Alward Action
🎵 MUSIC NOTES 🎵
Hello!
We’ve been having a blast in music class as we quickly move towards spring break! Please read below to see what your children have been doing!
PreK and Kindergarten - Our youngest music students have been singing, dancing and moving! They’ve loved the movement activity called “Giants and Fairies”. They have also been learning about instruments through a short video series called “Harmon In Space”. We also just learned a song and game called “The Tricky Leprechaun”; ask your child to sing it for you!
First Grade - These students finished their Mortimer project! Hopefully you were able to see their read-aloud video. We have just started creating their own song. Those should be finished before spring break. Be watching for it!
Second Grade - Second grade students are learning the basics of reading rhythms through bucket drumming! Each student plays a five gallon bucket by hitting it with drumsticks on the side, top and rim. They are having a blast! Many thanks to The Home Depot for donating the buckets and PVC sticks!
Third Grade - We are still in the middle of a unit on instrument families. We have covered each of the four families and are now reviewing the information in preparation to design an instrument! They will be drawing and describing their own creation. They don’t have to build it, but, if they would like to, I will always be excited to see a creation brought into class!
Fourth Grade - These kids are still preparing for our May 14 field trip to the West Michigan Symphony! They are playing recorders, singing and moving with the orchestra. They are even singing some opera! Ask them about songs like “Toreador” and “Cidade Maravilhosa”!
Book Fair March 18-22
E Wallet Instructions.........
Create your E Wallet today!!
Book Fair dates: March 18- 22
Easy set-up instructions for creating a Book Fair eWallet by : March 8
Go to our Book Fair homepage: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/alwardelementaryschool1
Click on eWallet “GET STARTED” and then “CREATE eWALLET”
Sign in or create an account (if you do not already have one with Scholastic).
Volunteers Needed for the Book Fair!
We Need YOU! Sign up HERE!!! Current 23/24 Background checks are required. If you need to do that please find the link HERE.
Kids Heart Challenge!
Our Kids Heart Challenge fundraising and Jump Rope unit was a success! A special congratulations to the top 3 fundraisers at Alward - Haley Matthews $1520.49, Elsie Allen $514.21 and Decker Allen $514.21. Amazing!!!
The random names selected for the Warmies were Owen Jones and Lucy Mellema!
Thank you to all who registered your students for Kids Heart Challenge and helped reach our 50% registration goal. Together, Alward raised $15,112.45 for the American Heart Association!
For our last day of jump roping we had parties, contests and a whole lot of fun! Be sure to check out the posters with contest winners and our Jump Rope Ninja belt winners on the Alward Elementary PE Facebook page!
Incoming PK / K Screener
Dear Incoming Pre-K & Kindergarten Families,
We're thrilled to welcome you to our Alward Elementary School family! As you prepare for your child's exciting journey in our Pre-K or Kindergarten program, we would like to inform you about our upcoming screening event.
Screening Dates & Times:
Monday, March 11th, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Thursday, March 14th, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
What to Expect:
The screening will take approximately 45-60 minutes, we ask you to arrive 15 minutes early for your scheduled time. This will allow us to get you settled and answer any questions you may have. During the screening process, there will be a waiting area set up for parents/guardians.
The assessment will consist of three parts:
One-on-one academic screener: This individualized assessment helps us understand your child's current skills and learning style.
Interactive social time with peers: This playtime allows us to observe your child's social interaction with others.
Multi-step activity: This engaging activity helps us assess your child's problem-solving skills and fine motor skills.
To reserve your child's screening slot, please visit our booking website (code: chpsp). You should receive a confirmation email. Please contact our main office to double check your time slot, if you do not receive a confirmation email.
Please complete the following form before your child's prek/kindergarten screening appointment. This allows us the opportunity to get to know your child a little bit before we meet them for their screener. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this form before your appointment.
We understand that this is an important step in your child's educational journey, and we're committed to making it a positive experience for everyone. We encourage you to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to Alward Elementary!
March is Reading Month!!!
Save the Date! 2024 Annual HPS Art Show!
AER Newsletter Information ~ February 2024
Hudsonville Public Schools Annual Education Report
The Annual Education Report (AER) is designed to meet state and federal requirements for reporting to parents and communities. The report provides detailed data on state administered student assessment results, accountability results, teacher qualification information, and the state results for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Parents and the community can access AER information for the district and individual schools by clicking
on the Annual Education Report tab on our website. If you have any questions regarding the AER information, please contact your child’s building principal.
Alward 2023/2024 Yearbook
Head to https://store.geskusphoto.com/search/YB19 to get yours ordered!
2024/2025 PK / K Registration
Alward PTC
PTC News............
Meet our 2023/2024 Alward PTC Board!
They can always be reached with any questions via email at alwardptc.hps@gmail.com
Co-President: Audra Kotman
Co-President: Stacey VanderBent
Co-Vice President: Allie Gonzalez
Co-Vice President: Ali Westhuis
Treasurer: Marissa Zylstra
Assistant Treasurer: Tom Holmes
Secretary: Heather Kleinjans
Teacher Representative: Rachel VanKoevering, 1st Grade
Lumber donations Needed
RAISE RIGHT
A super simple way to raise funds for Alward PTC is by buying gift cards from RaiseRight to pay for your everyday shopping and spending year-round!
Create a free fundraising account on the RaiseRight mobile app or at RaiseRight.com.
