Allison Traditional Magnet 

Middle School

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                                         If you have any spare mouse pads around the house send them to a new home at Allison Room 201c. Thanks in advance for your help. Clifton Wofford Parent Page

                                                                     School day  7:15 - 2:25   

Dr. Laudermilk  

   

STATE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE IN

READING AND MATH: 

FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR!!!

 

     Allison Traditional Magnet Middle School has been recognized as receiving State Standard of Excellence in Reading and Math for the third straight year.  Our students did an incredible job on the State Assessments that they took last Spring.  We scored high enough in every category and sub-category to reach the Adequate Yearly        Progress (AYP) goals as set by the State of Kansas and monitored by the Department of Education in Washington, D.C.  This is the criterion that determines accreditation for schools, so it is important. As a whole building, we scored high enough to be commended for reaching the State Standard of Excellence in both Reading and Math.

     Individual student scores are categorized as: academic warning, approaching standard, meets standard, exceeds standard or exemplary.  For our building 92% of the students scored in the “meets standard or above” category in Reading.  In Math, 87.3% of our students met the standards or above.  These are scores to be very proud of.

     We have honored our individual students that ranked as exemplary and presented them with a medal that acknowledges their achievement.  We are sending postcards to each of our eighth grade students from last year to let them know how super they did, and of course, to encourage them to continue to excel!!

     Parents, you need to take a moment to pat yourselves on the back too.  Your deep commitment to your child’s education is obvious, and you contribute in a multitude of ways to the success of Allison.  It is a pleasure for our really excellent staff to team with you.  We will continue to have high expectations and provide a rigorous curriculum. 

PTA

     Involved parents make a difference!!!  Any amount of involvement matters.  PTA here at Allison is in charge of many activities including:  book fairs, school dances and parties, Red Ribbon Week, A-TEAM recognition, student tutoring, fundraising for school and classroom needs, teacher luncheons, School Spirit Week, Teacher Appreciation Week, and many other important events.

     Allison’s first PTA meeting will be held on Monday,  September 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Allison Library.  Come and join us!  If you have any questions, feel free to contact a Board Member.

Kris Nicholson 262-4956

Stephanie Howe 832-1512

Jennifer Karst  807-1181

Allison Site Council

     The Allison Site Council meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Allison library. The Site Council is a committee that provides the parent perspective on important school activities such as budget, student achievement, student activities, dress code, behavior expectations, marketing of our middle school magnet philosophy, and much more.  This advisory committee is a critical part of our school.  We welcome parents to attend the first scheduled meeting on Monday, September 8, at 5:30 p.m.  If you have questions please feel free to contact Carol Weaver at 682-7836.

 

  STUDENT  PICTURES

     Allison’s Fall Yearbook Picture Day is scheduled for Thursday, September 11, 2008, during the school day.  Pictures will be available on a pre-order basis.  You will receive an order packet during the week of September 3rd.  This is a pre-pay packet, and your student must return your order with payment the day the pictures are taken.  Students are welcome to bring a top of their choice to wear for pictures.  Students are to come to school dressed in their uniform. The teachers will allow the students to change into their shirt of choice for their picture, then return to their uniform dress before returning to class.    Students must still wear uniform bottoms.  Pictures will be retaken on October 17, 2008, for those students who are absent on September 11.  If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Beck, 973-4800.

 

Welcome to Our New Staff Members!

     This year we have some wonderful new additions to our super teaching staff.  Each person enriches our program and will help support our students.

     Ms. Tiffany Allen is teaching seventh grade science.  Ms. Allen and her family have recently moved here from Oklahoma.  She has five years of teaching experience and served five years in the Army.  Ms. Kristi Williams is returning to teaching after taking a couple of years off to be with her young children.  She is teaching seventh grade math and science.  It is delightful to have her back in the classroom.  Mr. Kevin Moler is our new Choir Director.  He has four years of outstanding experience in Marion, Kansas.  He is originally from Wichita and is already generating excitement in our vocal music program.  Mr. Corey Wendler is teaching seventh grade math.  This is his first year,  and he is enthusiastic and excited.  He has already developed a great rapport with his students.  Ms. Janice Eden is teaching eighth grade language arts.  Her family moved to Wichita from Springfield, Colorado.  She has taught students from elementary to college and brings some great insights on teaching strategies.            Ms. Susie Killgore is an experienced paraprofessional that is helping our students succeed.  She has a calm quiet manner and really encourages students to ask questions and do their best work.

