The Shoreline Scoop

August 21st

• No School

• Week 2 begins!
• XC practice 3:53-5:00 p.m.

August 26th

• No Delayed Start, School starts @ 8:30 a.m.
• XC practice 3:53-5:00 p.m.

August 28th

• No School

Aloha, Alamo Island Families!

What a paradise of a first week we’ve had together! It was a total ray of sunshine seeing our halls light up with bright, beaming smiles as our crew caught the wave and surfed straight into learning. Our entire team is so proud of how smoothly everyone navigated into their daily routines and embraced our island community values. A huge mahalo to all our families for riding out the first-week arrival and dismissal logistics with such grace, patience, and warmth. We are officially cruising into a fantastic school year, and I can’t wait for all the sunny discoveries, growth, and adventures ahead on our journey!

As we ride the waves through the year together, I will continue to share important updates via The Shoreline Scoop (weekly newsletter). Until then, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Island Headquarters (Alamo Main Office) or contact me directly if you have any questions.

“Catch the wave—prepare for a year filled with curiosity, courage, and tropical discoveries!”

Riding the Waves into a Year of Discovery!

Captain Knight-Lucas

Staff and students spend time over the first weeks of school reviewing PRIDE and what it stands for. This year, students will reference a PRIDE Behavior Matrix that is posted throughout the school. The matrix breaks down the expected behaviors in the hallway, bathrooms, cafeteria, library and at recess.

Student Behavior - THINK Sheets

Here in Otsego, we believe in a safe and orderly learning environment for all students. We understand that students make mistakes from time to time and that is okay as long as we have a growth mindset and learn from our mistakes. This school year all teachers in the building will be utilizing think sheets for students. They will look different from grade level to grade level based on student ability. The think sheet is meant to be a reflection tool for the student and a communication piece between the student, parent, and teacher. We ask that if you get one of these sent home with your student you review it with your student, sign it, and send it back to your child's teacher. We appreciate your continued partnership in the continued growth of your child!

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.

In an effort to keep all students, staff, and parents/guardians as safe as possible we will be utilizing the drop-off line for students who will not be utilizing bus transportation. During the first days of school, ALL staff will be outside to greet the students. Students will meet their classroom teacher in a designated location. On the first day of school parents are welcome to park and walk their child to his/her teacher. (Please see the pick-up procedures below in reference to each grade levels location.)

• Doors will open at 8:15 a.m. Students MUST stay in their vehicles until that time.

• Please pull up as far as possible when utilizing the drop-off zone.

• Students are to be dropped off on the curbside ONLY.

• Please have your child ready to exit the passenger side of the car.

• Parents who are dropping off in the morning should NOT exit their vehicles. Please give hugs and kisses at home or in the car and remind students to physically distance themselves from others as they enter the building.

• Staff members will be available to ensure each student arrives safely and directly to their classroom.

• Parents who do need to visit the office are asked to park or wait until the school day begins before entering the building.

• During morning arrival, parents are not allowed in the hallways. If you need to talk to your child's teacher, you are welcome to email them or leave a message in the office.

• Students who wish to attend breakfast can enter the building at 8:15 a.m. and head right to the cafeteria.

• Students who are not attending breakfast can begin entering the building at 8:15 a.m., and will sit in front of their locker until 8:20 a.m. Adult supervision will be provided at 8:15 a.m. until the classrooms are open.

• Students who attend BASE on occasion who are NOT attending BASE SHOULD NOT use their BASE code to enter the building. Abusing the privilege of a BASE code will result in the lose of a BASE code.

• Please drive safe and watch your speed when driving through the parking lot.

Alamo staff is committed to your child's safety and growing our relationship with parents. Below are our pick up procedures.

• Parents picking up their child(ren) from school will park in a parking space.
• DO NOT park along the sidewalk as this is a drop off zone only.
• Please DO NOT park outside the identified parking spaces. This creates congestion and can block the view of the rest of the parking lot.
• Students will wait in a designated pick up location with their classroom teacher. Teachers will be utilizing the sidewalk on the west side, the sidewalk on north side and the side walk in front of the gym for pick up locations. Kindergarten will be on the west side and all grade levels will follow down the side walk in chronological order with 5th grade in front of the gymnasium.
• Parents or guardians will be required to meet their child on the sidewalk when he/she is dismissed.
• Teachers will not release students unless there is contact with the child's parent or guardian.
• Please practice safety and patience while in the parking lot.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to a safe and happy school year!

Good news! Once again, breakfast and lunch will be FREE FOR ALL STUDENTS for the 2026-27 school year! However, it is still vital that you fill out the Educational Benefits Form on our website (formerly the Free & Reduced Meal Application) because it is tied to more than school lunches.

If you qualify, you could receive discounts on internet service, school Chromebook insurance fees, testing fees, summer EBT and more! It also determines a portion of federal funding for our district. It's a quick form to fill out - you only complete one per family.

*Please note: Students who take a second meal will be charged the regular meal prices for that meal. Milk can also be purchased for $0.75 a la carte.

To complete the Educational Benefits Form or add money to your child’s account, go to:www.otsegops.org/departments/food-service.

To help save on paper, we will not be printing lunch menus unless requested. You can visit our website or the OPS App to view the menu each month.

Hello Alamo Elementary Families!

I am writing to introduce myself as the school counselor. To share a little bit about my role, I support students in the three primary areas of academic, career and social/emotional development. My role as a counselor is also from the approach that my service to others includes students, families and all staff in the building. I am excited to continue to implement the new strategies learned that are district wide through the "Capturing Kids Hearts" program. My family has lived in the Otsego area for over 20 years and I have two adult children that are graduates of Otsego Public Schools. I am proud to now be an Otsego Bulldog myself!

Please reach out for any communication by email at: rambs@otsegops.org or phone: 269-694-7619.

We're excited to offer a fun and energetic volleyball program for girls in grades 3–6. Whether your child is new to the game or already has some experience, Spikers Volleyball focuses on building skills, teamwork, and a love for the game.

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! We are looking forward to another great year for the Bulldogs. With the start of the Fall 2026 sports season,

We will again offer 2026-2027 OPS home event passes/punch cards, which are good for regular-season home athletic events. We will also have student-only Wolverine Conference passes available.

Please see the attached flyers for additional details. You can use the direct links below to purchase your passes:

• Wolverine Conference Student Pass: (you must use your Student ID # as your passcode) - https://tinyurl.com/26-27WolverineConferencepass
• OPS Home Event Pass/Punch Card: - https://www.otsegops.org/athletics/tickets

Tickets may also be purchased at the gate using POS with a debit or credit card or online for each athletic event. Please note that cash will NOT be accepted at the gate.

Thank you for your continued support.

We are excited for another great year of Bulldog Athletics.

Go Dawgs!

Get your Wolverine Conference Student ONLY Pass today, good for all Otsego HOME games and all Wolverine Conference AWAY games (regular season). The first purchase window is now open and closes on September 16th. You will need your student ID number as a passcode to buy tickets.

https://www.otsegops.org/athletics/tickets - select Wolverine Conference Student pass.

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