2013-2014 CLASS ROSTERS

Class rosters for the 2013-2014 school year will be developed in June.  Each year students are assigned to a homeroom teacher based on the recommendation from the previous year’s teacher, from parent request, and from a random mixing of students.  If a parent does have a request for a particular teacher, the following criteria is to be followed:

1)    All requests must be made in writing to the school principal,

2)    All requests must have an educational reason stated, and

3)    All requests must be received by the principal no later than May 16, 2013.  Any requests received later than this date will not be considered.

Please know that all requests will be honored, if possible.  However, no assurance can be given that all requests will be met.

TRANSFER REQUESTS

As with other schools, Alcott School has a number of students who attend here, but live in another attendance area of Hastings.  Students are able to do this due to a transfer request being approved.  A transfer request is approved only until the end of the school year in which it is granted.  Request forms will be mailed to families who have children attending Alcott School on transfer this current school year.  These forms need to be returned to the school prior to May 16 for next year, if parents wish to be considered for a continuation of transfer.  Families new to Hastings who have not participated in a transfer, and who may wish to do so, may obtain a transfer form at any Hastings elementary school.

 Please note:  Transfer requests will not be decided until the beginning of August.  Transfer decisions are based on class size, student behavior, and student attendance.

SCHOOL LUNCHES

As the school year is winding down, please look ahead at the number of times your child(ren) will be eating school lunch and send only the amount of money for that number.  Any amount left over will be carried over for next school year.

Also, parents will receive forms for applying for free or reduced meals for the 2013 – 2014 school year during this next summer.  These forms will need to be completed and returned as soon as possible.  All children will begin the school year at the lunch status they ended this year.

Also, we will not allow any lunch charges after May 6.

PTO TO MEET

The final PTO meeting at Alcott School is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7th at 7:00 P.M. All parents having children attending Alcott School are invited and encouraged to attend.  Babysitting is provided at no cost for parents.

Lastly, the Alcott PTO would like to extend a “thank you” to all parents and staff members for their help with PTO projects for this school year.

LIBRARY BOOKS DUE

All library books are due.  An inventory needs to be completed before the end of the school year.  Letters will be sent to parents if materials are not returned.  Missing materials will need to be paid for prior to report cards being sent.

LOST AND FOUND ITEMS

During the second half of the school year, we have collected clothing items and lunch boxes that have not been claimed.  If your child has lost an item, please have them check our lost and found box in the first floor hallway.  Any items left at the end of the school year will be donated to Goodwill.

FIFTH GRADE RECOGNITION

Fifth grade students at Alcott School will be recognized at a program at French Chapel on the Hastings College campus at 7:00 P.M. on May 14th.  Parents and family members are invited to attend.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

The last day of school for students in Kindergarten through grade 5 will be on Thursday, May 16th.  Students will be dismissed at 3:20 on that day.  All money owed for library fines, books, and lunches will need to be paid before the final report card is released.  Parents will be notified before May 16th if any money is owed.

SNACK ATTACK

The Student Council will be holding a Sno-Cone Snack Attack after school on Tuesday, May 7th.  Sno-cones will be sold for fifty cents each.

This will be the final Snack Attack for the year.

Due to the large number of students participating, we will limit one Sno-cone for each student.

READY FOR PE?

With the coming of warmer weather, we have a number of students wearing sandals and “flip-flops” to school.  On days when students have physical education, they need to have shoes that allow them to run and be active.  If sandals or flip-flops are worn, students also need to bring along shoes for PE.  Also, please be sure that clothing is appropriate for school.  Thank you.

FIELD TRIPS

For the month of May, the following field trips are scheduled:

-May 7th-4^th grade to the Groundwater Festival

-May 10-3^rd grade Historical Walking Tour of Hastings

SUMMER SCHOOL

This summer, Alcott Elementary will be hosting summer school.  The intent of summer school is to help students retain knowledge that they have learned over the regular school year.  Also, it helps students to become more prepared for when school starts in August.

This year summer school will begin on July 8 and finish on July 30, meeting on Monday through Thursday.  Class hours are from 9:00-12:00 each day.  The summer program is offered at no cost to your family, but it does have limited space available.

If you are interested in having your child attend summer school, please contact the office.  There are registrations available.  Please keep in mind that if you choose to have your student attend, students MUST attend all sessions and be on time.  It would be unfair to others that are unable to attend due to limited numbers if a student is registered and does not come to the summer school sessions.  The registration deadline is May 25, 2013.

GREAT JOB COLLECTING BOX TOPS!!!

We want to extend a HUGE thank you to the students, parents, faculty, staff, and all Alcott Box Top collectors.  Your awesome efforts during the 2012-2013 school year helped us become one of the highest box top collecting school in the Hastings/Grand Island area.  That means we were able to award many of our classroom teachers $100 to purchase some much-needed supplies and educational materials for their classrooms.  Some of those items included chair cover organizers, highlighters for a new writing process, and indoor recess equipment.  Way to go, Eagles!!

We have started preparing for next school year, so watch for summer collection sheets to arrive in backpacks.  Also, if you have any Box Tops coupons that will expire over the summer months, please send them to the school.  We will send the last shipment at the end of May.  Thanks again for your effort this year and please extend our thanks to everyone who helped Alcott reach for the stars!

Box Top Tip:  Watch for New Developments over the Summer Months

Alcott’s Box Tops Coordinator, Amy Black, recently learned the following information at Box Tops University;

·      General Mills Corporation has recently added several new Box Tops products, including Green Giant, Brita, Boise Paper, and Hanes children’s items

·      Wal-mart is going to be a major partner with Box Tops starting this summer with the launch of a new website

·      Rumor has it that Sam’s Club has an 8-pack of Progresso Soup with 14 Box Tops on it

The average earnings per school is $800 from Box Tops.  We earned over $2,000.  Don’t take a break from Box Tops this summer . . . be a Box Top Hero!! 

If you would like to share an idea that might help other Alcott families collect more Box Tops and convert more dimes to dollars for Alcott Elementary, please submit information to the school office, attention PTO.