As your partner in education, we all want children to thrive in school, not just academically but also socially and emotionally. One powerful tool that can contribute to a child's success is the presence of a peer mentor. In our peer mentoring program at Pine Avenue, older, more experienced students from Alma College and Alma High School are carefully selected based on their academic performance, leadership skills, and empathy to guide and support younger ones, fostering a nurturing environment beyond the classroom. This year, we have had many mentors, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, enter the doors of Pine Avenue to support a Pine Panther and make a difference in a student's life.

Third graders from Hillcrest will visit Pine Avenue on Friday to participate in our joint school Moving-Up Day activity. This is a crucial step in preparing them for the next academic year. They will learn about procedures and what to expect in the fourth grade, and most importantly, they will meet the fourth-grade students who will be their peer mentors next fall. Our peer mentoring program is designed to build student confidence and social skills. The fifth-grade peer mentors are role models who show our fourth-grade students the ropes of navigating school life. This relationship can significantly boost mentees' confidence, helping them feel more secure and less anxious about moving to Pine Avenue. Social skills are honed as students interact with their mentors, learning to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and build friendships. Having a peer mentor provides a strong sense of belonging and acceptance, which is crucial for emotional development. Mentees know they have someone to turn to, which can be exceptionally comforting during difficult times.

As we strive to make Pine Avenue a great place to learn and grow, having a peer mentoring program is a cornerstone of our efforts to foster a supportive and inclusive school culture. It encourages collaboration and understanding, reducing instances of bullying and isolation. In addition, a peer mentoring program experience cultivates leadership and teaching skills for mentors. They learn responsibility, patience, and empathy, which are important character traits that students will use throughout their lives. We are proud of the positive impact this program has on our school community and look forward to its continued success.

Peer mentoring at Pine Avenue is not just about supporting the mentees; it's about fostering personal growth and development in the mentors. As your partner in your children's education, we believe in the transformative power of peer connections. Together, let us embrace this power and watch Pine Avenue students succeed and truly flourish.

Your partner in education,

Dr. Konowalow

May 10, 2024 Hillcrest moving up to Pine day

May 17, 2024 Pine Fun Run at Pine Avenue

May 13-23, 2024 NWEA

May 17, 2024 PTO Community Book Fair

May 24-27, 2024 No School Memorial Day Weekend

June 6, 2024 Last day of school

All parents are welcome to attend the Fun Run to watch and cheer their child on as they run at Pine Avenue on May 17, 2024. Students will from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Mark your calendars! The annual PTO Fun Raiser will be at Pine Avenue on May 17, 2024 for students who attend Pine Avenue. We encourage all our students' parents to register and support this major fundraising event. Our PTO sponsors assemblies, field trips, classrooms, memorable learning experiences, and more. Additional information regarding the run at Alma College will be forthcoming.

1. The Pine Staff and students see failure as an opportunity to learn rather than a negative reflection on oneself. We value the lessons learned from our mistakes.

2. The Pine staff and students are committed to one another and treat each other with respect. We value high expectations of ourselves and others too.

3. The Pine Staff and students value kindness. We strive to be kind to one another, being considerate of one another, and always using our manners.

4. The Pine Staff and students value integrity and strive to always do the right thing, even owning and learning from our mistakes. As a school we are driven by a clear moral compass.

5. The Pine Staff and students strive to ensure all learners feel welcomed and accepted. We value the inclusion of everyone and want everyone to feel they belong.

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.

PPanther 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. Mr. Nevins 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:

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.

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 1 pm. The end of the day is VERY 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.

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. Guyette in the office at 989-466-7651.

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