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Hikers' Headlines
Alamo Elementary - December 4, 2023
Important Dates
December 10
- Grand Opening - Aquatic Center @ 3:00-5:00 p.m.
- Holiday Gift Shoppe
- Grinch Week
- PTO Meeting @ 4:00 p.m., Alamo Media Center
- Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 p.m., Otsego Middle School
December 12
- Grinch Snack
- Mileage Club @ lunch recess
December 13
- Delayed Start, school begins @ 10:00 a.m.
December 15
- Holiday Dress Up - Grinch Day: Dress like the Grinch or a character from Whoville
- Mileage Club @ lunch recess
December 18
- Winter Wonderland Week
- Dress Up Day: Flannel Day - Wear a cozy flannel
- PTO Christmas Party
1:40 - K
2:00 - 2nd
2:20 - 3rd
2:40 - 1st
3:00 - 5th
3:20 - 3rd
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!
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.
2023 Holiday Themes
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
- Jackson VanderMeer
- Ryan Louwaert
- Satori DeGrau
- Brendon Herdegen
- Hannah DeWind
- Raegen Begeman
- Brantlee Vandenberg
- Gideon Mortimore
- Hannah Rudolph
- Luka Gregor
Congratulations to our December Students of the Month!
Isaac Woods
Kindergarten
Lilliann Veldt
1st Grader
Logan Patterson
Josiah Severance
3rd Grader
Emory Velt
4th Grader
Payton Petersen
Alamo Christmas Blessings
There is still time to participate in the Alamo Giving Tree. Please consider joining 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!
Capturing Kids Hearts - Responsibility
Books About Responsibility
"What if Everybody did That?"
"Franklin Wants a Pet"
"The Pigeon Wants a Puppy"
"David Gets in Trouble"
"Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse"
"The Little Red Hen"
"The Good Egg"
"Bunny Money"
"It Wasn't My Fault"
"Alexander Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday"
Social Work Scoop
Independent Play Enhances your Child’s Mental Health
Does your child love to build things with blocks? Swing from the monkey bars? There’s more to playtime than just having fun - in fact, new research shows that independent play can improve children’s mental health. Not only does free play bring kids joy, it also helps them solve problems and even overcome fears. In addition, play is an effective stress reliever. After all, it’s hard to feel stressed when you’re blowing bubbles or pretending to be a superhero! To encourage independent play, provide your child with:
Time. Allow plenty of free time each day. While structured activities like sports and music lessons have many benefits, a busy schedule can interfere with playtime.
Materials. Give your child a variety of things to play with, including toys, art supplies and props for pretend play. “Toys” don't have to cost a lot - your child can turn cardboard boxes into castles and your old clothing is ideal for playing dress up. Items from nature, like acorns, rocks and twigs make great playthings too.
Encouragement. Support your child taking positive “risks” like climbing a low playground rock wall, balancing on a fallen log, getting messy by playing in the mud, etc. These experiences boost confidence and promote a “can-do” attitude that can lead to greater mental well-being.
Independence. Let your child be in charge during playtime. Choosing what to play with and how to play with it maximizes the mental health benefits of independent play.
**Adapted from an article from The Parent Institute
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.
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