Principal's Corner - January 2012

Welcome back to a new year.  I hope everyone enjoyed their winter break and spent time with your families.  As we begin the second halp of the school year we continue to focus on Developing Student Leaders through Character and Academic Excellence.  We believe all students are leaders and learners.  It is exciting to see many of our students greeting each other with a friendly hello.  We have students that are practicing to be speakers, some are teaching the lower grades the importance of washing their hands, and many other character building activities.  One of the most effective ways to help your child is to read with them or have them read to you each night.  When kids know their parents value school and their education, children come to school ready to learn.  Again, I encourage you to ask your child what they learned each day.  They all have learning targets and should be able to tell you where they are on their journey for success.  I am proud of the achievements that we have made at Maple Grove, thank you for your continued support.

I would like to thank our PTO for all the wonderful activities they have planned for the students, and the support they have given to Maple Grove.  I encourage you to attend one of their monthly meetings. 

Perfect Attendance 2nd Quarter

Congratulations!

The students names below will go into a drawing for a NOOK!

Aidan Annis, Audrey Asbridge, Damion Asbridge, Brennan Barrale, Seth Barrale, Mackenzie Beam, Kaeleigh Beauchaine, Barbie Bevard, Jeffree Bradley, Robert Brandt, Justin Breckle, Breanna Brenneisen, Cole Buckner, Alexis Chase, Skye Comia, Ashley Comte, Angel Cowhick, Jordan Dean, Thomas Ecker, Emily Ficken, Owen Gardner, Jacob Gearon, Abby Gibson, Alexis Graeler, Aaron Guss, Miranda Guss, Nathan Halfhill, Jamie Hearn, Tyler Hearn, Nathan Hejnal, Hanna Hensley, Hailey Hertel, Dakota Hodges, Chloe Hubble, Caitlin Inman, Logan King, Reese LaFata, Haylee Lanier, Trevor Lyons, Mark McDaniel, Jacob McFall, Matthew McFall, Collin McNamara, Austin Moder, Julia Moder, Tanner Moreland, Brianna Morgan, Aryn Nemec, Brandon O'Dell, Jameison Phye, Cheyenne Ploesser, Riley Ploesser, Brendan Poole, Will Putman, Cadence Regot, Maya Ringwall, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Stoffel, Cole Strange, Sydney Struttmann, Alica Thompkins, Bailey Umfleet, Brooke Umfleet, Gavin Villani, Brandon Wallis, Paige Wallis, Evan Williams, Joshua Zeilman

Triple AAA Award (Academics, Attitude, Attendance)

2nd Quater

Kindergarten: Mackenzie Beam, Kaeleigh Beauchanine, Skye Comia, Abby Gibson, Jordyn Hografe, Brendan Poole, Collin McNamara, Cole Strange, Gavin Villani

1st Grade:  Seth Barrale, Taylor Griffin, Nathan Halfhill, Haley McCloud, Johnny Smith, Levi Smith, Sydney Strttmann, Jaren Williams

2nd Grade:  Robbie Brandt, Sydney Halfhill, Jamie Hearn, Nathan Hejnal, Kaden Hografe, Cheynne Ingrum, Cheyenne Johnson, Trevor Lyons, Mathew McFall, Colin Poole, Cadence Regot, Maya Ringwall, Bailey Umfleet, Chase Viehland

3rd Grade:  Barbie Bevard, Jeffree Bradley, Avery Brasher, Jordan Dean, Zachary Haynes, Hanna Hensley, Dakota Hodges, Caitlin Inman, Jacob McFall, Breezy Morgan, Zach Roussin, Justin Webster, Austin Witmire, Joshua Zeilman

4th Grade:  Damion Asbridge, Breanna Brenneisen, Madison Griffin, Kaytlin Hoehne, Chloe Hubble, Kevin Jones, Aryn Nemec, Will Spuhl, Ali Werner, Lauren York

5th Grade:  Cole Buckner, Angel Cowhick, Jacob Gearon, Brandon O'Dell, Mallory Payne, Brooke Umfleet

Reminders:  We have no school Monday, January 21 and believe it or not, the 100th day of school is January 28th!

Reading Resource

When reading with your child at home, the best thing you can do to support them when they come to a difficult spot is to give them a strategy that will help them figure out the unknown word.  Don't tell them to sound it out!  A large percentage of the words in the English language do not play fair, so they can't be sounded out.  It's better to suggest:

Looking at the picture, Breaking the word into chunks/pieces (soft-er = softer), Spotting the vowel sound (most mistakes are with the vowel sound, not with the beginning or ending consonant sounds), Looking for a part of the word they already know how to read (like-ing endings, etc.

