Dear AGS Wildcat Families and Community Members,

As we draw to a close on the first quarter of the school year, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our students, staff, and families. It has been an incredible start to the academic year across all grade levels! Kindergarteners discovering the joy of school to our eighth graders leading the way.

Our students have worked remarkably hard over these past nine weeks, establishing strong classroom communities, mastering new academic concepts, setting high personal goals, and connecting in Family Pods. As we transition into the second quarter, we encourage you to celebrate your child’s growth, reflect on their progress, and partner with us to ensure continued success throughout the remainder of the autumn season.

📅 Mark Your Calendars: Key Dates & Events

Please review the following important dates and schedule adjustments for the end of October:

October 16 – End of the 1st Quarter: Report card grading periods close. Please check in with your child regarding any outstanding assignments or projects.
October 18–20 – Illinois Principals Association (IPA) Conference: Administration will be attending professional development sessions focused on educational leadership, curriculum innovation, and student well-being.
October 21 & 22 – Parent-Teacher Conferences (2:30 PM – 6:30 PM): Conferences offer a vital opportunity to discuss your child's academic achievements, social growth, and goals for the remainder of the year. Detailed scheduling information has been sent home with students and is available on the school portal.
October 23 – No School & Community Band Performance:
- No School: Enjoy an extended weekend following parent-teacher conferences.
- Band Performance: Join us at the track at 6:30 PM to support our talented student musicians during a special evening performance.
October 25 – Effingham Halloween Parade (2:00 PM): Keep an eye out for our school entries and marching band as we participate in the annual community parade in Effingham.
October 28 – Student of the Month Assembly: We will recognize students across grade levels who have demonstrated outstanding character, academic effort, and positive leadership during October.
November 3-McTeacher Night at McDonalds. 20% of sales will be donated to our school. This event will be from 5 to 7 pm.
November 4-Annual Safety Lockdown Drill. We will be having our annual lockdown drill on November 4th. Teachers will be preparing our students for this drill and having appropriate grade level conversations about possible situations where we would need to go into a lockdown.

🏀Winter Athletics: Come Out and Support Our Athletes!

As the autumn weather cools down, our school gymnasiums are heating up with athletic events! We have plenty of opportunities for community members and families to come out, wear our school colors, and cheer on our student-athletes.

Girls Basketball: The season is already underway! Our teams have shown great sportsmanship and determination on the court. Check the athletic calendar on our website for home game dates and tip-off times.
Boys Basketball: Practice and tryouts begin at the beginning of October 19th. Be sure your student has an updated sports physical and all necessary athletic paperwork on file with the main office prior to the first day of practice.

🤝 Partnering for Student Success: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are a cornerstone of our home-school partnership. To make the most of your time with your child's teacher, consider preparing a few key questions beforehand:

In what areas has my child shown the most growth this quarter?
What specific skills or habits should we practice at home?
How does my child interact with peers during unstructured times like lunch and recess?

If you need to reschedule or require special accommodations for conferences on October 21st or 22nd, please contact the main office as soon as possible so we can accommodate your schedule.

Thank you for your continued engagement, trust, and partnership in making our school a vibrant place to learn and grow. We look forward to seeing everyone at parent-teacher conferences and winter sporting events!

Happy 1st Quarter,

Mr. Biggs, Principal

Altamont Grade School

Altamont Grade School

Scholar Bowl

Track & Field