Local author/illustrator Emmy Kastner is visiting Alamo Elementary on Thursday, March 16th! If you are interested in ordering any of her titles for your student please follow the link below for ordering info:

Reading month is underway and students are being encouraged to “Score A Good Book: READ!”!" Each week students will keep track of the time they spend reading at home and record it on their bookmark. Students who meet their weekly reading goal will earn a prize at the end of each week. The goal is for K-2nd grade students to read at least 75 minutes each week and 3rd-5th grade students should read 100 minutes each week. Bookmarks are due on Thursday of each week in order to be considered for a prize. There are also class goals and competitions throughout the month. Each week if the classroom reaches their goal, students will receive a medal to wear on Fridays. All students will be working toward an all school goal of 150,000 minutes in which they will be able to either turn the principal into an ice cream sundae, crack an egg on her head or soak her with super soakers.

It will be a fun packed month with a visit from Steven's Puppets, an author visit, dress up days and literacy night. Throughout the month we will be learning about various athletes and life lessons through sports. Each classroom will receive a new book on Tuesday along with a snack that goes with the book's theme. This year's literacy night will incorporate and "sports" theme as well, you won't want to miss the fun!

Although "Spring Forward" signals that warmer weather is on the way, it can still be a difficult adjustment. Please click on the link below for a few tips from Malia Jacobsen at Parent Map to ease the transition.

Our WatchD.O.G.S. program will officially begin for the 2022-23 school year in October. “Dads” (or dad-like figures) who are interested in signing up to volunteer for a full or half day should contact Natalie Trumley (ntrumley@otsegops.org) or Nicole Knight-Lucas (nknight-lucas@otsegops.org) via email to schedule a date.

When you volunteer, you will receive a schedule for the day that allows you to help out in different classrooms doing a wide range of activities (reading a story, working with a child 1:1 on work, playing a game with a small group). You will also have scheduled time on the playground and lunchroom to interact with students and be a positive role model for them. We need a current background check on file before you are able to volunteer. Checks are good for 1 year. If you need updating, please contact the office if you need a form.

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.