Arcadia Stars Newsletter
March 4th, 2026
From the Desk of the Principal
Women's History Month
March is Reading Month
Dear Arcadia Star Students, Families, and Staff,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our spectacular Literacy Night!
It was a truly magical evening as we celebrated our all-school read, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, alongside a vibrant celebration of culture. From the delicious Asian food samples and chopstick practice to the beautiful origami and breathtaking dragon dancers, the event was filled with joy and wonder.
A huge thank you to our dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, and wonderful families for coming together to make this a night to remember.
We love our Arcadia Community! 🐉✨
As we turn the calendar page to March, we are entering an exciting and busy time of the school year. The days are beginning to get a little longer, and the anticipation of spring is in the air. We have seen incredible growth in our students since September, and our teachers are eager to keep that momentum going through the final stretch of the year.
Here are a few important updates and reminders for the month ahead:
🍜 PTO Fundraiser at Noodles and Company: Come to Noodles and Company on West Main to enjoy a meal with the Arcadia community on March 10th from 4PM - 8PM!
📚 March is Reading Month and Women's History Month
March is National Reading Month and Women's History Month! We have several fun activities planned to celebrate the history of trailblazing women and the joy of reading. We encourage you to make reading a special part of your daily routine at home. Whether your child is reading independently or you are reading aloud together, every minute counts toward building a lifelong love of books.
⏰ Daylight Saving Time
Don’t forget to "spring forward"! Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8th. Please remember to set your clocks ahead one hour. It sometimes takes our younger students a few days to adjust to the new sleep schedule, so keeping evening routines consistent will be very helpful.
🌦️ Dressing for Unpredictable Weather
March weather can be highly unpredictable. We will continue to have outdoor recess as long as the weather permits. Please ensure your child comes to school dressed in layers, with a warm jacket, as mornings are still quite chilly even when afternoons warm up.
A Note on Attendance: As we approach Spring Break, please remember that consistent attendance remains crucial for your child's academic and social success. Thank you for making every effort to get your children to school on time each day.
📅 Dates to Remember
March 4th: Kindergarten and PEEP Orientation for 2026-27 at Arcadia at 9:30AM or 5:30PM
March 9th: Field Trip for 4th and 5th Grade to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra- Be sure your student arrives on time and has their permission slip!
- March 10th: Arcadia Fundraiser - Let's join together with the Arcadia community to eat at Noodles and Company on West Main between 4PM and 8PM.
March 19th: No School for Students
- March 20th: No School for Students
- March 25th: Spring Conferences 4PM - 8PM
- March 25th: First Grade Field Trip to the Kalamazoo Public Library - Be sure to have your student to school on time with their permission slip!
- March 26th: Spring Conferences 12PM - 8PM
- March 26th: Half Day for students
- March 27th: No School
- March 30th - April 3rd: Spring Break/No School
- April 6th: School Resumes
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership, support, and dedication to our school community. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the main office or your child's teacher.
Wishing Blessings, Peace, and Joy,
Meaghan O. Timmons
Principal, Arcadia
PTO Updates
Arcadia Community Meal at Noodles and Company
Where: Noodles and Company - 5363 West Main St. Kalamazoo, Mi.
When: Tuesday, March 10th from 4PM - 8PM
PTO Sign Up to Support Teachers with Meals During Conferences
If you are interested in signing up to bring some food or a meal for teachers during parent teacher conferences, please sign up on the Sign Up Genius below!
Reminder:
ATTENDANCE MATTERS.
All day, Every day
Attendance Updates
As we dive into the second semester, we want to ask for your continued partnership in making attendance a priority. Consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in a student's academic growth, social development, and overall confidence. Every day of learning matters, and we truly notice and miss your child when they aren't here!
Attendance Matters. All Day, Every Day!
Student Attendance Celebration: Glow Dance Party
Get ready to light up the dance floor! We are thrilled to announce an upcoming Glow Dance Party to celebrate our students and their fantastic attendance so far this school year.
