The Pine Press
May 13-17, 2024
Message from the Principal
As your partner in education, understanding the importance of the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) target goals for our children's academic progress is essential. The NWEA's MAP Growth assessments provide valuable data that can help tailor educational paths to individual student needs. According to the NWEA, these target goals are so important. And, importantly, summer school can be a beacon of hope, a beneficial resource for those who fall short, offering a path to catch up and excel.
The Role of NWEA Target Goals begins with personalized learning. NWEA assessments, a cornerstone of our educational approach, offer insights into students' academic levels, allowing for meaningful and realistic customized goal setting. This reassures us that we provide our students with the most effective education. Our NWEA target goals are not arbitrary but rooted in growth measurement. These goals are based on normative data, reflecting the average growth observed among students across the nation, ensuring our students are on par with national standards. One of the critical benefits of NWEA target goals is the motivation and Ownership it instills in students. When students are actively involved in setting their goals, they develop a sense of Ownership over their learning, leading to increased motivation and effort. We have an outstanding number of students who made or exceeded their projected growth. However, making or exceeding NWEA does not mean students will pass the M-Step.
When students fail to meet their target growth, we continue to address any gaps in knowledge and provide additional support to get them back on track. We encourage any student who still needs to make their target growth to sign up for our summer school program. Please get in touch with your child's teacher or the office if you would like more information about summer school.
Your partner in education,
Dr. Konowalow
K-5 Summer School
Change of Student Dismissal Plan
PTO Fun Run at Pine
Thank you PTO for a great Fun Run and going above and beyond to make a difference for our students. Pine Panthers appreciate you!
Pine PE!
The parachute is always a favorite in PE, no matter how old you get! 4th and 5th graders have enjoyed doing some of their favorite activities with the parachute this week with Mrs. Terres in PE.
Mark Your Calendar!
May 13-23, 2024 NWEA
May 17, 2024 PTO Community Book Fair
May 24-27, 2024 No School Memorial Day Weekend
June 6, 2024 Last day of school
PAES Student and Staff Values
The Pine Staff and students see failure as an opportunity to learn rather than a negative reflection on oneself. We value the lessons learned from our mistakes.
The Pine staff and students are committed to one another and treat each other with respect. We value high expectations of ourselves and others too.
The Pine Staff and students value kindness. We strive to be kind to one another, being considerate of one another, and always using our manners.
The Pine Staff and students value integrity and strive to always do the right thing, even owning and learning from our mistakes. As a school we are driven by a clear moral compass.
The Pine Staff and students strive to ensure all learners feel welcomed and accepted. We value the inclusion of everyone and want everyone to feel they belong.
PAES Student Behavior Norms
Always show your ROARS.
Look ahead, not back. Each moment and day are a new beginning.
Meet high expectations and goals for yourself, and always display GRIT.
Build positive relationships with everyone. Care about each person, and make sure they know you care.
Follow directions, procedures, and always do your best.
Respect yourself and others.
Always play fair, include others, and use words to resolve problems and conflicts.
Take responsibility for your actions, accept consequences, and the word no.
Do not spend time engaging in rumors or making fun of someone, and always remember words can hurt.
Panther Paws and Student of the Week
PPanther Paws are used as an incentive to promote positive school behaviors throughout the school setting. Students earn Panther Paws when they are caught displaying their ROARS behaviors. As students acquire Panther Paws, they turn them to enter Panther Paw drawing every Friday. Mr. Nevins draws Panther Paws and announces the winner over the loudspeaker. Panther Paw winners pick a prize from the Panther Paw Prize Cart.
Each week, one student per class will receive the teacher-selected Student-of-the-Week. Teacher-selection is based on students consistently displaying their ROARS, PAES Behavior Norms, and learning grit. Student-of-Week winner will receive a mini certificate and will have the class Student-of-the-Week trophy sit on their desk for the week.
We look forward to celebrating all of our students and their accomplishments. Please know that each week we attempt to get all the pictures of our winners, student pictures are updated regularly.
Alma Public Schools Behavior Expectations
Volume levels are being taught and reinforced in classrooms and buildings with K-5 students. This structure allows students to be mindful of their voice level across the various school settings when interacting with others throughout the school day. Volume levels are being taught and reinforced in classrooms and buildings with K-5 students, and this structure teaches students to be mindful of their voice level when interacting with their peers across various school settings. Throughout the school day, students utilize the appropriate level based on the learning activity they are engaged in based on the direction of the teacher.
ROARS stands for Respect Others, Act Responsibly, and be Safe. These are district-wide behavior expectations that all staff members reference as they provide instruction in the classroom and move throughout the school setting. ROARS is the anchor to all school procedures and routines.
APS App/Rooms
Please make sure you are using and checking the APS app, Rooms. Using APS APP-Rooms is how your child's teacher will communicate with you throughout the year. Studies show that parent involvement in a child's education increases the student's education. Your partnership with this program is essential. Each week, you will learn about what is happening in class and the many excellent learning opportunities the teacher provides for your child. Remember to turn on the notifications.
Pine Avenue Elementary Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
MORNING Drop Off:
Pull all the way forward to the light post to drop off students.
Keep students in the vehicle until you are past the overhang at the entrance.
AFTERNOON Pick Up:
Pull all the way forward until you are asked to stop by an adult. This is usually 2 car lengths past the light post.
For student safety, students will enter vehicles when told to do so by an adult.
- This occurs when the vehicle is past the light post.
Parents are asked to refrain from making left hand turns into the parking lot. This vehicle maneuver will cause the traffic to backup on Pine preventing a smooth flow of traffic.
Parents/guardians who are choosing to park in the parking lot and pick up their student afterschool:
- To ensure students' safety , please use the school's crosswalk which is located outside our main doors, by the overhang. This is the only location people should be crossing the parking lot for safety. We have a paraprofessional assigned to assist students in crossing upon seeing their parent/adult.