Dear Pine Avenue parents,

Is your child on track to receive a high school diploma? As our valued partners in education, we understand the importance of our student's education. The academic journey, especially in the fourth and fifth grades, ensures students graduate on time. But what exactly makes these years so critical?

Fourth and fifth grades are the cornerstone of a child's educational development. Students transition from essential learning to more complex problem-solving and critical-thinking skills during these years. Falling behind in these grades can create a knowledge gap that's challenging to close later. For each grade level, a student is behind, it will take two years to catch up. For example, a fourth-grade student who is one year behind, we have the time to catch them up before they go to middle school. When students are two years behind, they must have two years of growth in both fourth and fifth grades to be on par for middle school. For any student who is behind, we must work together at home and in school to catch them up. Rest assured, catching up academically is hard work, yet, instills a sense of achievement and confidence in children. Realizing their potential sets a positive tone for future academic endeavors and reinforces their belief that they can overcome challenges.

The transition from elementary to middle school is significant. Fourth and fifth graders who are academically up to par will find this change less daunting. They are better equipped to handle the increased workload and the complexity of subjects they'll encounter.

As your partner, I encourage you to communicate often with your child's teacher, provide students time and space to complete their homework, work with your child to support positive study habits, and provide a supportive learning environment at home. Speak with your child's teacher regarding resources to help them and let them know if they are struggling.

The fourth and fifth grades are more than just another step in your child's education; they are critical years that lay the groundwork for future success. By working to help your children catch up and or stay on track academically, you are investing in their ability to graduate on time and achieve their full potential. Stay focused on these critical years and watch your child thrive, paving the way for a bright academic future.

By actively engaging in your child's education now, you're making an invaluable investment in their future. Your involvement can make a significant difference in your child's academic journey. Ready to help your kiddo tackle fourth and fifth grades with confidence?

We look forward to our to the success we will see our students have over their fourth and fifth grade years.

Your partner in education,

Dr. Konowalow

Picture retakes will be on Monday, October 7, 2024

All parents are encourage to review the Title I information regarding the Title I program, policies, curriculumn for students Pre K through fifth grade. Please sign-in using the QR code or the link on page two. Please contact the school for any questions or assistance needed.

From the desk of Pine Avenue’s K-5 Counselor

Greetings parents and caregivers of Pine Avenue Students. We have successfully completed our seventh week of school and are beginning to settle into healthy routines. I too am learning so much, as are your children. It feels good to have purpose, stretch, and feel the early stages of growth. You can see this on the faces of our students in class, hallways, and even on the playground. Of course there is still plenty of struggle, but it’s beginning to look more like “productive struggle,” something we are embracing as a part of learning. My biggest takeaway when reflecting on where we are in this moment of time, is that connection and engagement seem to be profound, if not essential factors in our success here at school. I hope your children are feeling the connections and sharing their experiences with you, if not, ask them. I hope you are hearing positive things. Please continue to connect and engage with us as well, as we know you are truly the experts when it comes to your children. We love to hear from you.

I can be reached at Pine Avenue Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. My phone extension is #6526, and my email is aswan@almaschools.net Have a wonderful weekend.

Please see the Google link for our new Drop off/Pick-up Procedures below.

October 7, 2024 Picture Retakes

October 11, 2024 Early Release Day, Students dismissed at 11:43

October 15, 2024 Title I Family Engagement Night at Hillcrest Elementary 5-7 p.m.

October 25, 2024 Donuts with Grown Ups

October 31 Halloween

Greetings parents and caregivers from the desk of your Alma Public Schools K-5 Counselor,

It’s been quite a start to the school year! My Congratulations to you all as I remember the days

well, the effort it takes to get your child to school, fully clothed, and in one piece, carrying

ginormous backpacks containing everything but a kitchen sink. Many of you are accomplishing

this superhero task for more than one child who also attend different schools spread throughout

our community. Traffic lights are not friendly to busy caregivers and bus drivers navigating the

highways and byways to school. And yet you’ve gotten them here in one piece, with snacks,

kleenex, homework assignments, and a clean driving record thanks to our reminder speed limit

signs that now light up when we may be a smidge over the limit. You do this day in and day out

and we appreciate you! Some day your children will too. As Dr. Konowolo shared in her

Message from the Principal, there exists volumes of data supporting the connection between

school success and regular attendance. This is not only tied to academic performance, but also

positive social, emotional adjustment which promotes a sense of belonging, purpose and future.

This is the culture we are building at Pine, one SEL (social emotional learning) lesson at a time,

one lunch buddy, one game of ball with a new student on the playground who hasn’t made

friends yet...we are making progress together. Recently I’ve decided to hang my son’s

Columbia University Diploma in my Counselor office at Pine. It’s written in Latin and I cannot

understand what it says, but my hope is that our curious Pine students will ask about it. Then I

can share the fact that their Pine Avenue Math Coach, Mrs. Andrea Oswald, was my son’s first

math teacher at the DPMS. She explained things in a way no one else could, which eventually

led to his full scholarship and degree in mathematics. That gift is priceless, and that is the

caliber of staff you have here at Pine Avenue, dedicated, brilliant people, full of heart, just like

your kids, our students! So please never hesitate to reach out, ask questions or inform us about

the ways we can continue to best support your children along this journey. We look forward to

hearing from you. It’s going to be a great year..