LUNCHROOM UPDATES

Letter from Debbie Ollek, Cafeteria Manager:

     Welcome to a new Allison school year! I look forward to serving your children this year.  I am very excited about the new menu choices available this year such as, PB& J sack lunch, Turkey Chef Salad, Southwestern Chef Salad and Yogurt Parfait.  We have replaced the traditional fried French fries with baked sweet potato fries, tater tots, potato wedges and diced potatoes. Ask your child about some of the new menu items that are available.

     Breakfast is available for students from 6:30 a.m.–7:05 a.m.  Students are welcome to go to the cafeteria upon arriving at   Allison.  If your student is a bus rider, he/she may exit the bus upon arrival at Allison and go directly to the cafeteria for breakfast.  The student receives cereal, milk, fruit and an entrée item for breakfast.

     Meal Pay Plus is a prepayment system that allows parent to make online payments to their children’s lunch accounts.  The Meal Pay Plus system provides the following benefits to parents:

· Parents may make payments by phone and view what payments have been made to the account

· View child's account balance at any time

· View what has been purchased on a specific day and up to 30 days of history on the account

· Receive e-mail confirmations of payments and low balance reminders

· Allows parents to set a low balance amount that will automatically replenish their child's account when it reaches a specified balance, so parents do not need to be concerned about their child having money in their account for meals

· Parents will no longer have to worry about sending checks or cash with children to school

     Visit www.mealpayplus.com to register using your child’s lunch pin number.  Ask your child for their lunch pin number or call the cafeteria manager to get the number. The phone number for MealpayPlus is 1-866-736-9007.  If you are not familiar with our MealpayPlus system, I encourage you to check out the system by registering and viewing your child’s account.

     A la carte is a “snack bar” area that is open in the cafeteria during lunch only.  Some items that are available include: baked chips, chocolate chip cookies, sports drinks, and bottled water.  The student may use their lunch account number to pay for a la carte items or pay cash.  Any money on your child’s account may be used for a la carte purchases, unless you have notified the cafeteria manager to block the account from using available funds for a la carte.  Please feel free to call me at (316) 973-4818, with any questions you may have     concerning your child’s account!  

 

FUNDRAISER

     Allison has one main fundraiser per year.  The kick off assembly for the fundraiser is August 26th, that is when fundraiser packets will be given to students.  The fundraiser packet orders are due back on September 3, 2008.  Please ask your student about the packet they   receive from the kickoff assembly!  This fundraiser is sponsored by PTA, and they provide money for each teacher, mini grants, enrichment events, and special large purchases.  Past purchases include:  projectors for classrooms, classroom sets of novels for Language Arts, support for Battle of the Books, science microscope maintenance, students desks, shooting shirts for basketball practice, camera and batteries for yearbook staff,  teaching equipment for Vocal music, Instrumental music and FACS.  Prizes and $$ are being awarded at the Big Bash reward party scheduled in November.  Please help and support your student in their fundraising efforts! 

PARTNERING WITH OUR COMMUNITY

   We are fortunate to have several organizations and business in our community that wish to be involved in the education of our students.  Two new initiatives this year are with local churches.  The Pastor and members of the West Side Baptist Church visited with me and asked what they could do to supplement what we are doing at Allison.  I shared that we had not been able to have our students as involved in Drama as I would like, so they decided to start an after school Drama club just for any of our Allison students that wished to participate.  This will be on Wednesday afternoons only.  Parents will need to read the packet and sign the    release forms for their students to walk across the street and participate and provide transportation home.  This is not a school activity. Your student may ask for a packet of information from the front desk.  This is through the West Side Baptist Church at 304 S. Seneca.  Questions may be       directed to Elizabeth Spiess, Volunteer at (316) 303-1525.

     The second new initiative is from members of the University Friends Church.  They have lined up tutors for any of our students that need extra support.  They are calling their tutoring program The Outpost and they will tutor on Thursdays after school at 1840 W. University Ave.  We have brochures available to provide interested family more information.  You may ask for these brochures at our front desk also.  This is not a school activity.

     I also want to mention that the neighborhood association that is very active in the Delano District keeps us well informed of what is going on in the neighborhood.  They make sure we receive copies of their newsletters and occasionally we have been fortunate enough to have members of their association serve on some of our school committees.  Thank you President, Larry Brown.

  CHOIR TIMES

     Welcome back Eagles! I hope you had a very restful and relaxing summer. I am looking forward to a brand new year for the choirs.  We will have our Fall concert on October 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium.  This concert includes 7th & 8th grade Choir and Orchestra classes.

     Eight Vocal Music students will be selected by          Mr. Moler to represent Allison Middle School at the (SCKMEA) South Central Kansas Music Educators       Association Middle Level Honor Choir.  This concert will be held on the first Saturday in November.

