A Welcome Back Week at Elise Ford Allen Academy!

We are now three weeks back into the new semester, and our students have returned focused and ready to learn. Our K–4 students recently completed their i-Ready Math growth assessment, and we were very pleased with the academic gains they demonstrated. Students in grades 5–8 have completed their IXL diagnostic assessments in both ELA and Math, which will help guide instruction as we prepare for the upcoming Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR).

As colder weather continues, we kindly remind families that attendance remains critical to student success—every day of learning matters. To help students arrive ready for the day, please be sure they are dressed warmly in layers, have coats, hats, and gloves, with a good night’s sleep. The students are having a great time with the buttons and are enjoying their growing collection.  Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting strong attendance and academic growth.

Tues, Jan 27- chess team 2:30-3:30Third Round of buttons go out!

Wed, Jan 28-Speech and debate 2:30-4:00; Boys basketball @ home against AJG 4:30- 8th grade night; Dolla Holla

Fri, Jan 30-  Slushies $1.00; 4th-8th grade House Meetings 7:40-8:30

JAN 31- BB @ WCTC

FEB 2- Cognia test opens; Groundhog day; garden club 2:30-3:30;  Boys vs Lincoln @ Home (made up from Jan 26)

FEB 3- Happy Birthday to Mrs. Schuler; Chess team 2:30-3:30

FEB 4- Speech and debate practice; Look! It’s my Book!

FEB 5- Chess team practice 2:30-3:30

FEB 6-College Colors day; PR3 grading period ends; HULT presentation 7th gr; Online School Community

FEB 8- Happy Birthday to Ofc. Hawkins!

FEB 9- Garden Club

FEB 10- Happy Birthday to Mr. J! Student council meeting 2:45-3:30

FEB 11- Dolla Holla;  speech and debate practice; Progress report 3 sent 
home to parents

FEB 12 - Chess team 2:30-3:30; Happy Birthday to Mr. Brown!

FEB 13- Power Up lunches; Hoops for Heart 1:30 $3.00 buy out and popcorn; Happy Birthday to Ms. Enerez!

FEB 15- Happy Birthday to Mr. Adams!

FEB 16- NO SCHOOL- PRESIDENT’S DAY

FEB 17- Hult center 5th grade 9:00-10:30; Chess team practice 2:30-3:30

FEB 18- speech and debate practice 2:30-4:00

FEB 20- Volleyball @ Trewyn 4:30

FEB 21-Volleyball Tourney @ Manual; Speech and Debate Mardi Gras Invitational- 9:00am @ Trewyn

FEB 22- School Community in person K-8

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; superintendent meeting 7:30-9:30; 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; 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

Peoria Public Schools will no longer utilize e-Learning or Learn From Home days due to inclement weather, as we have in the past. If severe weather requires school to be canceled, the day will be a traditional snow day and will be made up at the end of the school year.

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!

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- 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

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

Family Resource Page Includes forms,family resources, school resources & more!

Principal, Laura Rodgers

laura.rodgers@psd150.org

Assistant Principal K-4, Kelly Schuler

kelly.schuler@psd150.org

Assistant Principal 5-7, Deanne Tucker White

deanne.tucker@psd150.org

If you have any general academic, attendance, athletic, or other student concerns, please contact the school at 309-672-6574 or at allen@psd150.org.

School Hours:

Student: 7:30-2:30

Staff: 7:15-2:45

Office: 6:30-3:30

DRESS CODE

Pants: navy, black or khaki.No rips,tears, joggers or leggings

Shirts: collared red, blue, white, green, orange, black No teeshirts or prints

Sweatshirts: no hoodies! no coats/jackets

Shoes: must have covered toe and back strap

NO hats, doo-rags, scarves, bandanas, baclava, etc

Phones: IN A YONDR POUCH.