Allen Independent School District

FAST TRACK
News and Information for Allen ISD Parents

April 20, 2017

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Welcome to Fast Track, Allen ISD's Email News Service. Thank you for subscribing. 
AISD Construction Projects Progressing On Schedule

Work is underway on a number of construction and renovation projects approved by voters in the 2015 bond election.
 
The new Preston Elementary School will be open on schedule this August. The school is located off of Chelsea Boulevard just north of the Star Creek community.
 
Also scheduled to open in August 2017 are two additions to Allen High School; an auxiliary gymnasium and a fine arts multipurpose room. Bolin Elementary School is scheduled for a major renovation this summer and phase two of interior renovations and re-roofing at Allen High School will also be started and completed this summer.

The new Lowery Freshman Center (pictured above) on Greenville Avenue is beginning to take shape. Site work is ongoing and concrete is being poured. The school will open in August 2018.

Planning for Allen ISD's new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Center is nearly complete and the project will be considered by the Board of Trustees for final approval in May. The STEAM Center will be located near the intersection of Exchange and Ridgeview Boulevards. The opening is planned for the winter of 2019.

Elementary Principal Changes Announced For 2017-18 
Allen ISD recently announced elementary principal changes and new appointments for the 2017-18 school year.
  • Ms. Debbie Burt has been named as the principal of Vaughan Elementary School for next year. She comes to Vaughan from Anderson Elementary School, where she has served as principal since 2011. She replaces Mrs. Honey Gray, who will be retiring from Vaughan Elementary in June.(More information)
  • Mrs. Regina Frazier-Dumar will replace Debbie Burt as principal of Anderson.  Frazier-Dumar has been principal of Boyd Elementary School for the past two years.  (More)
  • Mrs. Melissa Pursifull will move to Lindsey Elementary School in August. She has served as principal since 2014 and assistant principal at Rountree Elementary School since 2010. She replaces Mrs. Rachel Kaiser at Lindsey, who has accepted an administrative position with the Broken Arrow (OK) schools for next year. (More)
  • Mrs. Judith Coffman was named as principal for Boyd Elementary School starting in July. She replaces Regina Frazier-Dumar, who will be moving to Anderson Elementary School as principal in August. (More)
  • Mrs. Lara Utecht will take over as Rountree Elementary School principal in July. She has served as assistant principal at Kerr Elementary since 2013. (More)
Allen ISD  Recognized For Financial Transparency
Allen ISD has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents "a significant accomplishment by a government and its management."

An Award of Financial Reporting Achievement was also awarded to the district's Finance Department for preparing the award-winning CAFR.   Visit the Financial Transparency page here .
Community Confidence In AISD Strong According to Survey 
Community confidence in Allen ISD and specific programs is strong according to a community survey conducted by K12 Insight this past winter.  Highlights of the survey, which was completed by 5,345 respondents, included:
  • The majority of participants were very satisfied or satisfied with all aspects of Allen ISD included in the survey, with the highest satisfaction in school safety (89%), followed by school environment (86%) and academic programs (85%)
  • The majority of participants strongly agreed or agreed that the district prepares and supports students.
  • The top five information sources that participants use for school information are Allen ISD's website (80%), campus email (71%), district email (55%), Peachjar e-flyers (55%), and campus websites (53%). 
  • Eighty-eight percent of participants would recommend Allen ISD to a friend or family member with school-age children looking to move.
  • Eighty-four percent of participants said they place high or moderate importance on state ratings for public schools. 
A summary of results, along with the results of previous community surveys can be found here.
ComEd Summer Camp Registration Is Underway

The camp location this summer will alternate weeks between Reed Elementary, 1200 Rivercrest Blvd., and Norton Elementary, 1120 Newport Dr. Camp hours are 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Children will need to bring a sack lunch and drink Monday through Thursday. Each Friday pizza, popsicles and a drink will be provided for lunch. 

The fee for each camp is only $109 per camp/per student.  Click here to view a PDF  of the Summer Camp Brochure.
  
Registration also is underway for the   2017 Allen Eagle Sports camps
Tallenette Showcase May 12-13
The Tallenette Showcase dance production will be held on Friday May 12 and Saturday 13 from 7 - 9 p.m..  

The annual dance extravaganza will be held at the Allen ISD Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased in advance at  www.allenpac.org or at the door for all performances. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Parents - Check Your Calendar
Band Mattress Sale Fundraiser - April 29, PAC Lobby, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Encore Spring Choral Show - April 28-29, PAC, 7 p.m.

Tallenette Showcase - May 12-13, PAC, 7 p.m.

Memorial Day - May 29, No classes

Last Day of School - June 1 

Allen High School Graduation - June 2, Eagle Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
New School Hours For Next Year
Beginning next year, the State will count a school district's number of instructional minutes (75,600 minutes) instead of instructional days (previously 180 days). This change, along with Allen ISD's designation as a District of Innovation, allows Allen ISD to begin school a week earlier in August.  In order to provide staff development days and the proper number of minutes, the elementary and middle school school days will be extended by ten minutes. The Lowery Center school day will be five minutes longer.

School Times For 2017-2018 
Elementary School.....7:50 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  
Middle School.....8:25 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.  
Lowery Freshman Center.....8:15 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
Allen High School.....8:15 a.m. - 3:35 p.m. (no change from 2016-17)
Peachjar Saves 193 Trees
Using the new communication tool  "Peachjar," local non-profits and organizations helped save 193 trees or 1.6 million pieces of paper since October 2016. 

School-approved flyers are sent through Peachjar to parents  electronically and posted on the school website. Parents simply click the flyers  and receive the flyers via email or through the Peachjar button on our homepage.

This system is used exclusively for distribution of school-approved  flyers.  Thank you for supporting our efforts to ensure parents
are well informed about school programs, activities, and events.
Upcoming Events
May 22 - B oard of Trustees Meeting, Allen City Hall, 7 p.m.  
May 29 - Memorial Day, No Students
June 1 - Last Day of School
June 2 - AHS Graduation, Eagle Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
Thank you for your support of the Allen Independent School District.