The Elise Ford Allen Academy

The Rider Nation News

Information for the Weeks of March 16-27

We are excited to share that our students have successfully completed state testing! We are incredibly proud of their hard work and focus during this important time. A special thank you to our families for helping students arrive on time and ready to learn each day. Your support makes a tremendous difference in our students’ success.

To celebrate strong attendance, students who have maintained 95% attendance or higher will enjoy our “Taste the Rainbow” celebration on March 17 as a reward for their commitment to being at school and ready to learn. We are excited to announce our next incentive, Rider Royalty...Earn the Crown!

With just two weeks until Spring Break, we encourage students to stay focused, continue showing strong attendance, and finish the quarter strong.

Spring activities are also gearing up! Boys and girls soccer tryouts and track will be starting soon, and we are excited to see many of our students participating in these upcoming athletic opportunities. A congratulations from EFAA to Manual High School on their state title in Boys Basketball! We are proud of you!

Thank you for continuing to support our school community!

Looking Ahead into February & March

MAR 16- Hult Kinder 9:00; garden club 2:45-4:00; School Community online- 5-8 7:45; K-4 2:00; Girls on the Run 2:45-4:00

MAR 17- chess team 2:45-4:00; Parent breakfast 7:30-8:30; St Patrick’s Day slushie attend incentive; wear green for House of Isibindi!

MAR 18- Girls on the Run 2:45-4:00

MAR 20-Page Turners 2:45-3:30

MAR 23- Garden Club 2:45-4:00; Girls on the Run 2:45-4:00

MAR 24- chess team practice 2:45-4:00

MAR 25- Dolla Holla; Speech and debate 2:45-4:00

MAR 26- chess team practice 2:45-4:00; IN PERSON SCHOOL COMMUNITY

MAR 27- PBIS MARCH MADNESS CELEBRATION; Check point 1 for Sneaker Ball Royal Attendance Campaign (must be at school to qualify)

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 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.