Dear Maxfield Families,

In building a strong first six weeks of school, we set a positive tone for expectations throughout the school year. By recognizing our scholars accomplishments whether large or small makes a big difference. They recognize we are seeing the hard work they are doing here in our community. We love acknowledging them for it. This continues to allow us to model C.A.R.E.S. each day, while we focus on one every two months we acknowledge and recognize them all.

Our fall window for literacy assessments and both math assessments has closed and we are using this data to inform instructional practices for all K-5 scholars. The COGAT testing for kindergarten and second grade scholars will begin. As a reminder, there is no school Thursday, October 3rd. It is a professional development day for staff.

Our new feature begins this week introducing our staff. Featured this week is our admin team.

Please check our school website regularly maxfield.spps.org for information and updates. You can also check out our 2024-25 School Year Calendar . If you have questions the website doesn’t answer, please call the front office at 651-293-8680.

Yours in partnership,

Dr. Leslie Hitchens

Principal

• APTT Kindergarten families September 26th 5-7pm
• No School Professional Development for Educators - October 3rd
• CoGAT Testing Dates:
• Kindergarten- Oct. 7, 8, 9
• Second Grade- Oct. 8, 9, 10
• Picture Day: October 10th
• Tommie Tuesdays: We are encouraging our scholars to wear their purple collaborative shirt on Tuesdays!

Hey Hey Listen Up! We continue to demonstrate our use of PBIS C.A.R.E.S. all year. C.A.R.E.S. stands for Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Respect. We will begin the year with Cooperation. Getting along with others at home and school is a huge part of being a responsible member of the community.

Attendance is an important part of scholar success. Missing less than nine days of school each year helps students to stay engaged, experience success in their schoolwork and keep on track to graduate on time.​ We recognize there are many reasons a student may be absent from school. If your student is ill, check SPPS’s illness guidelines at spps.org/studentwellness. Please call the main office 651.293-8680 at your earliest convenience if your child will be absent. Communication between home and school is vital to a positive school experience. More information about consistent attendance can be found at spps.org/attendance.

If you have questions or concerns with getting your scholar(s) to school please contact school counselor Kary Kuenzli, 651-744-7644 or text 612-405-9477 or principal Dr. Hitchens 651-744-4534. We are here to support you and your family!

Please check in with your healthcare provider to ensure your child’s immunizations are current before school starts in the fall. Visit spps.org/studentwellness or call our school nurse for more information.

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  • If your family moved over the summer, update your address at spps.org/onestop.
  • If you believe your student is taking the bus but did not receive a postcard at the end of August, please call your child's school.
  • Please arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to pick up your child.
  • Track the status of your child’s bus on your school’s website or the Bus Status app linked below.
  • For your up-to-date bus pick-up and drop-off times, log on to your Campus Parent account and click on the Transportation tab.

  
  

TRACK YOUR BUS WITH THE BUS STATUS APP

• The Bus Status app reports buses greater than 10 minutes late and displays up-to-date bus information for SPPS families and students.

  Notice: Bus Status has a new and improved app just in time for the new school year! The Bus Status app currently installed on your phone will not update automatically to the new app, and will end notifications after September 29. Download the new Bus Status app for free at the Apple App Store and via Google Play.

Our building opens to welcome scholars at 7:15 for breakfast. Scholars can be enter the school at 7:15 on Central Ave near theplayground. We will have staff directing scholars where to enter as this is a new process. We ask that you do not drop off on Victoria between 7:15-7:35. If your child is late to school, drop off is on Victoria.

Dismissal will begin at 1:55pm for our PreK-2nd grade scholars and 2:00pm for our 3rd through 5th grade scholars. Scholar pick up has been relocated to Central Ave.. We ask that you stay in your vehicle and we will bring your child to you. This allows us to maintain safety and expedite the process. There will be more information to come on Pick up procedures.

Elementary school students (PreK-5) who live less than a half-mile from school may have the option of walking to and from school with the school patrol. School patrols are led by older students and assisted by school staff and will be on duty before and after school. Fourth and Fifth grade scholars interested in being part of Safety Patrol, please connect with Mr. Rynish, our science teacher.

All students are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch under the Minnesota Free School Meal program. As students arrive at school, they can grab their breakfast and eat in class. Hot and cold breakfast options are available.

Application for Educational Benefits

While all in-person students will receive free breakfast and lunch under Minnesota’s Free School Meals program, it remains critical that all families complete an Application for Educational Benefits each school year. These applications determine how much funding your child’s school receives for educational programs and supports. Additionally, eligible families can qualify for other benefits. The application can be completed online at schoolcafe.com/spps. Paper applications are available at school.

SPPS strives to create welcoming schools where each and every student is seen, known and valued. There are rights students are guaranteed when they are at school as well as responsibilities that accompany those rights. Families are strongly encouraged to review the Rights & Responsibilities Handbook.