May 2021

To enable parents with more than one child at Alpine Elementary to participate in all of the events in the final days of school, we have adjusted the schedule for Wednesday, May 26.

9:15 – 9:45 Awards Assembly, Parents having students recognized at the Awards Assembly were notified via email on Friday, May 21.

9:50 – 10:25 Sixth Grade Pillow Concert

10:30 – 11:30 Kindergarten Graduation

Students will be dismissed at 10:35 pm on the final day of school, May 27. We invite parents to attend our Flag Ceremony at 10:15 am in front of the school at the flag pole.

For the upcoming school year, students at Alpine Elementary will be on a 9:15 am – 3:30 pm daily schedule. We are excited to recapture the hour of lost instructional time that was lost this year. There will be no day of the week that has an early release. All elementary schools in the Alpine School District will be on a 9:15 am – 3:30 pm or 8:00 am – 2:15 schedule. There will no longer be two-track schools (i.e. Westfield and Ridgeline) where students come to school as an Early Bird or Later Gator. All elementary students will be on one of the two schedules mentioned above. District wide bus route considerations were used to determine which schools had the 8:00 am or 9:15 am start time. This afternoon, parents will receive an email from the Alpine School District informing them of the schedules of all of the elementary schools.

We are excited to be able to celebrate the end of this year with a Spring Carnival here at Alpine Elementary. The Carnival will be TODAY May 24th, from 4:00-7:00pm. There will be carnival games, a rock wall, and food trucks. We have Cupbop, a Taco Truck, Barbecue, and a Churro Truck.  Our school PTA will be getting 10% of all proceeds. Please come and bring your whole family!

We need a few more volunteers to help setup tables and chairs from 2:30-3:00pm, and clean up following the carnival at 7:00-7:30pm. If you are able to help it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

We are excited to introduce the new PTA Board for the year of 2021-2022!

President – Suzanne Campbell

President Elect – Shauna Roundy

Secretary – Tiffany Petty

Treasurer- Pam Olsen

Membership VP – Jennica Woodbury

Advocacy VP – Stacie Mellor

Leadership VP – Yasmin Taylor

We appreciate these ladies stepping up and being a part of the PTA board for next year. They have a lot of great ideas and will do an amazing job!

We would like to express our appreciation to the teachers and staff, and the parents at Alpine Elementary who have made this year such a great year under such difficult circumstances. We made it! And we are stronger for it!

As we enter the final week of school, we remind parents that masks for students, parents and staff are encouraged but no longer required. Masks are optional the final four days of school!

Please encourage your students to check our Lost and Found, or parents can come to the school and reclaim any Lost and Found items. You can see from the attached photos that we have gathered lots of items that need to return to their original home.

As we enter the last week of the 2020 – 2021 school year, I am so grateful that we have been able to have a full school year as we all dealt with the effects of a worldwide pandemic. On August 17, when we started the school year, how many of you thought we would have a school year with no closures? We all have family and friends in other states who have not been able to send their children to school for the entire school year.

As the principal at Alpine Elementary, I am humbled and grateful for the trust and confidence that parents have had to send their most prized possessions, their children, to school as an unpredictable and emotionally charged pandemic raged across the world.

Not once, did a member of the Alpine Elementary staff member come to me this school year and say, “This isn’t right. How can we be expected to work and do our job in these conditions?” We are grateful that the dedicated and resilient faculty at Alpine Elementary came to work since August 17, understanding that a personal vaccination of love and nurturing and providing as normal of a school experience as possible for children, would help our students to feel safe and protected in uncertain times. Thank you, Alpine Elementary Community for making this a successful school year!

Have a safe and enjoyable Summer Break, and as always, remember that it is a great day to be an Eagle!

The Alpine School District will follow Governor Cox’s recent announcement that masks will be optional in the school beginning on May 24. Students, parents and staff can choose whether or not they want to wear a mask in the school from May 24 forward.

The Alpine School Board voted last Tuesday to have all elementary schools move to an 8:00 am – 2:15 pm or 9:15 am – 3:30 pm schedule for students next year, and our licensed staff will transition to a 7:30 am – 4:00 pm contract day. Our start time will be determined by district bus route times, and we are still anxiously waiting to be informed what the start time for students will be next year. As soon as we are notified what our student start time will be, we will communicate with parents.

