Dear Parents,

In today's interconnected world, social-emotional learning (SEL) is more critical than ever. As your partner in education, one of our most important roles is to nurture our students' ability to understand and manage their emotions, develop positive relationships, and show empathy towards others. Parents play a crucial role in this process, as they can model and encourage empathetic behavior in their children. Empathy, in particular, is a foundational aspect of SEL that enables children to appreciate others' perspectives, build strong relationships, and navigate social complexities with kindness and understanding.

Students attend an SEL class as part of their specials rotation. Mrs. Hancock is the SEL class teacher. Each month, students learn about a specific character trait and how to apply these traits to various real-life situations in school, at home, and in the community. During this class, students participate in lessons that teach and use empathy.

Empathy, the ability to recognize, understand, and share the feelings of others, is a character trait that can benefit children in numerous ways. It involves cognitive and emotional components, such as understanding another person's situation and emotionally connecting with their experience. By fostering empathy in your child, you can help them build strong relationships, resolve conflicts constructively, promote inclusivity, and enhance their emotional well-being.

1. Empathy is a powerful tool for building strong relationships. Children who practice empathy are better equipped to form and maintain healthy relationships, as they can understand and respond to the emotions of others. Empathy should reassure parents about their children's social skills and ability to connect with others.
2. Resolve Conflicts: Empathetic children are more likely to handle conflicts constructively, as they can appreciate others' viewpoints and find mutually beneficial solutions.
3. Promote Inclusivity: Empathy fosters inclusivity and acceptance, encouraging children to appreciate diversity and build a more compassionate community.
4. Enhance Emotional Well-being: Understanding and sharing emotions can reduce feelings of isolation and improve overall emotional health.
5. As a parent, you are a powerful role model for your child. Children learn by observing their parents. By demonstrating empathy in your interactions with others, you can significantly influence your child's understanding and practice of empathy. This should make you feel empowered and influential in your child's emotional development.
6. Encourage Perspective-Taking: Engage your child in discussions about how others might feel in different scenarios. Ask questions like, "How do you think your friend felt when that happened?" to help them consider others' perspectives.
7. Read and Discuss Stories: Books and stories are excellent tools for exploring emotions and empathy. Choose stories with diverse characters and experiences, and discuss the characters' feelings and actions with your child.
8. Practice Active Listening: Teach your child to listen attentively without interrupting. Show them how to respond with understanding and compassion.
9. Validate Their Emotions: Acknowledge and validate your child's feelings. Acknowledging their feelings helps them understand and articulate their emotions, which is the first step towards understanding others' emotions.
10. Encourage Acts of Kindness: Create opportunities for your child to engage in acts of kindness, such as helping a friend or participating in community service. Discuss how these actions make others feel.
11. Use "I" Statements: Teach your child to express their feelings using "I" statements, such as "I feel sad when you take my toy." The use of I statements helps children communicate their emotions and understand others' feelings more effectively.

By fostering an environment where your child feels safe to express their emotions without judgment, you can encourage open conversations about feelings and experiences. This should make you feel caring and responsible for your child's emotional well-being. Parents can support their children by incorporating SEL into Daily Life. Integrating social-emotional learning into everyday activities can help your child practice empathy regularly. Here are a few ideas:

• Family Discussions: Set aside time for regular family discussions, during which everyone can share their feelings and experiences. Discussions help children see the importance of empathy in everyday life.
• Role-Playing: Use role-playing games to explore different scenarios and emotions. Role-playing can be a fun and effective way for children to practice empathy.
• Reflective Questions: At the end of the day, ask reflective questions such as "What made you happy today?" or "Did you notice anyone feeling sad today?" These questions encourage children to think about their own and others' emotions.

By prioritizing empathy as a key component of social-emotional learning, parents can equip their children with the tools they need to navigate life's challenges with compassion and understanding. Cultivating empathy benefits individual children and contributes to a kinder, more inclusive society.

The students will focus on a specific character trait each month in Mrs. Hancocks class. In addition, each student will bring home a newsletter on the character traits they focus on in class.

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 MTSS Coordinator at Pine Avenue Elementary:

As we approach a season of reflection, let’s take a moment to celebrate the power of affirmations and thankfulness in shaping our children's growth and well-being. The words we speak to our children can uplift their spirits, build their confidence, and encourage them to approach challenges with resilience. We have been working on weekly affirmations since the beginning of the school year and this week’s affirmation was, “I am Loved.”

This is also a perfect time to nurture a sense of gratitude. Next week’s affirmation leading into the holiday break is, “I am Thankful.” By modeling thankfulness in our own lives, we teach our children the importance of appreciating both the big and small moments. A heart full of gratitude fosters a mindset of abundance and joy, helping them recognize the goodness in themselves, others, and the world around them.

Together, let’s remind our children how valuable they are and encourage them to see the blessings in every day. Through affirmations and thankfulness, we lay the groundwork for them to grow into confident, compassionate individuals.

With appreciation,

Jennifer Jaeck

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.

November 27-29 Thanksgiving Break

December 4-6 Pine PTO Book Fair

December 11 Late Start

December 23-January 3 Winter Break

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