AMI Materials
You can use the links below if you prefer to download and print your own copy.
This link will take you to access the PBS materials. http://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/divisions/learning-services/alternative-methods-of-instruction
Week 2 will be there when it’s available. Again, do not do PBS Week 1 unless you just want to use it for activities.
The links below should take you directly to the pages where you will find AMI materials for days 1-10.
Kindergarten Link: http://www.pocahontaspsd.com/o/alma-spikes/browse/111412
First Grade Link: http://www.pocahontaspsd.com/o/alma-spikes/browse/111414
Second Grade Link: http://www.pocahontaspsd.com/o/alma-spikes/browse/111418
The AMI materials building at Sutton Baptist Church looks like this, it is easy to find in the parking lot. Thanks to Sutton Baptist Church for letting us use the parking lot.
The AMI material buildings are up and running. Thank you to Chad Overman for allowing us to use his buildings during this unusual time. This one is at the American Made Store.
Attention Alma Spikes Parents,
What we know at this time about school related items:
The Arkansas Department of Education stated that by the end of the week or early next week, DESE would let us know what the rest of the school year was going to look like.
PBS AMI Materials start next week, Monday, April 6. We will be asking students to complete Week 2. They should skip week 1 because that time period was covered with our local AMI packets.
This link will take you to access the PBS materials. http://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/divisions/learning-services/alternative-methods-of-instruction
Week 2 will be linked for printing or downloading from that page when it’s available.
Hard copies are available in the following locations starting Friday, April 3rd.
Biggers Postoffice
Sutton Baptist Church
American Made Store
Main School Campus-in front of Jr. High and M.D. Williams.
Please only take what you need. Refrain from taking extra copies.
There are drop-off boxes so completed packets can be returned. This isn’t required, you can hold all packets until a later date if you prefer.
The Student Feeding Program will resume next week. Pickups will be available on Monday and Wednesday with individuals receiving enough for five breakfast and lunches. Refer to the schedule on the previous post.
The Food Backpack Program is currently discontinued and you are referred to the Feeding Program mentioned above.
Student pictures and yearbooks have not arrived yet, however, we will design a pickup plan once that happens.
I want to remind parents that AMI materials should not cause a negative issue within their home. For our primary grades, at Alma Spikes, they are for attendance records and not graded to reflect performance or affect classroom academic grades. .
FYI!!
Everyone is invited!! Mr. Pipkin would like everyone to join “Alma Spikes Art with Mr. Pipkin” on Facebook. I hope you join the page for art fun.
This is not a requirement or part of AMI responsibilities. (Search the title if the link doesn’t work)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/543173933261937/
Ms. Oaks, our Alma Spikes Counselor, has asked that any parent that could benefit from her services, when dealing with a student, can contact her at the following email.
cynthia.oaks@pocahontaspsd.com
If you would like to print a copy of the AMI day materials, but need assistance, I'm told that the Randolph County Library would be able to help.
Dear Alma Spikes Parents,
We are currently in the middle of redesigning our AMI day materials. You should have a hard copy or a link to AMI days 1-10. AMI days 1-9 will get us through this Friday. Starting next Monday, we plan to have another approach in place. If you are in need of materials for Days 1-9, you will be able to pick those up at distribution centers around town starting in late afternoon on Friday, April 3rd. I will be in touch before then to explain what happens starting next Monday, April 6th. At this point we plan to partner with Arkansas PBS and supply packets for pick up. At this time however, have students complete AMI day materials for days 1-9. I will provide more information as it becomes available.
Shawn Carter
I have been asked about he Kindergarten AMI materials, specifically option 2. A normal instructional day consist of a standard 360 minutes. I told the parent that it sounded like a mistake, but after reviewing it, I believe it is correct. With that said, understand that these materials are a requirement of an AMI day. However, these lessons and/or materials should never get in the way of a family's time. It is not meant to interfere or disurpt a home. Please have the students complete the material throughout the day with breaks and activities included. AMI days are not meant to frustate students or families, so please don't let it do so. Once we return to school, the packets will be collected to document completion for attendance.
Governor Hutchinson announced today that all Arkansas schools will be closed through April 17th. We are currently working on plans to provide AMI day material for the extended closure. I will provide more detailed information as soon as it is available. Thank you.
Press Release
Here are a few more examples of funny parents. Thanks again for the laughs.
I would like to thank parents for these hilarious Facebook post!!!
Pocahontas Schools Feeding Program for March 17-20.
Our Alma Spikes Relay for Life Team is ending collections today. We will not be taking any more donations from students, after today. Online donations for your classroom are available until April 18th. We will announce the winning class once school resumes. Thank you to all those that have donated.
Alma Spikes is currently working on uploading all AMI Day Materials. There will be AMI days 1-10 online by 3:00 today. At this time, students are only responsible for completing AMI Days 1 through 4.
If your child has medication with the nurse and you need to pick it up, please do so by 3:15 today.
Alma Spikes Parents and Staff,
-As you should have been notified, school will be in session Monday, April 16. Absentees will be excused for any student not attending . There are several items to wrap up, such as packets for AMI days. We will also be addressing the issue of breakfast and lunch needs for Tuesday through Friday.
-School will not be in session Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 20. Spring Break is still scheduled for March 23- 27. Students will need to complete AMI day packets 1-4 and return those packets when school resumes on Monday, March 30.
-There will be no afterschool tutoring until after Spring Break.
-Classroom teachers will be available by email, text or others contacts such as classroom dojo to answer questions about the packets. They can be contacted Tuesday-Friday, 8:00-3:00.
-Parent/Teacher Conferences are postponed at this time and may be completed by phone, online or in person sometime in the future.
-Custodians will be working in the buidliings while they are empty to ensure a deep disinfectant cleaning.
-Directions for classified staff are to be announced.
At this time, Alma Spikes Elementary will be in session next Monday, March 16th. We did send home AMI Day packets with students today in case the situation changes. I wanted to clarify this fact to prevent any confusion about receiving these packets this afternoon.