The Shoreline Scoop

August 28th

• No School

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

September 2nd

• No Delayed Start, School starts @ 8:30 a.m.
• Last day to sign up for XC
• XC practice 3:53-5:00 p.m.

September 4th-7th

• Labor Day Weekend - No School

We are so excited to set sail into a fantastic new school year together! Our incredible staff has been hard at work getting ready to make this year an absolute breeze for your students. To get to know the amazing educators and team members making waves at Alamo Elementary, catch the wave and click the special link below to meet our island crew!

Quick schedule reminder for our OPS families! ️ There will be NO SCHOOL on

Friday, August 28th. Have a wonderful weekend!

Aloha, Alamo Island Families!

What another paradise of a week we’ve had together as we wrapped up week two of our school year journey! Our halls were beaming with bright, sunny smiles—especially as our youngest island crew members, our Kindergarteners, completed their very first full week of school! We also gathered for a high-energy kick-off assembly where we introduced our incredible staff and caught the wave together to review our schoolwide expectations around Bulldog PRIDE. Our entire team is so proud of how smoothly our students continue to navigate daily routines and embrace our island community values. A huge mahalo to all our families for riding out the daily arrival and dismissal logistics with such grace, patience, and warmth. We are officially cruising full speed ahead into a fantastic school year, and I can’t wait for all the sunny discoveries, growth, and adventures ahead!

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 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

Please take a moment to review the attached Elementary Student Handbook 2026-27. It contains essential information regarding our school policies, expectations, daily procedures, and safety guidelines for the upcoming school year. Partnering with you to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all our students is a top priority, and reviewing this guide together helps start the year off on the right foot. If you have any questions after reviewing the handbook, please feel free to reach out to the main office!

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!

Positive Attitude

Responsible Actions

Integrity Within

Determination To Succeed

Expect Excellence

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!

As part of our commitment to supporting every student’s reading journey, our school is introducing a brief literacy assessment tool called mCLASS DIBELS 8th Edition. You may hear your child talk about taking a quick reading check-in, so we wanted to share what this is, why we use it, and what it means for your child.

What is DIBELS? DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a set of short, standardized reading measures designed for elementary students. It acts like a "routine eye exam," but for reading—giving us a quick, accurate picture of foundational skills like sound recognition, word reading, and fluency.

Why are we using it?

• Early Detection: It helps us spot individual strengths and identify areas where a student might need extra support before they fall behind.

• Targeted Instruction: Teachers use the results to tailor classroom reading instruction to your child’s exact needs.

• Tracking Growth: We test briefly three times a year (fall, winter, and spring) so we can celebrate your child's progress over time.

What to expect:

• It’s quick and stress-free: Most assessments take only 1 to 3 minutes per measure and are completed one-on-one with a teacher.

• It is NOT a graded test: DIBELS is an instructional tool, not a traditional pass/fail exam. Students do not need to study or prepare.

How you can support at home: The best preparation is simply maintaining your regular routine! A good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and continuing to read together at home for a few minutes each day are all your child needs.

We look forward to partnering with you to ensure your child has a successful and confident year of reading growth. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher or the main office.

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.

Purple Week is coming up September 21-25, and the time is now to get your purple apparel! We have short and long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, and more! All proceeds go directly to cancer and Parkinson’s disease research at Van Andel Institute. Wearing your purple shows your support for the cause - we hope to make this the most successful Purple Week fundraiser yet!!!

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.

• September 25
• October 23
• November 20
• December 18
• January 29
• February 26
• March 26
• April 30
• May 28

The Book Fair is back! Please be sure to stop by and do some shopping Sept. 16th-Sept. 23rd to buy your favorite little one or your favorite teacher a new book.

What Does an Elementary School Counselor Do?

School counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. Elementary school counselors work with every student to improve academic achievement, personal and social development, and career planning.

As an elementary school counselor, I manage a comprehensive, developmental, results-based school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success. I teach classroom counseling lessons, facilitate small counseling groups on various needed topics, and counsel children individually on a short-term basis. I consult and collaborate with the principal, teachers, and parents. Working together, we create safe harbors for children. The knowledge, attitudes, and skills that students acquire in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social development during the elementary years serve as the foundation for future success.

Elementary school counselors help children manage any problems that are keeping them from being the best learners they can be. When problems arise, whether they are occurring at school or at home, I help children to find their own best solution to their problem. When children feel good about themselves, they have a much better chance of being academically successful.

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

Hello Alamo Elementary Families!

I am excited to be joining Alamo as a school social worker! As a social worker, I will be supporting students with their social/emotional development, particularly students who have a more individualized plan for their development in these areas. My role will be split between all three elementaries in the district. Although I did not attend Otsego Public Schools, I grew up in the area and participated in many Alamo and Otsego activities. My family recently moved back into the Alamo area so now I have a 3rd grader at Alamo Elementary, a Y5er at Washington Street, and an almost 2 year old!

Please feel free to reach out with any questions by email at: aericks@otsegops.org or phone: 269-694-7631. Email is the quickest way to reach me at this time.

Delayed starts begin Wednesday, September 9th! Throughout the school year, Otsego Public

Schools will start 90 minutes later on Wednesdays. Buses will also arrive 90 minutes later than

their usual arrival time.

This gives our staff meaningful time for professional development, while also giving students

and parents a slower start to one of your mornings.

Please see our school’s delayed start time below:

Alamo Elementary: 10:00am - 3:53pm

Dix Street Elementary: 9:50am - 3:43pm

Washington Street Elementary: 10:00am - 3:53pm

Otsego Middle School: 9:15am - 2:46pm

Otsego High School: 9:15am - 2:46pm

Get ready to catch the wave of school spirit as we celebrate Homecoming from September 18th–22nd! Join our island crew by dressing up for our tropical Spirit Days! Don't miss the fun ashore—our Homecoming parade sets sail at 5:45 PM in downtown Otsego followed by the home varsity football game. Let's make some waves and show off our Bulldog pride!

You’re Invited!

Who: Alamo Students & Families

When: Tuesday, Sept. 22nd

Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Where: Alamo Elementary School

We are really excited for a fun night of activities on Tuesday, September 22nd. Please plan to join us for a hot dog dinner between 6-7 p.m. Weather permitting, we will be outside. So, be sure to bring your lawn chairs or blanket for a family picnic.

Our library will be open for our annual Book Fair. The Book Fair will be open from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Fall festival games will be held outside between 6:30-7:30 p.m. The games this year will have a "Tropical Beach" theme. Prizes will be available for current Alamo students and siblings. Other activities include slushies, cotton candy, popcorn and bounce houses.

We hope you are able to make this fun event!

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.

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.

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