State of Texas Exemplary School
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2010
This program encompasses both the PTA’s Reflections Art Contest and the Allen Arts Alliance’s Art to Go. The Reflections program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students are encouraged to create and submit works of art in six areas: literature, musical composition, photography, the visual arts, dance choreography, and film/video. Each year, the Reflections Program challenges students to create art that interprets a specific theme. The Art to Go program brings works of art to the classroom where the students hear about each piece and then get a chance to discuss them and ask any questions they may have.
The picnic is a social gathering intended to allow families to meet and enjoy the company of other families as well as the staff. Along with the hot dogs and drinks usually served, there is some kind of sweet treat and plenty of music and entertainment.
The Book Fair allows the school population to purchase books for their families and/or classrooms during the two weeks it is at school (one week in the fall and one week in the spring). Earnings from the book fair help add books to the school library.
Opportunity to get every family at Reed Elementary involved in saving Box Tops, Tyson A+, and Cambell's labels to earn money for the school. Which helps fund things like the Back to School Picnic and end of school field day.
The Environmental programs responsibilities include, the PTA environmental poster contest, the city’s recycled art contest, walk to school day, and earth day activities. Other opportunities to promote environmental awareness will also be handled through this program.
Family Night can be one of a variety of activities that will help promote family togetherness, such as a movie, game, science and math, fitness night. This event usually takes place in the winter months.
The grocery program provides every family in our school, regardless of financial position, the opportunity to aid in raising money for our school, which in turn provides financial support for the programs sponsored by our PTA (back to school picnic, staff appreciation, student recognition, etc.). Participants simply allow the PTA to link your grocery cards to the Reed Account. This does not diminish your savings on any other grocery programs that are already tied to your family’s grocery card account. It allows the school to earn money with very little effort on the part of the school and the parents and without any additional spending on the parent’s part.
The Literacy program is designed to promote reading by our students. This has been accomplished in different ways over the years. We have had authors and illustrators visit the school to talk about their works and what it is like to have their job, encouraging students to read and write. We also help sponsor reading programs that reward students for the books they have read.
The Eye Opener is a weekly newsletter that goes home with the students in their Tuesday folders and can be accessed on the PTA website. The Eye Opener contains important PTA and school information, upcoming events information, a calendar, and other helpful information.
This program is responsible for developing a sense of need to perform community service. The Allen Community Outreach Center informs the chairperson of items needed to help those experiencing difficulties within our community. A monthly collection of the requested items is publicized and bins are placed in front of the school for students and staff to place the items. The items are then transported to the ACO offices and/or food pantry.
The Spirit Store sales a variety of items, mainly clothing, with the Reed logo. Items for sale include t-shirts, pencils, car decals, cups and water bottles with the Reed logo. Other items are available, but may or may not have the Reed logo on them. Spirit items may be purchased throughout the year. However, the biggest selection is available during Meet the Teacher night and through the pre-paid spirit order sale at the beginning of the year.
This program is responsible for showing the staff at Reed how much they are appreciated. This is a year long process. A back to school luncheon is provided to the staff on Meet the Teacher day. Another big event is Teacher Appreciation week at the beginning of May. Several activities are usually planned for this week and families are encouraged to show their appreciation to the teachers and staff. Small tokens of appreciation are also provided to the staff throughout the year.
The Student Recognition recognizes students for a job well done. This includes the weekly Character Kids, the grading period Outstanding Owls, and finally the celebration of the 6th graders at the end of the year. Character Kids is a weekly program where each teacher nominates one student who has shown good character in the classroom. The student’s picture and the reason they are receiving the honor are displayed in the front hallway. Outstanding Owls occurs at the end of each grading period. Again, one student per class is honored. This is a higher honor than Character Kids as these students have shown excellence either in behavior, academics, effort, citizenship or a combination of all four during the entire grading period. Parents are invited to attend a ceremony, the students are given a certificate stating why they were chosen and a small gift, a breakfast reception follows. The 6th grade celebration is a balloon release on the last day of school right after they “walk” the halls for the last time.
The Talent Show is a fun way for the students and staff to showcase their special abilities. Participants do go through a try-out; the show is limited in the number of acts do to time constraints. This event takes place in the spring.
The PTA maintains a website, which can be accessed from the Reed school website. Basic PTA information is available on the website. The newsletter is available through the website, as well as links to other PTA websites.
The School Supplies program is a service to our families. It allows the parents to purchase their child’s needed school supplies through a service. Mom and Dad do not have to run around trying to find all the items on the list. The supplies are delivered right to the school all wrapped up and ready to be opened on Meet the Teacher night or the first day of school. The supplies are paid for at the end of the previous school year and are waiting for the student in their classroom on Meet the Teacher night.
This program is to help promote the safety of the students at Reed. The PTA helps the school counselor coordinate Red Ribbon Week (drug awareness and prevention) in October. The program helps sponsor the student safety patrol which helps with the morning carpool line. Other events that may be promoted include school bus safety, bike safety, stranger danger, internet safety and bullying.