The Gator Gazette

Welcome to September! We had a fun week at Allisonville with our first Gator Jam and Book Fair of the semester! The fundraiser started this week and continues next week as well. We thank all families who have taken the time to sell items to support PTO and our school. There are many fun prizes for the students to earn if they take the time to sell fundraising items.

It is hard to believe that we are one month into the school year and now headed into fall.

Today marks the middle of the first grading period and midterm grades come out next Friday, September 9th. It is a good way for parents to monitor how the students have started this year. Teachers will be reaching out soon to schedule parent-teacher conferences in mid-September. This is a time for parents and caregivers to sit down with the teacher to learn how your child is doing this school year and ask questions. Students will have an e-Learning day on Tuesday, September 21st to accommodate for parent-teacher conferences.

There are several September dates to note below, so mark your calendars for many fun things happening this month at Allisonville. Please enjoy your 3-day weekend and the day off on Monday to celebrate Labor Day.

We Are The Gators! WE ARE AV!

Mrs. Reffett

Principal

9/5 – No School/Labor Day

9/9 – Midterm Distribution

9/13 – Picture Day

9/13 – Dine to Donate at Papa Johns

9/14 – Allisonville Spotlight at School Board Meeting

9/15 – 4th Grade Field Day

9/15 – Gator Jam (grades 2/3)

9/19-23 – AV Spirit Week

9/21 – E-Learning Day/Parent-Teacher Conferences

9/23 – NC Homecoming and Tailgate

Hello AV Families!! I’m Miss Williamson and this is my 3rd school year as the School Social Worker at Allisonville Elementary School. I have my Master’s in Social Work from Ball State University. I have been working in education for almost 6 years in various positions in Lawrence, Zionsville, and Kokomo schools. In my little free time, I enjoy spending time with my pup Cleo and going to local nature parks. I am a die hard fan of the Tennessee Titans and LSU Tigers. I also love having game nights with my friends and family.

As a School Social Worker, it is my role to provide services that connect schools, children, families, and communities. I support the mental, physical, social, and emotional needs of all children and families. One of my favorite parts of my job is cultivating a school wide culture of attendance that prioritizes building relationships with families and emphasizes the importance of attending school every day. At AV, we want students to know that we notice when they aren’t at school and that their school community cares and misses them when they aren’t here. If your family has any barriers that prevent your student from attending school every day, please reach out to me or their classroom teacher.

“Oftentimes, a break in routine (having a day off of school) can interrupt the flow for families and especially those students who have challenges attending school every day.

Students and parents/caregivers can connect and communicate with teachers to encourage regular communication between families and school. Report absences and always contact the teacher or school office. Return from the long weekend ready to learn by attending school on time when school resumes on Tuesday. Just 10% of the school year or 2-3 days per month can make it difficult to learn and stay on task.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I’m sending my sincere gratitude for making our Book Fair an outstanding success!

Thanks to your contributions, we sold over 1,500 books. My reward for hosting a Book /fair is watching your children discover new books. All the joy wouldn’t be possible without VOLUNTEERS for our community – You deserve my special thanks!

If your child missed out on the Fair or already has read every book they purchased, there is still time to shop. Our Book Fair will continue ONLINE through Sept. 13th. Your online purchases benefit our school too. Click the link to shop the Fair. https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/allisonvilleelementaryschool1

Happy reading,
Mrs. Weiger

pweiger@msdwt.k12.in.us

The District Equity Leadership Team (DELT) is continuing its ‘Learning In Community’ webinar series to create shared educational experiences for our school community around topics of equity and ways to support students. In this session, educational math consultant Ms. Naomi Church will offer practical tips for parents and caregivers of K-6 grade students to help reduce fear and anxiety around math. She will introduce many fun math games and strategies for home. Please register here.

There are two organizations that we'd like to make you aware of that are important assets to the functioning of our public school district. The PTO works closely with these organizations and we invite you to get involved as well!

#1 - The Washington Township Schools Foundation:

The Washington Township Schools Foundation (WTSF) works to connect private funding, community, and alumni with Washington Township Schools to support and enhance the unique educational experiences of our students. Powered by the generosity of our donors, we fund grants and high-impact programs that enrich our curriculum, support professional development, and provide staff with the additional resources needed to fund activities that would not otherwise be available, ensuring a quality public education for the children of Washington Township.