We are excited to be able to celebrate the end of this year with a Spring Carnival here at Alpine Elementary. The Carnival will be on Monday, May 24th from 4:00-7:00pm. There will be carnival games, a rock wall, and food trucks. Come enjoy some fun for the whole family!

 We need a few volunteers to help setup tables and chairs from 2:30-3:00pm, and clean up following the carnival at 7:00-7:30pm. If you are able to help, please sign up with this link

https://forms.gle/YVXdaHRLHYWtMuXL8  Thank you!

We are grateful for all of the 5^th grade students who ran for a Student Council position. Next year’s elected sixth grade student council officers:

President—Daniel Snow

Vice-President—Brody Burr

Secretary—Claire Hamilton

Treasurer—Max Bergquist

Please let the main office know ASAP if your child will not be attending Alpine Elementary for the 2021 – 2022 school year.

Last call to recycle any of your toner cartridges. We have a box in our Staff Room and the school receives money for the recycled cartridges.

The following students were recognized as Students of the Week on Friday, May 14. Teachers nominate students who are consistently demonstrating the character traits of the Alpine Big 3: Being Respectful, Responsible and Ready to learn. Congratulations, Students of the Week!

Brielle Anson– Kindergarten, Mrs. Malone

Bailey Braden– 5th grade, Mrs. Chang

Austin Crawley– Kindergarten, Mrs. Malone

Sean Dilts– 6th grade, Mrs. Kaczmarek

Dane Goodwin– 3rd grade, Mrs. Chen

Talia Graham– Kindergarten, Mrs. Aitchsion

Quinn Haas– 1st grade, Mrs. Johnson

Nora Jensen– 1st grade, Mrs. Faux

Faith Kafi– 4th grade, Mrs. Keller

Will Lacey– 4th grade, Ms. A. Moore

Chat Lawrence– 3rd grade, Mrs. Chen

Lilly Larsen– 6th grade, Mrs. Kaczmarek

Sam Petty– 3rd grade, Ms. Elder

Emmett Rasmussen– 4th grade, Mrs. Keller

Porter Smith– 3rd grade, Mrs. Chen

Avery Taylor– 6th grade, Mrs. Kaczmarek

Andrew Telles– Kindergarten, Mrs. Malone

Zane Vigil– 5th grade, Mrs. Hill

Claire Voisin– 1st grade, Ms. Johnson

Paisley Walker– 5th grade, Mrs. Hill

Jacob Wilson– 1st grade, Ms. Johnson

Abby Young– Kindergarten, Mrs. Malone

This is the time of year that I will often take a long bike ride on Saturday mornings, which gives me the opportunity to think about a variety of topics. Family, work, upcoming church teaching responsibilities are often the focus of my thoughts as I pedal my bike. This past Saturday I was thinking about spontaneous kindness. Friday night, after eating at a restaurant, Laura and I were in the drive through at Dairy Queen to get a Butterfinger Blizzard (Laura) and chocolate dip cone (me). When we got to the window to pay, the young lady working the drive through informed us that someone three vehicles in front of us had paid the bill for the three cars behind him/her, and we were car number three! What an unexpected kindness! We decided to pay it backward and paid for whatever the car behind us had ordered.

On Friday morning, I observed another act of spontaneous kindness. The third graders had their annual “Drop an Egg off the Roof” activity. I got to climb on the roof with Head Custodian, Mike Carter, and drop all of the different egg protection devices/contraptions the students had created. While I was dropping eggs off the roof one third grader arrived late to school, and in our office was very distraught that he didn’t have anything to drop an egg in, like all of the other third graders. Our two amazing front office secretaries, Martha Hadlock and Sheri Davis, saw how upset the boy was and immediately, using their improvisational skills, went about creating an egg protection device for a student who was inconsolable. And because of the kindness of two compassionate ladies in our main office, the student was able to have his egg dropped from the roof, albeit the last one, and from my vantage point, the egg did not break! Spontaneous kindness that will never be forgotten by a student, or me!

