MGP Family Newsletter
September Edition
9-3-24
Dear Maple Grove Families,
We had an amazing turnout at our Back to School Night and a fantastic first week of school! Thank you for your engagement with us as the school year begins! Your partnership with our staff is instrumental in the success of our students.
Our teachers and staff know that building relationships with our kids is essential. In order for our students to learn at high levels, each one needs to feel safe and included at school. That sense of belonging comes from the strong relationships with their peers and with our staff members.
At this time in the school year, we also teach our students clear expectations. Our motto - Be safe, respectful, and responsible - is instrumental in students knowing what's expected at school. We are also integrating our Character Strong curriculum with those core values this year. Each month, your child's class will focus on a specific character trait. In the first two weeks of school, we'll have our "Kindness Kickoff"! Ask your child what this means and what they learned about kindness at school!
In other news, MGP has a new website! Check it out HERE! We hope to better communicate with our school community through this new platform.
Here's to the beginning of another GREAT school year, Wildcats!
Andrea Sperry and Jessica Drake
Maple Grove Primary Administration Team
Instagram @ MGWildcats
From Ms. Vanegas, counselor
Dear MGP Families,
I hope this note finds you well and excited for the new school year! As we embark on this journey together, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued partnership and support. Your involvement makes a significant difference in our students' lives.
Back to School Routines:
As we kick off the school year, here are some important tips to help our students transition smoothly:
Establish a Routine: Consistency is key! Set a regular bedtime and wake-up time to help your child feel rested and ready for school.
Prepare the Night Before: Encourage your child to pack their backpack and lay out their clothes each evening. This will save time and reduce morning stress.
Set Goals: Help your child set achievable goals for the year. This can provide them with a sense of direction and motivation.
Ensure that your child has breakfast before school or encourage breakfast at school. A nourished brain is a brain that is ready to learn.
Create a “good bye” or “drop off” ritual that communicates love, and joyful anticipation for your child’s day at school.
Communicate with Teachers: Keep an open line of communication with your child's teachers. They are here to support both you and your child throughout the year.
Stay Positive: Encourage your child to approach the new school year with a positive mindset. Remind them that it's okay to feel nervous and that everyone is in this together!
I look forward to a fantastic year ahead, filled with learning, growth, and collaboration. Thank you for being an essential part of our school family!
Warm regards,
Tamra Vanegas
School Counselor
Maple Grove Primary
Unscheduled Dismissal Information
Please take a moment to complete our 'Unscheduled Early Release' information form. This will allow us to be able to contact you in the case of an unscheduled change in schedule due to inclement weather. All information will be shared with your teacher.
Free Meals for ALL!
Free meals for students in kindergarten through fourth grades
Students in kindergarten through fourth grade will have access to free meals at school this year. If you feel your family would qualify for free/reduced lunch, or you have in the past, please fill out a free and reduced-price meal application (русский) (Espaňol). This information helps to provide the state funding that makes this benefit possible. In addition, families who qualify under the free/reduced-price program and complete a consent to share form (русский) (Espaňol) may be able to access free or reduced-fee sports or other activities. Students must have a new free/reduced-price application and consent to share form on file prior to registering for fall sports in order to qualify for fee waivers.
The letter to households includes information about meal pricing, benefit qualifications and more. Parents with students who will continue paying for meals at school (grades five through 12) should create an e-Funds account to expedite the payment process.
PTA News
Welcome back Wildcats!!!
Please consider joining our AMAZING PTA this year!.
For all other PTA News check out our website HERE:
Please see attached PTA September Newsletter below!
Any questions, you can always reach out to us by email at
Upcoming Events
School Hours 9:10-3:40
Office Hours 8:30-4:30
** CHANGE in parent drop off time: Supervision will be provided to students beginning at 8:45 this year. Please be sure you don't drop off prior to 8:45. We want ALL of our kids to be SAFE!
*Please see attached parking lot map for parent pick up: IMPORTANT
Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten Information
September 3: First full day for kindergarteners.
September 3-13: TK Students attend school from 9:00-12:40
September 16: First full day for TK students, 9:10-3:40
*Kindergarten parents, check your email for communication from our kinder teachers
1-HR Late Start Wednesdays in September: 4, 11, 18, 25
School hours on late start Wednesdays will be 10:10-3:40
Supervision on 1-HR Late Starts will begin at 9:45
School Picture Day: September 26
PTA Bingo Night: September 27
Parent Pick Up
Driving:
Please follow the identified traffic flow to pick up your student. When you enter the pickup lane, please keep the student name card (available at back to school night) visible in your front passenger window. Stay in your vehicle behind the wheel, we will open the RIGHT SIDE back door for students to access your car. Have booster and car seats on the passenger side. Pull forward as soon as you are safely able and exit the parking lot.
