Allen Eagle News
August 29, 2024
Principal Updates
Dear Allen Eagle Community,
What a great start to our school year! There were so many smiles this week as our Allen Eagles returned to the classroom. Our Allen team is working to establish the classroom routines and expectations as well as create a positive classroom community. We know when our students feel connected to their school and teachers they are more wiling to try new things and take safe risks in their learning environments.
It is also important for you to feel connected to your child's classroom, our school and community. One of the ways we support this is by sending home classroom newsletters so you know what your child is learning and activities that may be coming. There will also be opportunities for you to come work in the classroom or be a chaperone on a field trip. The Parent Council will also be looking for volunteers to help support the events and activities that they will be sponsoring at school. Be on the look out for information on their upcoming meetings and ways to volunteer, your support makes these activities a success!
Don't forget there is no school tomorrow Friday, August 30th and Monday, September 2nd. We look forward to seeing our Allen Eagles on Tuesday, September 3rd.
Have a great weekend,
Mrs. Cruz and Dr. Webster
Allen Office Team Contact Information
Ms. Jessica Cruz, Principal: cruzj@aaps.k12.mi.us
Dr. Terra Webster, Assistant Principal: webster@aaps.k12.mi.us
Ms. Michele Barkoot, Office Professional: allen@aaps.k12.mi.us
Ms. Sacha Yee, Teacher Clerk: allen@aaps.k12.mi.us
Nurse Beth Araujo, School Nurse, araujob@aaps.k12.mi.us
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, August 30th : No School
- Monday, September 2nd : No School
- Tuesday September 3rd: Preschool First Day of School (UPDATED DATE/TIME)
- Start time 8:25 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
- Thursday, September 11th: Mobile Dentist visits Allen
- Monday, September 16th:
Picture Day
Curriculum Night 6:00 PM
Allen Staff Introductions
Welcome to Mr. Kyle Hunt Allen's New Art Teacher
Hello! My name is Mr. Hunt, your grateful and elated new art teacher. I’ve been an artist and
educator in the area since late 2016 when I moved here to earn my master’s in poetry from the
Helen Zell Writers Program at the University of Michigan. Since then, I’ve been working with arts-
based, trauma-informed non-profits in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Ypsi, teaching both poetry and visual
art to elementary and middle school students. In 2020, I started at Eastern Michigan University
studying K-12 Visual Art Education, always with the intention of working with elementary students.
I’m overjoyed to have found a spot at Allen. I’m already experiencing the kind and supportive
atmosphere I believe this community embodies. Having the opportunity to teach and make art with
the students at Allen is a dream. Thank you for everything, and please reach out anytime!
Message from AAPS Chartwells Food Service Company
We recognize the critical importance of supporting students and families who manage food allergy issues every day. Our commitment is to always work closely with the families of students who have food allergies and medical conditions that require a modification to their school meal menu. Our approach involves coordination between parents and guardians, school nurses, school administrators, and food service professionals following the Ann Arbor Public Schools food allergy and medical conditions policy.
Accommodations are granted for students with disabilities (this includes allergies) at no additional cost to families. However, we are unable to accommodate preferences such as veganism or Halal through this program.
If you would like your child to receive meal accommodation for food allergies or a medical condition impacting their diet, please submit the required documentation to your child's school. The form is available at this link Special Diets Form . Please share the form with your school principal and school nurse. Please email the completed form to our dietitian aaps_dietary_requests@aaps.k12.mi.us
In order to modify the school meal, we must have a written Medical Statement on file signed by a licensed medical provider (physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner). The statement must identify the following:Information about the child’s dietary needs is sufficient for understanding how it restricts the child’s diet,
- An explanation of what must be done to accommodate the child’s dietary needs, and
If appropriate, the food(s) to be omitted, texture modifications, and recommended substitutions.
After receiving the completed form, our Dietitian, Sarah Mason, will contact you to review the meal accommodation plan, which may require additions or amendments based on the ongoing supply chain issues.
Mobile Dentist Coming to Allen Soon!
The mobile dentist will be visiting Allen Elementary on Wednesday, September 11th. If you are interested in having your student see the dentist, please enroll online at this link: https://www.myschooldentist.com/. If you have questions, you can call 888-833-8441.
If you already have dental care established for your student, you do not need to see the mobile dentist.
If you do have dental insurance, and choose to have your student see the mobile dentist, the visit will count as one of your two yearly check-ups.
Allen Spirit Day Sale!
Are you a new family to Allen? Are you excited to show your Allen Eagle pride? If you are interested in purchasing any Allen Eagle gear to wear on our spirit days the orders are being placed now.
It's time to show your school spirit, Allen! Our Back-To-School Spirit Wear Sale is here with 30% off the entire site. Check out our fresh new designs today by clicking the following spirit wear link!
Fall After-School Classes
AAPS Rec & Ed is excited to offer several after-school classes focused on fun, learning, movement, and discovery. Registration is NOW OPEN! Click on each class ID# below or visit www.aarecedonline.com. Scholarships are available! Please call (734) 994-2300 ext. 0 for assistance.
Care Solace
Get Mental Health Help Now with Care Solace: Connect with Care Solace for free by calling (888)515-0595 or by visiting caresolace.com/aaps.
Multiple languages supported.
Care Solace flyers are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Mandarin.
MyStop Bus Arrival App
MyStop is a free desktop and mobile app that provides parents access to AAPS bus route information such as a child’s assigned bus, bus stop location and estimated arrival time at the bus stop.
MyStop allows parents and students to plan for on-time or late bus arrivals and prevent missed pick-ups. There is a 1–2-minute lag that may occur as the bus route information is being processed and transmitted to the app through the GPS system. Here is more information - MyStop Bus Arrival App. To access MyStop your student’s ID is the login and your Family ID is the password which is used for all of your students attending AAPS. Your school will send you the Family ID at the start of the school year if you don’t already have one.
Free Breakfast and Lunch- Application Link below
The Michigan School Meals program, providing free breakfast and lunch for all public school students, grades Pre-K - 12, was signed into law for the Fiscal Year 2024 Michigan State School Aid Budget.
Important Information to Know:
All students eat for free - both breakfast & lunch - full meals NOT a la carte items. A la carte items include milk, snacks, etc. Single purchase items.
All families will need to fill out the application. This is required to determine the Federal Reimbursement AAPS will receive for student meals.
Click on the AAPS FAMILY PORTAL and choose guest. From there, choose application to complete the necessary paperwork. If you need a paper copy of the application please contact the office.
It is important to help prepare your child for the choices that will be offered each day. Click HERE to access the Interactive Menu! (will be updated with the fall menus soon). This will allow you to plan with your child the choices they will choose for lunch, breakfast or both. If your child is planning to eat breakfast at school they will enter the side doors by the Great Room. There will be staff there to help your child walk through the process. If you have additional questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to our food service company Chartwells has more information on their website that will explain about specific dietary needs, restrictions or other commonly asked questions.