![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/23.8e6605c3.jpg)
![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/23.f66f255e.jpg)
Hikers' Headlines
Alamo Elementary - December 4, 2023
Important Dates
December 4
- Santa Week
- STARS Performance @ 7:00 p.m., Otsego High School Auditorium
December 5
- Santa Snack
- Mileage Club @ lunch recess
December 6
- Delayed Start, school begins @ 10:00 a.m.
December 8
- Holiday Dress Up - Santa's Helpers: Dress like Santa, Mrs. Clause, Elf, Reindeer or wear red
- Mileage Club @ lunch recess
December 11
- Grinch Week
- PTO Meeting @ 4:00 p.m., Alamo Media Center
- Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 p.m., Otsego Middle School
Capturing Kids Hearts Family Survey
Every year we ask parents to provide us feedback on how we are doing with our Capturing Kids Hearts processes. The questions get at the root of the climate and culture here at Alamo Elementary. We then take a look at these results to celebrate our accomplishments and learn in what areas we need to grow. This survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for filling out the survey!
2023 Holiday Themes
December 1st - Holiday Kick-Off: Jingle Toes - Wear your holiday socks
December 8th - Santa's Helpers - Dress like Santa, an Elf, a Reindeer or Wear Red
December 15th - Grinch Day: Dress like the Grinch, a character from The Grinch or Wear Green
December 18th - Cozy Flannel Day: Wear a cozy flannel
December 22nd - Pajama Day: Wear your holiday pajamas
How Will You Show Your P.R.I.D.E. Today?
P - Positive Attitude
- David Baylor
- Emma Crowe
- Roczen Cairns
- Tenzin Farnsworth
- Owen VanderMeer
- Bo Wesler
- Isaac Woods
- Lucas Crocker
- Roman Pierce
- Myra Bierling
Alamo Christmas Blessings
There is still time to participate in the Alamo Giving Tree. Please consider joinin us in sponsoring a family for the 2023 Christmas season.
The Alamo Giving Tree is back! This year we will be doing a virtual Giving Tree via SignUpGenius or stop in to take a tag off the Alamo Giving Tree. The sign up link includes gift items for families. You may sign up for whatever item you'd like from the tree. We're asking that all items be returned to the school no later than Thursday, December 14th. Please do NOT wrap the items. Please be sure to include the gift tag with your present so we know to which family member it belongs.
Please contact Kim Wanamaker or Terry Webber at kwanamaker@otsegops.org or twebber@otsegops.org with any questions. Gift cards and monetary donations to go toward gifts are also welcomed. Thanks!
Thank you for your generous gift of giving!
Cookie Capers - Thank You!
Thank you to ALL of the Alamo families who generously donated cookies for the Cookie Capers project. Alamo was able to donate 36 plates of cookies and overall it was a huge success as a district. We appreciate your support and collaboration on giving back to our community.
Holiday Gift Shop
The holiday gift shop is back! December 11th-15th from 9:00-12:00 p.m. (Wednesday will be 10:00-12:00).
The Holiday Shop allows students to shop for their family during school hours. Students can easily purchase five or six inexpensive gift items for their loved ones. It’s one of the few times $10 is more than enough. More information to come following Thanksgiving break.
DI Holiday Shopping Fundraiser
Need to do some Holiday Shopping? Let the Alamo Destination Imagination Team help you out!
What: We will be hosting a babysitting evening for Alamo students. (Kindergarten-5th Grade)
When: Friday, December 8, 2023
Where: Alamo Elementary School
Time: 5:30-8:30
Cost: $20 per student, cash or check (checks made payable to: Otsego Public Schools) Money is due to the Alamo Office by Friday, December 1st.
Details: Students will be able to come enjoy a craft, some activities in the gym, have a snack and watch a holiday movie. The movie will be Polar Express (rated G).
Limited to 100 Students
Capturing Kids Hearts - Responsibility
What is Responsibility?
Responsibility is the willingness and ability to take ownership of our thoughts, words, and actions. We have a responsibility to our school, family, and community to be accountable for our choices and how they impact ourselves and others.
Why focus on Responsibility?
- Responsibility teaches resilience. It is not possible to persevere and achieve our dreams without taking personal responsibility seriously.
- Responsibility empowers us to own our actions. There is great power in being able to make conscious, calculated choices to reach goals and manage those things in our control.
- Responsibility teaches us to manage our time and resources. Responsibly organizing and prioritizing needs is an executive function of the brain that improves with practice.
Responsibility in Action:
- Give students roles and responsibilities. When students have a leadership role in class, they are accountable for contributing positively to the classroom culture.
