Arcadia Stars Newsletter

As the beautiful month of November comes to an end, I wanted to take a moment to pause and express my deepest appreciation for the remarkable community we share. More than ever, I am filled with thankfulness for the collective spirit and commitment that defines the Arcadia community.

• Guardians, we are truly grateful for the incredible role you play in your child’s education. Your support is the cornerstone of our success, and we see evidence of it every day in your partnership, volunteer work, attendance at conferences, and attending recent family events.
• Thank you to our students! Students are the reason we do what we do, and their energy and enthusiasm fills our hallways and classrooms with purpose!
• Thank you to our staff for the impact you have on our students, as you are building future leaders, artists, critical thinkers, and engaged citizens.

This time of year reminds us that gratitude is not just a feeling, but a powerful action. The kindness, collaboration, and dedication demonstrated by our entire community—parents, students, staff, and volunteers—make Arcadia a truly special place to learn and grow.

Reminder: NO SCHOOL for students on November 26th, 27th, or 28th.

Wishing Blessings, Peace, and Joy,

Meaghan O. Timmons

Principal, Arcadia

"It's our job to keep the school safe. It's your job to help keep it safe."

As we continue through the school year, we want to reiterate a few critical procedures for arrival and dismissal to ensure the safety and efficiency of our student pick-up and drop-off lines.

Your adherence to these guidelines is essential in keeping our sidewalks clear and our students safe.

🛑 Key Safety Rule: Stay in Your Vehicle

(Unless you are an ECSE preschool parent, please follow the classroom dismissal plan for picking up your students!)

To maintain a smooth flow of traffic and prevent crowding, we require all parents and guardians who pick students up in vehicles to follow these steps:

• Remain in your vehicle at all times.

• Pull all the way up to the curb. Do not stop or wait until you reach the front of the designated pick-up zone.

• Your student will be supervised by staff members as they walk directly to your vehicle for boarding.

🚫 Please Avoid This Safety Risk

We must insist that parents do NOT park their vehicles, exit their cars, and enter the student waiting area.

• Crowding: This action significantly crowds our sidewalks and creates obstacles for students and staff. When a handful of adults crowd the sidewalk, it makes it difficult for students to get to their vehicles or walk to their homes.

• Safety Hazard: It also poses a serious safety risk by introducing pedestrians and parked cars into an active traffic flow zone.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us prioritize the well-being of all our students. Following these simple steps ensures that our arrival and dismissal times remain safe, swift, and secure for everyone.

This week, we are excited to recognize all students who achieved an attendance rate of 90% or higher for the first quarter of school.

• Recognition: These students have consistently shown up, ready to learn, and they will be receiving a special treat this week.

🌟 Every Quarter is a Clean Slate!

We want to encourage all students to aim for this attendance goal moving forward!

Remember, every quarter offers a fresh start and a clean slate to earn the next incentive!

• Goal: The challenge is now on for Quarter Two! Students who achieve 90% attendance or higher by the end of this quarter will receive the next recognition treat.

We look forward to seeing everyone commit to being present and on time for the second quarter. Let’s keep up the great work!

Volunteers Needed for Popcorn Friday:

• We are interested in volunteers for our popcorn Friday coming up next month. Please fill out the google form below if you are interested in volunteering to help pop and bag popcorn!

Field Trips:

• December 2nd: Field Trip for grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th to see Jazzy Ash, music performance. Students leave early in the morning upon arrival. Make sure you arrive on time and have your permission slips turned in.
• We have several field trips coming up over the next few months. (Check calendar below.) Please be sure you have filled out any permission slips that are sent home so that your student can attend.

Community In Schools:

• Weekend Food Packs are available now for families that would like one. Forms are available in CIS office to sign-up.

• Vision Assistance Fund is available to help assist in getting children a pair of eye glasses. Reach out to Ms. Katrina for assistance/form to fill out.
• Mobile Health and Dental Clinics - see flyers and form below! This is a wonderful opportunity for your student to receive dental and medical visits on site at Arcadia!
• If you are interested in the Arcadia After School Program though Community In Schools, please reach out to Josh Smith at smithjd@kalamazoopublicschools.net.

Nov. 26th- Nov. 28th: No School- Thanksgiving break

December 2nd: Field Trip for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade - Jazzy Ash performance

December 10th: No school for students

December 22nd - January 4th: Winter Break/ No School

January 5th: School Resumes

January 20th: PTO Meeting in the library

February 2nd: No School for students

February 9th- 13th: Spirit Week

February 11th: Student Count Day

February 17th: PTO Meeting in the library

February 16th: Field Trip for K, 1st, and 2nd - Around America performance

February 24th: Field Trip All Grades (K-5th)

February 25th: Literacy Night at Arcadia

• 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

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