Celebrating The Bard

Thanks to Mrs. Day for sending this info:

Mapleton Elementary presents "We are Such Stuff as Dreams are Made On," an exhibition celebrating 50 years of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Running from February 11 to March 12 at Mapleton Elementary, this exhibit features photographs from years past and provides an educational history of the award-winning festival.

This commemorative exhibit celebrates 50 years of the Utah Shakespeare Festival as seen through the eyes of its artists, audiences, and community.

From its humble beginnings in 1961 to an internationally-known professional theatre company which received the 2000 Tony Award for “Outstanding Regional Theatre,” the Utah Shakespearean Festival has provided education, enrichment, and entertainment for Utahns and thousands of visitors.
The pieces in this traveling exhibit trace the evolution of this internationally-recognized theatre company.

We are such stuff as dreams are made on.
-Prospero, The Tempest

The exhibition will be located at Mapleton Elementary, 120 West Maplet from February 11 to March 12. Mapleton Elementary is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30. Accompanying educational materials are available. For more information on viewing the exhibition, please call 801-489-2850.


About the Utah Division of Arts & Museums and the Traveling Exhibit Program

The Utah Division of Arts & Museums’ Traveling Exhibit Program is a statewide outreach program that provides schools, museums, libraries, and community galleries with the opportunity to bring curated exhibitions to their community. This program is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information on participating in the program, please contact Laura Durham, TEP Coordinator, at ldurham@utah.gov or call 801.533.3582. For media inquires, please contact Wendi Hassan, Communications Specialist, at whassan@utah.gov or call 801.236.7548.

The Utah Division of Arts & Museums is a division of the Utah Department of Community and Culture with a goal to promote innovation in and the growth of Utah’s arts and culture community. The Division provides funding, education, and technical services to individuals and organizations statewide so that all Utahns, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or economic status, can access, understand, and receive the benefits of arts and culture. Additional information on the programs and services can be found at artsandmuseums.utah.gov or by calling 801.236.7555.

Need a little touch of July?

The trees may be bare and the wind biting, but now is the time to find your July groove and put on your patriotic thinking cap (along with a nice wool one) because the Freedom Festival Essay Contest is under way. Several teachers have assigned their classes to complete this project, and class due dates may vary (my son's is due tomorrow--yikes).

Here are some guidelines:

Entries should be 2 pages or less

Typing is optional

Must be your own work

Entries will be judged on the following criteria: adherence to theme, depth of insight, writing skill, and sincerity of tone

Entries must be turned into the office by Wednesday, March 16

5 essays from Grades 1-3 and 5 essays from grades 4-6 will move on for further judging by
the Freedom Festival Panel

Certificates will be awarded to all participants and prize bags will be awarded to those who are
chosen to move onto the next level

Attach an entry form (available at the office) to the essay. Do NOT write your name directly on essay.


You can also check out this page for details from contest organizers.

If you're feeling at a loss for how to help your child begin, there are some helpful essay tips here. There are lots of other online writing helps available as well. The Fumblerules of Grammar are always good for a laugh, though my younger kids don't quite see the humor.

Happy writing!

Today's the day!

Remember the reading assembly that was postponed until later? Well, welcome to later! The assembly will be held today and it's always a lot of fun. Check with your child to see how it went.

Also, the book club being held by Mrs. Mittank will now be moved to the virtual realm (since it's so hard to find a time in the real world to meet). She is going to send me a list of books that she has "book talked" in the library, because that will often spur kids on to read them. I will post a list of the books here so you can get a feel for some of the new (and old) literature that's available. If you have any questions about books or would like to suggest one, just send me (or her) an email.

The sixth graders are going ice skating today (lucky!). And there is no school on Monday for President's Day. So all in all, it's a pretty fantastic Friday. Have a great weekend!

Math facts, one grain at a time

Tonight I was looking for a way for my third grader to practice his math facts and found this page through the district site. It's a page where kids can practice their multiplication facts (or drill other subjects), and for every correct answer, the sponsors of the site will donate 10 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program. It's not a very flashy game, but it's fun to see the virtual rice pile up on the page and feel like every correct answer is helping a someone a little bit. I just might start practicing my math facts too (or learn some Spanish words, or brush up on my classic art).

To find the other electronic resources that are availabe through the district, click on our link to their page (here or on the sidebar). Hover your mouse over the "Students" tab on the top menu bar and choose the third option down, "Electronic Playground."  From there you can choose whichever resource best meets your needs. To find math games, I clicked on "3rd-6th Interactive Games" and then chose "Math." Hopefully this helps you find some ways to supplement your child's learning in a fun way.

As long as you're on the district site, it might be a good idea to update your information in SIS if you've had any changes in your contact info (new email, cell phone number, etc.).

Same bat time, same bat channel

There is another school boundary meeting tomorrow at East Meadows Elementary in Spanish Fork at 3:30 p.m. It's the same drill as the previous meetings--parents are welcome to come listen but not talk. Basically the same rules our kids follow at school. :)

There will be meetings every Wednesday until March 9, which is when the school board will meet and announce the final boundaries.

What's the pointe?

Our third graders will be taking a field trip tomorrow to see BYU's presentation of the ballet, "Cinderella." 

From what I understand, feelings are a bit divided, with groans from the Lego-loving faction and cheers from the pink tulle camp. My son is decidedly unenthused, but I think he'll come home happy.

Thanks to all of the teachers and volunteers for helping our kids discover how to appreciate new things.

Remember to pack a lunch if you didn't request one from the school.

ADHD info

Dr. Randall F. Hyde of the ADHD clinic will be presenting information about treatments, characteristics, and underlying causes of ADHD tonight at the district office. The presentation begins at 6:00 p.m in the upstairs board roam, and there will be time for questions. It's a great opportunity to learn about this issue, especially if you have any concerns about your child.

Boundary meeting

There is another boundary meeting tomorrow at 3:30 at East Meadows Elementary in Spanish Fork. As before, there will be no open floor time but this is a great chance to get up to speed on what's happening with the boundary discussion.

Also, there is a school board meeting tomorrow evening, 6:00 p.m., at the district office. It's anticipated that the new principal of Sierra Bonita (the new elementary school) will be announced at this meeting.

A little break

The PTA meeting that was scheduled for tomorrow morning has been canceled. So take the morning off, and we'll see you in March.

Happy Anniversary

Facebook was launched seven years ago today (I think technology ages in dog years, don't you?). 

In the spirit of celebration, we're asking you to help give your friends the gift of information. If you know any Mapleton Elementary parents who are on Facebook but may not be aware of our page, suggest it to them. If you didn't know we have a page, click on the Facebook button on the right sidebar and "like" the page. News from our page will then appear in your news feed.

It's a great way to keep up with what's happening at the school (along with reading the blog, of course).

photo from mmipublicrelations.com

Book Club, Jump Club, and Other "Clicks"

Tonight is book club at Mrs. Mittanck's house, 8:00 p.m. Bring ideas on any books you are reading, would like to read, have ever read, etc. Email me if you need the address.

Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for jump club. Volunteers are also welcome! Think how warm jumping rope would make you!

Tomorrow is also spring picture day, so don't forget to brush hair and comb teeth (ha ha).

Boundary Meeting

For those interested, there is a boundary meeting scheduled tomorrow at East Meadows Elementary School at 3:30 p.m. The address is 1287 S. 2130 E. St., Spanish Fork. These meetings will be held every other Wednesday at various locations. We'll keep you updated.

Please note: There is no open floor time at these meetings. Members of the community may attend if they want to stay informed but will not be given time to speak.