**If time is needed to buckle students, please pull forward toward the exit and park in order to allow cars to continue moving through the pickup line.
Parking:
Park in the south spots closest to Eaton and use the crosswalk to enter the parent waiting area.
Walking:
Walk to the parent waiting area to be connected with your child by one of our staff members.Office Pickup:
If you need to meet your student in the office, please park in any open spaces in the MAIN PARKING AREA, and walk to the office. Students will be brought to the office when we are notified you are there.
2024-2025 Upcoming School Dates
The 2024-25 academic calendar (Русский) (Español) is available online. Here are some key dates to keep in mind:
Labor day (no school): Monday, Sept. 2
First full day of kindergarten: Tuesday, Sept. 3
First one-hour late start: Wednesday, Sept. 4
Thanksgiving break: Nov. 27-29
Winter break: Dec. 23, 2024, through Jan. 3, 2025
Spring break: Monday, March 31, through Friday, April 4
In-service dates (no student attendance): Oct. 11, Oct. 30, Jan. 29
Last day of school: Tuesday, June 10 (assuming no added days for weather-related closures)
Transitional Kindergarten Dates
Tuesday, Sept. 3, through Friday, Sept. 13: Transitional Kindergarten students will attend school from 9 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Busing will be provided starting this day.
Monday, Sept. 16: First full day of school for all Transitional Kindergarten students.
In other news.....
Bus routes posted and FirstView mobile app
Bus routes are now available online. For questions about school district bus service, call your school or First Student at 360-841-7099, ext. 103 or 104. Please be aware that the first several weeks of school can often see changes to routes as First Student makes adjustments. Any changes impacting riders will be communicated by your child’s school.
Due to road construction in many areas of the district, some buses may need to take a detour and/or may be delayed. For the most up-to-date route information, late alerts, notifications when your student is close to home, etc., we strongly recommend installing the FirstView mobile app, available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. PLEASE NOTE: The district code has changed this year. To use the app, enter the four-digit code LMWV. Get instructions for installing the app.
Share your back-to-school moments with us!
We are excited to welcome students back starting next week! Just take a photo of your child on their first day and post it to social media using #BGPSBack2School. Staff photos are welcome too! We'll share your photos in a fun video that will be posted on the district's Facebook and Instagram accounts (have you followed us there yet?). We're looking forward to seeing you!
New school menus
Starting this year, Battle Ground Public Schools is partnering with Chartwells to provide breakfast and lunch at school. Menus are still available via Nutrislice and meal expenses can still be paid through InTouch Receipting, just like last year. Printable menus are also available through September (Primary Schools) (Middle Schools) (High Schools) Get more details on the district website.
New websites and messaging platform
Battle Ground Public Schools has a brand-new look online this school year, with updated websites for the district and schools, as well as a new mass communication system via Apptegy. Our intent is to improve your experience, making it easier for you to find information quickly and easily, and streamlining communication between you and your child’s school(s). In the future, you will receive text messages from 98900. You can opt out any time. Download the new Battle Ground Public Schools app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to view updates and receive notifications.
September schedule reminders
Labor Day (no school): Monday, Sept. 2
First one-hour late start: Wednesday, Sept. 4
Additional one-hour late starts: Sept. 11, 18, 25
2024-25 school calendar
The 2024-25 academic calendar (Русский) (Español) is online. Here are some key dates to keep in mind:
First full day of kindergarten: Tuesday, Sept. 3
Thanksgiving break: Nov. 27-29
Winter break: Dec. 23, 2024, through Jan. 3, 2025
Spring break: Monday, March 31, through Friday, April 4
In-service dates (no student attendance): Oct. 11, Oct. 30, Jan. 29
Last day of school: Tuesday, June 10 (assuming no added days for weather-related closures)
Non-discrimination Statement for BGPS
The Battle Ground Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Information about the district’s nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures are located on the district’s website at https://www.battlegroundps.org/notice-of-nondiscrimination/. The following employees have been designated to receive and respond to questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Title IX Coordinator: Tom Adams, Director of Student Services, Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604, adams.tom@battlegroundps.org, 360.885.5415
and/or U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Title IX inquiries may also be referred to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Michelle Reinhardt, Executive Director of Human Resources, Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604, reinhardt.michelle@battlegroundps.org. 360.885.5481