Showing up to school consistently is a huge accomplishment, and we want to reward our students' dedication to learning and being active members of our school community. The music will be playing, the glow sticks will be shining, and it is going to be a blast! Students who have 90% or higher attendance (90% daily attendance, 90% or less for late arrivals, 90% or less for early pick ups) for semester 2 will receive a special invitation to a glow dance party! Please support your students to ensure they are at school on time daily. In addition, ensure they are at school for the entire instructional day.
Where: Arcadia Elementary
When: May 2026
Who: Student's with 90% or higher attendance; 90% or less for late arrivals; 90% or less for early pick ups
Arcadia Safekeepers Agreement
"It's our job to keep the school safe. It's your job to help keep it safe."
As the weather gets warmer, please be mindful of our school wide expectations to keep our students safe at drop off and pick up. In the front circle drive, please remain in your vehicles and pull up to the curb for drop off and pick up. Please do not park and walk up to our lines of students. We need to keep the sidewalks clear for student travel. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe at arrival and dismissal!
Community In Schools
Community In Schools:
Girls on the run will be begin this Spring! Be sure to sign your student up if you are interested.
Family Health Center: Sign your student up for a health or dental exam here at Arcadia Elementary! See the link below.
Through our partnership with Loaves & Fishes and Communities in Schools, we provide Weekend Food Packs that include snack items and easy‑to‑prepare foods. Many families are already enrolled. If your family is new and needs to be added, please contact Ms. Katrina.
Mobile Food Distributions with Loaves and Fishes - see link below for more information!
Reach out to Katrina White at whiteka@kalamazoopublicschools.net if assistance is needed.
Does your student need a health or dental check up?
Sign up for an on-site visit for your student here at Arcadia!
Sign up below!
Want to get involved at Arcadia? Join the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)!
Our Beloved Community
Important Dates:
March 8th: Daylight Savings
March 9th: Field Trip for 4th and 5th Grade to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra- Be sure your student arrives on time and has their permission slip!
March 10th: Arcadia Fundraiser - Let's join together with the Arcadia community to eat at Noodles and Company on West Main between 4PM and 8PM.
March 19th: No School for Students
March 20th: No School for Students
March 19th: No School for Students
March 20th: No School for Students
March 25th: Spring Conferences 4PM - 8PM
March 25th: First Grade Field Trip to the Kalamazoo Public Library - Be sure to have your student to school on time!
March 26th: Spring Conferences 12PM - 8PM
March 26th: Half Day for students
March 27th: No School
March 30th - April 3rd: Spring Break/No School
April 6th: School Resumes
April 21st: PTO Meeting in the library
May 19th: PTO Meeting in the library
May 6th: 4th and 5th Grade Music Performance AND Choir Performance
May 7th: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Music Performance
May 20th: 2nd and 3rd Grade Music Performance
Arcadia and KPS Lines of Communication
- Communication Folders -These are plastic folders that go home with your student daily and/or weekly, which will hold hands outs, homework, and information.
- Arcadia Stars Monthly Newsletter - Electronically sent via email and texts, and posted on the Arcadia Website Page
- Arcadia Website Page: https://arcadia.kalamazoopublicschools.com/
- Arcadia PTO Facebook Page:
- KPS Website: https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/
- Phone Calls and Texts: You will receive phone calls and/or texts from both the principal, teachers, and the KPS district with updates and reminders.
- Emails
- Grade-Level Newsletters from teachers
- Google Classroom- Teachers that use Google Classroom will post and share assignments and information about their classroom.
Secretaries:
Ms. Bridget Sykes: sykesbd@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Mrs. Elexa Ferrera: ferreraem@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Principal, Meaghan Timmons: timmonsmo@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Contact Us
Email: timmonsmo@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Website: https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/Domain/10
Location: 932 Boswell Lane, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Phone: 269-337-0530
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpages%2Fcategory%2FElementary-School%2FArcadia-Elementary-PTO-280890238589792%2F
Secretaries:
Ms. Bridget Sykes: sykesbd@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Mrs. Elexa Ferrera: ferreraem@kalamazoopublicschools.net


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