Elise Ford Allen Academy

The Rider Nation News

Information for the Week of January 6-9

A Welcome Back Week at Elise Ford Allen Academy!

Welcome to 2026!

We hope your family enjoyed a restful and joyful winter break. We are excited to welcome our students back as we begin the new year refreshed and ready to learn.

As winter weather continues, please be sure your child comes to school dressed for the cold with a coat, hat, gloves, and appropriate footwear. This is also a great time to check backpacks and refresh basic school supplies so students are set up for success.

As we return to our learning routines, we will be reinforcing school expectations around attendance, responsibility, and respectful behavior. Thank you for your continued partnership—we are looking forward to a positive and productive start to the new year!

Looking Ahead into January:

Tues, Jan 6- Students return from break; chess team practice 2:30-3:30;

Wed, Jan 7- **Speech and Debate team practice has been moved to Wednesdays 2:30-4:00*** More students who are interested can join, it's not too late! Transportation provided! Middle school- IXL diagnostic opens; primary IReady diagnostic opens

Thurs, Jan 8- Chess team practice 2:30-3:30

Fri, Jan 9- Page Turner's Club meets 2:30-3:30 in library; House Leads attend the Teen Summit with Ms. Chapman; Slushies $1.00; REPORT CARDS ARE COMING HOME WITH YOUR STUDENT!

Sat, Jan 10- Boys basketball shoot out at WCTC- SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS~

Mon, Jan 12- Garden Club meeting 2:30-3:30; First round of buttons go out!

Tues, Jan 13- Boys Basketball vs Trewyn @ home 4:30-6:30; K1,2 watch Hansel & Gretel puppet show

Wed, Jan 14- **Speech and Debate team practice has been moved to Wednesdays 2:30-4:00*** More students who are interested can join, it's not too late! Transportation provided! Dolla Holla

Thurs, Jan 15-Chess team 2:30-3:30; Boys basketball @ GO 4:00

Fri, Jan 16- Page Turner's Club meets 2:30-3:30 in library; slushies $1.00

Mon, Jan 19- NO SCHOOL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR BIRTHDAY!

Tues, Jan 20- Chess team practice 2:30-3:30; Boys basketball at AJG 4:30; Dental Sealants here; second round of buttons go out! Parent breakfast- PTO- 7:30-8:00

Wed, Jan 21- **Speech and Debate team practice has been moved to Wednesdays 2:30-4:00*** More students who are interested can join, it's not too late! Transportation provided!

Thurs, Jan 22-Chess team 2:30-3:30; boys basketball at Von 4:00

Fri, Jan 23- Page Turner's Club meets 2:30-3:30 in library; Backwards Day! Slushies $1.00

Mon, Jan 26-Garden Club meeting 2:30-3:30; Boys vs Lincoln @ Home; Third Round of buttons go out!

Tues, Jan 27- chess team 2:30-3:30

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- Page Turner's Club meets 2:30-3:30 in library; Slushies $1.00

INCLEMENT WEATHER INFORMATION

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!

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 1! LET'S KEEP OUR EYE ON 95% OR HIGHER EACH WEEK. PLEASE PLAN IN ADVANCE FOR WINTER WEATHER.

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 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.