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Hikers' Headlines
Alamo Elementary - March 11, 2024
Important Dates
- 11 - PTO Meeting @ 4:00 p.m., Alamo Media Center
- 11 - Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 p.m., Washington Street Elementary
- 12 - Mileage Club @ lunch recess
- 13 - Delayed Start, school starts @ 10:00 a.m.
- 14 - Dress Up Day: Happy Camper - Dress like a lumberjack, park ranger, or camper.
- 14 - Bookmarks Due
- 15 - Mileage Club @ lunch recess
- 15 - 2nd Trimester Awards Assembly @ 2:00 p.m.
How Will You Show Your P.R.I.D.E. Today?
P - Positive Attitude
- Coral Hoff
- Phoenyx Balkema
- Blakeli VanLandegent
- Dawson Carr
- Benjamin Harrington
- Ryker Bishop
- Ryder Bessey
- Colton Bates
- Adelyne Gray
- Luke Richmond
March Is Reading Month
Reading month is kicked off on Friday, March 1st. Our theme is "Camp Alamo - We're going on a book hunt." Each week students will keep track of the time they spend reading at home and record it on their bookmark. Students who meet their weekly reading goal will earn a prize at the end of each week. The goal is for K-2nd grade students to read at least 75 minutes each week and 3rd-5th grade students should read 100 minutes each week. Bookmarks are due on Thursday of each week in order to be considered for a prize. There are also class goals and competitions throughout the month. Each week if the classroom reaches their goal, the class will receive a gold fish to add to their fish tank on Friday. All students will be working toward an all school goal of 150,000 minutes in which they will be able to either turn the principal into a s'more, crack an egg on her head or soak her with super soakers.
It will be a fun packed month with a visit from Steven's Puppets, an author visit, dress up days and literacy night. Throughout the month we will be enjoying new adventures. Each classroom will receive a new book on Tuesday along with a snack that goes with the book's theme. This year's literacy night will incorporate and "camping" theme as well, you won't want to miss the fun!
Social Work Scoop with Ms. Sarah
Alamo’s Social Worker loves her students and families. Thank you for welcoming me into the Alamo Family! I have enjoyed getting to know so many students and families. Now that I am getting comfortable in this role at Alamo Elementary I’d like to share some statistics with you that highlight how our students are served. Currently, I push into every classroom at least once a month. For this push in, we have a class lesson over the character trait of the month. Beyond that, I push in for behavior intervention purposes and to help build social skills “in the moment” with our students. During the 2nd trimester, 20 students benefited from individual or group sessions on a regular basis. An additional 9 students received as needed support. Countless other students were able to work through peer conflict with me serving as a mediator. This results in less bullying, less office referrals and less negative consequences.
Please let me know how I can serve your child! After conferences this week, I’ve received a couple of new referrals and cannot wait to start working consistently with more students. Would your child benefit from extra support? Here are areas some of the areas I can help support: building positive social skills, setting age appropriate boundaries, personal space, building friendships, feeling left out, raising self esteem, building confidence, anger, lying, tattling, family changes, learning and utilizing coping skills for anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns.
I am truly here to serve you and our students. I cannot imagine a career other than in School Social Work! I love our students! My purpose is to make sure everyone feels valued and cared about no matter what. Feel free to reach out anytime, smaxwell@otsegops.org or my office line 269-694-7619.
Capturing Kids Heart - COURAGE
Picture Books that Teach Courage
I can say NO by Jenny Simmons
Don’t be Afraid to Drop by Julia Cook
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
I will be Fierce! by Bea Birdsong
Riley the Brave by Jessica Sinarski
When You are Brave by Pat Zietlow Miller
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright
Brave as Can Be by Jo Witek
Am Courage by Susan Verde
DI Rtic Cooler Fundraiser
The Alamo Destination Imagination Team is raffling off a 52 qt. Rtic Cooler with a variety of goodies inside. Over a $200.00 value!
Tickets are available to purchase March 1-March 22 or at Alamo Elementary during Conferences (Wednesday, March 6 or Thursday, March 7).
Cash or Check only. Please make checks payable to: Otsego Public Schools
Prices:
$5.00 for 1 ticket
$20.00 for 5 tickets
Please turn in your ticket forms and money to the Alamo Office.
The winner will be contacted Monday, March 25. Thank you for supporting the Alamo DI Team!
Please Contact Jamie Siegler or Terry Webber for any questions:
Online Spirit Wear Store
Alamo WatchD.O.G.S.
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 - Make A Difference
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
March 11th
April 8th
May 13th
June 10th
Story walk Volunteers Needed
We are excited to be able to offer Story Walk during recess once a month to the students! In order to do so we need parent volunteers to come in and help us monitor the back trail! This will take place the last Thursday of each month during the lunch recesses. The time slot is from 11:30AM-1:15PM. If this is something you would be interested in helping with please sign up below!
If you have any questions please reach out to Annie at alamo.pto.volunteersignup@gmail.com
Grandparents Day - Save the Date
Grandparents Day is coming up this year! It will be held on Friday, May 10th during the school day. Please feel free to invite your Grandparents to this special day. More information will be available shortly.
Field Day - Save the Date
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......
Learn N' Grow Early Childhood Education Center
Is your little one ready to LEARN and GROW?
- Applications will be accepted in the LNG main office
- Returning families will have the opportunity to register early starting on January 22nd
Mileage Club
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.
Attendance Matters
Emergency Contact
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 your Free/Reduced Lunch App?
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
Alamo Elementary
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