The Shoreline Scoop

November 2nd

• PTO Meeting @ 4:00 p.m.

• Destination Imagination

November 3rd

• Mileage Club @ Lunch Recess

November 4th

• Delayed Start, School Starts @ 10:00 a.m.
• Destination Imagination

November 6th

• Mileage Club @ Lunch Recess

Upcoming dates

• 10: 1/2 Day, Conferences
• 11: 1/2 Day, Conferences
• 12: 1/2 Day
• 13: No School
• 20: Popcorn Friday
• 25-27: Thanksgiving Break, No School

Please join us for our Veterans Day Celebration Breakfast

Alamo Elementary School is hosting a Veterans Day Breakfast on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 from 7:45-8:30. If your child has family members who are Veterans, we would love to honor them with a breakfast.

If you need more information about our event, please contact

Jamie Siegler at jsiegler@otsegops.org.

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up soon! Please use the link below to select a conference time for each of your students. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with your child’s scheduled time. Our goal is 100% family participation!

How to Find Your Teacher:

• Classroom Teachers: Listed by name and grade level

• Specials Teachers: Listed by name and grade level

• School Counselor: Available for individual sign-ups

Need help scheduling? Contact the main office—we’re happy to assist you!

Positive Attitude

• Maisie Birdsall
• Adelyne Gray

• Avery VanderMeer
• Greta Warus

• Nolan Shearer
• Pyper Pohl

• Kamrynn Madison
• Millie Carnes

• Hope Main
• Freija VanderVeen

Back Row: 2nd grader - Avery VanderMeer, 4th grader - Layla Hill, 5th grader - Leona Carnes

Front Row: Kindergartener - Ezra Patterson, 3rd grader Leanna Ericks, 1st grader - Lliam Ledbetter

Attention skiers and snowboarders: If your family wants to take advantage of skiing/snowboarding at Timber Ridge Ski Area for a discount this winter, please stop by the office to pick up a ski club application or click below to print a copy. Applications and money are due by November 20.

Friendship Wesleyan Church is offering Thanksgiving baskets with an uncooked turkey, sides, and dessert to families needing support. Baskets will be available November 21, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Please complete the form below to request one.

Conference Meal Donations

Our fall conferences are right around the corner! Each year, the PTO provides a meal for our teachers and staff who are working those long conference days, and we’d love for families to help contribute. Donations will help cover both conference meals. Any remaining funds will be put toward Staff Appreciation Week in May. If you would like to contribute toward the conference meals, please be sure to sign up through the SignUpGenius link.

Donations can be made by cash or check, with checks payable to Otsego Public Schools. You can drop your donation off in the office or send it in with your child. Please be sure to label your donation “PTO Staff Sponsorship.” Conference Staff Sponsorship

Thank you so much for supporting our PTO and helping us create these special experiences for our students and staff! As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions to Annie at alamo.pto.volunteersignup@gmail.com. We are so excited for all of the fun fall events we have planned!

Thank you,
Annie Pruis
Alamo PTO

Our WatchD.O.G.S. program has officially begun for the 2026-7 school year. “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.

Helping Students Build Goal-Setting Skills

1) Set Goals and Make a Plan: Help students identify meaningful goals and create action plans with intentional steps to achieve success.

2) Monitor Progress and Make Adjustments: Provide regular feedback and opportunities for students to self-assess their progress, recognize growth, and adjust their behaviors when needed.

3) Reflect and Evaluate: Encourage students to reflect on their choices, thoughts, and words and consider how they align with their goals and vision for their learning and future.

TALK ABOUT IT: Talk with your child about their day, but guide the discussion by asking questions like: Did you make a mistake today? What did you learn? What did you do that was difficult today?

ENCOURAGE FAILURE (say what?!): Your child needs to know that failure can (and often does) happen and it is okay! Remind them that each time they fail and try again, their brain is growing stronger! Don’t step in to prevent your child’s failure - that is how they learn to persevere in the face of challenges.

PRAISE THE PROCESS: Instead of saying, “You’re so smart!” praise effort, goal setting, persisting through challenges, or being creative. You can say something like: “Wow! You must have worked really hard on this!”

