The Elise Ford Allen Academy

The Rider Nation News

Information for the Weeks of April 13-17

We hope are having a restful and refreshing Spring Break! We are excited to welcome our students back and are ready to finish the 4th quarter strong on Monday, April 13th at 7:15!

There is so much to look forward to as we head into the final stretch of the school year, including Kindergarten Registration, the start of soccer and track season, Junior Achievement BizTown for our 5th and 6th graders, upcoming trips to the Riverfront Museum, and our “Livin’ the Rider Way” Variety Show.

As we return, we ask for your continued partnership in ensuring students are at school daily (95% attendance or higher), in proper uniform, and focused on their learning. Let’s work together to make this last quarter our strongest yet—let’s finish Rider Strong!

Looking Ahead into April & May

APR 13- Return to school. Doors open at 7:15 am; Garden Club 2:45-4:00; Girls on the Run 2:45-4:00

APR 14- Chess Team 2:45-4:00 pm; Soccer vs HBD @ Bubble Field 1 Girls:4:00 pm; Boys: 5:00 pm (AT THE STADIUM DOME)

APR 15- Girls on the Run 2:45-4:00 pm; First Track Meet (Time TBA) @ Peoria Stadium; Deidre Purcell Math Awards 5:30

APR 16- 8th Grade visit to WCTC 12:00-1:15 pm; Chess Team 2:45-4:00 pm

APR 17- Tie Dye Spirit Day ; Page Turners 2:45-3:45 pm

APR 18- Soccer vs SMS @ Bubble Field 1 Girls:11 am; Boys: 12 pm (AT THE STADIUM DOME)

APR 20- Riverfront Museum: Gr.3 (9:30-11 am); Girls on the Run 2:45-4:00 pm

APR 21- Riverfront Museum: Gr.4 (9:30-11 am); Spring Celebration for middle school choir/band 11-12:30 pm; Chess Team practice 2:45-4:00 pm

APR 22- Riverfront Museum: Gr.5 (9:30-11 am); Girls on the Run 2:45-4:00; Track Meet (Time TBA) @ Peoria Stadium; Soccer vs MB @ Bubble Field 1 Girls:4 pm; Boys:5 pm (AT THE STADIUM DOME)

APR 23-Riverfront Museum: Gr.6 (9:30-11 am); Soccer vs LLMS @ Bubble Field 2 Girls:4 pm; Boys:5 pm (AT THE STADIUM DOME) Center for Prevention of Abuse educating in K-8 classrooms- letters went home with details

APR 24-Riverfront Museum: Gr.7/8 (9:30-11 am); Page Turners 2:45-3:45 pm; Ladies + Gents Dance ($5.00 per family-See flyer below) 5:00-6:30 pm; Center for Prevention of Abuse educating in K-8 classrooms- letters went home with details

APR 25- Kindergarten Round-Up at the Peoria Zoo 10:00 am *See flyer below

APR 27-Garden Club 2:45-4:00 pm; Hult Center 7th grade

APR 28-Chess Team 2:45-4:00 pm; Parent Breakfast

APR 29-Dolla Holla; Track Meet (Time TBA) @ Peoria Stadium; Soccer vs TS @ Manual HS Girls:4:30 pm; Boys:5:30 pm; Royal Sneaker Ball Grades K/1 & 2/3 in morning

APR 30-Chess Team 2:45-4:00 pm; Kindergarten Round Up 5:00-6:00 pm @ EFAA; Royal Sneaker Ball Grades 4/5 &6/7/8 in morning

MAY 1-College Colors Day; Page Turners 2:45-3:45 pm

JA BIZ TOWN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THURS, APRIL 16 @ 8:45

Supporting mental health and wellness for students and families.

If your child is struggling with anxiety, having a hard time staying focused, or could benefit from extra support, Cartwheel is here to help. Many families reach out to ask questions or get advice before a challenge becomes bigger. We are proud to partner with Cartwheel to provide access to mental health support for the students and families in our community via virtual therapy and family guidance with licensed clinicians.

How Cartwheel can help:

✓ No waitlists – Students, families, and staff can be seen within days, not months
✓ Flexible scheduling – Virtual appointments available 8am-8pm Mon-Fri and some weekend hours
✓ Multiple languages – Care available in English, Spanish, and other languages
✓ No financial barriers – Free for families with Medicaid; in-network with many insurance plans

How to access support:

For Families: Parents and caregivers seeking support for their child can complete this simple interest form.

