Otter Outlook

AUGUST -

26 -Welcome Back Lunch Visitors

SEPTEMBER -

02 - Labor Day - Staff/Student Holiday

05 - School Night for Scouting 6 - 8 pm

09 - Watch Dog Kick-Off

12 - Welcome Picnic - Art Night & PTA Membership Meeting

13 - Fall Picture Day (Individual)

16 - Staff Development/Student Holiday

18 - 20 - 5th Grade to Allaso Ranch

25 - Donuts with Dudes

27 - 10/4 - Fall Book Fair

OCTOBER -

09 - Walk, Bike, Roll to School

28 - 11/8 - APEX Fundraiser/Character Building

*NO LUNCH VISITORS UNTIL AUGUST 26th*

*Monday - Olson Otter Wear

*Wednesday - House Colors

*Friday - College, AHS, Favorite Team

We are so glad that you are ready to eat lunch with your child! Please adhere to the following

protocols for having lunch with your student.

PLEASE:

*Stay on the stage and do not go to your child's cafeteria table. (Your child will meet you in the cafeteria.)

*Eat with your child only (no friends on the stage.)

*If you need to speak to your child's teacher, please contact them outside of their lunch break. (Email is the best way to contact your child's teacher.)

*Do not take pictures of anyone other than your child. This includes background images.

*Do not play with items on the stage.

Thank you and enjoy your special lunch!

Olson Attendance FAQ 2024-2025

Projects Focus on Safety & Security, Maintenance Updates, and Enhanced Learning Spaces

Following the recommendation of Project Kids, the 81-member citizen advisory committee, the Allen ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call a bond election for November 5, 2024.

The proposal will impact every campus in Allen ISD. Specific projects include, but are not limited to, the following items:

· Safety and security updates at our campuses, including upgrades to security cameras, camera systems with weapon detection capabilities, intruder alert systems, central lockdown enhancements, reconfiguration of main entrances at campuses that do not have secure visitor entrances next to the main office, and replacement of AEDs, fire panels, fire alarms, and fire suppression systems that have reached end-of-life at our campuses.

· Maintenance and efficiency upgrades at various campuses to replace flooring, wall coverings, lighting, plumbing, HVAC, and other maintenance items that experience wear and tear in the 15-17 years between campus update cycles. Materials with longer-lasting finishes and greater efficiency would be used in the updates.

· Updates to learning spaces at various campuses. As part of the 2020 bond election, several campuses received major renovations to align learning environments with the community-driven standards set forth in the SOAR 2030 strategic plan. This same approach would be implemented at the following campuses to provide even more students with a similar educational experience: Curtis Middle School, Ford Middle School, Olson Elementary, Cheatham Elementary, Green Elementary, Norton Elementary, and Anderson Early Childhood School.

· Technology improvements for devices and infrastructure, including computer devices for students, WiFi network upgrades on campus, and classroom media stations.

· Transportation updates, including replacement of buses that will reach the end of their useful lifespan, and replacement of transportation hardware and software to address student safety in real-time.

The total price of the bond proposal is $447,499,700, and Allen ISD can fund all of the projects in the 2024 bond proposal using the existing tax rate. Allen ISD’s tax rate has not increased in the last decade and is at its lowest point since 1993. Some projects, including efficient maintenance items, will reduce utility costs incurred annually in the District’s operating budget. Furthermore, Allen ISD has a proven track record of delivering bond projects on time and on budget.

More information about the 2024 bond election will be shared with community members over the coming weeks and months, including community presentations and a dedicated bond website.

Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) is a program from the National Center for Fathering, whose purpose is to provide positive male role models for students by being present in education. Watch D.O.G.S. are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day during the school year by being helping in the classroom, lunch, recess, specials, at arrival and dismissal, etc.

Our annual kick-off event is Monday, September 9th from 5:30-6:30 in the Olson cafeteria. Please see the attached flyer for all the necessary information and to RSVP for the event. Following the kick-off event, a Skyward email will go out with all the necessary information to sign-up to volunteer for Watch D.O.G.S..