     I am looking forward to an exciting year  ahead!

Sincerely,

Kevin Moler, Choir Teacher

ORCHESTRA NEWS

     The Orchestra classes are off to a great start!  The month of August is spent setting up class procedures,   going over the “Musicians Motto,” going over classroom expectations and rules, and renting/purchasing the needed string instruments.  If you need help finding a violin, please call me. 

     Due to the great need, I am working on finding more instruments.  Students should be sharing the ORCHESTRA HANDBOOK with you.  Please help your child earn those assignment points by signing the last page in the handbook and returning it to Orchestra class.  We are “tuning up” for a great year!

Sandra Alvarado-Orchestra Teacher

BAND ANNOUNCEMENTS

     Welcome to all new 6th grade beginning band students, and welcome back to the continuing 7th and 8th grade band students!  We have an exciting year planned.  All students should receive an “Allison Band Handbook” to take home.  All parents and students need to read the handbook and sign and return the “Return Sheet” at the back of the handbook. 

     The Allison Band Handbook contains a lot of important information about band throughout the year.  The first performance for the 6th grade beginning band will be held September 30, 2008.  Be watching for more information coming home with students. 

     Also, the 7th & 8th grade bands will give their first     performance on October 7, 2008 at the Fall Band, Choir, and Orchestra Concert.  We look forward to a great year of band music ahead at Allison!

  Carla Chapman, Director of Bands

  Library Corner     

     We are pleased to announce library proctors for this year – Garrett Brockman, Tori Rose, Janae Slater, Emma Manda, Jacob Kress and Alexander Lansdowne.  This is a leadership position and these students contribute significantly to the success of the library program. 

          We started the year with about 50 new books.  One of the new fun books is an Internet-linked science encyclopedia.  Classes have started checking out so you should expect to see your students with library books.  Students may check out 2 books each time.  Please visit with your students about what they are reading.  You could ask them to summarize the story, describe a character, project what will happen next, or better yet, you might be enticed to read the book yourself and compare thoughts! 

          We are proud of the Allison library and    invite you up whenever you’re in the building.

Mary Hollowell—Librarian

  Dress Code

       Allison Traditional Magnet Dress Code

 

            The Allison community supports standardized dress. Standardized dress will contribute to a safer learning environment, a strong focus on academics, improved student behavior, and reduced peer pressure.  The administration maintains the right to deal individually with students concerning dress code issues.

  Pants and shorts will be tan or navy in color.

·         Tailored or standardized and worn at the waist (the narrow part of the body between the abdomen and the top of the hip bone).

·         Pants must be hemmed and may not be turned up, turned under, bunched above the shoes or have frayed edges.

·         Sagging (wearing of pants, shorts, etc. below the waistline) will not be allowed, pant legs may not touch the floor.

·         Brand labels (no larger than 1 inch in size and located in the waist area above the hip pockets) will be allowed.

·         Corduroy will be allowed.

·         Belts will be required if there are belt loops.  No scarves or other ties may be used for belts. Belt must be tucked into belt loops.

·         Shorts will be no shorter than 4 inches above the knee and no longer than the bottom of the knee.

·         No logos and contrasting trim, thread, etc.   No overalls No denim   No hip hugger pants   No capris   No leggings or stretch pants   No sweat pants  or wind pants

 

Skirts, skorts and jumpers will be tan or navy in color.

·         Skirts, skorts, and jumpers will be no shorter than 4 inches above the knee.

·         Skirts and skorts are to be tailored or standardized and worn at the waist

·         No slits in the skirt, skort, dresses, or jumpers that are more than 4 inches above the knee

·         No logos and contrasting trim, thread, etc.   No overalls  No denim

 

Shirts, blouses, and sweaters will be solid white or navy in color.

·         Shirts and blouses must have a collar.  (Turtleneck and mock turtlenecks are considered collars.)

·         Polo style shirts must have no ruffles, gathers, etc.

·         Allison logo shirts may be worn in white, navy and royal blue.

·         Shirts will be tucked in so that the belt is visible and must remain tucked when arms are raised above the head.

·         T-shirts worn under the prescribed shirts or blouses must be solid white or navy with no design or printing.

·         Sweaters without collars may be worn only if layered over a collared shirt.  (Sweaters are for warmth; lightweight, form fitting sweaters are not acceptable.)

·         Sweaters do not have to be tucked in, but they may not rise above the waist when arms are raised above the head.

·         Sweaters may not be longer than hip length.

  ·         Sweaters may not be tied around the waist.

·         No hooded sweaters

·         No logos and contrasting trim, thread, etc.  No t-shirts  No denim

           

Sweatshirts

·         Solid navy, white, or ash gray sweatshirts are allowed as well as Allison sweatshirts.