Always ask them if the word sounds right or makes sense once they've figured out the unknown word.  We want them to get meaning out of what they're reading, so it's important for them to stop and think about wheter or not the text makes sense once they've read it.

Counselor's Corner 

January 21 - 25 is No Name Calling Week.  This month's classroom guidance lessons will cover what to do when you become angry instead of calling someone a name or acting physically.  Please ask your child what they are doing to work on not calling other's names and to become a bucket filler.  Our Student Council teacher leaders will also go to Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade to do lessons on the topic of not bullying.

Jump Rope:  Mrs. Winchester has forms available for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students that would like to join the Maple Grove Jump Rope Team.  Practices begin Friday, January 11th at 7:45 a.m.  Doors to the gym open at 7:45 a.m.  You must provide your own transportation.

Yearbooks on Sale Now until Friday, February 22, 2013 at $10.00 each, make checks payable to MGE.  Also, pictures are needed for the yearbook.  If you have pictures of classroom parties, talent show, etc. and would like to share them in the yearbook this year, you may e-mail them to: rkluba@nwr1.k12.mo.us or send them to the school office. 

Health News:  Unless the weather is extreme, we offer the children a chance to play outside during recess time.  This outside activity provides much needed release of energy, fresh air, exercise and, unless your child has specific health issues, it should be therapeutic.  Proper attire is important; remember coats, hats, and gloves or mittens.  Don't let the cold weather be an excuse to skip exercise for you either.  A nice walk around the block is good for all.  And if it's a little chilly, you just might move faster.

Inclement Weather:  With winter right around the corner, there is a possibility for bad weather and with that comes school cancellations.  These sometimes come during the middle of the day.  If snow is in the forecast, rather than contacting the school office, please watch/listen to the local media.  Too many phone calls may prevent us from getting the information out to our parents.  As soon as the decision has been made to close school early, the district will notify the media and the principals.  At that time we will use our School Reach System to notify you.  Please keep the office updated with any phone number changes.

We "CAN" make a difference at Maple Grove!

Each month on the 1st Friday of the month, students can wear their favorite ball cap to school if they bring in a canned food item.  The class that brings in the most canned goods each month will receive a special treat!  The canned food items collected will be donated to local food pantries.  Date to bring in canned food items:  December 7th, January 4th, February 1st, March 1st, April 5th and May 3rd.

Candy Grams will be on sale for .25 January 28th - February 1st.  Candy Grams are little messages friends share with each other with candy attached.

Box Tops - Send in those Box Tops!  The class with the most box tops turned in with your teacher's name on it from now until February 15th will receive a party!

Maple Grove Library News

Six Flags Read to Succeed Program

Maple Grove has joined once again with Six Flags to encourage student reading.  Students who read 360 minutes (6 hours) by February 24th and who turn in their signed reading log by February 25th will receive one (1) free ticket to Six Flags.  Any kind of reading counts (magazines, graphic novels, e-books, etc.) as long as it is not assigned as homework. 

Students received the reading log on Monday.  If you need another copy, they are available in the library.  Each day as students read they should fill out the log and have a parent/guardian sign it.

All reading logs MUST be in by Monday, February 25th in order to be eligible for the free ticket.  We cannot submit students to Six Flags late this year.  If students finish reading their 360 minutes early, I encourage them to send their forms in as soon as they finish.  A list of students submitted for tickets will be available in the office and library by February 27th.

Spring Book Fair In March

The spring book fair will take place March 18th - 22nd.  All students will preview books on Monday, March 18th.  They will take their wish list home that night.  There is of course no obligation to buy.  Students will have the opportunity to buy that week during their scheduled library time.  Those who usually come to library on Monday can buy on Friday instead. 

This fair's theme is science and I would love help with decorations.  If you can help, please let me know.  We will also need volunteers during the book fair.  A sign-up sheet will be sent home late February and more details about fair times will follow in the next newsletter.

Bus Passes

If your child needs to ride a different bus home or be dropped off at a place other than their designated stop, you will need to fill out a Bus Pass.  Parents can get the forms on the transportation web page under the documents quick link or request one to be sent home with your child.  Bus passes need to be completed with all relevant information completed on the form. Handwritten notes are often incomplete and do not provide adequate documentation for the bus driver.  Keep in mind we often have substitute drivers and it is a protective measure for all of us that we have proper documentation when a student is dropped off any place other than their designated stop.  Please use the proper forms when making your request.