Allen Independent School District

FAST TRACK
News and Information for Allen ISD Parents
March 7, 2012

What's New
Board Election May 12
Kindergarten Registration
New STAAR Testing Program
Strategic Planning
Performing Arts Schedule
Wrestlers Win State Title
Upcoming Events
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Welcome To Fast Track

Greetings!
Welcome to Fast Track, Allen ISD's Email News Service. Thank you for subscribing. 
Five Candidates File For May 12 Board Election

Five candidates have filed for three openings on the Allen ISD Board of Trustees. Running unopposed for Place 1 on the Board of Trustees is Susan Olinger. Jayne Grimes, who is retiring from the Board in May, previously held Place 1. The two candidates for Place 2 on the Board are Carl Clemencich and Alan Hurst. The seat was previously held by Benny Bolin, who is retiring from the Board in May. The two candidates for Place 3 on the Board are incumbent Jason Shepard and Rona Zafari.


The Board of Trustees election will be held on Saturday May 12. Early voting will begin on April 30 and end on May 8. All election-day voting will take place at the City of Allen Municipal Court Facility next to City Hall. Early voting sites are the Allen Municipal Court Facility and the Collin County Election Office. Click here for more election information.  
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Roundup March 22

Allen ISD will conduct its annual "Kindergarten Roundup" on Thursday, March 22 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at all elementary campuses. The roundup begins the kindergarten registration process for the 2012-2013 school year. Parents of children entering kindergarten should register at the school their child will attend in August. All children entering kindergarten must be five years of age before September 1, 2012 to be eligible this year. Parents must bring their child's birth certificate or hospital record, two proofs of residency, a social security card and an immunization record. More details will appear on the Allen ISD Web site as the date of the roundup nears.

Students and Teachers Prepare For New STAAR Testing Program

Allen students and teachers are busy preparing for the state's new standardized testing program which will be rolled out this spring. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR™) will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). The STAAR program at grades 3-8 will test the same subjects and grades that are currently assessed on TAKS. At high school, however, grade-specific assessments will be replaced with 12 end-of-course (EOC) assessments: Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II, biology, chemistry, physics, English I, English II, English III, world geography, world history, and U.S. history. A majority of the testing will take place on March 26-29 and April 23-27. School websites will have more specific test date information.

Elementary Open Houses - March 8

Open House Night for Allen's 16 elementary schools is Thursday, March 8. All schools, with the exception of Bolin, Evans and Chandler Elementary School, will begin their open house programs at 5:30 p.m. Bolin and Evans Elementary School open houses will begin at 6 p.m. and Chandler's will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Strategic Planning Committee Sets Direction For Allen ISD
A team of community, staff and school board members has begun the process of updating the Allen ISD Strategic Plan. The group first met in January to draft belief and vision statements. They met again on March 1 and 2 to outline a mission and set long-range objectives for the school district. Additional committees will be formed this spring to create action plans for each of the objectives and strategies. Together the project becomes the 2012 Allen ISD Strategic Plan.
Performing Arts Center Schedule

The new Allen ISD Performing Arts Center has a series of community programs scheduled for the spring. Upcoming events include: The U.S. Army Field Band on March 17 and The One O'Clock Lab Band in a Tribute to Maynard Ferguson on April 21. These are in addition to student performances occurring throughout the spring. Visit www.allenisd.org/pac for more information or call 972-747-3387.

Wrestlers Win 3rd State Title

The Allen Eagles Wrestling team has been named state champions for the third year in a row. Nine wrestlers reached the state finals with four being named state champions in their weight class: Nick Cobb, Matt Meyer, Bo Nickal and Jarred Trotter. Jack Bass and Oliver Pierce placed second in their weight classes, Mason Smout and Stone Drulman placed third in the state and A.J. Hinkle placed fourth in the state in his class. Gabe Torres also qualified and competed in the state tournament. The coaching staff includes Jerry Best - Head Coach along with assistants Jerrett McCollom, Todd Wyckoff and Jason Nickal.

Stay Connected On Facebook

Keep up to date with Allen ISD news and events on Facebook. Subscribe to the Facebook page by hitting the "Like" button at  http://www.facebook.com/allenisd.

Upcoming Events
March 8 - Elementary School Open Houses 
March 12 - 16 - Spring Vacation
March 17 - US Army Field Band - Allen ISD PAC
March 22 - Kindergarten Registration, Elementary Schools, 3:30 p.m.
March 26 - Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m., Allen City Hall
May 12 - Board of Trustees Election Day
May 30 - Allen High School Graduation, UNT Coliseum, 7 p.m.
Thank you for your support of the Allen Independent School District.