Mr. Newman enjoys getting to know his students and seeing them grow, in some instances, over the course of seven years (from 6th grade band through senior year of high school). “My favorite part of teaching band at APS is seeing students grow as people, as a community and as musicians during the time I get to have them in class,” said Newman.
“Any student who engages with the skills necessary to be a successful musician is learning skills that will set them up for success in any future endeavor. A musician learns discipline, delayed gratification, perseverance, problem solving skills, relying on others and having others rely on you, responsiveness, patience, creativity, self-reflection and dedication just to name a few that first come to mind,” said Newman. “The present and future version of every student will benefit from developing these attributes. Further, music itself is important to study because it connects us with our humanity and helps us understand the world through sound. While one can appreciate music without learning to play or sing, I believe the best way to understand and connect with music is through making music firsthand, which is what students do in our music classes.”
Adriana Fabela, Alayna Vidal, Alexa Palmer, Aliyah Sanders, Alli Sandro, Aubrey Bush, Audrey Whitman, Brendan Fransico, Brock Grabmeyer, Caleb Grant, Celia Ebnit, Chris Foland, Ciara Groce, Delaney Ortiz, Elias Oliva, Emily Currie, Gage Cardenas, Harley Drayton, Isaiah Martinez, Joe Sanger, Joshua Cruz, Kennedy Sparks, Logan Andrews, Mallory Miller, Orin Campbell, Phoenix Cintron, River Branham, Samantha Howe
Here are some a quick updates on our APS Aquatic Center facility:
- We are currently offering school-sponsored swim lessons for 2nd through 5th graders from 12:45 pm to 2:40 pm Monday through Thursday.
- The high school swim season has wrapped up so we are happy to provide additional swim time for community members. The Aquatic Center hours through April will be 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and 3 pm to 4:30 pm.
- Finally, our water aerobics classes have switched from 9 am to 10 am Monday through Friday.
Please follow this link to complete the APS Pool Survey Interest form if you have not already. Your input is important and will help us improve upon our Aquatic Center facility and opportunities!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfX0MozSj1NOHXRBIlMHpHgyOiUwIO0PrarUqKgmVC2HNSIIA/viewform?usp=header
Maintaining an open and positive dialogue about school can be the difference between your student attending school consistently or missing important learning opportunities.
Checking in matters. Attendance matters.
We have been pleased to see interest in the Alma Public Schools Aquatic Center lately, and we want to ensure it is accessible and engaging to the community. Please take a moment to fill out the APS Pool Interest Survey. The survey will be open until March 2. Your feedback is important and appreciated.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfX0MozSj1NOHXRBIlMHpHgyOiUwIO0PrarUqKgmVC2HNSIIA/viewform?usp=header
This week we shared some photos of our awesome students volunteering their time to helping others! It has been great reflecting on the amazing ways our students make a difference in their school and their community – and it’s been even better getting to share these stories and pictures with all of you! Here are a few more to wrap up a great week...
Q: Where is the School-Based Health Center located?
A: Alma’s Donald L. Pavlik Middle School (1700 N. Pine Avenue Alma, MI 48801)
Q: What is a School-Based Health Center?
A: A school-based health center promotes the health of children, adolescents and their families by providing convenient local access to primary care, preventative care and early intervention health services in underserved communities. It is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, schools and local healthcare providers.
Q: What type of care does this facility provide?
A: Our services include (but are not limited to) primary health care, acute health care (such as influenza testing, strep testing, colds, etc.), first aid, well child exams, sports physicals, immunization, labs, preventative care, risk behavior assessment and behavioral health counseling.
Q: Does the child need parental consent to see the provider?
A: A consent form must be signed and returned to the School Based Health Center before a child can receive treatment. Even though this consent is signed, you will also receive a phone call before your child is seen to confirm that you are aware they are requesting an appointment and that you consent to the visit. We encourage all parents or guardians to accompany their child to the visit when possible, however, we understand that work restrictions, transportation and other factors may prevent parents or guardians from attending in person. In that event, a phone call will be made after the visit to discuss the appointment.
Under Michigan law, minors do have the right to receive certain services (such as behavioral health counseling) without the consent or notification of their parent or guardian, however minors always have the option to involve their parent or guardian in their care and are encouraged to do so.
Q: How are services paid for at the clinic?
A: We accept and bill insurance, but no fees are required during the time of service at the health center. Co-pays and deductibles will be billed, but no child is ever turned away due to inability to pay. Our staff can also assist with enrolling your child in insurance and qualifying for financial assistance.
Q: What if my student needs transportation to the middle school for visits?
A: If the parent or guardian is unable to accompany the child to the visit and the visit takes place during the school day, the school can provide transportation to and from the middle school.
Q: How is this being communicated to parents?
A: MyMichigan Health and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have been working with Alma public schools and school board on this project for more than a year. During that time, we have held two parent meetings, attended five public open houses at the schools and have made presentations to the school board. We also sent a letter home to all parents of students who are eligible to receive care.
Kindness is the theme of the week here at APS! Today, we’re sharing some great projects led by our CTE Health Science students recently. These caring Alma High School students volunteered at a community food drive put on by MyMichigan Health-Alma and spent time in a kindergarten class putting on a Teddy Bear Clinic to help children feel less fear about going to the doctor's office. They also put their compassion skills to the test, working with two 7-month-old twins! Awesome job, Panthers!
Agriscience: Elizabeth Swaton, Hanna Hutchinson
Auto: Canyon Godrey, Hailey Brondstetter
Firefighting: Reese Kress
Health Science - CNA: Joseph Sanger, Jake Soto
Health Science - MA: Raegan King, Madison Myers, Trinity Painter, Payton Penner, Marie Richter, Manny Rodriguez, Emma Verhaar
Pre-Engineering: Mateo Castillo
Welding: Nick Prohaska, Ayden Higgins, Cameron Ryckman, Zayden Stevens, Magglio Soto, Elias Oliva, Keith Dargitz.
Congratulations, Panthers!
Random Acts of Kindness week continues! We are proud of our kind and caring students here at APS, so this week we are sharing some of the ways they give back to their community and lead with compassion. Today’s post features the Alma High School Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball teams visiting Arbor Grove Assisted Living Center. We are proud to have these students represent APS!
Throughout the month of February, the class is doing an activity called “Show the Love” for all classrooms from our youngest Panther cubs to 5th grade.
Goal: Fill our halls with hearts and positivity!
How it works:
• Each day in February, classrooms choose a staff member, student or another classroom to recognize.
• Students brainstorm the reason, and the teacher writes it on a paper heart.
• A student (secretly – and sweetly!) tapes the heart to the recipient’s door.
End-of-month recognition:
At the end of February, one classroom per grade level will be recognized for truly exemplifying “Show the Love.”
