
Maplewood Memo
April 3, 2024
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Greetings and Happy Spring!
This has been such fabulous weather, ahhh… refreshing change to say the least. Springtime at Maplewood also brings the school auction!! This Saturday, our Maplewood Foundation is putting on an 80’s extravaganza to raise money to hire Maplewood staff. Please come out and join us in this fun event. This is not only a time to pull out those leg warmers and mullet wigs, but a time to build community and connection with fellow parents and Maplewood staff. AND, of course an opportunity to help raise some funds so we can hire our brilliant Educational Assistants. Simply click HERE to buy your tickets. If you can’t come, click HERE to donate to this important cause.
The first round of Summer Acceleration Academy (SAA) invitations have been sent out. Students are chosen based on their MAP standardized test scores to join SAA in July for some extra support in reading and math. Although they focus on learning, it is not your typical “summer school.” Students make cool science experiments and have summer fun mixed into the learning. If you have gotten an SAA invitation (check your email inbox) but are not sure how to sign up, just call the front office at Maplewood and we can help you out.
Last night you all received an email about the pushed back date for two of Markham classes to move to Hayhurst portables. The portables have not been installed yet, and the new date is at the end of April or beginning of May. I know our Markham teachers are really disappointed. Their kindergarten classrooms with 33 students is far from ideal. And the second grade classroom under the gym is loud and distracting. We were hoping to give these teachers a bit of relief with the move to the portables. As of now, they are making the best of it. If you would like to lend a hand in the kindergarten classrooms, just reach out to us and we will connect you with the teachers.
Tomorrow is the Parent-Principal Coffee. Join me in the gym at 8:00 after drop off for some coffee and treats. If you have any questions about SAA, this is a great place to ask them. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Lastly, it is almost report card time. Teachers will be sending home report cards on Monday, April 15th in your child’s backpack. Keep an eye out for those and be sure to reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. If I don’t know about it, I can’t fix it!
Thank you,
Kit
SAVE THE DATE
April 4
Coffee with Principal Galloway in they Gym 8:00am
April 5
No School Students
April 6th
Auction
April 11
Parent info night at Jackson 7-8pm
(5th Grade Families Only)
April 16
PTA Mtg. 6:30pm
April 19th
Arab American Dinner
Auction
CHILDCARE: Please see the below flyer for one very affordable childcare option. We are working on another so stay tuned!
We have some incredible PRIZES and prize packages coming your way. Here's a sneak peek at some of those prizes.
Get your Tickets Today: https://maplewoodfoundation.schoolauction.net/.../show
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us as at maplewoodfoundation@gmail.com.
PE
Before the break we worked on our volleyball skills: underhand serves, bumps and overhead hits (sets with direction). We also played a Paralympic game, sitting volleyball, and learned a little history of the game along with Newcomb which is a precursor to volleyball. Newcomb is one of a rare number of sports which have been created by women and is of historical significance in American sport, not only for having been invented by a woman, but also for becoming the second team sport to be played there by women after basketball.
This week we are playing Minute to Win It games working on a variety of skills while also practicing good sportsmanship and team building.
NUTRITION
Notes from the Kitchen
Just a reminder that milk is NOT free. The only way a student can get a free milk is if they are getting a meal. Milk for cold lunches must be purchased, .50cents.
Thanks.
Jackson Middle School Info Night - Fifth Grade families only
Please come to parent info night at Jackson on April 11 at 7:00pm. Come hear from teachers, get questions answered, see classrooms and get basic information about the middle school schedules. This is for Fifth Grade families only.
Thank you,
OFFICE SCHEDULE
Maria Belgrave (mbelgrav@pps.net) works Monday through Thursday.
Shannon Riley (sriley@pps.net) works Tuesday through Friday.
Julie Ries (jries@mesd.k12.or.us) Health Aid- Monday through Friday 8:00am - 3:30pm
Chris Khodadadian (ckhodadad@mesd.k12.or.us) School Nurse - Thursday 8:00a-12:00p
Please be sure to include both Maria and Shannon in communications regarding your children.
SCHOOL NEWS
Summer Acceleration Academy
Summer Acceleration Academy
This summer, PPS is offering the Summer Acceleration Academy again. I know many of you are signing your kids up for camps now, so I wanted to give you the dates for your planning purposes. The SAA will run from July 1- August 1.
Students will be invited based on the following:
K-2 - Students who are below or approaching grade level on the MAP testing for Phonics and Word Recognition.
3-5 - Students who are between 1-40th percentile on MAP Growth Reading
Initial invites will be sent on March 18th and the second round of invites will be sent on April 1st.
Volunteer Needs:
- One-on-one/small group academic support
- Social/emotional breaks for kids
*More information and sign-up spots are here: https://www.maplewoodpta.com/volunteer/. Or contact Lauren at Maplewoodvolcoord@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Lauren
ParentVue race update:
As we look at our school assessment data, we noticed that there are many students whose race is not correctly recorded in our system. Please be sure to update this information asap so our data reflects our true demographics.
Click on “Yearly Verification”
Click “Verify Online”
Follow the prompts to update your information.
Champion Enrollment for next school year (24-25) is OPEN!
