The Weekly Update Panther Pride

Dear Hillcrest and Pine Avenue Families,

As we begin a new school year, I want to share how we’re helping students grow not just academically, but emotionally and behaviorally. At our school, we believe that learning to navigate change is a life skill—and we’re teaching it every day.

Whether it’s adjusting to a new teacher, routine, or classroom dynamic, students are supported through our SOAR framework:

• Show Respect

• Own Your Choices

• Act Responsibly

• Rise to Challenges

When students SOAR, they ROAR—with Panther Pride. That means they’re not just following rules—they’re building character, confidence, and community.

A key part of this growth is self-regulation. We teach students how to calm their bodies and minds when emotions run high. Strategies include deep breathing, counting slowly, using words to ask for help, and finding quiet spaces to reset. These tools help students pause, reflect, and respond with purpose.

You can support this at home by naming emotions, modeling calm problem-solving, and celebrating effort over perfection. When students see these values in action both at school and at home, they begin to internalize them—and that’s when real growth happens.

Thank you for partnering with us. Together, we’re helping our Panthers become not only stronger students, but kinder, more capable humans.

Your partner in education,

Dr. Konowalow and Ms. Jaeck

Kindness Kick-Off Parent Newsletter

As we begin the school year, we want to ensure every child has access to nutritious meals. While Michigan has not yet finalized its state budget, students will receive free breakfast and lunch through September 30, 2025. After that date, meal eligibility may change depending on state funding.

To prepare for any changes and ensure your child continues receiving meals, we strongly encourage all families to complete the Household Information Report as soon as possible. This form not only helps determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals—it also directly impacts our school’s Title I funding.

Title I funds support essential programs like reading and math interventions, classroom resources, and additional staff to help students succeed. When families complete these forms, it strengthens our ability to provide high-quality instruction and support for all learners.

You can complete the form online at the link provided below, or reach out directly to our Food Services Coordinator:

Grace Kaczorowski

(989) 466-7529

gkaczorowski@almaschools.net

Thank you for partnering with us to support every child’s success—your action makes a difference.

🚍 Transportation & Arrival Details Coming Soon!

A separate newsletter will be sent to families with important information about student transportation, as well as drop-off and pick-up procedures for both Hillcrest and Pine Avenue. We appreciate your attention to these details as we work together to ensure a smooth and safe start to the school year!

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: