Mountain Lions

The April newsletter is coming to you a little early as we are down to our last quarter. These are going to be very busy weeks and we need your help to ensure our scholars are present and on time everyday.

Our PTO is working very hard to raise funds to purchase a new canopy over the playground that was damaged in the monsoons last summer. You can help our efforts by participating in the:

• See's Candy fundraiser that will take place now through March 28th. Order forms went home with students today.
• Attend the Glow Up Family Dance Party on the 28th from 6-8 pm
• Support your child in our first ever Penny Wars which will take place the entire month of April.
• Purchase a spot for $20 at our community yard sale that will take place on April 5.
• Purchase a tattoo or two or three for our first Tattoo the Teacher Event. Tattoos will be sold April 28 - May 9th. Teachers will sport the tattoos purchased on May 12.

Warm regards,

Principal Ramirez

See's Candy? Yes please, they are yummy and just in time for Easter. There are great options from nuts and chews, assorted chocolates, and my favorite ... the lollypops! Help our PTO raise funds from now until March 28th.

Get ready to light up the night at our glow-in-the-dark dance party! We’re turning up the music, dimming the lights, and getting ready to dance! Important: All students MUST be accompanied by an adult. This is a family event, so come ready to dance the night away together. Food and drinks available for purchase.

Date: March 28

Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 PM

Where: Maldonado Elementary Cafeteria

Hip, Hip Hooray for Career Day! All of our students will be learning about a variety of careers this Friday.

Put your spare change toward a great cause. All proceeds from our penny war fundraiser will go to support purchasing a new shade structure.

Pennies are “negative.” Here’s how it works:

· Grade level containers will be located in the office.

· Each silver coin counts as positive points for YOUR grade level. Points are equal to the value of the silver coin.

· Each penny counts as negative points for OTHER grade levels. In other words, dropping a penny in another grade level’s bucket takes 1point from their total

· At the end of April all change/points will be tallied and the grade level with the most points will win a pizza party

Start saving your change—it can make a big difference!

Help us raise funds for the school while clearing out your closets. You can purchase a parking spot for $20 on Saturday April 5th from 8:00 am to noon. Gates will open for set up at 7:30 am.

SAVE THE DATES from March 24th – March 28th. Get ready to empower your reader with book choice. Start exploring together on our book fair homepage.

We are joining in on the fun! We are raising funds and tattooing the teachers. Of course, we're talking temporary tattoos. Here's how it works: students pay $1 for a small tattoo, $3 for a medium tattoo, and $5 for a large tattoo. Tattoos will be sold from April 28th through May 9th. Teachers will wear the tattoos students have purchased on Monday May 12th.

Trying to visualize the fundraiser? You can see what other schools have done by checking out this TikTok.

Arizona state standardized testing begins later this week. You can help your child by:

1. Understand the Test: Familiarize yourself with the format, content, and expectations of the state standardized test. Understanding what will be tested can help you provide targeted support.

2. Create a Positive Atmosphere: Encourage your child with positive reinforcement. Emphasize that the test is an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge, rather than a source of stress or pressure.

3. Establish a Routine: Help your child establish a consistent study routine leading up to the test. Set aside time each day for review and practice, but also ensure they have breaks and relaxation time to avoid burnout.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice: Utilize practice tests and materials provided by the school or online resources. Practice tests can help familiarize your child with the format of the test and identify areas where they may need additional help.

5. Review Weak Areas: Identify areas where your child may need extra help and focus on those during study sessions. This could involve reviewing specific content areas or practicing certain types of questions.

6. Encourage Healthy Habits: Ensure your child gets enough sleep, eats nutritious meals, and stays hydrated during the testing period. A healthy body supports a healthy mind and can improve cognitive function and concentration.

7. Teach Test-Taking Strategies: Help your child learn strategies for approaching different types of questions, managing time effectively, and staying calm under pressure. This could include techniques like process of elimination, educated guessing, and strategic use of breaks.

8. Stay Positive and Supportive: Offer encouragement and support throughout the preparation process and on test day. Remind your child that you are proud of their efforts, regardless of the outcome.

9. Keep Communication Open: Be available to answer any questions or concerns your child may have about the test. Encourage them to talk about their feelings and offer reassurance as needed.

10. Celebrate Effort and Progress: Regardless of the outcome, celebrate your child's hard work and progress. Recognize their efforts and achievements, and emphasize that standardized tests are just one measure of their abilities.

By following these tips, parents can help alleviate some of the stress associated with standardized testing and support their children in performing their best.

Please help us make our annual field day a safe and successful one. Please consider donating a case of water and/or otterpops. Donations will be accepted in the office until the event.

As the weather warms up and many families are moving toward summer wardrobes we are asking all families to be mindful in sending students to school in safe clothing and shoes. Our students don't change for recess, PE, or lunch so they should be wearing clothing that is safe to play in. What might that look like? Clothing that fits well, not baggy or tight. Shoes that wont slide off and become a trip hazard. Consider clothing that one can bend over, climb, and jump in and stays in place.

As we switch from heat to cooling students should consider bringing in a sweater and refillable water bottles for their comfort. Water bottles should be ones that don't involve taking the lid are best.

Come and join us. The next parent teacher organization meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 2 @ 5:00pm online via Zoom. Help us plan and prepare for future family engagement events.

We are so excited to share that our PTO will be hosting a weekly snack bar on alternating Wednesdays. There will be a variety of snacks for sale and priced at $.25, $.50, and $1.00. The snack bar will be on wheels and students must have cash in order to purchase.

In order to register your child to continue at Maldonado Elementary you simply need to sign into your ParentVue account and update your account for SY25 - 26. If you need additional information on how to register for next school year visit the TUSD registration page

Volunteering is as easy as one, two, three!

1. Please contact the school of your choice to establish a volunteer opportunity prior to filling out this application.
2. To ensure the safety of our students, all parent and non-parent volunteers must complete or updated their application each school year.
3. HR will review your submitted application and work with your selected school to authorize volunteer work to begin.

Click here to apply to volunteer, this includes chaperoning field trips.

March

18 Spring Picture Day- Pictures must be prepaid.

18-28 PTO See's Candy Fundraiser

21 Career Day

24-28 Scholastic Book Fair

26 No School - Employee Professional Learning Day

28 GLOW UP Dance 6-8 pm

April

All month- Penny Wars

All month - Arizona standardized testing will take place

3 PTO @ 5:00 via Zoom

5 Yard Sale

8 Site Council 2:15 pm

18 No School - Spring Holiday

23 5th Grade Picture Day

25 Field Day

28 - May 2 School Spirit Week and final Candy Gram Sale

29 Paw Bucks Store

May

April 28 - May 2 School Spirit Week and final Candy Gram Sale of the year

7 PTO @ 5:00 via Zoom

5-9 Staff Appreciation Week

May 12 Tattoo the Teacher

12-16 Technology collection week - all student laptops must be turned in

16 K-4 OMA showcase @ 12:45 pm

20 Paw Bucks Store

21 All Classroom Parties

22 5th Grade promotion and OMA showcase 9:00 am

22 Last day of school

Family Resource Center services are available to TUSD students and their families, free of charge. Please call the center to register for classes. Childcare is available to TUSD students and siblings for most classes. Please inform staff of the need for childcare when you register. Include the number of children, ages, and any special needs. Interpreter services are available. Please inform staff of the need for an interpreter when you register. Please register at least two weeks in advance if interpreter services are needed.

Other services include:

• Clothing bank
• Food pantry
• Help with TUSD forms
• Information and referrals

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