Have a wonderful week, and as always, remember that it is a great day to be an Eagle!

Our second graders will be performing “Glow” this week in the gymnasium. Please remember to wear your masks when you come into the school.

It is the Buy One Get One Free Book Fair Week. Students can shop for books during their regularly assigned library time. Parents and students can shop before and after

school at the listed times. To keep everyone safe at the school, masks are

required and access to the book fair will be limited to 50 people at a time.

Tuesday – Thursday

8:30—9:00 am, 2:30 – 4:00 pm

Friday

8:30-9:00 am 8:30 am – 1:00 pm

Parent volunteers are needed at the Book Fair. You can sign up here:

There will be no kindergarten May 10 – 14 as our kindergarten teachers will be administering the Kindergarten Entry and Exit (KEEP) Assessment. The final day of school for kindergartners will be May 26.

On Friday, May 7 fourth grade Chinese teacher, Anna Moore, was recognized as the Lone Peak Cluster Teacher of the Year. Ms. Moore had a surprise visit in her classroom from Superintendent Farnsworth and other guests on Friday morning, as she received her Teacher of the Year recognition. The Lone Peak Cluster includes six elementary schools, two middle schools and LPHS. The principal at each school nominates a teacher for recognition, and for the second year in a row, the Lone Peak Cluster Teacher of the Year is one of our own at Alpine Elementary. Last year, kindergarten teacher, Colleen Aitchison, was recognized as the Cluster Teacher of the Year. Congratulations Ms. Moore!

We will be having a school carnival on Monday, May 24, 4:00 – 7:00 pm. There will be carnival games and food trucks. More information will be coming your way soon.

We are in need of two custodial sweepers to replace two of our current employees who will soon be leaving to serve missions. Possible candidates need to be at least 16 years old. Contact our Head Custodian, Mike Carter, [email protected], if you know of someone who would like to apply for the job.

Please let the main office know ASAP if your child will not be attending Alpine Elementary for the 2021 – 2022 school year.

The following students were recognized as Students of the Week on Friday, May 7. Teachers nominate students who are consistently demonstrating the character traits of the Alpine Big 3: Being Respectful, Responsible and Ready to learn. Congratulations, Students of the Week!

Savvi Anderson– 4th grade, Ms. A. Moore

Olivia Belnap– 1st grade, Mrs. Faux

Bryce Bird– 3rd grade, Ms. Elder

Krew Clark– 4th grade, Mrs. Vipperman

Charlee Crump– 4th grade, Mrs. Keller

Georgie Cvetko– 3rd grade, Mrs. Duke

Rosie Ence– Kindergarten, Mrs. Aitchison

Violet Frazier– Kindergarten, Mrs. Aitchison

Gracie Gillespie– 5th grade, Mrs. Hill

Ben Hamilton– 5th grade, Mr. Horan

Evie Hansen– 3rd grade, Mrs. Duke

Cambree Heggerhorst– 1st grade, Mrs. Faux

Olivia Heise– 3rd grade, Ms. Elder

Lilah McConnon–5th grade, Mrs. Padgett

David Mercado– 1st grade, Mrs. Chou

Levi Moore– 4th grade, Mrs. Vipperman

Jared Olsen– 4th grade, Ms. A. Moore

Jane Rasmussen– 5th grade, Mrs. Hill

Addie Sorensen– 1st grade, Mrs. Chou

Tony Stone– 2nd grade, Mrs. Wallace

Grace Verzello– 1st grade, Ms. Johnson

For any road bikers out there, the Alpine Loop is now open to cyclists. The road has been plowed, with minimal road debris left behind. This is the best time of the year to bike The Loop. The gates are locked at Pine Hollow Trailhead and the Stewart Falls parking lot, so there are no cars that cyclists need to worry about on the upper portion of the road. It was fun to bike the Alpine Loop for the first time in 2021 on Saturday.

Have a wonderful week, and as always, remember that it is a great day to be an Eagle!

Thank you to all of the parents who helped with Staff Appreciation Week! The Alpine Elementary faculty felt of your gratitude for all that has been done during very challenging times to provide our students a quality education since August 17. A special thank you to Mary Field, Jennica Woodbury and Lizzy Snyder for all they did to coordinate the different events for Staff Appreciation Week!

