The Weekly Update #4

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As April approaches, students in grades 3–5 will begin participating in the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP) on April 7. These standardized tests are an important part of your child's educational journey, assessing mastery of academic standards and providing valuable insights into their learning and growth.

As your partner in education, we value and want to share why the M-STEP assessment matters. The M-STEP measures how well students understand and apply the knowledge and skills outlined in Michigan's educational standards. For third graders, these tests represent an accumulative evaluation of everything they've learned from kindergarten through third grade. The scores from these tests serve as a baseline for growth measurements as they transition into fourth grade. They also highlight areas of mastery and areas where additional support may be needed to achieve success with fourth-grade standards.

The M-STEP results offer meaningful feedback for parents and students alike. They allow educators to tailor instruction to meet students' needs and provide parents with a deeper understanding of their child's progress. These tests are not merely assessments—they're tools for guiding our children on their educational path.

The Importance of student effort and encouraging your child to give their best during M-STEP is vital. Tests like these build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, help children take pride in their accomplishments, and prepare them for adulthood. By putting forth their best effort, students can showcase their knowledge and demonstrate their growth as learners.

I want to express my gratitude to our teachers and extend our heartfelt thanks to them. Their commitment to preparing students for success is truly remarkable. Their hard work and care have equipped students with the skills and confidence needed to perform their best on these assessments.

The NWEA will follow the M-STEP. Students will take a well-deserved break before moving on to the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) assessments. All students in grades 1–5 will participate in these tests focusing on reading and math skills. The NWEA provides another opportunity to track progress and ensure students meet essential learning benchmarks.

As parents, your encouragement is crucial to your child's testing experience. Celebrate their efforts and help them see the value in these assessments. A good night's sleep, a healthy breakfast, and positive words of support can make all the difference.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child's education. Together, we can ensure that your child feels confident, motivated, and ready to shine.

Your partner in education,

Dr. Konowalow

https://secure.smore.com/n/krz4u0-the-weekly-update-4

Below is the Hillcrest Swim Program Schedule. Your child's teacher will be sending additional information via the APS App-Rooms. Please contact the office for any questions you have.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As children grow and develop, learning how to work together with others is a crucial skill that will serve them well in school and beyond. Cooperation isn’t just about getting along with others – it’s about learning to share ideas, compromise, and work toward a common goal. Here are effective ways to encourage cooperation in your child’s life. Here are a few tips you can use at home to foster collaboration and teamwork:

1. Set Clear Expectations for Teamwork: Children thrive on structure. When you set clear guidelines for cooperation, it helps them understand what is expected. Whether it’s during a family activity or when they’re working on a group project at school, explain that cooperation means everyone must share responsibility and help one another.

2. Praise Efforts, Not Just Results: Focus on praising the process of cooperation, not just the end result. When your child works well with others, acknowledge their efforts and teamwork. This reinforces the idea that cooperation itself is valuable.

3. Provide Opportunities for Group Activities: At home, offer your child opportunities for group activities where cooperation is key. This can be as simple as working together to set the dinner table, taking care of pets, or collaborating on household chores.

4. Model Cooperative Behavior: Children learn a great deal by observing their parents. Model cooperative behavior in your own interactions. Whether it’s problem-solving with your partner or helping a neighbor, your child will notice how cooperation leads to positive outcomes.

5. Encourage Empathy and Understanding: Teaching children to consider others’ feelings and viewpoints is key to cooperation. Encourage your child to understand that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and that’s okay!

6. Establish a Teamwork Mindset with Rewards: When cooperation is done well, make sure to celebrate it. Rewards can be an effective tool to reinforce positive behavior. Whether it’s a verbal “good job,” a special treat, or extra playtime.

7. Create a Safe Space for Conflict Resolution: Disagreements are natural, even in cooperative settings. Show your child how to resolve conflicts calmly and respectfully. Teaching them how to disagree politely, listen to others, and come to a compromise is an important life skill.

8. Reinforce the Value of Teamwork in School: Sometimes children need extra encouragement to see the value of cooperation in the classroom. Encourage your child to participate in group activities and projects. Remind them that everyone brings something unique to the table, and working together can make schoolwork more fun and less stressful.

9. Be Patient: Finally, remember that learning cooperation takes time. Some kids may be more natural collaborators than others, but with consistent guidance and opportunities for practice, they will develop stronger teamwork skills. Celebrate their progress, and keep encouraging them to keep trying! By encouraging cooperation at home and in school, you’re helping your child develop skills that will benefit them for years to come. Cooperation fosters empathy, builds friendships, and helps children learn to solve problems and work toward common goals. Let’s work together to give our kids the tools they need to succeed in life – both as individuals and as part of a team.

Melissa Dow

MTSS Coordinator at HES

1st Grade Courage

2nd Grade Courage

3rd Grade Courage

4th Grade Courage

5th Grade Courage

Student of the Week and Month:

Earning Student of the Week or Month honors as part of a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) school acknowledgement program can be an exciting and motivating way for students to be recognized for positive behavior. Here are the ways in which students can earn Student of the Week or Month honors:

Late Start or Early Release

Alma Public Schools will implement Late Start or Early Release Days September through May. The dismissal time for Hillcrest is 11:38 and 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.

February 28-Friday-Early Release-End at HC-11:38; PA-11:43 am

March 12-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at HC-11:38; PA-11:43 am

April11-Friday-Early Release-End at HC-11:38; PA-11:43 am

May 14-Wednesday-Late Start-Begin at HC-11:38; PA-11:43 am