THE BRAIN CAN GROW!: Remind your child that their intelligence is not fixed. When things are difficult, their brain grows if they persist through the challenge each time they learn something new, their brain is making new connections.

HELP THEM CHANGE THEIR DIALOGUE: Your child’s self talk or internal monologue makes a huge impact on their mindset. If they say, “This is too hard” help them change that to “I can’t do this yet, but I will keep trying.” Give them the words to say when they are feeling defeated by modeling it yourself!

Regina Ambs

Alamo Elementary School Counselor

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

This is the time of year when illness begins to spread. If your child has a fever or is sent home with one, please make sure they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.

Likewise, if your child has vomited, they should remain home for at least 24 hours with no vomiting. These precautions help keep both our students and staff healthy. Thank you!

As the weather cools down, please send your child with appropriate layers for outdoor recess! Review our Recess Dress Code below, which is based on the “real feel” temperature. Snow gear is required whenever there is snow, regardless of temperature. Thank you for helping our kids stay warm and ready to play!

Mark your calendars! Mileage Club is every Tuesday and Friday, weather permitting, during lunch recess! Families are invited to join us during their child’s lunch recess.

Don’t forget to send your child in tennis shoes on Mileage Club days. Let’s get moving, AES! 💙💛🐾

Kindergarten @ 11:35-11:55 a.m.

1st Grade @ 11:45-12:05 p.m.

2nd Grade @ 12:05-12:15 p.m.

4th Grade @ 12:15-12:35 p.m.

3rd Grade @ 12:35-12:55 p.m.

5th Grade @ 12:45-1:05 p.m.

🏀 Hoopsters Basketball is open to boys and girls in 3rd–5th grade! This 3-on-3 program costs $60, with practices beginning in December and games in January. Register by November 10 to join the fun!

📣 Otsego Junior Cheer’s winter session is open to students in Young 5’s–5th grade! The season runs November 9–February 6 and costs $60. Practices will take place in the OMS Cafeteria, with practice days to be announced. Young 5’s participants must turn 5 by December 1.

On delayed start Wednesdays, doors will open at 9:45 a.m., and school will begin at 10:00 a.m. Teachers and staff will be using this time to plan interventions, take part in Professional Development, and collaborate.

Please note that we DO NOT have delayed starts on 1/2 days.

2026-27 PTO Meeting Dates

• November 2
• December 7
• January 4
• February 1
• March 1
• April 12
• May 17

Students at Alamo can purchase popcorn on the last Friday of the month beginning on September 25th. Popcorn can again this year be purchased for the entire year by sending $4 per student (discounted, as well as the "easy button" for parents!) on or before the first popcorn date of September 25th, or it can be purchased each individual time for $0.50.

Below are the dates for popcorn Friday this year.

• November 20
• December 18
• January 29
• February 26
• March 26
• April 30
• May 28

We know that your dog, or any pet, can be a member of the family and a best friend; however, it is important to know that pets are not allowed on school property, even if they are on a leash. A number of children, and some adults, are not comfortable around all pets and may be allergic so for the health, safety and comfort of all of our visitors, they are not permitted in school buildings or on school district property. (Exceptions are made for service animals, animals under the control of public safety officers and for instructional purposes with prior approval from the district.) Thank you for your understanding of this policy.

New this year: A copy of your driver’s license must be included with all background check forms.

Please send in a copy of your driver's license or take a picture and email it to:

Robbin Carter: rcarter@otsegops.org

Terry Webber: twebber@otsegops.org

Background checks are good for 1 year from the last approved day.

In accordance with Michigan’s statewide law taking effect for the 2026–2027 school year, all public school districts are required to maintain policies restricting student cell phone and personal electronic device use during instructional time to minimize distractions and promote engaged learning. At the elementary level, all personal electronic communication devices (including cell phones and smartwatches) must remain powered off and stored inside student backpacks/lockers throughout the school day. Exceptions are made for approved medical needs, IEP/504 accommodations, or district-owned instructional technology. We appreciate your support in helping our students stay focused, present, and ready to learn!

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.

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