Elise Ford Allen Academy

The Rider Nation News

Information for the Week of December 1-5

A Wonderful Week at Elise Ford Allen Academy!

We wish you a fabulous Thanksgiving surrounded by family, friends, and well-deserved rest!
We wrapped up an incredible week at EFAA celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of our students. Our Amazing Shake finalists—top students from each homeroom—competed for a chance to advance to the District Finals. Congratulations to every one of our finalists!

Our outstanding band and color guard will proudly perform in the Santa Claus Parade on Friday, and our JV and Varsity basketball teams remain UNDEFEATED and LEAGUE CHAMPS! Championship games for both teams will take place December 1st–4th.

Keep reading to see all the amazing things happening at EFAA!

Looking Ahead into December:

Dec 1- Garden Club meeting 2:30-3:30; JV basketball 4:00 @WCTC

Dec 2- Happy Birthday to Dr. White! Chess team practice 2:30-3”30 ; Varsity 4:00 @ WCTC; speech and debate practice 2:30-4:00; Presents for Presence begins

Dec 3- Happy Birthday to Simonette Williamson! Look it’s My Book! 9:00; JV game @ 4:00 or 5:15 WCTC depending on Monday’s game

Dec 4- Happy birthday to Marissa Adamsl Chess team practice; Varsity @ 4 or 5:15 WCTC depending on Tuesday’s game

Dec 5- Book club- Page Turners 2:30-3:30 in library; House Meetings

Dec 6- EFAA hosting Holiday Speech Tournament 8:45-2:45; Happy Birthday to Ms. Roach!

Dec 7- Happy Birthday to Mrs. Ledbetter!

Dec 8- Winter NWEA opens; Winter WACs testing for Waterford opens; Garden Club meeting 2:30-3:30; SB meeting 6:30

Dec 9- Boys home opener! 4:00 vs GO HBCU performance in combo with Glen Oak; 3rd and 4th graders compete at Amazing Shake @ WCTC

Dec 10- Dolla Holla; Happy birthday to Ms. Fulkerson & Ms. Markovich! 5th and 6th graders compete at Amazing Shake @ WCTC

Dec 11- 7/8th graders compete at Amazing Shake @ WCTC; Chess team practice 2:30-3:30; Holiday concert 6 pm

Dec 12- Holiday concert K-3 1:00 in auditorium; Book Club 2:30-3:30

Dec 15- Student/Staff holiday spirit week begins; garden club meets 2:30-3:30; Von @ Elise Ford Allen 4:00

Dec 16- chess team 2:30-3:30

Dec 17- Glow Party; EFAA basketball @ Lincoln

Dec 18- Riverman game 9:30-1:00ish; Chess team 2:30-3:30

Dec 19- 1:30 student dismissal- shortened schedule HOT CHOCOLATE FOR NWEA WINNERS!

UPCOMING INCENTIVES FOR STUDENTS! ATTENDANCE & NWEA

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.

Just a gentle reminder that our school is nut-free to keep all students safe.

Please coordinate all treats with your child’s teacher in advance.
Treats should be dropped off at the front office by 10:00 a.m.
To keep celebrations simple and learning on track, please avoid balloons, large party items, or elaborate treats.
Items should be small and easy for the teacher to hand out during class without interrupting instruction.

Thank you for helping us keep celebrations fun, safe, and classroom-friendly!

A PEEK AT OUR HOMEROOM ATTENDANCE! LOOK AT ALL THAT BLUE AND GREEN FOR LAST WEEK! OUR GOAL IS 95% EACH DAY! SHOUT OUT TO MS. WILSON'S 4TH GRADE CLASS WITH 100% FOR THE WEEK!

The chart below 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 93.86%. 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.