Arcadia Stars Newsletter

It is hard to believe, but we have officially crossed the halfway mark of the school year! February is a short month, but it is packed with significant learning opportunities, community celebrations, and important milestones for our students.

Here is what is happening around our halls this month:

📝 WIDA TESTING: Let's cheer on our Multilingual Learners this month as they continue to take the WIDA assessment!

❤️ A Month of Kindness and Friendship

While many associate February with Valentine’s Day, at Arcadia, we will use this time to focus on the broader themes of kindness, empathy, and friendship.

• Classroom Celebrations: Teachers will be sending out specific information regarding classroom activities scheduled for February.

📚 Celebrating Black History Month

Throughout February, our students will be engaging in lessons and activities honoring Black History Month. From research projects to morning announcements highlighting influential figures to library read-alouds and art projects, we are committed to celebrating the achievements and history of African Americans. We encourage you to ask your children what they are learning about these important contributions to our nation’s history.

💯 The 100th Day of School!

One of the most anticipated days in elementary school is the 100th Day of School, which falls on

Friday, February 13th. To honor 100 days of hard work and fun, we invite all students to dress up this Friday, February 13th.

How to Dress Up - Here are a couple fun ways to participate:

1. Old School Cool: Dress up like you are a 100-year-old! Think gray hair, glasses, suspenders, pearls, shawls, or bow ties.

2. The "100" Collection: Wear a shirt decorated with 100 items! (Stickers, tally marks, googly eyes—get creative!)

We can’t wait to see our hallways filled with centenarians and creative counters!

Let’s make the 100th day one to remember!

❄️ Winter Reminders

Even though the groundhog may have predicted an early spring (or six more weeks of winter!), it is still very cold on the playground.

• Outdoor Recess: We try to get students outside for fresh air whenever the temperature/wind chill allows. Please make sure your child brings a warm coat, hat, and gloves every day.

• Lost & Found: Our Lost & Found is currently overflowing. Please stop by the main lobby to check for missing items.

🏫 Attendance

• Attendance: February and March often bring cold mornings and gray skies, but they also bring the most critical instructional time of the school year. Please support your students' daily attendance, which is from 8:50AM - 3:50PM. Every minute matters! See more details on upcoming attendance incentives and events below.

📅 Dates to Remember

• February 12th: Candy Gram Money Due

• February 13th: 100th day of School- Dress up spirit day!

• February 16th: Field Trip for K, 1st, and 2nd - 1,2,3 Andres @ Miller Auditorium- Be sure your student arrives on time and has their permission slip!

• February 18th: Orchestra Concert at Chenery Auditorium- see details below

• February 24th: Field Trip All Grades (K-5th) Pilobolus is a Fungus Performance- Be sure your student arrives on time and has their permission slip!

• February 25th: Literacy Night- Where the Mountain Meets the Moon...the adventure awaits!

• February 27th: NO SCHOOL WINTER BREAK

Thank you for your continued partnership. Whether it is helping with homework, volunteering in the classroom, or simply ensuring your child arrives on time and ready to learn, we appreciate all you do to support our school community.

Wishing Blessings, Peace, and Joy,

Meaghan O. Timmons

Principal, Arcadia

The PTO invites you to SWEETEN someone's day by purchasing a Candy Gram. You can buy a Candy Gram for $1 to give to a friend or yourself with a personal message on it! You can also order enough for half the class for $5 or order a whole class set for $10. You may pay with cash or check to the Arcadia PTO. Thanks for your support!

For families that sign up (see flyer and link below), starting Feb 18th KPS Food Service will be providing take-home breakfasts and lunches for those who have signed up to receive them who are observing Ramadan. The students who choose to participate in take-home meals will not be able to participate in school meals served at breakfast & lunch. Forms were sent home with students and you may see the link below for more information.

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

We would like to welcome Ms. Catie West to the Arcadia Staff Team! She is Arcadia's new Home Support Specialist. Ms. West will be working with families to support students' attendance. She will assist families by reaching out with phone calls, home visits, and creating attendance improvement plans. She will also be working with students by checking on daily attendance at school, running positive attendance support plans, and building relationships and community here at Arcadia! Welcome Ms. West!

• Students with 90% or higher attendance for the first half of school will receive a treat next week!
• Students with 90% or higher attendance will receive an invitation to a Glow Dance party in May!

Work with your student to ensure they are coming to school daily and staying all day to learn! Attendance Matters. All Day, Every Day!

Community In Schools:

• 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!

February 11th: Student Count Day

February 12th: Candy Gram Money Due

February 13th: 100th Day - Dress up spirit day!

February 17th: PTO Meeting in the library

February 16th: Field Trip for K, 1st, and 2nd - 1, 2, 3 Andres @ Miller Auditorium

February 18th: Orchestra Concert at Chenery - 6:30PM

February 24th: Field Trip All Grades (K-5th) Pilobolus is a Fungus Performance

February 25th: Literacy Night at Arcadia: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon 5:00PM - 6:30PM

February 27th: No School - Midwinter Break

March 8th: Daylight Savings

March 4th: PEEP and Kindergarten Orientation for the 2026-2027 School Year

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 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 Choir Performance

May 7th: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Music Performance

May 20th: 2nd and 3rd Grade Music Performance

• 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