Maple Elementary School
September Newsletter
September 6, 2019
Dear Maple Families,
The first few weeks of school have been off to a smooth start. We already have many celebrations to share!
- Live morning video announcements continue this year with student anchoring the news and operating the cameras. You can view our video stream on this YouTube Channel live daily around 8:50 AM (9:10 AM on Wednesdays). Each broadcast is also archived.
- We hosted a parent information evening on August 27th. We had over 100 families represented. Teachers also shared the information digitally for families unable to attend.
- Over 180 dads and students from Maple, Horizon, and Eagle Heights attended the WatchDOG information evening at Maple on August 29th. Fathers and father figures volunteering in our schools enhance a sense of security in the building and help support a positive learning environment
- All classes participated in fun lessons and activities to learn and review school-wide expectations to support our Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS). Tribe tickets are being used to promote student behavior that is respectful, responsible, and in control and safe. Student-informed tribe ticket menus are being used to allow student to cash in their tickets.
- Students' DNA (dreams, needs, and abilities) are on display in the hallway. With our theme "Rooted in Excellence", it is our goal to recognize the unique traits of every student.
We have a dynamic Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) team this year. Please consider becoming a member of this organization that supports our school. Even if you do not have time to volunteer or attend meetings, your membership is important. In addition to providing school volunteers and support for students and staff, PTO sponsors many student events including the fall and Valentine's Day class parties for every elementary student. You can find the PTO form online here. Cash, checks, and Venmo (@MaplePTO) are accepted for the $10 membership fee. If you choose to pay via Venmo, please make sure you put "Membership Fee and your Student's name and Teacher Name" in the comments.
The Clubs Choice (PTO fundraiser) kicks off on Monday, September 9th and runs through Monday, September 23rd. Fall picture day is September 17th. Order forms will be coming home soon. We look forward to forming multi-age leadership groups over the next couple of weeks. Our first Leadership Hour and school assembly will be held on Friday, September 27th. This day is also our first 1:00 PM early release due to the Homecoming parade.
We look forward to partnering with you and your students this school year.
Dr. Rena Hawkins, Principal
Dr. Eric Carlin, Assistant Principal
Important Upcoming Dates
Sept. 9-13: You Matter Week
Sept. 9: Clubs Choice (PTO Fundraiser) Begins; Kick-Off Assembly at 2:30 PM in gym
Sept. 9: Maple PTO meeting at 6:00 PM in the Library
Sept. 10: Fight Like a Princess Day-Wear gold and bring a new toy or art supply to donate
Sept. 11: Late Start Wednesday, K-6 students may arrive at 8:50 AM, School begins at 9:05 AM, No EC Classes
Sept. 17: Reed Fall Picture Day
Sept. 18 Late Start Wednesday, K-6 students may arrive at 8:50 AM, School begins at 9:05 AM, No EC Classes
Sept. 19: PTO Label Pick Up
Sept. 20: PTO Tailgate Party 5:00-7:00 PM at Horizon Parking Lot
Sept. 23: Clubs Choice (PTO Fundraiser) Ends
Sept. 25: Late Start Wednesday, K-6 students may arrive at 8:50 AM, School begins at 9:05 AM, No EC Classes
Sept. 26: Clay County Public Health Dental Screenings
Sept. 27: MES Assembly 9:30 AM; Leadership Hour 10:00-11:00 AM
Sept. 27: Homecoming-Early Dismissal at 1 PM
Sept. 30: No School-Teacher’s Meetings
Oct. 2: National Custodian Appreciation Day
Technology and Innovation News with Mrs. Freeman
What a great first few weeks of school! Students have been working really hard on learning the expectations of the T&I Lab. We have also worked on learning about having a growth mindset, teamwork, listening and empathy skills. These lessons will serve them well in the Lab but also in life!
