Dear Pine Avenue parents,

As we gather around the table this season, it's a perfect time to reflect on the many blessings that enrich our lives. Among these, our students and their families stand out as a source of immense gratitude. Each student brings unique talents, perspectives, and energy to our classrooms, making them vibrant places of learning and growth. Their families, too, play an invaluable role in supporting their children and collaborating with educators to create a nurturing environment for success.

Gratitude is more than just a fleeting feeling; it's a powerful tool for fostering positive relationships and well-being. By expressing thankfulness, we strengthen our connections with others and cultivate respect and appreciation. In education, gratitude helps build a supportive community where students feel valued and motivated. Recognizing and celebrating the efforts of students and their families can boost morale, encourage perseverance, and inspire a shared commitment to learning.

Let's take a moment to acknowledge our students and their families' hard work and dedication. Their partnership is vital to creating a thriving educational experience. This season, let's embrace the spirit of gratitude and extend our heartfelt thanks to all who make our schools special places to learn and grow.

Your partner in education,

Dr. Konowalow

Due to Thanksgiving Holiday, the next newsletter will be sent on 12/6/24

Each year, the Pine Avenue Student Council members decide on the December Spirit Days. Students are invited to join in the fun and celebrate the Pine December Spirit Days.

From the desk of MTSS Coordinator at Pine Avenue Elementary:

As we approach a season of reflection, let’s take a moment to celebrate the power of affirmations and thankfulness in shaping our children's growth and well-being. The words we speak to our children can uplift their spirits, build their confidence, and encourage them to approach challenges with resilience. We have been working on weekly affirmations since the beginning of the school year and this week’s affirmation was, “I am Loved.”

This is also a perfect time to nurture a sense of gratitude. Next week’s affirmation leading into the holiday break is, “I am Thankful.” By modeling thankfulness in our own lives, we teach our children the importance of appreciating both the big and small moments. A heart full of gratitude fosters a mindset of abundance and joy, helping them recognize the goodness in themselves, others, and the world around them.

Together, let’s remind our children how valuable they are and encourage them to see the blessings in every day. Through affirmations and thankfulness, we lay the groundwork for them to grow into confident, compassionate individuals.

With appreciation,

Jennifer Jaeck

I can be reached at Pine Avenue Mondays-Fridays. My phone extension is #6561, and my email isjjaeck@almaschools.net

“In STEAM, Mr. Kemler and the Michigan Science Center are working with 5th graders on designing a Lunar Lander based on the Apollo 11 Mission. Teams have limited supplies to design a lander that will keep their “astronaut” (egg) safe from dropping off of a 6 foot ladder. Students are learning about the moon, gravity, and impact forces while also having a blast!”

Our students at Pine Avenue are provided each school year the opportunity to participate in swim lessons. The first two weeks fifth grade students went to the pool each day. Fourth grade students are doing great job with their swim lessons. Mr. Smith and Mrs. Snow will have swim the week of 12/2.

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

November 27-29 Thanksgiving Break

December 4-6 Pine PTO Book Fair

December 11 Late Start

December 23-January 3 Winter Break

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