Since 1985, our Foundation has helped Washington Township Schools advance student achievement by meeting the changing needs of our children. In 1996, the North Central High School Alumni Association was founded to support our vast alumni network. In 2015, we joined forces and came together as The Advancement Center. And today, still united, we return to the name Washington Township Schools Foundation, now with an expanded mission to represent the students, alumni, and community of Washington Township.

How we, as parents, can support the WTSF:

The BASH is our Foundation's biggest fundraiser of the year, and is a one-of-a-kind party that will include dinner, drinks, a silent auction, and live trivia—ALL in support of our Washington Township Schools. Click here to see just one example of the types of grants that are made possible because of funds raised at BASH

This will be our first in-person BASH in THREE years (all fingers and toes crossed), and we are so excited to invite our community to come together once again. More to come about this awesome event on November 5th!

Our school is putting together a basket to donate for the Bash. The theme is MoreGlam! Please click on this sign up link to donate items

#2: The Washington Township Parent Council Network:

The Washington Township Parent Council Network ("PCN") is an independent nonpartisan group of parent and caregiver advocates of MSDWT students who represent a diverse community in Indianapolis and believe that high quality public education (under local democratic control) is an investment in the future.

Our mission is to represent and give district-wide voice to the educational interests of families and to strive to enhance the quality of public education in the township.

By attending PCN monthly meetings, you will hear directly from our district’s Superintendent. You will hear directly from a School Board member. You will hear and learn about the critical issues that pertain to our public schools from transportation, nutrition, and security. You will also hear about challenges and attacks on public education as a whole from Indiana state officials.

The meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7:00 PM at Northview Middle School.

Any parent from Allisonville can attend the meetings, however, only 10 from our school can be official voting members. If you are interested in becoming an active, voting member of PCN, please email lgroth@gmail.com.

VOLUNTEER:

We have multiple volunteer opportunities throughout the year!

• Click here to signup as a Room Parent (we are especially in need of 4th and 5th grade parents).

  
  

• Click here to signup for other PTO volunteer committees and events.

  
  

JOIN THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE:
Our PTO is working hard to engage parents of color to remove potential barriers that prevent participation and ensure social sponsored events appeal to and include a wider audience of Allisonville students and families.

Click to sign up for or receive news from our PTO Diversity Committee. You can learn more about the work of our Diversity Committee here.

If you have questions or suggestions for our Diversity Committee, please contact Angela Reid, Diversity Committee Officer, at alreid354@gmail.com.

RAISE MONEY FOR OUR SCHOOL:

This year our PTO will support our students, staff and school community with over $60,000 dedicated toward playground improvements, field trips, teacher grants and supply reimbursements, literacy events, Black History month celebrations, disability awareness and so much more! We need your support to help us meet this goal!

• Register for the Fall Fundraiser: One of our biggest fundraisers of the year allows students and families to sell chocolates, household and holiday goodies to support our PTO. Learn more here and check your student’s backpack for the fundraiser packet. Students have the option of selling items, or encouraging donations through the online site. Sales begin today and end September 9th!

• Market Your Business With a Sponsorship: We rely on sponsorships to fund many of our PTO events and initiatives, including the School Directory (sent home free to all families!), Trivia Night, and the Gator Safari Spring Carnival. Learn more or sign up for a sponsorship.

• Make a Donation: You can also give directly to the PTO through our secure donation website. Donations of any amount are appreciated and we also have an option to signup for monthly recurring gifts!

• Participate in Community Fundraising: Link your Kroger Card, register for Amazon Smiles, participate in Box Tops for Education, or get your grub on through our monthly Dine-to-Donate events.

• Dine-to-Donate on September 13th with Papa Johns Pizza! See you there!!

  
  

  
  

• Shop for a Cause at J Crew Factory Rivers Edge from 9/17 - 9/23. A portion of all proceeds goes back to Allisonville PTO and if you spend $100, you will receive 20% off your purchase! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information

These scouts volunteered their time and chose to clean up a green space at Allisonville.