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Hikers' Headlines
Alamo Elementary - February 5, 2024
Important Dates
- 5-9 - Mid-Winter Break, No School
- 12 - PAWS
- 12 - PTO Meeting @ 4:00 p.m., Alamo Media Center
- 12 - Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00 p.m., Otsego West Campus
- 13 - Mileage Club
- 13 - Destination Imagination
- 14 - Delayed Start, school starts at 10:00 a.m.
- 14 - Valentine's Celebrations
- K @ 1:40 p.m.
- 2nd @ 1:50 p.m.
- 5th @ 2:10 p.m.
- 3rd @ 2:20 p.m.
- 1st @ 2:40 p.m.
- 4th @ 2:50 p.m.
- 15 - PAWS
- 15 - Destination Imagination
- 16 - Mileage Club
- 16 - Dashboards Go Home
How Will You Show Your P.R.I.D.E. Today?
P - Positive Attitude
- Zoey Nelson
- Parker Anderson
- Claire Olech
- Zoey Zuk
- Aiden Lambrechts
- Kessler Kline
- Layla Nelson
- Sydnee Mobley
- Etta Mueller
- Allison VanAtta
Valentine Grams Extended to 2/13
Alamo Elementary is getting ready to kick off the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge (KHC)! This year, we are working to help all our students, staff and families learn the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR. It’s easy to learn and even our youngest students can play a part by calling 911 and finding a trusted adult. And, as always, we will all be learning how to take care of our hearts and minds, while helping raise funds for kids with special hearts!
Join us by signing up today! Download the AHA Schools app or visit heart.org/schools.
Get started on FINN’S MISSION where you and your family can help create a community of lifesavers by learning Hands-Only CPR!
The American Heart Association is excited to extend our work with the NFL to support improving health outcomes at home and beyond through the Hands-Only CPR education. Students that complete Finn’s Mission will earn an entry for two tickets to Super Bowl LIX in 2025 and our school will be entered to receive a $10,000 fitness equipment makeover for every 18 students who complete Finn’s Mission.
Capturing Kids Hearts - KINDNESS
What is Kindness?
Kindness is the ability and willingness to express care and compassion for others. Kindness is a choice to use our time, talent, and resources to better the lives of others and the world through genuine acts of love, compassion, generosity, and service.
Why focus on Kindness?
- Kindness boosts positive emotions. Acts of kindness create neural pathways that enhance feelings of well-being and the natural flow of feel-good endorphins and neurotransmitters.
- Kindness is self-replicating. When we perform an act of kindness, it is likely to encourage others to act in a similar way.
- Kindness reduces stress and anxiety. Kindness promotes positive relationships with other people. Anything that helps you to build bonds with other people helps decrease anxiety.
Social Work Scoop
Tips From Mrs. Maxwell
This week we had fun celebrating each other's differences at school! We celebrated how we all have different learning styles, different tools we need for success and other various needs. This week was highlighted to encourage our students to include ALL students, specifically those in Special Education. Here are some conversation starters you could use with your children or tips on how you as a family can continue the inclusion vibe!
1. Create an open line of communication with your children about different tools they use daily for their own success (pencils, desk, paper etc). Then highlight some different tools (some students need glasses, some students need medication etc). Talk about how these different tools still lead to success.
2. Embrace your child's curiosity. Answer their questions honestly, without dismissing them.
3. Try to frame any language you use in a positive perspective. An example of this would be a friend has a wheelchair because they need support, or that is their tool to move around. Instead of the negative perspective of he/she can't walk. Another positive example could be a student in class using a break card to calm down. The negative language of this would be that he/she is just angry.
4. If your child notices differences, try and also find the similarities your child may share with the other child.
5. Learn about disabilities together. It's okay not to know all the answers to their questions, but let them know you'll look into finding an answer. Then discuss this as a family, embracing the information you've learned together.
Late Registration Is Now Open
Register for Girls On The Run!
It’s time to start thinking spring! Girls on the Run late registration runs through Monday, February 26th.
If you have a daughter in 3rd-5th grade, you definitely want to look into this wonderful opportunity! The girls will be meeting on M/W from 4-5:30 p.m. Girls on the Run is a curriculum-based, after-school character development program designed for 3rd-5th grade girls of ALL fitness levels. The 10-week curriculum attempts to help each girl find and stay true to her REAL self. Groups of 8 to 15 girls meet twice a week with their trained, volunteer coaches to discuss important life lessons while playing fun running games. Girls on the Run emphasizes independent thinking, making healthy choices, healthy group dynamics, and problem-solving. The curriculum stresses peer support and doing your best. The program finishes with the girls running or walking in a non-competitive 5K. The program runs from March 4th -May 21st after school. The registration fee is $170. Scholarships are available on a sliding scale.
Alamo Little League - Sign Up NOW!
2024 season registration is OPEN! Make sure to complete your child's registration before 3/1.
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
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.
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.
Winter Wear
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.
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
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!
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