Elise Ford Allen Academy

The Rider Nation News

Information for the Week of February 23-27

What a fantastic week at The Elise Ford Allen Academy! Our attendance campaign wrapped up in a BIG way, and we are so proud of our Riders for showing up and showing out. The Button Boss excitement has been contagious, and seeing so many students committed to strong attendance habits has been a true success. With the beautiful weather this week, students have loved getting outside and enjoying some fresh air—it has been a welcome energy boost for everyone!

\We’ve also continued celebrating Black History Month through powerful classroom learning, creative projects, and meaningful schoolwide activities that highlight history, culture, and contributions that shape our world. We are especially looking forward to Friday’s Evolution of the Revolution performance as we celebrate the impact of music and culture from the 1970s–1990s. Our students have been working hard, and we can’t wait to showcase their talents. We would like to recognize the hard work of our Chess Team who competed at the Peoria County Invitational with Jasiah placing in the top 10! A shout out to our speech and debate team for taking home a team award at Saturday's Mardi Gras Invitational.

As we head into next week, volleyball season is gearing up, IAR testing preparations are underway, and Read Across America Week will bring fun literacy-focused activities throughout the building. It’s a busy and exciting stretch ahead—thank you for partnering with us AND please submit your Cognia survey for a free out of uniform dress day for your student(s)!

Looking Ahead into February & March

FEB 23- Hult 6th grade 9:00-10:30; 11:00-12:30; student council meeting; vision and hearing screenings;
garden club 2:30-3:30; Happy Birthday to Mauricio Rodriguez!

FEB 24-honor roll breakfast; vision and hearing screenings

FEB 25-Happy birthday to Denise Smith! Dolla Holla; speech and debate practice;
Girls VB home 4:00; vision and hearing screenings

FEB 26- House Points lead party; spelling bee 1:15 in cafe; chess practice 2:30-3:30; vision and hearing screenings; Happy Birthday to Diane Hines!

FEB 27- BLACK HISTORY MONTH PRESENTATION- 1:00 STAGE- EVOLUTION OF THE MOTOWN REVOLUTION; vision and hearing screenings

FEB 28- VOLLEYBALL @ HOME 9:00

MAR 1- Happy Birthday to Kristen Miller!

MAR 2- vision and hearing screenings; Read Across America week begins; garden club 2:30-3:30

MAR 3- vision and hearing screenings; IAR begins; chess team 2:30-3:30

MAR 4- Look! It's my Book! ; ½ day 10:30 dismissal- SIP DAY

MAR 5-Chess team 2:30-3:30; VB @ Lincoln; literacy night 5:30

JOIN US FRIDAY, FEB 27TH 1:00 IN AUDITORIUM

Join us for another year of engaging and high-energy Black History Month performances as our students bring history to life through music, movement, and storytelling. This year's special program celebrates the evolution of mainstream pop culture, picking up where we left off in the 1960's through the 1990s — showcasing how Funk, Disco, Hip-Hop, Rap and R&B propelled Black artists into the defining sound and fashion icons of popular culture as we close out the century!

TAKE THE COGNIA SURVEY & GET YOUR STUDENT(S) AN OUT OF UNIFORM DAY! SCREEN SHOT THE MESSAGE AT THE END AND EMAIL TO YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER OR ALLEN@PSD150.ORG

CLICK HERE! PARENT SURVEY

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!

IAR INCENTIVES WILL START ON MARCH 3 THRU MARCH 12

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.