February certainly brought us some unique weather challenges with snow, ice and wind! I am hopeful we are through the bulk of this crazy weather, and can string a few full weeks together before we head off for spring break at the end of the month. We appreciate all of you support navigating the changing schedules and interruptions to our learning weeks. Teachers are working hard to finish all of their third quarter learning in the next few weeks. Looking forward to some sunshine and outside recess!

Here are some of our last month highlights:

1. We celebrated school counseling week with some great information about our comprehensive counseling program led by Mrs. Hough.

2. Maple was the proud earner of 2 Smithville Community awards this year. Mrs. Hough was awarded the Educator of the Year and our Maple Pantry earned the Community Service Award which earns a big thank you to Mrs. Hough, Kari Wunsch and Ms. Johnson.

3. 6th Grade traveled to the PAC to learn more about their options for band next year.

4. PTO hosted our spring parties with some amazing activities for our students to enjoy including inflatables, bracelet making and yard games.

Dr. Taylor Jahn, Principal, jahnt@smithville.k12.mo.us

Mrs. Abbey Meyer, Assistant Principal, meyera@smithville.k12.mo.us

What a wacky weather quarter this has been! Here are a few pictures from February.

Looking ahead …

Warrior Preschool/Early Childhood

We will continue looking at patterns, building patterns, and continuing the pattern.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten students will continue working on digital citizenship skills, 2D and 3D shapes and technology skills this quarter.

First Grade

First grade students have started working on an engineering project where we will design and build a house for a classmate. We will also continue our digital citizenship lessons.

Second Grade

Students in second grade have started learning about circuits. We will continue to build on our knowledge and incorporate an engineering project.

Third Grade

Third grade students will continue to work on our stop motion projects.

Fourth Grade

Students have started to learn about our 3D printer and how to design for it using the CAD program Tinkercad. This is a difficult project so we are also practicing our growth mindset.

Fifth Grade

Students in Mrs. Greenfield’s class have completed our trimester together. Students in Ms. Ray’s class will start our trimester together. We will begin working on our tiny house project.

Sixth Grade

Students in Game Lab have completed our board games. Up next we will create digital breakout games for younger students.

You can see more by following our journey on twitter: @sara_freeman, instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mes_tech_and_innovation_lab , facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MESTechandInnovationLab

Pre K - Our Preschoolers have been doing obstacle courses as well as getting comfortable with all of our equipment!

K- Our K kiddos have been completing team activities like relay races, building objects with PE equipment together, and getting different roles for our teams.

1st - Our 1st graders have been completing team activities like relay races, building objects with PE equipment together, and determining roles for our teams

2nd - Our 2nd graders have been completing team activities like relay races, building objects with PE equipment together, and determining roles for our teams

3rd - 6th - These students crushed our fitness testing last month! They will be able to compare their scores when we get to do it again at the end of Q4. For the next couple of weeks, we will be learning more about striking/fielding. Activities that we will be playing will be baseball, softball, and pickleball!

Warrior Preschool/Early Childhood -

We are learning about Spring! We will sing songs, and play instruments that remind us of spring, weather, and animals we might see during spring time.

Kindergarten-

Kindergarten students are reading music using “iconic notation”and playing instruments to the amount of syllables they are reading. We are going to explore these using many different classroom instruments such as hand drums, xylophones, and maracas.

1st Grade-

First grade students will be creating their own compositions using So La and Mi. We will continue to practice identifying So La Mi through reading, singing, and playing instruments. We will also continue to practice reading Ta, Ta-di, and Rest.

2nd Grade-

Second grade students are preparing for their spring music program “The Box”. They will be performing in the Maple Gymnasium on April 2nd at 6 pm. This is a NEW date, families please check your email for details about the performance.

3rd Grade-

Third grade students are preparing a special event this year. We will be having a Family Folk Dance Night on March 11th at 6 pm in the Maple Gymnasium. Families, please check your email for details about the performance.

4th Grade-

Fourth graders are starting on ukulele by learning the parts of the instruments, names of the strings, and how to read a chord chart.

5th Grade-

5th Graders have wrapped up their 2nd trimester and are excited to showcase their work at our showcase night on March 10th.

Our new group of 5th graders will be working on the “Soundtrack of My Life” project, where students can identify a playlist of songs that represent who they are.

6th Grade -

Our sixth grade students are taking a journey in learning an instrument of their choice this quarter. We have students performing on ukulele, piano, toots and doods (these are similar to flutes and clarinets). These students will get the opportunity to do small performances for different classes here at Maple.

WILD ROBOT Website

Warrior Preschool/Early Childhood- Warrior preschool & Early childhood will be starting our insect/bug themed reading unit.

