Barnyard Moosical

 The first grade was awesome in their Performance on Tuesday!   The stage was full of Chickens, Pigs, and Cows!!   Here are a few photos from the performance.  Nice job first grade!!    Ms. Fitz

Eating in the Round

Thank you Parent Council for purchasing four round tables for the Allen cafeteria.

We started using them yesterday and the kids are thrilled.   Now you might be asking why would we want round tables?  Well,  round tables provide students with the opportunity to have their own dedicated seat, the ability to talk to many more friends and not have to talk over anyone, and most importantly the volume level is reduced due to the change in structure.    So Thank You!!   we will rotate students through the use of the tables in two week rotations as we only have enough for one class at a time for each lunch period. Here are some photos of the new arrangement.

And here is a picture of the the original tables.

Disability Awareness Workshop

Friday the fourth grade students participated in our 6th annual Disability Awareness Workshop.  Thanks to Karen Meints and several volunteers the day was again a huge success.   Please click on the wonderful AA news article for pictures and more details.  Thank you everyone for providing this educational day for our students.    Joan

http://annarbor.com/neighborhoods/central-ann-arbor/allen-students-learn-respect-for-others-at-disability-awareness-workshop/

Chinese New Year

Tomorrow is the Chinese New Year!  Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese  holidays!  This year is the year of the Rabbit.  Our students will enjoy a powerpoint presentation tomorrow which was created by some of our students.  We also have our front showcase and hallway decorated with various Chinese paintings and artifacts.  I hope you will ask your child to tell you what they learned about Chinese New Year.  Here are a few facts from the powerpoint.

Some activities include:

• Dragon dance parade; lantern festival; new year TV gala show; visiting friends and relatives

Some of the traditional food includes:

• Jiaozi (dumpling), Niangao (sticky rice), fish, meats, sweets.

Some of the decorations include:

• Red color brings luck, fortune, and wealth. Paper cuttings, lanterns, and couplets. 

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