- Empower students with self-management tools. Provide students with tools to help manage stress and impulsivity while motivating them to meet goals.
- Clearly communicate consequences. Empower students to make choices and experience the consequences of their actions, both positive and negative.
Social Work Scoop
Happy Holidays Alamo Elementary Family!!
With the holidays in full swing, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, which in turn may cause stress. The last thing we want is for the stress to dampen this time of year. There are other reasons, aside from just hustle and bustle, which may make it difficult to enjoy the holidays. Sometimes grief creeps up when we least expect it. Perhaps our children thrive on routine and structure, which ceases over break. It's easy to become overwhelmed or overstimulated around large gatherings, the lights and excitement of gifts. Please remember all feelings around this time of year are okay.
Below are some tips to help cope through the season:
- Pace yourself. It's okay to set boundaries and say no to gatherings that may be too much for yourself or child.
- Pick your battles. When our children are struggling, ask yourself "Is this going to matter a year from now?".
- Plan fun activities to do with just your immediate family. A Christmas light scavenger hunt would be a great idea and only cost the price of gas!
- Focus on gratitude. Did you know that listing 3 things to be thankful for each day has been scientifically proven to lift your mood?
- Talk about expectations with your children, whether it be expectations for gifts they will or will not receive, expectations of their behavior at gatherings or expectations of chores/routine around the house. The more you talk about your expectations ahead of time, the easier children will be able to comply.
Girls On The Run Coaches Needed!
Phone - 269-694-7600
Email - rcarter@otsegops.org or nknight-lucas@otsegops.org
WatchD.O.G.S. T-Shirt Order Information
Alamo Elementary is appreciative of your efforts as we continue our very successful WatchD.O.G.S. program. When you sign up to volunteer, we provide you with a shirt to borrow for the day. However, if you would like to purchase your own, please feel free to click on the link below to order one of your choosing.
Alamo WatchD.O.G.S.
Our WatchD.O.G.S. program will officially begin for the 2023-34 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.
Battle of the Books
2024 Battle of the Books
Teams Now Forming for Grades 3-5!
The Battle of the Books is a fun, team oriented motivational reading program designed to encourage and recognize students’ reading abilities, broaden their reading interests, and increase their reading comprehension. Teams work together to read a variety of books of different reading levels and topics, then prepare for the big day...a quiz-show “battle” to test their comprehension and team spirit. More information and the book list are available in your school office.
Questions? nknight-lucas@otsegops.org
Sign up in your school’s office and prepare for fun!
(Permission slips will be available in the office.)
Book Titles for Saturday, February 24, 2024
Plainwell- Performing Arts Center
Odder By Katherine Applegate
Save Me a Seat By Sara Weeks & Gita Varadajaran
The Bridge Home By Padma Venkatraman
Stuntboy: In the Meantime By Jason Reynolds
Sea Otters- National Geographic Reader
By Laura Marsh
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles
By Julie Andrews Edwards
Winter Wear
Please please make sure your child dresses for the weather. Coats, gloves, and hats are pretty much a given from now on and before you know it your child will also need snow pants and boots.
Whatever you send to school with your child, please LABEL!! There could potentially be 23 pairs of black snow pants in your child's classroom and finding their items will be easier if they are labeled.
Alamo PTO - Make A Difference
Alamo PTO needs you! The PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) is a wonderful way to become involved in your child's education and to get to know other parents and teachers. The PTO has many activities throughout the school year that you can help with by volunteering. The PTO meets once a month at 4:00 p.m. in the Alamo Media Center. Listed below are the dates for this year's meetings. We would love for you to attend!
Meeting Dates
December 11th
January 8th
February 12th
March 11th
April 8th
May 13th
June 10th
Mileage Club
Here are the recess times for each grade level.
- K @ 11:35 a.m.
- 1st @ 11:45 a.m.
- 2nd @ 12:05 p.m.
- 4th @12:15 p.m.
- 3rd @ 12:35 p.m.
- 5th @ 12:45 p.m.
Attendance Matters
Emergency Contact
It is extremely important to have up-to-date contact information available for each student. When emergencies arise, we need to be able to contact parents/guardians. This is also the contact information that is used for school closures and district updates.
Please log in to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to check that your contact information is current and to make any necessary changes. All families received a letter with parent login information and instructions from the technology department soon. If you need assistance or login information for the Parent Portal, please contact the Alamo Elementary Office. Thank You!
Alamo Elementary
Email: nknight-lucas@otsegops.org
Website: https://alamo.otsegops.org/
Location: 8184 North 6th Street, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
Phone: (269) 694-7600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/415538888654020
Twitter: @otsegoschools