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January is School Board Appreciation Month! Please take a minute to say “thank you” when you see them! Our Board of Education members are (back row from left) Todd Bentley(Treasurer), Jason Davis, Mike Keeler (Secretary), (front row from left) Jessica Hazelhoff, Amy Stender(President), Shelly Jirgens (Vice President) and Shannon Goodwin.

Jan. 27

• Student of the Month Assembly @ 9:00 a.m.

Jan. 28

• 3rd Grade Musical Rehearsal @ 9:15-11:45 .m.
• Mileage Club
• 3rd Grade Musical @ 7:00 p.m., Otsego High School Auditorium

Jan. 29

• Delayed Start, School Starts @ 10:00 a.m.

Jan. 31

• Popcorn Friday
• Mileage Club

• Progress Reports Go Home

Feb. 4-7

• Mid-Winter Break, No School

Feb. 10-14

• Snocoming Week (see dress up days below)

Feb. 10

• PTO Meeting @ 4:00 p.m., Alamo Media Center
• Board of Education Meeting @ West Campus High School, 7:00 p.m.

• Valentine's Day Celebrations
• Dashboards Go Home

Feb. 21

• Donuts w/Dudes @ 7:45 a.m., Alamo Gymnasium

Positive Attitude

• Elliott Jager
• Sullivan Brady

• Blakeli VanLandegent
• Brooklynn VanSparrentak

• Mason Rudolph
• Joseph Zimmermann

• Grayson Sanchez
• Syrenity Johnston

• Jayden Steenholdt
• Paisley Haskamp

You are an important part in the search for the next Superintendent of Otsego Public Schools! Please remember to complete the Otsego Superintendent Search Input Survey by Monday, January 27th. This brief survey asks for your input on the qualities, experiences and skills you’d like to see in our next district leader.

Then, on January 28th, you are invited to meet with our MASB consultant from 5:15-6:15pm at the WSE Media Center. You can read more on the search process and timeline on our website.

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.

Join us in Sharing the Warmth! National Honor Society members are collecting new scarves, gloves, socks and hats to help keep others warm during Michigan's harsh winters. This January drive benefits those at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. Donations can be dropped off at the high school or you can order off the Amazon wish list here: https://tinyurl.com/Sharethewarmth25 Thank you for your support!

Our WatchD.O.G.S. program will officially begin for the 2024-25 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.

It's almost time to get our little bulldogs registered for Kindergarten! The online application opens February 1st. Students who currently attend Learn 'n Grow Early Childhood Education Center will be screened during their preschool day. Those outside of LNG will sign up for a time on April 23, 2025 between 8-9:15am or 4:15-5:30pm at our elementary schools.

We're excited to begin enrollment for our littlest bulldogs on February 10th! We have tuition and tuition-free spots available for our youngest learners to explore and learn in this nature-based program. Scholarships are also available!

Enjoy a special evening at this year's Father/Daughter Dance "Love You to the Moon and Back", Saturday, March 1st at OHS! Dancing, cookies, pictures and more! Just $15 if you sign up by February 24th! Don't miss out!

• This month's Capturing Kids' Hearts character trait is Respect. We use monthly themes to help teach social emotional skills to our students, as we know these are the most important tools in being successful in their personal and educational lives.

OPS is looking ahead to "Inclusion Week" in March. The Otsego High School RISE, and Special Education level 2 and level 3 classes, with the help of their LINKs plan to help encourage the importance of including students with disabilities. Inclusion builds a community of acceptance and support for everyone.

The high school is selling shirts as a fundraiser for Unified Champion Schools. If you are interested in purchasing a T-SHIRT, the online store will be open from January 6th until midnight on Monday, February 17th. We will plan to wear the shirts as a spirit day on Friday, March 28th, but this is TOTALLY OPTIONAL!

January’s CKH character trait of the month is RESPECT. What better way to think about respecting others than by practicing inclusion? At OPS we believe that all students have value and strive to ensure equality for all. Below are some practical tips for talking with your children about inclusion and how they can do their part.

1. Model inclusive behavior by looking at your own personal beliefs and behaviors. Do you promote the same values you want your kids to have? Celebrate ALL differences while treating everyone with kindness and respect.

2. Model to your children that it’s okay to have a difference of opinions, but we still need to be kind and respectful to everyone.

3. Help your child build a good self esteem by providing opportunities for them to be capable and competent.

4. Model and teach empathy by noticing feelings of those around you.

5. Emphasize similarities we have with everyone, even when it’s easier to notice the differences.

For more info please visit Big Life Journal and 7 Key Steps to Raising Inclusive Kids.

You are also invited to join us any Tuesday or Friday (weather permitting) during your child's lunch recess time. Please make sure your child wears tennis shoes these days.

Here are the recess times for each grade level.

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 4:10 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

Feb 10

March 10

April 14

May 12

June 9

If your child is absent and the absence is unexcused, you will receive an automated phone call reminding you to report the absence. Please remember to report your child’s absence, before 9am, by calling our attendance line at (269) 694-7680.

Join Alamo Parents REMIND

Would you like to receive text updates on important dates and activities taking place here at Alamo Elementary? REMIND is a safe and efficient communication app designed for teachers/schools to communicate important classroom/school information. If you are interested in receiving updates from Alamo Elementary via text, text this message @alamopare to the number 81010 or click on the link below.

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