Join our students before and after school as they grab a snack, socialize with friends and explore the world in a fun and safe environment lead by our amazing teachers. Students learn while engaging in playing games in the gym, creating crafts and use their imagination to create amazing creations. Champions is here to help families get the care they need while ensuring their students continue their learning journey in a fun way.
Champions also offers care on most in-service days and breaks! Enrollment for our summer program is also open and includes fun activities and field trips!
Visit www.discoverchampions.com to get started. Enroll for Champions NOW before spots fill up!
I also attached a flier if that is preferred too.
Megan Swader
PTA
PTA Current & Upcoming Events:
Coffee and Pastries with Kit — April 4 - in the Gym 8:00am, First Thursday of each Month
Carnival Chairperson:
Do you love event planning? Are you incredibly organized? Then we have the volunteer opportunity for YOU!
The PTA is looking for 1-2 Carnival Chairs and 3-6 committee members to plan this years spring, school wide Carnival! This is a super fun event and one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, raising over $5K!!
If this sounds overwhelming, don't worry! A few of last years committee members have already agreed to participate again this year! And additionally, a few past committee members with exiting 5th graders have agreed to be involved, in more of a smaller, mentorship role so you won't be alone!
We also have really fantastic documentation from multiple years past with a really strong blue print of how to plan a successful event.
This event CANNOT happen without parent volunteers and someone taking the lead. Please reach out to me, Amy Ng Bamford or email us at maplewoodptavicepresident@gmail.com if you're interested in helping out! THANK YOU!!!
Janina
Maplewood has a number of exciting after school activities on site this Spring including basketball, watercolor, yoga, tennis, chess, coding, engineering with LEGO, and ukulele. You can find more details including information about registration at maplewoodpta.com/afterschool or Maplewood Facebook Page.
FOUNDATION
Ways to Support Foundation
Monthly recurring donation
A monthly donation is the most convenient and effective way to give to Maplewood. Even small monthly donations make a big impact over time. Set up your monthly recurring donation here.
One-time contribution
This is a great option for grandparents, extended family, and loving neighbors to support your Maplewood student. Make a one-time contribution here.
By check
We are happy to receive donations by check made out to Maplewood Foundation and dropped off at or mailed to the school:
Maplewood Foundation
7452 SW 52nd Ave, Portland, OR 97219
Matching employer contribution
Ask your employer if they have a matching program for donations to non-profits. Click here for a list of already participating employers.
Fred Meyer Rewards Program Contribution
If you shop at Fred Meyer and are part of their rewards program, you may designate those reward savings to the Maplewood Foundation. It’s super easy and you can learn more here (sign in and search for Maplewood Foundation or IF500): https://www.fredmeyer.com/i/community/community-rewards.
BottleDrop Donations
Individuals can donate funds from their BottleDrop account balance to your Give account by logging into their account and using this link or connecting with the Foundation for bag tags.
FLYERS AND OTHER INFORMATION
SOFTBALL
Sign up link - IBW Softball - Youth Clinic
After school coding
LITTLE CODERS: INTRO TO ROBOTICS
Grades K-2
Wed, 2:15 PM-3:15 PM
Apr 10 - May 29
$209 / 8-week session
In this course, students use visual programming to learn computational thinking and core coding concepts, such as code structure, variables, and loops. Engaging activities boost problem-solving and creativity. They code robots for tasks like navigating mazes, detecting obstacles, playing music, and more.
REGISTRATIONS: www.codingwithkids.com/session/61952
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ROBOTICS: INTRO TO CODING
Grades 3-5
Wed, 2:15 PM-3:15 PM
Apr 10 - May 29
$209 / 8-week session
In this course, students use visual programming to learn computational thinking and core coding concepts, such as code structure, variables, and loops. They apply these concepts to tackle mission challenges like obstacle avoidance, path following, and maze navigation.
REGISTRATIONS: www.codingwithkids.com/session/61953
QUESTIONS? Email Coding with Kids at info@codingwithkids.com
Spring Session: 4/4-6/6 (10 Weeks)
Directly after school in Classroom #101
Sign up through our website https://www.theukuleleproject.com
LOST & FOUND
Maplewood Lost & Found is filling up fast! Help your student get their found items back by labeling all sweatshirts, jackets, hoodies, and top layers. As the weather fluctuates, layers get shed and forgotten! We will do our best to get labeled items back to your student! Sharpie with first and last name is most helpful. Email maplewoodswag@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you!
Garden Committee
Garden Club grounds clean-up Sunday, Sunday, Apr. 21, 10am - 2pm. Here is a direct link to volunteer to help: https://forms.gle/5VrhHSN7JdCFTJgu5
Camp Invention:
Camp Invention® is coming back to Maplewood Elementary July 22-26, 2024. After earning rave reviews from campers, parents and educators, this action-packed program is returning with a brandnew program, Illuminate! Children in grades K-6 will collaborate with friends to take on fun, hands-on STEM challenges, from designing a light-up ball game to tackling global water challenges to starring in a prototyping game show! Each experience inspires creativity and boosts confidence. Secure your spot at invent.org/ mylocalcamp and use promo code SUM25 by 3/27 to save $25.