OTTER OUTLOOK MARCH 22 - 26
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 23 - Gate Academy Virtual Meeting
April 1 - Forms/Videos for Virtual Talent Show Due
May 1 - Attendance Credit Election
May 18 - 6th Grade Farewell
*Mondays are Otter Spirit Days...Wear Otter Gear*
District News
Each year, Allen ISD hosts an informational meeting for parents providing information on the GATE Academy and the lottery process. This year’s informational meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
The meeting will be facilitated via Zoom webinar. To join the webinar meeting, please go to https://zoom.us/s/93895219688. There is no need to register for the meeting. The recording of the meeting will be posted to the Gifted & Talented Services webpage and to the GATE Academy webpage for those who cannot attend the live webinar session and for those who wish to review a recording of the information.
The window to apply for a 2021-2022 GATE Academy seat will be open from March 23-April 5, 2021. Once the application opens the evening of March 23rd, it can be accessed at https://forms.gle/WD7Bvro2QH19ewSN7.
Please note, the GATE Academy lottery is open to Allen ISD students currently in grades K-5 who are already identified gifted and have participated in AIM this year. Students who are in the process of testing for potential gifted identification this spring are not eligible for this year's GATE Academy lottery. This is the same as previous years. Should your student be identified through this year's testing and begin AIM in the 2021-2022 school year, they will be eligible for next year's GATE Academy lottery.
DID YOU KNOW: Allen ISD is at risk of losing approximately $3.03 Billion of its tax base on May 1, 2021
Allen ISD will hold a special election, known as an Attendance Credit Election, on May 1 seeking voter approval for the district to pay recapture by purchasing attendance credit from the State with local tax revenue. An attendance credit is simply the name given for a district to equalize its wealth through recapture payments.
The district has paid recapture funds by purchasing attendance credit from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Until this year, the district has used a state exemption to have recapture funds taken out of its annual state funding without the need for a special election.
The special election is required by the state due to changes by Texas House Bill 3 in the 2019 legislative session. Allen ISD will only have to hold this election one time.
For more information you can visit the ALLEN ISD website under the Board of Trustees/2021 Attendance Credit Election.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
SHERRI PERKIN
OLSON TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Sherri Perkin
Teacher of the year!!!
Sherri & our principals
Hey Olson Families!
This year we will be having a Virtual Talent Show!
This year's Talent Show will be video submissions from your home. This is a perfect opportunity to show off a cool magic trick, your vocal range, piano skills or even sports tricks.
If your child is interested in auditioning for the Olson Talent Show, please fill out the following form. We are allowing group performances this year, but there are guidelines that we must follow. Please read the attachment for more information. Forms and video submissions are due Friday, April 1st by 11:59pm. If you have any questions, feel free to email Bree.Landers@allenisd.org
WE APPRECIATE OUR OLSON OTTER CROSSING GUARD
MS. SuELLEN...THANKS FOR KEEPING OUR OTTERS SAFE!!!
Splash & Ms. SuEllen
OTTER CROSSING
Ms. SuEllen
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Calling all Otter Volunteers! We are ready to welcome volunteers back into the building. If you are interested in volunteering in person, please click here for more details: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EA9AF2CA1FCC70-olson3
Additional Information About Indoor Volunteer Opportunities:
- Must wear a mask and follow all campus safety protocols
- One volunteer per day
- 2 hr. maximum
- Limited interaction with staff
- No interaction with students
- Volunteers will most likely be running copies, but may also assist with laminating or shelving books in the library.
We look forward to having our volunteers back at Olson!
CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH:
TRUSTWORTHINESS is being deserving of trust, showing dependability, and proving reliability.
Being trustworthy comes from both actions and words, by choosing to be truthful in all that you say and do.
It is vital to emphasize the importance of trustworthiness to your children. Demonstrate and help them understand that trust is important in all types of relationships and is gained over time.
CALLING ALL D.O.G.S.!
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 time during the school year. Due to COVID this year, we have been unable to have volunteers on campus, however we have had several dads submit videos that we have shown on announcements.
Well, we have good news! Allen ISD is allowing visitors on campus with strict guidelines, of course. We definitely want Watch D.O.G.S. to be on campus! Here is how we would like to have Watch D.O.G.S. volunteer at Olson:
Door Holder for K-2 & 3-6 Arrival (7:25am-7:45am) & Dismissal (2:40pm-3:05pm)
Say “Good Morning”
Wave
Air high five
Elbow bump
In order to volunteer, you must do the following:
Complete a background verification
o Register to be a Volunteer
o A new application must be completed every school year.
o It takes about 2 weeks to be approved
Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth
Check-in via the office at your scheduled time to receive a safety vest and ID sticker
Wear a Watch D.O.G. shirt (if you have one)
We completely understand if you don’t have a Watch D.O.G. shirt, if you are new to Olson, a Kindergarten parent, or haven’t had the opportunity to volunteer. If that is the case, please wear a white shirt.
Sign-up for a date and time via Sign-up Genius
o https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4EA4A72AAAFD0-watch3
Please contact Nicole Oliver at 972-562-1800 or Nicole.Oliver@allenisd.org, if you have any questions.
WATCH D.O.G.S. FEATURED IN OLSON'S WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sign up to be featured in Olson’s
weekly announcements.
Each week we’ll feature a dad in
the Olson announcements. Take
the opportunity to share your
school and work experience with
our Olson students.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAEAF2CA5FECE9-watch1
Questions provided via email after sign up
Fun Ideas:
Wear you Watch D.O.G.S. T-Shirt
Wear a silly tie or hat
Have your children ask the provided questions
Otter Pride Now on Sale for $10.00 each.
Show your school spirit with a yard sign
MONDAYS ARE SPIRIT DAYS!
EVERY Monday is Otter spirit day so visit our Spirit Shop today!
Whether your child is participating in at-home or in-person learning, you can still show your school spirit! Order a 3-pack of Olson masks or other spirit merchandise here.
AMAZON SMILE
Make a difference and donate to Olson Elementary PTA by shopping through Amazon Smile and selecting "Olson Elementary PTA" as your charity. Shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/30-0554697 to generate donations!!
SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
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
Twitter: @olsonotters