South Maple Elementary Newsletter

Greetings South Maple Elementary families,

I am very excited to begin the 2024-2025 school year. Our marvelous staff has been preparing for your arrival and they are looking forward to a year filled with learning, growing and fun. We have a lot of new and exciting things going on this year!

Our goal is to have each and every student enjoy coming to a safe and nurturing school environment each day. Your child's safety and academic progress is of the utmost importance to us.

I can't wait to spend another great year at South Maple. I am looking forward to partnering with you to make this an amazing school year.

Respectfully,

Diane Parker, Principal

Meet Ms. Parker

August 27....................Kindergarten Kick Off 5-6PM

August 28....................Open House 1st-3rd grades 5-6PM

September 3................First day of school 1st-3rd grades

September 5...............Kindergarten first day/12:45PM Arrival

September 12 .............Picture Day

November 1.................No School Students/Staff PD

Sometimes things happen at school involving your child. Please remember to kindly contact the classroom teacher first to gather information regarding your concerns.

A South Maple Elementary welcome letter has been mailed. This mailing will include: homeroom teacher, emergency card, student/parent agreement form, and directory opt out information. K/1 students will receive 3 preprinted stickers. Please put on your child's shirt for the first three days of school. Please complete the forms and return them at Open House or with your child on the first day of school.

Gaylord Community Schools 2024-2025 Parent-Student Handbook is provided below.

2024 STUDENT HANDBOOK

For the safety of our students, parents need to select bussing, front pick-up, gym entrance pick-up or latchkey as the method of departure for their children to follow at dismissal. If a parent needs to make a change to this daily routine a phone call must be made directly to the school office before 1:30PM on the day of the change. If the office does not receive information of a change, then the child will go home as scheduled.

Bus Riders: Parents will receive confirmation via Text and/or E-mail through Gaylord Schools Messaging System of route number. At that time we will have AM and PM estimated pick-up and drop-off times located on the GCS Webpage. Please allow extra time in these first few weeks as we are establishing routes.

• The student day will begin at 7:55AM and ends at 2:35PM.
• As many of you are aware morning and afternoon traffic is very congested in our area. Please drive safely and follow traffic laws. The arrival/dismissal attachment below will provide detailed information.
• SME staff will assist all students in locating their classrooms. Please say your goodbye before or when they exit your vehicle, this includes the first day of school.
• Students must be picked up by 2:55
  
• Click on the link below for more details

In September we will be conducting the following emergency drills:

• FIRE DRILL

Even though meals will be provided for free, it is extremely important for families to complete the Education Benefits Online application in order for Gaylord Community Schools to receive full access to federal and state funding for education programs that support our students.

You may also complete paper documents: Please complete and return the printable version to the South Maple Office or email completed forms to kimmelm1@gaylord.k12.mi.us

ALL students taking medication during the school day must complete the appropriate form(s). There have been some changes by the state of Michigan in regards to prescription medication at school. Now ALL prescription medication must have a doctor's signature. Our prescription medication forms have been updated across the district. Here are links to our updated prescription medication form and our over the counter medication form to help you get a head start.

The South Maple Elementary office is open to assist you Monday-Friday from 7AM-3:30PM.

989.731.0648

South Maple Elementary

650 East Fifth Street

Gaylord, MI 49735

989.731.0648