·         Sweatshirts do not have to be tucked in.

·         Sweatshirts without collars may be worn only if layered over a collared/mock shirt.

·         Sweatshirts may not rise above the waist when arms are raised above the head.

·         Sweatshirts may not be longer than hip length.

·         Sweatshirts may not be tied around the waist.

·         No hooded sweatshirts

·         No shirt, sweatshirt, or sweater is to be worn inside out.

General Clothing

 

·         Oversized clothing will not be allowed.

·         All clothing is to be free of holes, rips, cuts, and frayed edges.

·         Clothing may not be bunched at the waist or shoes.

·         Shoes will be required for health reasons.

·         Flip flops, slippers, and house shoes will not be allowed.

·         Vests in solid tan, navy and white are allowed.

·         Jackets and coats are to be removed when entering the building and remain in lockers during the school day.

·         No gym suits will be worn beyond the gym area.

·         Bandannas of any color will not be worn or brought to school.

·         Hats, sunglasses, armbands, and gloves are to remain in lockers during the school day.

·         Clothing, buttons, jewelry, or other items, which contain vulgar words or pictures, or promote the use of alcohol, illegal substances, weapons, or sexual content, will not be allowed.  Earrings may be worn in the ear lobe only.

·         No writing on yourself or clothing.

·         Extreme makeup and cut or style of hair will not be permitted.

·         Colorful hair (ie. Purple, pink, green, etc.) will not be allowed.

 

Allison standardized dress or spirit shirts will be required at athletic and academic games.

 

Standardized dress will not be required for evening or weekend activities, ie. Skate parties, dances, etc.  Special Dress Days will be designed by the Student Council and approved by the Administration.

 

The Allison standardized dress will be initiated and enforced beginning with the First Day of the school year.

 

*** Students choosing not to follow the dress code will be assigned an after-school detention.  Repeat dress code violations could result in an in-school suspension or suspension from school.***

                                                                       

 Awesome New Teachers Welcomed To Allison

     Ms. Tiffany Allen will be the new eighth grade science teacher for the 2008-2009 school year.  Ms. Allen earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biological Science from Oklahoma State University, and became a Medical Specialist in the Army National Guards. She worked in a large medical laboratory analyzing DNA.  However, she always wanted to teach, so she went back to school and received a Masters degree in education.  She comes to us with five years of teaching experience.  We are very happy to welcome her to Wichita and of course to Allison.  I would like to thank Jennifer Karst who represented parents on the interview committee.  It was a difficult job because we were blessed by having so many outstanding candidates.

     Mr. Kevin Steiner joined our Allison staff mid-year and has done an excellent job of assisting our special education students.  He is a graduate of McPherson College and spent two years teaching at Roosevelt Elementary School in McPherson.  He then moved to Wichita and spent two years at Stanley Elementary. He is married to Rachel and they share a Yorkie named Scooter.  Mr. Steiner’s hobbies include sports and reading.  He will also be an assistant football coach at South High School next year.  He and Rachel just completed a half marathon this weekend in Oklahoma City.

  Welcoming The New Students and Families

     May 1st we shared with approximately 200 fifth graders the excitement of starting a new adventure as incoming middle school students.  They are nervous, excited and eager all at the same time!  During a special Open House for the parents and students of those accepted in our magnet program we explained more about our philosophy, expectations, communication systems and pre-enrollment.  This first meeting with next years sixth graders and their parents is such a joyful evening.  Welcome! 

STUDENT FEES

     Parents, please check with your child to make sure that they do not owe any fines, obligations, or fees to Allison.  Fees must be taken care of before the last day of school, May 22, 2008.  Eighth grade obligations will be forwarded to the high schools this year and 6th and 7th grade obligations will be added to fees due next year!

 

SITE COUNCIL CO-CHAIRS ELECTED FOR 2008-2009

     Site Council celebrated a successful year with cheesecake and flowers for each member that was present on April 14th.  We are so grateful for the participation of each parent and teacher that came to even one meeting this year.  It is important to have this valuable committee in place to share information and opinions. 

     A special THANK YOU to Carol Weaver and Donna Ferguson who served as Co-chairs.  You did a great job of keeping us organized and productive.  Carol Weaver has agreed to Co-Chair Site Council for next year as well, so we will have an experienced person on board as we reconvene. Tammy Drew has agreed to be our Secretary and Kevin Steiner will be the staff member co-chair.  I believe it demonstrates a real partnership between parents and staff when we have both represented as Co-Chairs.

 

Our meetings are on the second Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the school library.

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last modified: August 25, 2008
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