Dear Parents,

This is our last week of school before winter break. As your partner in education, we understand that the holiday season, while often painted with joy, festivity, and togetherness, can also be a time of significant stress and pressure for many families. The weight of expectations, financial pressures, and the stress of managing schedules and traditions can sometimes overshadow the warmth of celebrations. Amid the hustle and bustle, it's essential to remember what truly matters: the importance of family.

At the heart of the holiday season is the opportunity to strengthen the bonds that hold your family together. It's a time to reflect on family's importance and prioritize love, kindness, and togetherness over material gifts and elaborate plans.

Focusing on family helps navigate the stress of the holidays and sets a positive example for children. It teaches them the value of relationships, the importance of being present, and the joy that comes from shared experiences and genuine connections. Remember, it's not about the grand gestures, but about being there, fully present, in the moment. Engage in activities that allow you to connect, whether baking cookies, playing board games, or taking a winter walk together.

As you move through the holiday season, remember that the greatest gift you can give and receive is the love and support of your family. Cherish these moments, embrace the imperfections, and find joy in the simple act of being together. Your family is your greatest treasure, and the holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate and appreciate this.

From the whole staff at Pine Avenue, we wish you a wonderful holiday season.

Your partner in education,

Dr. Konowalow

Each year, the Pine Avenue Student Council members decide on the December Spirit Days. Students are invited to join in the fun and celebrate the Pine December Spirit Days.

From the desk of Pine Avenue’s K-5 Counselor

Dear Parents and Caregivers of Pine Avenue Students, Season’s Greetings!!

Whether you are observing Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, or other celebrations this time of year, I truly hope you are finding peace in this season. Many of us are looking forward to an extended break soon to spend quality time with family and loved ones. While this truly is a special time of year, it can also come with challenges, situations, and moments that are not “merry and bright.” Sometimes the amplified joy of others, or circumstances beyond our control, can create a very different mood. In starting this week’s message to you, I contemplated the various names and ways the season is celebrated, but in closing I realize perhaps the singular meaning of the season is caring. And I hope you know we at Pine Avenue care about your children. I would like to extend a very heartfelt wish for you and yours to enjoy the gifts of peace, health and happiness over the winter break. And if you, or someone you know may benefit from additional resources and support, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

All the best,

Anne Swan, K-5 Counselor

aswan@almaschools.net

989-466-7651 ext. 6526

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the holiday season, we want to remind you of the importance of maintaining

regular school attendance, especially during the week leading up to and following the holiday

break. While we all look forward to time with family and friends, consistent attendance plays a

crucial role in your child’s academic success.

Why Attendance Matters During the Holiday Season:

● Consistency is Key: School routines and learning build on each other. Missing even a

few days can create gaps in understanding, particularly with key concepts and

end-of-unit assessments.

● Building Habits: Good attendance habits are essential to long-term academic

achievement. Setting the tone now helps your child stay on track not just this year, but in

the future.

● Engagement & Preparation: The weeks before the holiday break often include

assessments, projects, and celebrations that are important to your child’s academic

growth.

Quick Reference: Tips for Ensuring Your Child Stays on Track During the Holidays

● Plan Travel Around School Days: Try to schedule family trips during breaks to avoid

unnecessary absences.

● Notify the School Early: If you know your child will be absent for any reason, please

inform the school in advance so we can support their learning while they are away.

● Limit Late Arrivals and Early Departures: Arriving on time and staying for the full

school day maximizes your child’s learning opportunities.

● Stay Engaged at Home: Encourage your child to complete assignments, review

lessons, and stay in touch with their teacher if they miss any school days.

Let’s work together to help your child finish the end of 2024 strong! Students who have

maintained or improved their attendance from the end of last school year through the first

trimester this school year will receive a certificate from the school. We appreciate your

continued support in making school attendance a priority.

Warm regards,

Jennifer Jaeck

MTSS Coordinator

Pine Avenue Schools

I can be reached at Pine Avenue Mondays-Fridays. My phone extension is #6561, and my email isjjaeck@almaschools.net

Please see the Google link for our new Drop off/Pick-up Procedures below.

December 23-January 3 Winter Break

January 6 School Resumes

January 10 Early Release Day

January 13 Board Meeting

January 15 Parent Teacher Connection Night: Family Stem Activities & More

January 20 PTO

Late Start or Early Release

Alma Public Schools will implement Late Start or Early Release Days September through May. The dismissal time for Pine Avenue’s early release is 11:43 am. The school day at Pine Avenue will begin at 11:43 on the late start days. Please note, Late Start days are on Wednesdays and our Early Release days will be on Fridays.

September 11-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at 11:43 am

October 11-Friday-Early Release-End at 11:43 am

November 8-Friday-Early Release-End at 11:43 am

November 13-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at 11:43 am

December 11-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at 11:43 am

January 10-Friday-Early Release-End at 11:43 am

February 28-Friday-Early Release-End at 11:43 am

March 12-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at 11:43 am

April11-Friday-Early Release-End at 11:43 am

May 14-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at 11:43 am

Thank you in advance for planning transportation for your students.

1. Always show your ROARS.

2. Look ahead, not back. Each moment and day are a new beginning.

3. Meet high expectations and goals for yourself, and always display GRIT.

4. Build positive relationships with everyone. Care about each person, and make sure they know you care.

5. Follow directions, procedures, and always do your best.

6. Respect yourself and others.

7. Always play fair, include others, and use words to resolve problems and conflicts.

8. Take responsibility for your actions, accept consequences, and the word no.

9. Do not spend time engaging in rumors or making fun of someone, and always remember words can hurt.

Pine Panther 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. Ms. Jaeck or Mrs. Stahl 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.

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.

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.

Ensuring student safety before and after school is a high priority. We are asking all parents and guardians to support Pine Avenue during school drop off and pick up by adhering to the following procedures:

Campus supervision for students begins at 7:35 a.m.

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.
• ID checks will be requested as needed. (Please make sure all adults who will pickup your child are on your pickup list.)

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.

We appreciate your support in assisting us to ensure a safe student drop off and pick up.

We understand that events come up for parents, and changes must be made to students' dismissal plans. Parents are asked to please make sure to call in any transportation changes before 2 pm. The end of the day is hectic at an elementary school, and we must be aware of any changes before then. In addition, we also encourage you to send a note to your child's teacher or the office on the day of a transportation change. Students will not be dismissed to anyone not on a student's pickup list. Parents who have given us permisson to release to an adult through a change of dismissal plan, the person picking up the student must present a valid picture ID.

Parents: A medication authorization form must be completed each school when a student requires medications to be distributed at school. Should you need a form, don't hesitate to contact Mrs. Bailey or Mrs. Quiroz in the office at 989-466-7651.

The listed titles below are also direct links to the desired information.

Pine Avenue Elementary

1025 Pine Ave.

Alma, MI 48801

Phone:

989-466-7651

Principal:

Dr. Kathy Konowalow

Administrative Assistant:

Mrs. Carrie Bailey

Start Time: 8:03 am

End Time: 3:10 pm

Late Start/Early Release: 11:43 am