Late Start or Early Release

Alma Public Schools will implement Late Start or Early Release Days September through May. The dismissal time for Pine Avenue’s early release is 11:43 am. The school day at Pine Avenue will begin at 11:43 on the late start days. Please note, Late Start days are on Wednesdays and our Early Release days will be on Fridays.

September 11-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at 11:43 am

October 11-Friday-Early Release-End at 11:43 am

November 8-Friday-Early Release-End at 11:43 am

November 13-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at 11:43 am

December 11-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at 11:43 am

January 10-Friday-Early Release-End at 11:43 am

February 28-Friday-Early Release-End at 11:43 am

March 12-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at 11:43 am

April11-Friday-Early Release-End at 11:43 am

May 14-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at 11:43 am

Thank you in advance for planning transportation for your students.

1. Always show your ROARS.

2. Look ahead, not back. Each moment and day are a new beginning.

3. Meet high expectations and goals for yourself, and always display GRIT.

4. Build positive relationships with everyone. Care about each person, and make sure they know you care.

5. Follow directions, procedures, and always do your best.

6. Respect yourself and others.

7. Always play fair, include others, and use words to resolve problems and conflicts.

8. Take responsibility for your actions, accept consequences, and the word no.

9. Do not spend time engaging in rumors or making fun of someone, and always remember words can hurt.

PPanther Paws are used as an incentive to promote positive school behaviors throughout the school setting. Students earn Panther Paws when they are caught displaying their ROARS behaviors. As students acquire Panther Paws, they turn them to enter Panther Paw drawing every Friday. Mr. Nevins draws Panther Paws and announces the winner over the loudspeaker. Panther Paw winners pick a prize from the Panther Paw Prize Cart.

Each week, one student per class will receive the teacher-selected Student-of-the-Week. Teacher-selection is based on students consistently displaying their ROARS, PAES Behavior Norms, and learning grit. Student-of-Week winner will receive a mini certificate and will have the class Student-of-the-Week trophy sit on their desk for the week.

We look forward to celebrating all of our students and their accomplishments. Please know that each week we attempt to get all the pictures of our winners, student pictures are updated regularly.

Volume levels are being taught and reinforced in classrooms and buildings with K-5 students. This structure allows students to be mindful of their voice level across the various school settings when interacting with others throughout the school day. Volume levels are being taught and reinforced in classrooms and buildings with K-5 students, and this structure teaches students to be mindful of their voice level when interacting with their peers across various school settings. Throughout the school day, students utilize the appropriate level based on the learning activity they are engaged in based on the direction of the teacher.

ROARS stands for Respect Others, Act Responsibly, and be Safe. These are district-wide behavior expectations that all staff members reference as they provide instruction in the classroom and move throughout the school setting. ROARS is the anchor to all school procedures and routines.

Please make sure you are using and checking the APS app, Rooms. Using APS APP-Rooms is how your child's teacher will communicate with you throughout the year. Studies show that parent involvement in a child's education increases the student's education. Your partnership with this program is essential. Each week, you will learn about what is happening in class and the many excellent learning opportunities the teacher provides for your child. Remember to turn on the notifications.

Ensuring student safety before and after school is a high priority. We are asking all parents and guardians to support Pine Avenue during school drop off and pick up by adhering to the following procedures:

Campus supervision for students begins at 7:35 a.m.

MORNING Drop Off:

• Pull all the way forward to the light post to drop off students.

• Keep students in the vehicle until you are past the overhang at the entrance.
  
  

AFTERNOON Pick Up:

• Pull all the way forward until you are asked to stop by an adult. This is usually 2 car lengths past the light post.

• For student safety, students will enter vehicles when told to do so by an adult.

• This occurs when the vehicle is past the light post.
• ID checks will be requested as needed. (Please make sure all adults who will pickup your child are on your pickup list.)

Parents are asked to refrain from making left hand turns into the parking lot. This vehicle maneuver will cause the traffic to backup on Pine preventing a smooth flow of traffic.

Parents/guardians who are choosing to park in the parking lot and pick up their student afterschool:

• To ensure students' safety , please use the school's crosswalk which is located outside our main doors, by the overhang. This is the only location people should be crossing the parking lot for safety. We have a paraprofessional assigned to assist students in crossing upon seeing their parent/adult.

We appreciate your support in assisting us to ensure a safe student drop off and pick up.

We understand that events come up for parents, and changes must be made to students' dismissal plans. Parents are asked to please make sure to call in any transportation changes before 2 pm. The end of the day is hectic at an elementary school, and we must be aware of any changes before then. In addition, we also encourage you to send a note to your child's teacher or the office on the day of a transportation change. Students will not be dismissed to anyone not on a student's pickup list. Parents who have given us permisson to release to an adult through a change of dismissal plan, the person picking up the student must present a valid picture ID.

Parents: A medication authorization form must be completed each school when a student requires medications to be distributed at school. Should you need a form, don't hesitate to contact Mrs. Bailey or Mrs. Quiroz in the office at 989-466-7651.

The listed titles below are also direct links to the desired information.

Pine Avenue Elementary

1025 Pine Ave.

Alma, MI 48801

Phone:

989-466-7651

Principal:

Dr. Kathy Konowalow

Administrative Assistant:

Mrs. Carrie Bailey

Start Time: 8:03 am

End Time: 3:10 pm

Late Start/Early Release: 11:43 am