Dear Alto Families,
It was a great Homecoming Spirit Week last week! Thank you to everyone who participated and brought a little extra spirit to our school this past week. It was a fun and entertaining week!
Fundraiser Update
Thank you for your generous contributions to our annual fundraiser! As you know, our goal each year is to consolidate our fundraising efforts and limit the times we’re asking for donations throughout the school year. With your help, we have been successful in these efforts once again! Our profit from this year’s fundraiser was $21,632! These funds will allow us to support field trips, family events, special classroom projects and supplies, and supplemental curricular purchases.
Field Trips
We have had amazing weather for our fall class field trips! We have recently had kindergarten and 3rd grade classes visit Heidi’s Farmstand and Bakery for their school program. We have also had many classes visit the Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience and Environmental Education Center https://www.lowellschools.com/our-district/wittenbach-center/. Our fourth grade classes have visited the South Kent Landfill and the Lake Michigan Lighthouse in Whitehall. We are so thankful for the quality programs provided by these community partners to help provide meaningful and engaging learning outside of the classroom.
Popcorn Friday
Today is Popcorn Friday! Thank you to the parent volunteers helping today to provide this special treat. This is another example of a special experience we wouldn’t be able to provide to our students without your generosity with our fundraising efforts. Your support has allowed us to maintain our popcorn machines and purchase supplies to have Popcorn Friday once a month for all students to enjoy! Thank you!
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held at the school on the evenings of October 14th and 16th from 4:00-7:30 PM. We look forward to seeing you all then!
Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair will be featured the week of P/T Conferences! During the week of October 14th (Monday-Thursday), students will have opportunities during the school day to visit the library to make purchases. The book fair will also be open the evenings of October 14th and 16th during P/T Conferences.
No School October 18th and Half Day October 31st
Just a reminder that we do not have school Friday, October 18th. We hope everyone enjoys the three day weekend! Thursday, October 31st will be a half day for students. Our half day dismissal time is 12:00 PM. During the afternoon hours, our dedicated teaching staff will be working collaboratively within their professional teams.
Halloween
We will be celebrating Halloween on Thursday, October 31st. The school parade will start at
11:00 AM. Parents are encouraged to join us! The parent viewing area will be outside unless we have inclement weather that day. If we have inclement weather, the parent viewing areas will be moved inside. The plans for class parties and activities will be communicated by your child’s teacher. The teachers will also reach out regarding volunteer opportunities. We ask that parents do not “drop in” at parties unless they are signed up to volunteer or prior arrangements are made with the teacher. We hope that this relieves some pressure parents often feel to attend class parties because they think it is expected that every parent attends. We encourage students to bring costumes to wear for the parties and parade. Please note: Toy weapons, blood, gore, etc. are not allowed with costumes at school. Teachers will be communicating their requests for donated treats or other items. Our Alto staff has decided that we will continue to require that all treats be store-bought (no homemade treats please). This will also continue to apply to birthday treats as well. We’re looking forward to this fun event!
Have a great weekend!
With gratitude,
Paul Papes, Principal
