I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I took time to think about all the things around Maple Grove Charter School that I am thankful for: the eager learners, devoted staff, vested School District of Athens, supportive community members, beautiful environment, and involved families.

We start off December busy with our Holiday Concerts right around the corner. December 6 at 6:00 pm we will have grades K-2 and December 8 at 6:00 pm, grades 3-5. We are excited to continue this tradition of the Holiday Concert at Maple Grove Charter School and can't wait to see everyone there!

Maple Grove Charter School has chosen to volunteer for Salvation Army bell ringing this holiday season. The Salvation Army bell ringing will take place two weekends in December with 30 minute time blocks. Staff and Maple the fox will assist in ringing. Please review the times and see if your family is able to join in on the giving of time this season!

Maple Grove Families, I will say it again...YOU ARE AMAZING! We raised $1,687.50 with this fundraiser! We are working to fund a Nature Scape Playground. Our cookies and frosting will be here on Wednesday, Dec 7. Pick up will be from 3:00-5:00 pm in the gym. If you are not able to make that time please see if you can find someone to pick them up for you as we don't have extra storage here to store them. We could use a couple more volunteers to help to distribute. If you are willing to volunteer please contact Katie at 715-351-0918.

Grades K-2: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 6:00 pm

Grades 3-5: Thursday, Dec. 8, 6:00 pm

DOORS WILL OPEN AT 5:15 pm. Please have all learners here by 5:45 pm. They will report to their classrooms when they arrive.

Thank you for your support at the Usborne Book Fair. From the sales we are able to purchase $725 in books to use for our Read Across America week and to replenish our Birthday Books! We are very appreciative and thank all of you that purchased books to make this possible!

We had a wonderful turn out at our traditional Chili Supper on Nov.17. We served over 150 people! We were so thankful to see so many families and community members. We had a great night with our chili contestants, student council games, and Usborne Book Fair. Another shout out goes to Mrs. Cindy Riehle, Hamburg town member, for winning her name on the Golden Ladle! Thank you again for your support!

For our Oct. reading incentive 76/91 learners reached their monthly reading goal! Learners had fun with a whole school kickball games! We are shooting for 100% participation for the month of November!

On Nov. 22 we held our Community Crew. We celebrated our learners and all their accomplishments through first quarter around our C.R.I.S.P. traits. C.R.I.S.P. stands for Craftsmanship, Respect, Integrity, Stewardship, and Perseverance. These are character traits that we should all possess as people and here at MGCS we live and breathe them. Our learners and staff strive to do these at school, at home, and in the community. Learners and staff can earn “Fox Tails” when caught showing these traits. These are displayed each month on a large mural in our hallway. Each month we also honor learners from each grade level who showed exceptional growth and/or consistency with the traits that quarter. We then do random drawings for learners who have also earned “Fox Tails” through the quarter. An additional piece to this is the home component that was added this year. A new family C.R.I.S.P. activity is sent home each month for learners and families to do together to ensure these traits are used in all environments. We are so proud of our MGCS Foxes.

Our Kindergartners will be learning about building shelters to withstand the weather elements in their Engineering Lab. They will create small models for the indoor labs and then will create straw bale shelters together during some of the outdoor labs later in Module 2. With that being said, we are looking for a donation or a few donations of up to 12 straw bales.

Dec. 6: K-2 Holiday Concert 6:00

Dec. 7: Cookie and Frosting 3:00-5:00 in the gym

Dec. 8: 3-5 Holiday Concert 6:00

Dec. 9: Hearing and Vision Screening

Dec. 12: PTO Meeting 5:00

Dec. 12: Governance Board Mtg. 6:00

Dec, 19: Artastic Club 3-5

Dec. 19: Athens Board Mtg. 6:00

Dec. 21: 1st Grade School Forest

Dec. 23-Jan.2: Winter Break