Dear Parents,

This week, our students have been actively engaged in NWEA assessments, and the results are truly inspiring. In the majority of our classrooms, teachers are witnessing significant growth, a testament to the effectiveness of these assessments and the hard work of teachers and students. As your partner in education, we understand the importance of the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) target goals for our children's academic progress. The NWEA's MAP Growth assessments provide invaluable data that can help tailor educational paths to individual student needs. According to the NWEA, these target goals are crucial. Teachers use target learning goals to catch up and excel their students, ensuring each student's unique needs are met.

The role of NWEA Target Goals begins with personalized learning. NWEA assessments, a cornerstone of our educational approach, offer insights into students' academic levels, allowing for meaningful and realistic customized goal setting. This reassures us that we provide our students with the most effective education. Our NWEA target goals are not arbitrary but rooted in growth measurement. These goals are based on normative data, reflecting the average growth observed among students nationwide, ensuring our students are on par with national standards. One of the critical benefits of NWEA target goals is the motivation and ownership it instills in students. When students are actively involved in setting their goals, they develop a sense of ownership over their learning, leading to increased motivation and effort. We have an outstanding number of students who made or exceeded their projected growth. However, it's important to note that making or exceeding NWEA target goals does not guarantee success in the M-Step, a different assessment that measures proficiency in Michigan state standards.

When students don't meet their target growth, we have a support system in place. We continue to address any gaps in knowledge and provide additional support, such as tutoring, personalized learning plans, and extra resources, to get them back on track. This ensures that every student receives the help they need to succeed, and you can rest assured that we are here to support your child's academic journey.

We are eagerly looking forward to sharing your child's NWEA Parent Reports with you. Students will bring home their reports on Friday, January 31, 2025. If you have any questions about your child's progress, please don't hesitate to contact the office or your child's teacher. We believe that this information will provide valuable insights into your child's academic journey and help us work together to ensure their succes!

Your partner in education,

Dr. Konowalow

Jan 18, 2025

From the Desk of the K-5 Counselor:

Greetings parents and caregivers of Pine Avenue scholars. I hope this January message finds you warm in your homes, perhaps like me, well stocked with kleenex, decongestants, and working batteries in your thermometer to check temperatures. Truly 2025 has come in hard, blustery and cold. Fortunately this month our social emotional focus is on Perseverance. As your children face standardized testing, indoor recess, school cancellations, and the like, I continue to see resilience, acts of kindness, and students’ ability to ask for help when needed, or help others as needed. Maybe it’s in the hardest months that we see the heights of growth which have taken place. It is truly remarkable to see your kids doing so well when challenged. I remind them we are only a few months away from spring. They remind me that playing in the cold snow is still fun! And for the most part, they seem to be having fun!! All of that said, January has no shortage of challenges thus my sincere hope is that you will reach out to me or another trusted Pine Avenue staff member, should any need arise in which we may offer support. I love hearing from you, and I love your children. Best wishes in this new year!

Anne M. Swan, LMSW

K-5 School Counselor/Social Worker

aswan@almaschools.net

Please see the Google link for our new Drop off/Pick-up Procedures below.

January 20 PTO

January 20 Parent Seminar at Hilcrest

January 29 100th Day of School

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