Our school is eligible for free in-person tutoring in math, reading, and writing through the Arizona Department of Education. Tutoring will start this spring and will continue through the 2025-2026 school year. Tutors will be working with 5 students at a time and sessions will take place at Maldonado during the school day. We will be starting with 50 students and may get additional tutors based upon student needs. All families are welcome to apply for tutoring and Maldonado staff along with Sqooasha staff will determine final caseloads.

Complete an online permission slip.

Parent teacher conferences are quickly approaching. If you haven't already scheduled one please do as soon as possible. Conferences will take place on Thursday February 13th and Friday February 14th. Students will dismiss at 10:55 am on both days.

Tips for a productive parent teacher conference

1. Prepare Questions and Concerns: Write down any questions or concerns you have about your child’s academic progress, social development, or behavior. Examples:
1. How is my child progressing academically?
2. How does my child interact with peers?
3. Are there areas where my child needs extra support?
2. During the Conference

• Be Open-Minded and Collaborative.
• Ask for Specific Examples.
• Share Relevant Information.
• Focus on Solutions.

Brrr! Its getting cold out there. Please make sure students are dressed for the weather. Layers such as a jacket and gloves are always a good idea as it heats up throughout the day. Make sure to label all of your students belongings as it makes it easier to identify. Students will remain on the playground in the morning unless they are actively eating breakfast in the cafeteria.

If the temperature drops below freezing (32 degrees) students will sit quietly on the stage in the cafeteria. At 7:30 students will be moved to their hallway and sit quietly outside their doors until school starts at 7:45. Want to avoid the cooler temperatures? Keep in mind that students who arrive at 7:40 have plenty of time to get to class on time.

Candy grams will be for sale February 10-14 and delivered on the 14th prior to dismissal. Candy grams are a great way of letting someone know you are thinking about them! Candy grams are $1 and can be purchased through your child's teacher.

Come and join us on Tuesday February 18th from 5:30-7:30. You will be able to check out amazing K-2 classes science projects and individual projects in grades 3-5. In addition we will have a bike clinic where you can bring your bike for some much needed repairs; Learn from TEP how electricity from bikes and can provide power; Pedal your way to making a healthy smoothie; and don't forget your wallet so you can visit our PTO snack bar (CASH ONLY) and support our school. We look forward to seeing you there!

We need you! Please join us by zoom for our Parent Teacher Organization Meeting on Wednesday February 5 at 5:00pm.

The PTO treat cart visits every Wednesday after lunches. All items are $1 or less. Students must have cash in hand to line up for the treat cart. PTO provides a variety of choices and if there are items you do not wish your child to purchase please discuss your expectations with your child. PTO would love to have additional PTO members help with the treat trolley. Please contact Maldonado PTO if you are able to help.

During a monsoon storm this summer, our shade cover over the kindergarten playground was irreparably damaged and had to be taken down. We have explored all school based options and do not have a budget line that would allow us to replace it. Our PTO has made raising funds for the shade structure their number one priority. You can help by supporting our PTO as they sell goodies at various events, support the Wednesday treat cart, or other fundraising activities. You can also make donations directly to the PTO to help raise the $4000 needed to replace the shade. Any donations would need to be made directly to: Maldonado PTO.

January

28 PAW Bucks Store

29 Professional Learning Day. No School for students

February

3 Door Decoration contest judging

3 - 12 Valentines for Vets

4 Kindergarten Kick Off for incoming kinders in 2026-2027

5 PTO Meeting @ 5pm via Zoom

10-14 Candy Grams for Sale $1

10-14 Student Council Spirit Week

10 Valencia Middle School Counselor visit during Counseling time

13/14 Parent Teacher Conferences 10:55 am

18 Science Night

20/21 No School - Rodeo Days

25 Paw Bucks Store

To ensure the safety of everyone I would like to remind families of the following:

- Students may be dropped off AFTER 7:20 am. Students should never be left alone at a gate or in a parking lot.

-We are a closed campus with limited points of entry and exit based on available supervision. Only identified gates may be used to access the playground. Never climb over or try to enter a secure gate.

-Parents may walk their students to the exterior door of their teachers classroom and say goodbye at the door in the morning before the bell rings. Only staff and students are permitted in the hallways.

- Late arrivals will be escorted to class by authorized personnel.

- The entrance off of the bus bay is only for PRESCHOOL students. All others need to use the identified gates.

-Volunteers must be approved through TUSD. As our focus is on instruction, all classroom volunteers must schedule visits ahead of time with the teacher.

Food Pantry will take place at Grijalva Elementary School (1795 W. Drexel, in Midvale Park) from noon - 2:30 pm. The next one will take place on February 27.

Chronic absenteeism in young children can have significant and lasting effects on their development and academic success. If your student misses more than 18 days in a school year for any reason they are considered to have chronic absenteeism. Here are some key impacts:

1. Academic Performance: Frequent absences can lead to gaps in learning, making it difficult for children to keep up with their peers. This can result in lower grades and a lack of foundational skills.

2. Social Skills: Missing school can hinder opportunities for socialization. Children may struggle to develop essential interpersonal skills, leading to difficulties in forming friendships and collaborating with others.

3. Emotional Development: Chronic absenteeism can contribute to feelings of isolation, anxiety, or depression. Children may feel disconnected from their peers and may have lower self-esteem.

4. Behavioral Issues: Some children may exhibit behavioral problems as a reaction to absenteeism, including increased aggression or withdrawal, as they struggle to cope with their emotions.

5. Long-term Effects: Early absenteeism can set a pattern for future educational disengagement, leading to higher dropout rates in later years. This can affect job prospects and overall life opportunities.

6. Family Dynamics: Absenteeism can also affect family relationships, as parents may feel stressed about their child’s education and future, leading to tension at home.

7. Health Implications: Sometimes, chronic absenteeism is linked to health issues, whether physical or mental. Addressing these underlying problems is crucial for improving attendance.

Addressing chronic absenteeism requires a multi-faceted approach, including supportive interventions from schools, families, and communities to help children thrive both academically and socially.

Wondering where morning drop off is? (All drop offs will be off of the main playground on Tetakusim) Where should my child line up? (Depends on teacher)What day can I bring in a goodie for my childs birthday? (Fridays at the end of the day) Answers to all of these questions and so much more can be found in our Maldonado Family Handbook. You can find the file here Maldonado Family Handbook.

We Want You! We would love to have you as a partner. There are many ways in which you can support Maldonado Elementary. Our PTO and Site Council are looking for parents interested in supporting our children by planning events and advocating for the school. We are always in need of volunteers to assist in classrooms, read with students, and prepare for school events. Please refer to our school website and follow us on Facebook for upcoming events.

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 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.

We want you to stay informed. You can ensure you don't miss important Parentlink notifications by ensuring your information is current in ParentVue (phone/email). If you are still not getting notifications be sure you have not blocked the phone number or that your spam filter is not blocking emails. You can also look for current information on our school marquee, our Facebook page, and webpage.

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

Visit us on Facebook

View our Webpage

Call Us

Email the School