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Hikers' Headlines
Alamo Elementary - December 18, 2023
Important Dates
December 18
- Winter Wonderland Week
- Dress Up Day: Flannel Day - Wear a cozy flannel
December 20
- Delayed Start, school begins @ 10:00 a.m.
- Dress Up Day: Holiday Party - Wear your holiday clothes.
- PTO Christmas Party
1:40 - K
2:00 - 2nd
2:20 - 3rd
2:40 - 1st
3:00 - 5th
3:20 - 4th
- Dress Up Day: Pajama Day - Wear your holiday pajamas
December 23-January 7
- Christmas Break
Dear Alamo families,
At Alamo Elementary, our staff works hard to meet the needs of all students including social, emotional, behavioral and academically. In some instances, students may be removed/redirected from an area in order for our team to effectively meet a student's needs. This is a proactive approach by our team in order to create the best experience for everyone. In the case of an event in which this occurs, staff and students will be asked to "Stay Put". Providing a positive and safe learning environment for all students and staff remains our number one priority.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Knight-Lucas
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!
Camp Alamo Christmas
How Will You Show Your P.R.I.D.E. Today?
P - Positive Attitude
- Layla Hill
- Everley Kelsey
- Tinsley Paynter
- Jace VanderMeeden
- Quinn Datema
- Bryce McCutcheon
- Henry Kronke
- Ford VanOrder
- Lily Clark
- Payton Block
Alamo Christmas Blessings
Thank you to ALL of the Alamo families that helped sponsor our giving tree this year. Your generosity was able to provide 10 families and 33 students with some additional Christmas support.
Thank you for your generous gift of giving!
Capturing Kids Hearts & Social Work Scoop Team Up on Responsibility
Growing Responsibility
The month of December is all about responsibility here at Alamo Elementary. We are challenging your students to do their part by owning their thoughts, words, and actions. Our thoughts, words, and actions have a lot to do with how we feel. If we have big feelings and do not know what to do with them, it can cause our bodies and minds to feel a little out of control. Here are a few calming techniques you can try with your kiddos at home:
Rainbow Breaths: Sitting up straight or standing, have your child place their arms at their sides. Then guide them to stretch their arms overhead as if in the shape of a rainbow over themselves. As they stretch overhead, breathe in, hold, then breathe out, and they return their arms back to their sides. Repeat.
Hot Cocoa Breaths: Have your child imagine they are holding a warm cup of hot cocoa in both of their hands. However, it is still too hot to drink but smells so yummy. First, they will smell the cocoa, breathe it in, and hold it. Then explain they need to blow on it to cool down. Breathe out, hold. Repeat three times: breathe in, smell… breathe out, and blow. Some students may state that they could feel the steam on their faces.
Arm squeezes: Have your child wrap their hands around the tops of their biceps, squeeze to the count of three, then relax. Next, have them move down to just above their elbows, squeeze and count to three, and relax. Then their forearms squeeze for three, relax. Last, their wrists for three, relax.
Rollercoaster Breaths: Have your child hold up one hand, fingers spread apart. With their other hand, use their pointer finger to trace along the edge of each finger, tracing their hand. Each time they trace up a finger, breathe in. Each time they trace down a finger, they breathe out. Encourage them to do this one slowly, even though it’s a ‘roller coaster.’
Holiday Break Reading/Writing Challenge
Little Dawg Basketball
It's the little dawgs turn! Registration is now open for Little Dawgs Basketball! This fundamental skills program is a 6-week program that takes place on Saturday mornings for boys and girls Kindergarten-2nd grade! The deadline to register is January 4th! https://www.otsegops.org/departments/communityed/youthsports
Vendor Blender
Do you have your own business and would love a captive audience? Our Grad Bash has just the thing for you! They're in search of vendors for a Vendor Blender sale on January 12th during the Otsego/Plainwell game! Sign up to be a vendor today!
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.
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
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