The Maple Grove
Branch
Ensuring Each Leaf Can Learn to Fly on Its Own!
Doug Barry, PrincipalPhone: 987-3363
tendance: 987-2748
Diann Williamson, Assistant Principal
West Des Moines, IA 50266
January 18, 2013 Attendance Line : (515) 987-2748 Fax: (515) 987-3903
DATES TO REMEMBER
1/21NO SCHOOL – Teacher Work Day
1/231:40 Early Dismissal – Professional Development
2/1Eason/Maple Grove Night at Waukee Basketball
2/4Pizza Ranch Night (1st grade 5-6:30; 4th grade 6:30 – 8)
2/61:40 Early Dismissal – Professional Development
2/15Classroom Valentine’s party 2:30 – 3:15
2/201:40 Early Dismissal – Professional Development
2/12 – 2/14Iowa Assessment testing, grades 3-5, 9-10:30 each day
3/61:40 Early Dismissal – Professional Development
3/11Pizza Ranch Night (kinder. 5- 6:30; 3rd grade 6:30-8)
3/15 – 3/22Spring Break 2013
Maple Grove Elementary Phone Numbers
MAIN NUMBER…….987-3363BEYOND THE BELL……987-2778
FAX NUMBER…….987-3909NURSE’S OFFICE…….987-2754
LUNCH CLERK…….987-2769FIRST STUDENT…….515-992-3740
From the Desk of the Principal
Iowa Assessments (formerly know as ITBS) will be held February 12-14 for all 3rd through 5th graders. PLEASE avoid scheduling appointments each of those mornings as we will be testing from 9:00-10:30am each day. It is important for students to get plenty of rest and have a healthy breakfast in the morning.
We would like to extend a big thank you to all families who joined us for the Family University event. We had a wonderful turn out, and have received very positive feedback. We had nearly 17 informational booths, and 15 presenters for the evening. We would also like to thank the Maple Grove PTO for the pizza, drinks and snacks that were provided to our families. The event was a wonderful success, and would not have been possible without the great efforts of many staff and volunteers! If you have comments or suggestions regarding the Family University event, please feel free to contact me.
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration Night will be held at Maple Grove Elementary on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. Children must be 5 years old on or before September 15, 2013.
Kindergarten registration will occur online. If a family chooses to complete the registration process using paper copies, the forms may be picked up at Waukee Community Schools District Office, or may be printed from the district website
The online registration portal will open one week prior to the night of kindergarten registration.
The online portal will close three weeks after its opening. After this date only completed paper packets will be accepted.
In addition to online registration, several hard copy documents are required for kindergarten registration. These include proof of residency, proof of the student’s birth, a doctor office’s copy of the student’s most recent immunization record. These documents may be brought to Kindergarten Registration.
Parents are encouraged to register online, but if that is not possible, parents may turn in hard‐copy registration paperwork at the District Office a week prior to Kindergarten Registration Night. Please note that only complete packets will be accepted.
eBackpack is a blog site that hosts school sponsored and non-profit information flyers. eBackpack is accessible from the Waukee School District homepage or by visiting
You can subscribe to the ebackpack through the blog, or follow @WaukeeBackpack on twitter to receive updates when new material is posted.
Current postings include:
*Waukee Warrior Baseball Camp
*BabySitter training
*Daddy Daughter Dance to support the Waukee After-Prom
EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!
On the Maple Grove homepage!!
We encourage all families to tune into the District website, and visit the Maple Grove homepage. Please bookmark this important page, as much useful information will be posted on this site. You can view the District calendar, as well as the Maple Grove calendar by narrowing your search to include only items involving Maple Grove Elementary. You can even search items by category (fundraising, fine arts, academics, etc). We are excited about the new way of sharing important information. You may visit our webpage here to visit our important NEWS and EVENTS.
Students go outside for recess everyday unless the wind chill is below 0 degrees. Students are not allowed to stay indoors for recess without a medical excuse.Pleasemake sure your child is dressed appropriately. Hats and gloves are especially important throughout the winter months. Boots and snowpants are needed when there is snow on the ground. Students are required to stay on the blacktop unless they are wearing boots and snowpants on snowy days. Also, please label all of your child’s winter clothing.
