Aviator Air Newsletter
Maple Dale Elementary's Parent Communication
August 31, 2018
Our Flight Plan
Attendance Line: (513) 686-1726
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
September 3 - Labor Day - NO SCHOOL!
September 11 - Fall Picture Day & 4th Grade Group Picture
September 18 - Champions National Open House from 5:00-7:00 pm
September 19 - All Pro Dad Breakfast
September 28 - Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL!
A note from Mrs. Zellner
Dear Maple Dale Families,
As many of you know, I have lived most of my life with a significant hearing loss. I wear a hearing aid in my right ear - my "good" ear - and have done very well with this for over 40 years. Unfortunately, a couple weeks ago, I noticed a sudden and significant hearing loss in my right ear. After a series of appointments and tests, it has been determined this loss is permanent. Thankfully, I am proficient in lip reading and am still able to function very well in the short-term.
I am now beginning the journey of receiving a cochlear implant. I am incredibly excited this is an option for me and that I will be able to hear again soon, possibly even better than I did with my hearing aid! Once my insurance approves the procedure, the surgery will be scheduled and I will be on my way! I will continue to work until the surgery. Once I have the surgery, I anticipate I will take 2-4 weeks off work. Mrs. Reinke and I will work with our staff to arrange for extra coverage to help cover my responsibilities while I am recovering.
In the meantime, you can reach me via email or set up a face-to-face meeting with me. The teachers will talk to the children about my operation and the need to look at me while speaking so I can understand what they're saying. I am excited to work with the kids on the power of positive thinking, perseverance, and kindness as I travel this new road. We will be sure to keep our Maple Dale families updated on my progress.
Fondly, Mindy
WANTED: Reading Buddies
Interested in finding a way to volunteer at school each week? Know someone who is? Sign up to be a buddy!
This year we will have:
Reading Buddies- who will work one on one with a child to work on provided reading activities and unfinished classwork.
Math Buddies- who will work with a small group of students on provided math activities
Our expectations of buddies:
Spend 30 minutes with the child or group of children each week.
Provide both academic support and a positive relationship. We want our students to know that you are another adult that cares about them and is supporting them.
Consistency is important to our kiddos so please ensure you could come most weeks when signing up. We do understand that sick kids and other things do come up but we ask for your best effort.
If you are interested, or know someone who is, please contact Natalie Moss at mossna@sycamoreschools.org or 686-1799 ext. 1321.
Like Us on Facebook!
Transportation Notes
Important notice from Transportation - bus 71 is full and is not able to accommodate any additional riders. If your child rides bus 71 and has a friend coming home with them, they will need to be picked up since bus 71 is at capacity. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
As always, our priority is the safety of our children so we appreciate your willingness to work with us.
Helpful Hints for Parents Who Walk Children to School
If you are walking or riding your bike to the front of the building for drop off, you need to stay in the front and send your child through the front doors. Walkers and bike riders need to go around to the front and not cut through bus drop off. There is a sidewalk around the back perimeter of the building that will take you directly to the front door.
Due to allergies, anxiety about animals, and general safety. If animals are brought to school grounds during drop off, please wait until all children have entered the building before walking your animals through high traffic areas
Please do not use the playground equipment during drop off times. It is distracting and hazardous to bus drivers, staff, and the students entering the building.
Thank you. We appreciate your help in keeping everyone safe!
Wanted: Homeroom Parent Volunteers
Join Scout Night Open House – September 5th
Maple Dale Cub Scout Pack 189 is recruiting families for 2018-19 school year. Boys and Girls ages 5-10 are welcome to join. The Pack supports a wide range of activities from Camping, Rock Climbing, Range Day, various Community Service Projects, Blue Ash Memorial Day Parade, and the ever-popular Pine Wood Derby. Along with Pack and Den activities, we work on preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
To join or for more information come to our open House:
Wednesday September 5th
6-8pm
Maple Dale Cafeteria
Still not sure, look at our Pack 189 Fact Sheet or contact John Chism at 2johnChism@gmail.com
Cookbooks for Sale!
Lost & Found: Minecraft lunch box
Minecraft lunch box
Sycamore GEAR (Gifted Education Advocacy and Resources)
Now that the 2018-19 school year is underway, GEAR would like to officially welcome you back! Please join us for our annual picnic when we will gather for fun and games, a lockbox challenge involving slime and plenty of S’mores.
Have you ever wondered about gifted education at Sycamore; what programs are offered, how to qualify and who the teachers are? If so, now’s the time to get those questions answered!