Fathers and Father-figures,

On Monday, September 9th from 5:30-6:30pm we will be having our annual ‘Dads and Kids’ Pizza Night at our school. We will meet in the Olson Elementary school cafeteria at 6:00pm for FREE pizza and drinks. At about 6:30pm, there will be a presentation about our WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students) Program. WATCH D.O.G.S.® is an innovative program being used by schools across America which helps them to be positively impacted by the committed involvement of fathers and father-figures in their student’s life. Our goal is to have you spend one day this year at Olson to be a positive male role model and to provide an extra set of eyes and ears.

Dads, granddads, uncles, stepdads, and adult brothers . . . this is your chance to have a night out alone with your student in a fun atmosphere at school.

In order to attend the ‘Dads and Kids’ Pizza Night, please do the following:

1. RSVP by Tuesday, September 3rd via the following link, in order to have an accurate head count for the pizza: Watch D.O.G. Kick-Off RSVP (We will plan on 2 pieces per adult, and 1 piece per student.)

2. Mark your calendar for Monday, September 9th from 5:30-6:30pm.

In order to participate in the Watch D.O.G.S. Program, you will need to do three things:

1. Have your calendar ready to sign-up to be a Watch D.O.G. for one day this school year.

2. Complete the background verification through Allen ISD at: Volunteer Application These must be completely yearly.

3. Have an Official WATCH D.O.G.S.® Uniform T-shirt for Watch D.O.G.S., which can be purchased via the following link: Official Uniform Shirt. T-shirts for students are also available to purchase, as well as other items, however not required.

Sincerely,

Nicole Oliver

Olson School Counselor

Our BIGGEST event of the Fall is coming soon! Instead of Fall Fest (historically in October/November), we’re hosting a Welcome Picnic alongside Art Night right after our first PTA Membership Meeting of the year.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, 9/12:

• 5:30pm in the MPR: PTA Membership Meeting
• 6pm on the Olson Field: Welcome Picnic & Art Night

This year’s official Olson student shirt, provided through the Olson PTA, is in house colors (not grade level colors as we've done in the past). All are encouraged (but not required) to purchase one as they will be worn on field trips, spirit days & for house huddles.

• ORDER NOW: https://olsonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/302860 *Sign-in required
• Shirt color will vary depending on house color
• Available/encouraged for adults as well!
• Your shirt order will be delivered to your child's homeroom class once available
• Yes, we do still have a Spirit Shop if you'd like more (completely optional) Olson swag

Questions? Email fundraising@olsonpta.org

The Olson PTA exists to support the families, teachers and staff at Olson Elementary. Purchase your 24-25 membership here (sign-in required) & then keep an eye out for your PTA member exclusive monthly email newsletter on 9/1, and a chance to win/vote at the upcoming Membership Meeting on 9/12.

• Purchase your 24-25 PTA Membership here
• Express your interest to volunteer here
• Join the PTA on Facebook here
• Find your Grade Level Facebook Group here
• Follow the PTA on Remind here
• Sync the school/PTA calendar with your personal one here
• Browse the Olson PTA website here
• Check out the Olson Elementary website here
• Make a donation to the PTA here
• Interested in being a sponsor? Email president@olsonpta.org

Contacting the Counselor, Mrs. Oliver

Hi, my name is Nicole Oliver, I am Olson’s School Counselor. I can be reached via phone or email, at 972-562-1800 or Nicole.Oliver@allenisd.org.

I am available to students for a variety of needs and they are welcome to see me any time they need. I am also available to help parents. I also have a variety of resources that I can share with families. Please reach out to me any time with questions or concerns.

SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION

SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS:

7:30 - 4:00 M - TH

7:30 - 3:30 F

Website: www.allenisd.org
Location: 1751 East Exchange Parkway, Allen, TX, USA

Phone: 972-562-1800
Facebook: facebook.com/facebook.com
Twitter: @olsonotters