This week was packed with hands‑on learning, creativity, and Panther pride. Students enjoyed outdoor activities, leadership partnerships, and colorful sidewalk chalk, all capped off by cheering on the Class of 2026 during the Senior Walk. Hillcrest and Pine Avenue continue to shine with energy, connection, and celebration. https://app.smore.com/n/4mfpr-the-weekly-update-panther-pride
Our Summer School program is right around the corner, and we’re excited to offer students a fun, engaging way to keep their skills growing. This year’s sessions will blend hands‑on learning, small‑group support, and plenty of opportunities to explore new interests. Families of eligible students will receive placement information soon. We’re looking forward to a summer of learning, laughter, and confidence‑building.
Today, our Pine Avenue Elementary 5th graders created beautiful chalk art in front of their school and some awesome downtown businesses! The students' art reflects their Panther pride and incorporates some Memorial Day and Highland Festival messages and words of encouragement. They had an awesome time expressing themselves through creativity and spreading positivity in their community! Thank you to the wonderful local businesses for welcoming our students and helping make such a fun experience possible!
Be sure to visit beautiful downtown Alma to see their masterpieces up close! 🐾🎨☀️🌻
Be sure to visit beautiful downtown Alma to see their masterpieces up close! 🐾🎨☀️🌻
🌎✈️ Now Registering for Passport to Summer Childcare Camp! ✈️🌎
Pack your imagination and join us for a summer adventure around the world! Each week, children will “travel” to a new country through exciting activities, crafts, STEAM projects, games, music, movement, and cultural fun.
From Canada to Mexico, campers will explore new places, traditions, foods, and experiences while making unforgettable summer memories with friends.
☀️ Weekly Country Themes
🔬 Hands-On STEAM Activities
🎨 Creative Crafts
⚽ Movement & Outdoor Play
🍎 Breakfast, Lunch & Snack Provided Daily
📍 Luce Road Summer Childcare
📅 June 8 – August 14
Every week is a new adventure — spaces are limited, so register today! 🌍
Fill out for each child you wish to enroll: https://forms.gle/jQWJF258w5x4DQPy8
Pack your imagination and join us for a summer adventure around the world! Each week, children will “travel” to a new country through exciting activities, crafts, STEAM projects, games, music, movement, and cultural fun.
From Canada to Mexico, campers will explore new places, traditions, foods, and experiences while making unforgettable summer memories with friends.
☀️ Weekly Country Themes
🔬 Hands-On STEAM Activities
🎨 Creative Crafts
⚽ Movement & Outdoor Play
🍎 Breakfast, Lunch & Snack Provided Daily
📍 Luce Road Summer Childcare
📅 June 8 – August 14
Every week is a new adventure — spaces are limited, so register today! 🌍
Fill out for each child you wish to enroll: https://forms.gle/jQWJF258w5x4DQPy8
This week’s feature shares simple ways families can support learning all summer long and prevent the “summer slide,” including details about our K–5 Summer School program.
https://app.smore.com/n/85hv7-the-weekly-update-panther-pride
https://app.smore.com/n/85hv7-the-weekly-update-panther-pride
Panthers show up well-rested and ready to learn!
🐾Attendance matters!🐾
🐾Our next Staff Spotlight goes to Bryant Greiner! We are fortunate to have this dedicated and caring teacher on our team. Let's hear a little bit about Mr. Greiner in his own words...🐾
⭐Grade/Subject: 3rd grade teacher, and this is my 4th year at Alma Public Schools.
⭐Favorite part of teaching at APS: My favorite thing about working at Alma Public Schools is the tight-knit, warm environment that's so thoughtfully fostered here. I enjoy getting to work with dedicated professionals that help me become a better teacher each day and building a community of learners. I also love being the student council advisor at Hillcrest Elementary and being an assistant coach for Football and middle school Basketball this past year.
⭐Hobbies & Interests: Outside of school my hobbies are spending family time with my wife and son, attending MSU Football & Hockey games and playing in an Adult Hockey League.
⭐Grade/Subject: 3rd grade teacher, and this is my 4th year at Alma Public Schools.
⭐Favorite part of teaching at APS: My favorite thing about working at Alma Public Schools is the tight-knit, warm environment that's so thoughtfully fostered here. I enjoy getting to work with dedicated professionals that help me become a better teacher each day and building a community of learners. I also love being the student council advisor at Hillcrest Elementary and being an assistant coach for Football and middle school Basketball this past year.
⭐Hobbies & Interests: Outside of school my hobbies are spending family time with my wife and son, attending MSU Football & Hockey games and playing in an Adult Hockey League.
On Thursday, APS hosted 50+ Michigan educators and a film crew to showcase our growth through the 23h math grant! Over the last two years, we’ve worked hard to elevate our instruction and help students see themselves as true mathematicians. We are so proud to be part of this work to improve math education!
🐾We know Alma Public Schools is an awesome place to learn and grow. Our caring teaching staff go above and beyond to make every student feel safe and supported in the classroom. We could tell you countless reasons why we believe APS is the place to be -- or you could see for yourself. Hear from some of our 4th grade Panthers as they share what they love about APS!🐾
https://youtu.be/pKgN6JvLF9g
APS teachers had their last Professional Development session and were able to recap our learning this year, celebrate our growth, and begin planning for next year. This time is so valuable for our continuous improvement and student success!
