Eagle Eyes Mrs. Binder's Class

Mrs. Binder's class has been reading several books about Mrs. Wishy-Washy and Friday they got a chance to paint her.   Here are a few pictures!  Enjoy and ask the kids what Mrs. Wishy Washy likes to do.

Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)

Allen staff is in the process of developing a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) program.   Within the next few years each elementary school in Ann Arbor will have this program in place.   PBIS is a proactive, team-based framework for creating and sustaining safe and effective schools.  The system focuses on positive behaviors and teaches students what these behaviors look like.  Having PBIS in place will create common expectations, language and rules for all students to follow wherever they go in the building.  Allen staff will work throughout the rest of the year developing the necessary components for PBIS implementation.   We plan to roll out the program next September.  We will continue to provide updates as we move forward with the development of the new program.

The Flu

Well after being home sick for two days with a bad case of the stomach flu, I wanted to tell you how important it is to remind your children to frequently wash their hands while at school.   I also want to take a moment to ask that you please keep your child home if they say they don't feel well for their well being as well as the health of others.  I do not want your children to get this bad case of the flu.   Thanks for your support.

Joan

Free Tickets U of M Basketball

The Michigan Women's Basketball team would like to invite the students at Allen Elementary to the annual Elementary School Day on Sunday January 23 at 2:00 PM at Crisler Arena.   Each student will receive two free admissions to the game today in their backpack.

On the concourse before and during the game, U of M will have lots of great activities for you and your family.  There will be clowns, face painting, balloon animals, Michigan face tattoos, poster making stations and a Michigan Rollibanner giveaway for the first 1500 fans.  

As a special incentive, the school that has the most students in attendance will receive a monetary donation to be used anyway the school sees fit.  The first place school will receive $500, and the second through fifth place will receive donations as well.     If you are looking for a fun and inexpensive way to have fun with your family go to the U of M women's basketball game Sunday at 2:00 PM.

MLK Performance

The eagle eyes are highlighting the wonderful performance the 5th grade students put on Friday January 14th.   The students songs and words emphasized the many contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King.   If you are interested in viewing the opening video  I showed the students google Trinity Higgins.   Her words from a youth perspective emulate what I want our students to do.

The Ann Arbor News was also at the event and featured Allen in an article on January 15th.   Go to
http://annarbor.com/neighborhoods/central-ann-arbor/allen-students-celebrate-life-of-martin-luther-king-jr


Thanks fifth grade for a job well done!

Eagle Eyes our Pride Teams

Did you know Allen has two Pride Teams??  The Allen 4th grade Pride Team, led by Mrs. Jenny York, currently meets every Thursday at lunch.  Their current work surrounds a fundraiser that they are planning in which the school will have a contest to see which animal from the Howell Nature Center we will "adopt" or sponsor.   The animals they can adopt are: a white tailed deer, a coyote and a woodchuck.  The students are researching the animals and creating informational posters.

In addition they focus on recycling which includes the recycling center and processing recycled items (such as Capri Sun containers) for sending in.  

The 4th grade Pride Team is instrumental in submitting the application for green school by March 1 and then working for the rest of the year to complete the items outlined in the Application.  Allen has been either a Green School, Emerald School, or Evergreen school for the past three years thanks to the Pride Team.

Students in the Pride Team also work throughout the year to complete their Green Passports which are filled with different types of environmental activities.

Fifth grade Pride Team, led by Ms. Alice King, meets on Wednesdays at lunch recess about twice a month.  For some meetings all students attend.  Other meetings sub groups attend to do tasks such as box top cutting, Thanksgiving place mats, etc.  Other pride team activities include students reading with the kindergarten classes on different days of the week and some students working on a news article about fifth grade pride team for the Wednesday newsletter.

Thanks Pride Teams for your work at Allen School.    Ms. Fitz

Remembering Mr. Kooistra

Dear Allen Families,   Mr. Robert Kooistra (Joan Brush's father) will be remembered dearly by the Allen staff and families.  Mr. Kooistra passed away January 5th but leaves a piece of his love of nature at Allen School.   Mr. Kooistra created the garden that is directly across from the Pre-School wing (attached are some photos).  He was a huge help each year on Allen's Grounds Clean-up days. Mr. Kooistra was known for his strong hands and incredible work ethic as he could get the best of any tree stump or stubborn bush.  Mr. Kooistra loved his walks, the outdoors and poetry.   The sign in the garden is reminiscent of his words.   We will always remember him fondly.
Ms. Fitz

Allen acquires a piece of history

Thanks to a generous and thoughtful alumni, Jennifer M. German, Allen school will receive a shuttle heat shield tile from NASA . Jennifer was in second grade at Allen school in 1985-86 when her class was studying the Earth and space with Mrs. Caviani, and received a lot of literature, pictures, and possibly other items from NASA. That's when and where her love of outer space and science in general started. Jennifer wanted our school to have this piece of science history, and hopefully inspire another child or two to study the sciences. I have pasted some information from NASA regarding the program below:

NASA Offers Space Shuttle Tiles To Schools And Universities


WASHINGTON -- As the Space Shuttle Program nears retirement, NASA is looking for ways to preserve the program's history and inspire the next generation of space explorers, scientists and engineers. Beginning Wednesday, NASA is offering 7,000 shuttle heat shield tiles to schools and universities that want to share technology and a piece of space history with their students.

The lightweight tiles protect the shuttles from extreme temperatures when the orbiters re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.

More information to follow.

Joan



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Happy New Year

Dear Allen Families,
In an attempt to push myself in the world of technology I have decided to undertake the creation and update of a Blog.   I will admit that while it appears to not be too difficult my posts at first may not look very fancy or have much information.    The purpose of the Eagle Eyes is to keep you updated on Quick reminders and updates of the many great things that are happening at Allen School.    I hope you will enjoy this and provide me with feedback as I learn and grow.

Joan