Enroll Code: WWJZU5516X2B
https://www.raiseright.com/enroll?enrollCode=WWJZU5516X2B
Our hope with Raise Right is to utilize the funds directly to enrich and impact our children’s classrooms. Raise Right will help fund Class Cash, a program that enables teachers to request financial support to purchase various classroom items, like flexible seating, books and manipulatives to improve hands on learning!
Birthday Treats
Due to the number of food allergies in the school, we ask that you please bring in non food items for birthday treats. Please see examples below.
bouncy balls, fidgets, putty
crayons, markers, pencils
bubbles, slime, balloons
BREAKFAST
Breakfast will be served starting at 8:35.
Breakfast consists of cereal, milk, juice, fresh fruit, and a cookie/cracker bar.
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
2023-24 School Year: Michigan Public School Students Prek-12 will receive Breakfast and Lunch at NO CHARGE.
Michigan approved Healthy School Meals for All. The budget will fund FREE school meals for all public K-12 students in Michigan for the 2023-24 School Year.
**** Districts MUST still collect Free/Reduced Meal Applications. We still need to verify eligibility levels for proper accounting of meals. ****
New! Family Portal: https://hudsonville.familyportal.cloud/
- Apply for Free and Reduced Price Meal benefits! 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
March 2024 Hot Lunch Menu
Summer EBT Money for Approved Free/Reduced Eligible Students
Hello HPS Families!
In 2022, federal legislation created a new program to fill hunger gaps during summer break, called Summer EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer). The program is being administered by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Education (MDE). A household can receive $40 per month per child in June, July, and August 2024 (for a total of $120 per child). Benefits will come in the form of preloaded cards that families can use to purchase groceries.
Summer EBT benefits will be issued to students who have a completed and approved Application for Meal Benefits on file as of February 14, 2024.
If you already have an approved application, automatically receive Free or Reduced Meal Benefits, or already receive EBT Benefits, you do NOT need to re-apply.
Completion of the form does not automatically qualify your student for the summer benefits. These benefits will be based on annual incomes and household size as noted by you on the form.
If your address has changed this year, be sure to update it with your school to ensure your benefit card is sent to the right address.
This WILL NOT impact your student receiving free breakfast and lunch at school.
Click HERE for Income Guidelines to see if you might qualify.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR BENEFITS!
If you have any questions, please contact Food Service at foodservice@hpseagles.net or 616-457-2400.
HUDSONVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS HEALTH PROGRAM
Please check out our website for important information on Health Services.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND MEDICATION TO SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILD! MEDICATION CAN BE DROPPED OFF BY PARENTS FOR AN OFFICE STAFF MEMBER TO ADMINISTER.
Alward Elementary Attendance
Please send us an email if your child will be late or absent aesattendance@hpseagles.net.
You are still welcome to call our office 616-669-6700 option 1 if you would like to speak with one of our Administrative Assistance or have any questions.
NEW email address aesattendance@hpseagles.net to report your student absent or late.
If your student will not be attending school due to illness or other reasons, please call or email 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 or email 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.
VISITOR POLICY
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!
Transporation
TRANSPORTATION HOME
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.
STUDENT DROP OFF AND PICK UP PROCEDURES
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:
Follow the procedures noted above.
Say your goodbyes and give kisses prior to dropping off in the car line. :)
Have backpacks/supplies ready to exit car with students.
Parents need to remain in their vehicles.
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-4th 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:
Follow the procedures noted above.
Parents need to remain in their vehicles.
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!
Based on last year’s car line data, the car line takes 4-5 minutes to load 60 cars!
AM DROP OFF MAP
PM PICK UP MAP
AES CAR TAGS
At Open House, you will receive a car tag for the arrival and dismissal car line. Please write your child’s/children’s names and classroom teacher's names as well.
If you need additional car tags, you can get them from our office staff.
Communication
- Visit Our Website: Our school website will be updated on a regular basis as it will be the main source of information for our parents and community members. Past newsletters will be linked under NEWS.
School Messenger: Regular communication (Alward Action) from school messenger will be sent out via email, phone calls, or text messages to keep you in the loop on what is taking place at Alward!
Social Media: Follow our story by liking us Facebook
Google Classrooms: Teacher google sites are linked under staff members. Teachers will be updating their Google Classroom Sites on a weekly basis.
Website: https://www.hudsonvillepublicschools.org/alward/index
Location: 3811 Port Sheldon Street, Hudsonville, MI, USA
Phone: 616-669-6700
Facebook: facebook.com/AESEaglePride
The sun is shining, and people are gearing up to ditch their winter coats for short sleeves! Over at Hudsonville Community Education, we are also excited for the upcoming warmer days. We have added new programs to help your kids develop skills, form friendships, and, above all, have a great time! Check out what's in store, and keep an eye out for a sneak peek of our summer lineup coming your way soon! Registration for summer kicks off on April 1st.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Check Out Our Electronic Flyer!
Rebecca Fabiano
Community Education Director
616-669-1740
Hudsonville Competitive Robotics Informational Meeting
Is your student interested in computers, logic, building, mechanics, or robotics?
Join us to learn about the thrilling world of competitive robotics through Hudsonville Robotics! This informational meeting will give families insights into how we use technology and competition to foster teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.
We will be offering an array of classes this spring to help students build their skills to compete in an amazing fall competition. The introductory meeting will be held on Monday, March 25, from 7 pm to 8 pm at the High School in room 110. The club program is open to boys and girls starting grades 5-12 next fall.
For more information, please email info@hudsonvillerobotics.com or visit https://HudsonvilleRobotics.com.