Message from Dr. Penke

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

Conferences are coming up in March! We look forward to meeting with you. Conferences will be Tuesday, March 12 from 4:00-8:o0 pm and Wednesday, March 13 from 4:00-8:00 pm. All conferences will be in person. The information to sign up for conferences is in this newsletter. We look forward to talking with you at conferences.

IB Exhibition: Everyone is invited to attend our 5th grade IB Exhibition Night on Thursday, March 7th from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Come see all of the great work of our 5th graders!

No School:

There is no school on March 14-18.

Human Growth and Development Parent Night: All fifth grade parents are welcome to attend our Human Growth and Development Presentation on Tuesday, April 2nd from 5-6pm. Come check out the curriculum and videos so you know what your child will be learning.

NSCAS Testing:

Here is our NSCAS Testing Schedule for Spring 2024. Please avoid scheduling any appointments, vacations, etc during this time.

Date Grade Subject Tested

April 16 and 17 3rd Grade Reading

April 16, 17, 18 5th Grade Reading

April 22 and 25 4th Grade Reading

April 22 and 25 5th Grade Math

April 23 and 26 3rd Grade Math

April 29 and May 1 4th Grade Math

April 30 and May 1 5th Grade Science

Help with Dismissal:

Please only use the handicap stalls if you have a handicap sticker. We need to allow our community members who need handicap space access to have it. Also if you are picking up your child in the parking lot, please park in a stall. The thru lane is not a pick up lane. That creates a huge safety concern.

New Kindergarteners:

Do you live in the Aldrich attendance area and have a child starting Kindergarten in 2024-2025? Or do you know anyone else that does? Please view this document, and fill out the necessary forms listed on it to help us begin to gather information.

Have a great weekend!

Dr. Penke

Read Across America Week 2024 (1).pdf

BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB

Claire Connolly, “The Eyes & the Impossible”

All Star Staff Members of the Month

This weeks All Star Staff Member is Mr. Hughes! Brandon Hughes was nominated by Adam Mohning. He writes, “Brandon is the unsung hero we rarely see as our evening custodian. He does all the things we only notice when they are not done. What is most impressive about Brandon is the positive attitude he brings to work each day and the consistency with which he does his work. He has filled a role our school desperately needed and brought much needed stability to his position. He is kind, diligent in his work and always reliable. He helps make our school a better place and we are lucky to have him at Aldrich!”

Thank you for making Aldrich a better place to learn and work!

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Scheduling is now open for Parent/Teacher conferences! Conferences will be held on:

-Tuesday, March 12th from 4:00pm-8:00pm in person

-Wednesday, March 13th from 4:00pm-8:00pm in person

Please click here for the parent letter that includes instructions on how to schedule. Online scheduling will close on Monday, March 4th at 11:59pm.

Volunteer Opportunities

LUNCHROOM

Parent volunteers are encouraged to help throughout the year during lunch periods (11:10am-12:30pm) or for as long as you are able during that time slot. Volunteers help students open their food, wipe down tables, clean up spills and assist our custodian. You can volunteer as often as you like via our Sign Up Genius link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B49AAAC23A1FB6-lunchroom

MEDIA

Parent volunteers are encouraged to help throughout the year in the library restocking books. You can volunteer as often as you like via this Sign Up Genius link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B49AAAC23A1FB6-47128393-library#/

WALKING CLUB

Parent volunteers Volunteers can enter the building just prior to 7:55 and sign in at the front office. They will then go to their volunteer assignment if helping with the front door or hallway. Please do not attempt to enter the building prior to 7:50.

You can volunteer as often as you like via this Sign Up Genius link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0545AFA823A3FA7-aldrich2

Hello All Star Families,

I hope all had a great and safe 4-day weekend!

Interested in volunteering?! Check out for the following PTO volunteer opportunities:

Looking for 5th grade Farewell volunteers. If you have a 5th grader and are interested volunteering and/or donating items for at or for the 5th Grade Farewell on May 16th, please email aldrichptopresident@outlook.com
For 2024/2025 school year, we are also looking for a Restaurant Fundraiser Chair, an International Banquet Chair, Girls on the Run Co-Chair and Outdoor Decorations Co-Chair. If interested, please email aldrichptopresident@outlook.com.

Quickly approaching PTO dates to add to your calendar:

March 13th is the last restaurant fundraiser for the 23/24 school year at Runza. More details to come.
Next PTO meeting is at 8:30 am on March 26th in the art room for in person or zoom.

Having issues with PTO directory access? You can find a "how to" video for navigating the website by following the link here. If you still need help, please email aldrichptotech@outlook.com for a resolution. Teachers are unable to help, as this is a PTO led directory, so this email will be your quickest solution to access. Thank you!

All items can be found in the new PTO website. https://runpto.com/u/aldrich_mps

Please email any questions and/or issues with PTO registration to aldrichptopresident@outlook.com

To access the directory, paid members will login at: https://www.runpto.com/pto/login/

Our org ID is: Aldrich_MPS.

Please email aldrichptotech@outlook.com with any questions or issues accessing the directory.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jacquelyn Alexander

PTO President

Staff Appreciation Week

Hello All Star Families !

The Aldrich PTO is hosting Staff Appreciation Week March 4-8 and we need your help! Please follow the link below to get to the sign up genius to sign up to bring items or make a monetary donation towards an all staff gift. All items should be brought to the office the week of February 26 - March 1. Please send monetary donations via Venmo to @Shelley-Atwell (1344). Please designate "Staff Appreciation" when sending donation. We appreciate your help! If you have questions please email Leora Werner (leoraann93@gmail.com) or Shelley Atwell (slclaus@gmail.com)