Greetings MS/US Families,

It has certainly been an unusual week! No school Monday as planned and no school on Tuesday for the ice and cold weather. A late start on Wednesday began the week, but the Allen Family showed great adaptability in changing plans to ensure everyone was safe. Thank you, students, parents, and faculty, for remaining flexible during this time.

Students, I want to remind you to make your LEAP Week Intensives selections. Even if you are signed up for one of the amazing trips or plan to do an internship, you will still need to complete the form found in your email from Thursday. LEAP Week will be March 4-8 this year. We have planned some exciting activities for all students. Please note that all students must participate in a LEAP Week activity. 

Testing windows will begin this coming week. You will notice in the Week at a Glance below that the Spanish and Mathematics Department testing window is open. The faculty is working to ensure major assessments are not overlapping or overwhelming for students. Please note that the testing window does not apply to Advanced Placement or Dual Credit courses due to the strict pacing requirements.

I hope everyone is staying warm during this chilly time. As always, if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Well wishes,

Students in PreAlgebra created their own proportional relationship problem. Students included the word problem, graph, table, and a picture. Great job!

This week 6th Grade Science students conducted an investigation to determine if specific pure Elements were metals, metalloids or nonmetals. Students tested Carbon, Aluminum, Silicon, Sulfur, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Tin and Lead and placed them in their category based on conductivity, luster, malleability, magnetism and more. 

This week in 7th Grade Life Science students studied natural selection, selective breeding and how varied environments can affect animals. They conducted a Green Eggs and Ham Eggs-periment to compare and contrast and do a taste test on cage free and caged eggs. The winner - Cage Free!

8th Grade Science is getting deeper into their Chemistry Unit. This week they explored bonding and breaking bonds through a hydrolysis lab where they split water into Hydrogen and Oxygen gas. Additionally, they learned about light and the movement of electrons up and down their energy levels in this case to release the energy in the form of light from Irradiated Salt! 

Hexagonal Thinking about the Gilded Age in US History. Students were tasked with connecting the given words related to the Gilded Age based on information they have learned. With more than one right answer, students debated the placement and connection of each word.

Congratulations! Sinclair Schiller's artwork, "Mr. Greg", was selected to be part of the 2023 Texas Art Education Association's Youth Art Month Exhibition. This exhibit showcases Pre-K through 12th grade works of art from across the state of Texas. Student art from around the state will be exhibited at the Bullock Texas State History Museum during the month of March. Great job Sinclair!

Congratulations to Olivia Y., Daniel P. And Dylan S. on their placement in a MS Region Band in the TMEA, Association of Texas Small School Bands Region 8.

On Saturday, January 13 students selected for Region Band participated in a one day clinic of rehearsals, concluding with a concert performance in the evening. Each Region Band is comprised of about 100 students that were selected from an audition event in December.

Makeup photo day will be held on Wednesday, January 31st in the morning. 

If your student would like a retake of their original photo taken in November, you will need to sign up using the link below.

Please note that formal wear is required in the yearbook photo. For US/MS, this is already a formal day.  

Also, please note that the retake will be used in place of the original photo unless you notify Elizabeth Simmons by February 15th.

If your student was absent on the original photo date, they will automatically be on the schedule, and you do not need to take action at this time.

Caleb Simmons, Allen Alumnus '22, is reaching out on behalf of The Bluebonnet Children's Choir. This is a new children's choir in the area with a mission of developing and inspiring a love of music in children and families of the Brazos Valley community. This fall they had more than 40 children between 2nd and 8th grade and are wanting to grow even more. I have attached a flyer for anyone who might be interested in the choir.

Braedan Johnson

• During my time at Allen Academy, I have joined the National Honor Society, was chosen to be in the Junior Leadership Brazos, served as an Allen Ambassador, worked with the TAMU Camp Adventure Program as an assistant counselor, and have completed an Internship with the Brazos County Health District

• Advice: Make sure to take full advantage of your Junior Year, don't just quit at a subject you've deemed yourself not to be good at, and don't stop applying for internships, extracurricular activities, and summer volunteer opportunities.

• Although I am not sure where exactly I am going to college just yet, I plan on pursuing a Pre-Med degree (Human Physiology, Biochemistry, Biology) in order to go into the medical field and become a physician. 

Cassidy Zumwalt

Learning Support Specialist

Bachelor's of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, Texas A&M University

Master's of Education in Reading, University of Texas at Tyler

Total Number of Years Teaching: 18

Total Number of Years at Allen: 10

Subject(s) You Teach at Allen: Support for all students 

Favorite Thing About Being at Allen: 

I get to experience Allen as a teacher and as a parent. I love the community. As I teach kids, I get to know their entire family. As a parent, I love that we are preparing students to be academically ready for college.

About Me: 

I enjoy reading. Every year I set a reading challenge for myself. Recently I have started gardening in my spare time. It's small right now, with hopes of growing as we go. Most of all, I love spending time with my two sons and my husband. Anytime we're all together is my favorite time!

Lunch Volunteers

Each year we are happy to partner with the Allen Academy community in allowing volunteers to help with our lunch program. This includes parents. grandparents, guardians, etc. If you have any interest feel free to signup!

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