K-12 students in U.S. public, private and home schools can enter the Mars 2020 Name the Rover essay contest. One grand prize winner will name the rover and be invited to see the spacecraft launch in July 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The Name the Rover contest is part of NASA's efforts to engage students in the STEM enterprise behind Mars exploration and inspire interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. You can learn more here.
You can see more by following our journey on twitter: @sara_freeman, instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mes_tech_and_innovation_lab , facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MESTechandInnovationLab/
Maple Library Happenings
What a great start to the school year! All of the classes have been to the library and checked out books. I love it when kids are excited about reading!
If your student has talked about becoming “Totally Twain,” let me explain this reading program. The Mark Twain Award is geared, but not limited, to students in grades 4-6. If students want to become “Totally Twain” they need to read all 12 books on the 2019-2020 nominee list and pass a multiple choice quiz for each title read. Books may be obtained from the school library or MCPL. When a student finishes a book they need to come and ask me for a copy of the quiz. Students have until April 30th to complete all 12 books. A list of this year’s titles can be found at https://maslonline.org/2019-2020-masl-readers-awards-final-nominees/ just scroll down until you come to the Mark Twain list.
On October 25th, students in Grades K-3 will have the opportunity to hear the author, Jody Jensen Shaffer. Ms. Shaffer’s book, “Prudence the Part-Time Cow,” is on the 2019-2020 “Show Me Award” nominee list. If you would like to order one of Ms. Shaffer’s books, which will be autographed on the day of her visit, be watching for information to come home with your child.
Happy reading and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Mrs. Kathcart
Music with Mrs. Hill
Choir auditions are next week on Tuesday, September 10th, and Thursday, September 12th, from 4-4:30pm in the music room. Students do not need to bring anything but themselves! Next Friday, September 13th any students who auditioned will receive a letter. If you have any questions regarding choir auditions, please email me at hillc@smithville.k12.mo.us.
Third and fourth grade students are anxious to begin recorders...good news...
Fourth grade will be playing recorders during the months of November and December, and third grade will be playing recorders during the months of March and April. Students do not need to bring their recorders to school during these units because they are for them to practice on at home. I have a set of recorders in my classroom that I will allow students to use during school.
I am excited to announce music performances for this school year:
- 11/5/2019: 6th Grade Bucket Drumming at Maple Cafeteria from 6-6:30 PM
- 12/6/2019: Maple Musicians combined winter concert at the High School PAC from 7-7:30 PM
- 2/20/2020: 6th Grade Bucket Drumming at Maple Cafeteria from 6-6:30 PM
- 2/25/2020: 2nd/3rd Winter Concert at the High School PAC from 7-7:30 PM
- 4/7/2020: 1st Grade Performance at Maple Cafeteria from 7-7:30 PM
- 4/28/2020: 4th/5th Grade Musical at the High School PAC from 7-7:30 PM
- 5/5/2020: K performance at Maple Cafeteria from 7-7:30 PM
- 5/6/2020: Maple Musicians Spring Concert at the High School PAC from 7-7:30 PM
- 5/12/2020: 6th Grade Bucket Drumming at Maple Cafeteria from 6-6:30 PM
Art News
Artsonia! Wow! I have a lot to learn about Artsonia. I have always wanted to try using this amazing resource. It is an online art gallery. Older students will photograph their art projects, and those artworks will be in a gallery that they can add to for years to come. They will look back at previous years' work and look at their growth as an artist. I will photograph younger artist work, or enlist help. I will approve all photos before they are published. Artwork will feature their first name and grade level. Artsonia does sell artwork printed on various products, and have special pricing around the holidays. I can even share student learning goals, and students can write artist statements. Be patient as I learn more about Artsonia, and email me at haddockj@smithville.k12.mo.us with any questions. The company is very quick to help, so I will just ask if I don't know the answer.
Maple Elementary School
Email: hawkinsr@smithville.k12.mo.us
Website: https://www.smithvilleschooldistrict.net/Domain/11
Location: 600 Maple Avenue, Smithville, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 532-0589
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MapleWarriors/
Twitter: @MapleWarriors