Welcome Back Explore Crew!
August 2020
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Welcome Back Explore Students & Families!
Dear Explore Students & Families,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year! It has felt like an eternity since I have seen you all, but not a day goes by that you aren’t on my mind! I sure have missed all of you and I cannot wait to see all of your faces when we are back for in-person learning later on this month. I hope everyone has had a fruitful summer filled with lots of family fun and connection! Hopefully you have also found some time to read a book that is interesting to you! Keep reading!
I am beyond excited to continue serving as Explore’s School Director! This is my third year as Explore's School Director. The past two years were filled with incredible learning opportunities and reflection. Explore has been “home” for me throughout my career and I am honored to support the Explore students, families, community, and staff. I am eager to jump into our work with the staff and students to continue the deep learning and character development Explore is known for.
Even though things will look quite different this school year, we are so excited to see you all back and to get the 2020-2021 school year going! In collaboration with Mapleton Public Schools, Colorado Department of Education (CDE), the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and Tri-County Health, Explore staff have been in the building hard at work creating plans that are in accordance with all guidelines. I want to assure you that the district has put together a very comprehensive plan. Safety is, and will continue to be, at the forefront of all of Explore’s plans.
Although bell times will remain the same, pick up and drop off procedures will look different. As we draw closer to the start of the school year, please be on the lookout for communication from myself and your child’s teacher regarding specific plans and procedures for your child’s classroom. It will be imperative that students and families follow these procedures to ensure the health and safety of our Explore community. I will post updates and Explore’s specific plans as they become available.
If you ever have questions about your child’s classroom or Explore, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, the front office, Ms. Molinaro (molinarol@mapleton.us) or 303-853-1172), or me – Ms. Van Decar (vandecara@mapleton.us or 303-853-1171). Please continue to check the Mapleton website for all of the most up to date information! Enjoy the rest of your summer break!
See you next week!
Angie Van Decar
Explore Director
MAPLETON REOPENS
The Mapleton Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution in support of reopening Mapleton's schools on Thursday, Aug. 27, with in-person five-day a week instruction while also offering students the option to enroll in Mapleton Online, a new K-12 online school that will focus on standards-based, project-based, and individualized learning.
To assure that all schools are prepared for in-person learning, Mapleton will use the latest guidance and precautions to protect the health and wellbeing of students and staff.
For more information on Mapleton's plan to reopen, please read our Roadmap to Reopening. Watch the video below about our Roadmap to Reopening to learn how Mapleton is preparing to keep students and staff safe at school.
EXPLORE PK-8 REOPENS
NEW EXPLORE CREWMATES
When we return, you will notice some new faces! We have added some new members to our Explore crew and I’m sure you will welcome them with open arms. As we say goodbye to some old friends, we say hello to:
Lindzy Molinaro - Assistant Director
Kammie Carrillo - Kindergarten
Nicky Walsh - 1st grade
TBD - 4th grade
Cory Klimper - 7th grade math/science
Sarah Tanksavala - 7th grade ELA/social studies
Liz Schmidt -.5 special education
Veronica Madrigal Leon - Custodian
Hannah Skalbeck - Cohort Support from Performing Arts
We are so happy to have them, and we are confident that they will be great additions to our Explore Crew! We are beyond excited about our upcoming year and look forward to working with everyone.
EXPLORE CLASSROOM CREW TEACHERS
Primary
Miss Michelle
Miss Jessica
Kindergarten
Mrs. Hamner
Ms. Carrillo
1st Grade
Ms. Gray
Ms. Walsh
2nd Grade
Mrs. Martinez
Ms. Casillo
Intermediate
Ms. DiPaolo
Ms. Van Name
4th Grade
TBD
Mr. Hartman
5th Grade
Ms. Cacciatore
Mr. Boaz
6th Grade
Mrs. Menke
Mr. Spitler
Middle School
Ms. Tanksavala
Math & Science
Mr. Klimper
Virtual Back to School Night
Explore PK-8 Virtual Back to School Night
On September 2nd, every grade level team will host two Microsoft Teams meetings for families to attend - one at 5:30 p.m. and the next at 6:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to celebrate the start of our first weeks of school, as well as learn the expectations and routines of your child’s classroom. The presentation will be the same for each scheduled time. This way parents with more than one student can attend two different grade level presentations. Each presentation will be planned for 20 minutes, with 20 minutes for questions from parents. The presentations will be recorded and posted on the Explore website.
Please make sure the office has your most recent and accurate email address. Teachers will be sending Microsoft Teams invites on Tuesday, September 1st.
Wednesday, Sep 2, 2020, 05:30 PM
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WHOLE SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
REGISTRATION
Throughout Mapleton all enrollment, registration, and updates happen via Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you have not logged into Parent Portal and completed the “Annual Update”, please contact Explore’s main office at 303-853-1170 to get your login information.
ALL updates must be completed in Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Existing Explore families – please make sure you complete the update BEFORE school begins. When all students in your child’s crew have completed the update, the whole class will celebrate with a treat from Ms. Van Decar & Ms. Molinaro.
DRESS CODE
All Mapleton schools are pausing uniform policies for the upcoming school year as we focus on safely reopening schools and getting back to learning. It is our hope that this decision will help our families get ready to go back to school as we all focus on keeping our community and classrooms healthy.
For the upcoming school year, we ask that all families follow the District standards for dress code outlined in our student behavior handbook, https://www.mapleton.us/Page/1734. Students are welcome and encouraged to show their school pride by wearing school colors, logos tees, and clothing that follows uniform guidelines that they may already have. If you are interested in Explore logo shirts, please contact the Explore main office at 303-853-1170. We will assist you in getting these items.
As a reminder, all students at Explore will be wearing masks, especially when in close proximity to other students/staff. Masks should also follow the District standard for dress codes.
SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS
As we focus on keeping our community, school buildings, and classrooms safe and healthy, we are rethinking many of our back-to-school traditions, including our school supply list.
This year, to minimize the sharing of supplies and make sure all students have the materials they need to be successful in the classroom, we are not asking parents to send their students to school with school supplies. The district will provide students with all necessary supplies. This was made possible by generous donations and the Mapleton Education Foundation.
The only item students will be asked to bring to school is a backpack to safely transport iPads and Chromebooks to and from school.
TRANSPORTATION
Paw Pass - All families who live within the Mapleton School district and are looking to register a new student to ride a Mapleton bus must complete and sign the registration form. Please visit the Paw Pass page and click on the 'How to obtain a Paw Pass' tab.
NUTRITION SERVICES
Lunch prices for K-6 students is $1.90, 7th grade is $2.40, and milk is $.50.
Please visit the Mapleton Nutrition Services website for lunch menus and to add money to your child's lunch account www.mapleton.us/Domain/1055.
Online free and reduced lunch application is located at www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict.
CLASS LISTS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Progressive Start
Progressive Start
1ST DAY OF SCHOOL for preschool-7th grade students with last name starting with N-Z (these students will NOT come to school on Thursday, August 27th)
NO SCHOOL
NO SCHOOL
Progressive Start
ALL Explore students preschool through 7th grade
VIRTUAL BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT (see above for details)
Progressive Start
Progressive Start
NO SCHOOL
Regular Schedule
NEWSLETTERS
Explore PK-8
Website: www.mapleton.us/explore
Location: 10310 York Street, Thornton, CO, 80229, USA
Phone: 303-853-1170