☀️ SUMMER CHILD CARE ENROLLMENT AT LUCE ROAD IS OPEN! ☀️
Looking for safe, fun, and flexible summer care for your child? We’ve got you covered!
🌟 Open to ALL children ages 18 months – 12 years
🕕 Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🍎 Meals Included
🎨 Fun & Engaging Planned Activities All Summer Long
👨👩👧👦 Family Discounts Available for Families with 2 or More Children
📅 Flexible Scheduling – Parents can schedule the times needed for their student(s)!
Give your child a summer filled with fun, friends, and exciting activities in a safe and caring environment.
📢 Open to the community – your child does NOT have to currently attend Alma Public Schools to join our summer care program!
📞 Spots are limited – enroll today!
To start the enrollment fill out one form for each student here --> https://forms.gle/vXJKq9FMcCfnPA8T7
Looking for safe, fun, and flexible summer care for your child? We’ve got you covered!
🌟 Open to ALL children ages 18 months – 12 years
🕕 Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🍎 Meals Included
🎨 Fun & Engaging Planned Activities All Summer Long
👨👩👧👦 Family Discounts Available for Families with 2 or More Children
📅 Flexible Scheduling – Parents can schedule the times needed for their student(s)!
Give your child a summer filled with fun, friends, and exciting activities in a safe and caring environment.
📢 Open to the community – your child does NOT have to currently attend Alma Public Schools to join our summer care program!
📞 Spots are limited – enroll today!
To start the enrollment fill out one form for each student here --> https://forms.gle/vXJKq9FMcCfnPA8T7
First-grade students celebrated National Sidewalk Chalk Day by creating bright and joyful sidewalk art across campus. Our second graders enjoyed a hands‑on learning adventure during their field trip to Impressions 5 Science Center. It was a wonderful week of creativity, exploration, and Panther pride. https://app.smore.com/n/3v5hw6-the-weekly-update-panther-pride
Attendance matters. 🐾
🐾We are currently accepting School of Choice applications. Here are some key details you should know if you are interested in sending your child to APS through the School of Choice program:
⭐The application window opens May 4, 2026 and will close on June 2, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
⭐If needed, a random selection process will be conducted on June 3, 2026.
⭐Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
⭐Letters of acceptance, denials and waitlists will be mailed within 15 days of the deadline.
⭐First day of school: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
⭐Students accepted through Schools of Choice must be fully enrolled and in attendance by the end of the first week of school Friday, August 28, 2026. Failure to meet this requirement may result in forfeiture of placement.
🐾For the APS School of Choice application, Gratiot/Isabella Counties Schools of Choice brochure and additional info, follow this link:
https://www.almaschools.net/page/school-of-choice-for-26-27-school-year
May 13th is a Late Start day! Luce Road will be offering late start childcare! Please fill out one form for each student needing care.
Fill out the form here --> https://forms.gle/FGXahXX24kF8Ydvx5
Fill out the form here --> https://forms.gle/FGXahXX24kF8Ydvx5
🐾Our Elementary PTO Fun Run event may be over (thank you to everyone who donated and participated in this awesome fundraiser!) but we are still collecting donations, and we are SO close to reaching our goal! Let's make it happen, Panther community!🐾
Fundraising ends at MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. The minimum donation amount is $10. Every dollar goes toward funding wonderful experiences for our elementary school students! We appreciate your support so much!
Follow this link to make a contribution: https://www.getmovinfundhub.com/community-share-webpage/6835a37d505840.95093951
Fundraising ends at MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. The minimum donation amount is $10. Every dollar goes toward funding wonderful experiences for our elementary school students! We appreciate your support so much!
Follow this link to make a contribution: https://www.getmovinfundhub.com/community-share-webpage/6835a37d505840.95093951
Our school is buzzing with learning, growth, and connection, and this week’s newsletter features the moments that make our community shine. Take a quick look inside to see upcoming events, classroom celebrations, and ways to stay involved. Thank you for collaborating with us to make Hillcrest and Pine Avenue Elementary Schools such a special place for kids.
https://app.smore.com/n/sj0x6-the-weekly-update-panther-pride
https://app.smore.com/n/sj0x6-the-weekly-update-panther-pride
🐾Every day matters here at APS!🐾
🐾The Elementary PTO Fun Run is TOMORROW! 🐾 The PTO funds so many great opportunities for our students. We are very fortunate to have these dedicated individuals here in the Panther community, working to ensure our students have unique and fun experiences in and out of the classroom. The Fun Run is the PTO's one big fundraiser, and they put so much work into making it happen. Learn more about what our awesome PTO does, and make sure to support this special event! It's sure to be a great time! 🧡🖤
https://www.almaelementarypto.org/
https://www.almaelementarypto.org/
We were honored to welcome representatives from the Michigan Department of Education(MDE) to APS today! During their visit, they observed math lessons and had the opportunity to see firsthand the engaging learning experiences taking place in our classrooms. As a participant in a state math grant, this visit provided a chance to showcase how our students and teachers are benefiting from these resources and the impactful work happening across our district.
