Deep Breath

There is going to be an open forum meeting held at Mapleton Elementary on Monday, January 31 at 3:30 p.m. in the gym to discuss the boundary review process and address questions and concerns regarding the upcoming boundary change. Everyone is invited. Scott Wilson (Assist. Superintendent and Chair of the Nebo School District Boundary Review Committee), Julie Warren (Nebo School District Director of Elementary Education), and Principal Celeste Gledhill will be in attendance at this meeting, along with Mapleton Elementary's Boundary Committee Members.  A member of the school board has also been invited to attend.


Please come prepared with any questions you may have about how this change will affect your family. We appreciate your efforts to help make this a smooth transition for the students.

Science and Chess (but not at the same time)

A quick reminder about the Science Fair this Friday. Did ya'll catch the presidential endorsement during the State of the Union address? I would love to see our winners celebrated as much as the Superbowl champions. Maybe a parade down Maple Street? :)

Also a heads up about chess club--they will be meeting each Tuesday after school in February. Chess is a fun way to make friends and learn a new skill, and there are also other benefits. If your child is interested, this is a great resource.

We're reading, we're reading

Post edit: The reading assembly was actually postponed until sometime in February. The January calendar got a mite full. So keep reading and we'll catch up then!

Today is a reading assembly, so talk to your child about the fun prizes and funny games associated with the reading program.

Also, our librarian, Mrs. Mittanck, is sponsoring a book club for parents this year. This is the best book club ever because you don't actually have to read anything (but you can if you want to!). It's an opportunity to gather and find out what literature is available and what your child might enjoy reading. Several books are always discussed, and you can bring your ideas for what your kids like to read or any questions you have about what's out there in the children's/YA genres. The club meets the first Thursday of each month at Mrs. Mittank's house. Email her or me for more specific info.

Also, hope ya'll are working on your science fair projects. There's just over a week left to finish hypothesizing, experimenting, and documenting! Hopefully there have been no accidents or injuries. :)

Heads Up

There's no kindergarten tomorrow, and SEP conferences are Thursday night!

(plus no school on Friday, but I don't think your kids will let you forget that one)

SEP, Science Fair, SIS

Today was the science fair assembly, so if your child came home wanting to mix chemicals in the kitchen, that may be why. Registration forms for the fair may be picked up in the front office. Project boards are due January 28 by 9:30 a.m.

SEPs (aka Parent/Teacher Conferences) are coming up this Thursday. Information about individual meeting times should have already come home. If you do not know when you are scheduled to meet with your child's teacher, check with the office or email the teacher.

It may be a good idea to check your child's progress reports on the SIS system prior to SEP (having fun with the S acronyms today). Just go to the district parent page, click on the SIS button, and log in. If you can't remember how to log in or are new to our school and haven't created an account yet, this post will walk you through the process. The trickiest part is figuring out your child's student number. If they can't remember it, you can call the school.

Roxane (our fantastic PTA president), also had some great SEP tips in the PTA newsletter this month:

Come to SEPs with a list of questions, comments, and if necessary, concerns.

Communicate with your child’s teacher early and often. Send emails, handwritten notes, or make direct contact. If something happens in the home that may affect classroom performance, let the teacher know immediately.

If your child is having a problem in class, talk with the teacher first. The teacher will appreciate it and be more willing to work with you. Going over the teacher’s head, in most cases, puts everyone on the defensive.

Ask your child’s teacher and the school to clarify what your child should be doing and learning during the school year and ask for ways you can help reinforce the educational program at home.

Thank you!

Welcome Back!

Do your New Year's Resolutions include more reading time? More fruits and veggies? Less media?

(Okay, so now you know what mine are.)

Here's wishing you a great new start of the school year!