Dear Pine Avenue parents,

Report cards will go with students on Friday, November 15, 2024. Grades are a crucial component of the educational journey, providing insights into students' progress and areas needing improvement. As parents, it's essential to understand the significance of grades and how teachers work diligently to support students, especially those who may be behind grade level.

Grades are essential to a student's understanding and mastery of the Michigan State Grade Level Standards, which are a set of learning expectations for each grade level in Michigan. They help identify strengths and weaknesses, guiding teachers and parents in providing the necessary support to enhance learning. However, it's important to remember that grades are just one piece of the puzzle. They should be viewed as a tool to help students grow, not as a definitive judgment of their abilities or potential.

Your child's teacher is aware that some students may need to perform at grade level. When a student is not performing at grade level, this can be due to various reasons, such as learning differences, gaps in prior education, or challenges outside the classroom. Pine teachers are committed to supporting their students and implementing strategies to help close the achievement gaps. For example, your child's teacher utilizes assessment data to identify specific student struggle areas. In addition, Pine teachers differentiate instruction. Your child's teacher recognizes that each of their students learns differently and tailors their teaching to meet the diverse needs of their students. To meet the needs of their students, teachers vary their teaching methods, identify specific strategies and learning activities students need to be successful, and adjust the material to ensure all students can grasp the concepts being taught. You can be confident that your child's needs are being addressed with these strategies in place.

As your partner in your child's education, we recognize the vital role parents play. Pine teachers want and encourage a collaborative effort to enhance student learning by maintaining open lines of communication, providing regular updates, and offering resources for at-home support. We encourage all our parents to keep in regular contact with their child's teacher to stay informed about their progress and any areas needing attention. Attend parent-teacher conferences and ask questions to understand better how you can support your child's learning at home. Any parent can request to meet with their child's teacher. Closing student learning gaps takes a partnership with parents. Students must practice their math facts and what they have learned in class by completing their homework. Parents can support their children by providing a quiet, organized space for their child to complete their homework and study. Parents are encouraged to have a consistent routine that includes time for both learning and relaxation. In addition, seek out online tools that can reinforce learning at home. One of the most essential methods a parent can engage in is to foster a positive attitude towards learning by encouraging your child to see challenges as opportunities for growth. Celebrate their efforts and progress, no matter how small.

Understanding student grades and recognizing the efforts to close achievement gaps is crucial for parents who want to support their child's educational journey. Pine teachers are dedicated to helping every student succeed, and with your active involvement, we can work together to ensure that all students reach their full potential. Together, we can significantly impact your child's academic success.

Your partner in education,

Dr. Konowalow

From the desk of Pine Avenue’s MTSS Coordinator

As the end of the first trimester is happening this week at Pine Avenue, I am pleased to share the great growth that is occurring. Our students are following, sharing and explaining their ROARS with their peers. They have built solid relationships with their teachers and other staff members working around the building in our classrooms, cafeteria, library, hallway, bathrooms and on the playground. Our students are engaged in instruction, participating in activities and completing assignments. Personally, I have enjoyed getting to know all of the students and having conversations with a lot of Pine parents as well.

At Pine Avenue, our data collecting system for how well our students are following their ROARS (Respect Others, Act Responsibly and Be Safe) is called SWIS (School Wide Information System). From the beginning of the school year in August to the end of the first trimester in this first week of November, our SWIS data is as follows:

• 150 total referrals (71 for fourth grade, 79 for fifth grade)

• 46 referrals happened in the classroom

• 39 referrals happened on the bus

• 21 referrals happened on the playground

• 13 referrals happened cafeteria

• 12 referrals happened in the hallway

• The rest of the referrals happened in smaller quantities in other areas of the school

• Monday is the day of the week with the least amount of referrals and Tuesdays is the day with the most amount of referrals

We appreciate working with you in partnership in providing your child with experiences to maximize their potential!

I can be reached at Pine Avenue Mondays- Fridays. My phone extension is #6561, and my email is jjaeck@almaschool.net Have a wonderful weekend.

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

November 13 Late Start

November 15 Trimester Awards; Report Cards go home

November 27-29 Thanksgiving Break

December 4-6 Pine PTO Book Fair

December 11 Late Start

December 23-January 3 Winter Break

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.

Pine Panther 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. Ms. Jaeck or Mrs. Stahl 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