Kindergarten Kindergarten students will be finishing up the Wild Robot activities as well as some fun St. Patrick's Day books with activities.

First Grade First graders will be listening to picture books from the author and illustrator Lucy Cousins. Students will discuss what they notice about this author's writing.

Second Grade Students are listening to books on St. Patrick's day and creating crafts to go along with each story.

Third Grade Third grade students are listening to stories from the author Alex Willan. We will learn about this specific author and what type of writing he uses in his stories.

Fourth grade Students will gain background knowledge about the author Dr. Suess and completing challenges and activities that involve teamwork and creativity.

Fifth grade Students will be learning about the famous author Dr. Suess and completing challenges and activities that involved team-work and creativity.

6th grade - In Books vs. Movies, we finished our second chapter books, Coraline, that the students voted on, and will watch the movie. We will end the quarter with a picture book and movie.

This quartermost classes are finishing up their unit on Observation, and we will begin our unit on Express. I love following up Observation with Express because students can be so hard on themselves when I ask them to draw from Observation, so it feels very free to express themselves any way they’d like in their art.

Kindergarten and First Grade Students will think about the way colors, music, and feelings can all be connected within their drawings. They can show emotions with different colors, and line movements can reflect the types of music and sounds they hear.

Second and Third Grade Students will begin art with similar materials and create until everyone has different outcomes. Third Grade Students will also take their Selfies and create unique artworks showing their Self Expression.

Fourth Grade Students have completed their Pop Can drawings, and we will use our creativity to turn those drawings into colorful Prints.

Fifth Grade students are sadly about to finish their trimester. They will have a 5th Grade Showcase on March 10th from 6:00-7:00. They set up their own artwork display.

Sixth Grade Students are on a great start to their 2D art this quarter. I’m seeing great clay projects, pencil drawings, and paintings. I have offered a Tiny Art Challenge. Those students who choose this challenge will set up their own Tiny Art Display wherever they choose in the Maple Building. I’m looking forward to seeing how they take on the challenge.

We kick off the Warrior Glow run fundraiser next week on March 12th! We’re looking forward to having fun and building community together while we reach our fundraising goals.

Get an overview of our fundraiser by clicking HERE!

Here is the Key Information to help you during the fundraiser:

💵Fundraising Goal: $10,000

🎁Fundraising Item: student driven items and incentives

🎉Kickoff Date (in school): 03/12/2025

👟Event Date: 03/21/2025

All donations will be collected through our fundraising platform: MyBooster.com

How to Get Started on MyBooster.com:

• Click “Sign Up”

• Enter your School Name

• Enter your Information

• Once you sign up, get started by sharing via Facebook, email and text!

Tips for Success:

• Set a goal for how much to raise and make a plan with your student on how to get there.

• Share, share, share using our easy online tools!

• Make sure to thank everyone who supported you after you reach your goal.

Thank you for helping make our fundraiser a success!

The Smithvilles One Book, One District program featuring Peter Brown's heartwarming story, The Wild Robot! This exciting initiative aims to bring our entire elementary schools in the Smithville School district together through a shared reading experience throughout the months of February and March.

All staff, students, and families are invited to read the same book together! Each family in Eagle Heights, Horizon, and Maple will be provided with a copy of "The Wild Robot" and a reading schedule and be encouraged to read the book together. Access read-along videos below by some of our Smithville School District staff members for those nights when your family might want to just sit back and listen. You can access all the information you need right here!

We invite you to be part of an engaging and meaningful conversation at our upcoming Warriors Connect meeting! This is a great opportunity to connect with district/building administrators and Board of Education members, ask questions, and share your valuable feedback.

Your insights play a crucial role in shaping the educational experience for our students, and we value your partnership in helping us grow and improve. Let’s work together to ensure Maple continues to be a place where every student thrives!

Agenda:

No Tax Rate Increase Bond Initiative & Levy Transfer – Learn more about the two questions that the Smithville School District will have on the April 8 ballot.
Competency-Based Learning – Gain insight into how this approach supports student growth and achievement.

Building Celebrations-Hear about recent successes and highlights from our school!

Building Opportunities-Discuss upcoming initiatives and ways to get involved.

We look forward to seeing you there!

1. If your student(s) is going to have a change in dismissal, please let the office know prior to 3:00 on the day. This helps to ensure that we can properly notify the teacher so that the students get to the proper dismissal location.

2. If you have a student who is going to be absent for the day, please let the office know prior to 9:00. If there is a prolonged period of absence that is planned (vacation) you can notify the office about the entire length of the absence with one communication.