We would like to thank Susie Foods for the Syrupdipity butter and syrup spread they donated to all faculty members. (see Susiefoods.com or https://www.facebook.com/SusieFoods for more flavors and information).

Save the date! This year we are going to have an Alpine Elementary Carnival. It will be on May 24 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. We hope we can all celebrate together this amazing year. Custom Event will be coming with blow up rides and carnival games. We will also have yummy food trucks. Bring the whole family!

Our last PTA meeting of the year will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, in the teacher’s lounge at 9:15. Everyone is invited.

We had our first assembly of the school year and the first event this school year that parents were invited to on April 29. The fourth grade State of Utah Program. The fourth graders under the enthusiastic direction of our music teacher, Melinda Hunt, were outstanding in their performance. Our sixth graders will have their Sixth Grade Dance at 1:15 pm on Friday, May 7 and our second graders will be performing their Glow Program on May 11, 12 , 13, depending on which class they are in. There were several parents who chose not to wear masks at the fourth grade program. Please remember to wear masks when in the school for any reason, including school programs!

The Buy One Get One Free Bookfair will be May 11 – 14. See the attached flyer for more details.

There will be no kindergarten May 10 – 14 as our kindergarten teachers will be administering the Kindergarten Entry and Exit (KEEP) Assessment. The final day of school for kindergartners will be May 26.

The following students were recognized as Students of the Week on Friday, April 30. Teachers nominate students who are consistently demonstrating the character traits of the Alpine Big 3: Being Respectful, Responsible and Ready to learn. Congratulations, Students of the Week!

Benson Anderson– 2nd grade, Ms. M. Moore

Charley Balser– 5th grade, Mr. Horan

Rex Blackham– Kindergarten, Mrs. Aitchison

Leah Clawson– 3rd grade, Mrs. Duke

Josh Crump– 6th grade, Mrs. Reyes

Avri Davidson– 6th grade, Mrs. Monson

Patrick Gheciu– 3rd grade, Ms. Elder

Daisy McConnon– Kindergarten, Mrs. Malone

Madison Morris– 6th grade, Mrs. Reyes

Tagg Nelsen– 1st grade, Mrs. Chou

Sage Nielsen– Kindergarten, Mrs. Malone

Quincy Peper- 6th grade, Mrs. Monson

Parker Rodman– 3rd grade, Ms. Elder

Nick Steuart– 5th grade, Mrs. Hill

Owen Taylor– 1st grade, Mrs. Faux

Daegan Tedrow– 4th grade, Mrs. Orgill

Elliot Wood– 2nd grade, Mrs. Wallace

Rockwell Young– Kindergarten, Mrs. Malone

Grady Zito– 5th grade, Mrs. Chang

Do you know who the Iron Cowboy is? James Lawrence is a Utah County resident who performs amazing physical feats with Ironman Triathlons. An Ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 miles on a bike, and running a full marathon, 26.2 miles. For most mortals, completing an Ironman Triathlon is a lifetime accomplishment. In 2015, the Iron Cowboy completed 50 Ironman Triathlons in 50 states on 50 consecutive days! He is currently attempting to complete 100 Ironmans in 100 consecutive days! Saturday, May 1 was Ironman 62. He does the same course everyday: swim in the Lindon Aquatic Center, bike to Payson with three loops west of town, and marathon in Orem, Lindon and Pleasant Grove, using the Murdock Trail. On Saturday, I joined with James and several other bike riders for the bike ride portion of his Ironman. Fun day for me, but I went home after the 112-mile bike ride. James still had a 26.2 mile marathon to complete. The mental toughness to go to bed each night knowing that another Ironman Triathlon awaits James the next day, as he completes an Ironman on 100 consecutive days is difficult to for me to even comprehend. Thinking about the Ironman Cowboy’s physical and mental capabilities during Saturday’s almost six-hour bike ride gave me the strength and desire to finish the ride with James and the other riders. Just keep on pedaling, a wonderful metaphor for life!

Have a wonderful week, and as always, remember that it is a great day to be an Eagle!