For more information about GEAR, how to join, and other upcoming activities and events, check out our website at http://www.sycamoregear.org/
MILERS (PTO sponsored)
MAPLE DALE MILERS is our walking/running program held Wednesdays at lunch recess. The program is optional and students can choose to walk or not walk each week. Students in Grades 1,2,3&4 enjoy walking supervised laps around the blacktop playground and get a chance to earn foot tokens as they rack up the miles throughout the year. Parent volunteers will oversee and supervise the students as they walk.
EVERYONE GETS TO WALK!
Our kickoff will be Wednesday September 12th
(wear your sneakers/ tennis shoes on Wednesdays)
*VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
This program can only exist with adult volunteers! We will need volunteers to help set up, monitor the kids, and complete minimal paperwork to record the miles. It’s a great way to see your child during the school day
CLICK on link if you’d like to volunteer for a day
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0448aeae22a0fd0-wednesday
1st & 2nd grades 11:25am-12:50pm
3rd & 4th grades 12:35am-1:35pm
**If you DO NOT WANT YOUR CHILD TO PARTICIPATE in the program at ANY time this year, please email Jessica Allison at jessie0603@yahoo.com by September 12th
Green Team Tip
If you pack lunch(es), consider going waste-free on Wednesdays (or everyday). Much of the trash we generate comes from food waste and food packaging, and especially so for families with young kids. An average-size elementary school generates about 18,769 lbs of lunch waste per school year (source: wastefreelunches.org). For waste-free lunch inspiration, visit https://bit.ly/2NodHGo or watch https://youtu.be/CPkVQSSWmpQ.
Murphy - the Therapy Dog!
Dear Maple Dale Families,
We are so excited to have the opportunity to have a certified therapy dog visit Maple Dale this year! Murphy, the dog, and his owner, Mr. Billman - a former Maple Dale parent and current Maple Dale grandparent - will be visiting our school every other Thursday and will do a combination of whole class visits and small group opportunities, including allowing children to read to him, walk him, etc. For the first visits, Murphy and Mr. Billman will visit each classroom to explain what therapy dog is and the "dos and don'ts" of working with therapy dogs.
Research has shown therapy dogs can reduce student stress and anxiety as well as teach empathy and appropriate interpersonal skills. Another recent report shows children working with therapy dogs experienced increased motivation for learning. In general, therapy dogs can help to improve the overall climate of a school and we are excited to bring this wonderful program to our students.
Since we understand some students may be allergic or fearful of dogs, no child will ever be forced to pet or approach Murphy. Parents may also choose to opt their child out of this experience. If you have concerns or would like to opt your child out, please feel free to email Mindy at zellnerm@sycamoreschools.org and we will work with you to ensure your child is comfortable.
Murphy's first visit will be on Thursday, September 6th. Be sure to check Facebook and Twitter for pictures!
Parents and Teachers Make Maple Dale Better - Join the PTO!
Maple Dale Elementary School offers students a rich learning environment and many compelling programs through collaboration with the PTO. In the past year and with the support of the PTO:
*every classroom teacher was given the opportunity to purchase $300 of books for their own classroom library to enrich student learning
*a gaga ball pit was installed on the playground for students to enjoy at recess
*we celebrated together the rich diversity of our school as Maple Dale families, representing nearly two dozen cultures, when we gathered for our Heritage night
*the Maple Dale Makerspace was expanded with programmable robots, structural blocks, and program supplies.
All parents, faculty, staff, and administrators are invited to be part of making Maple Dale a great place to learn and grow by participating in the PTO.
The first step is becoming a member! You can join online for just $5 through our transaction center. All members will receive a free student directory when they are published this fall.
Next, choose how you can best support our school! We encourage members to participate in one or more of the following ways:
*attend monthly membership meetings (some during the day, some in the evening)
*volunteer for a program or project! If every parent volunteered just once in an area of their interest or expertise our programs would be covered and no program or volunteer would be spread too thin.
*support our two major fundraisers, the Glow Run in October and the Carnival in April.
Will you join us? If you have any questions about the PTO, send us an email at mdpto@sycamoreschools.org.
PTO - Help Wanted SignUp Genius Link
Mural Dedication in honor of Lynne Conrad
Mrs. Cooks and Mrs. Thiel paying tribute to Mrs. Conrad, their former colleague
Mrs. Conrad's son gifting the mural to Maple Dale
The beautiful mural in our academic hallway!
About us
Email: reinkea@sycamoreschools.org
Website: http://www.sycamoreschools.org/Domain/12
Location: 6100 Hagewa Drive, Cincinnati, OH, United States
Phone: (513)686-1720
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mapledaleaviators/
Twitter: @MapleDaleElem