Hikers' Headlines

April

• 30 - Mileage Club @ lunch recess
• 30 - Fun Run Prize: Slushies
• 30 - Destination Imagination

May

• 1 - Delayed Start, school starts @ 10:00 a.m.
• 2 - 5th Grade to Greenfield Village
• 2 - Destination Imagination
• 3 - Progress Reports Go Home
• 3 - Mileage Club @ lunch recess
• 3 - Fun Run Prize: Extra Recess
• 10 - Grandparent's Day (See Schedule Below)
• 6 - Fun Run Prize: Glow Dance Party
• 6 - Public Forum: Health Curriculum Proposals (see below), OMS Media Center, 7 pm
  
• 14 - 5th Grade Track N Field Day @ Bulldog Stadium, 11:00-2:00 p.m.
• 15 - Last Delayed Start
• 27 - No School, Memorial Day Weekend
• 31 - Popcorn Friday
• 31 - 1st Grade to Binder Park Zoo

June

• 6 - Kindergarten Program
• 7 - Alamo Track N Field Day
• 12 - 1/2 Day, dismissal @ 12:10 p.m.
• 12 - 5th Grade Recognition, 10:00 a.m.
• 13 - LAST DAY: 1/2 Day, dismissal @ 12:10 p.m.

Your voice is valued at Otsego Public Schools and we want to know what you believe are our building and district strengths, what we do well, and areas where we can improve. Please click on this short video for a message from Supt. Haase on the importance of this yearly opportunity. Thank you!

Two proposed changes to the 6th grade reproductive unit will be the topic of public forums on May 6, 2024.

The Otsego Public schools Reproductive Health and wellness team is proposing two changes to the 6th grade reproductive health unit. The State of Michigan requires Reproductive Health be taught but allows parents to opt out of that unit of Health class before it happens. Parents can review the unit in its entirety before deciding.

The proposed changes are:
1) to replace a video on puberty, that is over 20 years old, with a newer, more up-to-date video.
2) to add four new definitions to the unit.

Check out the district website for additional info: https://www.otsegops.org/news/~board/district-news/post/public-forum-notice

Teacher appreciation week is May 6th-10th, but due to Grandparent's Day on Friday Alamo will be celebrating our amazing staff the week of May 13th-17th. Please join us in honoring our incredible staff either the week or May 6th or May 13th.

P - Positive Attitude

• David Baylor
• Renley Guritz

R - Responsible Actions

• Alivia Laupp
• Anastasia Peugeot

I - Integrity Within

• Breck Rogers
• Sydney Pintarelli

D - Determination to Succeed

• Zyla Turbin
• Finn Hill

E - Expect Excellence

• Lennyx Hill
• Brooklynn VanSparrentak

Thank you to ALL of our Alamo families for your generous support during our one and only fundraiser for the year. This year's fundraiser reached an all time high of $24,000! We can't thank you enough for helping provide funds to continue to support fun and learning here at Alamo Elementary. The Alamo PTO will begin awarding students who earned prizes throughout the month of May.

Prizes Include:

• $15: Slushie
• $50: Extra Recess
• $100: GLOW Dance Party
• $175: Ice Cream Party
• $250: Airbourne

Throughout the year, PTO provides meals for teachers at conferences as well as gifts during staff appreciation week. Staff appreciation week is coming up in May. This year PTO has been collecting sponsorships or donations throughout the year to help support these projects. If you would like to help support Teacher Appreciation Week, please click on the link below to donate.

Thank you to ALL that donated snacks for M-STEP! We appreciate you!!!

We are still in need of donuts for our end of M-STEP celebration. If you are able to donate please see the link below. Please note that all items except for the donut holes are due to school by 4/19 at 4PM. The donut holes have separate due dates which are listed on the sign up genius. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Students in grades 3 – 8 and 11 will be assessed on Michigan’s current content standards in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies. This year, the M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) will be given from April 10th through May 26th in an online format.

The following is important information regarding this test and your child’s participation.

All components of the test will be given online. It is a computer-based test.

• Grades 3, 4, and 5 will be tested in ELA (reading, writing & listening comprehension) and Mathematics.
• Grade 5 will be tested in Science and in Social Studies.

Testing will consist of an online test and will be administered within the following guidelines:

• The Online Test Session may be administered in 1 session with a scheduled break (not to exceed 20 minutes) or in 2 separate sessions of equal length (45 minutes each for grades 3‐5) on the same day.
• Breaks may be provided during test sessions using the software’s pause feature.
• Although the Online Test Session is not timed, schools should allow about 1.5 hours of testing time for students in grades 3‐5.

State Testing Window for M-Step is as follows:

• The 5th-grade Science assessment will consist of one 45-minute session.
• The 5th-grade Social Studies assessment will consist of two 30-minute sections.
• Each school is scheduling these assessments individually; a schedule for WSE is as follows:

ELA

• 5th Grade - 4/23
• 4th Grade - 4/30
• 3rd Grade - 4/30

Math

• 5th Grade - 5/7
• 4th Grade - 5/7
• 3rd Grade - 5/9

Science

• 5th Grade - 4/30

Social Studies

• 5th Grade - 4/25

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT STUDENTS ARE IN ATTENDANCE ON THE DAYS OF TESTING!

If you would like to view sample questions please click on the link below. Then follow these steps:

• M-STEP Online Training Tools
• Sample Item Sets
• Grade of Choice
• Subject Area

Alamo Elementary's annual field day at Bulldog Stadium will take place on Friday, June 7th from 10:00-2:00 p.m. More information to come......

Spring is the time of year when we begin planning for the 2024-2025 school year. Placement of children in classes is a part of that planning and a most difficult task. Responsible placement decisions take time and many consultations among staff members. Our goal is to make the best match between student, teacher, and learning environment. Many factors must be considered such as gender ratios, academic ranges, social behavior, personalities, special needs, and learning styles. If you feel you have special insights regarding your child that could assist with our selection, it is certainly welcome. We ask parents to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Provide information about your child’s needs.

• Do NOT request a specific teacher or friendship group. A detailed description of your child’s learning style and individual needs is more helpful.

• Information must be in writing and submitted by May 3rd, please email Mrs. Knight-Lucas at nknight-lucas@otsegops.org

Remember that due to the many factors involved, we are unable to make any guarantees, other than the fact that we will put much thought, consideration, and individual attention into each and every placement. We hope you will rely on our expertise and know that the best possible placement will be made for your child.

Our WatchD.O.G.S. program is in full swing. “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.

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

May 13th

June 10th

We are excited for another year of Mileage Club! You are 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.

• 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.

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.

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!

Have you filled out the Free/Reduced Meal Application yet? Another round of PEBT cards will be coming out, you must qualify for free or reduced meals to receive this benefit. Applying is easy! It takes less than 10 minutes and you only need one form per family. Click here to get started: https://www.otsegops.org/departments/food-service

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