It's been a busy year in PE already! Pre-K, Kindergarteners are working on locomotor skills, Mileage Club and underhand/overhand throwing. 3rd-5th graders have begun some fitness testing this fall. They have all done the Mile Run, Push-ups and Sit-ups. We're taking a break from fitness testing to do our bowling unit! The in-school bowling equipment is loaned to us by Hudsonville Lanes (THANK YOU!!!) and is used by all students at Alward! Not only are students practicing their bowling skills, but they are also practicing teamwork, cooperation, sportsmanship and problem solving skills!

Be sure to follow the Alward P.E. Facebook page to keep up to date on the happenings and to see even more photos! https://www.facebook.com/Alward-Elementary-PE-100129871821818/

Dear Parents,

I am so excited to announce that our school will be participating in the BOOK IT! program this year! BOOK IT! Is a fun reading incentive program sponsored by Pizza Hut that begins in October and runs through March.

Each month, a reading log will be sent home with your child for you to help them track their reading minutes. At the end of the month, your student will return the reading calendar and receive a coupon for a free personal pan pizza to be redeemed at Pizza Hut!

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Fellows

Gary Byker Library of Hudsonville Upcoming Events for Kids
Register at https://www.hudsonvillelibrary.org/news-events (Events > Event Calendar)

NOT Your Normal Book Club (Book: Katie the Catsitter): Tues. Oct 11, 4:30pm: Ages 9-13

Maker Monday- Halloween Terrariums: Mon., Oct 17, 4:30pm; Ages 9-18
D&D at the Lib.: Sat. Oct 15 & 29, 10:00am: Ages 10 & up
Family Story Time: Mondays & Tuesdays in Oct., 10:15am: Ages 5 & under

Stay and Play: Thurs. Oct 13 & 27, 10:15am: Ages 5 & under
Yoga Storytime: Thurs. Nov. 3, 10:15am: Ages 6 & under
Move to the Music: Mondays & Tuesdays in Nov., 10:30am: Ages 5 & under

Due to the number of food allergies in the school, we ask that you please bring in non food items for birthday treats.

• Breakfast will be served starting at 8:35.

• Breakfast consists of cereal, milk, juice, fresh fruit, and a cookie/cracker bar.

• Breakfast is $1.25 per meal unless you qualify for free and reduced.

• Students that eat breakfast at school will eat breakfast in the cafeteria. Once students are done eating, they will be sent back to class.

• If your child will be eating breakfast at school, please contact your classroom teacher so that we know to send them down to the cafeteria the first week of school.

Hot Lunch

Sadly, school meals are NO LONGER FREE for all students. We will return to traditional school lunch and breakfast pricing. There are NO changes to STUDENT meal prices.

New! Family Portal: https://familyportal.cloud

• Apply for Free and Reduced Price Meal benefits! If you are wondering if you would qualify, here are the Income Guidelines. Free and Reduced Meal Benefits are based on household size, income amount (gross), and income frequency. GOOD NEWS: any family that qualifies for Reduced Price Meal benefits will receive breakfast and lunch at NO COST.
• You will need to register a new account to monitor accounts or deposit online; Send Money to School accounts no longer exist. You will need your students ID to create an account. You will receive your students ID on their student profile sheet at the open house. Please make a note of it!
• Regardless of benefits status, Milk-only purchases remain at $0.50 per carton. Milk is included as part of the whole MEAL benefit. If your child(ren) qualify for free or reduced price meals and all they want is a carton of milk, their account will be charged 50 cents.

Our website www.jenhudfood.org is loaded with information. Please click on any of these links for more information:

• Digital Menus by Nutrislice (look for updates in August to Nutrislice)
• How Meal Service Works and Depositing Money
• Meal Charge Policy
• Follow us on Social Media!!

Contact us:

Email: foodservice@hpseagles.net

Phone: (616) 457-2400

Please check out our website for important information on Health Services.

In order for your child to take any medication (prescription and non-prescription) at school, a MEDICATION FORM is required. If your child requires a prescription medication (asthma inhaler, EPI pen, insulin), your physician must complete a portion of the form. The medication forms are available in the school office and will be posted to our website.

