT request a specific teacher or friendship group. A detailed description of your child’s learning style and individual needs is more helpful.
• Information must be in writing and must be in the office on or before April 30th.
Remember that due to many factors involved, we are unable to make any guarantees, other than the fact that we will put much thought, consideration, and individual attention into each and every placement. We hope you will rely on our expertise and know that the best possible placement will be made for your child.
Field Day - Save the Date
On Tuesday, June 5th students from Alamo Elementary will participate in field day at Bulldog Stadium. Please mark your calendars and plan on joining us for a day of fun and fitness. More information to come!
M-Step Testing Begins
2018 Michigan Department of Education Testing Updates
Students in grades 3 – 8 and 11 will be assessed on Michigan’s current content standards in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies. This year, the M-Step (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) will be given April 9th through May 25th in an on-line format.
The following is important information regarding this test and your child’s participation.
All components of the test will be given on–line. It is a computer based test.
· Grades 3, 4 and 5 will be tested in ELA (reading, writing & listening comprehension) and Mathematics.
· Grade 5 will be tested in Science and in Social Studies.
Testing will consist of an on-line test and will be administered within the following guidelines:
1. Online Test Session:
· The Online Test Session may be administered in 1 session with a scheduled break (not to exceed 20 minutes) or in 2 separate sessions of equal length (45 minutes each for grades 3‐5 and 60 minutes each for grades 6-8 and 11) on the same day.
· Breaks may be provided during test sessions using the software’s pause feature.
· Although the Online Test Session is not timed, schools should allow about 1.5 hours of testing time for students in grades 3‐5 and 2 hours for students in grades 6‐8 and 11.
State Testing Window for M-Step is as follows:
· The 5th grade Science assessment will consist of one 45 minute session.
· The 5th grade Social Studies assessment will consist of two 30 minute sections (total of 1 hour).
· The State testing windows for the M-Step assessment is as follows:
o Grades 5 ............ April 9th – May 4th
o Grades 3 & 4...... April 30th – May 25th
· Each school is scheduling these assessments individually; a schedule for Alamo Elementary is below.
· The test will be administered in the computer lab and/or on laptops.
For further information on this upcoming computer based assessment of student achievement, please visit: http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-22709_70117---,00.html. A Practice Test for students can also be found at: https://wbte.drcedirect.com/MI/portals/mi/
IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT STUDENTS ARE IN ATTENDANCE THE DAYS OF TESTING!
Parking Lot Update
Pick Up & Drop Off Procedures
As you may know, the parking lot is a busy location during pick up and drop off. For the safety of our students and families we ask that you follow the guidelines below:
- The space along the sidewalk has become a pick up & drop off zone only and parking is NOT allowed. Please use this area to either drop off or pick up your students before or after school. Be sure to pull up to the front of the pick up/drop off zone if and when it is not busy. This allows for more cars to drop off/pick up at the same time. Our hope is these no parking zones will be used as places to pull through & drop students while allowing folks to pass safely on the left. Keeping the zoned area clear will also allow for the assistance of any emergency vehicles if needed.
- The driveway has been repainted to help keep the traffic flow moving and to help direct parents when dropping off in the morning or picking up in the afternoon. When dropping off or picking up, please follow the yellow arrows to help keep traffic flowing and for the safety of students & families.
- If you are picking up your child after school and arrive prior to dismissal, please park in an available parking space. You are welcome to meet your child on the sidewalk when he/she is dismissed.
- For the exception of the grass area near the parking lot entrance, please DO NOT park outside the identified parking spaces. This creates congestion and can block the view of the rest of the parking lot.
- If you need to enter the building, leave your vehicle, or need to wait for any duration of time we ask that you park in a parking space to help keep the traffic flow moving.
Pick-Up Procedure & Secure Entrance Reminder
It is of upmost priority to us to keep your child safe while he/she is at school. With the addition of our new entrance we ask that parents wait outside to pick up their child at the end of the day. We LOVE interacting with our students' families and welcome you into the building after dismissal is complete. If you need to pick your child up early or need to speak with the office you are welcome to enter the office prior to the end of the day. Please note that our new security system requires visitors to ring the doorbell, for us to secure identification and to unlock the doors.
• All parents who are picking up their child will need to wait outside the building.
• Kindergarten students will exit out the west side of the building near the bus loop.
· Pick-up students will exit out the cafeteria doors.
- Bus students will exit out the main doors.
Alamo needs WatchD.O.G.S.
The staff and parents at Alamo Elementary believe in providing a safe quality educational environment for our kids. WATCH D.O.G.S. is a one of a kind, school-based father involvement program that supports education and safety. If you are interested in being a WatchDOG or would like to make a financial donation to assist in supporting this program please contact Nicole M. Knight-Lucas (nknight-lucas@otsegops.org) or Natalie Trumley (ntrumley@otsegops.org). Information on our WatchD.O.G.S. kickoff/registration event will be coming soon. Register to be a WatchDOG and sign up by clicking on the link at VolunteerSpot: http://signup.com/go/oVHkXMG
To purchase a shirt (and other great WatchDOGS gear) please visit http://www.fathers.com/watchdogs/ and click on “Dogstore”.
Attention 5th Graders!
Camp will be held on Mon., Aug. 6th from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
· The cost is $20. Money should be turned into the classroom teacher by June 1st. Scholarships are available.
· Registration will be done online this year. The link is on our webpage at THIS LINK
Kindergarten Registration Going on Now!
Cell Phones/Smart Watches/Electronic Devices
OPS Compliment Box
Recess & Lunch Volunteers Needed
Lost and Found Items
DRESS CODE REVIEW
As we begin to ride the temperature rollercoaster that is the norm here in West Michigan, it is a good time to review the recess dress code.
All students must wear snow pants, coat, and boots to go off the paved areas of the playground when there is snow on the ground or if it is muddy. Also as the weather and temperature fluctuates our policy for outdoor gear is as
follows:
50’s – Jackets are suggested, but optional
40’s – Jackets, coat, sweatshirt, or sweater
required.
30’s – Coat, hat, gloves, boots, & snow pants
required.
We use the wind chill temperature to determine the dress requirements. The office will inform the students when the temperature is questionable.
PeachJar
Alamo Mileage Club
PE Teacher, Mr. Uramkin, has started up the Alamo Mileage Club again. The Alamo Mileage Club will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at lunchtime recess. Parents are welcome and encouraged to come and walk and every Tuesday and Friday. Be sure to register in the office. The program is designed to increase physical activity among the students and promote exercise.
K & 1st - 11:55-12:15
2nd - 12:05-12:25
5th - 12:15-12:35
3rd - 12:25-12:45
4th - 12:35-12:55
Remind for Alamo Parents
Join Alamo Parents REMIND
Would you like to receive text updates on important dates and activities taking place here at Alamo Elementary? REMIND is a safe and efficient communication app designed for teachers/schools to communicate important classroom/school information. If you are interested in receiving updates from Alamo Elementary via text, text this message @aebulldogs to the number 81010.
Box Tops & Aunt Millie's
Box-Tops
Every year our PTO collects Box-Tops for Education. Send in those Box-Tops today!
Aunt Millie's School Spirit Program
Help earn money for your school by collecting Aunt Millie's UPC's.
Click on the link to learn more. http://schoolspiritprograms.com/how-it-works/
Alamo Elementary
Email: nknight-lucas@otsegops.org
Website: www.otsegops.org
Location: 8184 North 6th Street, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
Phone: (269) 692-6150