** Communication can come via email or phone call. Please email both Heather Waters at watersh@smithville.k12.mo.us and Alison Camacho at camachoa@smithville.k12.mo.us with your changes in attendance or dismissal. You can also call the Maple front office at 816-532-0589.**

Principal: Dr. Taylor Jahn

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Abbey Meyer

Administrative Assistants: Mrs. Alison Camacho and Mrs. Heather Waters

Nurse/Health Room: Mrs. Annie Frazier

Counselor, Room 122: Mrs. Christina Hough

Part Time Counselor: Ms. Emily Johnson

Behavior Interventionist, Room 119: Mrs. Ashli Ellis

EC, Room 101: Mrs. Genna Cornelisse

Warrior Preschool, Room 106: Mrs. Heidi Uptegrove

Warrior Preschool, Room 102: Mrs. Jeanie Martin

Kindergarten, Room 113: Ms. Syndey Goss

Kindergarten, Room 115: Mrs. Sarah Claytor

Kindergarten, Room 114: Ms. Sarah Madden

1st Grade, Room 139: Mrs. Rhonda Henshaw

1st Grade, Room 141: Mr. Aaron Bowlin

1st Grade, Room 140: Ms. Makenzie Kelly

2nd Grade, Room 136: Mrs. Autumn Marriott

2nd Grade, Room 138: Ms. Jenna Spence

3rd Grade, Room 135: Mrs. Emily Callahan

3rd Grade, Room 134: Mrs: Amber Medley

3rd Grade, Room 133: Mrs. Abrielle Bartley

4th Grade, Room 129: Mrs. Cortney Saxton

4th Grade, Room 131: Mrs. Jennifer Stone

5th Grade ELA, Room 147: Mrs. Loren Ray

5th Grade Science and Social Studies, Room 149: Mrs. Hannah Hensley

5th Grade Math, Room 151: Mrs. Sheri Greenfield

6th Grade ELA, Room 146: Ms. Taylor Broleman

6th Grade Science and Social Studies, Room 148: Mrs. Amy Elliott

6th Grade Math, Room 150: Ms. Amanda Bradberry

Art, Room 125: Mrs. Jenny Haddock

Music, Room 117: Mrs. Reba McNair

PE, Gym: Mr. Zack Anderson

Library: Mrs. Brea Sissom

SLP, Room 105: Mrs. Heather Peterson

SPED, Room 126: Mr. Greg Chastain, Ms. Jina Arellano

Essential Skills, Room 130-Jessi Smith & Marci Riley

Process Coordinator: Mrs. Amanda McClusky and Mrs. Kristen Gromacki

OT/PT, Room 104: Mrs. Susan Holden & Mrs. Natalie Lloyd

Quest, Room 103: Mrs. Paige Scheibe (Grades 5-6)

Quest, Room 128: Mrs. Kassie Reade (Grades 1-4)

Technology and Innovation, Room 116: Mrs. Sara Freeman

Title I Reading, Room 120 & 124: Mrs. Lesa Quinn & Kim Roske

Custodians: Sarah Parks, Willie Kerley, Samantha North

Instructional Assistants-Essential Skills Classrooms: Mrs. Courtney Matthews, Mrs. Randa Blakeslee, Mrs. McKenzie Simmons, Mr. Lance Helton, Mrs. Carmen Williams, Ms. Elizabeth Edwards

Instructional Assistants-Resource Classrooms: Mrs. Kim Miller

Instructional Assistants Early Childhood/PreK: Corrie Cox, Dannel Blackwell, Sara Woolery

Instructional Assistant-Reading, Room 124: Mrs. Josie Benedict

Recess/Cafeteria Aides: Ms. Carolyn Steenrod, Mrs. Jessica Chetto, Mrs. Jessica Thomason, Mrs. Ashleigh Dunlap

Kitchen Staff: Ms. Anna Curtis (manager), Ms.Jennifer Russell, Ms. Kat Neal, Ms. Holly Peterson

The Smithville School District follows the SmartSnacks guidelines for student treats and events. Any snacks provided for birthday treats and classroom events need to follow under these guidelines. The district has information regarding these guidelines as well as an approved snack list available on our website.

March 10th-5th Grade Trimester Showcase 6PM-7PM

March 11th-Library Field Trip

March 11th-3rd Folk Dance Night 6PM-7PM

March 12th-Boosterathon Kick Off Day

March 13th-5th Grade Field Trip

March 14th-Early Release 1:15-End of Q3

March 18th-Spring Picture Day

March 20th-Spring Family Night and Warriors Connect Meeting

March 21st-Boosterathon Glow Run during Encore

March 24th-28th-Spring Break No School

April 2nd-Warrior Color Run 5:30PM on Main Campus

April 10th-Student Showcase Night