And now a brief note from our School Nurse, Mrs. Kary Sprague…
Upcoming Valentine’s Party
Valentine’s Day parties are coming soon (Feb. 15th). If you choose to bring any type of candy please send it to school in the SEALED store bought bag. DO NOT attach it to the valentines. The reasoning behind this is so I can look at the ingredients to be sure it is safe for everyone. Peanut products will NOT be allowed. If you wish to bring candy please stick to choosing from this list of safe candy:
Air Heads
Bubble Yum Bubble Gum
Hersheys: Whoppers (PLAIN ONLY), Hershey’s Kisses (PLAIN ONLY)
Lifesaver’s Gummies
Skittles
Sour Patch Kids
Spangler: DumDum Lollipop & Smarties
Starbursts
Tootsie: Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, Dots, TootsieFrooties
Twizzlers
Wonka: Laffy Taffy, Nerds, Bottle Caps, Sweet Tarts
Wrigley’s Extra Classic Bubble sugar-free gum
There are other alternatives to bringing candy. If you were to choose to bring pencils, stickers, or something of that sort, those could be attached to valentines. If you have any questions please feel free to call me at 515-987-2754. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Maple Grove Fine Arts Nights
January 29th – 2nd grade, 6:30 pm at the HS
February 18 – Band Solos, 3:40 – 7pm, at MGE
February 19 – 4th grade, 6:30 pm, at the HS
April 16th – Kindergarten, 6 and 7pm, at MGE
May 13th – 5th grade general music, Chorus, and
band!! 6pm at the HS
Dreams of World Drumming Project!
Help Maple Grove Fulfill Our Dreams of World Drumming!
The music department at Maple Grove is currently raising money that will be used to purchase a World Music Drumming Curriculum. It includes 18 African drums and 18 additional ethnic instruments.
This curriculum will bring enjoyment and excitement to our music classroom while building important life skills such as communication, listening, teamwork, discipline, and respect for others. Drumming also provides multiple opportunities for students to experience rhythm, playing in an ensemble, movement, improvisation, meter practice, and timbre comparison.
Mrs. Schoene and Mrs. Seeley will have cards available for you to purchase and personalize for your singer at this year’s concerts. Cards will be available for $1.00 each and additional donations will be accepted. Please contact Mrs. Schoene if you have any additional funding ideas to help us fulfill our goal!
Eason/Maple Grove Night for Warrior Basketball!
Please join us for the Eason/Maple Grove basketball night on Friday, February 1st. The Waukee Girls Varsity team will play at 6:15 at the new Waukee Field House. Prior to the game, the Eason and Maple Grove 5th grade choruses will sing the National Anthem. At halftime, Eason or Maple Grove students are invited to participate in a basketball shoot-out, and conclude the half-time event with the “We Are Waukee” chant. Eason and Maple Grove students will be admitted to the game free of charge. Come support the Warriors Girls Varsity team, and enjoy an evening with friends!
The Maple Grove PTO would like to invite you to Movie Night at Maple Grove Elementary. We will be showing Ice Age Continental Drift on February 8th. The doors will open at 6:30pm, with the movie starting at 7:00pm. The movie will be shown in the gym so bring your blanket to sit on. Popcorn and water will be provided. Popcorn and waterare allowed in the gym, although we ask that you keep all other drinks in the cafeteria area. This is a FREE event for the entire family. Hope to see you there!!!
Maple Grove PTO News...
** Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our next meeting on February 18th at 7:00 in the Media Center. We hope to see you there!!!
**Our Family Fun Night is quickly approaching! It will be held on April 13, 2013. We are in need of Mega Raffle Donations. Mega Raffles are prizes worth $100 or more, thatwill be raffled at $5 per ticket. This is a great fundraiser for our school. If you, a family member or a friend owns a business, has access to sporting event tickets, concert tickets, musicals, etc., and would be interested in donating something to be raffled off at our please contact Kelly Deimerly or 681-6175.
Here are just a few ideas of "hot" items:
Restauraunt Gift Cards
Basketball, Football, Baseball, etc tickets (Iowa, ISU, Drake, etc) Concert Tickets
Civic Center Tickets
Products from your business
Service from your business
** We are looking for volunteers to serve in the following committees for the 2013-2014 school year: PTO VP, a Treasurer (background check required), Fundraising, Conference Meals, and Yearbook. Contact Allison Hamling if interested.
Any questions, please contact Allison Hamling at
Please check out our blog for minutes from the meetings and general PTO information.