For Referring Staff: School counselors and social workers can refer students and families who could benefit from therapy, parent guidance, or psychiatric care.

We're here when you need us. Learn more and get started: https://www.cartwheel.org/district/peoria-public-schools

ATTENTION 8th Grade Parents- You MUST approve your child's course planner for high school in School Links:

School Links is a tool that gives you access to the bigger picture of your students’ future. As a guardian, you will have the opportunity to join your student in their career and college exploration process and have conversations with them about their future. You will have access to School Links through your account. Please ensure you have an email address on file in Skyward. We look forward to getting started and helping you help your student!

School Links allows you to: 

View the results of your student’s career interest, strength, and mindset assessments to learn more about their interests and what careers might be right for them

See what colleges and careers your student has favorited and set as goals

Check your personalized dashboard for upcoming events, as well as important reminders and to-dos for your student

Complete your own research on colleges, careers, and more to help you have informed conversations with your students.

Compare college costs and explore expected financial aid, scholarships, and out-of-pocket expenses

Review your student’s course plans

Arrival Procedures

Parents may not pull in past the barricade in the morning. We have adults helping students get out of the car in the morning.

Supervision for students does not begin until 7:15. Once most busses unload we come in the building.

Dismissal Procedures

Dismissal- Students who are car riders will be dismissed by their teacher to the back car rider rooms, they WILL NOT bring car riders out front. Parents should pull in the back parking lot where Mrs. Schuler will assist with lining cars up in an orderly fashion. ALL PARKING ON AIKEN IS RESERVED FOR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING BUSSES.

Walkers: All K-4 students will remain with their homeroom teacher until an older sibling gets them.

**THERE IS NO PARKING ON WARREN BETWEEN 2:00-2:40 DUE TO BUSSES

Bussing Procedures

Busses will be on Warren Street this year. Students will be monitored as they get off the bus in the morning and load the busses in the afternoon. If you are unsure if your child has bussing please call transportation at 693-4418.

Uniforms

All collard shirts must be navy, royal blue, light blue, hunter green, red, white, black or orange. Pants are black, khaki or navy. No jeans, no leggings, no stretch pants/shorts. All footwears must be closed-back or have an ankle strap (as needed). Solid uniform-color sweatshirts/sweaters or Spirit Wear sweatshirts may be worn over the collared uniform shirt. Sweatshirts/sweaters must not have hoods. Sweaters may be pullover or cardigan style. Purses and bags are to remain in lockers for the entire school day. Coats, jackets, and vests are to remain in lockers for the entire school day. Hats, bandanas, sweatbands, scarves, etc. are not to be worn at school.

Cell Phones

All cellular devices will be locked in a YONDR pouch each day. All pouches will be collected and stored out of sight for the day. If a child needs to get a cellular device because they are leaving early, an adult will unlock it for them. This is a board policy for all middle and high school students in PPS.

Clear Backpacks

Alll students in grades 5-8 must have a clear backpack by October 15. They are for sale at school for $20.00.

A PEEK AT OUR HOMEROOM ATTENDANCE FOR SEMESTER 2 LET'S KEEP OUR EYE ON 95% OR HIGHER EACH WEEK.

The chart above shows your child’s homeroom attendance. Each class tracks daily attendance because every student makes a difference. When a homeroom reaches its weekly goal, the class celebrates by coloring in a “slice of pizza.” Once the slice is complete, the homeroom earns a bag of fruit snacks to enjoy together.

Let’s keep the momentum going—our school goal is 95% attendance each day. Right now, our school average is 92.5%. We’re close—let’s work together to reach that goal! Ask your child about their weekly color...a great conversation starter!

PARENT NEWSLETTER TIPS & ARTICLES

EFA shares a monthly newsletter called Parents Make the Difference! to help families support learning at home that is personalized for EFA.

What it is: A short, easy-to-read newsletter with age-appropriate tips for your child’s grade level.
What it includes: Ideas to build good habits with homework, attendance, reading, behavior, and emotional well-being.
Why we use it: Because families and schools work best as a team! These newsletters give simple, research-based ideas you can use every day to help your child succeed.