Please do not send medications to school with your child. Please come into the office to drop off medications. Thank you!

An At-Home COVID-19 Testing Program for K-12 Settings

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is offering a program which supplies a limited number of free, at-home COVID antigen tests to students in Michigan's schools in the 2022/23 school year. MI Backpack Home Test is a voluntary program offered by MDHHS for Michigan K-12 students, educators, staff, and their families who want an extra layer of protection against COVID-19. Every individual that is interested will receive one at-home COVID-19 test "kit," which includes 2 at-home tests. MDHHS will provide the kits and educational materials, and schools will distribute the kits to students and staff who are interested. There is no obligation to participate. If you are interested please contact your building secretary and make arrangements to pick up your kit in the office.

Student drop-off and pick-up are very busy times during a normal school year in the school driveway and hallways. If you are dropping your child off in the carline, please remain in your vehicle and follow the procedures below.

Car Line Drop-off Procedures:

1. Please place the placard sign, pictured below, in your passenger side window of your car with your child/ren's names and teacher's name listed. You will receive two car signs at open house. Additional signs can be picked up in the office if needed. If you can, please put a name tag on your child along with his/her classroom teacher's name to help us get students to their correct classroom.

2. Use the car loop on the west side (office side) of the building.

3. Stay in the right lane and drop off your child in the drop-off zone. Zone will be marked with cones. Please pull all the way to either the stop sign for the unloading zone or to the car in front of you.

4. Students will exit the cars on the passenger side of the car in the unloading zone. (Do not allow students to exit the car on the driver’s side for safety reasons!) Staff will help child/children get out of the car and direct them to the door that they will go in.

5. Parents remain in their vehicles.

6. Do not pass cars in the car line. Stay in a single file line until the cars move in front of you.

7. If you want to walk your PK/K child to their line up spot, you must park in the parking lot and cross at the crosswalk. Parents will need to say their goodbyes at the line up spot.

To Keep Our Line Moving Tips:

1. Follow the procedures noted above.

2. Say your goodbyes and give kisses prior to dropping off in the car line. :)

3. Have backpacks/supplies ready to exit car with students.

4. Parents need to remain in their vehicles.

5. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding with our system and procedures. Safety is our number one concern for our students and their families.

Car Line Pick-up Procedures

PK-Fifth Grade Students

3:45 p.m.

1. Please put the placard sign, pictured below in your passenger side window of your car with your child/ren's names and teacher's names listed. You will receive two car signs at open house. Additional signs can be picked up in the office if needed.

2. Use the car loop on the west-side (office side) of the building.

3. Stay in the right lane and pull up to the orange cone on the far west side of the parking lot or behind the cars in front of you.

4. Students will be walked out in groups to the car line and must enter cars on the passenger side of the vehicle.

5. If you need to help your child buckle his/her car seat, please pull forward with the flow of traffic, park in a parking spot, and help your child buckle his/her car seat.

To Keep Our Line Moving Tips:

1. Follow the procedures noted above.

2. Parents need to remain in their vehicles.

3. Please be patient with this system for the first few weeks of school. Once students, staff, and families get used to the process, the line moves efficiently and is safe for all of our students!

4. Based on last year’s car line data, the car line takes 4-5 minutes to load 60 cars!

Change in Transportation Home At the End of the School Day

If your child is going to have a change in transportation home at the end of the school day, please contact the main office to let them know of the change prior to 3:00 p.m. We want to ensure that the classroom teachers are notified in a timely fashion prior to end of day dismissal procedures.

• If your student will not be attending school due to illness or other reasons, please call the office before 9:15 am. Students who are not called in by a parent/guardian will be marked with an unexcused absence.

• If your student will be late, arriving after 8:50 am, please call the office in the morning. Any students arriving after 8:50 am must be signed in by a parent/guardian.

• If your student will be late and needs a hot lunch, please let us know when you call. Hot lunch needs to be ordered by 10 am.

• Planned absences of more than 3 days require a vacation request form to be filled out. Forms can be picked up in the office or emailed to you. Please turn in vacation request forms at least 5 days prior to the planned absence.

All volunteers and visitors are required to have a background check on file. Background Checks must be completed every school year. Please complete the background check now so you are all set for the school year!